A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde has resulted in three deaths, according to the World Health Organization as reported by the BBC. A 70-year-old male passenger on the MV Hondius fell ill and died after the vessel reached Saint Helena Island. His 69-year-old wife also became ill and later died in a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Hantavirus is a rodent-borne virus that spreads through inhalation of particles from dried rodent droppings. Professor Paul Griffin, Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services in Australia, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that hantavirus is not a common virus but can be severe. He noted that cruise ships provide favorable conditions for infection spread due to confined spaces and prolonged close contact among passengers.

Griffin added that since the COVID-19 pandemic, hygiene practices have improved, making hantavirus transmission among cruise passengers highly unusual.

An Iranian very large crude carrier (VLCC) named 'Derya' has entered Indonesia’s Lombok Strait, reportedly evading detection by the United States Navy. The vessel is now moving through Indonesian waters toward the Riau Islands, according to the oil shipping monitoring group TankerTrackers.com. The group stated on social media that the ship had earlier attempted to unload 1.88 million barrels of Iranian crude oil in India in mid-April but failed.

TankerTrackers added that after the failed attempt in India, the Derya continued southward while other Iranian vessels in the region were being forced back to Iran by the US Navy. The firm also reported that another Iranian supertanker, the 'Huge', carrying 1.9 million barrels of oil, entered the Lombok Strait a day earlier, also heading toward the Riau Islands.

According to TankerTrackers, a total of 25 Iranian oil tankers departed from Iran in April. Of these, seven were sent back to Iranian ports and two were seized by US forces, while the rest reached their destinations successfully.

Around 20,000 sailors aboard nearly 2,000 vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of war between Iran and the combined forces of the United States and Israel, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The trapped ships include oil and gas tankers, bulk carriers, cargo ships, and cruise liners. The IMO reported that at least 19 attacks have occurred on vessels in the area since the conflict began, leaving 10 sailors dead and eight others injured.

The organization previously warned that food, fuel, and water supplies on the stranded ships are running dangerously low. Damien Chevalier, director of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Division, stated in March that such a large-scale stranding of sailors is unprecedented in modern times. The IMO has urged all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from further attacks to enable the safe evacuation of the sailors.

The situation underscores the severe humanitarian and logistical risks posed by the ongoing conflict in one of the world’s most critical maritime routes.

Bangladesh’s foreign policy is described as being at a critical juncture, shaped by growing regional competition between India and China. The article argues that Dhaka’s visible tilt toward India has raised questions about its diplomatic balance and may be limiting opportunities with China. Recent ministerial visits to Beijing are seen as limited but symbolically important signals of engagement.

Bangladesh has long pursued a policy of friendship with all, but the article notes that its practical balance is increasingly debated. India remains a key partner in trade, energy, connectivity, and security, yet unresolved issues such as border casualties, the Teesta water-sharing agreement, and trade imbalance persist. Meanwhile, China remains one of Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure partners under the Belt and Road Initiative, though recent project slowdowns and policy reviews could signal uncertainty to Beijing.

The analysis concludes that Bangladesh’s main challenge is maintaining strategic autonomy while deepening ties with both India and China. Sustainable diplomacy, it argues, requires clear national interests, policy continuity, and multidimensional engagement rather than emotional or reactive decisions.

A commentary published on May 4, 2026, in the newspaper Amar Desh argues that Bangladesh’s parliament has become a venue for partisan bickering rather than public service. The writer, journalist Maskawath Ahsan, contends that both ruling and opposition parties are repeating the same elitist and exclusionary behaviors that have historically marginalized ordinary citizens. He questions why discussions resembling internal party quarrels are being conducted at public expense inside the legislature.

The article traces the roots of Bangladesh’s political and cultural hierarchy to colonial and postcolonial attitudes that divided society by class and culture. It claims that successive political groups, including Awami League and BNP, have perpetuated this elitism by using the legacy of the Liberation War as a tool of superiority rather than equality. The author argues that both sides have failed to uphold the war’s original commitments to equality, human dignity, and social justice.

The piece concludes that after 55 years of independence, all major political parties share responsibility for Bangladesh’s failure to become a welfare state, urging them to focus on accountability instead of partisan theatrics.

A scenic natural spot known as ‘Mini Switzerland’ near Kuakata, Patuakhali, has become a major attraction for travelers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Located about 13 kilometers east of Kuakata Zero Point, the area features lush forests, grasslands, small hills, and a lake merging with sea waves. Tourists enjoy camping, photography, and the rare experience of watching both sunrise and sunset from one place. The nearby ‘Red Crab Island’ is also gaining popularity for its unique coastal ecosystem.

Local guides say the name ‘Mini Switzerland’ originated from a travel blogger’s viral video showcasing the area’s beauty. Tourism stakeholders believe that with proper planning and eco-friendly management, the site could become one of Bangladesh’s leading eco-tourism destinations. They emphasize the need for environmental protection and sustainable infrastructure development.

Authorities have announced plans to improve road connectivity and develop tourism-friendly facilities around the area. Officials stated that any future projects will prioritize environmental conservation and sustainable growth to strengthen Kuakata’s position as a diverse tourism hub.

U.S. President Donald Trump has unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Iran for an indefinite period, despite Tehran not requesting an extension or sending any delegation to Pakistan for talks. The original 15-day ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, was set to expire on April 22. Trump also extended the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel by three weeks. Analysts interpret this move as a sign of Washington’s military and strategic limitations in sustaining prolonged tension with Iran.

The article argues that the indefinite extension reflects a U.S. strategic withdrawal rather than a peace initiative. Iran’s resilience, counter-response capability, and coordination with regional allies have increased the cost of conflict for the United States. Tehran has warned it will treat any renewed aggression as a joint U.S.-Israeli responsibility and remains prepared to defend control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

The report concludes that the extended ceasefire does not resolve the conflict but shifts it into diplomatic and economic arenas, exposing the declining effectiveness of Washington’s unilateral pressure tactics and highlighting Iran’s emergence as an active power reshaping regional dynamics.

Vote counting for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election began under tight security on Monday morning, May 4, 2026, at 8 a.m. local time. The election was held in two phases on April 23 and 29 across 294 constituencies, though one seat’s polling was canceled by the Election Commission due to irregularities. Counting is taking place for 293 seats at 77 centers across 23 districts, including Kolkata.

Postal ballots are being counted first, followed by votes cast through electronic voting machines (EVMs). According to early counting trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading. The process is being conducted simultaneously across all designated centers under strict security arrangements.

Preliminary results indicate that BJP is ahead in 193 constituencies, while the Trinamool Congress is leading in 96. The final outcome will depend on the completion of the full counting process.

The body of Bangladeshi student Jamil Ahmed Limon, who was brutally killed in Florida, has arrived in Dhaka. The remains reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:40 a.m. on Monday, May 4. The repatriation process was supervised by Consul General Seheli Sabrin and Consul Thoing from the Bangladesh Consulate General in Miami. Following the recovery of Limon’s body on April 25, all legal formalities were completed through coordination among the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, the Miami Consulate, the victim’s family, his university, local Bangladeshi expatriates, and law enforcement authorities.

Earlier, a funeral prayer for Limon was held at the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area mosque after the noon prayer, attended by students from the University of South Florida, his relatives, consular officials, media representatives, and members of the local Bangladeshi community.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to send the body of another Bangladeshi student, Nahida Sultana Brishti, who was also killed in the same incident. Her first funeral prayer is scheduled to take place in Tampa on May 6, coordinated by the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington and the Miami Consulate.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced its support for a mission declared by Donald Trump to restore 'freedom of navigation' in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation begins today, with CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stating on social media that the defensive mission is essential for regional security and the global economy. The US deployment includes guided missile destroyers, over a hundred air and sea-based combat aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 troops.

Last week, the US State Department introduced a separate initiative called the 'Maritime Freedom Construct' to enhance coordination among international partners for ensuring maritime security in the Hormuz Strait. The CENTCOM announcement comes amid warnings from Iranian officials, who have said that any US intervention in the area would be considered a violation of the ceasefire.

The mission underscores heightened tensions in the region as Washington moves to secure vital shipping routes while Tehran signals strong opposition to foreign military involvement.

Bangladesh Bank has adopted a short-, medium-, and long-term financing plan to reopen closed factories and increase employment. The initiative aligns with the BNP government’s election pledge to create ten million jobs within the first 18 months. The central bank discussed the plan with 20 commercial banks’ business and credit risk departments in a meeting chaired by Deputy Governor Kabir Ahmed. Banks requested government-backed credit guarantees to mitigate potential lending risks.

According to meeting details, short-term loans will support factories with active utility connections but lacking working capital, while medium-term financing will assist those with disconnected utilities or damaged equipment. Long-term loans will target factories requiring new machinery or utility reconnections. Banks expressed limited capacity for self-financing due to past sectoral losses and sought government or central bank funds. A 19-member committee formed on April 26 was tasked with preparing a full financing report.

The central bank is consulting stakeholders to design low-interest support packages, though the IMF has discouraged new refinancing funds under its ongoing loan program. Priority will go to factories not involved in major financial crimes or money laundering.

Signs of easing tensions have emerged in the Hormuz Strait as U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the U.S. Navy will assist in safely moving stranded ships from the area. Trump described the move as a humanitarian effort, noting that many of the vessels have no connection to the ongoing conflict. The operation has been named 'Project Freedom.'

In his post, Trump revealed that his representatives are engaged in what he called 'very positive discussions' with Iran. However, it was not clear whether these talks are limited to ship rescue operations or part of a broader effort to resolve the conflict. The announcement suggests some level of cooperation or understanding between the U.S. and Iran in facilitating the safe passage of ships.

Analysts cited in the report indicated that this development could mark a potential path out of the current deadlock surrounding the Hormuz Strait conflict, which, along with nuclear issues, has been a major obstacle to renewed dialogue between the two sides.

Despite spending nearly Tk 10,000 crore on several drainage and infrastructure projects, Chattogram continues to suffer from severe waterlogging after even brief rainfall. Officially, project progress exceeds 90 percent, yet the port city remains inundated. Experts attribute the persistent problem to poor coordination among agencies, weak maintenance, and ineffective waste management. The issue has drawn attention in parliament, where the Prime Minister expressed regret and assured that efforts are underway to resolve it.

Three major agencies—the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Water Development Board, and Chattogram City Corporation—are implementing projects worth Tk 14,257 crore, but delays and inefficiency have extended three-year projects to eight years. Experts say unplanned urbanization, hill cutting, and siltation of canals have worsened the crisis. Around 1.9 million tons of waste are generated annually, much of which ends up in canals, blocking water flow.

Officials acknowledge that the City Corporation lacks the manpower and technology to maintain the expanded drainage network. The local government ministry has also criticized the previous administration for assigning large projects to inexperienced agencies, creating further complications.

The investigation agency of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has found evidence of 32 killings during Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel area. The agency is preparing to submit a final report accusing 25 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, and former DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed. The report is expected to be filed in the first week of next month, marking a major step in the ongoing probe into the 2013 incident.

The tribunal’s chief prosecutor Aminul Islam said the investigation is nearing completion, with only some work remaining in Chattogram. The 2013 rally, called by Hefazat-e-Islam to press 13 religious and social demands, ended in a deadly crackdown. Human rights group Odhikar had earlier reported at least 61 deaths, describing the operation as an extrajudicial killing under government orders. Following that report, Odhikar leaders Adilur Rahman Khan and A.S.M. Nasiruddin Elan were later jailed under the ICT Act.

Hefazat leaders have renewed their demand for justice, urging Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible for the 2013 killings.

The United States has significantly narrowed its war objectives toward the Hormuz Strait, according to retired US Marine Corps special operations expert Jonathan Hackett. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hackett said that over the past 60 days, Washington’s goals have shifted from seeking regime change in Iran and dismantling its nuclear and ballistic missile systems to focusing on economic outcomes centered on the strategic waterway. The change follows former president Donald Trump’s announcement of an escort mission, dubbed 'Project Freedom', to rescue ships stranded in the strait.

Hackett described the mission as potentially offering the US a more achievable objective and a dignified exit from the ongoing conflict. Trump has characterized the operation as a humanitarian effort. Hackett, however, noted that the situation also carries diplomatic dimensions, questioning how the US would treat stranded crews from countries with which it lacks friendly relations.

He warned that if Iran obstructs the mission, the situation could deteriorate rapidly, potentially depleting US military resources and forcing American forces into a defensive role, which could also raise new risks for insurance companies.