Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that global press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years. The organization publishes an annual World Press Freedom Index assessing the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists and media outlets in 180 countries. The five-tier index rates countries from “very serious” to “good” based on press freedom conditions.

According to RSF, for the first time since the index began in 2002, more than half of the world’s countries are in a “difficult” or “very serious” situation. Only seven countries achieved a “good” rating, with Norway, the Netherlands, and Estonia ranking highest. France placed 25th with a “satisfactory” score, while the United States ranked 64th with a “problematic” score, seven places lower than before. In Latin America, Argentina ranked 98th and El Salvador 143rd.

RSF identified Eastern Europe and the Middle East as the most dangerous regions for journalists, citing Israel’s attacks on reporters in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon. The report also noted that over 60 percent of countries criminalize journalists in various ways, highlighting India, Egypt, Georgia, Turkey, and Hong Kong as key examples of state repression.

Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Touhiduzzaman Pavel visited the district jail on Thursday morning to inspect ongoing rehabilitation activities for inmates. During the visit, he reviewed progress in tailoring, carpentry, handicraft production, IT training, agricultural work, and educational programs. After the inspection, he described the overall management of the jail as satisfactory and urged officials to continue performing their duties responsibly.

Following the inspection, a quarterly meeting of the Jail Inspection Board was held at the same venue. The meeting discussed various issues related to inmate welfare, rehabilitation, healthcare, legal assistance, and infrastructural development of the prison. Board members provided necessary guidance for the overall improvement of the jail.

The jail superintendent, members of the district jail inspection board, and other relevant officials were present during the visit and meeting.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury said that photography is not merely a play of light and shadow but a record of time that immortalizes history. He made the remarks on Thursday while inaugurating a photo exhibition at the National Press Club as the chief guest. The event was organized by the National Forum of Photo Journalists, Nepal (NFPJ), with support from the Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association.

During his speech, Yasser Khan became emotional, recalling his early career dream of becoming a photojournalist and his fascination with viewing life through a camera lens. He also reminisced about his visit to Nepal in the 1990s, describing the country’s natural beauty and the simplicity of its people. He emphasized that such cultural exchanges strengthen the friendship between Bangladesh and Nepal.

Speakers at the event noted the geographical and cultural similarities between the two countries and expressed hope that collaborations among photographers would deepen bilateral ties and enhance professional exchange.

At least seven people were killed when a boundary wall collapsed at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Bengaluru, southern India, on Wednesday, April 29. The wall, about eight feet high, suddenly gave way, according to local officials cited by Reuters. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said the dead included a child and four street vendors who were near the wall. Three others were injured and are receiving treatment at the hospital.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “tragic” in a post on social media platform X. Eyewitnesses reported that one injured woman received initial treatment before being admitted for further examination. Local authorities have not yet provided details on the cause of the collapse or whether structural issues were previously identified.

The accident has drawn national attention due to the loss of life and the involvement of a major public hospital in Bengaluru. Officials are expected to review safety measures at similar facilities in the coming days.

A court in Cumilla has sentenced a man to death for raping and killing a second-grade schoolgirl in Burichang upazila. The verdict was delivered on Thursday afternoon by Judge Abdul Hannan of the Cumilla Children’s Tribunal. The convicted, Moynal Hossain, is the son of the late Khorshed Alam from Varella village in Burichang.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in 2021 when Moynal Hossain raped and murdered his neighbor, a young girl named Umme Habiba Mim. He then wrapped her body in polythene and hid it inside a toilet tank, from where police later recovered it. The victim’s mother filed a murder case with Burichang Police Station following the discovery.

After hearing testimonies from 17 witnesses, the court pronounced the death sentence and ordered that the convicted be taken to prison from the courtroom.

A mobile court in Dhamrai, Dhaka, fined the owner of Karim Filling Station Tk 50,000 for supplying less fuel than the specified amount to customers. The operation took place on Wednesday night at the station located near the Kalampur bus stand. The court, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Ridwan Ahmed Rafi, found that the pump had been cheating customers by giving less fuel for an extended period.

The owner, Monir Hossain, who also serves as the president of the Dhamrai Upazila unit of the Jubo Dal and is a candidate for chairman of the Somvag Union Parishad, was penalized after multiple complaints were verified. During the inspection, it was confirmed that the pump dispensed less fuel than indicated. Several victims stated that such irregularities had been ongoing for a long time.

Monir Hossain later claimed, while concealing his identity as the owner, that the issue was due to a machine malfunction. The executive magistrate said similar drives would continue to protect consumer interests and prevent future fraud.

At least nine people were killed and 22 others injured when a bus overturned in western Bolivia early Wednesday. The accident occurred near the small town of Chalacollo, about 240 kilometers south of La Paz, on a highway close to Oruro. Local police confirmed the casualties, noting that the injured were taken to various hospitals in the area. Among the dead was a newborn who was declared dead after being taken to a medical center.

Authorities said the cause of the crash remains under investigation but suggested that excessive speed and driver inattention may have contributed. The 24-year-old driver was also injured in the incident.

According to official data, Bolivia records at least 1,400 road fatalities each year, with most accidents attributed to driver negligence and mechanical failures.

Seventeen bodies were recovered and seven people rescued from a drifting boat off the coast of Libya, the Libyan Red Crescent reported on Wednesday. The rescue operation was carried out by a patrol vessel that responded to a distress call near the North African country’s shoreline. The incident was confirmed by AFP from Tripoli.

According to the Red Crescent, the operation was one of the most difficult field missions conducted so far. Photos posted on the organization’s Facebook page showed rescuers unloading black body bags from a boat. The nationalities of the deceased and survivors were not disclosed. The Red Crescent said it was working with the UN refugee agency to provide humanitarian assistance to the survivors, suggesting they were migrants attempting to reach Europe.

The rescue involved members of the Red Crescent, the navy, the coast guard, and coastal security units. The operation lasted more than eight hours under challenging conditions, following eight days during which the stranded boat had been in distress.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged the British royal family to return the historic Kohinoor diamond to India. He made the statement at a press conference in Lower Manhattan ahead of King Charles’s visit. Mamdani clarified that he had no scheduled meeting with the King, who was attending an event at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. When asked what he would say if he met the monarch, Mamdani replied that he would ask him to return the priceless Kohinoor diamond to India.

The 105.6-carat diamond was taken from an Indian princely ruler during British colonial rule in the 1840s and later presented to Queen Victoria. It is now part of the British Crown Jewels, kept in the Tower of London. According to The New York Times, Mamdani’s Indian heritage and family background align with his anti-colonial stance. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a noted scholar of colonialism, and his mother, Mira Nair, is a filmmaker whose work often explores colonial experiences.

India has long demanded the return of the Kohinoor diamond, a symbol of colonial-era loss and cultural heritage.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that American consumers lost about 2.1 billion dollars to social media–based scams in 2025. The report identified social media as the leading source of financial losses compared to other fraud channels. Around 30 percent of victims said their scams began on social platforms, with Facebook accounting for the highest losses, followed by WhatsApp and Instagram.

The FTC found that online shopping scams were the most common, with over 40 percent of victims saying they ordered products after seeing social media ads. These included clothing, cosmetics, car parts, and even pets, often from fake or unfamiliar websites. Investment scams caused about 1.1 billion dollars in losses, while romance scams also grew, with 60 percent of those victims reporting initial contact through social media.

The FTC advised users to limit who can view their posts and personal information, avoid investments suggested online acquaintances, and research sellers before making purchases. Analysts warned that as social media use expands, targeted advertising and personal data misuse are increasing fraud risks, making stronger platform security and user awareness essential.

A worker was killed in a collision between a motorcycle and a battery-run autorickshaw on Thursday morning in the Muktir Bazar area along the Valuka-Gafargaon road in Mymensingh’s Valuka upazila. The deceased was identified as Md. Shihab Mia, 21, son of Alam Mia from Gowari village in Birunia Union.

According to Valuka Model Police Station’s Second Officer SI Md. Rafiqul Islam, Shihab Mia worked at the Butterfly factory in Mallikbari area of the upazila. He was on his way to the factory when the accident occurred, resulting in his death. Police were dispatched to the scene following the incident.

The report did not mention further details about the cause of the collision or the condition of others involved.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam stated that Chattogram city is functioning normally and is not submerged in water. During an inspection tour of key city areas on Thursday morning with Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, he said no stagnant water was found and dismissed media reports suggesting widespread waterlogging. He noted that sudden rainfall of around 60 millimeters could cause temporary water accumulation but clarified that this does not amount to prolonged waterlogging.

Explaining the situation, the minister said ongoing canal construction has led to temporary water congestion in some areas due to retaining walls and other barriers. The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has assured that these obstacles will be removed soon. He added that, following the Prime Minister’s directive, a coordination committee has been formed under the mayor’s leadership, including representatives from all relevant agencies, to address the issue.

The minister’s remarks aimed to reassure residents and counter claims of persistent flooding in the city.

Myanmar’s military ruler and current president Min Aung Hlaing has announced a one-sixth reduction in prison sentences for all inmates, marking a general amnesty tied to a national holiday. According to official statements, the decision applies broadly without naming specific prisoners. Sources close to detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi indicated that her sentence could also be partially reduced under this order.

Suu Kyi, detained since the 2021 military coup, remains imprisoned on multiple charges including corruption and COVID-19 regulation violations. A former senior member of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party said it is still unclear how much her total sentence will decrease. An NLD-linked source claimed that the 80-year-old leader would be covered by the amnesty. In 2023, her sentence was previously reduced to 27 years following partial pardons.

Analysts view the move as a possible attempt by the junta to ease international pressure, while opposition groups and observers describe it as a limited and symbolic reform. Suu Kyi’s family and supporters have expressed concern over her deteriorating health and prolonged isolation.

In Sirajganj’s Raiganj upazila, toxic smoke from a brick kiln reportedly damaged around 80 bighas of Boro rice fields, affecting at least 30 farmers. The incident occurred near Bilchandi area, where locals allege that emissions from the ‘Tanjila’ brick kiln spread over nearby farmland, burning rice plants and blackening the grains. In protest, affected farmers held a demonstration in Telijana village, demanding immediate closure of the kiln and compensation for their losses.

Farmers including Abdul Malek, Abdul Alim, Amzad Hossain, and Gokul Nandi said their crops were destroyed overnight, leaving them uncertain about repaying debts and supporting their families. Brick kiln owner Faruk Hossain denied responsibility, claiming the damage might have other causes and dismissing concerns about administrative action. A Raiganj upazila official confirmed receiving complaints and said an investigation would be conducted.

Environmental experts warned that unregulated brick kiln operations are harming agricultural land and posing risks to food security, urging stronger oversight and enforcement.

Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani has announced that the country will soon unveil a new weapon described as terrifying to its enemies. According to a report by Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV on Wednesday, Irani remarked that he hoped the weapon would not cause the enemy a “heart attack.” He said the announcement follows recent military confrontations in which Iran claims to have successfully countered foreign aggression.

Irani stated that enemy forces had believed they could achieve their objectives quickly through attacks on Iran, but those assumptions have now become a subject of ridicule in military academies. He also claimed that Iran’s navy launched at least seven missile strikes against the U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, temporarily halting its flight operations. The commander added that since the aggression began on February 28, Iranian forces have carried out around 100 retaliatory strikes on sensitive U.S. and Israeli targets across West Asia.

Irani further asserted that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz from the Arabian Sea and warned that any further approach by enemy forces would trigger immediate action. Despite the blockade, he claimed some Iranian ships have successfully reached their destinations.