The Ministry of Shipping of Bangladesh has announced an increase in launch fares effective from Tuesday, May 5. The decision follows the recent rise in fuel prices. Under the new rates, fares for short-distance routes have increased by 18 paisa per kilometer to 2.95 taka, while long-distance fares have risen by 14 paisa per kilometer to 2.52 taka. The minimum fare per passenger has also been raised from 29 taka to 32 taka. The ministry issued a gazette notification confirming the changes under the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Routes, Permits, Schedules and Fare Determination) Regulations, 2019.

The fare adjustment comes after the government raised fuel prices on April 18, increasing diesel by 15 taka, octane by 20 taka, petrol by 19 taka, and kerosene by 18 taka per liter, effective from midnight on April 19. Following the fuel price hike, transport owners and workers held several meetings with the government to revise fares across public transport sectors.

Earlier, on April 23, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges raised fares for diesel-run buses and minibuses by 11 paisa per kilometer, which took effect the same day.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahedur Rahman has said that the government is preparing clear policies and a code of conduct for journalism in response to the rapid expansion of online and digital media. He made the remarks in Dhaka at the closing session of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference, following a meeting of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Dr. Rahman stated that it has become very easy to launch online-based media outlets, but there is a lack of proper guidelines. To ensure professional standards and accountability in journalism, the government is taking steps to establish a regulatory framework. He added that district commissioners proposed setting specific standards and codes of conduct for journalists to promote professionalism at the field level. The ministry is working on these measures for early implementation.

He further mentioned that the government intends to strengthen the fact-checking system through a new project integrating district-level information infrastructure. The long-inactive Information Commission will be restructured to operate independently, ensuring transparency and effective handling of information-related complaints.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) arrested seven members of a criminal group known as the 'Agyan Party' from Dholai Par area in Jatrabari on Tuesday, May 5. The group allegedly drugged passengers on inter-district buses by offering food laced with sedatives or injecting them in crowded areas before stealing their belongings. The arrests followed a special DB operation based on secret information, according to a press release signed by DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) N M Nasiruddin.

Police recovered sedative-laced sweets, fast-acting anesthetic injections labeled Milam and Hypnofast, seven mobile phones suspected to be stolen, and leaflets describing their methods. The suspects reportedly targeted bus terminals and busy public areas across Dhaka and other districts. A case has been filed at Jatrabari Police Station.

On the same day, separate operations by Jatrabari and Mugda police stations led to the detention of 46 more individuals for various offenses. DMP officials said surveillance around bus terminals and cattle markets has been intensified ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, and similar drives will continue.

In West Bengal, India, police have filed 200 cases and arrested 433 people in connection with post-election violence that erupted across several districts following a political change in the state. Additionally, around 1,100 individuals have been detained as a preventive measure. The information was announced by Director General of Police Siddhnath Gupta during a press conference at the state police headquarters in Bhawani Bhavan on Wednesday. He stated that while incidents of violence occurred in recent days, no new cases were reported since Wednesday morning.

The police have warned that any attempt to intimidate others or take the law into one’s own hands will face strict legal action. Authorities have begun identifying those allegedly trying to exploit the political transition to create unrest. Gupta urged citizens to report complaints to local police stations and assured that police would file cases on their own initiative if victims were too afraid to come forward.

The state police also clarified that the additional security previously provided to Trinamool leader and outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and MP Abhishek Banerjee has been redeployed elsewhere. Central forces, comprising 500 companies, are assisting the state police, with joint control rooms operating at state and district levels.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy stated that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could return to normal once what it called “aggressors’ threats” come to an end. The statement, issued on May 6, 2026, also thanked ship owners who have been following Iran’s regulations while crossing the strategic waterway.

The IRGC noted that under a new arrangement, safe and permanent navigation through the strait would be possible once the current threats subside. The announcement came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a temporary suspension of “Project Freedom,” an American initiative aimed at ensuring the security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC’s remarks indicate a conditional openness to restoring normal maritime operations, contingent on the removal of perceived external threats and adherence to Iranian rules in the region.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapon announced that integrated measures are being taken to ensure journalists’ job security and to combat misinformation and disinformation. He made the remarks on Wednesday after the closing session of the Deputy Commissioners’ (DC) Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The minister said the government regularly holds such meetings with DCs as part of its routine program, and this session focused on strengthening information management and responsible media practices.

Swapon emphasized the need to transform the country’s traditional media ecosystem into a digital platform and urged DCs to be prepared to cooperate when the ministry introduces new capabilities. He said the government aims to make information flow more disciplined and accountable through coordination with the media.

Information Secretary Mahbuba Farzana added that each district will have a designated focal person to coordinate with journalists and facilitate transparent information sharing. She said DCs have been instructed to include local journalists in coordination meetings to reduce bureaucratic barriers and promote collaboration.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the ongoing conflict could end if Iran accepts the proposed conditions. He made the remarks on Wednesday through his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump warned that if Tehran fails to honor an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United States would resume attacks on Iran with greater intensity.

According to Trump’s post, if Iran complies with the conditions, the operation named “Epic Fury” would conclude, and the blockade would be lifted, reopening the Strait of Hormuz for all, including Iran. However, he cautioned that refusal to cooperate would trigger renewed bombings at a higher scale and intensity.

The statement underscores Trump’s conditional approach to ending hostilities, linking Iran’s compliance with the reopening of the strategic waterway to the cessation of U.S. military actions.

Italy’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Antonio Alessandro, has expressed interest in working with the Bangladesh Police to enhance cooperation in areas of human trafficking, smuggling, and security support. The announcement came during a courtesy meeting with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir at the Police Headquarters on Wednesday.

During the meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, the Italian ambassador congratulated the IGP and discussed ongoing collaboration between the two sides. The IGP sought Italy’s assistance in strengthening Bangladesh Police’s cyber security capabilities and in providing training on various security-related issues. He also emphasized the importance of coordination and mutual cooperation between the police forces of both countries.

The Italian ambassador reiterated his country’s interest in supporting ongoing training programs and enhancing capacity in areas related to irregular migration, human trafficking, smuggling, and security assistance. Senior officials of the Bangladesh Police were present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Chandpur on May 16 and Feni on May 25, according to Water Resources Minister Md. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee. The announcement came after a meeting with the Prime Minister at the Secretariat on Wednesday morning. During these visits, the Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate canal excavation programs in both districts ahead of the monsoon season.

The minister stated that the canal excavation initiative is part of a five-year national program to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh. He noted that the Prime Minister has already inaugurated similar programs in several districts, and local ministers and MPs are continuing the work in their respective areas. Due to the approaching monsoon, the current phase of the program is expected to continue through May, with plans to resume again after the rainy season in November, December, and January.

The meeting also discussed the Padma Barrage Project, with the minister confirming that its technical study and feasibility survey are nearly complete and that the government will make a decision soon.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam visited Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Tuesday to expedite the repatriation process. During the visit, she inspected Camp-4 and other key facilities under the Ukhiya Army Camp, observing overall operations and activities related to repatriation management.

According to the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Director General of the Myanmar Wing Md. Tawfiq-ur-Rahman, Director Shamima Yasmin Smriti, APS Mohammad Fazlul Haque, and Assistant Secretary Zahid Hasan Sehab, accompanied the minister. RRRC Commissioner Mizanur Rahman, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rifat Asma, and several Camp-in-Charge officials were also present.

The minister later visited the women’s skill development initiatives at the Kutupalong Registered Camp, where she observed sewing training and hygiene product production activities and encouraged women to become self-reliant. Security in the camp area was reported to be satisfactory, with increased patrols and surveillance during the visit.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie announced that the technical and feasibility studies for the Padma Barrage Project are nearly complete. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Wednesday, he said the project will soon be presented at an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting for discussion and decision.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, focused on water resource management, including canal excavation, irrigation facilities for farmers during the dry season, and the Padma Barrage Project. According to the minister, the project is crucial for one-third of Bangladesh’s population, especially in North Bengal, as it aims to address dry-season water shortages, improve irrigation, maintain river navigability, and support fisheries and agriculture.

The proposed project, estimated to cost about Tk 34,497 crore, plans to build a barrage on the Padma River at Pangsha Point in Rajbari to store water for irrigation and environmental management. Discussions also covered the Teesta Project and upcoming canal excavation programs to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister in Chandpur and Feni later in May.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that ensuring true professionalism in the media would automatically solve many of the sector’s existing problems. He emphasized the government’s commitment to guaranteeing free and accurate information for citizens and protecting them from misinformation. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with a delegation from the Broadcast Journalist Center (BJC) at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat.

During the meeting, the BJC delegation presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting various issues and opportunities in the electronic media sector. The minister noted that while current policies remain analog, the challenges are digital, underscoring the need to modernize existing regulations to adapt to rapid technological changes. He stated that the government aims to act as a facilitator rather than impose restrictions.

Zahir Uddin Swapan also announced plans to form a Media Commission based on consensus among stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to media-related issues. He expressed hope that constructive suggestions from stakeholders would help make the commission effective.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation increased to 9.04 percent in April, up from 8.71 percent in March, according to the latest report released on Wednesday by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The rise has been attributed to the impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East and global economic uncertainty, which have affected domestic markets.

The BBS data show that food inflation climbed to 8.39 percent in April from 8.24 percent in March, intensifying pressure on consumers as prices of essential goods continued to rise. Non-food inflation also showed an upward trend, reaching 9.57 percent compared to 9.09 percent in the previous month. Increases in housing rent, fuel, and transport costs were identified as key contributors to the non-food inflation rise.

A year-on-year comparison indicates that overall inflation in April 2025 was slightly higher at 9.17 percent, with food inflation at 8.63 percent and non-food inflation at 9.61 percent, suggesting a modest improvement in the current year’s figures despite persistent cost pressures.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has directed all district commissioners to recover and confiscate around 10,000 licensed firearms that were issued on political grounds during previous governments but have not yet been returned. He announced the directive on Wednesday after the Home Ministry session of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.

The minister said that although the interim government had set a deadline for returning licensed weapons, many remain uncollected. Field administrations have been instructed to recover these arms, take legal action against offenders, and file cases if necessary. He added that licenses issued between January 2009 and August 5, 2024, without proper policy compliance are under review for cancellation, while valid pre-2009 license holders will be allowed to reclaim their weapons.

Ahmed emphasized that curbing illegal weapons, drugs, extortion, and online gambling is a top government priority to maintain law and order. He urged coordinated efforts between police and district administrations and warned that no laxity in enforcement would be tolerated.

An Israeli military commander overseeing the occupied West Bank has stated that his forces have not carried out as many killings since 1967 as they have recently. The remark, made by Major General Avi Bluth, head of the army’s Central Command, during a closed meeting, was reported by the Israeli daily Haaretz and has triggered widespread controversy. Bluth has not denied the statement, and the Israel Defense Forces have yet to issue an official response.

According to the report, Bluth said that 42 Palestinians accused of throwing stones at vehicles were shot dead last year, describing such acts as terrorism. He acknowledged that similar actions by Jewish settlers do not face the same response, admitting there is discrimination. The report also noted that Palestinians are tried under military law, while Israeli citizens face civilian courts. Bluth further mentioned that shooting suspected border crossers below the knee is now permitted as a deterrent.

Haaretz’s editorial questioned whether the social consequences of such policies toward Palestinians have been considered. Analysts cited in the report warned that rising tensions in the West Bank could escalate into a broader conflict.