Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared that Europe will not submit to a transactional, inward-looking, and rigid global system. Speaking at the opening session of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Yerevan, Armenia, on Monday, Carney said he believes a renewed international order could emerge from Europe itself. He became the first non-European leader to attend the EPC summit, which was seen as a strategic move to highlight Armenia’s independence from Russian influence.

The meeting took place amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and renewed doubts about the United States’ commitment to NATO following President Donald Trump’s announcement to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that many alliances are under strain, while French President Emmanuel Macron said European nations are increasing defense spending and developing their own solutions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that Europe must be part of any future negotiations with Russia.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte both emphasized the need to strengthen Europe’s defense pillar within NATO, acknowledging shifting dynamics in transatlantic relations.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher has called on district commissioners (DCs) to assist in evicting illegal land occupations, maintaining canals to prevent waterlogging, managing parks and playgrounds, and supporting tree plantation programs. He made the request during the DC Conference held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, according to the ministry’s public relations office.

The minister noted that agencies under his ministry have long worked as key partners with district administrations in implementing various government initiatives related to infrastructure, housing, and urban management. He thanked the DCs for their cooperation and highlighted ongoing projects such as dormitory and studio apartment construction for government employees, integrated office buildings, and renovation of old structures. He also urged collective efforts to implement the new government procurement policy.

Taher emphasized that DCs play a vital role in resolving ownership of abandoned properties, ensuring availability of khas land for housing, and supporting the operations of RAJUK and other urban development authorities. He called for patriotic and coordinated work to strengthen field administration and overcome institutional inefficiencies.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Aminul Islam announced that the identities of 58 people killed during the May 5, 2013, Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel have been confirmed. He stated on Tuesday that information suggests involvement of 30 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with the killings that occurred across Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram.

Earlier, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, claimed on social media that at least 58 people, including seven security personnel, were killed during the two days of violence surrounding the Hefazat rally. He recounted his participation in an investigation with former BBC correspondent Mark Dummett, which involved reviewing hospital records, meeting victims’ families, and collecting burial evidence.

Majumder said he had long avoided taking credit for the investigation due to security concerns but expressed satisfaction that his work continues to be referenced by fellow journalists.

The Spanish government has announced a major initiative under its 2026 Regularization Project to grant legal residency and work rights to eligible irregular migrants living in the country. The program aims to integrate undocumented workers into Spain’s formal economy, allowing them to live and work legally. Participants will gain access to employment opportunities, social security registration, and the national healthcare system on par with regular citizens.

Under the plan, legalized migrants will also be able to travel visa-free within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, the permit will remain a national authorization, meaning it will not allow permanent residence, employment, or free healthcare in other EU member states. Migrants wishing to stay long-term elsewhere in the EU must apply under that country’s immigration laws.

Similar policy shifts are emerging across Europe. Italy plans to issue work permits to 500,000 non-EU citizens between 2026 and 2028 to address labor shortages, while Germany is focusing on recruiting skilled workers and caregivers.

A pedestrian named Akkas Ali Khalifa, aged 50, was killed on Tuesday morning when a speeding dump truck ran him over near the Biraldah shrine area in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi. The accident occurred around 7 a.m. on the highway, and the victim was from Charghat Thanapara. Witnesses said two dump trucks were racing side by side when one lost control and struck the pedestrian, killing him instantly.

Following the incident, enraged locals blocked the highway and set fire to the two trucks involved. The situation escalated as journalists covering the event were attacked, and several mobile phones were damaged. Police from Poba Highway Station faced resistance when they tried to reach the scene, and their vehicle was vandalized. Later, Puthia police and a fire service team arrived to control the blaze and restore order.

Authorities said additional police were deployed to calm the situation, and traffic gradually resumed. Locals alleged that reckless truck driving has long been a problem on this road due to poor monitoring.

Farmers in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj are struggling to find laborers even by offering the equivalent of two maunds of paddy, while harvesters provided under government subsidy are reportedly charging higher-than-approved rents. The situation has left local farmers in severe difficulty during the ongoing Boro season. According to the agriculture office, paddy was cultivated on 12,850 hectares in the upazila, but about 585 hectares have been affected by heavy rainfall.

Previously, a worker could be hired for one maund or less of paddy, but now even two maunds are not enough. The current market price of raw paddy is between Tk 650 and Tk 700 per maund, while daily labor wages have risen to around Tk 1,300. Farmers are spending about Tk 22,000 per bigha to produce paddy but earning only Tk 17,500 from sales, resulting in a loss of Tk 4,000–5,000 per bigha.

The upazila agriculture officer said 27 harvesters are ready to address the labor shortage, with additional machines being brought from nearby districts. The maximum approved rent per bigha is Tk 2,500, and authorities will take action if higher rates are charged.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman may visit either India or China in June, with discussions on the Teesta mega project expected during the China trip. He made the remarks on Tuesday, May 5, while speaking to journalists at the state guesthouse Padma in Dhaka.

Addressing concerns about possible push-in incidents from India, the minister said that if any such event occurs following a change of power in West Bengal, Bangladesh will take countermeasures. He also mentioned that China’s foreign minister has invited him to visit Beijing for extensive talks on strengthening bilateral relations. On trade matters, he noted that discussions on a trade agreement with the United States are positive and that Bangladesh is ahead of some other countries in this regard.

The foreign minister added that the prime minister has special commitments to friendly nations such as China and India, and officials are currently coordinating schedules to finalize the details of the upcoming visits.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Baridhara zone organized a memorial discussion and prayer session on Monday night in Dhaka’s Baridhara madrasa to honor those killed in the May 5, 2013 Shapla Chattar incident. The event was marked by solemnity and emotion, drawing a large number of scholars, students, and devout Muslims. The prayer was led by the organization’s central Naib-e-Ameer Allama Abdul Hamid Madhupuri, who prayed for the souls of the deceased and for national peace and unity in serving Islam.

Speakers at the discussion included central leaders such as Joint Secretary General Mufti Monir Hossain Kasemi, International Affairs Secretary Maulana Dr. Shoaib Ahmed, Assistant Organizational Secretary Mufti Jaber Kasemi, and Finance Secretary Mufti Zakir Hossain Kasemi. They described the 2013 Shapla Chattar event as a tragic chapter in the nation’s history and demanded a fair and impartial investigation to bring those responsible to justice.

Presided over by Baridhara zone president Mufti Amjad Hossain Helali, the program concluded with special prayers for the welfare of the country, unity of the Muslim community, and forgiveness for all martyrs.

Israeli forces carried out multiple overnight raids across several areas of the occupied West Bank, according to a report by the Palestinian news agency Wafa. The operations took place late Monday night, targeting villages including Zorat al-Shama, Wadi al-Nis, and Umm Salmuna, where soldiers searched several Palestinian homes.

A separate Wafa report stated that Israeli military units also conducted raids in several villages and towns in the western part of Ramallah. Local sources reported the use of tear gas and stun grenades during the operations, though no casualties or arrests were confirmed.

The report added that such raids are a regular occurrence in the West Bank, often carried out without prior warrants under the pretext of searching for wanted individuals. These actions frequently lead to confrontations with local residents.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has sent a gift for Muslima, the two-year-old daughter of truck driver Hannan, who was killed in a mob attack triggered by a rumor in Faridpur’s Boalmari upazila. On Tuesday around 11:30 a.m., local officials delivered the Prime Minister’s gift to Hannan’s home in Satair village. Upazila Nirbahi Officer S M Rokibul Hasan Roki handed over cash and dry food to Hannan’s father, Shahid Sheikh, on behalf of the Prime Minister. The chairman of Satair Union Parishad, Rafiul Alam Mintu, also provided assistance and promised monthly support.

Officials including the upazila social services officer and the project implementation officer were present during the handover. The incident that led to Hannan’s death occurred on May 1 in Bilnalia village of Nagarkanda upazila, where he was beaten to death following a rumor. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the Prime Minister took notice of the matter and directed the district administration to provide immediate help. Discussions have been held with the family regarding Muslima’s upbringing, and government support will continue in the future.

At least 21 people were killed and 61 injured in a massive explosion at a fireworks manufacturing plant in central China’s Hunan province. The blast occurred at 4:43 p.m. on Monday at the Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company in Liuyang city, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Videos shared on social media showed multiple explosions and thick plumes of smoke rising from the mountainous rural area.

CCTV’s drone footage the following day revealed widespread devastation, with collapsed buildings and smoke still visible as over 480 rescuers worked to clear debris. Authorities established a three-kilometer security perimeter and evacuated nearby residents. The factory’s owners and management have been detained while investigators examine the cause of the explosion. President Xi Jinping ordered swift medical treatment for the injured, rescue efforts for the missing, and strict action against those responsible.

Liuyang is one of China’s main fireworks production hubs, accounting for about 60 percent of national output and 70 percent of exports. Industrial accidents remain frequent in China due to weak safety enforcement, with several similar explosions reported in recent years.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that the dominance of the United States and its allies in the Strait of Hormuz is coming to an end. In a social media post, he accused Washington of endangering regional maritime and energy transport security by violating ceasefire terms and imposing blockades. Ghalibaf warned that a new balance of power is emerging in the strait and suggested that the current situation is becoming intolerable for the U.S.

His remarks came after the United States imposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and maritime routes on April 13. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new naval mission called “Project Freedom” aimed at reopening the strategically vital waterway, which is largely under Iranian control. Under the plan, U.S. warships will escort commercial vessels through the passage.

According to Ghalibaf, such actions by Washington could further destabilize the region, though he indicated that Iran would remain firm in its stance.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan said his ministry is working to ensure that the benefits of Bangladesh’s Liberation War reach the people. He made the remarks on Tuesday after the second session of the third day of the Deputy Commissioners’ (DC) Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The minister emphasized that his ministry has been working for freedom fighters both in opposition and in government and will continue to do so.

Khan discussed with district administrators the contributions of freedom fighters and citizens during the war, as well as ongoing and future ministry activities. He recalled that the Liberation War Affairs Ministry was established in 2001 under former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to preserve the legacy of the war. State Minister Israq Hossain said district administrators provided advice on improving project implementation and that cooperation with field administration would accelerate progress.

Hossain added that genuine freedom fighters’ lists and housing projects are underway, and past corruption in these projects will be investigated to prevent recurrence.

Local health authorities in Gaza reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks has reached 72,612. On Tuesday morning, an Israeli drone strike in the Al-Ayoun area of Gaza City killed at least one person and left several others seriously injured, who were taken to hospitals for treatment. The Palestinian news agency Wafa confirmed the attack, citing medical sources.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the total number of injured since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023 has risen to at least 172,457. The ministry also warned that thousands of people may still be trapped under the rubble. Despite a fragile ceasefire that took effect on October 11, 2025, reports of near-daily Israeli strikes continue to emerge.

Palestinians accuse Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire through drone and air attacks, while Israeli forces claim they are targeting only specific objectives. The growing civilian casualties are deepening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested two individuals for attempting to attack and rob tourists at a resort in the Sundarbans area of Bagerhat. The arrests followed an incident on May 4, 2026, when a group of assailants tried to break into the Sundari Eco Resort near Dhangmari canal in Khulna’s Dacope area. Resort authorities noticed the intrusion and chased the suspects, who fled the scene. The Coast Guard launched a special operation later that day based on CCTV footage and intelligence surveillance.

During the operation, two suspects identified as Rajon Sardar, 25, and Ratan Sardar, 14, both residents of Dacope, were detained near the Dhangmari canal. Preliminary questioning revealed their involvement in theft and robbery activities over an extended period. The detainees were handed over to Dacope police for further legal action.

According to the Coast Guard, similar operations will continue to maintain law and order and ensure public safety in coastal and riverine areas.