Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that the government will provide policy support to accelerate the country’s solar energy sector. Speaking at the inauguration of the Power, Energy and Infrastructure Expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center on Thursday, he said Bangladesh remains behind regional peers like India and Pakistan in renewable energy use. Under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, a committee has been formed to finalize a policy framework aimed at driving rapid growth in solar and wind power.

The minister explained that the policy will simplify imports of solar equipment such as inverters, frames, and photovoltaic panels, while emphasizing battery storage systems to meet evening peak demand. He added that the government plans to reduce tax burdens on entrepreneurs and finalize the policy within the month, with cabinet approval expected by June. Bangladesh aims to generate 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy within five years.

Tuku also outlined plans to use rooftops in Dhaka and other cities for solar power generation through private investment, using net metering to benefit both entrepreneurs and building owners.

Claude has introduced several new capabilities for its Managed Agents platform, including dreaming, outcomes, and multiagent orchestration. Dreaming, now available as a research preview, allows agents to review past sessions, identify patterns, and refine their memory automatically or with user oversight. This process helps agents self-improve over time by curating and updating memory stores, making them more effective for long-running or collaborative tasks.

The outcomes feature enables developers to define success criteria for tasks, which agents then use to evaluate and refine their work. A separate grader assesses the results independently, allowing agents to self-correct without human intervention. Internal testing showed measurable improvements in task success and file generation quality. Developers can also integrate webhooks to receive notifications when outcomes are completed.

Multiagent orchestration allows a lead agent to divide complex jobs among specialized subagents that work in parallel and share context. This structure provides transparency through the Claude Console, where users can trace each agent’s actions. Dreaming is available in research preview, while outcomes, orchestration, and memory are in public beta.

A bipartisan delegation of US senators met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing ahead of President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to China next week. The meeting took place on Thursday, a day after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Beijing. Discussions focused on bilateral trade and maintaining regional stability. The delegation, led by Republican Senator Steve Daines, called for mutual respect and stability between Washington and Beijing, emphasizing the need to reduce tensions rather than sever ties.

The meeting followed Wang Yi’s earlier remarks during his meeting with Iran’s foreign minister, where he described the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States as illegal and urged an immediate end to the war. He reaffirmed China’s constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that President Trump aims to reach an agreement with Tehran before his May 14–15 summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Washington is reportedly seeking to use Beijing’s diplomatic influence to ease global economic disruptions caused by instability in the Middle East and oil supply issues in the Strait of Hormuz.

A Dhaka court has postponed the submission of the investigation report in the Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi murder case for the 126th time. On Thursday, May 7, 2026, Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman set June 18 as the new date for the report. The investigating officer, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Azizul Haque of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), was unable to submit the report on the scheduled date.

The accused in the case are Rafiqul Islam, Bokul Mia, Masum Mintu, Kamrul Islam alias Arun, Abu Sayeed, security guards Palash Rudra Pal and Enayet Ahmed, and their friend Tanvir Rahman Khan. Among them, Tanvir and Palash are on bail, while the others remain in custody. The journalist couple was murdered on February 11, 2012, after which Runi’s brother filed a murder case at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

The investigation has changed hands multiple times, moving from the local police to the Detective Branch, then to the Rapid Action Battalion, and later to the PBI. In September 2025, the High Court ordered the formation of a high-powered task force to complete the investigation within six months.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently held a long meeting with the country’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, according to state media reports. The meeting, described as modest and deeply sincere, lasted about two and a half hours. Pezeshkian praised Khamenei’s demeanor and the way he conducted the discussion, calling it particularly impressive.

The state broadcaster IRIB reported that the two leaders discussed several important issues during the meeting, though no specific topics were disclosed. Pezeshkian said he was most influenced by the Supreme Leader’s perspective, humility, and sincerity, which shaped the dialogue into one based on trust, peace, empathy, and direct communication.

No further details were released about the subjects covered or any decisions made during the meeting, leaving the content of their discussions undisclosed.

Jahangirnagar University’s branch of the student organization Chhatra Dal has launched a live bus tracking system to make student transportation easier, safer, and more efficient. The system was inaugurated on Thursday near the Murad Chattar area by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan. Initially introduced as a pilot project on two university buses, the technology will later be expanded to all buses. Through the app, students can view the real-time location of buses on their mobile phones.

The system also provides notifications about bus arrival times at specific stops and alerts in case of delays. Student leaders said the initiative fulfills a long-standing demand from students for live bus tracking. They emphasized that the project aims to improve time management and ensure a more comfortable and secure commuting experience for students.

Vice-Chancellor Ahsan praised the initiative as a timely, technology-driven effort to reduce transportation difficulties and commended the student group for taking a student-oriented approach.

A Jamaat-e-Islami leader was hacked to death in Bagerhat’s Chitalmari upazila on Thursday morning following a dispute over buying juice. The victim, Mujahid Molla, was the president of Jamaat’s Ward No. 3 and a resident of Hijla village. According to local sources, an argument broke out between Mujahid and a man named Baizid at a shop, which escalated into a violent clash. Baizid allegedly attacked Mujahid with a sharp scissor, leaving him critically injured. Locals took Mujahid to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Chitalmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Nazrul Islam said that after the incident, locals vandalized Baizid’s house and beat him. Police later detained Baizid and visited the scene. The body is being sent for autopsy, and legal proceedings are underway.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the killing, and police presence has been strengthened in the area to prevent further unrest.

A protest rally demanding justice for the murder of activist Shahid Osman Hadi was held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in front of the main gate of Barishal University. Hadi’s sister, Sharif Masuma Hadi, speaking at the event organized by general students, declared that they came not to mourn but to demand justice, vowing not to return home without it. She alleged that the killers fled to India with assistance and urged the state to reveal who planned and facilitated the escape.

Masuma Hadi described her brother as a voice for justice and equality, beyond political affiliation, and said the movement for justice would spread nationwide from Barishal. Inqilab Moncho member secretary Ifthekhar Sayem criticized the delay in the investigation, noting that the report had been postponed 13 times, calling for an end to the culture of impunity. Other speakers included Hadi’s relatives and student leaders from various organizations.

The rally concluded with a protest march around the campus, where participants chanted slogans demanding justice for Hadi’s killing.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing Ahmad Balout, the head of Hezbollah’s Radwan Unit, in an airstrike carried out in southern Beirut on Wednesday. According to a statement from the Israeli army, the attack also killed Muhammad Ali Bazi, head of intelligence for Hezbollah’s Nasser Unit, and Hussein Hassan Romani, an air defense monitoring officer.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, noted that Iran played a key role in the formation of Hezbollah in 1982 and has continued to work closely with the group over subsequent decades. Despite an existing ceasefire, Israel has continued its attacks in Lebanon, while Hezbollah has launched retaliatory strikes.

The ongoing hostilities underscore the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the persistent tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in the region.

Pakistan has expressed a positive outlook on reports of a potential agreement between Iran and the United States. According to a statement from its Foreign Ministry cited by Al Jazeera, Islamabad is currently acting as a mediator and therefore prefers not to disclose further details at this stage to protect ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The statement emphasized that as a mediator, Pakistan does not want to compromise the trust of either party, which is why it is withholding specific information for now. The ministry also noted that it has not yet received confirmation about where the delegations from Iran and the United States might meet. However, if the meeting takes place in Islamabad, Pakistan would consider it an honor.

The cautious approach reflects Pakistan’s intent to maintain credibility and neutrality in facilitating dialogue between the two nations while preserving the confidentiality of the process.

A Dhaka court has ordered the start of trial proceedings against former Industries Minister and Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed and two others in a corruption case involving the alleged embezzlement of Tk 1.25 crore through abuse of power. The order was issued on Thursday by Dhaka Divisional Special Judge Begum Shamima Afroz, who also set June 22 for the recording of witness testimonies.

Earlier, Tofail Ahmed’s lawyer informed the court that his client was seriously ill, suffering from memory loss and unable to participate in the proceedings. Despite this, the Anti-Corruption Commission’s lawyer argued for the formation of charges, which the court accepted. The case had been delayed due to a previous stay order from the High Court, which has now been lifted.

The case was originally filed in 2002 by then-Bureau of Anti-Corruption inspector Kazi Shamsul Islam, alleging that Tofail Ahmed misused his authority to conceal illegally obtained funds by transferring and withdrawing money through associates.

U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly suspended the announced 'Project Freedom', which aimed to assist shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision followed strong opposition from Gulf allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, which revoked U.S. access to the Prince Sultan Air Base and its airspace. NBC News reported the suspension citing two American officials.

According to the report, Saudi Arabia became disappointed after Trump publicly announced the operation plan on social media and informed Washington that it would not support the initiative. Additionally, a U.S. official confirmed that Kuwait also closed its bases and airspace to American forces.

The suspension of 'Project Freedom' marks a setback for U.S. efforts to reopen the strategic waterway amid regional tensions, reflecting strained cooperation with key Gulf partners.

Electricity and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku stated that no final decision has been made regarding an increase in electricity prices. He announced that solar power will be made more accessible to create alternative energy sources. The minister made these remarks on Thursday while inaugurating the 'Power, Energy and Infrastructure Expo' at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

Mahmud noted that Bangladesh remains far behind in renewable energy compared to neighboring countries such as India and Pakistan, which have expanded solar and wind power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the government to prioritize solar and wind energy development.

Meanwhile, the government is considering raising electricity prices following a recent fuel price hike. The Power Division has given policy approval to the proposal, and the Power Development Board has suggested a 17 to 21 percent increase at the wholesale level. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission has formed a technical committee to review the proposal.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka has issued a production warrant against journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu in a case related to alleged crimes against humanity during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood with Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, ordered their appearance on May 14, 2026.

The prosecution, represented by Gazi M H Tamim, sought the warrant against former minister Dr Dipu Moni, Farzana Rupa, and Mozammel Babu, citing their alleged roles in spreading provocative or misleading information during and after the May 5, 2013 incident. The tribunal also set June 7, 2026, as the date for submission of the investigation report.

Six other accused, including former state minister Shamsul Hoque Tuku and former police officials, are currently in custody in connection with the same case, which remains under investigation.

Police in Araihazar, Narayanganj, have arrested Judge Mia, a 55-year-old fugitive convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was detained on Tuesday night in the Brahmandi area of the upazila. Judge Mia, son of Nayeb Ali from Bara Monohordi, was convicted under Penal Code sections 302 and 201 in case number 10(4) 1999 filed with Araihazar Police Station.

According to police, the arrest was made based on secret information. After the court sentenced him to life imprisonment, Judge Mia had been absconding for many years. Case records show that in April 1999, he killed his newly married wife, Rehena, and dumped her body in a pond belonging to Zainal Haji in the Uzan Gobindi area of the upazila.

Police confirmed that the arrested convict has been sent to jail through the court following his capture.