Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticized Jamaat-e-Islami, saying the group suddenly changed its stance while claiming their own image remained the same. He made the remarks on Thursday during a parliamentary discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

Fakhrul said Jamaat’s recent statements after August 5 suggested they were preparing for power, which he argued did not support democracy. He blamed the current political distance on Jamaat’s rejection of elections and allegations of vote engineering, which he said the public did not accept. Referring to the July student uprising, he noted that any mockery of that history causes pain to those who fought for democracy.

He also condemned ridicule over a historic London meeting between the BNP chairperson and the then chief adviser, saying that meeting led to the election schedule and BNP’s current parliamentary majority. Fakhrul rejected attempts to label BNP as anti-reform, asserting that his party initiated reforms.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has reported that nearly two-thirds of the candidates for reserved women’s seats in the 2026 Thirteenth National Parliament are both highly educated and millionaires. The findings, based on candidates’ affidavits, show that 65 percent are millionaires and over 63 percent hold postgraduate or higher degrees. TIB released the data in a press statement on Thursday.

According to the analysis, candidates for reserved seats surpass directly elected MPs in educational qualifications, with 63.3 percent holding postgraduate degrees compared to 50.7 percent among general seat MPs. Among the 49 candidates, 32 are millionaires, with 26 from the BNP and 5 from Jamaat-e-Islami. Lawyers make up the largest professional group at 26.5 percent, followed by businesspersons at 22.5 percent. The average age of candidates is 52.17 years, and most are between 45 and 54 years old.

TIB noted that while the participation of educated and professional women is positive, the dominance of wealth and certain professions in reserved seats mirrors trends seen in general constituencies and may have long-term implications.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman began his speech in Thursday’s parliamentary session by paying tribute to the martyrs of Shapla Chattar. He expressed respect for those who were martyred in 1971 and also remembered those who lost their lives on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar.

Earlier in the same session, Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman demanded justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. He called for justice for all forms of injustice committed against them and specifically sought accountability for the murder of Osman Hadi.

The session also highlighted broader national themes, including the Prime Minister’s statement that a significant portion of GDP would be allocated to education and health sectors, and that Police Week would begin on May 10 with 107 officers receiving medals.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense criticism from Democratic lawmakers over the true cost of the Iran war during his first appearance before Congress since the conflict began three months ago. At a House Armed Services Committee hearing, the Pentagon reported that the war had cost $25 billion so far, mainly for ammunition and equipment maintenance. Democrats rejected the figure as unrealistically low, arguing that the broader economic impact could push total costs between $630 billion and $1 trillion.

Acting Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst clarified that the $25 billion estimate covered only direct operational expenses. Harvard economist Linda Bilmes suggested total costs might reach $1 trillion, noting that daily spending averaged $2 billion. The prolonged conflict has also driven U.S. fuel prices up 40 percent to $4.23 per gallon, worsening living costs and eroding President Trump’s popularity, with only 22 percent of Americans supporting his handling of the issue.

The New York Times reported that repairing damage from Iranian attacks on U.S. bases, including Bahrain’s Fifth Fleet headquarters, could cost hundreds of millions more, underscoring the war’s growing strain on the U.S. economy.

A case has been filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act against around 100 leaders and activists of the Awami League in Jessore for allegedly holding a nighttime procession under the banner of the banned organization Jubo League. The case was lodged by Sub-Inspector Ashraf Uddin of Kotwali Police Station on Thursday. It names 40 individuals, including a former state minister and five former members of parliament.

According to the case statement, on the evening of April 28, leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations gathered on Aziz City Road near the Muktijoddha Complex in Jessore and chanted anti-government slogans while holding candles and lanterns. Police claimed that the first 13 accused were financiers and godfathers of the banned group, while the remaining 27 were members involved in alleged subversive activities.

Police conducted raids in various parts of the city on the night of April 29 and arrested nine individuals, who were later sent to jail through the court on Thursday.

The Ministry of Public Administration of Bangladesh issued a notification on Wednesday night announcing new appointments in several key government agencies. Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). He had previously been under transfer order to the National Housing Authority. Mosammat Ferdousi Begum, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the National Housing Authority.

In the same announcement, Md. Shawgatul Alam, Director General of the Novo Theatre, was appointed as the Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). Additionally, Abu Nasar Mohammad Abdullah, Additional Secretary of the Local Government Division, was transferred to serve as the Director General of the National Museum of Science and Technology.

The appointments reflect administrative reshuffles across multiple ministries and agencies, as formalized through the latest government notification.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a reception in Kishoreganj on April 30, 2026, to honor newly certified lawyers. The event was held at a hall room of an upscale restaurant in the city and arranged by the Kishoreganj Lawyers Thana Branch of the organization. Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, the party’s central publicity and media secretary and secretary general of the Bangladesh Lawyers Council, attended as the chief guest.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Barrister A.S.M. Shahriar Kabir, district Jamaat Amir Professor Md. Ramzan Ali, cardiologist Professor Colonel (Retd.) Dr. Jehad Khan, and several other local and national leaders were present as special guests. In his speech, Akand emphasized strengthening the legal profession through moral integrity and justice, while Kabir advised young lawyers to pursue continuous study and professional ethics. Around fifty new lawyers participated in the event.

The program was presided over by Advocate Md. Musleh Uddin Suman, president of the Kishoreganj Lawyers Thana Branch, and conducted by its secretary, Advocate Hafiz Uddin.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated in a speech on the future of the Persian Gulf region that the area’s bright future will be 'America-free.' He asserted that the region will eventually operate free from foreign influence, focusing instead on the progress, comfort, and prosperity of its own people.

Khamenei emphasized that the presence of external powers remains the main obstacle to peace and development in the region. He argued that if regional countries remain united, they can use their own resources and strategic positions to ensure prosperity independently. He also said that increased cooperation among Persian Gulf nations would reduce dependence on foreign powers, ultimately benefiting the region’s population.

His remarks centered on regional security and economic self-reliance, highlighting a vision of collective strength and independence from outside interference.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended greetings and respect to the working people of Bangladesh on the occasion of International Workers’ Day and May Day. In a message delivered on Thursday afternoon, he emphasized ensuring workers’ rights, dignity, and welfare. The Prime Minister noted that the day is being observed across Bangladesh with the theme “Healthy workers, diligent hands, a new dawn will come,” reflecting the spirit of the occasion.

He paid tribute to the workers who sacrificed their lives in the 1886 Haymarket movement in the United States for an eight-hour workday and honored all who have struggled for labor rights worldwide. Rahman described working people as the driving force behind national development, highlighting their contributions to industry, agriculture, infrastructure, and the economy. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving living standards, ensuring fair wages, and creating safe workplaces.

The Prime Minister recalled the contributions of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to labor welfare, mentioning reforms in labor laws, wage commissions, and welfare initiatives. He also announced initiatives such as the “Expatriate Card” for migrant workers and reiterated the government’s pledge to maintain timely wage payments and gender equality in pay.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that a significant portion of Bangladesh’s GDP will be allocated to education and health sectors. He made the statement on Thursday during a session of the National Parliament. The Prime Minister said efforts are underway to increase the honorarium of primary school teachers to help them focus more on students’ education. He also mentioned a plan to allocate five percent of the total budget to education. Highlighting challenges in the health sector, he noted that many hospitals have buildings but lack doctors and medicines, emphasizing the need for greater investment.

Rahman added that the government aims to build a self-reliant Bangladesh. Discussing agricultural reforms, he said the introduction of farmer cards was intended to address farmers’ problems and ensure their welfare. He stressed that all who cultivate crops, fish, or livestock are farmers and that improving their livelihoods is a national priority.

Reflecting on his time in Britain, the Prime Minister said he used to compare their schools with those in Bangladesh and wished for similar standards at home.

The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has presented 14 recommendations—seven each for the government and industrial owners—to safeguard workers’ rights, dignity, and safety in Bangladesh. The proposals were announced on April 30, 2026, at a discussion marking International Workers’ Day at the National Press Club in Dhaka. HRSS Executive Director Ejazul Islam urged stronger government enforcement of labor laws and called for tripartite dialogue among the government, employers, and workers to resolve disputes through discussion rather than conflict.

The HRSS recommendations for the government include strict implementation of labor laws, enhanced labor inspections, fair wage determination, labor court reform, protection for domestic and informal workers, migrant worker safety, and gender-sensitive labor policies. For employers, the group advised timely payment of wages and bonuses, ensuring safe workplaces, respecting trade unions, upholding women’s dignity, investing in skill development, and fulfilling social responsibilities.

Speakers including human rights activist Nur Khan Liton and political leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna emphasized workplace safety, fair compensation, and inclusion of labor interests in constitutional reforms, noting that workers remain central to Bangladesh’s development journey.

U.S. President Donald Trump shared a map on his social media platform Truth Social labeling the Strait of Hormuz as the 'Strait of Trump.' The post follows an earlier speech in which he also used the term 'Trump Strait.' During that event, audience members reportedly laughed, prompting Trump to remark that the media might call it a mistake, but he rarely makes mistakes.

The move comes after a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, which led Iran to take full control of the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Trump imposed a naval blockade on Iran. Although a ceasefire between Iran and the United States has been extended indefinitely, tensions around the strategic waterway remain high.

The symbolic renaming of the strait and continued military posturing underscore the fragile state of U.S.-Iran relations and the persistent volatility in the region’s maritime security.

A local labor leader in Goaland, Rajbari, has been expelled after admitting to running a beer business in the Daulatdia brothel area, a confession that went viral on Facebook. The expelled leader, Md. Suman Molla, also known as Chandai, served as vice president of the Upazila Labor Party. The expulsion was announced in a statement signed by Upazila Labor Party president Md. Sarwar Molla and general secretary Abul Kashem Mia, citing breach of party discipline and damage to the party’s reputation.

According to the statement, the decision followed public outrage among residents and party members after the viral audio surfaced. Sarwar Molla said Suman’s own admission of involvement in drug trade activities had tarnished the party’s image, prompting his removal. The matter will be discussed further with district-level leaders for additional action.

Earlier, on April 25, a phone conversation between Suman and lawyer Mokim Mondal was shared on Facebook, where allegations of beer and yaba trade and property disputes were raised. Suman later claimed he made the remarks in anger and denied involvement in drug trading.

The High Court has summoned the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Prabhat Chandra Biswas, to appear in person on May 19 to explain allegations of contempt of court. The order was issued by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Asif Hasan.

According to the case details, the Ministry of Health had published recruitment notices for third and fourth-class employee positions across various districts. Despite passing the written examination, 25 candidates were marked as failed and denied appointment. The affected candidates filed a writ petition, and on March 9, 2022, the High Court directed that they be appointed. However, the directive was not implemented even after multiple communications with the authorities. When the state appealed, the Appellate Division upheld the High Court’s decision. Subsequently, the petitioners filed a contempt petition, prompting the current summons.

The petitioners’ lawyer stated that the authorities had unfairly deprived the candidates and expressed hope that the appointments would be made promptly in compliance with the court’s order.

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.