A prayer gathering was held in Lakshmipur seeking the recovery of Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim, a central executive council member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and secretary of the party’s Dhaka North unit. The event took place on Wednesday afternoon under the initiative of Chandraganj Thana Jamaat.

The gathering was attended by several local Jamaat leaders, including former district secretary and council member Maulana Faruk Hossain Nurunabi, district council member Professor Abdur Rahman, Chandraganj Thana Ameer Maulana Nur Mohammad Rasel, and Thana Secretary Advocate Rezaul Islam Khan Suman, along with other local leaders. Special prayers were offered for Dr. Karim’s quick recovery and long life, led by Professor Abdur Rahman.

According to the report, Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim has been receiving treatment for respiratory complications at Ibn Sina Hospital in Dhaka for over a week. He was previously nominated by Jamaat as a parliamentary candidate for the Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar) constituency.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that America’s greatest enemy at present is not any foreign power but the 'defeatist' Democratic members of Congress. Appearing before lawmakers for the first time since the Trump administration launched the war with Iran, Hegseth accused Democrats of obstructing the country’s defense efforts through their statements and actions.

During the hearing, Hegseth reiterated former President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran’s nuclear program, asserting that the United States would never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He said top negotiators were working toward a deal to prevent that outcome. While welcoming dialogue on the Iran situation, he sharply criticized Democratic lawmakers for questioning the justification of the war and the record $1.5 trillion defense budget, calling their position a threat to national security.

Democratic members strongly protested Hegseth’s remarks, accusing the administration of violating the Constitution by starting the Iran war without congressional approval and labeling critics as enemies for challenging the defense budget.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain warned that the opposition would face downfall if it continued to threaten the government. He made the remarks during the 24th day of discussions on the President’s address in the first session of the 13th National Parliament. Ishraq stated that his government came to power through direct public mandate, not through elections like those of 2008, 2014, 2018, or 2024.

Following Ishraq’s statement, Mohammad Kamal Hossain, the Member of Parliament for Dhaka-5 and a leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, responded on Facebook. He wrote that if the opposition’s downfall is being predicted, it means the opposition will come to power in the future, expressing optimism with the phrase “Inshallah.”

The exchange highlights growing political tension between the ruling party and opposition members in the new parliament, as both sides assert their legitimacy and future prospects.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon addressed the National Parliament on Wednesday, speaking directly to students and urging them to focus on their studies. During the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he said that cheating, question leaks, and any form of academic fraud would no longer be allowed. His remarks were delivered in a friendly tone, referring to students as 'dear children' and encouraging them to study sincerely.

The minister’s comments come amid growing public attention to his previous statements on exam malpractice, which have recently gone viral on social media. His earlier remarks have also become the subject of online humor and discussion, reflecting the public’s engagement with the issue of academic integrity.

The renewed emphasis on preventing cheating and question leaks signals the ministry’s continued focus on ensuring fairness and transparency in the education system.

A total of 370 campus journalists from various universities and colleges across Bangladesh have condemned the recent attack on members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) allegedly carried out by activists of the student wing of a political party. In a joint statement issued after the April 23 incident, they demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved.

The statement described the assault, which occurred in the Shahbagh area of Dhaka while journalists were on duty, as a direct attack on press freedom and democratic values. It expressed concern that police at Shahbagh Police Station had not yet registered a case and were reportedly reluctant to accept complaints. The journalists argued that such attacks reflect a growing pattern of intimidation against the press and undermine democracy.

The signatories urged Dhaka University authorities to take strict administrative action against the accused students and called on the government to investigate alleged negligence by law enforcement. They reaffirmed that intimidation or violence cannot silence journalists and pledged unity in defending press freedom.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced direct questioning from lawmakers for the first time since the Trump administration began its war with Iran. The heated hearing before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday focused on the costs, strategy, and record military budget associated with the conflict. Although the session was originally scheduled to review the proposed 2027 defense budget, discussion shifted to the ongoing war that began on February 28.

Democratic members accused President Donald Trump of launching the costly war without congressional authorization. Representative Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania criticized Hegseth for avoiding congressional scrutiny over the conflict. Republican members, however, supported expanding drone and missile defense systems in response to the war. Lawmakers pressed Hegseth to clarify the war’s ultimate objective and questioned him about civilian casualties, including a recent airstrike on a school that killed 175 people. The hearing also addressed rising global fuel prices after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.

Hegseth appeared alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Kane. Both are scheduled to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday regarding the defense budget and war situation.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Israel is mistaken if it believes it can ensure security by carrying out destruction in border areas and violating international law. He emphasized that the only way to secure the borders is through the full presence and authority of the Lebanese state across southern Lebanon.

Aoun said the Lebanese government is making maximum efforts to resolve the ongoing situation and stressed that a lasting solution can only come through dialogue. However, he insisted that Israel must first implement a ceasefire before any talks can begin. The president added that Lebanon is waiting for Washington’s response, as the United States is expected to finalize the date for peace talks. Preliminary discussions between Israeli and Lebanese representatives took place in Washington last week, where Lebanon proposed extending the ceasefire by one month.

Since taking office in January 2025, Aoun has prioritized establishing state military control in southern Lebanon instead of Hezbollah’s influence, believing this will ensure long-term peace.

Widespread criticism and dissatisfaction have emerged within Israel over the government's handling of current security challenges. Reports from Israeli media indicate that many citizens feel deceived by what they perceive as the government's failure to maintain control over the Iran situation and its indecision regarding renewed conflict in Lebanon. A growing portion of the population believes the government has failed to ensure their safety and has betrayed their trust.

Concerns have also been raised in Israeli media about the army's activities near the Lebanese border, where allegations of destruction, looting, and disorder have surfaced in areas of conflict with Hezbollah. While public trust in the military remains higher than in political leadership, analysts note that politicians lack clear answers for resolving the prolonged crisis in the north. The absence of a realistic plan to disarm Hezbollah and the government's perceived lack of direction are further intensifying public anger.

Analysts suggest that this political uncertainty and failure to achieve military objectives are deepening frustration among Israeli citizens.

Forty-nine candidates have been elected unopposed to the reserved women's seats in Bangladesh's 13th National Parliament. The Election Commission (EC) will publish the official gazette in their names on Thursday, according to Returning Officer Md. Moin Uddin Khan, who announced the decision during a briefing at the EC building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Wednesday afternoon.

The returning officer stated that the list of 49 valid candidates has been finalized and will be presented to the commission for gazette publication. The EC Secretariat will include the names and addresses of the newly elected members in the gazette and then forward it to the Parliament Secretariat to arrange their oath-taking ceremony.

No candidate withdrew their nomination within the designated withdrawal period, and since the number of valid nominations matched the number of vacant seats, the candidates were declared elected unopposed under the election law.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain warned that if the opposition threatens to topple the government, they themselves will face downfall. He made the remarks on Wednesday, April 29, during the 24th day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament while participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address.

Ishraq Hossain stated that the current government did not come to power through the elections of 2008, 2014, 2018, or 2024, but rather through a direct mandate from the people. Addressing the Leader of the House, he said that if anyone tries to overthrow the government through threats, they will take to the streets again as they did in the past to establish voting rights and bring down the previous regime.

He also noted that while opposition members deliver constructive speeches in parliament, their remarks inside and outside the chamber are spreading toxicity, which is affecting educational institutions and causing clashes among student organizations.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to deliver its order today, Thursday, on whether to formally frame charges against Food Minister Kamrul Islam and Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon in the case related to killings during the July uprising. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, will issue the order. The other members are Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

Earlier, on March 11, defense lawyer Monsurul Haque Chowdhury argued for the discharge of the accused, claiming the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence linking them to the alleged killings. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam countered that the charges were based on adequate proof and expressed confidence in proving the crimes during trial. After hearing both sides, the tribunal set April 30 for the order.

The prosecution previously alleged that Kamrul and Menon incited violence and authorized the use of lethal force against unarmed protesters to sustain the then Sheikh Hasina government. Both men were arrested in 2024 and have remained in custody since.

Japanese Minister of Agriculture and Special Envoy Suzuki Norikazu led a high-level delegation to meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s Office in the National Parliament complex. The Japanese minister congratulated Rahman on assuming office and expressed optimism about elevating Bangladesh–Japan relations. He emphasized advancing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and expanding cooperation in agriculture and technology.

During the meeting, the Japanese side showed interest in increasing food exports to Bangladesh and supporting agricultural and technological collaboration. Prime Minister Rahman highlighted employment generation for youth as a key government priority and invited Japanese investment in agriculture, electronics, and the automobile sectors. He also expressed interest in sending skilled Bangladeshi workers to Japan, particularly in healthcare and agriculture, which the Japanese delegation welcomed positively.

Both sides discussed ongoing Japanese-assisted projects, including the Matarbari deep-sea port, metro rail, and the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Japan announced USD 17.5 million in aid for the Rohingya crisis, while the Prime Minister stressed safe repatriation. Japan also invited Rahman for an official visit, which he accepted in principle.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has appointed Barrister Badruddoza Badol as its new law affairs secretary. The announcement was made on Tuesday night through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The order took effect the same day, according to the statement.

Before this appointment, Badruddoza Badol served as the assistant training affairs secretary of the BNP’s national executive committee and is a former general secretary of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association. The law affairs secretary position had remained vacant after Barrister Kaiser Kamal resigned from the post upon becoming the Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

The appointment fills a key organizational role within the BNP’s executive structure, ensuring continuity in the party’s legal and policy-related activities.

The first day of voting in the 2026–27 Dhaka Bar Association election concluded on Wednesday, with 2,759 votes cast out of a total of 20,727 registered voters. The two-day election will continue on Thursday, following the same schedule from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Despite rain, lawyers participated enthusiastically, choosing their preferred candidates in what was described as a peaceful and festive environment.

Chief Election Commissioner Alhaj Mohammad Borhan Uddin confirmed that 54 candidates are contesting for 23 posts, including 13 editorial and 10 executive positions. The BNP-backed Blue Panel, led by Anwar Zahid Bhuiyan and Md. Abul Kalam Khan, and the Jamaat-backed Green Panel, led by S.M. Kamal Uddin and Abu Bakar Siddique, are the main contenders. Six independent candidates, including Md. Yunus Ali Biswas and Mohammad Shahidullah, are also running.

Due to a state restriction, no Awami League-backed candidates are participating in this election. Both major panels expressed optimism about achieving a decisive victory.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur has alleged that certain vested groups are trying to monopolize the July Movement, comparing it to attempts to control the Liberation War narrative. Speaking in the national parliament on Wednesday during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, Nur urged an end to misinformation regarding the July Movement.

As president of the Gana Adhikar Parishad, Nur emphasized the collective struggle and sacrifices behind the movement, criticizing those who claim undue credit. Addressing opposition remarks about the July Charter, he explained that the document allowed political parties to take unresolved issues to the public for a mandate. He stated that it was natural for the BNP to implement parts of the charter where it had earlier expressed dissent, but warned against spreading falsehoods.

Nur called on opposition parties to engage in constructive criticism and positive cooperation over the next five years, expressing confidence in advancing under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.