Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament that he signed the July National Charter through compromise to prevent election delays under the pretext of reforms. Speaking during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he said the government prioritized holding elections and therefore agreed to the charter despite differences. He emphasized that all parties united and reached an understanding to safeguard the electoral process.

Referring to the July implementation order, the minister said his party and allies had publicly declared they would not accept anything outside the July National Charter. He also criticized the misuse of freedom of expression on social media, warning that unchecked behavior could harm national culture and religious harmony. Ahmed urged young people not to exploit the spirit of July for political gain and called for collective ownership of its democratic ideals.

He further noted that the interim government had support from both major political sides and thanked the President for his leadership during the governmentless period in August 2024.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday expressed his determination to fulfill the expectations of the people through united efforts. Speaking during a parliamentary session, he pledged to work with full strength to meet national aspirations. At the beginning of his address, he paid tribute to those who were killed in the anti-fascist movement and also remembered the martyrs of the Shapla Chattar incident.

Rahman honored the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in 1971 and on May 5, 2013. Reflecting on the challenges of leadership, he remarked that while the prime minister’s chair may appear comfortable, it feels like sitting on burning fire due to the responsibilities it carries. During the same session, he again remembered the Shapla martyrs.

Earlier in the session, opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman demanded justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, calling for accountability for all injustices committed against them.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told Parliament on Thursday that the prime minister’s chair may appear comfortable, but sitting on it feels like enduring burning fire. He made the remark during a parliamentary session while reflecting on the responsibilities and challenges of leadership.

At the beginning of his speech, the prime minister paid tribute to the martyrs of 1971 and those who died on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar. Earlier in the session, opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman demanded justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, calling for accountability for all injustices committed against them.

The session also highlighted the government’s commitment to allocate a large portion of GDP to education and health sectors, as well as upcoming national events such as Police Week starting on May 10, during which 107 officers will receive medals.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a strong message to the people of the state amid an intense election atmosphere on April 30, 2026. Expressing deep gratitude to voters who braved the heat to cast their ballots, she said the election was not just a political contest but a fight to protect Bengal’s autonomy and dignity. Her remarks reflected strong confidence in the Trinamool Congress’s victory.

Banerjee accused sections of the central forces and administration of bias and alleged that Trinamool workers and ordinary voters faced harassment. She dismissed exit polls circulated by the opposition, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party, calling them part of a conspiracy to manipulate the stock market. She urged party workers to remain alert on counting day to prevent any tampering with electronic voting machines or irregularities during counting.

Reminding supporters of Bengal’s heritage of resistance, Banerjee said the people of Bengal would decide their own fate. She concluded with the belief that Bengal’s victory would be confirmed once counting ends on May 4.

An Indigenous Australian senator, Lidia Thorpe, has called for action against growing anti-Palestinian racism in Australia. Her remarks followed a new report by the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, which claimed that anti-Palestinian sentiment is increasing across the country. Thorpe accused the government, institutions, and media of actively fueling such racism, warning that this trend is contributing to a broader climate of intolerance.

She linked the tightening of protest laws to efforts to silence those speaking out against the situation in Gaza and alleged genocide there. Thorpe emphasized that Australia must confront all forms of racism if the nation hopes to heal its divisions.

The report and Thorpe’s comments highlight rising tensions in Australia’s political and social discourse concerning Palestine, with calls for stronger institutional accountability and protection of free expression.

After two phases of voting in the West Bengal assembly election, the Trinamool Congress has expressed confidence that it will win more than 230 seats. Party sources said internal analyses indicate such a result, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that her party expects to secure a two-thirds majority.

According to the party, the election discourse centered on the BJP’s campaign around infiltration and public dissatisfaction over the SIR issue. Trinamool leaders argued that the BJP’s ‘outsider’ attacks and warnings backfired. Reports suggested that in Nandigram, the ruling party holds a slight advantage based on internal assessments. Party sources also mentioned that both Rabindra Sangeet and DJ music will be played on May 4, the counting day, echoing earlier campaign remarks by Abhishek.

Trinamool sources further claimed that a warning video by Ajaypal Sharma created a negative impression among voters, and threats allegedly made by outsiders from Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat were poorly received. The party believes it successfully mobilized women voters and benefited from migrant workers’ support in weaker districts.

Romania has introduced a new conditional legalization program for foreign workers who have become irregular despite initially entering the country legally. The government issued Emergency Ordinance No. 32 on April 23, which was published in the official gazette on April 27. This measure allows non-EU workers meeting specific conditions to regain legal status. The initiative has been welcomed by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Romania, which said it could help many Bangladeshi workers regularize their stay.

The provision mainly targets those who entered Romania with valid work visas but later became irregular due to employer-related issues, such as job loss or administrative lapses. Workers must contact Romanian immigration authorities within 60 days of the law’s enactment, secure a valid employer, obtain a work permit, and then apply for a temporary residence card. Those who entered illegally or have received a return decision are excluded from the program.

The special legalization opportunity will remain effective until December 31 of the current year, and the Bangladeshi embassy has advised affected workers to seek its assistance if needed.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has accepted a proposal from the Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to provide additional allowances to parliament officials and employees. The announcement came during a parliamentary session on Thursday, where the prime minister expressed full support for the opposition leader’s demand.

During his speech, Prime Minister Rahman reflected on the challenges of leadership, noting that the prime minister’s chair may appear comfortable but feels like sitting on fire. He began his address by paying tribute to the martyrs of 1971 and those who died on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar. Earlier in the session, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman had called for justice in the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi and demanded accountability for all injustices committed against them.

The parliamentary exchange highlighted a rare moment of agreement between the government and opposition benches, focusing on welfare measures for parliamentary staff and remembrance of national sacrifices.

Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called for firm action against extortion during a discussion in the National Parliament on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Speaking on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he stated that he does not want to hear who the extortionists are, and if he himself is one, he should be handcuffed. The session was presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that extortionists cannot belong to any political party and that the people of the country must be freed from their oppression. He also noted that about 80 percent of the parliamentary discussions since the 12th have been focused on historical topics, which he said is important for understanding the nation’s path forward.

His remarks highlighted a call for accountability and transparency in political and social conduct, urging collective responsibility to eliminate extortion from all sectors.

The Dhaka Bar Association election for the 2026–27 term concluded peacefully and in a festive atmosphere on Thursday. Voting began at 9 a.m. and continued until 5 p.m. Over two days, a total of 7,069 votes were cast out of 20,727 registered voters, marking a 34 percent turnout. The Chief Election Commissioner, Alhaj Mohammad Borhan Uddin, confirmed that vote counting will take place on Friday.

The election schedule was announced on March 29, and 54 candidates contested for 23 posts, including 13 editorial and 10 executive positions. The main competition was between 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. Six independent candidates also contested for various posts. No Awami League candidates participated due to a state restriction.

According to the election commission, adverse weather and voter hesitation contributed to the lower turnout, though the overall process remained peaceful and orderly.

Opposition Deputy Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Nayebe Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has alleged that the current ruling party is speaking against Jamaat in the same tone once used by the Awami League. Speaking in parliament on Thursday, he said that the government benches now sound like the Awami League, while the opposition side seems to represent Jamaat-BNP members. He expressed concern that the parliamentary atmosphere has become heated and divisive.

Dr. Taher recalled the joint movements of BNP, Jamaat, and other parties against the Awami League in the past, emphasizing that they had once agreed to work together for good governance after the fall of the Awami League. However, he said the post-election scenario has disappointed many, as the expected unity and reform have not materialized. He also warned that a two-thirds majority has historically led to negative outcomes in the subcontinent and urged the government to avoid repeating such mistakes.

He further defended Jamaat’s political stance, rejected allegations linking the party to anti-liberation forces, and called for mutual respect and constructive politics in parliament.

In a parliamentary session held on Thursday, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Leader of the Opposition and Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, called for justice over the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Speaking before lawmakers, he demanded accountability for all forms of injustice and specifically urged that those responsible for Hadi’s death be brought to trial.

The statement came during a regular sitting of the national parliament, where Dr. Rahman reiterated his party’s stance on addressing past injustices. His remarks centered on the need for fair trials and justice for victims of political violence, including the case of Hadi, whom he referred to as a martyr.

Further details about the case or government response were not provided in the session, and the report indicated that more information would follow.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced that workers in the country will be entitled to up to 15 days of paid leave to perform Hajj. The ministry stated that this leave, which includes the Eid al-Adha holidays, is part of the Saudi labor law and aims to strengthen workers’ rights. Employees must have worked continuously for at least two years in the same organization to qualify for the benefit.

According to the ministry, the special leave can only be taken once during an employee’s entire career and is available only to those who have not previously performed Hajj. Employers will determine how many workers can take the leave each year, based on the nature and operational needs of their organizations, to ensure that business activities are not disrupted.

The ministry emphasized that the initiative will make it easier for Muslim employees in Saudi Arabia to fulfill their religious obligations while reinforcing labor protections across the workforce.

At a meeting of the 11-party alliance liaison committee held on Wednesday, April 30, 2026, at the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan declared that their movement to implement the referendum verdict would continue both through their representatives’ voices in parliament and through public mobilization on the streets.

The meeting was attended by senior leaders from several allied parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Labour Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, AB Party, LDP, and Bangladesh Development Party. Following the meeting, the 11-party alliance announced a series of nationwide programs, including divisional rallies in Rajshahi on May 16, Chattogram on June 13, Khulna on June 20, Mymensingh on June 27, Rangpur on July 11, Barishal on July 18, and Sylhet on July 25.

The alliance also plans to hold a grand rally in Dhaka in October as part of its ongoing campaign to press for the implementation of the referendum verdict.

The Election Commission (EC) has issued the official gazette for 49 reserved women members of the 13th National Parliament of Bangladesh. The gazette was published on Thursday evening and signed by Additional Secretary K M Ali Newaz, who is performing the routine duties of the EC Secretary. The commission will soon send the gazette to the Parliament Secretariat, after which the newly elected women MPs will take their oath administered by the Speaker of the National Parliament.

According to the final list, 36 of the 49 reserved seats have been filled by candidates nominated by the BNP-led alliance. Twelve members were nominated by the Jamaat-NCP and the 11-party alliance, while one candidate was elected as an independent. The EC’s announcement completes the formal process of filling the reserved seats for women in the 13th Parliament.

The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place soon, marking the full formation of the new Parliament’s representation under the reserved quota for women.