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.

A new controversy has emerged in the United States after President Donald Trump shared a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. The post included an image of Trump holding a weapon with a massive explosion in the background. Across the image, large text read, “No more Mr. Nice Guy!” In the accompanying message, Trump issued a warning to Tehran, saying that Iran must “quickly become smart.”

According to the post, Trump accused Iran of failing to move toward a nuclear weapons-free agreement. The image and message have drawn attention for their aggressive tone and the implied threat toward Iran. The post was reported by BBC Bangla and published by Amar Desh Online on April 29, 2026.

The controversy adds to ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, though the source does not specify any official responses or further developments following Trump’s post.

Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern over ongoing heavy rainfall and worsening flood conditions across several districts in Bangladesh, urging the government to provide immediate assistance to affected people. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, highlighted that continuous rain and hill torrents have inundated large areas of Chattogram, Cumilla, Netrakona, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Habiganj, and Sunamganj, causing severe damage to crops, livestock, and homes. He noted that low-income residents are suffering greatly.

Porwar stated that floodwaters have entered roads and SSC examination centers, disrupting students’ ability to attend exams safely. He called on the government to ensure safe transportation and proper exam conditions. He also criticized authorities for failing to maintain flood control embankments, arguing that timely repairs could have reduced the damage.

The statement demanded urgent relief supplies, clean water, food, medical care, and shelter for affected areas, along with special incentives and rehabilitation programs for farmers. Jamaat also urged long-term maintenance of flood control infrastructure and appealed to citizens and organizations to support flood victims.

At a roundtable organized by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN) at the National Press Club on Wednesday, civil society representatives warned that creating ‘inspection rooms’ for Members of Parliament (MPs) in upazila parishad buildings would destroy the local government system. They said such a move would place local governance entirely under MPs’ control and revive the dominance of ‘MP rule’ at the local level. SUJAN Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar described the government circular authorizing these rooms as a dangerous decision that could even lead to the abolition of upazila parishads, similar to 1991.

Speakers emphasized the need for prompt local elections, legal reforms, and an end to political interference to make local government effective. They criticized the government for appointing party administrators in city corporations and district councils instead of holding elections, and for failing to implement reform commission recommendations. They argued that strong local government ensures decentralization, accountability, and social justice.

Participants urged the government to withdraw the circular and reconsider recent decisions that they believe undermine local empowerment and democratic decentralization.

Iran is placing greater emphasis on military confrontation rather than diplomatic negotiations, according to Tehran University associate professor Zohreh Kharazmi. In an interview with Al Jazeera, she stated that the Iranian government’s decisions are made in an organized and collective manner, with no internal divisions and representation from all departments in the higher council.

Despite this claimed unity, Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi opposed discussions about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, calling such talks an act of betrayal. Kharazmi explained that Vahidi’s remarks were directed at those relying on Western goodwill, arguing that Iran learned from the 2015 nuclear deal that negotiations cannot resolve all issues.

She added that a growing consensus within Iran now views the battlefield as the only viable path to address the current crisis, with influential military and political circles favoring decisive action over prolonged talks.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker and party Nayebe Ameer ATM Azharul Islam questioned how the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), founded in 1978, could claim to be a Liberation War party. Speaking in Parliament during the discussion on the motion of thanks for the President’s address, he argued that the Liberation War took place in 1971, seven years before the BNP’s formation, and therefore the party’s claim was inconsistent. He added that while BNP has freedom fighters, Jamaat-e-Islami also has members who fought in the war.

Azharul Islam reflected on his own past as a death-row convict and linked his release to the July uprising of 2024, which he described as a movement for change rather than merely a power shift. He credited the uprising with leading to a referendum supported by 70 percent of voters. He also praised former presidents Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia for their roles in establishing democracy and unity politics in Bangladesh.

Azhar criticized the current President as a collaborator of the Awami League, which he labeled fascist, and questioned how BNP could support such a figure. He further alleged that BNP nominated a local Awami League leader for a reserved women’s seat, suggesting it reflected weakness or an attempt to appease certain powers.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has issued a four-point demand seeking urgent government intervention in the Haor region, where ongoing heavy rains, upstream floods, and sudden inundation have severely disrupted the current Boro rice harvest. The demands include immediate supply of sufficient combine harvesters and laborers for harvesting, a special incentive package and fair compensation for affected farmers, rapid repair and strengthening of crop protection embankments with effective drainage, and prompt initiation of government rice procurement to ensure fair prices for farmers.

In a press release signed by NCP’s joint chief coordinator and agriculture secretary Golam Mortuza Selim, the party expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in Netrokona and Sunamganj. It said farmers are struggling to save their ripe paddy as many areas remain waterlogged, with large portions of crops submerged. The NCP noted that labor shortages, lack of modern machinery, and weak embankments have intensified the crisis.

The statement warned that delays in effective action could have far-reaching negative effects on national food security and the economy, urging the government to act swiftly to protect farmers’ livelihoods.

A three-member UNESCO delegation led by Country Representative Susan Vize met with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Parliament Secretariat on Wednesday. The meeting discussed cooperation on police training and reform, strengthening relations between police and media, safeguarding freedom of expression, and journalist training. Vize congratulated the minister on his new portfolio and outlined UNESCO’s ongoing projects related to police and journalist training.

During the meeting, Vize said UNESCO had already trained 700 police officers of SP and OC rank before the national election and planned to start new training by June, pending ministry approval. The minister welcomed the proposal and instructed relevant officials to expedite the process. He suggested including officers from police media units and holding sessions on Saturdays for convenience.

UNESCO is also preparing similar training programs for journalists. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to press freedom and accountability, emphasizing the importance of improving relations between police and journalists.

Government Whip and Lakshmipur-4 Member of Parliament ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan expressed regret that he could not personally thank President Sahabuddin Chuppu. Speaking in the national parliament on Wednesday during the discussion on the motion of thanks for the President’s address, Nizan said he had promised the mothers of the July uprising martyrs to respect the President’s chair, but he could not extend personal thanks to the individual holding that position.

Recalling the July uprising in his home district, Nizan described how people’s anger led to the destruction of rooms in the parliament building and the removal of materials from Ganabhaban, emphasizing that it was not the work of political groups but of ordinary citizens expressing frustration. He also reflected on the ninth parliament, criticizing the language used in parliamentary debates and recalling how opposition leader Khaleda Zia was treated.

The remarks came as part of a broader parliamentary discussion on the President’s speech, highlighting both historical grievances and calls for respect toward state institutions.

The ruling party has proposed forming a special parliamentary committee to amend the constitution, with Law Minister Asaduzzaman presenting the proposal in the National Parliament on Wednesday. The government side has prepared a list of 12 members, including representatives from BNP, other parties, and independents, and requested the opposition to nominate five members. The committee is intended to move forward with constitutional amendments in line with the July Charter once the opposition submits its names.

Opposition leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman expressed reluctance to immediately provide names, citing conceptual differences between reform and amendment. He said the opposition would discuss the matter internally before making a decision. The Deputy Speaker and the Law Minister both acknowledged the opposition’s stance, with the minister agreeing to wait until the next parliamentary session for the opposition’s response.

The Deputy Speaker concluded that the ruling party’s 12-member list is ready and that the committee formation will proceed after further discussion with the opposition.

British Ambassador to the United States Christian Turner stated that only Israel has a 'special relationship' with the U.S. He made the remark in February while speaking to a group of students about transatlantic relations. The comment was first reported by the Financial Times on Tuesday, just before King Charles III arrived at the White House for a state visit, at a time of heightened tensions over the Iran war. The UK Foreign Office clarified that Turner’s remarks were personal and informal, not reflective of the government’s official stance.

An audio recording of Turner’s meeting with sixth-form students in the U.S. revealed him saying that the phrase 'special relationship' feels nostalgic and outdated. He added that while the U.K. and U.S. share deep historical and security ties, the nature of their relationship is evolving. Turner noted that Europe cannot rely solely on the U.S. security umbrella and that the partnership must adapt to changing times.

Turner, a career diplomat, was appointed British ambassador to the U.S. in December of the previous year.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that farmers affected by continuous rainfall and crop losses in the Haor region will receive three months of government assistance. He made the statement on Wednesday morning in response to a question from Sunamganj-5 Member of Parliament Kalim Uddin Ahmed during a parliamentary session.

Kalim Uddin drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the severe flooding in Sunamganj and surrounding Haor areas caused by heavy rain, noting that farmers were struggling to harvest their paddy. In reply, the Prime Minister thanked him and said that three days earlier he had instructed local administrations in three Haor districts to take precautionary measures based on weather forecasts.

Tarique Rahman described the farmers’ suffering as deeply painful and said he had already spoken with the Disaster Management Minister to identify affected farmers in the three Haor districts and parts of Mymensingh. He confirmed that these farmers would receive assistance for the next three months.