Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa in Dhaka held a ceremony honoring outstanding students and welcoming new honors and master's students at its main campus in Jatrabari on Wednesday morning. The event was presided over by Acting Principal Dr. Muhammad Khalilur Rahman Madani, with Islamic Arabic University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Abu Zafar Khan attending as chief guest. Fourteen students who achieved GPA-5 at the honors level this year received special awards and recognition.

During his address, Professor Khan highlighted Tamirul Millat’s longstanding academic achievements, its contribution to nation-building, and its role in developing Islamic scholars. He urged students to pursue both contemporary education and divine knowledge. The orientation session for new students provided guidance on academic life, higher education, and future career planning.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Madani emphasized the importance of moral education alongside academics, calling on students to prepare themselves as responsible individuals grounded in Islamic values to face modern societal challenges.

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.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that Bangladesh will reduce lending interest rates to single digits to foster an investment-friendly environment. Speaking at the inauguration of the four-day Bangladesh International Textile, Knitting and Garment Industry Expo 2026 at ICCB in Dhaka, he said industries like textiles cannot sustain with current financing rates of 13–14 percent.

He highlighted that the textile and garment sector plays a vital role in economic growth through investment and employment but faces challenges from high interest rates and energy shortages. The minister detailed that the country’s gas demand is about 4,300 MMCFD, while domestic production ranges between 1,700 and 2,300 MMCFD, leaving a daily shortfall of 1,400–1,700 MMCFD even after LNG imports. To address this, new FSRU tenders will be issued soon. He also emphasized renewable energy expansion with a plan to generate 10,000 MW of solar power.

Muktadir added that business licensing and tax processes are being simplified to attract investors, reduce harassment, and expand the tax base through digital systems rather than raising tax rates.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie announced that the government plans to plant 2.5 billion trees over the next five years to protect coastal communities from natural disasters. The initiative aims to create a strong green belt along the coastline to mitigate the impacts of cyclones, tidal surges, and floods. The minister made the announcement while addressing a national seminar titled “If the Coast Survives, Bangladesh Survives,” organized by the Coastal Development Foundation at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

He said Bangladesh is among the six most disaster-prone regions in the world and recalled the devastating cyclone of April 29, 1991, which struck several coastal districts. The government also plans to construct sustainable embankments, establish sufficient cyclone shelters, and take coordinated measures for disaster management. Additionally, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government will revive the canal excavation program initiated by former President Ziaur Rahman, targeting 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, ponds, and reservoirs for excavation and re-excavation.

The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamal Hossain, with several members of parliament from Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram attending as special guests.

Severe river erosion has struck Babuganj upazila in Barishal even before the monsoon season has fully begun, with the Sandhya, Sugandha, and Arial Khan rivers eroding rapidly. The erosion has placed homes, farmland, educational institutions, and key infrastructure at serious risk, with the century-old Babuganj market facing the greatest threat. Areas near the Barishal airport, Bakultala station, and parts of Dakshin Bhuterdiya are also in danger.

Local residents report that river erosion has been a persistent problem for decades, swallowing hundreds of acres of farmland and displacing families. Temporary measures by the Water Development Board, such as placing sand-filled geobags, have proven inadequate. Residents are demanding a permanent solution as more homes and institutions, including Char Sadhukathi Islamia Fazil Madrasa, face imminent danger.

Barishal-3 MP Zainul Abedin stated that preventing river erosion in Babuganj is his top priority, and a Tk 550-crore project proposal to protect Babuganj and Uzirpur is awaiting approval by the Planning Commission. Officials believe the project could safeguard Babuganj market and nearby critical areas from further destruction.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced an increase in edible oil prices on Wednesday during a press conference at the ministry’s conference room. The price of bottled soybean oil has been raised by four taka per liter, from 195 to 199 taka, while loose soybean oil will now sell for 179 taka per liter, up from 175 taka.

The minister explained that the adjustment reflects global market conditions, as product prices at the source have risen worldwide. He expressed hope that consumers would understand the decision in light of the global situation and that the supply situation in the domestic market would become more stable as a result.

The announcement highlights the government’s effort to align domestic pricing with international cost pressures while maintaining supply stability in the edible oil market.

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.

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.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mujibur Rahman, representing Rajshahi-1, called for replacing man-made laws with Quranic law during a parliamentary discussion on the president’s address on Wednesday. He urged all parties, including the BNP, not to oppose divine law and proposed forming an Islamic board comprising madrasa-educated MPs and religious scholars to advise on implementing Islamic law nationwide.

Rahman, who also serves as Jamaat’s Naib-e-Ameer, criticized successive governments led by the Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party for failing to enact any Quran-based laws. He argued that the Quran should be the source of national legislation, citing verses to emphasize moral and social reforms such as prayer, zakat, and the eradication of corruption, poverty, and unemployment.

He further challenged the prime minister to explain why Islamic practices like prayer and zakat have not been institutionalized, and rejected allegations that Jamaat leaders were selling “tickets to heaven,” insisting such claims misrepresented Quranic teachings.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that promising export sectors such as gold and diamond industries will receive the same facilities as the ready-made garment sector. He made the statement on Wednesday at the 46th meeting of the National Board of Revenue’s advisory committee, jointly organized by the NBR and FBCCI at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

The minister said that while Bangladesh’s garment industry has achieved remarkable success, other sectors like gold and diamond remain underdeveloped. From now on, any promising export sector that submits a proposal will be granted equal benefits. He emphasized that fear of theft should not restrict business opportunities, and that corruption and inefficiency at ports will be addressed separately. He also highlighted the government’s focus on reforming the fragile economy through a large, quality budget aimed at poverty reduction and investment growth.

Chowdhury added that revenue collection will be strengthened through full digitization and the “One Citizen One Card” system to reduce direct contact between taxpayers and officials, thereby curbing corruption. He urged business associations to help bring untaxed entities into the tax network and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to democratizing the economy.

Extensive farmlands in various areas of Kaliakoir upazila in Gazipur have been submerged due to continuous rainfall, leaving local farmers in severe distress. According to local sources, four days of rain combined with hill runoff from the north have flooded low-lying areas, damaging crops at the start of the Irri-Boro season. Many farmers have been forced to harvest half-ripe paddy early, while others have seen their fields completely submerged.

Farmers from villages such as Rashidpur and Medi Ashulai reported that large portions of their paddy fields are underwater, with some waiting for the water to recede to prevent total crop loss. Abdul Malek of Rashidpur said nearly two bighas of his land are submerged, while another farmer, Mostafa, noted he had to harvest prematurely to save what he could.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Zahid Hasan stated that the situation is being closely monitored and that farmers are being advised to harvest their crops quickly to minimize damage.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective-Ramna Division arrested four active members of an extremist organization during operations in Kamrangirchar and Keraniganj areas of the capital. The arrests were made following raids conducted late Tuesday night and early Wednesday, according to a press release signed by Deputy Police Commissioner N M Nasiruddin. The detainees were identified as Md Imran Chowdhury, Md Mostakim Chowdhury, Ripon Hossain Sheikh, and Abu Bakkar.

Police recovered a foreign pistol, a one-shooter gun, 14 rounds of ammunition, three empty shells, several smartphones, a DVR, a drone with parts, a multifunctional charger, a metal detector, a laptop, and books linked to extremist ideology. The first arrest led to subsequent detentions based on information obtained during interrogation.

According to the Detective-Ramna Division, the suspects admitted to being active members of an extremist group during preliminary questioning. Authorities stated that intelligence surveillance and special operations will continue to prevent terrorism, extremism, and sabotage activities.

In Dingapota Haor of Mohanganj upazila, Netrokona, ripe boro paddy fields have gone underwater after continuous heavy rain and water inflow from Sunamganj caused a breach in the haor protection embankment. The harvesting season had begun in early April, but the sudden flooding has submerged large portions of the crop.

Local farmers reported that this year’s yield was abundant, with most fields planted with BRRI-88 rice variety producing 8–10 maunds per katha. However, due to torrential rain and poor road conditions, they were unable to harvest in time. Farmers expressed frustration that despite successive governments, no sustainable embankment or road improvement has been implemented in the haor area.

According to the Mohanganj Agriculture Extension Office, boro rice is cultivated on 6,000–7,000 hectares in Dingapota Haor each year, producing over 6–7 metric tons per hectare. Farmers estimate that more than 50 percent of this year’s crop is now submerged.

Continuous rainfall and upstream water flow caused a dam to collapse in the Bolai River area of Chamardani Union, Madhyanagar upazila, Sunamganj. The breach allowed floodwater to inundate vast boro paddy fields in Jinaria Haor, destroying the year-long efforts of more than fifty farmers who had temporarily settled there for cultivation. The incident occurred on Thursday morning following days of heavy rain and strong water pressure.

Local farmers said they had left their permanent homes and lived for six months in temporary settlements near the haor to grow crops. Many endured hardships, including halting their children's education, to sustain their livelihoods. After the dam broke, their crops and investments were lost under water. One farmer said he had cultivated the land with great effort but lost everything, while another reported that his 20 kathas of land were submerged before harvest.

According to the upazila agriculture sub-assistant officer, 26 hectares of land were under cultivation in Jinaria Haor, of which 8 hectares were already waterlogged before the breach, and an additional 3 hectares went underwater afterward.

Former interim government adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul posted on Facebook on April 29, 2026, addressing allegations made against him by what he called 'land-grabber brothers' and their affiliated newspapers. In his post, he challenged the media to provide proof of claims that he had purchased property with illicit funds, dismissing the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.

Nazrul recounted earlier rumors, including claims that he had bought houses in Dhaka and the United States, and later accusations of embezzling large sums of money. He said these reports lacked evidence and were contradicted by official statements from the Ministry of Law, which found no irregularities in the transfer of sub-registrars. He argued that the allegations intensified after the fall of a previous government and his role in the interim administration.

Concluding his post, Nazrul stated that he would not pursue legal action or complaints to the Press Council, saying he lacked the resources to counter the media’s influence. He sarcastically saluted those spreading the allegations, asserting that the country now belonged to such powerful individuals.