Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has pledged to continue working tirelessly to reclaim every inch of Lebanon’s occupied territory. In a post on social media platform X on May 1, marking International Workers’ Day, he reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring national sovereignty and improving citizens’ living standards.

Salam stated that alongside efforts to recover occupied Lebanese land, his administration is focused on revitalizing the national economy. He emphasized that economic recovery is a key government goal aimed at creating new jobs, restoring stability, and guiding Lebanon toward genuine renewal. His message reflected a broader vision of national resilience and economic revival amid ongoing challenges.

The statement, issued on the occasion of May Day, underscored the government’s dual priorities of defending sovereignty and addressing the country’s economic crisis, signaling a continued focus on both territorial and economic restoration.

Iran has denounced a recent US attack on its territory, calling it an act of aggression rather than self-defense. The statement came from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, who criticized Washington’s justification in a social media post. The US State Department had claimed that the conflict arose from the collective self-defense of Israel and its allies, as well as the United States’ inherent right to self-defense.

Responding to that claim, Baghaei questioned whether Iran had carried out any armed attack that would warrant such a response, asserting that no such action had taken place. He described the US operation as a deliberate act of aggression against the Iranian nation. Tehran also accused Washington of violating international law and attempting to legitimize warfare through a fabricated narrative.

The exchange underscores escalating tensions between the two countries, with Tehran firmly rejecting the US rationale and labeling the attack as unlawful under international norms.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar said that attempts to divide the nation by reviving old issues hinder progress. Speaking to journalists after addressing a workers’ rally organized by the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation in Cumilla on Friday morning, he stated that most current members of parliament were born after independence and that labeling them as anti-liberation or collaborators is rejected by the public.

Porwar claimed that a destructive force is active in promoting divisive politics, linking it to the current state of the National Freedom Fighters Council (Amendment) Bill 2026. He argued that despite the theoretical focus on workers’ rights in communism, such rights were not realized in practice. He added that Islamic labor principles cannot be implemented under Western democratic, socialist, or nationalist systems, emphasizing the need for an Islamic governance structure.

He further alleged that some groups are keeping old disputes alive as part of a foreign conspiracy and called for resolving such debates quickly to build a united Bangladesh for future generations.

A new nationwide program titled 'Notun Kuri Sports' will begin on Saturday under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and implementation by the Directorate of Sports. The initiative aims to identify and nurture sports talent among children aged 12 to 14 from grassroots levels. The opening ceremony will take place at Sylhet District Stadium, where Prime Minister Tareq Rahman will inaugurate the event and connect virtually with participants across the country.

According to organizers, the program follows the legacy of the 1980s talent search 'Notun Kuri' and includes eight sports: cricket, football, kabaddi, athletics, chess, badminton, swimming, and martial arts. A total of 160,779 participants registered online between April 12 and 17, with the highest numbers from Sylhet, followed by Chattogram and Dhaka. Regional and divisional competitions will be held from May 13 to 22 across ten designated regions.

Selected players will receive allowances, jerseys, and certificates, while national-level athletes will get residential training and opportunities at BKSP. The ministry has assured strict monitoring for transparency and safety, viewing the program as a milestone for Bangladesh’s sports development.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has warned that the country faces a potential economic collapse due to the prolonged closure of the Hormuz Strait caused by the ongoing Iran war. Speaking on May 1 during a May Day address, he said the conflict shows no sign of ending soon and that supply chains could face further disruption in the coming months.

Wong noted that Asian economies are heavily dependent on energy and essential goods from the Gulf region, making them particularly vulnerable to the crisis. He cautioned that global inflation will rise, pushing up prices of fuel, food, and other necessities, while many countries could slip into recession. Singapore, he said, will directly feel the impact as growth slows and inflation pressures businesses, workers, and families.

The prime minister added that even if the Hormuz Strait reopens soon, recovery will take time due to damaged ports and energy infrastructure and the need to clear naval mines. He described the Middle East conflict as casting a dark shadow over the global economy.

Global trade patterns have shifted sharply after the closure of the strategic Hormuz Strait due to the ongoing Iran war. According to an AFP report, ships can no longer reach Gulf destinations such as Bahrain, Kuwait, and Sharjah directly, forcing shipowners and importers to rely on alternative land routes. The Red Sea port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia has emerged as a new commercial hub, with major shipping companies including MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, and COSCO unloading cargo there before trucking goods across desert highways to Gulf states.

The surge in freight traffic has caused severe congestion at Jeddah port, which was not designed to handle such large volumes of imports. Shipping firms are also planning to use ports outside the Hormuz Strait, including Sohar in Oman and Khor Fakkan and Fujairah in the UAE. Additionally, Jordan’s Aqaba port is being used as a base for shipments to Baghdad and Basra, while a Turkish corridor is facilitating transport to northern Iraq.

These rerouted logistics networks indicate a major regional adjustment in maritime and land trade flows across the Middle East.

The United States Senate on Thursday voted down a Democratic proposal to withdraw American troops from Iran. The measure failed by a 47–50 vote, with Republican senators Susan Collins and Rand Paul breaking ranks to support it. The rejection came just one day before a key legal deadline for the Trump administration under the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

The War Powers Resolution allows a president to conduct military operations for up to 60 days without congressional approval. The Trump administration had notified Congress of the Iran operation on March 2, making Friday the final day of that period. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued that the 60-day clock was paused due to a ceasefire, a claim Democrats rejected as unconstitutional. Senator Susan Collins emphasized that the president’s war powers are not unlimited and that Congress has a constitutional role in such decisions.

Democrats indicated they may pursue legal action if military operations continue without congressional authorization. However, experts noted that courts have historically avoided intervening in disputes over war powers, leaving the issue legally ambiguous.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested the alleged mastermind behind an SSC examination question leak ring in Cox’s Bazar. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Salahuddin Ahmed, was detained Thursday afternoon in the Daryanagar area of Cox’s Bazar Sadar. RAB-15’s Assistant Director (Law and Media) and Assistant Superintendent of Police A. M. Faruk confirmed the arrest on Friday.

According to RAB, the operation was conducted following a tip-off near the Daryanagar Nature and Tourism Center around 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Salahuddin allegedly collected phone numbers of examinees from various WhatsApp groups, contacted them claiming to supply leaked question papers, and demanded large sums of money. He reportedly used specific mobile payment accounts to receive the money and then blocked the students, committing digital fraud.

The detainee has been handed over to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station for further legal action.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has dismissed exit polls predicting a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lead in the 2026 state assembly election. She asserted that such surveys were being circulated to demoralize Trinamool Congress workers and expressed confidence that her party would secure at least 226 seats. Banerjee said she trusted the people's overwhelming mandate and even suggested the tally could exceed 230 seats.

The state recorded a voter turnout of 92.47 percent across 294 constituencies, despite extreme heat and allegations of intimidation. Banerjee thanked voters for their participation and described the exit polls as a major conspiracy to influence public opinion before results are announced. She urged party members to remain calm, avoid provocation, and wait peacefully until the vote count on May 4.

Most exit polls have projected a close contest between the BJP and Trinamool, with several giving the BJP a slight edge. Only one survey, by People’s Pulse, forecast a clear Trinamool majority with 177–187 seats.

In Sunamganj, two days of sunshine followed five days of heavy rain and flash floods, offering brief relief to farmers drying their soaked paddy. However, much of the crop has already rotted, leaving the haor region unusually quiet and lifeless this harvest season. Farmers are seen cutting paddy in knee- to chest-deep water, with many reporting severe losses and exhaustion.

Local farmers described extensive damage, with large portions of their fields submerged and much of the harvested paddy spoiled before drying. Some hope for government financial assistance to recover. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, 2047 hectares of land across 137 haors have been affected out of 223,511 hectares of Boro cultivation, with an estimated production target of 1.4 million metric tons worth about Tk 5,000 crore. Officials are coordinating with mill owners to use dryers for wet paddy.

The Water Development Board reported a slight drop in water levels but warned that further rainfall could strain embankments. The district administration extended a ban on sand extraction until May 5 to address labor shortages in the haor areas.

According to a report by NBC News, Iran is taking advantage of the ongoing ceasefire with the United States to recover weapons that were previously hidden or buried under rubble. The report states that after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Tehran has intensified efforts to retrieve missiles and other munitions from underground or destroyed sites. The information was attributed to one U.S. official and two other individuals familiar with the matter.

The report further indicates that U.S. officials believe Iran aims to quickly rebuild its drone and missile capabilities. They assess that Tehran’s actions are intended to prepare for potential retaliatory strikes across the Middle East if President Trump decides to resume military operations. The developments come amid heightened regional tensions and uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire.

The situation underscores the fragile nature of the current truce and the possibility of renewed hostilities if diplomatic efforts fail to hold.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei announced in a written statement that Tehran will ensure the security of the Gulf region and eliminate what he described as the ‘enemy’s misuse’ of the sea routes. His declaration comes as tensions persist over maritime control and regional stability.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the American naval blockade on Iranian ports could continue for several more months. He said Washington is waiting for Tehran to accept an agreement and, in his words, to ‘give up.’ Trump emphasized that the blockade would remain in place until Iran complies with the terms of the proposed deal. In contrast, Khamenei reaffirmed Iran’s determination to maintain its dominance and security in the region.

The statements from both leaders underscore the ongoing standoff between Tehran and Washington over control of Gulf waters, with no immediate sign of de-escalation mentioned in the source.

A journalist named Shahibul Islam Pipul was allegedly assaulted in Bhangura, Pabna, on Thursday evening following a Facebook post he made about a previous incident involving his younger brother. The attack reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m. near the Bhangura bus stand, and the complaint was filed at Bhangura Police Station. Pipul, a correspondent for the Daily Jugantor and Bangla Tribune, accused Sharif, brother of Bhangura municipal BNP general secretary Sayedul Islam Buruj, and several others of carrying out the assault.

According to the complaint, earlier that day, Pipul’s brother Yasin Ali Sami was allegedly abducted and beaten by several local youths linked to the student wing of the BNP. After Pipul posted about the incident on Facebook, tensions escalated. Later, a group led by Sharif allegedly attacked him. Sharif denied the assault, claiming the dispute stemmed from an old conflict and that Pipul’s post was provocative. Sayedul Islam Buruj also denied his brother’s involvement and said he was trying to mediate between the parties.

Bhangura Police Station’s officer-in-charge Sakiul Azam confirmed receiving the complaint and said an investigation is underway.

A Bangladeshi man allegedly killed his younger brother in Lecce, Italy, following a long-standing family dispute. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The accused, Humayun Fakir, reportedly attacked his brother Nayon Fakir with a sharp weapon, causing his death on the spot. Both brothers were originally from Sonarang in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj district, Bangladesh.

After the killing, Humayun Fakir contacted his family in Bangladesh through a video call, showing them the bloodied body of his brother and admitting to the crime. Family members broke down in tears upon witnessing the scene. Italian police later arrived at the location and arrested the accused, according to reports.

News of the murder quickly spread to the Tongibari area, casting a shadow of grief and fear among local residents.

A discussion meeting was held in Moulvibazar to ensure the proper implementation of the 2026 Boro paddy and rice procurement program. The meeting, organized by the District Food Department, took place on Thursday afternoon at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner, who also presided over the session. Officials discussed various aspects of the procurement activities planned for the Boro season.

During the meeting, it was informed that the targets for collecting parboiled and non-parboiled rice have not yet been set. Paddy will be purchased directly from farmers through an app, and selected farmers must complete online registration. Rice will be procured from millers through contracts. To ensure fair prices for farmers, the price per kilogram of paddy has been fixed at 36 taka.

The procurement drive will run from May 30 to August 31. Participants were instructed to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the process. Representatives from the agriculture and food departments, mill owners’ association, and related committees attended and emphasized coordination in implementation.