Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced that the country received a total of 6,500 tons of military equipment within the past 24 hours. The shipment included ammunition and materials suitable for both air and ground operations. According to a statement posted on the ministry’s Telegram channel on Thursday, the equipment arrived in Israel via two ships and several cargo planes before being transported by road to various military bases across the country.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the delivery was part of efforts to ensure that Israeli forces have all necessary means at their disposal. He added that the move aims to maintain the military’s readiness to launch full-scale operations against enemies at any time and in any location.

The announcement underscores Israel’s ongoing focus on strengthening its defense capabilities amid regional tensions, as reported by Al Jazeera.

A report cited by Al Jazeera states that several billion dollars’ worth of US military equipment has been destroyed in the ongoing Iran war. According to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), losses are estimated between 2.3 and 2.8 billion dollars. The report highlights that on March 26, a day after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Iran had been swiftly neutralized, an Iranian missile and drone strike destroyed a $700 million E-3 AWACS radar aircraft at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base.

CSIS senior adviser Mark Cancian compiled the damage assessment, which includes the loss of a THAAD missile defense radar valued between $480 million and $970 million, and three F-15 fighter jets downed in a friendly fire incident in Kuwait. Security expert Omar Ashour told Al Jazeera that the Trump administration may be concealing the full extent of losses for political reasons ahead of the November election.

The report adds that satellite imagery of US bases in the Middle East has been restricted at the Pentagon’s request, though Iranian satellite images indicate significant damage. Despite damage to Iran’s conventional forces, its missile and drone capabilities remain operational.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has reported that nearly two-thirds of the candidates for reserved women’s seats in the 2026 Thirteenth National Parliament are both highly educated and millionaires. The findings, based on candidates’ affidavits, show that 65 percent are millionaires and over 63 percent hold postgraduate or higher degrees. TIB released the data in a press statement on Thursday.

According to the analysis, candidates for reserved seats surpass directly elected MPs in educational qualifications, with 63.3 percent holding postgraduate degrees compared to 50.7 percent among general seat MPs. Among the 49 candidates, 32 are millionaires, with 26 from the BNP and 5 from Jamaat-e-Islami. Lawyers make up the largest professional group at 26.5 percent, followed by businesspersons at 22.5 percent. The average age of candidates is 52.17 years, and most are between 45 and 54 years old.

TIB noted that while the participation of educated and professional women is positive, the dominance of wealth and certain professions in reserved seats mirrors trends seen in general constituencies and may have long-term implications.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has signed a contract with US manufacturer Boeing to purchase 14 new aircraft worth about 3.7 billion US dollars, equivalent to roughly 40,000 crore Bangladeshi taka. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday evening at a hotel in Dhaka, where Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Kaiser Sohail Ahmed and Boeing Vice President Paul Righi signed the agreement. The event was attended by the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, US Ambassador Brent T Christensen, and other officials.

Under the deal, Biman will acquire eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners, and four 737-8 MAX jets. Officials said the purchase aims to modernize the fleet and expand long-haul operations to meet growing passenger demand. The new aircraft will serve routes across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The agreement follows years of competition between Boeing and Airbus, with the interim government ultimately choosing Boeing after the 2024 political transition.

Payments will be made over 10 to 20 years, with annual installments estimated at 1,500 to 2,000 crore taka. The first delivery is expected by November 2031, meaning short-term fleet shortages will persist.

International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol has warned that the world is facing the largest energy crisis in history due to the ongoing war. Speaking at a conference in Paris, he said the current situation has created major economic and energy challenges globally. Birol noted that oil and gas markets are under severe strain, with oil prices exceeding 120 dollars per barrel, putting immense pressure on many countries.

He emphasized that the war has caused unprecedented instability in global energy security. According to Birol, high prices and disruptions in supply chains have pushed the world economy into a difficult period. His remarks highlight the scale of the crisis and the vulnerability of global energy systems under current geopolitical tensions.

The IEA chief’s warning underscores the urgent need for stability in energy markets as nations struggle with rising costs and supply uncertainties.

Bangladesh Bank has withdrawn the requirement for maintaining provisions against funds stuck in five merged Shariah-based banks. The decision, announced on Thursday by the central bank’s relevant department, aims to ease financial pressure on the affected banks and institutions that have been unable to recover large sums for an extended period.

The merged banks are First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, Social Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank. These institutions were consolidated into a unified Islamic banking structure due to severe liquidity crises. According to Bangladesh Bank sources, over Tk 15,000 crore from other banks and financial institutions remain stuck with these five banks, including more than Tk 8,000 crore belonging to one Islamic bank.

Officials explained that the funds are covered under a specific scheme, ensuring eventual recovery either through direct repayment, long-term fixed deposits, or share allocations. Industry observers noted that while the decision offers short-term relief, recovering the trapped funds remains a major long-term challenge.

Lebanon is facing an acute food crisis as Israeli attacks continue, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). A WFP spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the country is experiencing the most severe level of food insecurity, with the agency focusing its efforts on the poorest and most vulnerable populations. The spokesperson emphasized that a lasting ceasefire is the only way to resolve the crisis.

The WFP reported that deteriorating security conditions are hindering relief operations across Lebanon. The conflict has caused extensive damage to the agricultural sector, further worsening the food shortage. The organization warned that the collapse of supply chains and disruptions in agricultural production have placed Lebanon’s food security under serious threat.

The WFP’s assessment highlights the growing humanitarian strain in Lebanon, where ongoing conflict and logistical challenges are compounding the risk of widespread hunger.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has announced full exemption from all existing duties and taxes on the import of electric buses used for transporting students of schools, colleges, universities, and similar educational institutions. The decision was formalized through a statutory regulatory order (SRO) issued on Thursday, according to an official press release. The exemption covers customs duty, regulatory duty, value-added tax, supplementary duty, advance tax, and advance income tax.

The NBR stated that both educational institutions and their authorized representatives importing electric buses for student transport will be eligible for the exemption. The buses must be painted yellow and clearly marked with words such as “school,” “college,” “student bus,” or “transport.” The NBR will process import applications within ten working days. The board also mentioned that the government is considering reducing duties on electric buses for general passengers to encourage energy savings and reduce travel costs.

According to the NBR, the exemption will help institutions provide modern, eco-friendly transport for students, reduce traffic congestion, save fuel, and lower parents’ transportation expenses.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz are severely constraining the global economy. Speaking on April 30, 2026, he said the instability caused by ongoing conflict in the region is generating a long-term economic crisis worldwide.

Guterres cautioned that even under the best circumstances, recovery from the current economic shock will not be easy. He noted that lifting all restrictions immediately would still require several months for global supply chains to return to normal. During that period, economic growth would remain weak and high commodity prices would persist.

He further emphasized that the disruption in global supply systems caused by the Hormuz crisis is directly harming the world economy. If the situation continues, he warned, the cost of living for ordinary people will rise further.

Several days of nor'wester storms, hail, and strong winds have caused extensive damage to the renowned Haribhanga mango orchards in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur. The early-season storms led to premature fruit drop and cracking of mangoes due to hail impact, leaving local farmers uncertain about their expected yield and income this year.

A field visit revealed fallen unripe mangoes scattered under trees, broken branches, and widespread fruit damage. Farmers expressed deep frustration as the Haribhanga mango plays a vital role in the local economy. Growers from Kursha and Soyer unions reported losing large portions of their crops, including mango and lychee, and feared further losses in future harvests due to damaged trees.

According to the upazila agriculture office, Haribhanga mango is a key cash crop for Taraganj, supplying markets across the country. Upazila Agriculture Officer Dhiba Rani Roy said the extent of the damage is being assessed, and a list of affected farmers is being prepared to inform higher authorities for possible assistance.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman began his speech in Thursday’s parliamentary session by paying tribute to the martyrs of Shapla Chattar. He expressed respect for those who were martyred in 1971 and also remembered those who lost their lives on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar.

Earlier in the same session, Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman demanded justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. He called for justice for all forms of injustice committed against them and specifically sought accountability for the murder of Osman Hadi.

The session also highlighted broader national themes, including the Prime Minister’s statement that a significant portion of GDP would be allocated to education and health sectors, and that Police Week would begin on May 10 with 107 officers receiving medals.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reaffirmed the importance of NATO and the transatlantic partnership after former US President Donald Trump threatened to reduce American troops stationed in Germany. Merz made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the Munster military base, emphasizing that the transatlantic alliance remains deeply valued both nationally and personally.

According to Reuters, Trump’s threat followed his social media post stating that Washington was reviewing the troop presence in Germany. The move came after Merz’s earlier comments criticizing the United States for being humiliated by Tehran’s negotiation tactics, which reportedly angered Trump. The exchange has highlighted growing diplomatic tension between Berlin and Washington.

Despite the strain, Merz stressed that Germany remains committed to maintaining long-term cooperation within NATO’s framework, signaling Berlin’s intent to preserve its alliance with the United States even amid disagreements.

In Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar, sudden storms and continuous rain have caused waste from nearby Rohingya camps to wash into local farmlands, submerging Boro paddy fields during the harvest season. Local farmers in the Machkariya Beel area reported that around five hectares of paddy have been damaged by the floodwater mixed with plastic, polythene, and bottles. They said the incident has left them in severe financial distress.

Farmers Nurul Haque and Abdus Salam stated that this problem recurs every year during the storm season, yet no permanent solution has been implemented. They alleged that the agricultural office has not visited the affected sites and demanded compensation for their losses. Locals blamed both natural disasters and poor waste management in the Rohingya camps for the recurring damage to farmland.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamnashish Sarkar said his office has no record of such damage and claimed that water does not usually stagnate in the affected area, leaving the reported losses unverified.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has issued a directive requiring all air-conditioned buses to ensure visible emergency exits and to equip them with tools for breaking window glass in case of accidents. Non-air-conditioned buses have been instructed to remove stainless steel rods installed parallel to windows, which often obstruct passengers from escaping during emergencies. The authority warned that legal action will be taken against operators who fail to comply with these safety measures.

According to the public notice released on Thursday, the inability of passengers to exit quickly during accidents has been identified as a major cause of fatalities. The new instructions aim to provide safer and faster evacuation routes for passengers when accidents occur on roads, highways, ferry terminals, or rail crossings. The BRTA emphasized that these measures are intended to reduce casualties by eliminating physical barriers inside buses.

The directive follows the appointment of Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, as the new BRTA chairman on Wednesday night.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense criticism from Democratic lawmakers over the true cost of the Iran war during his first appearance before Congress since the conflict began three months ago. At a House Armed Services Committee hearing, the Pentagon reported that the war had cost $25 billion so far, mainly for ammunition and equipment maintenance. Democrats rejected the figure as unrealistically low, arguing that the broader economic impact could push total costs between $630 billion and $1 trillion.

Acting Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst clarified that the $25 billion estimate covered only direct operational expenses. Harvard economist Linda Bilmes suggested total costs might reach $1 trillion, noting that daily spending averaged $2 billion. The prolonged conflict has also driven U.S. fuel prices up 40 percent to $4.23 per gallon, worsening living costs and eroding President Trump’s popularity, with only 22 percent of Americans supporting his handling of the issue.

The New York Times reported that repairing damage from Iranian attacks on U.S. bases, including Bahrain’s Fifth Fleet headquarters, could cost hundreds of millions more, underscoring the war’s growing strain on the U.S. economy.