Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Israel is mistaken if it believes it can ensure security by carrying out destruction in border areas and violating international law. He emphasized that the only way to secure the borders is through the full presence and authority of the Lebanese state across southern Lebanon.

Aoun said the Lebanese government is making maximum efforts to resolve the ongoing situation and stressed that a lasting solution can only come through dialogue. However, he insisted that Israel must first implement a ceasefire before any talks can begin. The president added that Lebanon is waiting for Washington’s response, as the United States is expected to finalize the date for peace talks. Preliminary discussions between Israeli and Lebanese representatives took place in Washington last week, where Lebanon proposed extending the ceasefire by one month.

Since taking office in January 2025, Aoun has prioritized establishing state military control in southern Lebanon instead of Hezbollah’s influence, believing this will ensure long-term peace.

Iran’s football federation representatives were absent from a crucial Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting in Vancouver, Canada, held ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The congress, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, was described as the most significant formal gathering of Asian football leaders before the tournament.

No discussion took place regarding Iran’s participation or the possible relocation of its matches from the United States due to the ongoing war. However, Iran’s absence sparked speculation among attendees. Reports suggest that visa complications may have prevented the Iranian delegation from reaching Vancouver, raising concerns about their participation in Thursday’s FIFA Congress and the World Cup starting on June 11.

At the end of the meeting, commemorative gifts were presented to the nine Asian teams that qualified for the World Cup. When Iran’s name was called, organizers stated that their gift would be handed over once the delegation arrived. Neither the AFC nor Iranian officials have issued an official explanation for the absence.

The High Court has acquitted Hosaf Group Chairman Moazzem Hossain from the Barapukuria coal mine corruption case in Dinajpur. The verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justice Md Zakir Hossain and Justice K M Rasheduzzaman Raja after hearing Hossain’s petition seeking cancellation of the case proceedings. Senior lawyers A B M Altaf Hossain and Khandaker Maruf Hossain represented Moazzem Hossain, while Shahin Ahmed appeared for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Moazzem Hossain had filed the petition last year challenging the legality of the charges. The High Court had earlier issued a rule and stayed the proceedings against him. The case, filed in 2008 at Shahbagh Police Station, alleged irregularities in contractor appointments for coal extraction, management, and maintenance at the Barapukuria mine, causing a state loss of Tk 158.71 crore. In November 2024, a trial court framed charges against four individuals, including Moazzem Hossain and a former acting secretary of the Energy Ministry, while several others, including former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, were discharged.

The High Court’s decision effectively cancels the proceedings against Moazzem Hossain, aligning with earlier acquittals of the main accused.

Widespread criticism and dissatisfaction have emerged within Israel over the government's handling of current security challenges. Reports from Israeli media indicate that many citizens feel deceived by what they perceive as the government's failure to maintain control over the Iran situation and its indecision regarding renewed conflict in Lebanon. A growing portion of the population believes the government has failed to ensure their safety and has betrayed their trust.

Concerns have also been raised in Israeli media about the army's activities near the Lebanese border, where allegations of destruction, looting, and disorder have surfaced in areas of conflict with Hezbollah. While public trust in the military remains higher than in political leadership, analysts note that politicians lack clear answers for resolving the prolonged crisis in the north. The absence of a realistic plan to disarm Hezbollah and the government's perceived lack of direction are further intensifying public anger.

Analysts suggest that this political uncertainty and failure to achieve military objectives are deepening frustration among Israeli citizens.

Bangladesh Bank has eased the conditions for appointing senior officials from one bank to another. According to a circular issued on Wednesday, bankers can now join higher positions in other banks without passing the Banking Professional Examination. Previously, passing this exam was mandatory for such appointments.

The central bank stated that a banker holding a senior officer rank with at least 15 years of experience can now be appointed to a higher position in another bank even without the exam qualification. The decision aims to enhance the development of skilled human resources in the banking sector.

Earlier, in January of the previous year, Bangladesh Bank had made passing the Banking Professional Examination a requirement for inter-bank senior-level appointments. The new relaxation marks a reversal of that policy to facilitate greater mobility and talent utilization within the sector.

Dhaka District Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman has said that despite the rise in Bangladesh’s average life expectancy, awareness about elderly nutrition remains low among families and individuals. He made the remarks on January 29 during a discussion on ‘Elderly Nutrition and Nutrition During Disasters’ marking the final day of National Nutrition Week 2026 in Dhaka. The weeklong campaign, held from April 23 to 29, aimed to raise public awareness through various programs organized by the Civil Surgeon’s Office.

Dr. Rahman noted that the country’s average life expectancy has reached around 74 years, with elderly people now comprising about 10 percent of the population, projected to reach 20–21 percent by 2040–2050. He expressed concern that families often neglect the nutritional needs of older members, leading to health complications. He advised maintaining healthy eating habits, fostering social relationships, and ensuring intergenerational care to prevent isolation in old age.

The Civil Surgeon emphasized that improving nutrition requires joint efforts from families, educational and religious institutions, and the media. The office also conducted special programs for mothers, children, adolescents, orphans, and the elderly during the week.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh has issued a directive requiring prior approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) before commercial banks can open letters of credit (LCs) for importing supplement products. The circular, also endorsed by the central bank, was announced following a government notification issued on Wednesday.

According to the official notice, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2023, registration or prior approval from the DGDA is mandatory for the production, import, export, sale, and distribution of dietary, herbal, nutritional, medical, or therapeutic supplements. Violating these provisions constitutes a punishable offense. The directive follows incidents where some importers brought in supplements without approval, leading customs authorities to halt clearance. Subsequent legal proceedings reached the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, which allowed conditional clearance under the law.

To ensure public safety and proper enforcement, the DGDA has requested that no LC or telegraphic transfer be opened for supplement imports without valid registration or prior authorization.

Forty-nine candidates have been elected unopposed to the reserved women's seats in Bangladesh's 13th National Parliament. The Election Commission (EC) will publish the official gazette in their names on Thursday, according to Returning Officer Md. Moin Uddin Khan, who announced the decision during a briefing at the EC building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Wednesday afternoon.

The returning officer stated that the list of 49 valid candidates has been finalized and will be presented to the commission for gazette publication. The EC Secretariat will include the names and addresses of the newly elected members in the gazette and then forward it to the Parliament Secretariat to arrange their oath-taking ceremony.

No candidate withdrew their nomination within the designated withdrawal period, and since the number of valid nominations matched the number of vacant seats, the candidates were declared elected unopposed under the election law.

An anti-corruption debate competition was held in Bhangura upazila of Pabna, focusing on the theme 'Only an accountable government system can curb and prevent corruption.' The two-day event took place at the Upazila Parishad auditorium, jointly organized by the Pabna District Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Upazila Corruption Prevention Committee. In the final round on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 24 students from eight educational institutions participated, presenting arguments for and against the motion.

Momota-Mostafa Ideal High School won the championship, while Ashtomonisha Hasina-Momen Girls High School became the runner-up. Sabrina Sultana Simu was named best speaker. The event was presided over by former principal Md. Shahiduzzaman, president of the Upazila Corruption Prevention Committee, with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Arifuzzaman as the chief guest. Several local officials and educators attended as special guests.

According to the organizers, the competition aims to foster ethical values and anti-corruption awareness among students as part of an annual initiative to build a corruption-free society.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain warned that if the opposition threatens to topple the government, they themselves will face downfall. He made the remarks on Wednesday, April 29, during the 24th day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament while participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address.

Ishraq Hossain stated that the current government did not come to power through the elections of 2008, 2014, 2018, or 2024, but rather through a direct mandate from the people. Addressing the Leader of the House, he said that if anyone tries to overthrow the government through threats, they will take to the streets again as they did in the past to establish voting rights and bring down the previous regime.

He also noted that while opposition members deliver constructive speeches in parliament, their remarks inside and outside the chamber are spreading toxicity, which is affecting educational institutions and causing clashes among student organizations.

Iran’s government has approved a new plan allowing citizens to purchase essential goods on credit, according to Iranian media reports published on April 29, 2026. Under the scheme, families receiving government assistance will be able to buy basic items from shops every two months on credit, with the government acting as a guarantor for repayment. The value of purchases cannot exceed the amount of assistance each family receives. Funding for the initiative will come from private companies.

The decision comes as prices of many goods in Iran have risen sharply in recent weeks. Tehran-based newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad has presented three possible inflation scenarios for the current year. It reported that if Iran reaches an agreement with the United States, inflation could be contained at around 49 percent. If the current “no war, no peace” situation continues, inflation may rise to 67 percent. However, if conflict intensifies, the country could face hyperinflation, with rates potentially reaching 123 percent.

The plan aims to ease short-term financial pressure on low-income families while broader economic uncertainties persist.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to deliver its order today, Thursday, on whether to formally frame charges against Food Minister Kamrul Islam and Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon in the case related to killings during the July uprising. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, will issue the order. The other members are Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

Earlier, on March 11, defense lawyer Monsurul Haque Chowdhury argued for the discharge of the accused, claiming the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence linking them to the alleged killings. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam countered that the charges were based on adequate proof and expressed confidence in proving the crimes during trial. After hearing both sides, the tribunal set April 30 for the order.

The prosecution previously alleged that Kamrul and Menon incited violence and authorized the use of lethal force against unarmed protesters to sustain the then Sheikh Hasina government. Both men were arrested in 2024 and have remained in custody since.

A UN-backed report has warned that more than 1.24 million people in Lebanon are at risk of severe food insecurity due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The joint statement, released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture, projected that between April and August 2026, nearly one in four people in the country could face acute food shortages.

The report noted a sharp deterioration in conditions compared to before the war spread in March 2026, when about 874,000 people, or 17 percent of the population, were already experiencing severe food insecurity. It attributed the worsening crisis to continued fighting, mass displacement, and mounting economic pressures.

The statement further cautioned that if the conflict persists, Lebanon’s food crisis could deepen in the coming months, posing serious humanitarian challenges for the country.

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.

An unexpected nor'wester accompanied by three days of heavy rain has caused extensive crop damage in Kachua upazila of Chandpur. The storm struck on Sunday evening, uprooting trees, damaging houses, and breaking electric poles. Continuous rainfall from Monday to Wednesday submerged vast areas of ripe and half-ripe boro paddy, maize, and sesame fields, leaving farmers in deep distress during the harvest season.

Field observations showed that large tracts of farmland in Sacher Ghograr Jala, Haripur, Atmor, Joarikhol, Budhunda, Bitara, Jalabitara, and Teteya lowlands were underwater, with around 80 percent of crops submerged. Fearing further water rise, many farmers began cutting half-ripe paddy early. Farmers expressed concern over repaying debts as their crops were destroyed. Kachua Upazila Agriculture Officer Tafu Ahmed advised farmers to harvest their paddy as soon as water recedes and to reinforce maize roots with soil once fields dry.

Officials expect water levels to drop within a few days, but prolonged rainfall could worsen the situation for local farmers.