An international crime network dubbed the “Pigeon Mafia” has emerged as a major threat to the global racing pigeon industry, according to investigative reports. High-value racing pigeons, scientifically known as Columba livia domestica, have become targets of theft across Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the United States. A CBS “60 Minutes” report highlighted a surge in thefts in Belgium’s Flanders region, one of the world’s leading breeding centers, where at least 35 major incidents have been recorded in the past three years.

Experts say the stolen birds are being used for breeding to produce valuable offspring sold on the black market. Belgian breeder Tom Van Gaver, whose collection is valued at around $10 million, lost his prized pigeon “Finn” in a 2024 theft he described as a “Mona Lisa heist.” The lucrative “one-loft racing” competitions, where pigeons return home from hundreds of miles away, have driven prices as high as several million dollars per bird.

DNA analysis and a genetic database of over 70,000 pigeons are now aiding investigations, but many stolen birds remain missing, leaving breeders on high alert.

A woman in Swarupkathi, Pirojpur, refused to abandon her newborn son born without limbs, despite the father’s insistence to leave the baby. The child was born on April 22 at New Satata Private Hospital, where the father declined to accept the baby or bear medical expenses, citing social shame. The mother, Liza, rejected his demand and took the baby to her father’s home on Tuesday morning after both recovered.

Hospital authorities and attending doctors agreed to cover all medical costs for the newborn, ensuring his stable condition before discharge. The mother expressed her determination to raise and educate her child, emphasizing her unconditional love and responsibility.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion in the local community. Many praised the mother’s courage and compassion while criticizing the father’s refusal. The hospital’s humanitarian support also drew appreciation, turning the story into a symbol of maternal devotion overcoming social stigma.

Meta has introduced a new feature in its ‘Teen Account’ supervision system that allows parents to see the general topics their children discuss with AI assistants. The information will appear in a separate ‘Insights’ tab, showing categorized subjects such as education, entertainment, writing, health, and mental well-being. The feature will operate across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, summarizing conversations from the past seven days without revealing specific messages.

The update comes as Meta faces growing scrutiny over child and teen safety. The company recently lost two major child protection lawsuits alleging that its products were designed to be addictive and lacked adequate safety measures. Internal documents revealed in court suggested Meta’s AI-driven virtual companions sometimes engaged in inappropriate conversations. Meta said it would appeal the rulings.

Alongside the new feature, Meta is collaborating with the Cyberbullying Research Center to create parental guidance on AI use and has formed an ‘AI Wellbeing Expert Council’ including university and suicide prevention specialists. However, advocacy group Fairplay criticized the move, arguing it shifts responsibility to parents instead of making the platforms safer.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmier announced that OpenAI has been included in a criminal investigation following the murders of Bangladeshi students Jamil Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti at the University of Florida. The main suspect, Hisham Abugarbiyah, allegedly used ChatGPT before committing the crime. Local media Tampa Bay 28 reported that the attorney general confirmed new charges would be filed against OpenAI as part of the ongoing probe.

According to court documents cited by CBS News, Hisham asked ChatGPT several questions about hiding bodies and other suspicious topics in the days leading up to the killings. His phone location was later traced to the site where Limon’s body was found. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, and Hisham has been charged with premeditated murder.

The attorney general previously linked ChatGPT to a separate 2025 Florida State University attack plan, and this new case has now been added to that broader investigation.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman stated that the government will take firm measures to control militant activities in Bangladesh. Speaking at a press briefing at the Department of Information’s conference center in the Secretariat on Tuesday, he acknowledged that some individuals are involved in militancy and occasionally attempt to become more active, but assured that the government will keep such activities under control.

He noted that there are two extreme narratives about militancy in the country—one claiming Bangladesh is full of militants and another claiming there are none—both of which he described as incorrect. The adviser also announced a strict stance against disinformation, saying that the government will not allow misinformation-based photo cards in the media. He emphasized that the government’s firm position will help reduce such tendencies and that investigations and punishment of past offenders are part of the effort.

Dr. Rahman further stated that those responsible for negligence in the recent measles vaccination issue should face action.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that democracy cannot be established in a country where human rights are absent. He announced that the government will take swift measures to ensure justice and expedite legal proceedings. The remarks were made on Tuesday afternoon during the National Legal Aid Day event.

Rahman emphasized that the government has adopted specific plans to provide legal assistance to those who are financially unable to afford it. He said justice should not remain confined to legal texts but should become a reality in every citizen’s life. According to him, true justice is meaningful only when the law upholds human dignity and guarantees rights through a moral commitment rather than mechanical enforcement.

The Prime Minister added that delayed justice amounts to denied justice, and for that reason, initiatives have been taken to resolve disputes before they reach the courts.

Iran’s state television IRIB reported that 155 people were killed in a devastating attack on a primary school in Minab on February 28, the first day of the new Middle East war. The victims included 73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver, and a pharmacy technician from a nearby clinic. The updated figure revises an earlier death toll of 175.

According to the report, the attack occurred as the United States and Israel launched strikes on various locations in Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israel and targets in the Gulf region. The New York Times cited a preliminary U.S. military investigation suggesting that a Tomahawk cruise missile may have mistakenly hit the school.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the incident in a video address to the UN Human Rights Council as a “planned, sequential attack,” rejecting the notion of an accidental strike and accusing technologically advanced nations of deliberate targeting.

The state-owned Jiban Bima Corporation has announced a new recruitment drive for 20 positions under the title of Insurance Representative or Agent. According to the notice published on April 28, 2026, interested candidates can apply online until May 27, 2026. Applicants must have at least an SSC or graduate-level qualification, and prior experience is not required, making it an opportunity for newcomers. Both men and women are eligible to apply.

The positions are full-time and categorized as private-sector roles. Salary and other benefits will be determined through discussion, and no specific age limit has been mentioned. Selected candidates must be willing to work in the districts of Bogura, Gaibandha, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Natore, and Sirajganj.

Applications are being accepted through the BDJobs online platform until the stated deadline.

Bangladesh and Bhutan have stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in trade and energy sectors. The discussion took place on Tuesday at the Secretariat in Dhaka during a courtesy meeting between Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Bhutan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dasho Karma Hamu Dorji. Both sides discussed expanding bilateral trade and investment as well as enhancing regional cooperation, with particular focus on renewable energy, including solar and hydropower projects.

The commerce minister highlighted that although South Asian countries collectively have a GDP of about 59 trillion US dollars, intra-regional trade remains around one percent, far below potential. He emphasized the need for stronger economic partnerships among neighboring countries and suggested that establishing small-scale hydropower plants near border areas could be mutually beneficial.

The Bhutanese ambassador congratulated the minister on his appointment and expressed Bhutan’s interest in deepening bilateral trade ties. He noted that the distance between Bhutan and Bangladesh’s Burimari border is about 100 kilometers, making trade and investment convenient. He also mentioned that Bhutanese students study in Bangladeshi medical colleges, contributing to cultural exchange between the two nations.

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan stated that there is currently no militant activity in the country. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after attending the 31st founding anniversary and medal ceremony of the Bangladesh Coast Guard. The minister said that the term 'militant' is no longer relevant in the present context and was previously used as a political tool during fascist regimes.

Responding to a question about when the army would be withdrawn from the field, the minister said the withdrawal would take place gradually. The event was also attended by Home Ministry Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury and Coast Guard Director General Md. Ziaul Haque.

The statement reflects the government’s position that militant threats have subsided and that security operations are transitioning toward normal administrative control.

Iraq’s President Nizar Amedi has appointed Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a new government, according to Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Iraq. Al-Zaidi was selected by the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shia parties holding a parliamentary majority, following a meeting in Baghdad. His nomination ends months of political stalemate that had drawn intervention from United States President Donald Trump, who opposed the initial candidate, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Both al-Maliki and outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani withdrew their candidacies to facilitate consensus.

Al-Zaidi, chairman of Al-Janoob Islamic Bank, emerged as a compromise figure supported for his economic expertise and business connections, despite lacking prior political experience. In his first statement, he pledged to make Iraq “a balanced country, regionally and internationally,” emphasizing unity during what he described as a sensitive period. Under Iraq’s constitution, he now has 30 days to present a cabinet to parliament and secure a vote of confidence.

The incoming government faces major challenges, including managing the fallout from the US-Israeli war against Iran, disruptions to oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, and persistent issues of corruption, armed groups, and governance reform.

A severe shortage of drinking water has hit Ramganj upazila in Lakshmipur, where deep tube wells are failing to draw water due to ongoing drought and a sharp drop in groundwater levels. Residents, including business owners, are struggling to obtain safe water, with many resorting to shallow tube wells or carrying water from distant sources. The municipal water plant is unable to meet demand, leaving households and institutions in distress.

Local residents reported that most deep wells have become nonfunctional, forcing them to buy bottled water or use pond water for daily chores. The head teacher of a local primary school said the school’s motor pump has stopped working, while others complained of irregular municipal supply. According to the assistant engineer of Ramganj Municipality, a 2023 earthquake originating in Sirundi village caused the groundwater level to drop significantly, worsening the crisis.

Officials said a new water plant in Kazirkhil area is expected to start operation within a few days, which may ease the shortage. The upazila administration has pledged to coordinate with the public health engineering department to take necessary measures.

The Bangladesh government is taking extensive preparations to send a large number of skilled workers to Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) category across 16 sectors. Japan has set a target to recruit 820,000 foreign workers in these sectors by March 2029, and experts believe Bangladesh could supply up to 40 percent of that demand if properly prepared. Previously, Bangladesh could send workers to only six sectors, but now it is expanding readiness for all 16.

According to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the government is implementing short-, medium-, and long-term plans to train workers in Japanese language, culture, and technical skills. Initiatives include upgrading training centers, launching hybrid courses, and strengthening cooperation with Japanese institutions. The ministry has also established a “Japan Cell” and enhanced the labor wing at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo to facilitate recruitment.

The government is also promoting student migration, aiming to send 10,000 students to Japan in 2026 with easy loan facilities. Officials say these measures will deepen bilateral cooperation and expand employment opportunities for Bangladeshi citizens in Japan.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is having a comparatively greater impact on the Asia-Pacific region, which remains heavily dependent on energy imports. She made the remarks during a meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, emphasizing that the close linkage between Australian and Japanese supply chains has helped maintain some stability in energy imports from Japan.

Wong noted that amid global instability, economic ties between the two nations have become increasingly vital. She stressed the need for coordinated responses following the effective closure of the key maritime route. The Strait of Hormuz typically handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, and its disruption has particularly affected Asian countries that rely on it for a major share of their energy needs.

The situation underscores the vulnerability of regional economies to disruptions in global energy transport routes and highlights the importance of cooperative strategies to mitigate supply risks.

A luxury superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite heightened tensions and blockade conditions. The 142-meter vessel, named Nord, traveled from Dubai to Muscat, Oman, over the weekend, navigating one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for oil and LNG transport.

The passage occurred amid increased restrictions by Iran on regional navigation and growing U.S. military presence. U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced a blockade on Iranian ports, further complicating the situation. Despite these challenges, the Russian-flagged yacht safely reached Oman’s Al Mouj Marina, one of the few private vessels to do so recently.

Mordashov, chairman of steel company Severstal, remains under Western sanctions, though his assets, including the Nord, have not been fully seized. It remains unclear whether he was aboard during the voyage.