Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmad Azam Khan announced in parliament that the government will prepare a complete list of martyred freedom fighters and genocide victims of the 1971 Liberation War. He said the initiative aims to create an accurate and accepted record that will ensure proper recognition and honor for those who sacrificed their lives. The statement came during a question-and-answer session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.

According to the minister, the ministry’s gazette currently lists 6,480 martyred freedom fighters, including 3,698 civilians, 1,541 members of the armed forces, 817 from the Border Guard Bangladesh, 423 police personnel, and one Ansar member. He also informed that 6,476 names have been canceled from the gazette, red freedom certificates, or Indian lists since 2010 based on recommendations from the Freedom Fighters Council, including 481 cancellations since August 2024.

The initiative is expected to formalize the recognition process for all martyrs and victims, ensuring historical accuracy and administrative transparency in the Liberation War records.

Iran’s economy faces prolonged pressure if disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue, prompting Tehran to look northward toward Russia for economic cooperation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, praising Moscow’s support and discussing the Hormuz situation and sanctions. Bilateral trade reached about 4.8 billion dollars in 2024, a 16 percent increase since 2018, mainly involving grain, metals, machinery, and fertilizers, though economists note the relationship remains limited.

The two countries are connected through the International North–South Transport Corridor, linking Russia to Asia via Iran and the Caspian Sea. Experts say this route offers partial relief but cannot replace the scale and speed of maritime trade through Hormuz. Nearly 90 percent of Iran’s trade depends on sea routes, making a full shift to land transport costly and inefficient.

Analysts believe Russia can provide short-term assistance but is unlikely to become a full economic lifeline for Iran due to its own sanctions and war-related pressures.

Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member and Dhaka North city chief Mohammad Selim Uddin has accused the government of acting against public opinion regarding the July Charter. Speaking on Wednesday at a unit leaders’ gathering organized by Jamaat’s Badda South Thana unit in the Shadi Mahal auditorium on DIT Project Road, he said the government’s stance reflects a fascist and authoritarian mindset. He urged full implementation of the July Charter in line with public expectations and warned that the government would not escape accountability if it failed to do so.

Selim Uddin stated that people across the country are eagerly waiting for change and that Dhaka residents look to Jamaat to secure their rights. He added that Jamaat continues its uncompromising struggle to establish an Islamic welfare state based on justice. Criticizing the BNP-led alliance government, he said it has failed to solve basic public problems and deceived citizens about the energy crisis, as people still face fuel shortages despite official claims of sufficient reserves.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament that the government’s Family Card program is a form of state investment aimed at strengthening local industries and creating employment. Responding to questions from lawmakers, he said the initiative would gradually cover 40 million families, starting with vulnerable groups, and would not cause inflationary pressure. The prime minister emphasized that the program’s spending would circulate within the domestic economy, benefiting rural markets and local manufacturers.

Lawmakers raised concerns about the program’s financial scale, estimating annual costs of up to 1.34 trillion taka including processing expenses, and questioned whether funds would be diverted from existing social safety programs. Rahman replied that the government’s calculations show no major budgetary strain, as overlapping benefits in current welfare schemes would be streamlined.

He added that the Family Card recipients typically purchase essential, locally made goods, ensuring that the funds support domestic production rather than imports. According to him, this approach will help reduce inflation while promoting local industrialization and employment growth.

The Chief Minister of India's northeastern state of Assam has drawn controversy after making remarks opposing closer India-Bangladesh relations. In a recent interview, he stated that he personally prays for the relationship between the two countries not to improve, saying he wishes the situation to remain as it was during the time of 'Yunus'. The interview was broadcast on April 15, 2026, but parts of it have recently gone viral on social media.

During the same interview with an Indian media outlet, the Chief Minister discussed the alleged 'push-back' process along the India-Bangladesh border. He claimed that border security forces sometimes hold individuals for days or weeks before forcibly sending them across the border, often at night when Bangladeshi forces are not present. He also referred to Bangladesh’s border force by its old name, 'BDR', instead of its current name, 'BGB'.

Analysts noted that his comments came at a time when India appeared to be signaling renewed diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh, particularly following the announcement of former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi’s appointment as ambassador to Dhaka.

Leaders of Gulf countries met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to discuss the regional crisis caused by the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, according to AFP. The meeting, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marked the first in-person gathering of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members since the conflict began following US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. The talks focused on the political and security situation and the need for coordinated action to manage the escalating tensions.

The meeting took place as the White House reviewed Iran’s latest ceasefire proposal and discussions emerged about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that previously carried about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and LNG shipments but has been largely closed since the war began. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said the summit underscored Gulf unity and the need for closer coordination.

A GCC statement strongly condemned Iran’s “blatant attacks” on Gulf states, saying the assaults severely damaged mutual trust and urging Tehran to take concrete steps to rebuild relations.

Brazil’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are entering the final stage, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti set to announce the 26-member final squad on May 18. Before that, a preliminary list of 55 players will be submitted to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The tournament, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, sees Brazil among the favorites, but intense competition for limited spots has made selection highly contested.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains the most reliable choice, while Ederson, Bento, and Hugo Souza are also in contention. In defense, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães are expected to be confirmed, with Éder Militão ruled out due to injury. The full-back positions appear less settled, and midfielders Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães are nearly certain selections. In attack, Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, and Matheus Cunha lead the line, with several others vying for places.

The biggest uncertainty surrounds Neymar, who continues to struggle with injuries and fitness despite returning to Santos. His inclusion remains doubtful, and his omission would be a major surprise as Brazil finalizes its squad for the expanded 48-team World Cup.

The United States Department of State has announced a special edition of passports featuring President Donald Trump’s image. The initiative, confirmed by the White House, will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the country’s Declaration of Independence in July. According to a Fox News report, the limited-edition passports will be available exclusively through the Washington Passport Agency.

A State Department design preview shows Trump’s portrait surrounded by the text of the Declaration of Independence and the US flag, along with the president’s signature in gold. An administration official told the BBC that any American citizen will be eligible to apply for the commemorative passport once distribution begins.

The release marks an unprecedented decision by the US government to include a sitting president’s image on official passports as part of a national celebration.

In Dirai upazila of Sunamganj, heavy rainfall has submerged 600 hectares of ripe paddy fields during the current harvesting season. According to the Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, the total cultivated area in the region is 30,178 hectares, with 16,738 hectares currently under standing crops. On Tuesday, the area recorded 30 millimeters of rainfall, which led to waterlogging in many fields.

Farmers reported that the excessive rain caused water accumulation in the fields before the paddy had fully matured, preventing harvesting machines from entering the waterlogged areas. Additionally, a shortage of laborers has made it difficult for farmers to harvest the ripe paddy in time. A farmer from Bharam Haor in Sarmangal Union expressed distress, saying most of his land is underwater and that drying harvested paddy has become impossible due to lack of sunlight and drying space.

The situation has raised concerns about potential crop losses and food insecurity among local farmers if the water does not recede soon.

RAB-11 has recovered a pistol and a round of shotgun ammunition that were looted from Siddhirganj Police Station during the July uprising in Narayanganj. The recovery took place around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday night in the Wabda Colony area of Siddhirganj, where the items were found abandoned.

According to RAB, a patrol team received secret information about a suspicious object resembling a weapon wrapped in tape near the wall of the abandoned Monowara Jute Mill entrance in the RPO Wabda Colony area. Acting on the tip-off, the team informed higher authorities and recovered the object in the presence of locals. Upon unwrapping the tape, they found a 7.62 cm automatic 54 China pistol and one round of 12-bore shotgun cartridge, which were seized as evidence.

RAB stated that the recovered items have been handed over to Siddhirganj Police Station for further legal action.

Talks between the United States and Iran to end the ongoing Middle East conflict and reopen the Hormuz Strait remain stalled, largely due to disagreements over financial concessions and sanctions relief. According to Middle East Eye, several U.S. and Arab officials said former President Donald Trump’s reluctance to release Iranian funds or ease sanctions has blocked progress. Iran has proposed bypassing its nuclear program in exchange for reopening the strait, but financial issues remain the core obstacle.

Analysts cited in the report said Trump’s Iran policy was built on economic pressure, making it difficult for him to reverse course. The 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief, was abandoned by Trump, who later imposed severe sanctions. Even as Iran seeks to rebuild after heavy losses from U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Washington continues to tighten restrictions, including new sanctions on Iranian oil shipping firms.

Experts noted that Iran’s leadership views sanctions relief as essential to restoring its economy, while U.S. officials face political and regional resistance to any concessions. The stalemate leaves both sides unable to finalize a peace agreement or economic normalization.

The Directorate General of Health Education in Bangladesh has announced that every new medical student will plant a tree on their first day of class in the 2025–26 academic year. The initiative will be part of a centrally organized orientation event connecting all medical colleges online, followed by individual welcome programs at each institution. The program aims to instill environmental responsibility among future doctors while marking the beginning of their medical education.

According to Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain, Director General of the Directorate, the tree-planting initiative was introduced last year and received positive response. The broader discussion also covered government efforts to improve medical education quality, including infrastructure upgrades for older colleges and expansion projects to accommodate more students. Currently, Bangladesh has 37 public and 112 total medical colleges offering MBBS degrees.

The initiative reflects the government’s emphasis on combining academic development with social and environmental awareness among medical students, aligning with national goals for sustainable education and healthcare improvement.

False claims alleging that the United States is 'stealing clouds' in the Middle East have spread widely on social media amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel and Iran conflict. Iraqi lawmaker Abdullah al-Khaikani told Al-Rashid TV that the U.S. was using aircraft to break and steal clouds, suggesting recent rains in Iraq returned because the U.S. was distracted by war. However, he provided no evidence to support his statements.

Iraq’s meteorological department dismissed the allegations as unscientific, noting that forecasts had already predicted a rainy year. Scientists and climate experts emphasized that no existing technology can steal or control clouds. They explained that cloud seeding—a weather modification method used in several countries—can only slightly increase rainfall from existing clouds. Experts from institutions including Khalifa University, Wyoming University, and the UN University stressed that climate change, not manipulation, is driving extreme weather in the region.

Researchers warned that misinformation thrives amid uncertainty and water insecurity, as people seek simple explanations for complex climate phenomena.

The government of Bangladesh will provide three months of assistance to farmers in the haor region who have suffered losses due to recent natural disasters and hailstorms. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced the decision in the National Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, April 29, 2026.

The announcement followed a proposal made the previous day by Fazlur Rahman, Member of Parliament for Kishoreganj-4, who urged the formation of a separate 'Haor Ministry' covering 35 districts to improve the livelihoods of people in the disaster-affected haor areas. He described the severe hardship faced by farmers whose single annual crop has been destroyed by heavy rain and hail, leaving them dependent on others for food and clothing throughout the year.

The Prime Minister’s statement indicates immediate government attention to the crisis, while the proposal for a dedicated ministry suggests a possible long-term institutional response to recurring natural disasters in the haor region.

Police in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj recovered the throat-slit body of autorickshaw driver Naeem Hossain on Wednesday morning from the bank of Khaichala Beel in Sonakhara Union. The discovery followed a report from locals who found the body and alerted authorities. Additional Superintendent of Police Saiful Islam Khan and Officer-in-Charge Ahsanuzzaman led the police team that recovered the body.

According to local sources, Naeem, aged 25 and a resident of Maltinagar village in Dhubil Union, had left home with his autorickshaw on Tuesday morning but did not return that night. His body was found the next day, causing grief among his relatives and shock in the community.

Police suspect that Naeem was killed in a planned attack aimed at stealing his autorickshaw. The body has been sent for autopsy, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved. The incident has sparked concern and anger among local residents.