Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that promising export sectors such as gold and diamond industries will receive the same facilities as the ready-made garment sector. He made the statement on Wednesday at the 46th meeting of the National Board of Revenue’s advisory committee, jointly organized by the NBR and FBCCI at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

The minister said that while Bangladesh’s garment industry has achieved remarkable success, other sectors like gold and diamond remain underdeveloped. From now on, any promising export sector that submits a proposal will be granted equal benefits. He emphasized that fear of theft should not restrict business opportunities, and that corruption and inefficiency at ports will be addressed separately. He also highlighted the government’s focus on reforming the fragile economy through a large, quality budget aimed at poverty reduction and investment growth.

Chowdhury added that revenue collection will be strengthened through full digitization and the “One Citizen One Card” system to reduce direct contact between taxpayers and officials, thereby curbing corruption. He urged business associations to help bring untaxed entities into the tax network and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to democratizing the economy.

Former royal officials have described King Charles III’s recent visit to the United States as a turning point in relations between London and Washington. According to a former close associate of the royal family, the King’s cordial approach during the trip effectively pressed a ‘reset button’ in bilateral ties. The comments were reported by the BBC.

Ailsa Anderson, who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s press secretary from 2001 to 2013, said the visit gave the impression that the two nations’ relationship had started anew. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, she noted that King Charles appeared more confident in delivering major speeches and, being above party politics, was able to convey a special message to the American public. Simon Lewis, the Queen’s former communications secretary from 1998 to 2000, told BBC Radio 4 that the visit came at a time when political relations between the two countries were strained.

Lewis added that the trip was organized in coordination with the government and could positively influence future relations between the British Prime Minister and the U.S. President. Observers believe the visit has created a positive diplomatic mood likely to strengthen ties further.

Extensive farmlands in various areas of Kaliakoir upazila in Gazipur have been submerged due to continuous rainfall, leaving local farmers in severe distress. According to local sources, four days of rain combined with hill runoff from the north have flooded low-lying areas, damaging crops at the start of the Irri-Boro season. Many farmers have been forced to harvest half-ripe paddy early, while others have seen their fields completely submerged.

Farmers from villages such as Rashidpur and Medi Ashulai reported that large portions of their paddy fields are underwater, with some waiting for the water to recede to prevent total crop loss. Abdul Malek of Rashidpur said nearly two bighas of his land are submerged, while another farmer, Mostafa, noted he had to harvest prematurely to save what he could.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Zahid Hasan stated that the situation is being closely monitored and that farmers are being advised to harvest their crops quickly to minimize damage.

French energy company TotalEnergies has announced the restart of operations at the SATORP oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. The facility had been shut down as a precaution after sustaining damage during an Iranian attack on April 8. According to the company, operations resumed on April 14, and the refinery is now running at a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day.

TotalEnergies stated that three units of the refinery were damaged in the incident, prompting a full shutdown for safety reasons. The unaffected units have since been brought back online. The refinery is jointly owned by Saudi Aramco, holding 62.5 percent, and TotalEnergies, with 37.5 percent.

The attack occurred amid ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East, targeting one of the area’s key energy installations. The resumption of operations marks a significant step toward restoring stability in Saudi Arabia’s oil production network.

In Dingapota Haor of Mohanganj upazila, Netrokona, ripe boro paddy fields have gone underwater after continuous heavy rain and water inflow from Sunamganj caused a breach in the haor protection embankment. The harvesting season had begun in early April, but the sudden flooding has submerged large portions of the crop.

Local farmers reported that this year’s yield was abundant, with most fields planted with BRRI-88 rice variety producing 8–10 maunds per katha. However, due to torrential rain and poor road conditions, they were unable to harvest in time. Farmers expressed frustration that despite successive governments, no sustainable embankment or road improvement has been implemented in the haor area.

According to the Mohanganj Agriculture Extension Office, boro rice is cultivated on 6,000–7,000 hectares in Dingapota Haor each year, producing over 6–7 metric tons per hectare. Farmers estimate that more than 50 percent of this year’s crop is now submerged.

The latest developments in the Middle East conflict show escalating violence and growing economic and diplomatic tensions. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that eight people, including civil defense workers, were killed in an Israeli strike on the country’s south, with two soldiers injured. The attack occurred despite a fragile ceasefire in place since April 17. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump may reject Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, pushing crude oil prices higher and causing stock market declines.

In Washington, Britain’s King Charles III urged the United States to stand firmly with Western allies during what he described as a time of deep uncertainty. Trump also criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his comments on the Iran conflict. In Iraq, U.S. defenses intercepted drones over Baghdad’s Green Zone, marking the first such incident since the April 8 ceasefire. Israel claimed to have destroyed a major Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon.

Amid the turmoil, the United Arab Emirates announced its withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ to prioritize national interests, a move that coincides with rising global energy prices and ongoing regional instability.

Continuous rainfall and upstream water flow caused a dam to collapse in the Bolai River area of Chamardani Union, Madhyanagar upazila, Sunamganj. The breach allowed floodwater to inundate vast boro paddy fields in Jinaria Haor, destroying the year-long efforts of more than fifty farmers who had temporarily settled there for cultivation. The incident occurred on Thursday morning following days of heavy rain and strong water pressure.

Local farmers said they had left their permanent homes and lived for six months in temporary settlements near the haor to grow crops. Many endured hardships, including halting their children's education, to sustain their livelihoods. After the dam broke, their crops and investments were lost under water. One farmer said he had cultivated the land with great effort but lost everything, while another reported that his 20 kathas of land were submerged before harvest.

According to the upazila agriculture sub-assistant officer, 26 hectares of land were under cultivation in Jinaria Haor, of which 8 hectares were already waterlogged before the breach, and an additional 3 hectares went underwater afterward.

Britain’s King Charles III addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, reminding the United States of its republican values—rule of law, democracy, and its example in international affairs. His speech, delivered with careful wording, was notably direct by royal standards. Without criticizing the Trump administration, the King subtly expressed concern over the current political direction of the United States and called for stronger support for Ukraine and protection of nature, signaling a call to address climate change.

Charles emphasized that allies can maintain enduring relationships despite differences, referring to the historic U.K.-U.S. “special relationship,” which had been strained by disagreements such as the Iraq war. He highlighted the continuing importance of America’s global influence and quoted Trump to affirm the spiritual bond between the two nations. The King presented President Trump with a Royal Navy submarine bell from World War II as a symbolic gift.

Charles also referenced the Magna Carta and the U.S. Bill of Rights, underscoring the shared commitment to the rule of law and independent judiciary that underpin both nations’ democratic traditions.

A South Korean appeals court has increased the prison sentence of former president Yoon Suk Yeol from five to seven years. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, found Yoon guilty of obstructing judicial proceedings by using members of the presidential security service to prevent his arrest. The decision follows a January lower court verdict that had sentenced him to five years in prison.

Both Yoon and prosecutors had appealed the earlier ruling. Yoon argued that the arrest warrant issued against him was based on an unlawful investigation, while special prosecutors sought a ten-year sentence, citing the seriousness of his offenses. The Seoul High Court judge stated that Yoon’s actions and their consequences were “highly reprehensible,” noting that he had issued illegal orders to state security officials and attempted to use them as personal bodyguards.

Yoon is already serving a life sentence for leading an attempted coup related to a failed martial law declaration in late 2024, according to the report.

Former interim government adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul posted on Facebook on April 29, 2026, addressing allegations made against him by what he called 'land-grabber brothers' and their affiliated newspapers. In his post, he challenged the media to provide proof of claims that he had purchased property with illicit funds, dismissing the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.

Nazrul recounted earlier rumors, including claims that he had bought houses in Dhaka and the United States, and later accusations of embezzling large sums of money. He said these reports lacked evidence and were contradicted by official statements from the Ministry of Law, which found no irregularities in the transfer of sub-registrars. He argued that the allegations intensified after the fall of a previous government and his role in the interim administration.

Concluding his post, Nazrul stated that he would not pursue legal action or complaints to the Press Council, saying he lacked the resources to counter the media’s influence. He sarcastically saluted those spreading the allegations, asserting that the country now belonged to such powerful individuals.

At least five people were killed and seven others injured in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip within the past 24 hours, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The ministry reported that since the start of the so-called ceasefire in October, 823 people have been killed and 2,308 injured.

The ongoing Israeli military operations, which began in October 2023, have brought the total number of deaths in Gaza to 72,599, with 172,411 people injured. The densely populated enclave remains under blockade, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate amid the prolonged conflict.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates growing concern over worsening living conditions in Gaza as the violence persists and civilian casualties continue to rise.

Chattogram city experienced severe waterlogging again on Wednesday morning following heavy rain. By 1 p.m., knee-deep water was reported at Probortok Moor, where roads were empty of vehicles and pedestrians. Shops were partially flooded, and some owners stood helplessly by their half-closed shutters. Only a few rickshaws and motorcycles attempted to move through the water, often stalling mid-road.

The flooding extended beyond Probortok Moor to nearby areas including Muradpur, Soloshahar, Bahaddarhat, Chawk Bazar, and Katalganj. Residents reported water entering ground floors and kitchens, disrupting daily life. A business owner said his warehouse goods worth several lakh taka were damaged without insurance or compensation. Locals expressed frustration over recurring inundation and the lack of a permanent solution.

Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain stated that the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is responsible for the waterlogging mitigation project, though he feels a moral duty to stand by citizens during such crises.

Opposition lawmaker Hafez Rabiul Bashar, representing Satkhira-3 constituency, suddenly fell ill during the ongoing session of the 13th National Parliament on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, around 1:40 p.m. Fellow members of parliament and staff from the Parliament Secretariat quickly assisted him out of the chamber and into the lobby, where doctors provided initial medical treatment.

During the break for the Zuhr prayer, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman personally visited the parliamentary lobby to inquire about the opposition MP’s condition. He also gave instructions to ensure that Bashar received the necessary medical support. The Chief Whip and other whips of the National Parliament were present at the time.

The incident briefly interrupted the session but was handled promptly, with medical attention provided on-site. No further details about the MP’s health condition were disclosed in the report.

India’s long-term strategic and economic plans centered on Iran’s Chabahar port have entered a period of uncertainty following the expiration of the United States’ sanctions waiver. The development has raised new questions about the future of the project, which was considered one of India’s most ambitious regional connectivity initiatives aimed at linking Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Located on Iran’s southeastern coast along the Gulf of Oman, the Chabahar port includes two terminals—Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti—where India has invested about 120 million dollars in infrastructure development. The port’s geographic position offers India a crucial alternative route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. Its strategic importance grew after Pakistan’s Gwadar port, built with Chinese assistance, became operational in 2016, intensifying regional competition.

Recent maritime tensions near Iranian ports and in the Strait of Hormuz have further complicated the situation. Without renewed US sanctions relief, India’s Chabahar project could face major setbacks, potentially affecting its regional trade links and geopolitical balance.

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has crossed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since early March, according to maritime tracking firm Kpler. The passage marks a significant development after the vital waterway was nearly closed due to the Middle East conflict. Kpler reported that the UAE state oil company ADNOC’s vessel, Mubarak, carrying 132,890 cubic meters of LNG, made the crossing after loading at Das Island on March 2.

The strait had been under effective Iranian control since February 28, when U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered heightened regional tensions. The U.S. later responded by intercepting Iranian vessels and announcing operations against several Asian tankers. Kpler noted that the Mubarak had turned off its tracking signal at the end of March and reactivated it near India about a month later, suggesting the crossing occurred between April 18 and 19, though this remains unconfirmed.

Experts cited in the report said restricted navigation through the strait has severely affected LNG markets, particularly major producers such as Qatar. Other tankers, including Japan-linked Idemitsu Maru, have also recently passed near Iranian checkpoints.