The big-budget biopic 'Michael', based on the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, has stormed the box office despite negative reviews and a complex production process. Released in North America, the film earned 97 million dollars in its first week and 217 million dollars worldwide, setting a new record for the highest-grossing biopic opening in history. Starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, the film grossed 120.4 million dollars internationally, surpassing the opening records of 'Oppenheimer' (2023) and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (2018).

Critics have accused the film of downplaying controversial aspects of Jackson’s life, reflected in a 38% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave it a 97% rating. The production faced legal and creative hurdles, including reshooting scenes related to the Jordan Chandler case at a cost of about 50 million dollars, limiting the story to events before 1988. Despite family opposition and legal restrictions, the film’s success has prompted producers to consider sequels.

The film, produced by Lionsgate and distributed internationally by Universal, is yet to release in Japan, where Jackson has a large fan base. Its release there is scheduled for June.

Three farmers were killed and three others injured by lightning strikes in Sunamganj district on Monday afternoon, April 27, 2026. The incidents occurred in Sadar and Jamalganj upazilas during a nor'wester storm. The deceased were identified as Jamir Uddin, 46, of Abdullahpur village in Mollapara Union; Jamir Hossain, 40, of Baitakhali village in Gaurarang Union; and Abu Salek, 20, of Rupabali village in Jamalganj upazila.

According to local sources, Jamir Uddin was harvesting paddy in a haor when lightning struck, killing him instantly. Jamir Hossain was heading to open his shop near the Baitakhali river ghat when he was struck and later died at the hospital. Abu Salek was bringing cattle from a field when he was hit by lightning and declared dead after being taken to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital.

A doctor at Sunamganj Sadar Hospital confirmed three deaths from lightning between noon and afternoon. Police said they were verifying details of the incidents.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the government will identify and correct existing errors in the Family Card project to ensure its effective implementation. Speaking to reporters after a committee meeting on the program at the Secretariat on Monday, he said the initiative aims to deliver benefits to the rightful recipients. The meeting was attended by Social Welfare Minister A Z M Zahid Hossain and Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.

The minister explained that the project began on a pilot basis, during which some minor issues were detected. More than 37,000 cards have been distributed so far, and the authorities are reviewing whether any genuine beneficiaries were excluded or wrongly listed. He emphasized that the government will allocate sufficient funds in the upcoming budget to ensure the program continues without financial obstacles.

Chowdhury described the Family Card as not only a social protection initiative but also a humanitarian effort aimed at empowering women, supporting rural communities, and improving access to services for disadvantaged groups, with potential positive effects on the broader economy.

Three people were killed in separate lightning strikes in Khaliajuri upazila of Netrakona on Monday. The incidents occurred in the morning and noon of April 27, 2026. A fisherman named Abdul Motaleb, 55, from Maizpara union of Ishwarganj upazila in Mymensingh, died while fishing near the Dhanua River at the Jagannathpur ferry ghat. Later, a farmer named Monaem Khan died while drying paddy in front of his house in Satgaon village, and a farm laborer named Shubho Mondol from Sirajganj died while harvesting paddy in Krishnapur village.

Police confirmed the deaths and stated that inquest reports would be prepared before handing over the bodies to the families. The confirmation came from Hafizul Islam, Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) of Netrakona. The lightning strikes occurred in open areas during regular agricultural and fishing activities.

Authorities have not reported further injuries or property damage related to the incidents, and no additional details on weather conditions were provided in the report.

Low-cost airline Transavia, part of the Air France-KLM Group, announced on Sunday that it will cancel some flights scheduled for May and June due to rising jet fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The company said the cancellations represent about 2 percent of its total scheduled flights. Passengers affected by the cancellations will be offered free rescheduling, vouchers, or full refunds.

The report noted that the fuel crisis is spreading across Europe, which imports nearly half of its energy from Gulf countries. Disruptions in supply through the vital Strait of Hormuz have intensified market pressure since late February, following attacks in Iran by the United States and Israel. Around 20 percent of the world’s hydrocarbons pass through this route.

European Union Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned that Europe is heading toward a deeper energy crisis, which could further raise fuel prices and force more airlines to cancel flights. Transavia has already increased average round-trip fares by about 10 euros.

Twenty-four government electricity meters were installed across 24 Bihari camps in Syedpur, Nilphamari, but no bills have been paid for the past 11 years. Each month, electricity worth about Tk 5 million is consumed, and by February 2026, the total unpaid amount reached Tk 660 million. Field visits revealed that many residents also use direct connections from power lines without meters, keeping fans running continuously to avoid fire or disconnection risks.

Residents said they pay small amounts monthly but are unsure whether the money reaches the electricity office, as they cannot obtain meters in their own names. The Syedpur Camp Development Committee stated that they do not seek free electricity but want proper rehabilitation and the right to pay bills formally. A human rights activist attributed the problem to poor planning and the camps’ exclusion from formal urban infrastructure, which causes revenue losses and safety hazards.

According to the local NESCO official, the government installed one meter per camp and repeatedly requested the Disaster Management Ministry to clear dues. The ministry agreed to pay bills only up to 2016, citing that residents are now Bangladeshi citizens and responsible for their own payments.

A Chinese national, Chen Bao Ming, visiting Bheramara in Kushtia, Bangladesh, has faced repeated power outages during his stay. Chen, from Hebei province, arrived on April 20 to meet and marry Taslima Khatun, a 19-year-old resident of Paschim Behula village in Bheramara. The couple, who met online a year earlier, completed their court marriage in Kushtia and are now living at Taslima’s family home, where frequent load-shedding has caused discomfort amid intense summer heat.

Local residents said electricity cuts occur several times a day, leaving them without power for hours. The situation has been particularly embarrassing for the family hosting a foreign guest. Ironically, Bheramara is home to key national power infrastructure, including the 410-megawatt combined cycle power plant and facilities linked to the Bangladesh-India Maitree Super Thermal Power Project.

The contrast between Bheramara’s role as a power generation hub and its residents’ struggle with electricity shortages highlights broader questions about energy distribution and planning in Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief in Bangladesh has initiated a Tk 9.5 crore software project titled Integrated Disaster Management System (IDMS) to enhance transparency and accountability in disaster response. The system will operate through mobile and web applications and a website, aiming to verify beneficiary data, ensure fair distribution of relief allowances, and prevent duplicate benefits. Reliable ministry sources confirmed that the project is part of the government’s broader digital transformation in disaster management.

According to project details, about Tk 5 crore will be spent on software development, while the rest will cover training, piloting, and related activities. The system will be linked to the national ID database to verify information, with a memorandum of understanding planned between two agencies. Pilot implementation will begin in 18 upazilas, including Shyamnagar, Koyra, and Sharankhola, with user training provided. Officials said third-party testing will assess the software’s effectiveness.

While proponents see IDMS as a step toward reducing waste and improving transparency, some senior officials expressed concern over its high cost and implementation challenges, warning that it could invite controversy if not executed properly.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has initiated a new plan to improve mobile network and internet quality inside homes across the country. The regulator is preparing to allocate spectrum from the ‘e-GSM’ band to mobile operators to enhance network capacity. Currently, about 40 percent of mobile users live in cities and 60 percent in suburban and rural areas, where weak signals, call drops, and slow internet remain major issues. BTRC has already allocated 700 MHz spectrum to Grameenphone and is now moving forward with the e-GSM band initiative.

BTRC currently holds 8.4 MHz of e-GSM spectrum, with Robi and Banglalink each requesting 3.4 MHz. Before final allocation, a one-month trial has begun to check for possible interference with the 850 MHz band near border areas. Robi stated that its infrastructure is ready for e-GSM deployment, while Banglalink said it will decide on further investment based on test results.

If successful, the initiative is expected to strengthen indoor mobile signals, reduce call drops, and improve internet speed and stability, particularly in rural and remote regions.

Three members of a family were killed when a large tree fell on their house during a storm in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur early Monday. The victims were identified as Khuki Begum, 65, and her daughters Farida Akter, 40, and Fate Akter, 37, all residents of Purbadagi area under Nayanagar Union. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when strong winds uprooted a mahogany tree that crashed onto their tin-roofed house while they were asleep.

According to local and fire service sources, the storm struck suddenly during the night, causing the tree to collapse on the house. Due to darkness and heavy winds, rescue operations could not begin immediately. In the morning, police and fire service personnel, assisted by locals, recovered the bodies from under the debris.

The tragedy cast a pall of grief over the Purbadagi area. Melandah Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jinnatul Ara said the administration took necessary measures at the site and would provide assistance to the bereaved family.

An opinion piece published on April 27, 2026, argues that Bangladesh must significantly increase its education budget to strengthen the nation’s intellectual foundation. The article notes that while visible infrastructure projects such as bridges and metro rails are expanding, the country’s “invisible infrastructure” of knowledge and human capital remains underfunded. UNESCO and the International Labour Organization recommend allocating 4–6 percent of GDP or 15–20 percent of the national budget to education, but Bangladesh’s spending has stagnated around 2 percent of GDP for over a decade.

The author highlights structural weaknesses in spending, with most funds directed toward buildings, furniture, and salaries rather than research, teacher training, or laboratory development. This imbalance, the article warns, undermines educational quality and contributes to brain drain. The piece also stresses that inadequate funding widens inequality between rich and poor students and between urban and rural schools.

It concludes that prioritizing education in upcoming budgets and long-term plans is essential for building a smart, self-reliant Bangladesh capable of meeting global challenges through skilled and creative human resources.

International oil prices climbed after the collapse of a second round of ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran. On Sunday, Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil pricing, rose by more than 2 percent. As of 12:30 a.m. GMT, the price stood at 107.35 dollars per barrel, nearly 47 percent higher than before the conflict began.

Despite the diplomatic deadlock, major Asian stock markets opened on a positive note. Investors appeared to largely disregard the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire discussions. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index gained about 0.4 percent in early trading, while South Korea’s KOSPI index rose by as much as 1.5 percent.

The stalled negotiations have heightened concerns over energy supply stability, but market sentiment in Asia suggests cautious optimism amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of at least 14 people caused by sudden lightning strikes in different districts of the country. The party’s Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the Central Publicity and Media Department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, conveyed the condolences in a message sent to the media on Sunday. He said that five of the victims were from Gaibandha district and several others were seriously injured.

In his statement, Zubair described the incident as tragic and painful, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a quick recovery for the injured. He emphasized the need to raise public awareness and take preventive measures to deal with natural disasters like lightning. He also urged the authorities to ensure safety during such hazardous conditions and to provide financial assistance to the affected families.

Zubair prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and for patience and strength for their grieving families.

Fourteen people, including a child, were killed by lightning strikes across seven districts in Bangladesh on Sunday, according to local reports. The fatalities occurred in Gaibandha, Thakurgaon, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Panchagarh, Bogura, and Natore. Gaibandha recorded the highest number of deaths, with five people killed in separate incidents in Sundarganj and Saghata upazilas. Victims included farmers, laborers, and residents caught outdoors during sudden storms.

In Thakurgaon, two people died in Pirganj upazila, while Sirajganj and Jamalpur each reported two deaths. One tea worker was killed in Panchagarh, a young man in Bogura, and a seasonal farm laborer in Natore. Several others were injured, and livestock deaths were also reported. The incidents occurred in the afternoon amid sudden thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Authorities and locals rescued the injured and took them to nearby hospitals. The report highlights the recurring danger of lightning during seasonal storms across rural Bangladesh, often affecting people working in open fields or near their homes.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said it will take several months for the global oil market to return to normal even after the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He made the remarks in an interview with Russia’s VGTRK broadcaster, according to Anadolu, noting that the Middle East crisis has caused a severe shortage of energy resources worldwide.

Novak explained that a large volume of oil has not reached the market and many ships remain stranded in the Hormuz Strait, making it difficult to restore balance quickly. He estimated that normal conditions could take months to reestablish.

The report recalled that Tehran took full control of the Strait of Hormuz on February 28 after a U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, disrupting global energy supplies across Asia. Although the conflict is currently suspended, efforts continue to achieve a lasting resolution.