In Sunamganj, flash floods and continuous rainfall have submerged vast areas of Boro paddy fields, leaving farmers struggling to harvest their crops. Water levels in the haor region have risen sharply, with the Surma River flowing 150 centimeters below the danger level. Farmers are cutting paddy in waist-deep water, but the harvested grains are rotting in the yards due to persistent rain. Many fields remain underwater, and the lack of workers and transport routes has worsened the crisis. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, 223,511 hectares of Boro paddy were cultivated this season, targeting 1.4 million metric tons valued at about Tk 5,000 crore. So far, 50 percent of the crops have been harvested, and 2,047 hectares have been damaged by waterlogging. Officials have advised farmers to harvest ripe paddy quickly. The Water Development Board warned that embankments could be at risk due to continuous rainfall and hill runoff. The district administration extended the closure of all sand quarries until May 5 to address the labor shortage in the haor areas, aiming to facilitate timely harvesting.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has formally framed charges against former food minister Kamrul Islam and Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon in connection with killings during the July uprising. The three-member panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, issued the order on Thursday and set June 9 for opening statements and the first witness testimony. Earlier, on March 11, defense counsel Monsurul Haque Chowdhury sought acquittal, arguing that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence linking the accused to any killings. Chief Prosecutor Aminul opposed the plea, asserting that the charges were based on credible evidence and that the prosecution would prove the crimes during trial. The tribunal had reserved its order for April 30 after hearing both sides. According to the prosecution, Kamrul and Menon allegedly incited violence and authorized the use of lethal force against unarmed protesters to sustain Sheikh Hasina’s government. Both men were arrested in 2024 and have remained in custody since then.

Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been handed a 13-match suspension following a violent incident during the Aragonese derby between Real Zaragoza and Huesca in Spain’s second division. The altercation occurred late in Sunday’s match when Andrada pushed Huesca defender Jorge Pulido near the touchline, earning a second yellow card and a dismissal. As he left the field, Andrada ran back and punched Pulido, sparking a brawl involving players and staff from both teams. Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez retaliated by striking Andrada on the back of the head, and both he and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende were also shown red cards. Huesca went on to win the match 1–0, a crucial result in the relegation battle between the two struggling sides. The Spanish Football Federation described Andrada’s actions as serious misconduct, imposing a one-match ban for the red card and an additional 12 matches for the punch, along with financial penalties for both the player and his club. Andrada later apologized, expressing regret for his behavior and vowing not to repeat such actions.

Three police officers from Gazipur Metropolitan’s Konabari area have been withdrawn following allegations of abducting, assaulting, and extorting money from a businessman. The officers—ASI Azizul Haque, constables Nazmul Hossain, and Mamun Hossain—were attached to the police lines after the complaint. The alleged incident occurred on Monday night when businessman Delwar Hossain was forcibly taken from the Baimaile area, beaten, and threatened with a false drug case before being robbed of 28,400 taka. According to the written complaint, another youth named Sifat was also detained and intimidated for having an online gambling app on his phone. Police allegedly took additional money from Delwar’s mobile account and later returned only a small portion. Delwar filed a formal complaint the next day seeking investigation and recovery of the extorted funds. ASI Azizul Haque denied all allegations, while Sifat confirmed the incident but declined to elaborate. Assistant Police Commissioner Abu Naser Al-Amin stated that the accused officers were withdrawn pending investigation and that further legal action would follow based on the findings.

Former minister Kamrul Islam appeared at the tribunal two hours late on Thursday after initially refusing to attend a hearing in a war crimes case linked to the July uprising. He was brought from PG Hospital under prosecution orders after declining to leave due to illness. The incident occurred on the day the tribunal was scheduled to announce its decision on framing charges against Kamrul Islam and Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon. According to the source, Kamrul, an Awami League presidium member, had been receiving treatment at the hospital. When prison authorities informed the tribunal registrar and chief prosecutor about his refusal, the explanation was deemed unacceptable, prompting an oral directive to ensure his presence. The three-member bench of Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, was set to deliver the order on charge framing. Earlier, on March 11, the defense sought acquittal, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present strong evidence or prove involvement in killings. The prosecution, however, claimed the two accused incited actions that led to violence and deaths of 23 people in Badda and nearby areas.

Iran celebrated its annual National Persian Gulf Day at the end of April, commemorating the 1622 expulsion of Portuguese forces from the Strait of Hormuz. This year’s observance carried special significance due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including an unstable truce with the United States and continued blockades in the Strait of Hormuz. The celebration began at Tehran’s Tabiat Bridge, where around 10,000 people joined a “sports gathering,” according to state media. Iran’s deputy minister for sports development told the Mehr News Agency that the current situation required strengthening social stability and resilience by harnessing the people’s high morale. Amid political and military strain, this year’s Persian Gulf Day was viewed not only as a historical commemoration but also as a demonstration of national unity and resistance within Iran.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that the current government neither uses nor intends to use religion for political purposes. He emphasized that while religion belongs to individuals, security and equal rights belong to all citizens. Speaking on Thursday morning at a reception marking Buddha Purnima at the Cabinet Division’s conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat, he reiterated the government’s policy of ensuring equality for all, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or belief. The event was attended by several ministers and officials, including the home minister, the religious affairs minister, and the state minister for the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Representatives of the Buddhist community presented the prime minister with a crest and a symbolic Buddha image. Rahman highlighted that all religions promote welfare and that the moral principles of Buddhism—non-violence, truthfulness, and compassion—are universal values essential for building a humane society. He added that the government is committed to creating a state where every citizen can freely practice their faith and live in peace and security. Rahman reaffirmed that Bangladesh’s political philosophy of “Bangladeshi nationalism” ensures coexistence among all communities.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller on Thursday morning at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Denmark. The minister urged greater Danish investment, highlighting Bangladesh’s investor-friendly environment, skilled workforce, large market, and strategic location. He emphasized ongoing government efforts to improve infrastructure, logistics, and business facilitation to attract foreign investors. Muktadir invited Danish investors to explore opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, and industrial sectors, expressing optimism for deeper future economic collaboration. Ambassador Møller congratulated Bangladesh’s new government and described the bilateral relationship as a successful transition from development cooperation to business partnership. He noted that Danish companies, including Marks-Bangladesh, are operating successfully and investing in renewable energy and other sectors. The ambassador reaffirmed Denmark’s support for Bangladesh’s economic and democratic reforms and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the livestock sector and developing a dairy value chain. Commerce Ministry Secretary (routine duty) Md. Abdur Rahim Khan also attended the meeting.

A powerful storm struck Dhanbari upazila in Tangail, causing extensive damage to trees, houses, and standing crops. The storm, which hit on Sunday during the Kalbaishakhi season, left large areas waterlogged, submerging low-lying paddy fields and disrupting daily life. Several unions and municipal areas, including Bajitpur Shyamlarchar, Kathaliabari, and Balasuti, reported fallen trees and damaged homes. Residents said the storm snapped power lines after trees fell on electric poles, leaving areas like Shyamlarchar without electricity for three days. Farmers reported that boro paddy fields were submerged, and many plants had fallen due to heavy rain and wind. They expressed concern that continued bad weather could destroy their crops before harvest and urged government assistance. One farmer noted that high cultivation costs and earlier droughts had already strained them. According to the Dhanbari agriculture officer, boro paddy was cultivated on 10,300 hectares this season, and harvesting had begun. He said that if weather conditions improve, farmers will be able to resume harvesting soon. Power department officials confirmed that repair work is ongoing to restore electricity.

Leaders of the Buddhist community exchanged greetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. The event took place on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Dipen Dewan, State Minister Mir Helal Uddin, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Minority Affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Member of Parliament from Bandarban Saching Prue Jerry, BNP-nominated reserved seat candidate Madhabi Marma, and Dr. Sukomal Barua were present at the event. During the ceremony, representatives of the Buddhist community presented the Prime Minister with a commemorative crest and a replica of a Buddha statue as a token of goodwill.

The High Court has granted bail to former Narayanganj mayor Selina Hayat Ivy in two murder cases filed in connection with incidents that occurred in July. The order was issued on Thursday by a bench comprising Justice K M Zahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher. The cases were filed at Siddhirganj Police Station, with one registered on September 11, 2024, and the other on June 30, 2025. Police had sought to show Ivy arrested in these cases, and the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Narayanganj approved the requests on March 2 and April 12, respectively. The report states that Ivy was initially arrested on May 9 of the previous year from her residence in Deovog, Narayanganj. She was later shown as an accused in multiple cases. Although the High Court had earlier granted her bail in five cases, the Appellate Division suspended those orders. On November 18, she was again shown arrested in five new cases and received bail on February 26 this year, but those orders were also stayed following a state petition. The Appellate Division, led by the Chief Justice, is expected to decide on Sunday whether Ivy’s previous five bail orders will remain in effect.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that there will be no irregularities or looting in the stock market under the BNP government. He also confirmed that political figures will not be appointed to financial institutions. The minister made these remarks on Thursday morning before the passage of the Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Act in the National Parliament. Addressing opposition concerns about the bill, the finance minister said that since a special committee had already examined the legislation, there was no need for further scrutiny. Following his statement, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Act was passed in Parliament as recommended by the special committee. The new law aims to strengthen oversight of Bangladesh’s capital market, protect investors’ interests, and promote the development of the securities market, according to the official proceedings described in the source.

A Chattogram court has sentenced seven people to life imprisonment for the murder of expatriate Md. Rafique in the Amirbag area of the city. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by Judge Muhammad Ali Akkas of the Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court, nearly twenty years after the case began. Along with life imprisonment, each convict was fined 25,000 taka, with an additional one-year jail term in case of non-payment. Eight other accused were acquitted due to lack of evidence. According to the prosecution, Rafique, who had returned from the United Arab Emirates in July 2007, went missing on August 14 of the same year after leaving his in-laws’ house in the Kadamtali area. Later that night, his body was found at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, and it was revealed that he had been killed and left in Amirbag. His brother Zakir Hossain Lulu filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station. Four convicts were present in court during the verdict, while three others were absent. Arrest warrants have been issued for the absconding convicts.

The High Court has granted bail to Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Imi, former vice president of Shamsunnahar Hall Students’ Union at Dhaka University, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The order was issued on Thursday by a bench comprising Justice K M Zahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher. Advocate Motahar Hossain Saju represented Imi during the hearing. According to the case details, on the night of March 7 this year, around 9:30 p.m., Imi and several others announced a program to play a historic speech in front of Shahbagh Police Station. While they were broadcasting the speech from a rickshaw, a group of Dhaka University students, including Daksu leader A B Zubair, Mosaddeq Ali Ibn Mohammad, and National Student Power convener Tahmid Al Modassir, obstructed them. Subsequently, Zubair and Mosaddeq allegedly forced Imi and another person into the Shahbagh Police Station, where police detained them. The following day, police showed the three detainees arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sent them to jail. The case was filed by police as the complainant.

Seven people were killed in lightning strikes across six districts of Bangladesh on Wednesday, according to local authorities. The fatalities occurred in Jamalpur, Rajbari, Rangpur, Gazipur, Mymensingh, and Shariatpur. Two young men died in separate incidents in Jamalpur’s Islampur upazila, while one person each was killed in the other five districts. In addition, ten schoolgirls were injured when lightning struck near a school in Barguna’s Bamna upazila. In Jamalpur, the victims were identified as Sagar, 18, and Shamim, 25, who died while working and fishing respectively. Rajbari’s victim, Suman Mondal, 35, was struck while walking with his daughter, who survived with minor injuries. In Rangpur, a housewife named Sahera Begum, 40, was killed near her home. Mymensingh’s victim, Saddam Hossain, 28, died while fishing, and in Shariatpur, fisherman Rajib Sheikh, 35, was killed. Gazipur’s victim was identified as Jakir Hossain Khan, 32. Officials confirmed each incident and reported that the Shariatpur district administration provided Tk 25,000 in government assistance to one victim’s family.