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.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that there is no ceasefire with Lebanon during a visit to Israeli troops deployed in southern Lebanon. He emphasized that the army’s mission, as directed by political leadership, is to prevent direct attacks on Israeli communities and to maintain their current defensive position. Halevi noted that forces may need to remain stationed in the area to sustain this security posture. He further instructed troops to continue fighting in the absence of a ceasefire, aiming to eliminate threats from northern settlements, destroy terrorist infrastructure, and target militants. According to the report, since March 2, Israeli forces have killed at least 2,290 people in Lebanon, and around 1.2 million have been displaced across the country due to Israeli attacks. The statements underscore Israel’s continued military engagement in Lebanon and the absence of any truce, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian toll and displacement within Lebanese territory.

Global oil prices surged as reports emerged that the United States is preparing to impose long-term sanctions on Iran. On Wednesday, Brent crude prices exceeded 122 dollars per barrel, marking the highest level since 2022. The price later stabilized around 120 dollars after a nearly 10 percent daily increase. The rise followed stalled ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran and the effective closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to the Wall Street Journal, former US President Donald Trump has instructed preparations to extend existing blockades on Iranian ports to increase pressure on Tehran. In response, Iran stated it would continue to obstruct shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Guardian reported that this is the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine that Brent crude has crossed the 120-dollar mark, underscoring renewed geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets.

International discussion has intensified over whether the United States’ ongoing economic and naval sanctions can effectively stop Iran’s oil exports. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that despite the sanctions, no major damage has occurred to Iran’s oil fields and the country is prepared to withstand economic pressure for at least 30 more days. The US, however, maintains that its sanctions are working, arguing that if Iran cannot export oil, storage limits will eventually force production cuts. Satellite data show that since the sanctions began on April 13, Iran’s oil storage has risen sharply. By April 20, storage tanks on Kharg Island—through which about 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports pass—were 74 percent full, with an additional three million barrels added, according to the Center on Global Energy Policy. Analysts note that oil companies typically avoid filling storage beyond 80 percent for safety reasons. Experts suggest that while the sanctions are increasing pressure, they are unlikely to halt production immediately. Instead, Iran may face a gradual slowdown leading to a prolonged economic strain.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked U.S. President Donald Trump over the surge in global oil prices and Washington’s so-called ‘sanctions theory’. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf said that figures like Information Minister Scott Besent were giving Trump’s administration ‘false advice’, which he claimed was pushing oil prices toward 120 dollars per barrel. He added that the next destination for oil prices would be 140 dollars. Ghalibaf also ridiculed Trump’s recent remarks about Iran’s energy infrastructure. Trump had told Fox News that Iran’s oil lines could soon explode internally, causing irreversible damage within three days. Referring to that interview, Ghalibaf said that three days had already passed without any explosion and sarcastically offered to extend the countdown to 30 days, even suggesting a live broadcast of the oil wells on X. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington over energy markets and sanctions, as reported by CNN.

A 22-year-old man named Mahbub from Noapara village in Cumilla’s Debidwar upazila was found dead by hanging in a rented house in Angaura village under Gouripur Union of Daudkandi upazila on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Police from Gouripur outpost recovered the body in the afternoon following reports from locals. Mahbub had been living there with his wife, Sanjida Akter, for about nine months and worked as an autorickshaw driver. According to family and local sources, Mahbub had been struggling with financial hardship and was reportedly addicted to playing the mobile game Free Fire. His wife stated that frequent arguments occurred over his gaming habits. On the day of the incident, a quarrel escalated, and she left for work. Upon returning home later, she found the door locked and discovered her husband’s body inside. Police said the body was being sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for autopsy and that legal procedures were underway to investigate the incident.