The contest to select the next Secretary-General of the United Nations has intensified as four leading candidates—Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, and Macky Sall—faced rigorous questioning from member state representatives. UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the process as one of the world’s toughest job interviews. Despite extensive discussions, no clear frontrunner has yet emerged. Current Secretary-General António Guterres’s term ends on January 1, and additional candidates may still join the race. All four contenders emphasized strengthening the UN’s three core pillars of peace, development, and human rights. They pledged to enhance the organization’s effectiveness in resolving conflicts in crisis regions such as Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Bachelet called for a more proactive UN presence, Grossi stressed the need for strong leadership to overcome global divisions, Grynspan urged moral courage and risk-taking, and Sall positioned himself as a bridge-builder focused on restoring global trust. Some controversies have surfaced, including criticism of Bachelet’s stance on women’s rights by US lawmakers and protests surrounding Sall’s candidacy. The final decision will rest with the 15-member Security Council, followed by approval from the 193-member General Assembly.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep sorrow and sympathy over two separate fatal accidents in South Sudan and Indonesia. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, conveyed condolences following the deaths of 14 people in a plane crash near Juba, the capital of South Sudan, and at least 14 deaths and 84 injuries in a train collision in Bekasi Timur, near Jakarta. Porwar described the loss of innocent lives in both incidents as tragic and irreparable. He extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. The statement emphasized that the grief of the bereaved families cannot be compensated in any way. He further stated that Jamaat-e-Islami shares the sorrow of the victims’ families, as well as the governments and people of both countries, expressing hope that South Sudan and Indonesia will soon overcome the immense losses caused by these disasters.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that the nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign is ongoing, with 9,423,799 children vaccinated as of the evening of April 27. He shared the update during a briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday. The adviser also reported that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) achieved significant progress over the past two months under the government’s zero-tolerance policy and technology-based border management. Arrests related to border crimes increased by about 700 percent compared to last year, border killings dropped by 75 percent, and drug and smuggling seizures rose by 40 percent. BGB also prevented the smuggling of about 100,000 liters of fuel, a 35 percent improvement from last year, and human trafficking prevention efforts improved by 25 percent. Dr. Rahman further stated that the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will begin fuel loading on April 28, with 300 megawatts expected to join the national grid by mid-August and full capacity of 1,200 megawatts by January. The second unit is expected to connect to the grid by the end of 2027.

The European Union (EU) election observation mission in Bangladesh reported that it found no evidence supporting allegations of vote rigging in Dhaka constituencies during the country’s 13th national parliamentary election. The final report was released on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at a hotel in Dhaka, where mission chief Ivers Ijabss stated that democracy had been established through the election. Ijabss noted that any complaints could be addressed through legal procedures and said the mission had focused on six key aspects of the electoral process. He emphasized that the election was significant for upholding Bangladesh’s democratic principles and governance standards. The EU mission had been present in Bangladesh since late the previous year. On February 12, 2026, a total of 223 international observers from all EU member states, as well as from Canada, Norway, and Switzerland, monitored voting activities across all 64 administrative districts of the country.

A poultry farm owner died after being electrocuted while turning on a light switch at his farm in Boalkhali, a border area of Patiya upazila in Chattogram. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The deceased, identified as Roni Chowdhury, 35, was the son of Bulbul Chowdhury from Nandipara in the Karaldenga Ahla Darbar Sharif area. Locals took him to Patiya Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. According to hospital sources, Roni was electrocuted when he pressed the switch to turn on the farm’s light. Neighbor Parimal Dey said Roni ran a small-scale poultry farm and had gone there as usual that morning. As the weather darkened, he attempted to switch on the light, unaware that the switch was already electrified. Patiya Upazila Health Officer Dr. Abu Taiyab confirmed that Roni had died before reaching the hospital. The incident highlights the risks of faulty electrical systems in small farms, though no further investigation details were mentioned in the report.

A 25-kilogram pangas fish caught in the confluence of the Padma and Jamuna rivers was sold for Tk 71,250 at the Daulatdia fish market in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila. The fish was caught early Tuesday morning by local fisherman Ershad Haldar and his team and later sold through an open auction at Rezaul Mondol’s wholesale shop. Local trader Md. Chandu Molla purchased the fish at Tk 2,800 per kilogram and later sold it in Kushtia’s Poradah area for a small profit. According to the upazila’s senior fisheries officer Md. Anwarul Islam Pilot, large pangas and other native species are naturally found in the Padma-Jamuna estuary. He emphasized that to sustain fish production, it is essential to stop illegal net use, avoid fishing during breeding seasons, and raise awareness among fishermen. Officials believe that with proper conservation measures, the chances of catching larger fish in the future will increase.

A motorcyclist was killed and two others were seriously injured after a motorcycle lost control on the Marine Drive road in Teknaf Sadar’s Razar Chhara area of Cox’s Bazar. The accident occurred around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Hossain Ahmad, aged 30. Among the injured, one was identified as Rakib Ullah, 13, son of Abdur Rahim from Razar Chhara village, while the identity of the other injured person has not yet been confirmed. According to Teknaf Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Saiful Islam, police arrived at the scene after receiving information and recovered the body. He said efforts are underway to determine the cause of the accident and confirm the identities of the victims. Legal procedures will be followed after the investigation. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the condition of the injured or the exact reason behind the loss of control.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque has called for a united social movement against teenage gangs and drug abuse to protect young people from moral decline. He emphasized coordinated efforts among families, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies to guide the youth toward positive development. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday at an 'Open House Day' event organized by Rupnagar Police Station in Mirpur, Dhaka. The event aimed to raise social awareness and strengthen public participation in preventing teenage gangs, eve-teasing, drug use, terrorism, and extremism. Local dignitaries, teachers, parents, students, and community leaders from various professions attended the open discussion session. Aminul Haque further stated that issues like eve-teasing, terrorism, and extremism are not only legal problems but also reflect social and moral degradation. He stressed the need to engage youth in sports and cultural activities and to build positive leadership to create a safe, humane, and healthy society through collective effort.

An international crime network dubbed the “Pigeon Mafia” has emerged as a major threat to the global racing pigeon industry, according to investigative reports. High-value racing pigeons, scientifically known as Columba livia domestica, have become targets of theft across Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the United States. A CBS “60 Minutes” report highlighted a surge in thefts in Belgium’s Flanders region, one of the world’s leading breeding centers, where at least 35 major incidents have been recorded in the past three years. Experts say the stolen birds are being used for breeding to produce valuable offspring sold on the black market. Belgian breeder Tom Van Gaver, whose collection is valued at around $10 million, lost his prized pigeon “Finn” in a 2024 theft he described as a “Mona Lisa heist.” The lucrative “one-loft racing” competitions, where pigeons return home from hundreds of miles away, have driven prices as high as several million dollars per bird. DNA analysis and a genetic database of over 70,000 pigeons are now aiding investigations, but many stolen birds remain missing, leaving breeders on high alert.

A woman in Swarupkathi, Pirojpur, refused to abandon her newborn son born without limbs, despite the father’s insistence to leave the baby. The child was born on April 22 at New Satata Private Hospital, where the father declined to accept the baby or bear medical expenses, citing social shame. The mother, Liza, rejected his demand and took the baby to her father’s home on Tuesday morning after both recovered. Hospital authorities and attending doctors agreed to cover all medical costs for the newborn, ensuring his stable condition before discharge. The mother expressed her determination to raise and educate her child, emphasizing her unconditional love and responsibility. The incident has sparked widespread discussion in the local community. Many praised the mother’s courage and compassion while criticizing the father’s refusal. The hospital’s humanitarian support also drew appreciation, turning the story into a symbol of maternal devotion overcoming social stigma.

Meta has introduced a new feature in its ‘Teen Account’ supervision system that allows parents to see the general topics their children discuss with AI assistants. The information will appear in a separate ‘Insights’ tab, showing categorized subjects such as education, entertainment, writing, health, and mental well-being. The feature will operate across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, summarizing conversations from the past seven days without revealing specific messages. The update comes as Meta faces growing scrutiny over child and teen safety. The company recently lost two major child protection lawsuits alleging that its products were designed to be addictive and lacked adequate safety measures. Internal documents revealed in court suggested Meta’s AI-driven virtual companions sometimes engaged in inappropriate conversations. Meta said it would appeal the rulings. Alongside the new feature, Meta is collaborating with the Cyberbullying Research Center to create parental guidance on AI use and has formed an ‘AI Wellbeing Expert Council’ including university and suicide prevention specialists. However, advocacy group Fairplay criticized the move, arguing it shifts responsibility to parents instead of making the platforms safer.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmier announced that OpenAI has been included in a criminal investigation following the murders of Bangladeshi students Jamil Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti at the University of Florida. The main suspect, Hisham Abugarbiyah, allegedly used ChatGPT before committing the crime. Local media Tampa Bay 28 reported that the attorney general confirmed new charges would be filed against OpenAI as part of the ongoing probe. According to court documents cited by CBS News, Hisham asked ChatGPT several questions about hiding bodies and other suspicious topics in the days leading up to the killings. His phone location was later traced to the site where Limon’s body was found. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, and Hisham has been charged with premeditated murder. The attorney general previously linked ChatGPT to a separate 2025 Florida State University attack plan, and this new case has now been added to that broader investigation.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman stated that the government will take firm measures to control militant activities in Bangladesh. Speaking at a press briefing at the Department of Information’s conference center in the Secretariat on Tuesday, he acknowledged that some individuals are involved in militancy and occasionally attempt to become more active, but assured that the government will keep such activities under control. He noted that there are two extreme narratives about militancy in the country—one claiming Bangladesh is full of militants and another claiming there are none—both of which he described as incorrect. The adviser also announced a strict stance against disinformation, saying that the government will not allow misinformation-based photo cards in the media. He emphasized that the government’s firm position will help reduce such tendencies and that investigations and punishment of past offenders are part of the effort. Dr. Rahman further stated that those responsible for negligence in the recent measles vaccination issue should face action.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that democracy cannot be established in a country where human rights are absent. He announced that the government will take swift measures to ensure justice and expedite legal proceedings. The remarks were made on Tuesday afternoon during the National Legal Aid Day event. Rahman emphasized that the government has adopted specific plans to provide legal assistance to those who are financially unable to afford it. He said justice should not remain confined to legal texts but should become a reality in every citizen’s life. According to him, true justice is meaningful only when the law upholds human dignity and guarantees rights through a moral commitment rather than mechanical enforcement. The Prime Minister added that delayed justice amounts to denied justice, and for that reason, initiatives have been taken to resolve disputes before they reach the courts.

Iran’s state television IRIB reported that 155 people were killed in a devastating attack on a primary school in Minab on February 28, the first day of the new Middle East war. The victims included 73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver, and a pharmacy technician from a nearby clinic. The updated figure revises an earlier death toll of 175. According to the report, the attack occurred as the United States and Israel launched strikes on various locations in Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israel and targets in the Gulf region. The New York Times cited a preliminary U.S. military investigation suggesting that a Tomahawk cruise missile may have mistakenly hit the school. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the incident in a video address to the UN Human Rights Council as a “planned, sequential attack,” rejecting the notion of an accidental strike and accusing technologically advanced nations of deliberate targeting.