The Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) has withdrawn its 48-hour ultimatum to shut down unregistered online news portals within just 24 hours of issuing it. The initial directive, signed by SMP Commissioner Abdul Kudduch Chowdhury and released on Wednesday evening, required all unregistered portals to be removed from domestic and foreign domains by 6 p.m. on May 1, 2026, warning of legal action for non-compliance.

The original notice cited the National Online Media Policy 2017 (amended 2020), which mandates government registration for online news operations. It alleged that many unregistered portals were spreading false, baseless, and defamatory content, including anti-government propaganda that could harm Bangladesh’s image internationally. The sudden withdrawal of the order was announced through another notice on Thursday morning, also signed by the SMP commissioner.

The new notice did not specify any reason for the reversal, prompting further discussion and speculation about the decision’s background and implications.

The eleven-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a series of rallies culminating in a grand assembly in Dhaka in October. The program was unveiled at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, by alliance coordinator and Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad. The initiative aims to implement the verdict of a referendum on reforms.

According to the announcement, the divisional rallies will begin on May 16 in Rajshahi, followed by events in Chattogram on June 13, Khulna on June 20, Mymensingh on June 27, Rangpur on July 11, Barishal on July 18, and Sylhet on July 25. The alliance also decided to form liaison committees at the district level and to hold discussions with professionals and civil society across the country.

The press conference was attended by representatives from several member parties, including the National Citizen Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Labour Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, and AB Party.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator and freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam stated that cultural practice is essential for guiding youth and maintaining a healthy, drug-free society. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium in Dhaka during a discussion, award ceremony, and cultural program marking International Dance Day 2026.

Abdus Salam stressed that alongside education, cultural engagement is vital for both physical and social well-being. He expressed concern that excessive mobile phone use is distancing the younger generation from their roots and hindering creativity. He lamented the decline of dance, a key element of Bengali culture, and urged parents to encourage children’s participation in creative and cultural activities to prevent drug addiction.

The DSCC administrator highlighted ongoing initiatives to modernize the corporation’s cultural centers and improve training facilities in dance and music. He noted the availability of higher education opportunities in dance and called for collective efforts from government and cultural stakeholders to build a culturally conscious society.

A mobile court in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur fined a company named Fuel Tech Renewable Energy 60,000 taka for illegally producing furnace oil by burning old tires. The operation took place on Wednesday afternoon in Khiarjumma area of Alampur Union following complaints from local residents. The court also ordered the immediate closure of the facility for lacking required environmental clearance and authorization.

According to the report, the company had been operating for a long time in a densely populated area, causing severe air pollution through black smoke, foul odor, and toxic waste. Residents said the situation had become particularly harmful for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems. Despite repeated complaints, no effective action had been taken until this operation.

The mobile court was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Asma Ul Husna under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010). Officials from the Department of Environment, including Senior Chemist Md. Molin Mia, were present during the raid.

Bangladesh’s weather authorities have forecast at least four more days of heavy to very heavy rainfall across the country, with flood risks in five districts. As of Wednesday evening, eight divisions recorded rainfall, the highest being 105 millimeters in Hatiya, Noakhali. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported that four rivers—Bhugai Kangsa, Manu, Someshwari, and Mogra—are flowing above danger levels, with flooding already affecting parts of Moulvibazar and Netrokona. The agency warned that Sylhet, Habiganj, and Sunamganj may also experience flooding as river levels continue to rise.

Meteorologists said the rainfall and storms are expected to persist until May 3, with coastal regions in Barishal and Chattogram divisions seeing the heaviest downpours. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued storm and lightning alerts, advising caution for residents and maritime operations. Ferry services on several river routes were temporarily suspended due to the weather.

Authorities have instructed all sea ports to hoist signal number three and advised fishing boats to remain near the coast until further notice, as the Bay of Bengal remains rough under strong winds and dense cloud cover.

Police in Boalmari upazila of Faridpur arrested a suspected drug dealer with yaba tablets on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The arrest took place around 2:30 p.m. at Beradi Bazar in Satair Union. The detainee was identified as Dip Kumar Acharya Roni, 31, son of the late Ratan Kumar Acharya of Kandakul village. Officers recovered 51 yaba pills from his possession during the operation.

According to police sources, the arrest followed a tip-off that the suspect was in the area to sell yaba. Acting on the information, a team conducted a raid and detained him with the drugs. Boalmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Anwar Hossain confirmed the arrest and said the suspect would be sent to court on Thursday.

The operation reflects ongoing local law enforcement efforts to curb drug trafficking in the Faridpur region, as authorities continue to act on intelligence-driven raids.

Indian officials have proposed a controversial plan to release crocodiles and venomous snakes along riverine stretches of the India-Bangladesh border. The initiative aims to use these animals as natural deterrents in areas where fencing is difficult, to curb illegal migration and smuggling. A March 26 internal notice instructed Border Security Force (BSF) units to assess the feasibility of deploying reptiles in risky river gaps across eastern and northeastern sectors.

The 4,096-kilometer border includes challenging terrain where fencing is incomplete. Human rights activists and wildlife conservationists have expressed alarm over the plan’s potential humanitarian and ecological consequences. Analysts such as Anshuman Choudhury described the idea as cruel and irrational, arguing that animals cannot distinguish between nationals and migrants and warning of a new form of biopolitical violence. Wildlife expert Rathin Barman cautioned that crocodiles are not native to most border regions and would likely die quickly, disrupting local ecosystems.

Observers linked the move to India’s broader immigration policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which critics say target undocumented migrants and religious minorities. The plan has raised ethical and environmental concerns on both sides of the border.

A farmer named Nurjamal, aged 54, died after being struck by lightning in Amtali upazila of Barguna district. The incident occurred on Wednesday around 4 p.m. when he went to catch fish in a canal near his house in Pujakhola village during rainfall. He died on the spot due to the lightning strike.

Following the incident, Amtali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muhammad Zafar Arif Chowdhury visited the victim’s home and provided the family with a financial grant of twenty-five thousand taka. The report did not mention any further details about the family or additional official statements.

The event highlights the recurring risk of lightning strikes in rural areas during seasonal rains, prompting local authorities to extend immediate support to affected families.

The Hong Kong-flagged vessel 'Kwai Chi' has arrived in the waters of Chattogram Port carrying 26,500 tons of octane. The ship reached the outer anchorage late Wednesday night. Earlier, two other vessels—'MT Central Star' on April 8 with 26,000 tons and 'MT Navy Cielo' on April 17 with 27,000 tons of octane—had completed unloading and departed.

According to Chattogram Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim, a total of 14 fuel-carrying ships are currently within the port’s waters, five of which are loaded with diesel and octane. The unloading process is being coordinated with the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) on a priority basis. Port sources said that the Dolphin Jetty can accommodate three ships simultaneously for unloading, while larger vessels must offload through lightering at the outer anchorage.

However, rough sea conditions over the past few days have disrupted unloading operations at the outer anchorage, slowing down the process temporarily.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed the United States and Israel for the ongoing tension and blockade situation in the Strait of Hormuz. In a message broadcast by state media on National Persian Gulf Day, he reiterated his stance on keeping what he called “hostile countries” away from this vital waterway, describing the strait as a “symbol of resistance” for the Iranian nation.

Pezeshkian asserted that any insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz would be the responsibility of the United States and Israel, which he referred to as the “Zionist regime.” The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil transport routes, and analysts believe such political statements could further heighten tensions in the Middle East.

The remarks come amid a period of regional volatility, with the strait’s stability remaining a key concern for global energy security, according to the report.

A new film based on the life of global pop icon Michael Jackson has cast his nephew Jafaar Jackson in the lead role, raising questions among fans about why the singer’s own sons were not chosen. The mystery was clarified in a recent interview, revealing that Michael’s sons, Prince and Bigi, prefer to remain behind the camera rather than in front of it.

Prince has stated that he does not consider himself skilled enough in singing or dancing to play his father, focusing instead on social work. Bigi, meanwhile, is more interested in directing and producing than acting. Jafaar, the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson, has trained in music and dance since childhood and reportedly shares a striking resemblance to Michael’s voice and movements.

According to the film’s director, Jafaar’s natural ability and years of preparation made him the best choice to capture Michael’s iconic dance and vocal style. He trained intensively for several years and even kept the casting decision secret from his family for nearly a year.

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam told Parliament that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has turned the July Charter into a document of endless deception. Speaking during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address on Thursday afternoon, he said BNP had corrupted the charter by turning it into a party manifesto and called for the immediate formation of a constitutional reform council. He added that the opposition would not act against the government’s prescribed course.

Nahid Islam also questioned in Parliament why no case had been filed over the assault on members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association, allegedly by activists of the BNP’s student wing. He demanded an explanation from the Home Minister, noting that two elected representatives of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union were attacked inside a police station. He emphasized the association’s role in democratic movements within the university and the country.

He further stated that the Liberation War remains the foundation of the nation and that disputes over it should end so the country can move forward beyond divisive politics.

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.