Experts and political scientists have long warned that sanctions rarely achieve their intended goals, often failing to topple governments while increasing hardship for ordinary citizens. Despite these warnings, the United States has continued to expand its sanctions programs. The current geopolitical situation has made the ineffectiveness of such punitive measures more evident.

According to the report, the ongoing Iran-Israel war has further accelerated the weakening of the long-standing impact of U.S. sanctions. The conflict is reshaping both regional and global political dynamics. Countries facing sanctions are now reducing their dependence on the U.S. dollar and turning toward alternative currencies for trade. In addition, barter systems and informal money transfer networks such as hundi are becoming more common.

As a result, the United States’ traditional sanctions regime is losing its effectiveness against Iran and its trading partners, contributing to a broader restructuring of global economic patterns.

The Dhaka Bar Association election began on Wednesday morning, marking the start of a two-day voting process to elect representatives for 23 posts, including president and general secretary. Voting will continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, with a total of 21,731 registered lawyers eligible to cast their votes.

Two main panels are contesting the election: the Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers Unity Panel (Blue Panel), supported by BNP and Gano Adhikar Parishad-backed lawyers, and the Lawyers Unity Council (Green Panel), supported by Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP). In addition, nine independent candidates are competing for various positions. Notably, the Awami League-backed Combined Lawyers Coordination Council is not participating this year following recent political changes.

According to the election commission, voting will continue uninterrupted on April 29 and 30. Ballots for member posts will be invalidated if voters select fewer or more than ten candidates.

During the parliamentary discussion on the motion of thanks over the President’s address, Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Nurul Islam sharply criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He described the cancellation of the July Charter Implementation Order and the referendum verdict as the BNP’s greatest political mistake and a self-destructive decision. According to him, these actions trampled public aspirations and the spirit of mass uprisings, signaling the beginning of a new phase of authoritarianism.

Nurul Islam expressed disappointment that the expected unity for building a new Bangladesh was fading both inside and outside Parliament. He further alleged that a loan defaulter affiliated with the ruling party had been appointed as the governor of Bangladesh Bank, calling it a national disgrace and a warning sign for the country’s fragile economy.

The discussion took place as part of the parliamentary debate on the President’s speech, reflecting ongoing political contention over governance and economic management.

Heavy rainfall began early Wednesday in Dhaka, disrupting daily life across the capital. The downpour, which started before 6:30 a.m., caused traffic slowdowns and waterlogging in several areas. Commuters, students, and day laborers faced difficulties reaching their destinations, with many taking shelter in nearby shops and buildings. Although the rain brought some relief from heat, it also created significant inconvenience for city residents.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, gusty winds and thunderstorms are likely in at least 17 regions, including Dhaka, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Chattogram. Winds from the west or northwest may reach speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour. River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one to ensure safe navigation.

The weather office further indicated that conditions may not improve before noon, with thunderstorms and gusty winds expected to persist until at least 1 p.m., particularly in northern, central, and coastal regions.

The government has introduced new regulations governing visitor passes for entry into the Bangladesh Secretariat. According to a recent circular from the Security Branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs, a full minister will now be allowed to issue up to 20 visitor passes, while a joint secretary can issue three. The circular was signed by Md. Tofayel Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the Secretariat Security Branch.

The directive further specifies that a state minister may issue 15 passes, while the cabinet secretary, senior secretaries, and secretaries are each permitted to issue 10 passes. Additional secretaries can issue passes for up to four visitors. The new system aims to standardize and regulate visitor access to the Secretariat premises.

The announcement formalizes the distribution of visitor pass authority among different administrative ranks, indicating a structured approach to managing entry permissions within the Secretariat.

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich 5–4 in a dramatic nine-goal encounter in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal at Parc des Princes. Despite falling behind early to a Harry Kane penalty in the 17th minute, PSG fought back through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s solo effort and a Joao Neves header to take the lead. Bayern equalized through Michael Olise, but Ousmane Dembélé’s penalty restored PSG’s advantage before halftime.

In the second half, PSG extended their dominance as Kvaratskhelia scored again and Dembélé completed his brace to make it 5–2. Bayern responded with goals from Dayot Upamecano, assisted by Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick, and a solo strike from Luis Díaz to narrow the gap to 5–4. However, PSG held firm to secure the win in front of their home crowd.

The nine-goal contest set a new record for the highest-scoring single leg in a Champions League semifinal, marking a historic night for the French club.

Iran has reopened six airports as part of efforts to restore air connectivity amid a fragile ceasefire, according to the state news agency IRNA. The airports now operational are Tehran’s Mehrabad, Mashhad, Shiraz, Zahedan, Gorgan, and Urmia. The announcement was made on April 28, 2026.

Citing the Iranian Airports and Air Navigation Company, the report said that the next phase will include the resumption of flights from Kerman (Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani), Yazd, and Birjand airports. IRNA added that with improved safety conditions in the country’s airspace, both domestic and international flights will gradually increase.

The reopening is also expected to restore air traffic through Iran’s eastern air corridor, signaling a cautious normalization of aviation activity following recent disruptions.

Bangladesh National Party (BJP) lawmaker Andalib Rahman Partha stated in parliament that the Awami League should not be allowed to engage in politics until it faces trial. Speaking on Tuesday during the discussion on the President’s address, he argued that those denying July or labeling it as extremism cannot legitimately participate in Bangladesh’s political process.

Partha accused the Awami League of widespread corruption and theft in the power sector during its rule, alleging that an artificial crisis had been created. He said the party failed to connect with the youth over the past 17 years, which he described as its major weakness. He also claimed that the judiciary had been destroyed, asserting that verdicts, including that of Khaleda Zia, were written from the Prime Minister’s residence.

He further alleged that media owners lived in fear under the previous government and that citizens were afraid to post on social media due to the ICT Act. Partha also criticized the relationship between major business figures and political leaders, suggesting undue personal closeness.

A sudden hour-long downpour on Tuesday morning caused severe waterlogging across Comilla city, flooding roads, school grounds, and classrooms. At the historic Ishwar Pathsala School exam center, located opposite the Comilla Education Board, SSC examinees were forced to sit for their tests in knee-deep dirty water. Many students’ clothes became wet, and they expressed fear that their answer sheets might get soaked. Teachers also had to stand in water while supervising the exam, as no postponement order was issued.

Parents waiting outside the center voiced anger over the recurring problem, saying the school floods every year after minor rainfall due to poor drainage. The head teacher said the situation was caused by natural factors and that necessary measures were being taken in consultation with the center secretary. Comilla City Corporation’s administrator stated that workers were deployed to clear drains and remove debris to restore water flow. The local weather office recorded 102 millimeters of rainfall and warned of more rain ahead.

Despite the flooding, the district education officer confirmed that the examination was completed on schedule without disruption.

Lebanon’s political landscape has been shaken by the government’s decision to engage in direct talks with Israel. The move has drawn fierce criticism from Hezbollah, which dismissed the discussions as ineffective and accused the government of lacking the leverage needed to pressure Israel. Hezbollah described the situation as bordering on treason, with its parliament member Ali Ammar vowing that the bloodshed in southern Lebanon would be avenged.

In response, Lebanon’s president sharply rebuked Hezbollah, alleging that the group was acting in the interests of a foreign power, specifically Iran, and pushing the country toward war. The exchange of accusations has deepened divisions between the government and Hezbollah, raising concerns about Lebanon’s internal stability.

The escalating rhetoric highlights the fragile balance of power in Lebanon, where efforts to resolve disputes through dialogue are clashing with militant resistance, potentially complicating future peace initiatives.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Haque has called for making the country’s legal aid program more effective to reduce the existing backlog of cases. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking National Legal Aid Day 2026 at the Supreme Court Auditorium on Tuesday, he said that justice is a fundamental right and that legal aid services must reach every citizen. The event was organized by the Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee.

The minister noted that the concept of legal aid in Bangladesh was first introduced in 1994 when then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia established a fund to support poor and helpless people. He said the government is now working to expand and strengthen that initiative. Referring to the judiciary’s budget, he stated that the current allocation of about Tk 2,200 crore is insufficient and that additional funding is needed to make legal aid activities more dynamic. Discussions are ongoing to increase the allocation in the future.

The event was chaired by Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and attended by judges, lawyers, legal aid officials, and representatives of foreign development partners.

A farm laborer was killed by lightning in Mirzapur upazila of Tangail district on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. in Nagarpra village under Uarshi Union. The deceased was identified as Mizan Mia, 50, originally from Rangpur district, who had been working as an agricultural laborer while residing in Torer Bari of the same village. The death was confirmed by Shafiqul Islam Khan, a member of Uarshi Union Parishad.

According to local residents, Mizan Mia was working in a field when a sudden lightning strike hit him, causing his death on the spot. Mirzapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun stated that police were dispatched to the scene after receiving the report. Following legal procedures, the body will be handed over to the family.

Authorities have not reported any further casualties or damage related to the lightning strike in the area.

At the Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Bangladesh National Conference 2026, participants warned that recently passed digital laws in Bangladesh continue to pose risks to freedom of expression and personal privacy. Speakers at a press conference held Tuesday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center said the laws were passed hastily without stakeholder consultation and retained provisions enabling extensive digital surveillance.

Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that the new laws contain inconsistencies and contradict both the spirit of July’s ideals and the ruling party’s election pledges. UNESCO’s Head of Representative in Bangladesh, Susan Vize, urged the government to review the laws to strengthen human rights protections. Additional Secretary Muhammad Anwar Uddin from the ICT Ministry defended the laws as necessary and said improvements are underway.

Representatives from Meta, Telenor Asia, and BTRC discussed implications for data management, telecommunications oversight, and trust in policymaking. The conference also featured a panel on artificial intelligence governance, emphasizing the need for meaningful dialogue in developing AI policies.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has requested the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He made the claim on Tuesday through a post on his social media platform, saying Iran informed him that it is in a state of near collapse and wants the strait reopened as soon as possible. Trump added that Iran is trying to stabilize its leadership situation and expressed belief that the country could overcome its leadership crisis.

According to the report, the Strait of Hormuz remains in a state of paralysis due to the ongoing war involving Iran. While Iran seeks to assert control over the strategic waterway, the United States has imposed a strict naval blockade in the area. As of the report’s publication, Tehran has not issued any official response to Trump’s statement.

The situation underscores the continuing tension between Iran and the United States over control of the vital maritime route, with no immediate sign of diplomatic resolution mentioned in the source.

Authorities in Barishal fined eight diagnostic centers and hospitals a total of Tk 282,000 for using expired testing kits and operating without required certificates. The operation took place on Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Bandar Road area near Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. The drive was led by Apurba Adhikari, Deputy Director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

According to the agency, the National Security Intelligence (NSI) had been monitoring several diagnostic centers in the city and reported various irregularities to the consumer rights authority. Following this, a joint operation was conducted at multiple facilities. Al-Aqsa Hospital and Diagnostic Center, Health Aid Medical Services, Nova Medical Services, Islamiya Digital Diagnostic Center, Barishal City General Hospital, Gain Diagnostic and Physiotherapy Center, New Babylon Medical Services, and Rongdhonu Diagnostic Center were fined varying amounts.

The fines were imposed for confirmed violations, including the use of expired medical kits and lack of proper certification, as part of efforts to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.