Continuous rainfall has caused rivers in Bangladesh’s northeastern districts to swell rapidly. On Tuesday evening, the Juri River in Moulvibazar flowed 96 centimeters above the danger level, while the Manu, Dhalai, and Kushiyara rivers were nearing critical points. According to the Moulvibazar Water Development Board, upstream rainfall is driving the rise in water levels across the region.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported heavy to very heavy rainfall over the haor basin and upstream areas during the previous 24 hours, warning that flooding could develop in low-lying areas of Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Netrokona within three days. Between April 25 and 28, Moulvibazar recorded 269 millimeters of rainfall. Local agricultural officials said 369 hectares of Boro rice fields in Moulvibazar have been submerged due to flash floods and rainwater.

Forecasts indicate continued heavy rainfall over the next three days, with scattered thunderstorms, hail, and nor’wester activity expected across several divisions within 36 to 48 hours.

A severe nor'wester storm on Tuesday afternoon caused major disruption on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway in Sitakunda, Chattogram, as large trees fell across multiple points of the road. Traffic on the Chattogram-bound lane came to a complete halt for about an hour, leaving hundreds of long-distance passengers stranded in a long tailback. The incident occurred near Chhoto Darogahat and the Assistant Commissioner (Land) office area, where heavy rain and strong winds uprooted trees.

According to police and fire service officials, teams from Kumira Highway Police and Sitakunda Fire Service quickly responded to remove the fallen trees. After nearly an hour of work, vehicular movement resumed. The storm also severely disrupted electricity supply in the area, as fallen trees damaged power lines. Repair work was underway to restore power by night.

Local residents said such storms frequently cause similar incidents during the nor'wester season. Authorities stated that they plan to remove risky roadside trees and strengthen rapid response measures to reduce future disruptions.

A four-year-old Rohingya child named Abu Waida was killed after being struck by a vehicle belonging to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) inside Camp-13, Block E-1 of the Rohingya settlement in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The child, son of camp resident Maulvi Abdullah, was crossing the road when the accident occurred. Locals rescued the injured boy and took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Following the incident, angered Rohingya residents gathered at the site and vandalized the IOM vehicle, causing tension and panic in the camp area. To control the situation, police from APBn units at Tanjimar Khola, Ghonarpara, and Jamtoli, along with Ukhiya police, arrived promptly on the scene. Their intervention helped restore order in the camp.

Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mujibur Rahman confirmed that the child’s body was recovered and legal procedures have been initiated following the accident.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government has taken extensive and coordinated initiatives to strengthen security at all international airports in Bangladesh. Speaking in Parliament on April 28, 2026, he said overall security has already been ensured, but further improvements are being implemented by the Bangladesh Police through various plans.

The minister detailed that checkpoints have been set up at entry and exit points, police patrols have been increased, and a multi-layered security system has been introduced. Intelligence-based actions are being taken to prevent sabotage, while coordination among police, intelligence agencies, and airport authorities has been enhanced. CCTV cameras and modern technology are being used to prevent theft and ensure comprehensive surveillance.

He added that modern equipment, advanced scanning systems, and technology-driven baggage handling have been introduced. Immigration counters and manpower have been increased, and body-worn cameras are being used. Special training programs are underway to handle terrorism, cyber threats, and emergencies efficiently, while help desks have been set up to assist passengers and prevent harassment.

Faisal Mohammad Selim Chowdhury Babu, a 32-year-old resident of Islampur Union in Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar, died on Tuesday, April 28, while undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital. He had been severely tortured by local Union Parishad member Nur Mohammad and his associates on the night of April 16 after being accused of fish theft. Despite days of medical care, Selim succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the morning.

Following his death, Selim’s mother, Dildar Begum, suffered a stroke upon hearing the news and is currently hospitalized. Two days before her son’s death, she had filed a case with Eidgaon Police Station naming Nur Mohammad as the main accused along with five others. The Officer-in-Charge stated that the case will now be treated as a murder investigation. Local residents alleged that despite media reports, authorities had not taken effective action earlier.

Selim’s death has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with locals demanding immediate arrest of those responsible. Administrative procedures, including autopsy, were ongoing at the time of reporting.

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.