Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has questioned the police’s failure to register a case over the recent attack on members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association. Speaking in the national parliament on Thursday during the discussion on the President’s address, he demanded an explanation from the Home Minister regarding why the police have not yet accepted the case.

Nahid Islam said several journalists were assaulted by leaders and activists of the student wing of a political party in front of Shahbagh Police Station, yet no case has been filed. He described the incident and the police’s inaction as deeply concerning and questioned whether law enforcement was under any pressure. He also noted that two elected representatives of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union were attacked during the same incident, highlighting weaknesses in campus security.

He urged the government to identify and prosecute those responsible, ensure the victims’ safety, and provide a clear explanation for the delay in accepting the case.

Bangladesh’s opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for the proper observance of International Workers’ Day, or May Day, on May 1. In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, he recalled the 1886 Chicago labor movement as a historic example of workers’ sacrifice for their rights. He noted that despite decades of struggle, workers worldwide continue to face challenges in securing fair wages and benefits, often risking their lives in the process.

Dr. Rahman criticized both employers and workers for actions that harm industrial harmony, saying that owners sometimes prioritize their own interests over workers’ rights, while workers’ protests can occasionally damage institutions. He emphasized that true welfare for both sides lies in following the Prophet Muhammad’s guidance to pay workers their due before their sweat dries. He argued that Islamic labor principles could ensure justice and protect the interests of both employers and workers.

He urged all segments of Bangladesh’s working population and citizens to observe May Day with due respect and seriousness.

A sub-assistant engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Brahmanbaria’s Nabinagar has been transferred following an attack by a contractor. On April 23, an order signed by supervising engineer Md Wahiduzzaman on behalf of the chief engineer directed the transfer of Mirza Tarikul Islam to Dewanganj in Jamalpur. The incident occurred on April 13 when a team of LGED engineers visited the Merkuta GC–Shibpur Bazar R&H road to inspect alleged substandard construction work. Contractor Lokman reportedly obstructed them and chased Mirza Tarikul Islam with a bamboo stick. A video of the attack later circulated on Facebook, and a case was filed that evening.

Seventeen days after the incident, the main accused Lokman Hossain remains at large, though his driver Billal Hossain and manager Forqan have been arrested. According to LGED sources, Rajshahi-based Messrs Barendra Construction Limited received the contract to build the 4.5-kilometer road from Merkuta Bazar to Shibpur at an estimated cost of Tk 14.63 crore. Lokman Hossain was overseeing the project, which had drawn local complaints about poor-quality work.

Bangladesh’s opposition parties have demanded the removal of the Bangladesh Bank governor, alleging politically motivated appointments following the passage of two amendment bills in parliament on Thursday. The bills—amending the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act and the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority Act—removed the upper age limits for chairmen and members of the two regulatory bodies. The opposition argued that the changes were designed to benefit specific individuals and criticized the government for making appointments based on political considerations.

During the parliamentary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, independent MP Rumin Farhana’s amendment proposals were rejected before the bills were passed. Opposition MPs Akhtar Hossain and Shafiqul Rahman questioned whether the removal of age limits was guided by policy or personal interest, linking the issue to recent appointments, including that of the central bank governor. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury defended the amendments, citing the need to utilize experienced professionals and noting that many countries have no such age restrictions.

Opposition deputy leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher urged clarification regarding the governor’s alleged political affiliation, suggesting a new appointment if the claim proved true. The finance minister responded that supporting a party does not necessarily make one a political appointee.

The government of Bangladesh has transferred 12 senior police officers, including additional deputy inspectors general (DIGs) and superintendents of police (SPs), in a major reshuffle. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued separate circulars on Thursday, April 30, 2026, announcing the changes, which were stated to take immediate effect in the public interest.

According to the official notifications, Mokbul Hossain, commandant of the in-service training center in Satkhira, has been reassigned to the same position in Kushtia. Additional DIG Md. Iqbal of Dhaka APBn-12 has been moved to lead APBn-5, while Highway Police additional DIG Md. Enamul Kabir will now head APBn-12. Mohammad Sihab Kayser Khan, previously commanding APBn-13, has been appointed additional DIG of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). RAB directors Mohammad Kamruzzaman and Md. Khalidul Haque Hawlader have been made joint police commissioners of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Other transfers include Mohammad Rabiul Hossain Bhuiyan to the River Police, Nusrat Jahan Mukta to the Special Branch, and several SP-level changes involving Dhaka, Bagerhat, and Chattogram ranges.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam claimed that Chattogram did not experience waterlogging but only temporary water congestion caused by sudden rainfall. He made the statement while inspecting the city’s waterlogging mitigation project and excavated canals. His remarks drew widespread criticism on social media since Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s heavy rains had submerged low-lying areas, prompting discussions even in the national parliament. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had earlier expressed regret to Chattogram residents over the situation.

During his visit to the city’s most affected area, Probortok Mor, the minister expressed anger at media reports highlighting the flooding and insisted that no water was visible in the city. When Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain attempted to speak, the minister reportedly stopped him in a stern tone. The incident, captured on video, spread widely online and sparked further criticism.

Senior officials from the City Corporation and Chattogram Development Authority were present during the inspection, which took place after the rain had subsided and water levels had receded.

The Israeli military reported that one of its drones was shot down over southern Lebanon. According to the army, the drone was brought down by Hezbollah using a surface-to-air missile. The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah also claimed responsibility, saying it had downed an Israeli Hermes 450Z drone over the Nabatieh area, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The incident has heightened tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, an area already prone to periodic clashes and military exchanges. Both sides confirmed the downing of the drone, though no further details were provided about casualties or damage.

The development is expected to further strain the fragile security situation in the border region, with observers noting increased volatility following the latest confrontation.

Iran’s senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that Tehran would not tolerate an extension of the naval blockade. Speaking to Iran’s state television early Thursday, Rezaei cautioned the United States that Iran would respond if the blockade continued. He argued that such measures had been ineffective and claimed Iran could easily navigate the Indian Ocean despite restrictions.

Rezaei’s remarks came as US President Donald Trump reportedly instructed allies to prepare for a prolonged naval blockade. The comments highlight growing friction between Tehran and Washington over maritime control and regional security. Rezaei also urged the Iranian public not to believe rumors about Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s health, saying he remains young, healthy, and actively leading the country.

The warning underscores Iran’s defiant stance amid escalating regional tensions and signals potential maritime confrontations if the blockade persists.

Authorities in Dasar upazila of Madaripur seized a truck carrying 422 sacks of rice allocated under the government’s Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) program. The operation took place on Tuesday, April 28, in the Bhanga Bridge area. According to the local food office, the seized rice was specially processed with added vitamins and proteins to improve nutrition for poor beneficiaries, and its sale or distribution in open markets is strictly prohibited.

Ahad Munshi, owner of Munshi Rice Mill, claimed ownership of the rice and said it was being transported to Gopalganj. He admitted that moving the rice without official permission was a mistake. Local resident Shahriar Tuhin called for a thorough investigation into how such a large quantity of government rice reached private hands, urging strict punishment if misappropriation is proven.

Dasar Upazila Executive Officer Zakia Sultana confirmed the seizure and stated that legal action against those involved is underway.

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.