At a gathering in New York on Sunday afternoon, expatriate leaders from organizations Patriots of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Forum called on the Bangladesh government to implement the July Charter in accordance with the referendum verdict. The event was held to demand enforcement of the verdict and an end to mob violence.

Speakers including SM Rahmat Ullah Bhuiyan of JAGPA USA, Abdul Kader of Patriots of Bangladesh, and Haji Anwar Hossain of JSF criticized the government for alleged subservience to India and for curbing freedom of speech. They described the July movement as a historic struggle for democracy and dignity, urging unity among expatriates to restore democratic rights and respect the people’s mandate. Participants also emphasized building international awareness against what they termed ongoing state repression and human rights violations.

The meeting, chaired by journalist Dipu Chowdhury of Bangladesh Forum, was attended by leaders from various political, social, and cultural organizations, human rights activists, and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora.

A severe nor'wester storm struck Brahmanbaria on Tuesday morning, causing extensive damage across several villages in the border upazila of Kasba. The storm partially damaged at least 30 houses and uprooted more than 300 trees. In the Tinlakhpir area, a mobile phone tower collapsed, disrupting mobile and internet services. Strong winds and heavy rainfall accompanied the storm, which also toppled electric poles and left parts of the area without power. No casualties were reported, but residents experienced panic during the storm.

Kasba Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamimul Islam said that damage assessment is ongoing, with initial reports confirming the destruction of homes, trees, and electric poles. Authorities have cleared fallen trees from roads to restore traffic movement and pledged government assistance for affected residents. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall caused waterlogging in several parts of Brahmanbaria town, severely affecting commuters, including SSC examinees. Locals blamed poor drainage systems for recurring flooding and urged municipal authorities to address the issue.

The storm’s aftermath has disrupted daily life, with restoration of power and communication services underway in affected areas.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom Rita emphasized the importance of unity and harmony, stating that division, conflict, or discord bring no benefit. She made these remarks on Tuesday morning at a discussion meeting held in the Manikganj District Judge Court premises to mark National Legal Aid Day. The minister said that working together creates joy and makes tasks easier, while negative thoughts lead to mental unrest and an unhealthy environment.

During her speech, the minister noted that the Legal Aid Committee was formed in 2000 under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, marking the beginning of its journey. She added that the current Prime Minister, Tareq Rahman, later upgraded it to a directorate to ensure greater public access to legal assistance and services. The event included a rally organized by the District Legal Aid Committee, which paraded through key roads before concluding at the court premises.

Senior judges, district officials, police representatives, and members of the legal community were present at the event, which focused on expanding legal support for citizens.

Comilla City Corporation was submerged after one and a half hours of rain on Tuesday morning, recording 102 millimeters of rainfall between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Major roads including Kandirpar, Stadium Road, and Nazrul Avenue went underwater, disrupting daily life and school commutes. Despite being upgraded to a city corporation in 2011, Comilla continues to suffer from severe waterlogging after short spells of rain.

The report notes that successive mayors and administrators have failed to resolve the drainage crisis. Over the past five years, about 1,000 crore taka was spent on road and drain projects, yet many box drains remain incomplete or ineffective. Current administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu, in office for a month, blamed years of corruption and poor oversight, saying he has begun dredging key canals to improve water flow.

Residents and local experts attribute the flooding to unplanned urbanization, blocked drains, and reduced water bodies. They warn that without a comprehensive drainage plan, Comilla’s waterlogging will worsen during future monsoons.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has instructed completion of the revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) for the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project by June this year. UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed issued the directive during the World Bank’s fourth support mission meeting held at the UGC building. The revision aims to incorporate the real needs of the higher education sector and align with the government’s priorities. Representatives from the World Bank, Bangladesh Accreditation Council, BdREN, and related institutions attended the meeting.

Professor Ahmed emphasized that the HEAT project is the largest development initiative in the country’s higher education sector and a major opportunity for improving education and research quality. He advised forming a committee with members from the Planning Commission, Ministry of Education, UGC, and universities to complete the revision on time. He also urged all stakeholders to finish project activities by December 2028 without extending the project period.

The meeting discussed campus network installation, women’s empowerment networks, strengthening IQAC cells, and e-book procurement. A midterm review workshop is scheduled for June, following the World Bank’s earlier assessment rating the project’s progress as moderately satisfactory.

A salt farmer was killed by lightning on Tuesday morning while heading to work in the Chowfaldandi Bridge area of Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. The deceased was identified as Ramiz Uddin, 46, son of Achiur Rahman from Uttar Palakata (Bottoli Para) village under Ward 9 of Jalalabad Union.

According to local union parishad member Mobarak Hossain Farazi, Ramiz Uddin worked as a salt farmer and was on his way to the salt fields in the neighboring Chowfaldandi area when the lightning struck him near the bridge. He died on the spot. Passersby later took him to a hospital.

The report highlights another fatal lightning incident in the region, underscoring the risks faced by agricultural workers during stormy weather in coastal Cox’s Bazar.

Two amendment bills were placed in the Bangladesh Parliament to remove existing age limits for appointments to the top positions of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA). Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury introduced the bills during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The proposals were later sent to a parliamentary special committee for further review.

The amendment to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act, 1993, seeks to abolish the 65-year age limit for the appointment or continuation of the BSEC chairman and commissioners. Similarly, the amendment to the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority Act, 2010, proposes to remove the 67-year age restriction for the chairman and members of the authority. According to the explanatory notes, the changes aim to make the laws more contemporary and allow the appointment of experienced and skilled individuals to lead these key financial regulatory bodies.

If passed, the amendments would enable the government to appoint or retain qualified individuals in these leadership roles regardless of age, enhancing flexibility in leadership selection.

Iran has imposed a ban on the export of steel and related products following damage to its industrial sector caused by recent US-Israeli airstrikes. According to local media citing the country's customs authority, the directive prohibits the export of various steel products, including slabs, sheets, and strips. The new restriction took effect on April 26, 2026.

Earlier, Israel claimed that its airstrikes had destroyed about 70 percent of Iran’s steel production capacity, along with causing major damage to petrochemical facilities and transport infrastructure. The strikes occurred just days before a ceasefire that came into effect on April 8.

Analysts cited in the report warned that the loss of capacity in this strategically vital sector could have long-term negative effects on Iran’s economy, which relies heavily on industrial exports for revenue.

Three major Indian airlines—Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet—have warned the government that the country’s aviation industry is on the verge of shutting down. According to a Press Trust of India report, the carriers, which together control about 95 percent of India’s aviation market, said the situation has become critical due to soaring fuel prices and operational restrictions.

The report attributes the crisis to the Iran war and the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which have driven aviation fuel prices sharply higher in India, the world’s fifth-largest aviation market. Additional restrictions on airspace use have further increased operating costs, particularly for long-haul routes.

In response, the airlines have demanded a revision of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has also urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to introduce a special mechanism to regulate fuel prices for both domestic and international flights.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam told Parliament on Tuesday that politics cannot be conducted through social media or bot networks. She said the BNP is a party that works on the streets rather than relying on online popularity. Speaking during the discussion on the motion of thanks for the President’s address, she argued that viral posts and online insults cannot replace real political engagement. She also questioned whether independence would have been achieved if social media had existed in 1971.

Her remarks drew a response from Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, who demanded proof of any corruption allegations mentioned by the minister. Shama Obaid further stated that if the President or his speech were considered illegitimate, the legitimacy of the then government should also be examined. She emphasized that both government and opposition must play constructive roles for the nation’s development.

The minister concluded by calling for unity beyond partisan disputes, saying that if Parliament remains cohesive, it can lead the country toward qualitative progress.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has stated that there is currently no visible threat or fear of militant attacks in Bangladesh. However, necessary security measures have been taken considering potential risks. RAB-2 Commander Additional DIG Md Khalidul Haque Howlader shared this information at a press conference held at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, on Tuesday morning.

He explained that RAB treats any potential threat seriously and has deployed patrols and intelligence surveillance around important installations, government offices, and public-interest buildings. On Monday, based on intelligence, RAB-2 arrested five armed suspects from Mohammadpur and Paltan areas, seizing firearms, ammunition, sharp weapons, and a large quantity of yaba tablets. A locally made shotgun and cartridge were also recovered from Mohammadpur the same night.

RAB has deployed 24 patrol teams across several Dhaka neighborhoods, including Mohammadpur, Adabor, Dhanmondi, New Market, and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, to prevent criminal activity. The force continues joint operations with other law enforcement agencies and maintains ongoing anti-drug drives in Geneva Camp and surrounding areas.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has accused Member of Parliament Fazlur Rahman of committing a serious offense by questioning his personal identity. Speaking on Tuesday in response to Fazlur Rahman’s remarks in parliament, Dr. Rahman said the MP had personally hurt him and further aggravated the matter by commenting on his ideological choices. He stated that he belongs to a martyr freedom fighter’s family, which Fazlur Rahman had challenged.

Fazlur Rahman had declared in parliament that no member of a freedom fighter or martyr’s family could join Jamaat-e-Islami. In reaction, Dr. Rahman argued that such a statement infringes on his constitutional right to choose his political affiliation and beliefs. He condemned the MP’s comments and urged that the relevant portion of Fazlur Rahman’s speech be expunged from the parliamentary record.

The remarks sparked uproar among opposition members in parliament, prompting Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad to restore order. During the commotion, Fazlur Rahman reiterated his stance, saying that any freedom fighter family member joining Jamaat commits a double offense.

A three-day mobile book fair and cultural festival has been inaugurated in Patnitala upazila of Naogaon. The event, organized by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs with support from the upazila administration, will run from April 28 to 30. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Upazila Parishad auditorium, where Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rifat Ara formally opened the program.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Jewel Mia, Patnitala Press Club President Ikhtiar Uddin Azad, and other local dignitaries attended the opening ceremony. Local residents, book enthusiasts, and students from various educational institutions were also present. According to the organizers, the fair and cultural programs will be held daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The initiative aims to promote reading habits and expand cultural practices among the local community through the three-day event.

Abdullahil Aman Azmi told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday that he did not detain anyone unlawfully during the period of martial law under General Ershad. He made the statement while being cross-examined by defense lawyer Aminul Gani Tito in a case concerning alleged crimes against humanity linked to enforced disappearances at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the Awami League’s rule.

Azmi said he had no knowledge of why Sheikh Hasina, Matia Chowdhury, and Sahara Khatun were detained under his supervision during Ershad’s military regime. He explained that he was then a newly commissioned junior officer and had no authority or opportunity to question such decisions. He maintained that he personally did not detain anyone.

In the same case, three of the thirteen accused are in custody and were produced before the tribunal from the sub-jail inside the cantonment. The remaining ten accused, including several former senior military officers, are absconding.

Public sentiment in India is turning increasingly critical of the United States despite the two nations maintaining a strong strategic partnership. The shift follows a controversial social media post by U.S. President Donald Trump, who referred to India as a “hellhole,” prompting a sharp response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which called the remark ignorant and distasteful.

The India-U.S. relationship, traditionally rooted in economic, security, and technological cooperation, has recently faced strain. Disputes over Kashmir mediation, U.S. tariffs on Indian oil imports from Russia, and tightening visa policies have deepened mistrust. Economic disruptions, including rupee depreciation and stock market declines, have further affected Indian businesses and the middle class.

Indian mainstream media and online influencers are increasingly critical of Washington, reflecting a broader shift in public opinion. Analysts suggest that while strategic ties remain intact, the relationship is becoming more transactional, driven by pragmatic interests rather than shared ideals. This evolving perception may shape the future dynamics between the two countries.