Square Food & Beverage Limited (SFBL) has signed a five-year sponsorship agreement with Gulshan Youth Club for the Dhaka Premier Division Women's Cricket League, covering the 2026–2030 period. The agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony where SFBL Managing Director Anjan Chowdhury handed over the memorandum of understanding to Gulshan Youth Club President Dr. Wahiduzzaman Tamal.

The event was attended by Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher (Sumon), MP, and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal Khan. During the ceremony, Dr. Tamal expressed gratitude to Anjan Chowdhury for his long-term support and commitment to the development of women’s cricket in Bangladesh.

The partnership aims to strengthen the club’s role in promoting women’s cricket and reflects growing corporate involvement in the sport’s advancement in Bangladesh.

At least 53 people were injured within 24 hours after being bitten by a rabid dog in Sakhipur upazila of Tangail. The incidents occurred from Sunday morning to Monday afternoon across several areas including Kalia, Barachawna, Kakrajan unions, and the municipal area. Among the injured were nine children and ten women. The attacks began in Debolchala village and continued through multiple localities, spreading fear among residents.

All victims were taken to Sakhipur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors provided first aid and administered rabies vaccines. One seriously injured person, Abdur Rashid, was transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka. The on-duty medical officer described the number of cases in a single day as highly unusual and confirmed that patients were receiving vaccines according to medical protocol.

Upazila Executive Officer Abdullah Al Roni acknowledged a shortage of vaccines but said efforts were underway to address it. He urged residents to remain cautious but not panic as authorities worked to manage the situation.

The Ukhiya Upazila administration in Cox’s Bazar conducted a major eviction drive on Monday, April 27, 2026, removing around 200 illegal structures from the roads and footpaths of Kutupalong market. The operation, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rifat Asma and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sharmin Sultana, ran from morning until 3:30 p.m. Law enforcement agencies, the market management committee, and local residents actively participated in the effort.

According to the administration, long-term encroachment on roads and footpaths had caused severe traffic congestion and disrupted public movement. The eviction aimed to restore normal traffic flow and reduce public suffering. Following the operation, officials instructed the market committee and relevant authorities to prevent future illegal construction and directed law enforcement to strengthen regular monitoring.

Local business leaders welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the need for continued oversight to stop future encroachments. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed that similar drives would continue to protect public interest and ensure roads remain free from illegal occupation.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan met with Turkish Ambassador Ramis Sen at his ministry office on Monday. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and Turkey. The ambassador highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two nations and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in education, business, and university-level collaboration. The minister emphasized the government’s efforts to ensure quality education and hoped that joint initiatives would further enhance academic standards and strengthen bilateral ties.

Later, the minister also met with a Malaysian delegation led by High Commissioner Mohd Suhada Othman. Both sides discussed matters of mutual interest. During the meeting, the minister praised Malaysia’s global success in education and noted that Bangladesh could benefit from Malaysia’s experience. The Malaysian High Commissioner expressed a commitment to deepening bilateral relations.

The meetings underscored Bangladesh’s interest in expanding educational collaboration with both Turkey and Malaysia to improve quality and institutional partnerships.

Retail sales in the United Kingdom have fallen to their lowest level in more than four decades, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The CBI data, reported by Al Jazeera, show that the retail sales volume index dropped to -68 in April from -52 in March, marking the weakest reading since the index began in 1983. The decline is attributed to the ongoing war surrounding Iran and rising inflation concerns.

The survey also indicates growing pessimism for May, with the forecast index falling to -60, the lowest since March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. CBI economist Martin Sartorius said the economic impact of the Iran conflict is becoming more evident and urged the government to recognize that reducing living costs requires lowering business expenses. The organization called on the government to ensure new labor laws do not excessively raise employer costs and recommended reducing property taxes and electricity bills.

The survey, conducted between March 26 and April 14 among 61 retail firms, found that weak consumer confidence negatively affected April sales.

Seven people were killed in separate lightning incidents across three districts of Bangladesh on Monday, April 27, 2026. The deaths occurred in Netrokona, Bogura, and Habiganj during a period of Kalbaishakhi storms and thunderstorms that brought relief from recent heat. In Netrokona’s Khaliajuri upazila, three men died in separate incidents while fishing, drying paddy, and harvesting crops. Local police confirmed the deaths and said the bodies would be handed over to families after official procedures.

In Bogura’s Gabtali upazila, two people died in storm-related incidents. One man was struck by lightning while bringing goats from a field, and another died when a large tree fell on his shop during the storm. Police urged residents to avoid unsafe areas and called for identifying and removing risky trees in public spaces. In Habiganj, two farmers died in separate lightning strikes while working in paddy fields and near their homes.

Local authorities confirmed the incidents and said assistance would be arranged for affected families, particularly those in financial hardship.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that a coordinated nationwide operation against drugs, gambling, and online gambling will begin immediately after the current parliamentary session ends on April 30. He made the statement in parliament on Monday while responding to a notice on urgent public importance, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The announcement followed a notice from Noakhali-2 MP Zainul Abdin Faruk, who raised concerns about illegal shisha lounges operating under the guise of restaurants and cafes in Dhaka’s upscale areas. The minister said the government has declared zero tolerance against drugs and gambling, adding that protecting the youth requires decisive action. He also noted that from 2009 to 2024, such illegal establishments had operated under political and administrative protection, but recent raids have seized large quantities of shisha equipment.

Ahmed assured that intelligence surveillance has been intensified and that any individuals or police officers found aiding illegal businesses will face strict legal action. The upcoming operation will involve all law enforcement agencies at district and upazila levels.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) announced on April 27, 2026, that it has solved the murder of customs officer Bullet Bairagi in Cumilla and dismantled a Telegram-based cybercrime network. At a press briefing in Dhaka’s Kawran Bazar, RAB’s media director detailed the operations. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the killing, which occurred on April 24 when Bairagi went missing while returning from training. His body was found the next morning near the Dhaka–Chattogram highway. The suspects, previously accused in theft and robbery cases, allegedly abducted and robbed him before throwing him from a moving vehicle, causing fatal head injuries. Weapons and the vehicle used in the crime were recovered.

In a separate operation, RAB arrested five individuals in Bhola for running a Telegram-based pornography trade targeting female students. The group allegedly hacked social media accounts and sold private content through hundreds of Telegram channels. Authorities recovered around 150,000 sensitive images and videos. RAB stated that its operations to ensure public safety and curb cybercrime, especially against youth, will continue.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran still possesses several important economic 'cards' that remain unused, countering Washington’s claims of dominance. In a post on his social media account on Sunday, he argued that the United States has already lost a significant portion of its power while Iran retains strategic leverage through its supply-based capabilities.

Ghalibaf described a balance between Iran’s supply-side strengths—such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and oil pipelines—and the U.S. demand-side measures, including releasing oil from strategic reserves, demand control, and potential price adjustments. He noted that while the Hormuz card has been partially used, the Bab el-Mandeb and pipeline options remain untouched.

He further pointed out that the U.S. has already employed or partially used several of its tools and faces economic constraints, particularly with rising fuel demand expected during the summer vacation period.

Ministers from about 60 countries are gathering this week in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the first global summit aimed at phasing out fossil fuels. The United States was not invited to the meeting. The event takes place amid a worldwide energy crisis, intensified by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has disrupted global energy markets and led to shortages, price hikes, and restrictions in several countries.

Instability in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas pass, has forced many nations to reconsider their dependence on imported fossil fuels. Some are increasing investment in renewable energy, while others are turning back to domestic sources such as coal. The summit, co-led by Colombia and the Netherlands, seeks to form an alliance of countries committed to ending fossil fuel use. Participants include Turkey, Australia, the European Union, several Latin American nations, and Pacific island states, as well as major producers like Canada, Nigeria, Norway, and Brazil.

China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states are not participating in the conference.

The Election Commission has released the names of 49 valid candidates for the reserved women's seats in Bangladesh's 13th Parliament. The list was published on Monday. Among the candidates, 36 are from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), 12 from Jamaat-e-Islami and its allied 11-party coalition, and one independent candidate. The BNP list includes Selima Rahman, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Fahmida Haque, and Anna Minj, while the Jamaat-led coalition nominated Marzia Begum, Sabikun Nahar, Mardia Momtaz, Tasmia Pradhan, and Mahmuda Alam Mitu.

The report also mentions that Nusrat Tabassum, a leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP), had her nomination initially rejected for being submitted after the deadline. The Election Commission upheld the rejection on appeal, but the High Court later directed the commission to accept her nomination. If this court order remains unchallenged, 13 candidates from the Jamaat-led alliance will be finalized for the reserved women's seats.

The publication of the list marks a key step in finalizing representation for women in the upcoming parliamentary session.

Iran’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, paid a courtesy visit to Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, the Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, at his office in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on Monday afternoon. During the meeting, both sides discussed the ongoing US-Israeli aggression in Iran, the global energy crisis, and other international developments. They expressed concern over the global situation and emphasized the importance of peace and stability.

Maulana Mamunul Haque described the recent US-Israeli actions in Iran as aggression against the Muslim Ummah and expressed solidarity with Iran. He also requested Iran’s positive role in ensuring safe passage for Bangladeshi oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian High Commissioner assured that the issue would be addressed seriously and that a positive message would be conveyed to Tehran.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation on matters of mutual bilateral interest. The meeting was attended by Iran’s Deputy Head of Mission Amiri, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Joint Secretary General Maulana Ataullah Amin, and Foreign and International Affairs Secretary Farid Khan.

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naeem Qassem has urged the Lebanese government to continue internal dialogue regarding talks with Israel, asserting that Israel has reached a stalemate in its efforts to eliminate Hezbollah. Speaking on April 27, 2026, Qassem claimed that despite U.S.-backed Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon since September 23, 2024, the group has not been defeated.

Qassem rejected direct negotiations with Israel and outlined five preconditions for any future talks: ending aggression by land, sea, and air; Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories; release of prisoners; return of displaced residents to their towns and villages; and reconstruction. He emphasized that Lebanese authorities should resist foreign pressure and prioritize national unity and sovereignty.

Reaffirming Hezbollah’s stance, Qassem vowed not to disarm and pledged to continue defensive resistance for Lebanon and its people. He declared that the group would respond to Israeli aggression and would not retreat or surrender under any threat.

The government of Bangladesh has announced a new initiative called the 'LPG Card' aimed at easing the cooking-related hardships of women. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman revealed the plan on April 27, 2026, in Sharsha upazila of Jashore after inaugurating the re-excavation of the Ulshi canal. The LPG Card will allow registered female members of families to purchase LPG cylinders at subsidized or reduced prices.

According to the announcement, the program primarily targets women across both rural and urban areas. Rural women who rely on firewood or straw for cooking and face health risks from smoke, as well as low- and middle-income urban women who struggle with high LPG prices, are expected to benefit. The card system is designed to reduce both physical and financial burdens associated with cooking fuel.

Although the full policy is still under development, the Prime Minister indicated that cardholders may receive a fixed amount of gas each month at lower prices and will be able to collect or refill cylinders quickly from designated dealers or points.

Police in Narayanganj have revealed the chilling details behind the murder of 11-year-old Hossain, whose body was found on April 23, 2026, in an abandoned house near Fatullah. The case was disclosed at a press conference by District Police Superintendent Md. Mizanur Rahman Munsi, who confirmed that six teenagers had been arrested in connection with the killing. The suspects, aged between 13 and 18, allegedly planned the murder out of a morbid curiosity to experience crime and imprisonment.

According to police, the group of teenagers, who often gathered and used drugs near Fatullah railway station, lured Hossain to an abandoned house with the promise of marijuana. There, they stabbed him to death and left his body at the scene. Hossain, who sold flowers with his father, had gone missing on April 18. His decomposed body was discovered five days later, sparking public outrage.

Police said one suspect, Yasin, confessed under Section 164, and a sharp knife used in the murder was recovered. One more suspect remains at large, while authorities continue efforts to apprehend him.