Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam has called on students to work for the welfare of society and humanity. He made the remarks on April 27, 2026, at the orientation program for first-year undergraduate students held at the university’s Teacher-Student Centre auditorium. The event was organized by the Office of Student Guidance and Counseling.

The session was presided over by Professor Dr. Mehjabeen Haque, Director of the Office of Student Guidance and Counseling, and attended by faculty members including Professor Dr. Mohammad Moinul Islam, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Dr. Mohammad Moniruzzaman Khan, Director of the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized equal educational opportunities for all students regardless of economic or social background and urged them to become skilled and responsible citizens through hard work and participation in co-curricular activities.

Students from several institutes, including Social Welfare and Research, Modern Languages, Health Economics, Information Technology, Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, and Leather Engineering and Technology, took part in the orientation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Saint Petersburg on Monday, where he pledged that Russia would do everything possible to help ensure peace in the Middle East. During the meeting, Putin expressed hope that the Iranian people would overcome the current difficult period and that peace would be restored in the country.

According to Russian state media, Putin assured Araghchi that Russia would take all actions necessary to protect both Iran’s interests and those of all people in the region, aiming for peace as soon as possible. The meeting underscored Moscow’s stated commitment to regional stability amid ongoing tensions.

The report also noted that Iran is seeking military and diplomatic support from Russia, indicating a deepening of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal announced that a section of citizens who had lost their voting rights will be able to vote again. He told the BBC that a second supplementary voter list has been released, including those whose names were removed during the Special Intensive Revision but later validated by the Appellate Tribunal.

Under a Supreme Court directive, 19 Appellate Tribunals led by former judges were established in West Bengal to review appeals from excluded voters. Applications resolved between April 21 and April 27, and deemed valid by the tribunals, will allow those voters to participate in the election. The Election Commission published the first supplementary list on April 22, restoring voting rights to 139 individuals while excluding 8 others. By that date, 657 appeals had been resolved.

Following the revision process, about 9.1 million names were removed from the rolls, sparking controversy, particularly in Muslim-majority areas. The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29 across 142 constituencies, with over 32.1 million registered voters.

Professor Dr. Md. Ziaur Rahman Chowdhury has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Sylhet Medical University. The appointment was announced on Monday, April 27, 2026, through a notification signed by Rahela Rahmat Ullah, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Dr. Chowdhury currently serves as the Principal of MAG Osmani Medical College and is a pediatrician as well as a professor in the hospital’s pediatrics department.

According to the official notification, the appointment was made under Section 11(1) of the Sylhet Medical University Act, 2018, with the approval of the President and Chancellor. His tenure as Vice-Chancellor will last four years, and he must resign from government service before assuming the new role. He will receive salary and benefits equivalent to his current position and perform duties as defined by law.

The notification also states that the President and Chancellor reserve the right to cancel the appointment at any time if deemed necessary in the public interest. The order will take effect from the date he assumes office.

A tea vendor named Arafat, aged 23, died after being struck by lightning in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali on Sunday, April 27, 2026. The incident occurred around noon in Gamchakhali village of Char Ishwar Union’s Ward 6, leaving the local community in mourning. Arafat, son of Md. Afsar Uddin, earned his living by running a tea stall in a nearby market.

According to local sources, Arafat had gone to inspect a peanut field near his home when a sudden Kalbaishakhi storm began. He was struck by lightning on his way back and died instantly at the scene. Hatiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Russell Iqbal confirmed the death and reminded residents that lightning strikes increase during the Baishakh–Jaistha months, urging people to stay indoors and seek shelter during storms.

Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious during seasonal storms to prevent further casualties from lightning incidents.

Bangladesh’s Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan met with Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Haider and his delegation at the ministry office on Monday. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in education and cultural development.

During the discussion, the Pakistani High Commissioner stated that Pakistan is offering scholarships to Bangladeshi students in fields such as biotechnology, business administration, artificial intelligence, computer engineering, and fashion design. He also mentioned ongoing collaboration under the Pakistan Technical Assistant Program and training for civil service officials. Both sides expressed optimism about expanding cooperation in education, sports, and technology.

The education minister highlighted opportunities to enhance teacher training and exchange programs between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Md. Wasif was also present at the meeting.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that the United States is facing embarrassment in its ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking in Marsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz remarked that the U.S. appears to be humiliated by Iranian leadership and lacks a clear exit strategy from the conflict. His comments were reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters on April 27, 2026.

Merz stated that he does not see any strategy from the United States for withdrawing from the war with Iran. He added that Iran is conducting negotiations with great skill and has proven to be stronger than expected. The remarks came during a discussion with students, where Merz reflected on the geopolitical situation and the balance of power between Washington and Tehran.

The statements highlight growing European concern over the direction of U.S. policy in the Middle East and the effectiveness of its approach toward Iran, as perceived by a key European leader.

Bangladesh claimed a six-wicket victory against New Zealand in Dhaka on April 27, 2026, taking a lead in the series. Chasing a target of 183, the hosts stumbled early, losing three wickets for 77 runs in 10.1 overs. However, Towhid Hridoy, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Shamim Hossain turned the match around with aggressive batting, guiding Bangladesh to victory in 18 overs.

Hridoy and Parvez added 57 runs off 28 balls, with Parvez scoring 28 from 14 deliveries before departing. Shamim then joined Hridoy to add another 49 runs in just 21 balls. Hridoy remained unbeaten on 51 from 27 balls, while Shamim finished on 31 from 13. A dramatic 17th over from Fisher, in which Shamim scored 17 runs off a single delivery sequence due to extras, sealed the win.

For New Zealand, Sodhi took two wickets for 40 runs, while Kelly and Cleaver-Clark both scored 51. Hridoy was named player of the match for his match-winning fifty.

A Mymensingh court has sentenced three people to death and three others to life imprisonment for the 2014 murder of farmer Ashrab Ali in Phulpur upazila. The verdict was delivered on Monday afternoon by Judge Farhana Ferdous of the Mymensingh Special Judge Court. The death sentences were handed to Nur Hossain, his son Ujjal Mia, and Shahidul, while Sohrab Ali, his wife Sworupa Khatun, and Rehena Khatun received life imprisonment. Each convict was also fined 30,000 taka, with an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment in case of non-payment.

According to the case details, the victim and the accused were neighbors engaged in a long-standing land dispute. On January 18, 2014, the accused attacked Ashrab Ali with local weapons following a plan allegedly led by Sohrab Ali, resulting in his death. The next day, the victim’s son Julhas Uddin filed a murder case against six people at Phulpur Police Station.

After examining 15 witnesses and hearing arguments from both sides, the court found the accused guilty and issued the verdict. Advocate Mohammad Akram Hossain represented the state, while Advocate A.H.M. Khalekuzzaman defended the accused.

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.