Police in Tongi, Gazipur confirmed that a man named Saifur Rahman Sohan confessed to killing his father and younger brother out of anger over a broken marriage arrangement with his cousin. The incident occurred on Uttor Bonmala Road, and police verified the confession after overnight interrogation on Sunday.

According to police sources, Sohan, a casual machine operator at a pharmaceutical factory, had a romantic relationship with his cousin, and their families had discussed marriage. However, his younger brother Sakib later became romantically involved with the same cousin, leading to conflict between the brothers. On Saturday night, after an argument, Sohan tied up Sakib, gagged him, and fatally cut his tendons with a blade. When their father, Sohel Rana, witnessed the killing, Sohan took him near a railway line, where he was struck and killed by a passing train.

Police said Sohan was sent to the Gazipur District and Sessions Judge Court on Monday after being shown arrested in a murder case.

Sheikh Yusuf Afridi, a commander of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Initial reports indicate that the attackers fired multiple rounds at Afridi, leaving him no chance to escape. Afridi was known as a close associate of the group’s chief, Hafiz Saeed.

Local sources said Afridi played a key role in directing the organization’s operations in the region. Investigators are treating the incident as a targeted killing. The attack follows a series of similar incidents involving members of militant groups in Pakistan.

Last month, Lashkar-e-Taiba founding member Amir Hamza survived an armed attack in Lahore, while Muhammad Tahir Anwar, brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar, recently died under mysterious circumstances. In March of the previous year, senior Lashkar-e-Taiba member Abu Katal was also shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Jhelum, Pakistan.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Saint Petersburg to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for discussions focused on regional and international coordination and advancing joint initiatives. The visit was confirmed by Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, who said the meeting would emphasize strengthening mutual cooperation.

Russia and Iran have maintained a long-standing partnership, with Moscow serving as a key diplomatic ally for Tehran during its conflict with the United States. The two countries signed a 20-year agreement in January 2025 to deepen economic, military, and political ties. Russia has also described U.S. attacks on Iran as provocative aggression. In addition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States and expressed interest in contributing to the process.

According to a CNN report cited in March, Russia had provided Iran with intelligence on U.S. military movements, marking an early sign of Moscow’s involvement in the conflict. Araghchi’s trip to Russia follows meetings in Pakistan and Oman with key mediators.

Health experts in Bangladesh have raised concerns about the growing use of e-cigarettes, which first entered the country in 2012 and have since gained popularity for their seemingly harmless vapor and sweet aroma. Despite claims by importers and sellers that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional ones, specialists emphasize that most contain nicotine, a substance known to cause addiction. Professor Sohel Reza Chowdhury of the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute noted that nicotine intake from e-cigarettes can sometimes exceed that from conventional cigarettes due to prolonged use.

Chowdhury warned that young people are increasingly drawn to these products, and without swift action, their harmful effects could become more widespread. Although the long-term health consequences of e-cigarettes remain uncertain, several studies in recent years have shown they are not safe. The World Health Organization’s Global Tobacco Epidemic report states that e-cigarette users are twice as likely to become addicted to regular cigarettes.

Bangladesh’s tobacco control laws, first enacted in 2005 and amended in 2013, have limited advertising and mandated health warnings, yet smoking persists, contributing to over 130,000 tobacco-related deaths annually.

BNP Standing Committee member and Prime Minister’s political adviser Nazrul Islam Khan stated that whenever the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had the opportunity to govern, it worked for the people and in favor of democracy. He made the remarks on Monday morning after offering prayers and floral tributes at the grave of Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq near Dhaka University’s Doel Chattar, marking the 64th anniversary of the late leader’s death.

Nazrul Islam Khan emphasized that BNP has always fought for democracy and that late President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia worked with the nation’s good people to build the country. He added that Tarique Rahman’s government continues to lead the nation following that path.

Remembering Sher-e-Bangla, the senior BNP leader said his contributions benefited people from all walks of life and urged everyone to work together to preserve his legacy.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that the country’s electricity situation will improve and load shedding will decrease starting next week. He made the statement on Monday during a discussion at the Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Forum organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

The minister said the government aims to generate 10,000 megawatts of solar power within the next five years. He also noted that oil import costs have risen by 2 billion dollars and that 560 billion taka in electricity sector dues remain unpaid. During the same event, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun stated that the upcoming national budget will include duty benefits for battery production and imports.

The announcements reflect the government’s focus on renewable energy expansion and financial adjustments in the power sector to address current supply challenges.

The High Court has issued a rule directing authorities to explain why 57 former Upazila Program Officers of the Basic Literacy Project (64 districts) under the Bureau of Non-Formal Education should not be made permanent. The bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan issued the rule after a preliminary hearing on Monday, following a writ petition seeking directives for their inclusion in permanent posts.

According to the petition, the officers were recruited through written, practical, and oral examinations under 2016 and 2018 circulars and have been serving for years. The project ended in 2022, but the government created 491 Upazila Non-Formal Education Officer posts in 2020 to maintain continuity. The petition claims that a summary sent to the Prime Minister on October 25, 2023, seeking approval for their absorption, was returned without proper presentation, allegedly violating constitutional and legal provisions.

The petitioners argue that not making them permanent is discriminatory and contrary to constitutional equality principles. They also expressed concern that new recruitment for 351 posts announced in December 2025 could harm their prospects if 57 positions are not reserved for them.

The big-budget biopic 'Michael', based on the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, has stormed the box office despite negative reviews and a complex production process. Released in North America, the film earned 97 million dollars in its first week and 217 million dollars worldwide, setting a new record for the highest-grossing biopic opening in history. Starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, the film grossed 120.4 million dollars internationally, surpassing the opening records of 'Oppenheimer' (2023) and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (2018).

Critics have accused the film of downplaying controversial aspects of Jackson’s life, reflected in a 38% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave it a 97% rating. The production faced legal and creative hurdles, including reshooting scenes related to the Jordan Chandler case at a cost of about 50 million dollars, limiting the story to events before 1988. Despite family opposition and legal restrictions, the film’s success has prompted producers to consider sequels.

The film, produced by Lionsgate and distributed internationally by Universal, is yet to release in Japan, where Jackson has a large fan base. Its release there is scheduled for June.

Five suspects have been arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in connection with the murder of customs officer Bullet Bairagi, whose body was recovered near the Kotbari Irish Hotel in Comilla. The detainees are also accused in a railway robbery case, and four of them are believed to be directly involved in the killing. The arrests were confirmed by RAB-11 officials on Monday.

According to the information provided, Bairagi boarded a CNG-run autorickshaw at Padua Bazar on Friday night after getting off a bus on his way home. The robbers had been waiting in the vehicle and targeted him in a planned attack. His body was found the next morning about two kilometers from Padua Bazar, near the Irish Hotel area of Kotbari.

Bairagi had recently attended the 44th basic training in Chattogram and was returning to Dhaka after completing it. His last phone contact with family occurred around 1:25 a.m. when he said he was near Tomchom Bridge in Comilla, after which communication was lost.

The Supreme Court’s Appellate Division chamber court has stayed the bail of Ehteshamul Haque, also known as Bhola, one of the accused in the murder case of former police superintendent Babul Akhter’s wife, Mahmuda Khanam Mitu. The order was issued on Monday. Bhola had been arrested on January 21 from in front of Media Tower in the Kalpolok residential area of Chattogram by Bakalia police.

Ehteshamul Haque, identified as a listed criminal, faces multiple cases including murder, arms, and extortion charges. He was also shown arrested in the case of nursing college teacher Anjali Rani Devi, who was hacked to death in 2015 in Chattogram’s Panchlaish area. Mahmuda Khanam Mitu was murdered on June 5, 2016, near GEC intersection while taking her son to school. Following the incident, Babul Akhter filed a case against three unidentified persons.

The investigation was later transferred from the Chattogram Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch to the Police Bureau of Investigation. In 2021, Mitu’s father filed another case naming Babul Akhter as the prime accused. Allegations of political influence and controversy surrounded the investigation process during the previous Awami League government.

Two dismissed officials of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro have been on a hunger strike for three consecutive days at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. They allege that they were terminated for protesting financial irregularities and corruption within the organization. The protesters, former Assistant Director of the Mobile Library Project Toukir Ahmed and former officer Mohammad Erfanul Haque, began their strike on April 25 and are demanding reinstatement and an impartial investigation into the alleged irregularities.

According to the protesters, the government-funded Mobile Library Project has long suffered from mismanagement, including halted library vehicles, irregular book purchases, and inadequate reader services. They also claim that provident fund payments were mishandled, half salaries were paid for six months in 2023 despite full government funding, and readers’ refundable deposits were locked in fixed deposits. They further allege misuse of project funds and fake vouchers.

The dismissed employees have vowed to continue their hunger strike until their demands for reinstatement and financial transparency are met. Reports also suggest that 65 to 70 of about 180 project staff were recently dismissed, with new appointments made simultaneously.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of ministers and some members of parliament during a parliamentary session on Monday, emphasizing that no matter is more important than attending the session. He noted that MPs raise issues from their constituencies that ministers should hear. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni responded that the absent ministers were accompanying the Prime Minister on an important state visit.

The Speaker also pointed out that several MPs scheduled to speak on the motion of thanks for the President’s address were either absent or unprepared. Chief Whip Moni explained that many MPs prefer to deliver their speeches in the presence of the Prime Minister, describing her as the “life of Parliament.” He assured that efforts would be made to convey MPs’ remarks to her.

During the discussion, opposition members supported the Speaker’s call for ministers to attend sessions regularly. The Speaker reiterated that attending parliamentary sessions is of utmost importance, as MPs often raise critical issues such as health and infrastructure conditions in their constituencies.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Ataur Rahman, representing Narail‑2, sharply criticized the President during a parliamentary discussion on the thank‑you motion for the President’s speech on Monday. He remarked that the President’s backbone was either too stiff or bent, implying a lack of independence. Rahman also condemned ruling party MPs for thanking the President, suggesting their praise was misplaced.

He argued that the President had previously legitimized fascist activities and the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, saying that offering thanks to such a figure would cause her spirit deep pain. Rahman urged his colleagues to speak with accountability. Referring to a past comment by late MP Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, he reiterated doubts about the President’s autonomy, citing an incident where the Home Minister claimed the President was forced to approve an order against his will.

Rahman concluded that the President’s actions and speeches lacked credibility, asserting that a leader who changes stance with shifting power cannot be genuinely thanked.

A Dhaka court on Monday, April 27, 2026, cancelled the bail of former Chhatra League leader Lavlu Mollah Shishir, who is accused in a case over an attack on Begum Khaleda Zia’s motorcade. The decision came a day after another Dhaka court had granted him bail on April 26. Shishir, a former president of Masterda Surya Sen Hall Chhatra League and deputy registrar of Dhaka University, had been arrested in connection with the case filed at Shahbagh Police Station.

According to the case, on April 22, 2015, during an election campaign at Banglamotor Signal in Shahbagh, the accused allegedly attacked Khaleda Zia’s motorcade with weapons intending to kill her. The attack resulted in damage to 12 to 14 vehicles and the burning of four motorcycles, while her security personnel were injured. The case was filed on November 23, 2024, at Shahbagh Police Station.

The court’s latest order reverses the earlier bail decision, keeping the accused in custody as the legal proceedings continue.

Retired Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury denied allegations that he was involved in torturing Tarique Rahman during the 2007 'One-Eleven' period. The claim surfaced during a remand hearing in the Mirpur-based Delwar Hossain murder case at Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Monirul Islam’s court on Monday, April 27, 2026. The prosecution alleged that Masud was among those who physically assaulted Rahman, but the accused rejected the charge as completely false.

The hearing also addressed the prosecution’s request for a seven-day remand, arguing that Masud was a key figure during the 1/11 events and that further interrogation was necessary. Defense lawyer Touhidul Islam Sajib opposed the request, citing Masud’s health issues and previous remand periods totaling eight days without clear investigative progress. After hearing both sides, the court granted a three-day remand.

Masud was arrested on March 23 from Baridhara DOHS and has since been shown arrested in multiple cases, including those related to embezzlement and human trafficking, before being placed on successive remands.