Kishoreganj-4 Member of Parliament Fazlur Rahman made strong remarks during a parliamentary session on Tuesday afternoon, saying that although the descendants of collaborators still exist, freedom fighters like him are also alive. He criticized opposition members, noting that some call him 'Faza Pagla' while claiming to be civilized.

Rahman further stated that an opposition leader identified himself as belonging to a freedom fighter and martyr family while being associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, which he described as a 'double crime.' He argued that members of freedom fighter or martyr families should not be involved with Jamaat.

Referring to events after August 5 under the Yunus government, Rahman said that cultural activities such as songs, plays, and Lalon music could not take place in front of the Shilpakala Academy, claiming that dark forces had destroyed everything.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the Bangladesh government is determined to make the Coast Guard a modern, strong, and time-befitting force to ensure security in the country’s maritime and coastal areas. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, during the celebration of the 31st founding anniversary and Coast Guard Day 2026.

The minister recalled that the force was established in 1995 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia with the motto “Guardian at Sea.” He praised the Coast Guard’s recent successes in curbing drug trafficking, human smuggling, and piracy, as well as protecting forest and fishery resources in the Sundarbans, including 29 successful operations in the past year. He also highlighted the addition of three surveillance drones and ongoing construction of one multirole response vessel and two offshore patrol vessels funded by JICA.

Ahmed announced plans to procure bulletproof high-speed boats through Khulna Shipyard and to add helicopters and a maritime surveillance system in the future. The government is also working to increase the force’s manpower to 10,000 members.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications in the United States to protect her voice and image from artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfakes. The filings, submitted on Friday to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, include two audio clips of Swift’s voice and a stage photograph showing her in a sequined outfit holding a pink guitar. The applications list her company, TAS Rights Management, as the owner, though neither Swift’s representatives nor her lawyers have commented publicly.

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben explained that while existing publicity rights laws offer some protection, trademarks could provide additional security. He noted that registering a voice as a trademark is a relatively new concept and remains largely untested in court. Previously, artists relied on copyright law to protect their work, but AI’s ability to mimic voices without using original recordings has created new legal gaps.

Experts cited in the report said Swift’s move follows a surge in AI-generated fake videos, ads, and misleading content using her likeness, and could set a precedent for digital identity protection among celebrities.

Students of Jagannath University (JnU) formed a human chain on Tuesday at the university’s sculpture square demanding the arrest and trial of those responsible for the murder of Bullet Bairagi, a fifth-batch finance student and customs officer. The event was organized by the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and joined by general students and leaders from various student organizations.

During the demonstration, JnUCSU Vice President Md. Riazul Islam said that ordinary citizens have no security in the country and blamed the administration for failing to protect lives. He warned of a tougher street movement if the killers were not identified and brought to justice. JnU Debating Society President Main Al Mubashshir criticized the government for failing to ensure public safety despite holding a large parliamentary majority, while Islamic Studies student Ashiqur Rahman Akash questioned the moral right of the Home Minister to remain in office if security cannot be guaranteed.

Speakers called on both the government and opposition to end political theatrics and urged citizens to raise their voices for justice and safety.

A 35-year-old man named Roni Chowdhury died from electrocution at a poultry farm in Boalkhali upazila of Chattogram on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. at Nandipara in the 9th ward of Ahlā Karaldenga Union. Roni, son of the late Bulbul Chowdhury of Babul Master Bari, was reportedly electrocuted while trying to turn off an electrical switch at the farm.

According to local residents, Roni was injured around 8:30 a.m. and was immediately taken to the hospital by his family members. At the Patiya Upazila Health Complex, the attending physician, Dr. Muntahina, confirmed that he had already died before reaching the hospital. The doctor declared him dead upon examination.

The report did not mention any further investigation or official statement regarding the incident.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed informed the National Parliament that since the current government assumed office on February 17, a total of 464 murder cases and 666 rape cases have been filed across Bangladesh. He said 604 suspects have been arrested in murder cases and 530 in rape cases, with 11 and 71 of them respectively released on bail. The statement came during a parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

Responding to various lawmakers, the minister said investigations into serious crimes such as murder and rape are being conducted intensively to ensure strict punishment. He added that the government’s zero-tolerance policy against crimes like land grabbing, extortion, and illegal activities has led to a decline in such offenses. The minister also detailed police staffing levels, noting that 218,554 positions exist, with 14,500 new posts being created, including 500 ASPs, 4,000 SIs, and 10,000 constables.

He further stated that the government remains committed to maintaining law and order and that the report of the Disappearance Commission is preserved with the National Human Rights Commission.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed multiple times that a regime change has already occurred in Iran, asserting that the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top officials brought about this shift. However, reports indicate that Iran’s core institutions of the Islamic Republic remain functional. Following Khamenei’s death, a religious council swiftly appointed his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor.

Iran’s military, security, political, and judicial authorities have reaffirmed their loyalty to the Supreme Leader’s office and the theocratic system. Although the new leader has not yet appeared publicly, several written statements have been released on his behalf. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), established after the 1979 revolution to protect the regime, continues to lead military operations and maintain significant economic influence through control of natural resources.

The IRGC also retains armed control of the streets through the Basij and other paramilitary forces, underscoring the continued strength of Iran’s theocratic governance structure despite leadership changes.

A delegation from Chevron Corporation paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. The meeting took place on April 28, 2026, and was attended by senior officials from both the government and Chevron.

The Chevron team included Xavier La Rossa, President of the company’s Base Assets and Emerging Countries (BAEC) division, and Eric M. Walker, President of Chevron Bangladesh. On the government side, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, the Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Affairs Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit were present.

The source did not provide details about the topics discussed or any outcomes from the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that establishing the rule of justice is essential to consolidate Bangladesh’s democratic journey. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka’s Shahbagh during a discussion marking National Legal Aid Day 2026, organized by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. At the event, lawyers Sayem Khan from Dhaka and Nilima Biswas from Rajshahi received awards from the Prime Minister for their contributions.

Rahman stated that no country can be truly democratic or humane without the rule of law, justice, and human rights. He emphasized that after the end of one and a half decades of authoritarian rule, Bangladesh has resumed its democratic path. The government, he said, is committed to ensuring access to justice for all, particularly for those unable to afford legal assistance, through continued legal aid programs and specific plans.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that justice should not remain confined to legal texts but become a living value reflected in all state policies and institutions. BRAC was recognized for advancing legal aid activities nationwide, with its Executive Director Asif Saleh receiving an award.

A severe shortage of safe drinking water has hit Ramganj upazila in Lakshmipur, with most deep tube wells failing to pump water due to a prolonged drought and a sharp drop in groundwater levels. Residents and business owners are struggling to meet daily needs, as even previously reliable wells have become nearly inoperative. Many are resorting to installing shallow tube wells or fetching water from distant areas.

Local residents report that the municipal water supply is insufficient to meet demand. Shop owners and households are forced to carry water long distances, while some rely on bottled or pond water, raising health concerns. Schools are also affected, with teachers and students facing acute shortages. The municipal engineer said groundwater levels fell significantly after a December 2023 earthquake, reducing water output and increasing costs.

Authorities are working to address the crisis. A new water plant is under construction in Kazirkhil, expected to ease shortages once operational. Officials from the Department of Public Health Engineering and the upazila administration have pledged urgent action and long-term planning to ensure sustainable water supply.

Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Iran has the full right to control ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at the UN, he accused Western countries of hypocrisy and piracy, arguing that attempts are being made to unfairly blame Iran for regional attacks. Nebenzya said that any coastal nation under threat during wartime can restrict or regulate navigation within its territorial waters for security reasons.

He further compared Western nations to pirates, claiming that by supporting Ukrainian attacks on Russian commercial ships in the Black Sea, European countries are violating international law. According to Nebenzya, unlike pirates who attack under a black flag, Western states hide their illegal actions behind unilateral coercive measures, such as sanctions.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore Russia’s alignment with Iran amid rising maritime tensions and its criticism of Western policies in both the Middle East and the Black Sea.

A 62-year-old Hajj pilgrim named Bacchu Mia has died, and Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has taken responsibility for transporting his body to his village and arranging the burial. The incident occurred when Bacchu Mia, accompanied by his wife, arrived at the Hajj camp early Tuesday morning. After feeling unwell, he was assisted by volunteers and taken to the medical camp, where a doctor referred him to Kurmitola General Hospital. Upon arrival, the attending physician declared him dead.

According to the Hajj Office director, Bacchu Mia’s body was sent to his home village, Lundia in Bhairab upazila of Kishoreganj, in a refrigerated vehicle. His wife, a Ministry of Religious Affairs official, a representative from the Hajj agency, and several volunteers accompanied the body. Fellow pilgrims said Bacchu Mia had felt discomfort on the way to the camp, and attempts to give him sugar at a roadside tea stall were unsuccessful.

The Prime Minister’s decision to oversee the burial arrangements reflects direct state involvement in supporting the deceased pilgrim’s family.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Housing and Public Works, Zakaria Taher, held a courtesy meeting with Turkish Ambassador Ramis Sen at the ministry office in Dhaka on Tuesday. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and Turkey, including potential areas for collaboration and investment.

During the discussion, Minister Taher highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two nations and invited Turkish investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s construction, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy sectors. He stated that Bangladesh aims to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2035 and that the government’s business-friendly policies have created a favorable environment for foreign investment.

Ambassador Sen reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two countries and noted the potential to further expand cooperation in trade and development. He also invited Minister Taher to attend the upcoming “Turkey Construction Summit 2026” scheduled for June.

The long-awaited fuel loading process officially began today at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a major milestone in Bangladesh’s nuclear energy development. The process involves placing uranium-based nuclear fuel into the reactor, initiating the gradual preparation for electricity generation. Experts describe fuel loading as one of the most sensitive phases in nuclear power operations, typically taking 40 to 45 days to complete.

According to Professor Md. Shafiqul Islam of Dhaka University’s Nuclear Engineering Department, the plant operates through nuclear fission, where uranium nuclei split to produce heat. This heat converts water into high-pressure steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Following fuel loading, multiple tests and a Final Safety Analysis Report will be conducted and reviewed by the regulatory authority. The pilot operation phase may last six months to a year, during which synchronization and emergency systems will be tested.

Before commercial operation begins, another round of approval will be required. Once fully operational, the reactor is expected to run at 90 percent capacity for 18 months before undergoing maintenance and fuel replacement.

A joint force has arrested a fugitive suspect named Akash, aged 28, within ten hours of a triple murder in Faridpur. The arrest took place at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, and police recovered a spade believed to have been used in the killings. The district police superintendent confirmed the arrest in a press release at 2 p.m. the same day, noting that the suspect provided misleading information during initial questioning.

The murders occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Monday in Godadhardangi village under Aliabad Union of Sadar upazila. Three people were killed, including two from the same family—Rahela Begum, 50, Amena Begum, 75, and their neighbor, Kabul Hossain, 45. Two others, Riaz Molla, 45, and Arjina Begum, 45, were injured in the attack. Following the incident, Kabul Hossain’s wife, Kohinur Begum, filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station.

Police said all relevant units are working to uncover the true motive behind the killings, as the suspect’s statements have been inconsistent.