Seven people were killed in lightning strikes across six districts of Bangladesh on Wednesday, according to local authorities. The fatalities occurred in Jamalpur, Rajbari, Rangpur, Gazipur, Mymensingh, and Shariatpur. Two young men died in separate incidents in Jamalpur’s Islampur upazila, while one person each was killed in the other five districts. In addition, ten schoolgirls were injured when lightning struck near a school in Barguna’s Bamna upazila.

In Jamalpur, the victims were identified as Sagar, 18, and Shamim, 25, who died while working and fishing respectively. Rajbari’s victim, Suman Mondal, 35, was struck while walking with his daughter, who survived with minor injuries. In Rangpur, a housewife named Sahera Begum, 40, was killed near her home. Mymensingh’s victim, Saddam Hossain, 28, died while fishing, and in Shariatpur, fisherman Rajib Sheikh, 35, was killed. Gazipur’s victim was identified as Jakir Hossain Khan, 32.

Officials confirmed each incident and reported that the Shariatpur district administration provided Tk 25,000 in government assistance to one victim’s family.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that there is no ceasefire with Lebanon during a visit to Israeli troops deployed in southern Lebanon. He emphasized that the army’s mission, as directed by political leadership, is to prevent direct attacks on Israeli communities and to maintain their current defensive position. Halevi noted that forces may need to remain stationed in the area to sustain this security posture.

He further instructed troops to continue fighting in the absence of a ceasefire, aiming to eliminate threats from northern settlements, destroy terrorist infrastructure, and target militants. According to the report, since March 2, Israeli forces have killed at least 2,290 people in Lebanon, and around 1.2 million have been displaced across the country due to Israeli attacks.

The statements underscore Israel’s continued military engagement in Lebanon and the absence of any truce, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian toll and displacement within Lebanese territory.

Global oil prices surged as reports emerged that the United States is preparing to impose long-term sanctions on Iran. On Wednesday, Brent crude prices exceeded 122 dollars per barrel, marking the highest level since 2022. The price later stabilized around 120 dollars after a nearly 10 percent daily increase.

The rise followed stalled ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran and the effective closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to the Wall Street Journal, former US President Donald Trump has instructed preparations to extend existing blockades on Iranian ports to increase pressure on Tehran. In response, Iran stated it would continue to obstruct shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Guardian reported that this is the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine that Brent crude has crossed the 120-dollar mark, underscoring renewed geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets.

International discussion has intensified over whether the United States’ ongoing economic and naval sanctions can effectively stop Iran’s oil exports. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that despite the sanctions, no major damage has occurred to Iran’s oil fields and the country is prepared to withstand economic pressure for at least 30 more days. The US, however, maintains that its sanctions are working, arguing that if Iran cannot export oil, storage limits will eventually force production cuts.

Satellite data show that since the sanctions began on April 13, Iran’s oil storage has risen sharply. By April 20, storage tanks on Kharg Island—through which about 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports pass—were 74 percent full, with an additional three million barrels added, according to the Center on Global Energy Policy. Analysts note that oil companies typically avoid filling storage beyond 80 percent for safety reasons.

Experts suggest that while the sanctions are increasing pressure, they are unlikely to halt production immediately. Instead, Iran may face a gradual slowdown leading to a prolonged economic strain.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked U.S. President Donald Trump over the surge in global oil prices and Washington’s so-called ‘sanctions theory’. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf said that figures like Information Minister Scott Besent were giving Trump’s administration ‘false advice’, which he claimed was pushing oil prices toward 120 dollars per barrel. He added that the next destination for oil prices would be 140 dollars.

Ghalibaf also ridiculed Trump’s recent remarks about Iran’s energy infrastructure. Trump had told Fox News that Iran’s oil lines could soon explode internally, causing irreversible damage within three days. Referring to that interview, Ghalibaf said that three days had already passed without any explosion and sarcastically offered to extend the countdown to 30 days, even suggesting a live broadcast of the oil wells on X.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington over energy markets and sanctions, as reported by CNN.

A 22-year-old man named Mahbub from Noapara village in Cumilla’s Debidwar upazila was found dead by hanging in a rented house in Angaura village under Gouripur Union of Daudkandi upazila on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Police from Gouripur outpost recovered the body in the afternoon following reports from locals. Mahbub had been living there with his wife, Sanjida Akter, for about nine months and worked as an autorickshaw driver.

According to family and local sources, Mahbub had been struggling with financial hardship and was reportedly addicted to playing the mobile game Free Fire. His wife stated that frequent arguments occurred over his gaming habits. On the day of the incident, a quarrel escalated, and she left for work. Upon returning home later, she found the door locked and discovered her husband’s body inside.

Police said the body was being sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for autopsy and that legal procedures were underway to investigate the incident.

Sumi Khatun, the eldest daughter of a struggling family, began producing vermicompost fertilizer in Mymensingh during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing her low-paying NGO job. Guided by agricultural officer Alamgir Hossain, she started with only ten rings and three kilograms of earthworms, using vegetable waste and cow dung to create organic fertilizer. Despite initial setbacks and six months without sales, she persevered and produced 15 maunds of fertilizer, later gaining market access with help from the Upazila Agriculture Officer Shakura Nambir.

Over time, Sumi expanded her farm to twelve chambers and added a nutrition garden and pineapple plantation, cultivating fruits like papaya and malta alongside companion crops such as chili, mustard, and banana. She is also an active member of Transparency International Bangladesh’s YES group and local blood donation organizations. In 2025, she survived a severe road accident that claimed two fellow activists but continued her work after recovery.

Sumi received the Joyeeta Award in 2024 at both upazila and district levels for economic self-reliance and earned regional agricultural productivity awards in 2024 and 2025. She now studies for a master’s degree at Anand Mohan College and plans to expand production and create jobs for local youth.

Chittagong University has become tense following a series of rival processions and protests between Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. The conflict intensified after incidents at Chittagong City College, where Shibir activists were attacked, leading both groups to stage counter-demonstrations on campus. Shibir also protested a reported attack by Chhatra Dal on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union leaders and journalists. Both organizations have exchanged accusations, labeling each other as terrorist groups during their rallies.

The rivalry follows major political shifts after the July uprising and the formation of a BNP-led government. Shibir had previously dominated the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union elections, while Chhatra Dal gained renewed strength after the national polls. Ordinary students have expressed concern that the ongoing political tension could disrupt academic activities and threaten personal safety.

University political leaders have blamed each other for the unrest, while a political science professor urged central leaders of both groups to engage in dialogue to prevent further deterioration of the campus environment.

A commentary published on April 30, 2026, argues that Bangladesh’s democracy has evolved into an undeclared monarchy dominated by dynastic political leadership. The author claims that since the political shift of the 1990s, two main parties have maintained power through family-based succession, creating a system where authority is centralized and reinforced by vast party networks. These networks allegedly sustain control through influence, intimidation, and suppression of opposition.

The article further describes how this dynastic system extends beyond politics into civil, military, and media institutions, forming what the author calls a “deep state.” This structure, the piece contends, enables corruption, resource exploitation, and economic decline while depriving citizens of justice and genuine democracy. The author calls for dismantling the old establishment and fostering a strong anti-establishment movement led by youth and patriotic citizens.

Citing recent dissatisfaction with the BNP government’s early actions, including ordinance cancellations and alleged misuse of cyber laws, the commentary suggests that public disillusionment may soon trigger a “second revolution” or “October uprising.”

Israeli forces carried out a raid on the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla, which was transporting humanitarian aid. According to the organizers, the flotilla was stopped in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Israel reportedly used drones, communication-disrupting technology, and armed boarding teams to seize control of the vessels. The flotilla’s mission said Israeli military speedboats approached with laser and semi-automatic assault weapons, ordering crew members to kneel.

The flotilla’s social media post claimed that Israeli naval boats surrounded them illegally in international waters and issued threats of abduction and violence. Communication was lost with 11 vessels, while Israeli media reported that seven of the 58 ships had been seized near the Greek island of Crete. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated that the flotilla was stopped before reaching Israeli territory.

A spokesperson for the Global Sumud flotilla described the raid as a direct attack on unarmed civilian ships in international waters. The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access to Gaza.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called on citizens to remain united against what he described as enemy conspiracies aimed at weakening the country from within. Speaking on April 30, 2026, Ghalibaf accused US President Donald Trump of trying to force Tehran into submission through economic pressure and by dividing the Iranian people. He characterized these efforts as part of a broader strategy of blockade and media manipulation.

Ghalibaf, identified as a key negotiator in ceasefire talks with the United States, emphasized that maintaining unity among Iranians is the main way to resist such conspiracies. He stated that every act of division serves the enemy’s plans and reaffirmed that all Iranian officials follow the directives of the Supreme Leader. However, he did not provide further details about the divisions he mentioned.

The remarks reflect Tehran’s continued framing of external pressure as part of a coordinated campaign to destabilize the country, underscoring the leadership’s focus on internal cohesion in the face of foreign challenges.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is facing one of its biggest crises in 65 years, with officials holding an emergency meeting at its Vienna headquarters. The group is grappling with multiple challenges, including a global energy crisis and the United Arab Emirates’ announcement to leave the organization after years of membership, raising questions about OPEC’s future stability.

The main focus of Wednesday’s meeting was OPEC’s 61st annual report, which detailed global oil import, export, and reserve data. According to the report, global oil demand, reserves, and exports all increased in 2025 compared to 2024, with Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East receiving the largest shares of exports. However, the data reflects conditions before the UAE’s withdrawal decision, which is expected to significantly affect next year’s report.

OPEC officials declined to comment on the UAE’s move or the internal situation, further highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the organization’s cohesion and direction.

Eight women leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami have been nominated as members of parliament for reserved women’s seats in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament. The nominations were finalized following recommendations from the party’s women’s wing, emphasizing political experience and organizational dedication. Among the eight nominees, six previously held central leadership positions in the Bangladesh Islami Chhatri Sangstha, the party’s student wing for women. They are currently active in various professional and social roles and are preparing to work on national and women’s issues in parliament.

According to the report, Jamaat, as part of an 11-party alliance, received 13 reserved seats proportionally, of which eight were allocated to Jamaat nominees. The remaining seats went to allied parties, including the National Citizen Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party. The Election Commission has validated 12 of the alliance’s nominations, with official gazette publication expected soon, after which the MPs will take oath.

The nominated MPs include senior Jamaat women leaders such as Nurunnisa Siddika, Marzia Begum, Advocate Sabikun Nahar Munni, Nazmun Nahar Nilu, Mahfuza Hannan, Sajeda Samad, Shamsunnahar Begum, and Engineer Mardia Momtaz.

Following the Pentagon’s announcement that the ongoing war in Iran has cost $25 billion, Democratic leaders in the United States voiced strong criticism. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier argued that the vast expenditure could have been used to reduce healthcare costs for millions of Americans. He noted that instead, the country has lost 14 soldiers, seen fuel prices rise, and become less secure.

Another Democratic congressman, Ro Khanna, criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he was unaware of the war’s true economic impact. Khanna said he had asked Hegseth about the combined costs of replacement spending, gas, and food prices resulting from the Iran war, but the secretary had no answer. He described the situation as “unbelievable.”

The criticism underscores growing Democratic frustration over the financial and social toll of the conflict, as questions mount about its broader economic consequences.

The upcoming 2026–27 Supreme Court Bar Association election in Bangladesh has taken a decisive turn as the BNP-backed Nationalist Lawyers Forum announced its blue panel, nominating Barrister A.M. Mahbub Uddin Khokon for president, Mohammad Ali for secretary, and Advocate Ziaur Rahman for treasurer. The election, one of the judiciary’s most influential contests, will proceed without participation from Awami League-aligned lawyers after the party’s activities were banned under anti-terrorism laws. A special general meeting on April 26 confirmed that Awami League supporters are ineligible to contest.

Opposition-aligned groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP), failed to form a unified panel despite earlier efforts. Jamaat’s Lawyers Council and the NCP-backed National Lawyers Alliance each announced separate slates of candidates. Meanwhile, Awami League-affiliated lawyers protested their exclusion, staging demonstrations and denouncing the decision as unconstitutional and undemocratic.

The election reflects deepening political polarization within the legal community, with the BNP consolidating its position while the opposition remains fragmented and Awami League lawyers sidelined by legal restrictions.