Investigators in Florida have uncovered alarming details in the murder of two Bangladeshi PhD students, Jamil Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti, who were last seen in Tampa about two weeks before Limon’s body was found. Police have arrested Limon’s roommate, Hisham Abughurbeh, charging him with premeditated murder using a weapon. A judge has ordered that he remain in custody without bail during trial proceedings.

Court filings show a detailed timeline of Abughurbeh’s actions before and after the killings, including purchases of duct tape, garbage bags, and lighter fuel, as well as disturbing ChatGPT queries about disposing of a body. Surveillance footage and phone data placed him near the victims’ last known locations. Evidence recovered from a landfill and a bridge linked him to the crime, including blood-stained items and a bag containing Limon’s remains.

Florida’s attorney general has added the case to an ongoing criminal investigation involving OpenAI, after prosecutors cited the suspect’s use of ChatGPT. OpenAI stated it is cooperating fully with law enforcement.

Continuous heavy rainfall in Sunamganj has caused embankments to break, allowing water to enter the haor areas and triggering fears of flooding. Farmers are struggling to harvest ripe boro paddy as waterlogging and labor shortages worsen the situation. In several places, harvesters cannot enter the fields due to standing water, and harvested paddy cannot be dried because of the lack of sunlight.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, boro paddy was cultivated on 223,511 hectares across 137 haors this season, with a production target of about 1.4 million metric tons worth around Tk 5,000 crore. So far, 53,640 hectares have been harvested, but waterlogging and labor shortages persist. The Water Development Board reported that 702 embankment projects covering 602 kilometers were built or repaired this year at a cost of Tk 145 crore, yet the structures have weakened under continuous rain.

Local reports from Madhyanagar indicate that a rural embankment in Banshikunda South Union collapsed early Tuesday, flooding nearby fields. Farmers fear losing half of their standing crops as repair efforts remain stalled, and officials are working with farmers to harvest vulnerable fields quickly.

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the focal point of negotiations to end the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Following attacks on Iran, Tehran closed the vital waterway, allowing only limited passage under its supervision. This move disrupted global energy supplies and threatened the world economy, particularly affecting Gulf nations. Despite repeated warnings, U.S. President Donald Trump failed to compel Iran to reopen the strait, while Tehran insists on maintaining control and collecting tolls even after the war.

Washington responded by imposing counter-sanctions on Iranian vessels, stating these would be lifted only if Iran signed a ceasefire deal. Tehran rejected talks under such conditions but sent a new peace proposal via Pakistan, excluding nuclear issues. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the offer. Meanwhile, a liquefied natural gas tanker crossed the strait for the first time in two months, signaling limited maritime activity. The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ added further instability to the energy market.

Russia defended Iran’s right to control navigation in the strait, accusing Western nations of hypocrisy and piracy, while Iran’s defense ministry declared that the U.S. can no longer impose its policies on independent states.

FIFA has removed a referee from its 2026 World Cup panel following his arrest in the United Kingdom over allegations of sexually assaulting a minor. According to British media outlet The Sun, the 30-year-old match official was detained by London’s Metropolitan Police while staying at a hotel during a European competition. He was later released on bail, but the investigation remains ongoing.

FIFA responded swiftly, stating that the allegation is being treated with utmost seriousness and that the official will not be assigned to any FIFA competitions until the investigation concludes. UEFA has taken the same stance, suspending him from officiating in its matches as well. The referee’s name has not been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.

The decision comes shortly after FIFA announced the list of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11.

Bangladesh today observes April 29 as a day of mourning, remembering the catastrophic cyclone that struck the country on this day in 1991. The storm, known as Cyclone Gorky, hit the Chattogram coast with winds reaching 155 miles per hour, destroying vast coastal regions and killing more than 200,000 people. Millions were left homeless, and property losses were estimated at two billion dollars. The cyclone affected 19 districts and 102 upazilas, with the worst damage reported in Sandwip, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Kutubdia, Bhola, and Teknaf.

The storm originated as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal on April 22, 1991, intensified over the following days, and made landfall on April 29. Many residents failed to reach shelters despite warnings, leading to the high death toll. The tidal surge swept away crops, livestock, and naval and air force infrastructure in coastal and port areas.

Even after 35 years, large parts of Bangladesh’s coastal belt remain vulnerable, with fragile embankments in Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Pekua, Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, and Teknaf posing ongoing risks to residents.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has selected 72,341 income tax returns for audit for the 2023–24 tax year using an automated system based on risk-based criteria. The announcement was published on the NBR website on Tuesday. This marks the first time income tax audits are being chosen through the same automated process previously used for VAT audits, where 600 returns were reviewed earlier in April. NBR stated that the automated selection ensures transparency and fulfills a long-standing demand from civil society.

For years, taxpayers and company officials had accused NBR officers of selecting the same individuals or firms for audits repeatedly, allegedly for harassment or financial gain. In response, NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan had suspended manual audit selections until an automated system was introduced. The new system allocates between 20 and 200 audits per tax circle, depending on the prevalence of tax evasion. A tax lawyer noted that while automation improves transparency, it may still miss cases where individuals underreport income despite large assets.

The automated audit selection is expected to enhance fairness and strengthen revenue collection by reducing human interference in the process.

Four union parishad chairmen in Chuadanga’s Alamdanga upazila, previously suspended from their duties, have been reinstated following a High Court directive. The district administration canceled earlier decisions to appoint administrators to the four unions and issued a new order restoring the chairmen to their posts. The order, signed by Deputy Commissioner Lutfun Nahar, was issued in compliance with the court’s instruction.

The reinstated chairmen are Hasanuzzaman Saroar of Chitla Union, Mojahidur Rahman Jowardar of Khadimpur Union, Tarikul Islam of Daukhi Union, and Tafsir Ahmed Mallik Lal of Khaskarra Union. The High Court had earlier suspended the administrative appointment order for six months on March 12, 2026, allowing the chairmen to continue their duties. The administrators had been appointed on November 27, 2024, due to the chairmen’s absence.

Following the reinstatement, the chairmen expressed their commitment to serve the public in accordance with the court’s directive. The Alamdanga Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that the reinstatement was carried out based on the court’s order and the divisional commissioner’s investigation report.

During a state dinner at the White House, Britain’s King Charles III presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a historic submarine bell named ‘HMS Trump’. The bell came from a Royal Navy submarine that served in the Pacific during World War II. The King described the gift as a symbol of the two nations’ ‘bright future’. President Trump, in turn, called the U.K.–U.S. relationship unlike any other friendship in the world.

Earlier, King Charles addressed the U.S. Congress, emphasizing that the partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States is now more important than ever. He recalled that his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had spoken in the same chamber in 1991. Buckingham Palace later said the bell symbolizes a new chapter of friendship between the two countries and evokes memories of the Liberty Bell gift during Queen Elizabeth’s 1976 U.S. visit.

The King also highlighted the importance of NATO and AUKUS alliances in strengthening technological and military cooperation, while noting the upcoming FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S. and Canada as a shared moment of pride.

Shipping through the Panama Canal has increased sharply amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly surrounding Iran. According to the canal authority’s chief financial officer, Victor Vial, around 300 additional vessels have passed through the canal since October compared with the same period last year. He noted that this trend is expected to continue until the regional situation stabilizes, as reported by Reuters.

The main reason for the surge is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, prompting commercial ships to use the Panama Canal as an alternative route. In some cases, supply sources have also been shifted to avoid the Iranian coastline. The Associated Press reported that while the average cost of crossing the canal ranges from 300,000 to 400,000 US dollars depending on vessel type, some ships have recently paid up to 425,000 dollars for faster passage.

Analysts believe the increased pressure on this vital trade route is raising both transportation costs and delivery times, potentially affecting the broader global economy.

Students at Dhaka University have voiced frustration over restrictive rules at the Central Library, which holds more than seven hundred thousand books but does not allow direct access to shelves. Learners must request titles on slips, and librarians retrieve them, preventing students from browsing or selecting books themselves. Many have turned to departmental libraries or outside reading spaces for a more open experience.

Library officials defend the system, citing security and order concerns, saying unrestricted access could lead to disorganization and book loss. Acting librarian Professor Kazi Mostak Gausul Haque described the closed-access model as a long-standing tradition, noting staff shortages as another reason. However, he mentioned plans to introduce partial open access and digital modernization to make the library more student-friendly.

Experts and university officials, including Professor Shariful Islam and ICT Cell Director Dr. Mosaddeq Kamal Tushar, criticized the current system as outdated and misaligned with modern technology. The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor A.B.M. Obaidul Islam, said discussions are underway for reforms and a new modern library project.

Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia stated that although a ceasefire has been reached with the United States, the war is not completely over. He emphasized that Iran has no trust or confidence in the United States or its enemies. Akraminia added that the Iranian military remains as prepared as it was during the conflict.

He further explained that Iran is seriously preparing a list of targets, continuing training based on wartime experience, and maintaining weapons production. His remarks highlight Iran’s ongoing military readiness despite the declared ceasefire.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had requested the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a statement he made on his social media platform. The contrasting statements from both sides indicate continued tension and mistrust following the ceasefire.

Implementation of Bangladesh’s Guchchhogram Phase III project, aimed at rehabilitating 20,000 landless and river erosion-affected families on government land, has become uncertain. Despite several meetings, the Planning Commission’s Project Evaluation Committee has not responded, delaying construction and leaving thousands of families in limbo. The project, titled “Climate Victims Rehabilitation Project,” was initially planned for July 2025 to June 2030 with a budget of Tk 776.62 crore, later reduced to Tk 760 crore after cost reviews.

According to the Land Ministry, feasibility studies were completed in April 2024, and the project’s manpower structure was approved in early 2025. However, the revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) faced repeated scrutiny for excessive and unclear expenses, including vehicle costs, allowances, and promotional spending. The Planning Commission has urged further cost rationalization and transparency in expenditure breakdowns.

Officials said the project remains under review but may be presented to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council soon. If implemented, it would provide housing, utilities, and livelihood support to vulnerable families across 64 districts, contributing to social security and rural resilience.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman have expressed opposing views on the presence of militant activity in the country. Speaking after a Coast Guard anniversary event in Dhaka, the Home Minister said there was no militant activity in Bangladesh, describing such claims as outdated and politically motivated. He argued that extremist threats no longer exist in the country’s current context.

In contrast, Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman told reporters at a separate briefing that militancy still exists in Bangladesh, though the government is working to reduce it to a “zero level.” He said both denying militancy entirely and exaggerating it for political gain were extreme positions. The adviser also confirmed that security had been tightened at airports and key installations following police warnings about possible attacks by a banned extremist group.

At the same briefing, Rahman announced a strict government stance against misinformation and disinformation in the media, urging journalists to maintain factual reporting while encouraging constructive criticism of the government.

Iran has lodged a formal complaint against the United States at the United Nations, accusing Washington of piracy. According to reports, Iran’s envoy to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, sent a letter to both the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council. In the letter, Iravani strongly protested the U.S. seizure of an Iranian vessel, describing the action as an act of piracy.

Iravani stated that such use of force cannot be justified under any circumstances. He further argued that the U.S. actions amounted to unlawful coercion, interference in legitimate international trade, and illegal confiscation of property. The Iranian envoy warned that this behavior sets a dangerous precedent that seriously undermines the rule of international law.

The letter reflects Iran’s continued opposition to U.S. maritime actions and highlights growing tensions between the two nations over enforcement measures at sea.

A female student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet was allegedly harassed over the phone after her mobile number was circulated on social media. The accused, a 25-year-old photocopy shop employee named Ashraful Islam from Zakiganj, was handed over to police on Tuesday night following interrogation at the university’s proctor office. The incident began on April 26 when the student visited a shop in Madina Market’s Haque Mansion to print her presentation paper, leading to a dispute over payment.

After the disagreement, the employee reportedly demanded more money, threatened the student, and later shared her phone number in various online groups. As a result, she received numerous harassing calls and messages from unknown individuals. The student filed a general diary at Jalalabad Police Station, prompting police to detain the suspect and bring him to the university for questioning.

According to the assistant proctor, the accused admitted his wrongdoing during preliminary questioning. Police confirmed that further legal action would follow once the university administration files a formal case.