AIG Enamul Haque Sagar confirmed that Interpol has issued a Red Notice against former IGP Benazir Ahmed over corruption allegations. This marks the first time in Bangladesh’s history that a former police chief has faced such a notice. Although the Red Notice was issued on April 10, Benazir’s photo and details are yet to appear on Interpol’s Most Wanted list, pending further procedural steps.

Speaking at the Earthna Summit, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need to build a prosperous, green, and sustainable world for future generations, driven by innovation and technology. He called for inclusive empowerment and highlighted the transformational potential of youth. Upon arrival in Qatar, Dr. Yunus received a red carpet welcome from Protocol Chief Ibrahim Fakhro and other officials.

More than 100 travelers, including 47 Bangladeshis, were detained at a South African airport on Sunday. Despite clearing immigration and collecting baggage, many were stopped by border guards. The reason for their detention remains unclear, and authorities are holding them at the airport. There is a possibility that they may be deported.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the government is committed to bringing back all MPs and ministers who fled abroad after committing crimes, including murder and corruption. He highlighted several upcoming meetings in Qatar focused on labor market expansion and energy cooperation. Dr. Yunus will also give an interview at Al Jazeera’s headquarters and participate in a 2.5-hour session on the Rohingya issue.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus departed Dhaka on a four-day official visit to Qatar on Monday evening via Biman Bangladesh Airlines. He will participate in the “Arthna Summit 2025” at the invitation of Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. According to Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Dr. Yunus is also expected to meet with the Emir during his visit.

Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Christian world, has passed away at the age of 88. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over his death. The first non-European pope since 741 AD, Pope Francis was widely respected for his continued efforts to reform the Catholic Church. Just a day before his death, he addressed thousands at St. Peter’s Square with a “Happy Easter” message.

Just two days before their scheduled visit to Israel and Palestinian territories, Israel has revoked the visas of 27 left-wing French MPs and local officials. This comes after Israel previously barred two members of the Israeli Labor Party from entry. Citing national law, Israeli authorities say they reserve the right to deny entry to individuals perceived as hostile to the Israeli state. The affected MPs, aligned with environmentalist and communist parties, condemned the move as “collective punishment” and called for intervention from French President Emmanuel Macron.

To ease the pressure on the Siliguri Corridor, India initiated a rail project worth around ₹5,000 crore, which includes significant projects like Akhaura-Agartala, Khulna-Mongla, and Dhaka-Joydevpur. However, the development train from Delhi to Dhaka has come to a halt. The Indian government has suddenly suspended ongoing and planned rail projects, citing political instability in Bangladesh and concerns over the safety of Indian workers. As a result of this setback, Delhi is now turning its attention to Bhutan and Nepal.

Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, has claimed responsibility for attacks on two military bases in northern Benin, reportedly killing 70 soldiers. This marks one of the deadliest assaults in the region in recent years. Jihadist violence in the Sahel began after a Tuareg uprising in Mali in 2012 and has since spread to Burkina Faso, Niger, and more recently, coastal nations like Benin, leading to thousands of deaths and mass displacement.

The US State Department has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Bangladesh, warning citizens to reconsider travel. A complete travel ban was placed on the Chittagong Hill Tracts—Khagrachhari, Rangamati, and Bandarban—due to risks including communal violence, kidnapping, and criminal activity. The advisory noted that both family disputes and religious targeting have led to abductions, and travelers require prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs to visit these areas.

The U.S. government has recently revoked the visas of nearly 5,000 international students, including many from India and Bangladesh. Around 50% of the cancellations are due to violations related to visa conditions, including fraud and misrepresentation. Officials have warned students to avoid agents and ensure they meet all academic and legal requirements.

Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem stated on Friday that the group will not consider disarmament. “The term ‘disarmament’ must be erased from our vocabulary,” he said. Senior leader Wafic Safa added that any negotiations over weapons would only occur after Israel completely withdraws from southern Lebanon and releases prisoners. He also stressed that Hezbollah has already transferred control of nearly 190 out of 265 military sites south of the Litani River to the Lebanese army.

In a late-night raid in Kuala Lumpur’s Medan Imbi area, Malaysian immigration authorities detained 506 undocumented migrants, including 165 Bangladeshis. Medan Imbi has long been known as a hotspot for illegal immigrants. Authorities reported violations such as overstaying visas, lack of proper documentation, and abuse of work visit passes. Immigration Chief Datuk Zakaria Shaban warned of strict action against violators.

National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman has said the government is actively engaging with all stakeholders to ensure Rakhine becomes a safe zone for Rohingya repatriation. He hopes the process will begin before the upcoming Eid. Speaking after a visit to a Rohingya camp where he met and prayed with residents, he urged them to advocate for repatriation on international platforms. Commenting on a Rakhine cultural event, Dr. Khalil noted that Bangladesh is a land of diverse faiths and traditions. He also hailed Myanmar’s agreement to repatriate 180,000 Rohingyas as a diplomatic success.

Following campus protests in support of Palestine, the U.S. canceled the visas of 327 international students last month, permanently banning them from reentering the country. Indian Congress leader Jairam Ramesh revealed that 50% of those affected were Indian nationals. He criticized the decision as opaque and alarming, highlighting that many of the targeted students had spoken out against U.S. support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza.