A newly constructed 120-meter RCC road from Sripur Chourasta to Baromi in Gazipur has developed cracks even before its official inauguration. The project, costing about 7 million taka, was implemented by contractor Arian Enterprise under the Annual Development Program (ADP). The road’s foundation stone was laid on March 4 by local MP Professor Dr. S.M. Rafiqul Islam.

Local residents and transport workers expressed concern over the premature cracks, questioning the quality of construction and warning of potential accidents. Some alleged that irregularities occurred during the project and accused a municipal engineer of collusion with the contractor. Assistant Engineer Harunur Rashid denied the allegations, attributing the cracks to intense sunlight and stating that repairs were underway. Chief Engineer Shahed Akhtar described the damage as minor hairline cracks caused by heat, assuring that proper treatment would follow.

Sripur’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer and municipal administrator Md. Nahid Bhuiyan said an on-site inspection would be conducted and action taken if faults were found. MP Rafiqul Islam emphasized that corruption in development work would not be tolerated.

A case has been filed against 63 people, including BNP leader Taher Talukdar, over an attack and vandalism on the car of Jamaat MP Masum Mostafa in Purbadhala upazila of Netrokona. The case, lodged on Friday night by Al-Amin, a youth wing activist of the local Jamaat unit, also names 50 to 60 unidentified individuals. Following the filing, a joint operation by the district detective branch and local police led to the arrest of nine suspects, including one named in the case.

The incident occurred on Friday evening at a filling station in Atkapara area, where tension reportedly arose over refueling. The MP’s car was vandalized, and he was briefly confined before being rescued by police and administration officials. Masum Mostafa later alleged that local BNP activists had planned the attack, while BNP leader Babul Alam Talukdar claimed he helped move the MP to safety.

Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tasnin Jahan described the event as an unwanted incident caused by unruly individuals and confirmed that additional police have been deployed in the area.

The Trump administration has launched an active diplomatic campaign to prioritize U.S. companies in rebuilding Gulf countries damaged by recent Iranian counterattacks. According to reports citing U.S. and Arab officials, Washington has urged Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to work with American engineering, manufacturing, and construction firms. The United States views these nations as potential clients after widespread infrastructure damage, while Saudi Arabia and Oman were less affected.

U.S. officials have emphasized the long-standing economic partnership between the United States and Gulf nations, framing the effort as part of the administration’s “America First” policy that prioritizes economic diplomacy. However, some Arab officials described the initiative as ill-timed, noting regional anxiety over renewed conflict and uncertainty about U.S. security commitments. Rystad Energy estimated that repairing energy infrastructure alone could cost around $39 billion, while Iran reported total economic losses of about $270 billion.

A fragile ceasefire remains between the United States and Iran, but tensions persist around the Strait of Hormuz. Washington may seek financial cooperation, including currency swap deals, to secure U.S. corporate involvement in the region’s reconstruction.

Retired Colonel Oli Ahmad warned that the current government lacks the capacity to handle a potential mass movement. Speaking at a national rally organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, he advised the government to avoid those who flatter or mislead and instead consult experienced individuals. He urged the leadership not to remain idle out of fear or arrogance.

Ahmad called on the government to engage with opposition leaders to find solutions to national problems and to implement the referendum reform verdict within two to three days. He cautioned that failure to do so could trigger widespread protests across the country, which the government might not be able to control if demonstrations spread beyond Dhaka to all 64 districts.

He further advised the authorities to take strict action against extortion within their ranks and to demonstrate accountability to the public, emphasizing the need for responsible governance and respect for the people’s mandate.

Cumilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah made a public appeal on Friday night through a Facebook post, urging newly admitted first-year students not to compromise their integrity or submit to undue influence. In his message, he called on students to remain steadfast, avoid becoming subservient to others, and resist any attempts to restore a system that has already been dismantled. He also referenced a line from a poem by Khudiram to emphasize courage and solidarity.

The post, shared on April 25, 2026, was published by the online edition of the newspaper Amar Desh. It reflects Abdullah’s call for moral independence and collective responsibility among the youth entering higher education. The message appears to be a broader appeal for ethical strength and civic awareness in the face of social or political pressures.

The statement did not include further details about the specific system he referred to or any official response to his remarks.

Mosharraf Hossain, father of martyr Meherun Nesa from the July uprising, declared that the new Bangladesh formed after the movement must not operate in an authoritarian manner. Speaking on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at a national rally organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Suhrawardy Udyan, he demanded immediate implementation of the 'July Charter' through a national referendum. He warned that if the charter is not realized, people would again take to the streets in large numbers under the call of the 11-party alliance.

During his speech, Hossain urged Tarique Rahman to fulfill his promise to implement the July Charter and not to create further complications. He emphasized that the sacrifices of the movement’s martyrs should not be undermined and cautioned against adopting autocratic behavior similar to that of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He stated that the families of the martyrs expect the new leadership to build a just and democratic Bangladesh.

Hossain’s remarks reflected growing pressure on political leaders to honor commitments made during the uprising and to ensure that the post-movement government remains accountable to the people.

Assistant Secretary of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami A H M Hamidur Rahman Azad announced that the party and its allies would launch a street movement to implement the recent referendum verdict. He made the statement on Saturday morning at a national rally of July martyrs’ families and July fighters held at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. The event was organized by Jamaat-e-Islami to press for immediate enforcement of the referendum’s outcome.

Azad criticized the government, saying that despite the prime minister’s claim of commitment to implementing the July Charter, the public no longer believes such assurances. He warned that if the government failed to take an oath under the Constitutional Reform Council, the families of July martyrs would stage a sit-in in front of the parliament. The rally began at 10 a.m. with Quran recitation and Islamic songs before political speeches commenced.

The statement reflects Jamaat’s continued pressure on the government to honor the referendum result and signals possible escalation of political mobilization if demands remain unmet.

At a national rally organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, opposition leaders demanded the implementation of the July Charter in line with the results of a recent referendum. The event brought together families of those killed in the July uprising and thousands of injured participants from across the country. National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam addressed the gathering as a special guest.

Nahid Islam stated that Bangladesh had envisioned change through the July uprising, but the ruling BNP was obstructing reforms and rejecting the referendum that it had initially supported. He accused the government of politicizing institutions, denying economic and law-and-order problems, and closing doors to cooperation. He warned that following the path of past authoritarianism would provoke public resistance.

He further remarked that no government in Bangladesh’s history had become so unpopular in such a short time. The opposition vowed to continue its movement both in parliament and on the streets to ensure the implementation of the July Charter and to honor the sacrifices of the July uprising.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran is in the process of sending a proposal to the United States amid ongoing discussions between the two countries. In a phone interview with Reuters on Friday, Trump said he was not yet certain about the details of the proposal but confirmed that talks were continuing with Iranian officials currently in charge.

According to Trump, Iran appears interested in reaching an agreement through negotiations. He added that Tehran’s proposal is being prepared with the aim of addressing U.S. demands. The president did not disclose further details about the nature or timeline of the discussions.

The development signals a potential step toward renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, though the specifics of Iran’s proposal remain unclear.

Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik stated that the United States is looking for an 'honorable' way to exit the ongoing war. His remarks came as U.S. representatives prepared to visit Pakistan for peace discussions, while an Iranian delegation was also in the country. However, Iran clarified that there is no possibility of direct talks between the two sides.

According to Talaei-Nik, Iran’s military has become a powerful force, and the opposing side is now trapped in the quicksand of war, seeking a respectable way to withdraw. The statement coincides with the planned arrival of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Islamabad for the peace mission.

The timing of these parallel visits underscores the complex diplomatic environment surrounding the conflict, though the source did not specify whether any formal engagement between the U.S. and Iranian delegations is expected.

Police in Debiganj, Panchagarh, detained a 16-year-old college student named Nishat Islam for posting a Facebook comment critical of State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad. The arrest took place at midnight on Friday in the Hajipara area of Debiganj Sadar Union. Nishat, an eleventh-grade student at Sonahar BM College, had shared a parliamentary speech by the minister with a caption mocking him.

According to police sources, the post spread widely on social media before Nishat deleted it. The content reportedly caused reactions in local political circles and created tension in the area. Later that night, Abdus Salam, joint convener of the Debiganj Sadar Union unit of Jubo Dal, filed a complaint against the student.

Debiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Selim Malik confirmed that a case was filed under the Cyber Security Act following the complaint. The incident has drawn attention locally due to the involvement of a government minister and the use of social media in the alleged offense.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that if the verdict of the referendum is not respected, the struggle will continue both inside and outside parliament. He made the remarks on Saturday, April 25, at a Jamaat-e-Islami rally held at Suhrawardy Udyan. Rahman criticized the BNP for allegedly forgetting its 31-point agenda after coming to power and accused the party of following a path of fascism.

He stated that while the BNP accepts the verdict of 51 percent of voters, it refuses to accept the decision of 70 percent, calling this attitude regrettable. Rahman also said that Jamaat had raised demands in parliament from the first day, but others had failed to take their oaths, thereby betraying the nation. He emphasized that unless certain laws are amended and ordinances implemented, the fascist system will not change.

Rahman concluded by expressing his vision for a safer and more just Bangladesh, where citizens, including children and women, can move freely without fear and where educational institutions remain peaceful and focused on learning.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, has presented a four-point reform proposal aimed at ending the long-standing culture of custodial torture and impunity in Bangladesh. Speaking on April 25, 2026, at a national consultation held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, he alleged that despite existing laws against torture, enforcement has been weak and often misused. Rahman also stated that he himself had been subjected to torture by state agencies and imprisoned for nearly five years for running a newspaper and publishing the truth.

He outlined four key reforms: political will from the highest level of government, judicial independence and oversight of police remand, modern training for law enforcement to replace physical coercion, and compensation and rehabilitation for victims of state or police torture. Rahman emphasized that structural reforms and a change in mindset are essential for real progress beyond signing international conventions or passing laws.

The event was part of a two-day national consultation organized by human rights group Odhikar with support from the international organization OMCT, focusing on implementing the UN Convention Against Torture and its Optional Protocol in Bangladesh.

A coordination meeting between Member of Parliament Md. Akhtaruzzaman Bachchu and district and upazila-level officials was held in Gafargaon, Mymensingh. The event took place on Friday afternoon at the auditorium of Abdur Rahman Degree College. The meeting focused on local development issues and was attended by officials from various government departments and public representatives.

The session was presided over by Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner Md. Saifur Rahman and conducted by Gafargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer N M Abdullah-Al Mamun. Police Superintendent Md. Kamrul Hasan and other officials also spoke at the event. MP Bachchu delivered the main address, emphasizing development matters concerning the Gafargaon area.

The meeting reflected ongoing coordination between administrative authorities and elected representatives to advance local development agendas in Mymensingh district.

Palestinians are casting ballots in the first election held since the Gaza war began. Voting is taking place in a central area of the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, where municipal elections opened at 7 a.m. local time. According to the Ramallah-based Central Election Commission, about 1.5 million people are registered to vote in the West Bank and 70,000 in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah area.

This marks the first Palestinian election since Israel launched its war in Gaza in October 2023. The conflict has left much of the population struggling to meet basic needs. At least 72,568 people have been killed and more than 172,338 Palestinians injured in the Gaza Strip since the fighting began.

The vote is seen as a significant political event amid the ongoing devastation, though the source does not specify the participating parties or the expected outcomes.