Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal declared that the practice of taking commissions or 'percentages' from contractors in development projects must end. He made the statement on Friday afternoon while addressing a gathering after inspecting the Paglar Canal excavation project in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrokona. Kamal warned that no irregularities or corruption in development work would be tolerated.

He emphasized his firm stance against corruption and mentioned that their leader Tarique Rahman has also announced a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Addressing contractors, Kamal instructed them to complete their work within the specified time and maintain the promised quality of materials such as bricks and rods.

The event was presided over by Rangchhati Union Parishad Chairman Anisur Rahman Pathan (Babul), with Upazila Nirbahi Officer S M Mikail Islam attending as a special guest.

Egyptian writer Hossam al-Hamalawy, in his book discussed with Middle East Eye, argues that Egypt’s 2011 revolution against Hosni Mubarak’s rule did not end dictatorship but instead paved the way for a harsher, more centralized, and violence-driven system under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He describes how Egypt’s security apparatus evolved from Mubarak’s fragmented police state into a unified structure designed to prevent any future mass uprising.

The author, drawing from personal experience of arrest and surveillance, explains that Mubarak’s regime relied on police power to suppress dissent, while the 2011 uprising exposed the fragility of that system. The military, he notes, intervened not to support democracy but to preserve the state. Subsequent governments, including the Muslim Brotherhood under Mohamed Morsi, failed to reform the security institutions, ultimately enabling the 2013 coup.

Under Sisi, Egypt’s repressive institutions were consolidated into what Hamalawy calls a “new republic.” Military and intelligence agencies became deeply embedded in civilian administration, media, and urban planning, transforming the state into a tightly controlled security apparatus aimed at preventing collective resistance.

Maulana Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, assistant secretary general of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and president of the party’s Dhaka South unit, expressed deep concern over reports of armed demonstrations in educational institutions expected after July. Speaking on Friday at the party’s monthly meeting in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, he said universities are meant to produce world-class citizens and researchers, not to become grounds for political confrontation.

He criticized both the government and opposition student organizations for displaying weapons over minor incidents, warning that such actions endanger the nation’s future generation. Kaiyum alleged that the government, despite winning recent elections, has pushed key state sectors, including the financial system, toward collapse. He further claimed that citizens are living in insecurity while the home minister has remained silent and both political camps have failed to control their student wings.

The meeting was attended by several senior leaders of Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Dhaka South unit, including Abdul Awal Majumdar, Altaf Hossain, and others.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam warned that if necessary, parliament and the streets would merge in their movement to implement the referendum verdict. He made the remarks on Friday at a public rally organized by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, demanding the execution of the referendum’s public mandate.

Nahid Islam alleged that Allama Mamunul Haque was prevented from entering parliament through conspiracy but could not be stopped on the streets. He said the NCP was in parliament to speak for the July certificate and referendum implementation, while Mamunul Haque and Nasiruddin Patwari were active on the streets. He criticized the government for repeated breaches of promises, rising commodity prices, fuel and vaccine crises, and attempts to politicize institutions and the judiciary.

He further warned that rejecting the referendum’s verdict would have dire consequences and that the people of Bangladesh would not tolerate fascism or authoritarianism. The NCP leader vowed to continue the struggle until the government accepted the public mandate.

The Indian government has strongly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump for sharing a social media post that described India as a 'hellhole'. The Ministry of External Affairs called the remark 'inappropriate' and 'distasteful'. Trump had reposted a statement from conservative host Michael Savage on his Truth Social account criticizing birthright citizenship in the U.S. The post falsely claimed that Indian immigrants in the tech sector discriminate against white Americans and mocked their English proficiency.

Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the comments were baseless and did not reflect the true nature of India-U.S. relations, which are built on mutual respect and shared interests. India’s opposition Congress Party also labeled the post as 'deeply insulting and anti-India'. In the U.S., the Hindu American Foundation called it 'racist and hateful', while Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera described it as offensive and ignorant.

The controversy comes just weeks before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s planned visit to India, raising concerns about renewed strain in bilateral ties already affected by disputes over oil imports from Russia and trade tariffs.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has announced a three-month program in Dhaka demanding the implementation of a referendum verdict and the resolution of ongoing national crises. The announcement was made by the party’s Amir, Mamunul Haque, during a public gathering held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Suhrawardy Udyan.

According to the declaration, the program will include citizen assemblies in every district during May, June, and July, followed by a mass rally in Dhaka on August 5. The event was presided over by Maulana Mamunul Haque and attended by several political leaders, including Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Col. (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, and Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju.

The gathering reflected a coalition of opposition and Islamist political figures emphasizing collective action to address political and social challenges through public mobilization.

Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh has called for a united stand against terrorism to ensure safe and peaceful educational institutions. The organization’s central president, Muntasir Ahmad, made the appeal on Friday after Juma prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, during a pre-rally gathering for an anti-terrorism march. He said that dominance struggles among student groups were polluting the academic environment and urged students and authorities to reject violence.

Ahmad described educational institutions as the conscience-building centers of a nation, lamenting that weapons, fear, and violence were darkening campuses. He accused some groups of turning campuses into centers of terror under the guise of student politics. The organization reaffirmed its uncompromising stance for a terrorism-free academic environment and pledged to continue peaceful protests if necessary.

As part of its anti-terrorism campaign, Islami Chhatra Andolan announced a nationwide human chain program to be held across all campuses on Sunday. Leaders also urged all student organizations to abandon revenge politics and promote tolerance and welfare-oriented student activities.

Myanmar’s government has declared a state of emergency across 60 townships in nine states and regions, according to local media reports on Friday. The measure, announced by the President’s Office on Thursday, aims to suppress armed unrest, restore stability, and reestablish law and order. Under the order, administrative and judicial powers have been transferred to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, who has delegated authority to regional commanders to directly oversee security operations.

Officials stated that commanders may further distribute responsibilities among subordinate officers as needed. The move effectively places the affected townships under military control, significantly expanding the army’s influence over civil administration and the judiciary. Civilian trials may now be conducted in military tribunals, where penalties could range from long-term imprisonment to capital punishment.

Earlier in the week, President Min Aung Hlaing set a 100-day deadline for peace talks with anti-government armed groups, inviting both signatories and non-signatories of the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement to participate.

ATM Azharul Islam, Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, warned that the outcome would not be good if people take to the streets to demand their rights. Speaking on Friday afternoon at a Jamaat-organized assembly in Badarganj High School auditorium, Rangpur, he urged the government to quickly implement the July Charter as approved by the people, saying constitutional excuses would not suffice.

He stated that citizens had overwhelmingly voted in favor of the July Charter through a referendum, but the government had forgotten its promises after coming to power. He accused the authorities of dismissing opposing views under the pretext of constitutional justification. Azharul Islam also criticized rising commodity prices, severe load-shedding lasting up to 16 hours in some areas, and the spread of extortion, claiming the government was indifferent to these issues.

He reiterated that every provision of the July Charter should be implemented as endorsed by the people, warning that ignoring public sentiment could lead to unrest.

Rezaul Hossain and Iarul Islam have been re-elected as chairman and secretary general of Bangladesh Congress. The announcement was made on Friday during the party’s 4th National Council held at Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club. Shafiqul Islam and Abdullah Al Mamun were elected as vice-chairmen, while Mizanur Rahman, Ziaur Rashid, and M Taher Uddin were chosen as joint secretaries. The oath for the newly elected leaders was administered by Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party.

In his remarks, chairman Kazi Rezaul Hossain warned that the government’s rising debt and fuel price increases would negatively affect public life by driving up commodity prices and reducing purchasing power. He also criticized the government’s consensus commission, claiming that despite spending about 15 million taka, Bangladesh Congress was excluded from participation. Additionally, he alleged that funds from canal excavation projects were being misused by local leaders.

The newly elected leaders pledged to strengthen and organize the party further. Representatives from various political parties, including JAGPA, Bangladesh Muslim League, and Bangladesh Labour Party, attended the council.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited West Bengal and took a boat trip on the Ganges River during his tour. After he shared photos of the visit on social media, political criticism followed. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mocked the prime minister, suggesting he should also take a dip in the Yamuna River.

According to Indian media reports, Banerjee made the remarks at a public rally in Howrah, saying Modi chose the Ganges because it is clean, unlike the polluted Yamuna in Delhi. She contrasted the two rivers, arguing that while the Ganges in Bengal is suitable for travel, the Yamuna remains heavily polluted under Modi’s government.

The Yamuna’s pollution has been a long-standing issue in Delhi, with little visible progress in controlling it despite repeated political discussions. Analysts view Modi’s Ganga trip as politically significant ahead of the West Bengal elections, especially after the recent budget announcement of a corridor to improve connectivity between Varanasi and Kolkata.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque has said that the ruling BNP cannot survive if it betrays the legacy of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. Speaking at a public rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Friday, he called on BNP leaders not to turn away from the political foundation that emerged from the February 12 election. He also linked the proposed July Revolution to the historical movements of 1905, 1921, 1947, 1971, 2013, and 2024, describing it as a continuation of Bangladesh’s national and Islamic heritage.

Haque warned that if BNP goes against the referendum that led to its formation, it would be seen as the only party in the world to betray such a process. He further criticized the government for growing unrest and the presence of weapons in educational institutions, saying the authorities would bear full responsibility if the situation worsens.

The rally also featured speeches from leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party, the Liberal Democratic Party, and other allied political groups.

The central committee of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student wing) has formed a four-member investigation committee following an incident involving journalists near Dhaka University. The decision was announced on Friday, April 24, 2026, through a press release signed by the organization’s office secretary, Md. Jahangir Alam. The statement described the attack on journalists as an undesirable event.

According to the release, the incident occurred a day earlier near Shahbagh Police Station, reportedly linked to a controversial Facebook post. Some leaders and activists of the Chhatra Dal were accused of involvement in the altercation with media workers. The committee includes central and Dhaka University unit leaders, led by Vice President Zahid Raihan Ahmed, with instructions to submit a written report within five days.

The directive for the investigation was issued by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. The committee’s findings are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine any organizational action.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that Lebanon’s goal is to end Israeli occupation and bring back security and prosperity across the country. He made the remarks in an interview with Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Anba, which was later published by Lebanon’s state news agency on April 24, 2026.

Salam emphasized that his government is working to secure both internal strength and international support, particularly from Arab nations, to overcome the country’s current difficulties. He described a sense of emerging hope in Lebanon despite the sensitivity and challenges of the situation, urging the nation to seize this opportunity to move toward solutions.

According to the prime minister, the Lebanese government remains active in seeking Arab backing to navigate ongoing crises and restore stability nationwide.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that power politics is re-emerging in Bangladesh’s universities and that institutions are being increasingly politicized. Speaking on Friday afternoon at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka, he said that after the July uprising, tendencies of inequality and partisanship have grown again across the country. He warned that if attempts are made to sustain fascism or authoritarianism, people will once again unite under the NCP’s banner.

Nahid Islam described the NCP as a political party born out of the historical struggle of the July uprising. He said the party aims to harness youth energy to bring reform and transformation to Bangladesh. According to him, the NCP has received overwhelming support nationwide and seeks to build an organized political force that reflects the aspirations of the young generation, ensures employment, eliminates inequality, and establishes democracy.

He also alleged that the government has turned the recent election into a mere power transition, separating it from the legacy of the July uprising, and that key constitutional reform proposals are being gradually dismissed.