Barishal City Corporation (BCC) Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin has declared May and June as 'Cleanliness Months' to transform Barishal into a modern and livable city. The announcement was made on Saturday at noon following the inauguration of a canal cleaning and tree-planting program on Zia Road in the city.

Shirin stated that the initiative aligns with the national program announced by the Prime Minister and the current government to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country. As part of this effort, BCC has planned to clean all canals within its jurisdiction. The two-month campaign aims to ensure a cleaner urban environment and marks the beginning of broader canal excavation, re-excavation, and renovation efforts.

The inauguration event was attended by BCC Chief Executive Officer Md. Rezaul Bari and other officials, along with leaders and activists from Barishal Metropolitan BNP’s affiliated organizations.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government is working to attract foreign investment to develop international-standard tourism infrastructure in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Saturday at the 'Beautiful Bangladesh Run 2026 (Season-2)' event held at Hatirjheel in Dhaka, where over a thousand participants joined the race to promote the country’s tourism sector domestically and internationally.

The minister stated that discussions are underway with the globally renowned company Emaar Properties, known for constructing the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates. Plans are being considered to involve the company under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to enhance tourism facilities in Bangladesh. He added that the tourism sector currently contributes about 2 to 3 percent to the GDP, with a target to raise it to 6 to 7 percent in the future.

The event, organized by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB), also featured prize distribution among marathon winners and remarks from representatives of the event’s sponsor, Rhythm Group, and ATJFB officials.

The Shahjalal University Press Club organized a human chain on Saturday afternoon in front of the central library building of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology to protest the recent attack on journalists at Dhaka University. The club leaders demanded that those involved in the incident be identified quickly and brought under the law for exemplary punishment.

Speakers at the event, including current and former leaders of the press club, said the attack on journalists was not an isolated event but a direct assault on freedom of expression. They alleged that those who fear the truth resort to such violence and warned that without ensuring journalists’ safety, the democratic environment would be at risk. Current president Noman Faisal stated that the growing trend of attacks on journalists poses a serious threat to the nation and that attempts to silence the media would only strengthen press freedom.

The participants expressed solidarity with the three-point demand announced by the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association and called for the immediate arrest and punishment of the attackers.

A protest rally and gathering were held in Purbadhala upazila of Netrokona on Saturday afternoon in response to an attack on the car of Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament Masum Mostafa. The event was organized by the local unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its affiliated organizations. The procession started from the party office, marched through the main streets, and concluded with a brief assembly demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible.

The rally was presided over by upazila Jamaat chief Mahfuzul Haque Khan Nayon, with district Jamaat leader Sadeq Ahmed Haris as chief guest and MP Masum Mostafa as the main speaker. Other local leaders also addressed the gathering, condemning the attack and urging unity against political violence. They stated that such incidents harm the democratic environment.

The attack occurred on Friday evening at a filling station in Atkapara area, where tension reportedly began over fuel purchase. Masum Mostafa later alleged that local BNP activists carried out a planned assault, temporarily detaining him before police intervened.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said the current government inherited a fragile economy and heavy debt burden due to the mismanagement of the previous administration. Speaking on Saturday at the National Press Club during a seminar titled “Ten Lakh Skilled Workforce in the European Labor Market: Masterplan (2026–2031) and Ensuring Migrants’ State Rights,” he emphasized that expanding remittance inflow is essential to keep the economy active.

The minister stated that the current BNP government is working cautiously to increase foreign currency earnings by sending skilled manpower abroad. To achieve this, the government has adopted several plans to develop skilled human resources. He added that remittances from expatriates are one of the main driving forces of the economy, and coordinated efforts among the government and stakeholders are needed to expand this flow and create new labor markets overseas.

Highlighting tourism as an alternative source of foreign currency, Swapan said that if international-standard infrastructure and environment are ensured in Kuakata or Cox’s Bazar, foreign tourists will visit, making tourism a strong alternative sector for foreign exchange earnings.

A severe diesel shortage in Jamalpur has rendered 28,000 irrigation pumps inoperative, putting around 50,000 hectares of Boro rice and other crops at serious risk. Farmers have been queuing for hours at petrol pumps and dealer points with jars and drums, but many are unable to obtain the fuel they need. Most fuel stations display 'no oil' signs, and limited supplies are far below demand, leading to growing frustration among farmers.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Jamalpur targeted Boro cultivation on about 200,000 hectares this season, with 53,368 irrigation pumps across seven upazilas, including 28,103 diesel-powered units. These pumps irrigate roughly 50,406 hectares of farmland, now threatened by the fuel crisis. Farmers report that irrigation intervals have lengthened drastically, causing soil cracks and drying rice plants.

District agricultural officials warn that prolonged shortages could affect production, while the Additional District Magistrate and head of the local fuel monitoring committee insists that diesel supply remains normal and that farmers are being prioritized.

Rumi A Hossain, sponsor director and chairman of the Board Executive Committee of Bank Asia, has been appointed as the new chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The appointment was made through a notification issued by the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry’s Biman-1 branch on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Alongside Hossain, four representatives from financial institutions have also been added to the airline’s board.

The new board includes Finance Division Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Javed Tanvir Khan, Engineer-in-Chief of Bangladesh Army Major General Md. Hasan Uz Zaman, BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim, Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman and CEO M Mashrur Reaz, UCB Chairman Sharif Zahir, DBL Group Vice Chairman Mohammad Abdur Rahim, X Index Companies Additional Managing Director Md. Mamunur Rashid, Barrister Khairul Alam Chowdhury of Chowdhury & Law Firm, and Dhaka University Professor Abu Naser Ahmed Ishtiaq. Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Kaiser Sohail Ahmed remains on the board by virtue of his position.

The chairman post had remained vacant for an extended period following the resignation of Sheikh Bashiruddin.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the nation must work to politically eliminate Jamaat-e-Islami, citing the party’s past record and public rejection. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, following a joint meeting. His comments came in response to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman’s statement that BNP came to power through engineering.

Fakhrul strongly condemned and rejected the Jamaat leader’s claim, calling it proof that Jamaat cannot think rationally. He asserted that international observers, election monitoring bodies, and the media unanimously recognized the recent election as the most free and fair since Bangladesh’s independence, through which BNP won 213 seats and formed the government. He accused Jamaat of attempting to undermine democratic progress and warned citizens to remain alert.

Senior BNP leaders including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Aminul Haque, and others were present at the briefing, which focused on defending the legitimacy of BNP’s government and denouncing Jamaat’s political stance.

Police in Chattogram released two leaders of the BNP’s Volunteer Wing and two party activists 12 hours after detaining them on extortion allegations. The arrests took place Friday afternoon in the Kotwali area near Laldighi Maidan, where the group was accused of forcibly collecting money from traders during the traditional Jabbar’s Boli Khela fair. They were released around 3 a.m. on Saturday.

According to police, the operation was led by Sub-Inspector Abul Hossain, who said the suspects were caught red-handed and handed over to the officer-in-charge. Witnesses reported that the men demanded between 1,000 and 3,000 taka from shopkeepers under the pretext of local fair management, leading to scuffles when some traders protested. Police intervened to restore order.

Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aftab Uddin stated that the trader who initially complained later withdrew his allegation, and his earlier statement was recorded on video. The reasons for the withdrawal were not explained in the report.

Black cumin cultivation is rapidly gaining popularity among farmers in Sadar upazila of Faridpur due to its low production cost and high profitability. Known scientifically as Nigella sativa, the spice crop also has significant medicinal value, driving demand both domestically and internationally. Farmers typically sow the crop in November after harvesting transplanted Aman rice and harvest it by late March.

Local farmers report that the region’s soil is well-suited for black cumin, yielding about 4 to 5 maunds per bigha, with current market prices ranging from Tk 12,000 to Tk 13,000 per maund. However, some farmers allege that syndicates of traders often deprive them of fair prices. Others note that favorable weather and loamy soil ensure better yields, while adverse conditions such as rain or fog during fruiting can reduce output.

According to the upazila agriculture officer, 495 hectares of land are under black cumin cultivation this year, up by 5 hectares from last year. The agriculture department continues to provide guidance and support, while stakeholders call for stronger government measures to stabilize markets and mitigate weather-related risks.

Advocate Md. Jalal Uddin, Member of Parliament for Kishoreganj-2 (Katiadi-Pakundia), announced that all development works under a new initiative will become visible within a year. He stated that six MPs from Kishoreganj have jointly launched the 'Kishoreganj Development Project' with a target investment of Tk 1,500 crore. A Project Director (PDO) has already been appointed, and the initiative aims to extend development to remote areas of Pakundia and Katiadi. He made these remarks on Saturday morning while inaugurating a rural road sustainability project under the Upazila Disaster Management Department.

Jalal Uddin added that he has twice spoken in the National Parliament about the development needs of Pakundia and Katiadi. He has requested the government to construct a four-lane road connecting the area to Dhaka, build a Pakundia-Gafargaon bridge, and upgrade the 50-bed Pakundia Upazila Health Complex to 100 beds. The event was conducted by BNP leader VP Md. Kamal Uddin and attended by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rupom Das and Project Implementation Officer Md. Abdul Mannan.

The MP expressed optimism that residents will gradually witness the progress of all development activities in the region.

The Parbatya Chattagram Chhatra Parishad (PCCP) and Parbatya Chattagram Nagorik Parishad (PCNP) organized protests in Dhaka and Rangamati on Saturday, condemning what they described as false and misleading information about the Chittagong Hill Tracts presented at the 25th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The demonstrations, including a human chain and rallies at the National Press Club, accused certain groups of attempting to tarnish Bangladesh’s image internationally.

Speakers at the Dhaka rally, including PCNP’s central organizing secretary Sheikh Ahmed Raju and PCCP Dhaka president Russell Mahmud, rejected the UN statements as one-sided and contrary to reality. They asserted that the Bangladesh Army ensures public safety in the hills and accused some expatriate representatives of ignoring local armed group violence while criticizing state development efforts.

The protesters issued several demands, including recovery of illegal arms from regional armed groups, reconstitution of the Land Commission with equal representation, completion of impartial land surveys, legal action against those defaming the state abroad, and strengthening of security operations in the hill region.

The Bangladesh International Textile, Knitting and Garment Industry Exhibition (BTKG Expo 2026) will begin on April 29 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka and continue until May 2. The four-day event is jointly organized by the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Inforchain Digital Technology Company Limited. Over 1,000 exhibitors from around 30 countries are expected to participate, showcasing textile machinery, dyes, chemicals, knitting and weaving technologies, embroidery, cutting and sewing equipment, and washing and dry-cleaning innovations.

At a press conference held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem highlighted the garment sector’s importance to Bangladesh’s economy, noting its contribution of over 80 percent of export earnings and 12–13 percent of GDP, employing more than four million people. He emphasized the need for greater technological advancement and sustainable production to remain competitive globally.

The exhibition will feature seminars organized by BKMEA, BUTEX, and Textile Today, focusing on industry trends, technological progress, and future strategies. The event will be open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Selima Rahman, a standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been nominated for the third time for a reserved women's seat, representing the Barishal region. According to her affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, her total assets amount to Tk 6.88 crore based on her latest income tax return.

The affidavit lists a 10,612-square-foot house valued at Tk 2.62 crore, though no details about its location or nature were provided. She declared Tk 70.99 lakh in cash, Tk 3.17 crore in bank deposits, and a personal vehicle valued at Tk 35.8 lakh. Her annual income from property is Tk 7.92 lakh, and she has investments worth Tk 28.11 lakh. The affidavit also mentions 30 bhori of gold valued at Tk 50,000 and furniture worth Tk 1.5 lakh.

Her liabilities include Tk 2.2 crore received as advance for a flat sale, Tk 1.2 crore borrowed from her daughter, and Tk 9.3 lakh in house rent dues. The report notes that eight cases filed against her in 2015 were withdrawn after a July uprising, and she currently faces no legal cases.

A man named Nazrul Islam, aged 50, died after setting himself on fire in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred in front of the Machhir Bazar mosque in Baraanjul village after his wife divorced him. Locals rescued him and took him to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura, but as his condition worsened, he was transferred to Dhaka, where he died around 11:15 p.m. on the way.

Local union parishad member Jharna Begum said Nazrul Islam had married the daughter of Bacchu Mia from the same village, and the couple had two sons. Their marital relationship had been troubled due to financial hardship, leading to previous separations before the final divorce. In distress, Nazrul poured petrol on himself and set himself ablaze.

According to Shahjahanpur Police Sub-Inspector Golam Mostafa, locals reported that Nazrul had been under mental pressure from debt and frequent quarrels with his wife.