Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, paid his last respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, alongside leaders from over 130 countries. During the ceremony, Yunus exchanged greetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, former U.S. President Joe Biden, and leaders from Finland, Kenya, Montenegro, Ecuador, East Timor, Honduras, Iceland, Portugal, and Belgium, among others.

Lamya (17), daughter of July Uprising martyr Jasim Uddin, committed suicide by hanging at her home in Shekhertek on Saturday night. She had recently been a victim of gang rape and was scheduled to travel to her village for university entrance exams preparation. Family members allege that threats and harassment, possibly via phone, led her to take her life. The rapists had reportedly been released on bail.

The Nationalist Citizen’s Party (NCP) has announced a protest rally in Dhaka on May 2, demanding the trial, deregistration, and political ban of the Awami League. The NCP also decided to form a ‘Political Council’ to oversee decision-making and an ‘Executive Council’ to implement its resolutions. A constitution drafting team was also formed, tasked with submitting a draft within a week.

A major failure in the national grid caused a blackout across 21 districts in southern Bangladesh, including Khulna and Barisal, starting at 5:48 PM Saturday. Power was gradually restored in Khulna by 8 PM and in other areas soon after. Officials attributed the blackout to a sudden surge in load due to high temperatures, causing a malfunction at the Amin Bazar substation.

After meeting with a delegation from the Chinese Communist Party, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said relations between the two parties are deepening. He noted that while the BNP had longstanding ties with the CCP, these relations had stalled for 15 years due to the ruling regime. Fakhrul said the CCP wishes to see a stable, democratic Bangladesh.

Rashed Khan of Gano Adhikar Parishad warned that if the Awami League returns to power, more massacres will follow. He demanded state reforms and the prosecution of the Awami League and its past crimes before any election. Khan emphasized the need for a clean political environment in a new Bangladesh, free from extortionists, land grabbers, and corrupt politicians. He also called for an immediate announcement of the election roadmap.

BNP leader Aminul Haque emphasized that the upcoming election would be more competitive and challenging than ever before, with a significant portion of voters coming from the youth. He stressed the importance of engaging with their mindset. Haque highlighted that the BNP’s 31-point framework focuses on education, healthcare, and economic reforms, including unemployment benefits for educated youth, correcting distorted history, and ensuring universal healthcare. He urged party members to avoid internal conflicts and prioritize the greater good.

At Central Women’s University convocation, Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul urged young people to work with dedication for the country, not just personal gain. He highlighted how historic movements like the July Revolution led to the fall of oppressive rulers and the birth of new nations. Nazrul encouraged students studying abroad to eventually return and contribute to their homeland’s development.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Fayzul Karim criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that Muslims in India are facing brutal persecution, with even their burial grounds being seized by the government. Addressing Modi directly, he warned, “You have forgotten the history of India, but Muslims have not. If they awaken, your throne will be shattered.” He further remarked that simply rejecting the Women’s Commission proposal is not enough; those responsible must face legal action, or the public will spit on Modi’s so-called ‘development’ just as they do on fascist regimes. Fayzul also called for reforms before any elections are held.

The Ex-Forces Association expressed hope that the death sentences handed down by the trial court for those convicted in the murder of Major (Retd.) Sinha Md. Rashed Khan will be upheld by the higher court and demanded the execution within one week of the verdict. The association highlighted that Pradeep Kumar Das, who served as an Officer-in-Charge, was responsible for at least 145 extrajudicial killings under the guise of “crossfire” and had amassed significant wealth through this practice. They also noted that in 2004, while stationed in Chattogram, Pradeep was suspended for attempting to seize a woman’s property. The association expressed satisfaction with the progress of the case.

Malaysian immigration authorities have detained 49 illegal immigrants, including seven Bangladeshis, in a recent operation. The detainees include six Indonesians, 14 from Myanmar, four Nepalese, nine Indians, five Pakistanis, and two each from Nigeria and Yemen. All detainees have been placed in the Lenggeng Immigration Depot for investigation and further action.

Battery-operated auto-rickshaw drivers staged a roadblock protest on Saturday morning in Kasba, protesting against extortion practices. The blockade was lifted following assurances from the Upazila administration. According to reports, the municipality had leased two auto-rickshaw stands in Kasba, with the leaseholders collecting 15 taka from each rickshaw daily. Drivers have been opposing this collection since last year. Multiple meetings have been held between the drivers and officials including UNO and municipal administrator Mohammad Shamiul Islam.

At the convocation ceremony of Central Women’s University, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan called on students to actively resist the encroachment of wetlands and forests, as well as combat plastic pollution, noise pollution, deforestation, and the climate crisis. She emphasized that education is not just about earning degrees but about a deep commitment to truth, justice, and environmental protection. She urged students to apply their education not just for earning a livelihood but to drive social change, nation-building, and to stand by marginalized communities. Rizwana highlighted that women are the most affected by climate change, framing the environmental struggle as inherently a feminist movement.

The Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan, announced that all preparations have been completed for the first cargo flight from Sylhet, making it Bangladesh’s second airport for cargo operations after Dhaka. A chartered Airbus A330-300 operated by Gallistair Aviation will depart Sunday evening for Spain, carrying 60 tons of ready-made garments. Ground handling services for the flight will be provided by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Cargo check-in, security, and all related arrangements have been finalized. Chief guest Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin will attend the inauguration ceremony of this first cargo flight.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has opposed the National Consensus Commission’s proposal to reduce the terms of Parliament and the Presidency to four years, insisting that the current five-year terms should remain unchanged. However, the party expressed support for the proposal to introduce a bicameral (two-chamber) Parliament. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the formation, nature, and process of a bicameral legislature. He added that the talks, focusing on constitutional reforms, have been quite productive and indicated that further discussions are expected.