Farmers across the vast haor wetlands of Kishoreganj are now busy harvesting boro paddy, but the festive mood is overshadowed by frustration over low market prices and high production costs. Despite golden fields stretching across Austagram and nearby areas, thousands of farmers are facing severe financial strain due to waterlogging from heavy rains and soaring expenses for irrigation, fertilizer, transport, and labor.

Field visits revealed that production costs have increased several times compared to last year, leaving farmers unable to cover even daily wages by selling a maund of paddy. Many reported selling wet paddy at only Tk 700–800 per maund, far below the Tk 1,200 production cost. The Department of Agricultural Extension said 104,535 hectares of land were cultivated in Kishoreganj’s haor areas this season, targeting 1.3 million metric tons of output.

Although the government fixed the procurement price at Tk 36 per kilogram on April 22, small and marginal farmers remain doubtful about receiving fair prices due to middlemen’s influence. Locals have demanded direct government purchase from genuine farmers to eliminate syndicates and prevent further losses.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast storms and rain in parts of the northern region even as a mild heatwave continues across the country. In a forecast issued for inland river ports from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, the department said Rangpur and Mymensingh regions may experience gusty or squally winds at speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour, accompanied by thunderstorms and rain. River ports in these areas have been advised to display cautionary signal number one.

A separate five-day forecast issued on Friday evening said an extension of a low-pressure area stretching from West Bengal to the North Bay of Bengal could bring rain and hail in several parts of the country in the coming days. Temporary gusty winds, lightning, and scattered hail are likely in parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions. Other regions may remain partly cloudy but mostly dry.

Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged, with the mild heatwave persisting over several districts including Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Khulna.

Import, export, and immigration operations at Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh resumed on Saturday morning after a four-day closure caused by elections in West Bengal, India, and a government holiday. Following the reopening, consignments of LC stones were imported from Bhutan and India. By 4:30 p.m., 196 trucks carrying stones, ginger, and sugar had entered the port, with the remaining trucks expected by 6 p.m.

On the export side, 76 trucks carrying soybean meal, cotton rem, jute roll, and Nasir goods departed from Bangladesh. The clearing and forwarding (C&F) association’s general secretary Jahangir Alam said that after the four-day break, the port’s activities restarted smoothly, restoring vibrancy among workers and traders. The port manager, Abul Kalam Azad, confirmed the resumption of operations.

The Banglabandha land port typically handles around 250 trucks daily from India and Bhutan, and the return to normal operations is expected to stabilize cross-border trade flows.

A Cumilla court has ordered former army officer (retired) Hafizur Rahman to be sent to jail after completion of his three-day remand in the widely discussed Sohagi Jahan Tonu murder case. The order was issued on Saturday afternoon by Chief Judicial Magistrate Abdullah Aman following Hafizur’s appearance before the court. According to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), he was interrogated for three days before being presented to the court.

Investigating officer Tarikul Islam said that several important pieces of information were obtained during the remand, which are now being verified. He added that Hafizur’s DNA sample has been collected and sent for testing, and further legal steps will be taken after receiving the report. The court had earlier granted the remand on Wednesday following a request from investigators.

The PBI arrested Hafizur Rahman last Tuesday night in Keraniganj, marking the first arrest in the case in ten years. The 2016 murder case has seen seven investigators from four agencies, with little progress until this recent development.

The United States has suspended the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh. The announcement was made on Saturday, April 25, 2026, through a verified Facebook post by the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. According to the embassy, the U.S. Department of State halted immigrant visa issuance for these countries due to a high rate of government assistance use among immigrants supported by U.S. taxpayers. The suspension does not apply to non-immigrant visas such as tourist or student visas.

The State Department documents cited by the embassy indicate that the review process for applicants will be reassessed to prevent individuals likely to depend on public assistance from entering the United States. Until this review is completed, the issuance of immigrant visas will remain suspended. The suspension has been in effect since January 21, 2026, covering a wide range of countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Further details were provided through a link shared by the embassy for those seeking additional information on the suspension and its implications for affected applicants.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has strengthened security across the capital following a police headquarters directive warning of possible militant attacks nationwide. However, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit has urged the public not to panic. At a press briefing at the DMP Media Center on Mintu Road, CTTC Joint Commissioner Munshi Shahabuddin said law enforcement and cyber intelligence teams are actively working on the issue and are confident about handling any threat.

The police headquarters earlier instructed all units, including range DIGs, metropolitan commissioners, and district police superintendents, to enhance protection at key installations. The directive followed intelligence that a banned extremist group might target national landmarks such as the National Parliament, law enforcement facilities, religious sites, entertainment centers, and areas like Shahbagh. Arrested members of the group were reportedly in contact with two dismissed security personnel. Authorities also warned of potential use of explosives, sharp weapons, or firearms.

The CTTC briefing also revealed that four individuals were arrested for online fraud related to SSC exam question leaks, though the supplied questions did not match the originals.

Bangladesh women’s cricket team lost the three-match ODI series 2–1 to Sri Lanka after suffering a seven-wicket defeat in the final match held in Rajshahi on April 25, 2026. Despite winning the opening match and taking an early series lead, the hosts failed to maintain momentum in the decider. Batting first, Bangladesh posted 213 for 8 in 50 overs, but Sri Lanka comfortably chased the target with 21 balls remaining.

Sri Lanka’s chase began shakily with captain Chamari Athapaththu dismissed for 19, but Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani steadied the innings with a 108-run stand for the second wicket. Dulani scored 56, while Perera fell for 95 after adding another 78 runs with Harshitha Samarawickrama, who remained unbeaten on 44. For Bangladesh, Marufa Akter took two wickets and Sobhana Mostary claimed one.

Earlier, Sobhana Mostary top-scored for Bangladesh with 74 off 80 balls, while captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti made 40 from 90 deliveries. Despite a late cameo from Ritu Moni, Bangladesh could not post a challenging total, allowing Sri Lanka to secure the series win.

Police in Cumilla recovered the body of Assistant Revenue Officer Bullet Bairagi about 12 hours after he went missing while returning home from training in Chattogram. The body was found on Saturday afternoon in the Kotbari Bishwaroad area of Cumilla Sadar Dakshin upazila. Bairagi, aged 35, served in the Customs, Excise and VAT department and was the son of Sushil Bairagi from the Panpotti area of Cumilla city.

According to police and local sources, residents discovered a body lying by the roadside and informed the authorities. Police later identified the body as that of Bullet Bairagi. Family members said he had last spoken to them around 2:25 a.m. on Friday night, informing them he had reached the Tomchom Bridge area of Cumilla. His phone was later found switched off, prompting the family to file a general diary with Kotwali Model Police Station.

Police have sent the body for autopsy and begun an investigation to determine the cause of death.

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.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the national women’s team for the upcoming three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka. The matches will be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on April 28, April 30, and May 2, each starting at 1:30 p.m. The squad combines experienced players and emerging talents, aiming for a balanced lineup for the home series.

Regular captain Nigar Sultana Joty will lead the team, with spin all-rounder Nahida Akter serving as vice-captain. The squad includes Dilara Akter, Shobnom Mostary, Fahima Khatun, Sharmin Akter Supta, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sharmin Sultana, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Sultana Khatun, Shanjida Akter Maghla, and Jueria Ferdous. Standby players are Fargana Hoque, Sharifa Khatun, Fargana Yasmin, and Taj Nehar.

Playing at home is expected to boost Bangladesh’s confidence, with local conditions in Sylhet likely to favor spinners such as Nahida Akter and others in the bowling lineup.

Police in India's northeastern state of Manipur reported that three people were killed in gunfire between rival ethnic groups in Mullam village of Ukhrul district late Friday night. Authorities said security forces have been reinforced in the area to prevent further escalation, and operations remain ongoing.

Manipur has faced nearly three years of conflict between the majority Hindu Meitei community and the predominantly Christian Kuki community. The violence, rooted in disputes over land and government jobs, has claimed more than 250 lives so far. Human rights activists have accused local political leaders of aggravating the divisions for political gain.

Although the situation had calmed somewhat, renewed clashes earlier this month left four people dead, including two children, after a Kuki group attack triggered a retaliatory assault by Meitei members on a paramilitary camp.

Education Minister Dr. Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for 2027 will be held in December 2026. The decision aims to resolve the ongoing session backlog in the country's education system. The minister made the announcement on Saturday after a meeting at the Secretariat regarding the transfer policy for MPO-listed teachers and staff.

He explained that the government is determined to eliminate session delays affecting students’ academic progress. The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and political circumstances had previously disorganized examination schedules. By advancing the SSC exams by about four months, the ministry seeks to restore the academic calendar to its regular rhythm.

The minister also mentioned that the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations would similarly be brought forward, though he did not specify when those exams would begin.

Nahida Brishti, a former student of Noakhali Science and Technology University (Nobiprobi) and a PhD researcher at the University of South Florida, has died in the United States. The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Ismail, expressed deep sorrow and condolences in a statement issued on Saturday, describing her as a talented and promising student from the 13th batch of the Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department.

In his message, the vice-chancellor said Brishti’s untimely death was an irreparable loss to the university community. He called for strict punishment under U.S. law for those involved in her death and demanded compensation for her family. He also prayed for the eternal peace of her soul and strength for her bereaved family to endure the loss.

According to the report, Brishti and another Bangladeshi student, Jamil Limon, had been missing since April 16, 2026, from the University of South Florida. Later, both were confirmed dead. Brishti’s family home is in Faridpur district, and her death was confirmed by her brother Zahid Hasan Pranto and department chairman Professor Dr. Fateh Nur Robel.

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 Ministry of Defense has stated that a significant portion of the country’s missile capability remains unused. The ministry also reported that more than one thousand types of weapons are currently being produced domestically using Iranian technology.

According to ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik, despite recent conflicts involving the United States and Israel, Iran continues to maintain a high level of defensive and counterattack readiness. He added that thousands of institutions across the country are contributing to weapons production, and that manufacturing will not stop even if some facilities are damaged.

Talaei-Nik further described the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic tool under Iran’s control, underscoring its importance in the country’s defense posture.