A total of 32,532 Bangladeshi pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Hajj, according to the daily bulletin of the Hajj IT Helpdesk under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Of them, 3,284 traveled under the government management system and 29,248 under private management. By 3 a.m. on Friday, 81 flights had carried the pilgrims, including 33 flights by Biman Bangladesh Airlines with 13,684 passengers, 30 flights by Saudia with 11,299 passengers, and 18 flights by Flynas with 7,549 passengers.

The report also confirmed the deaths of two Bangladeshi pilgrims in Makkah—Abul Kashem from Tangail, who died of cardiac arrest, and Naim Uddin Mondal from Joypurhat, who passed away naturally. The official Hajj flights from Bangladesh began on April 18 with the first dedicated flight carrying 419 pilgrims. The outbound flight operations will continue until May 21, while return flights are scheduled between May 30 and June 30.

This year, a total of 5,565 pilgrims will perform Hajj under government management and 73,935 under private management, as per the ministry’s data.

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.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir in Islamabad, according to the Iranian embassy. The meeting focused on regional security and strengthening bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and National Security Adviser General Asim Malik also attended the discussions.

The Iranian delegation included Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei and Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amir Mokaddam. Both sides emphasized the importance of promoting peace and stability in the region and agreed to deepen security collaboration. Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday night, where he was received by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Munir.

The visit comes amid a deadlock in talks between the United States and Iran. Observers view the trip as a potentially significant step toward a second round of discussions between Tehran and Washington.

Legendary Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila is set to return to the Australian stage after nearly a decade. She will perform alongside Bengal Symphony and artist Emon Chowdhury in two grand concerts scheduled for August 1 and 8, 2026, in Sydney and Melbourne respectively. The first event, titled “Bangladesh Night,” will take place at Sydney’s Norwest Convention Centre, featuring performances by Runa Laila, Bengal Symphony, and Pintu Ghosh. The second concert, “Runa Laila and Symphony Legacy Tour,” will be held at Melbourne’s Recital Centre.

Organizers described the events as more than just concerts, promising audiences a memorable musical journey. Advance ticket sales have already begun online and are reportedly receiving a positive response. Runa Laila expressed her excitement about performing in Australia again and said she is preparing to sing audience favorites. She will travel to Sydney on July 29 with seven instrumentalists. Emon Chowdhury added that the team is enthusiastic about performing popular songs such as “Kotha Koyo Na,” “Baji,” “Sada Sada Kala,” and “Teka Pakhi.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined Bangladesh players Nahida Akter and Sharmin Sultana for breaching the Level 1 code of conduct during the second ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship against Sri Lanka. Both players were penalized 10 percent of their match fees and received one demerit point each. Nahida was found guilty under Article 2.5 for using language or gestures that could provoke a batter after dismissal, while Sharmin violated Article 2.8 for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision.

The incidents occurred in the 16th and 17th overs of the match. Nahida gestured toward Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu after her dismissal, and Sharmin expressed dissatisfaction with an LBW decision before leaving the field slowly. The on-field umpires, along with the third and fourth umpires, reported the offenses. Both players admitted their misconduct and accepted the sanctions, avoiding a formal hearing.

Under ICC regulations, Level 1 offenses carry penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a fine of up to 50 percent of match fees and one or two demerit points.

India is planning to transfer its stake in Iran’s Chabahar Port to an Iranian company, according to a report by Business Standard. The move comes as the U.S. sanctions waiver allowing India’s investment and use of the port is set to expire on April 26, 2026. To avoid potential sanctions risks, India is taking strategic steps before the waiver period ends.

The report adds that India is considering an interim arrangement under which an Iranian operator will manage the port during the sanctions period. Once sanctions are eased or lifted, India may resume its operations at the facility. This approach is based on a mutual understanding between the two sides.

India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone, a subsidiary of India Ports Global Limited, had been managing the port since December 24, 2018. The current plan reflects India’s effort to maintain its long-term strategic interests while navigating international restrictions.

The Water Development Board (Paubi) has issued a forecast warning of sudden flooding in Sunamganj district. The notice, signed by Executive Engineer Mamun Hawlader on Friday afternoon, stated that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected on April 27, followed by heavy to very heavy rainfall from April 28 to 30. Water levels in major rivers may rise above the danger mark, creating a risk of flash floods starting April 28.

The forecast has caused concern among local farmers, particularly those cultivating crops in the haor areas. The notice warned that the impending floods could damage standing crops. Farmers have been advised to harvest paddy that has ripened at least 80 percent as soon as possible to minimize potential losses.

Authorities have not yet detailed any emergency measures, but the advisory indicates heightened vigilance in the region ahead of the predicted rainfall period.

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.

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.