A trader named Khairul Islam was arrested in Haropara village of Bhangura upazila, Pabna, for producing fake milk. A mobile court led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mizanur Rahman sentenced him to six months of imprisonment and imposed a fine of one lakh taka. The operation took place late Saturday night.

During the raid, authorities seized fake milk, soybean oil, and two machines used in the production process. According to the report, Khairul had been manufacturing fake milk using harmful jelly, soybean oil, and other ingredients, which he supplied to a local sealing center of a company named Pran.

The mobile court’s action highlights ongoing efforts to curb the production and distribution of adulterated food products in the region.

At least 12 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Friday, according to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera. The attacks, which violated an existing ceasefire, included a strike on a police vehicle in Khan Younis that killed eight people, among them three civilians. Two police officers were killed in a separate attack in Gaza City, while two others died in a bombing on a house in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.

The Gaza Interior Ministry urged the international community to intervene to stop the attacks, stating that the Khan Younis strike occurred after security forces attempted to halt a local clash. In its statement, the ministry criticized what it described as the silence of international organizations over attacks targeting civilian police, calling such inaction indirect cooperation with Israeli occupation forces.

The ministry warned that continued silence could encourage further violence, emphasizing the need for immediate international response to prevent escalation.

The United States Army has officially increased the maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42 years, effective April 20, 2026, under a revised version of Army Regulation 601-210. The change applies to the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. The new directive also removes the waiver requirement for individuals previously convicted once for possession of marijuana or other controlled substances. The adjustment aims to expand the pool of eligible recruits as the Army faces one of its most severe manpower shortages since 1973.

According to official data, the Army met its recruitment goals in 2024 and 2025 but failed to do so in 2022 and 2023, and has consistently missed targets for the Army Reserve. Analysts attribute the shortfall to factors such as public opposition to wars, particularly against Iran, and declining interest among younger Americans. The Army Recruiting Command cited labor market shifts, limited awareness of military service, obesity, drug use, and mental health issues as key barriers to youth enlistment.

Military analysts note that the policy aligns the Army’s age limit more closely with other service branches and may help offset declining youth participation in the armed forces.

Sarba Mitra Chakma, an executive member of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), has called on Islami Chhatra Shibir to leave behind its secretive political activities and participate openly in politics. He made the remarks in a Facebook post on Friday, April 24, 2026, stating that it was his personal wish for Shibir to engage in transparent political practices.

In his post, Chakma questioned the need for Shibir’s covert politics, noting that the Awami League was no longer in power. He highlighted that, despite the absence of any state ban on the organization, Shibir activists are often treated as if they are “killable beings,” with society and the state having normalized such attitudes over the past seventeen years. He also referred to a recent statement by a former Islami University Chhatra Dal leader who threatened violence against Shibir members.

Chakma concluded that before Shibir can fully enter open politics, society must first ensure their human rights and end the perception that their lives are expendable.

An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi. The visit coincides with the White House announcement that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will also travel to Pakistan for discussions involving Iran. However, Iran has stated that it will not hold any meetings with the United States.

Andrabi said on social media that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Chief and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other senior officials welcomed Araghchi. During the visit, the Iranian foreign minister is expected to discuss recent regional developments and ongoing efforts for peace and stability with Pakistan’s top leadership.

The trip is being viewed as a significant step toward potential second-round talks between Iran and the United States, though Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reiterated that no meeting with US officials is planned. The White House noted that if discussions progress, US Vice President JD Vance is prepared to visit Pakistan.

In Chattogram’s Khatunganj, one of Bangladesh’s largest wholesale spice markets, prices have remained largely stable over the past two months despite increased demand ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. However, retail markets across the country have seen sudden price hikes. Retailers attribute the rise to higher transportation costs caused by a fuel crisis, which has doubled freight charges and slowed delivery times from production areas to major markets.

Traders report that while wholesale onion prices range between Tk 22 and Tk 28 per kilogram, retail prices are significantly higher, with similar gaps seen for garlic, chili, and coriander. Imported dry chili now sells at Tk 400 per kilogram, up by Tk 8–10 in two weeks, while coriander and nutmeg prices have also risen. In contrast, turmeric prices have declined slightly. Business leaders warn that if fuel and transport costs continue to rise, spice prices could surge further before Eid.

Market associations urge government monitoring to reduce the widening gap between wholesale and retail prices and prevent potential market instability.

In an article published on April 25, 2026, governance and public policy expert Dr. Yusuf Zarif examines the qualities of effective leadership and the challenges facing Bangladesh. He argues that the country’s political leadership has historically lacked strategic vision, institutional discipline, and moral integrity, leading to weak democratic institutions and a culture of personal glorification. Zarif links these shortcomings to the failures of past interim governments and the inability to build a just and accountable state.

The article contrasts Bangladesh’s experience with the leadership models of South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Rwanda. Zarif highlights how visionary leaders such as Park Chung-hee, Mahathir Mohamad, Lee Kuan Yew, and Paul Kagame achieved national transformation through strategic foresight, institutional reform, and policy independence. He notes that these leaders prioritized meritocracy, national unity, and self-reliance over external influence.

Zarif concludes that without strengthening leadership competence and ethical governance, Bangladesh will struggle to overcome its institutional fragility and dependency on foreign policy guidance. The country’s future progress, he suggests, depends on cultivating visionary and morally grounded leadership.

Bangladesh has formally sought an extension of its timeline for graduating from least developed country (LDC) status, citing global financial challenges and the need for a smoother transition. The request was presented by Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, during the general debate of the ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum 2026 held at the UN headquarters on Thursday. The country asked to move its graduation date from November 24, 2026, to November 24, 2029.

Bangladesh first qualified for LDC graduation in 2018 and 2021 based on three criteria—per capita income, human assets, and economic and environmental vulnerability. The original graduation date was set for 2024 but was extended to 2026 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government’s letter to the UN Committee for Development Policy highlighted domestic and international challenges, including geopolitical tensions, reduced development aid, climate impacts, trade barriers, and energy uncertainty.

The ambassador emphasized that Bangladesh is prioritizing macroeconomic stability, rebuilding business confidence, strengthening the banking sector, and expanding support for vulnerable populations to ensure a sustainable transition.

The United States has claimed to have seized an Iran-flagged vessel. According to the US Central Command, the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta intercepted the ship as it was heading toward an Iranian port. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, though further details about the vessel or the circumstances of the seizure were not disclosed.

At the same time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting Pakistan, a trip viewed as a significant step toward potential second-round talks between Iran and the United States. The visit coincides with preparations by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who are expected to travel to Pakistan on Saturday to participate in discussions aimed at ending the conflict with Iran.

The developments suggest renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, with Pakistan emerging as a possible venue for dialogue following the reported maritime incident.

A report published on April 25, 2026, accuses the former Awami League government of widespread corruption and mismanagement in Bangladesh’s major infrastructure projects. It claims that several mega projects, including the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Padma Bridge, and Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, were marked by excessive costs, poor planning, and delays. The interim government’s white paper committee and task force found that eight major projects exceeded initial budgets by 7.52 billion dollars, citing weak planning, delays, and corruption as key causes.

The report highlights that projects such as the Karnaphuli Tunnel are operating far below expectations, incurring heavy losses and failing to deliver promised benefits. It also notes that 95 percent of these projects were financed through foreign loans, creating severe repayment pressure. The railway sector, despite massive investment, continues to suffer losses due to inefficiency and inflated costs.

According to the report, inflated construction costs, project delays, and poor design have turned many of these ventures into burdens for citizens. Projects like the Gazipur-Airport BRT and Lal Khan Bazaar-Airport Elevated Expressway remain incomplete, causing public suffering and raising questions about accountability.

The July Uprising Memorial Museum, planned at Dhaka’s former Ganabhaban after the 2024 July Revolution, remains unopened despite repeated government assurances. The interim government had announced the transformation of the royal residence into a museum honoring the student-led uprising, but bureaucratic delays and political inertia have stalled its inauguration. Although the July Uprising Memorial Museum Bill 2026 was passed on April 10, giving the project permanent legal status, the gates remain closed to the public.

Families of martyrs and injured activists have expressed frustration over the delay, blaming administrative inefficiency and lack of political will. Some allege that influential bureaucrats linked to the previous regime are obstructing progress, while others maintain that the current government is sincere and working to open the museum soon. The project, approved in July 2025 with a budget exceeding 400 million taka, was initially scheduled for an August 2025 launch.

The museum features thematic galleries using digital and visual technology to document the revolution, with preserved artifacts, letters, and footage. It will operate as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, with branch museums at former detention sites known as “Ainaghars.”

Real Madrid stumbled again in the La Liga title race after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer against Real Betis, resulting in a 1-1 draw on April 25, 2026. Despite taking an early lead through Vinícius Júnior in the 17th minute, Real failed to secure victory as Héctor Bellerín scored in the 94th minute to level the match. The draw denied Madrid a chance to close the gap with league leaders Barcelona.

Throughout the match at Betis’ home ground, Real faced strong resistance. Betis controlled 52 percent of possession and took 19 shots, four on target, while Real managed 12 shots with eight on target. Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham missed opportunities to extend the lead, and Mbappé had a goal disallowed for offside. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made several key saves to keep Madrid ahead until the final moments.

After 33 matches, Real Madrid remain second with 74 points, trailing Barcelona, who lead with 82 points from one game fewer. Betis stand fifth with 50 points. The late setback adds pressure on Madrid’s pursuit of the league title.

Violent clashes between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and Islami Chhatra Shibir have spread across several educational institutions, including Chittagong City College, Ishwardi Government College, Comilla Polytechnic Institute, and Dhaka University. The confrontations, which left numerous activists injured, reportedly began over a graffiti dispute and social media posts targeting the prime minister and her daughter. Authorities and law enforcement have faced criticism for their handling of the escalating unrest.

Educators and administrators have expressed concern that the violence is undermining the academic environment and fueling national political tension. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor A.B.M. Obaidul Islam urged tolerance and announced two investigation committees. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury warned that those destabilizing the country would face consequences. Jamaat-e-Islami condemned the attacks on Shibir activists, while both student groups blamed each other for provoking the violence.

Chhatra Dal’s general secretary expressed regret over injuries to journalists during the Dhaka University incident, while both organizations called for restraint. Observers fear the unrest could further disrupt campuses unless swift administrative and law enforcement measures are taken.

A commentary published on April 25, 2026, in the newspaper Amar Desh by retired Major Rokon Uddin examines the controversial political legacy of Chittaranjan Sutar, a former Awami League leader and member of Bangladesh’s first parliament in 1973. The article recounts repeated allegations that Sutar maintained links with Indian intelligence and was involved in the separatist ‘Bangabhumi’ movement, which sought to create a Hindu state in parts of southwestern Bangladesh. It also recalls his wartime role as a liaison between India and the Mujibnagar government during the 1971 Liberation War.

The author argues that Sutar’s career reflects deeper weaknesses in Bangladesh’s post-independence state-building process, where political loyalty and vigilance against foreign influence were not always enforced. The piece cites historical reports and official concerns about cross-border separatist activities to illustrate that such threats were taken seriously at the state level.

Concluding, the article frames Sutar as a symbol of internal subversion and warns that national sovereignty depends not only on defending borders but also on maintaining political integrity and awareness of internal collaborators.

Experts in Bangladesh have warned that exposure to light, air, and oxygen significantly reduces the nutritional value of vitamins A and D in fortified edible oils. They emphasized that transparent bottles allow ultraviolet rays to degrade these vitamins, while opaque or laminated packaging can effectively preserve their potency. The Ministry of Health’s Technical Advisory Committee conducted a national survey in 2025 on vitamin D levels among 2,481 people, revealing widespread deficiencies across age groups and pregnant women.

The survey results prompted a proposal for nationwide vitamin D fortification in edible oils, complementing existing vitamin A enrichment. The Ministry of Industry is awaiting formal recommendations from the Ministry of Health to proceed. Experts from organizations such as GAIN, the National Heart Foundation, and Progotir Jonyo Gyan highlighted that consumer preference for transparent packaging and manufacturers’ lack of awareness about light sensitivity remain major challenges.

Stakeholders called for stronger public awareness, inter-ministerial coordination, and mandatory use of opaque, light-resistant packaging to ensure the nutritional integrity of fortified oils and improve public health outcomes.