BNP leader Shairul Kabir Khan announced that party Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to arrive at Dhaka’s airport on Tuesday at 10:30 AM. As her return coincides with the SSC examinations, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged party activists to remain on the sidewalks and avoid gathering on the streets. He also appealed to law enforcement agencies to ensure that no one disrupts public movement on the roads during that time.

BNP senior leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy has remarked that the court has become a "second home" for BNP leaders due to the frequency of legal proceedings. “We are constantly summoned. Even today’s Chief Adviser faced numerous cases in the past, and we protested against those back then. Now, all cases against him have been withdrawn, and he sits comfortably in office. Yet I, Goyeshwar, continue to appear in court,” he said. Roy emphasized that the BNP has never practiced vindictive politics. He also criticized the media landscape, stating, “Many believe it’s safest to speak or write against the BNP. Journalists used to say there was no press freedom under the Awami League, yet criticism of the BNP was widespread. But true press freedom lies not with journalists, but with the owners and publishers. Some media owners have cozy ties with the government and avoid publishing critical news. Despite having financial strength, many outlets fail to pay their journalists properly.”

A video circulating online since Saturday claims to show a convoy of Myanmar's Arakan Army mobilizing near the Bangladesh border. However, an investigation by the Rumor Scanner Team has revealed that the footage is not related to recent activity near Bangladesh. In fact, the same video has been online since March, originally linked to tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. A reverse image search traces the video back to an X (formerly Twitter) account named 'El Druso,' which posted the clip on March 26, indicating that the footage is not connected to the Arakan Army or the Bangladesh-Myanmar border situation.

Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Deputy Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, broke down in tears while remembering Barrister Abdur Razzak. He described Razzak as a wise and successful man who had followed Islamic teachings since childhood. “I sincerely pray to Allah that He grants him the highest place in Jannatul Ferdous,” Taher said in an emotional tribute. The funeral prayer was led by renowned Islamic scholar and Jamaat Assistant Secretary General, Maulana ATM Masum.

Six women, including three leaders from the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) and three cultural figures, have issued a legal notice against Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, accusing the group of degrading women during a recent public rally. The notice, signed by Syeda Nilima Dola, Duti Aranya Chowdhury, Nila Afroze, and cultural activists Umm-e-Raihana, Umm-e-Farhana, and Camellia Sharmin Chura, condemns the public use of the term “prostitutes” to describe women who support gender reform. They assert that such language constitutes a direct attack on women’s dignity and rights and call for collective resistance against misogyny.

Islami Chhatra Shibir President Zahidul Islam has called on the government to officially declare May 5 as ‘Shapla Massacre Day,’ in remembrance of what he describes as a state-sponsored massacre of peaceful protesters in 2013. He stated that thousands gathered at Shapla Chattar to peacefully voice their 13-point demands against blasphemy, but were brutally attacked. He also accused the Awami League government of multiple massacres since 2008—including the BDR mutiny, the crackdown following Allama Sayedee’s verdict, and the most recent violence on July 24. “Justice for these state-orchestrated killings is long overdue. Without it, fascism cannot be defeated,” he added.

‘United Peoples Bangladesh’ (UP Bangladesh) is set to formally launch on May 9 with the announcement of its convening committee at the Central Shaheed Minar. The event will be attended by families of martyrs and wounded participants from the July uprising. Chief organizer Ali Ahsan Junayed stated that the platform aims to transform the existing political culture of Bangladesh, promoting ethical leadership, justice, and social security. He added that the movement would work toward restoring social contracts based on religious values, strengthening communal harmony and mutual respect. UP Bangladesh also calls for justice for the Pilkhana massacre, the Shapla Chattar crackdown, and the July genocide, alongside a ban on the fascist Awami League and economic empowerment of affected families.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued special directives regarding the return of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Citizens have been requested to remain on sidewalks, not on the roads, from Gulshan-Banani to the airport between Tuesday morning and noon. The public is urged to use alternative routes, including roads through Dhaka Cantonment. Train services on the Dhaka–Joydevpur route are recommended as alternatives. Hajj pilgrims, international travelers, and SSC examinees have been advised to allow ample travel time. Welcoming participants will not be permitted to join Khaleda Zia’s motorcade with personal vehicles.

On Monday, Italian Interior Minister Mr. Matteo Piantedosi met with Bangladesh's Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the Secretariat. Following the meeting, the adviser stated that Italy has expressed a keen interest in recruiting workers from Bangladesh through official, legal channels. He emphasized the importance of proper procedures, noting that some individuals misuse visas from countries like Saudi Arabia or Libya to enter Italy illegally. “They have requested that workers travel to Italy with valid Italian visas directly from Bangladesh,” he said.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that Indian Rafale fighter jets were forced to retreat due to Pakistan's electronic jamming systems. This marks the first time Pakistan has publicly acknowledged the use of electronic warfare to counter Rafale aircraft. According to Pakistani defense sources, the incident occurred between the night of April 29 and 30. The Rafale, procured from France, is currently India’s most advanced fighter jet.

Russia has offered to help de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. In a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s readiness to support a political resolution. Lavrov had earlier held similar discussions with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Zubaida Rahman is set to stay at her father’s residence, ‘Mahbub Bhaban’, in Dhanmondi upon her return to Bangladesh. Security preparations have already been made, including CCTV installations and increased surveillance. Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon confirmed that utmost importance is being given to her safety. Members of the Civil Security Force (CSF) and police will be deployed for her protection. Tarique Rahman has reportedly instructed that local residents should not be inconvenienced due to the enhanced security. Separate transport arrangements have also been made for her movements.

Rashed Khan, a leader of Gano Adhikar Parishad, has criticized the interim government, stating that its only visible achievement is increased sympathy toward the ruling Awami League. “Their dummy MPs are getting bail, arrests are not happening, and the party itself hasn’t been banned despite allegations of genocide under international tribunal laws,” he said. He also blamed the government for creating social unrest by mishandling the Women's Reform Commission proposals, and raised concerns about deteriorating law and order and controversial corridor agreements.

A claim circulating online alleges that Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has resigned. However, Rumor Scanner’s investigation confirms that the claim is entirely false and baseless. The misinformation originated from a fake news article published on a free Blogspot domain, lacking any credible evidence. The source of the false report has been identified as a free domain website named sadhinnews247.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two cases against former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president and ex-MP Nazmul Hasan Papon and his wife. The cases involve suspicious financial transactions amounting to around Tk 800 crore and undisclosed assets worth Tk 32 crore. The ACC stated that concrete evidence has been found in both instances.