All madrasas in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir have been closed for 10 days amid fears of possible Indian military attacks following rising tensions with New Delhi. Although the Pakistani government officially cited high temperatures as the reason, Hafiz Nazir Ahmad, Director of Religious Affairs in Kashmir, acknowledged that the shutdown is largely due to security concerns. He warned that India's military might target religious institutions at any time.

With the winter vegetable season over, prices in Dhaka’s fresh markets have spiked. Bitter gourd is selling at Tk 60/kg, eggplant and long beans at Tk 70/kg, ridge gourd and snake gourd at Tk 60/kg, taro stalk at Tk 70/kg, teasel gourd at Tk 100/kg, okra at Tk 50/kg, sponge gourd at Tk 70/kg, and tomatoes at Tk 30/kg. Papaya is priced at Tk 70/kg, carrots at Tk 40/kg, cucumber at Tk 50/kg, pointed gourd at Tk 50–60/kg, and drumsticks at Tk 120–140/kg. Bottle gourd costs Tk 40–60 each. Green chilies are selling for Tk 80–100/kg. Broiler chicken is priced at Tk 180–190/kg, while beef has surged to Tk 750–800/kg.

A formal letter has been submitted to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) requesting enhanced security for Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP leader Tarique Rahman. She is scheduled to return to Bangladesh with her mother-in-law, Khaleda Zia, on May 4 and will be residing at her father’s residence in Dhanmondi. The letter cites potential security risks and requests the following: 1) an armed bodyguard, 2) police protection with vehicle escort, 3) stationed police security at the residence, and 4) installation of an archway scanner at the entrance.

Tension flared along the Dinajpur border as India's BSF detained two Bangladeshi citizens, Enamul Islam (50) and his son Masum (15), while they were harvesting paddy near the Dharmajoyn border. In retaliation, local villagers captured two Indian nationals, Abinash Tudu and Philip Soren, and held them at Karulia Primary School. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has initiated talks with Indian counterparts, and a flag meeting is underway to resolve the matter diplomatically.

To ensure orderly Hajj operations and uphold Saudi-Bangladesh relations, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has requested pilgrims not to perform Hajj without valid permits. Pilgrims traveling on visit visas are barred from entering holy sites. Bangladeshis have been advised not to assist unauthorized pilgrims with lodging, transport, or access to restricted areas. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior warned that unauthorized pilgrims could face fines up to 20,000 riyals, with facilitators being fined as much as 100,000 riyals.

BNP leaders in Bagmara staged a protest demanding the removal of the local Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). Surprisingly, Mahbubur Rahman Biplob, Joint General Secretary of the local Awami League unit, also joined the protest. Allegations center around seven ponds and nearly three acres of land on the Taherpur College campus. Former MP Abul Kalam Azad reportedly constructed 41 houses on the property with municipal funding, collecting rent from them. After BNP assumed local power, they took control of the houses. Recently, the UNO instructed that rent collection be stopped, sparking outrage. BNP alleges the UNO is trying to reinstate the former MP.

After targeting two Israeli airbases, Yemen has now launched a ballistic missile at Israel’s military base near Haifa port. The Yemeni Armed Forces confirmed the use of a hypersonic ballistic missile, “Palestine-2,” targeting the Ramat David airbase. Al Masirah TV aired footage of the attack. Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the missile bypassed Israeli defenses, adding, “We salute the mujahideen in Gaza who are heroically resisting Israeli aggression. Yemen will continue to stand with them until the aggression ends and the blockade is lifted.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed that party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is scheduled to return from London on Monday, May 5. She will be accompanied by her daughters-in-law, Zubaida Rahman (wife of Tarique Rahman) and Syeda Shamila Rahman (widow of Arafat Rahman). “Alhamdulillah, she is definitely better than before,” said Fakhrul. He mentioned that although the Qatari royal ambulance initially arranged for her transport has been delayed for technical reasons, arrangements have now been made for her to travel via Biman Bangladesh Airlines. She is expected to arrive around 11 a.m. Preparations at her residence, Firoza, have already been completed.

Speaking at the founding anniversary of the AB Party, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman emphasized the need for political unity in the interest of the country. He warned that holding local elections before national polls could give rise to authoritarianism. He criticized dismissive remarks about national elections, saying such rhetoric emboldens anti-democratic forces. Rahman also stated that decisions on economic corridors must come from an elected parliament and that those who have violated the constitution in recent years must be held accountable. He stressed that it is the government's responsibility to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive election.

A new mineral agreement has been signed between Ukraine and the United States, granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources and promising investment in Kyiv’s reconstruction. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reacted, saying this effectively dismantles the Kyiv regime, as Ukraine will now have to finance U.S. military aid with its mineral wealth. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent stated, “This agreement sends a strong message to the Russian leadership — there is no difference between the American and Ukrainian people or their goals. It also gives President Trump a stronger position in negotiations with Russia.” The agreement now awaits approval by Ukraine's parliament.

During the anniversary of the AB Party, NCP Convener Nahid Islam called for the cancellation of Awami League’s political registration and a complete ban on its activities. He claimed that on August 5, the people of Bangladesh delivered a verdict against the Awami League, signifying their rejection of its political legitimacy. According to him, the people will decide the party’s fate—either through voting or mass movements. Nahid added that although all parties talk about reform, true reform must involve a united front to ensure a new system of governance and peaceful power transition.

According to a circular signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Golam Kabir, the position of ‘Assistant Teacher’ has officially been included in the gazetted category as per the 1970 memorandum of the Education Department. This means teachers at government secondary schools will now receive benefits associated with gazetted status, including higher pay scales. The new rules also stipulate that second-class master’s or M.Ed. degree holders will receive one additional increment, while first-class postgraduates will receive two. The order has been made retroactively effective from July 1, 2015.

BNP leader Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas stated that the people see Begum Khaleda Zia as a symbol of trust and security. Calling her an undisputed leader, he said she has instructed party members not to act out of vengeance. He emphasized that many workers lost their lives during the July uprising and described them as the primary architects of the new Bangladesh. Highlighting the role of laborers in every political movement, he recalled how President Ziaur Rahman once introduced himself as a worker in 1978 and how Khaleda Zia proudly called herself the wife of a laborer in 1991. He added that workers have played a critical role over the last two years and affirmed that basic rights for all will be ensured in the future.

Gazi Salauddin Tanvir, recently served with a show-cause notice and temporarily relieved of his duties at the National Citizens’ Platform (NCP) over alleged commission-based dealings in textbook printing, has announced he will voluntarily go to jail if not reinstated.

“Not being reinstated would imply I’m guilty. As of now, I firmly state that I am not. I will surrender myself to the law to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted,” Tanvir told reporters.

He further demanded a full-scale investigation from the government and added, “If I don’t get my position back, I’ll willingly go to prison to prove my innocence.”

Tanvir defended his visits to the Secretariat, saying, “In total, I’ve been there just five times, always to report on progress in textbook printing. We were simply informing the government, nothing more.”

He emphasized that visiting the Secretariat should not be viewed as suspicious: “I believe every citizen should have access to the Secretariat. Phone numbers of officials, from advisers to secretaries, are publicly listed on government websites. If going there were a crime, those numbers wouldn’t be published online.”

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, has stated that the next seven months are critical for the nation’s economic future. “This period could either build Bangladesh or break it,” he wrote. The interim government has adopted an ambitious plan to increase the capacity of Chattogram Port sixfold. Alam stressed that such progress is only possible through partnerships with top global port operators. “If successful, this will send a strong message to international investors that Bangladesh is open for business.” He also noted that the global economic order born out of the Bretton Woods system is fading, suggesting that now might finally be Bangladesh’s time — if politics allows it.