The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) returned two Bangladeshi farmers captured from the Dinajpur border, following the handover of two Indian nationals by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The returned farmers were Enamul Islam and his son Masud Rana from the Dharmojain area. Notably, the Indian citizens were initially captured by Bangladeshi villagers in retaliation for the BSF’s earlier action.

Myanmar’s military junta revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami proposed the formation of a separate state for Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine during talks with the Chinese Communist Party. The junta accused Jamaat of undermining Myanmar’s sovereignty and pursuing political gains. It also reiterated its stance of referring to Rohingyas as “Bengali refugees” and stated that repatriation talks with Bangladesh continue regularly in Kunming, China. The junta plans to verify and register refugees before return and aims to build housing for them.

NCP leader Nahid Islam warned that if the government fails to ensure justice, the people will establish their own tribunal to judge the Awami League and fascism. “It’s a collective failure that we must protest to demand the AL ban,” he said. He demanded a legal ban on AL’s political activities until investigations are complete, and called for the immediate release of the 'July Declaration' that formally recognizes the revolution. He also urged for a new constitution and a combined election for Parliament and a Constituent Assembly.

Kamrul Hasan, father of July uprising martyr Khaled Saifullah, declared that there will be no elections in Bangladesh until justice is served for his son’s death. “They shot him 70 times in the chest—how many bullets does it take to kill a man?” he said. NCP leaders echoed his sentiments during a rally, stating that no election can take place until the Awami League is held accountable and reformed. They warned that any attempt to rehabilitate the party will be resisted by “July warriors.”

At a rally, Hefazat leader Maulana Junayed Al Habib condemned the Women’s Reform Commission, calling its report anti-Islamic and against the Qur’an. “This entire commission must be dismantled,” he declared. “You came to power in 2013 at the cost of Hefazat leaders’ blood. Withdraw all cases against our leaders or face another uprising.” Mufti Jaber Kashemi added, “Tomorrow’s gathering is not anti-women. Islam has given women the highest respect and rights. This protest is against those using women’s rights as a pretext to push harmful agendas.”

Tasnim Zara, a leader of the National Change Platform (NCP), stated that no elections in Bangladesh will be allowed to include the Awami League unless justice is served for cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings allegedly committed by the party and its affiliates. “Our brothers are still suffering in hospitals—some have lost their sight, others may never walk again,” she said. “Despite all this, they still want to contest elections? Isn’t that a mockery of our nation?” She questioned how many more people must be disappeared or killed before the party’s registration is revoked or it is officially banned.

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, has alleged that Indian media outlets are actively spreading dangerous misinformation to destabilize Bangladesh—with direct support from the Awami League. He announced that evidence of 15 years of false and unethical journalism will be submitted to the United Nations, and the government will demand an official investigation. When asked about the dismissal of three journalists, Alam clarified that the government played no role in their termination. He criticized the Digital Security Act introduced by the Awami League, saying it has suffocated journalistic freedom. However, he added that, in reality, the media currently operates freely. “No media outlet has been shut down after the July revolution,” he noted, “which stands in contrast to what happens in many other countries.”

Rashed Khan, leader of Gono Adhikar Parishad, alleged in a post that the Bangladeshi government used the presence of the UN Secretary-General to falsely claim plans to repatriate 180,000 Rohingya refugees. In reality, 113,000 more have reportedly entered the country. He criticized the government’s investment summit as superficial, noting that foreign investors remain hesitant without an elected government in place. He also hinted that some advisors are involved in creating a rebranded or "refined" version of the Awami League.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel launched a targeted strike near the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, on Thursday. He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to protecting the Druze community living in Syria. Reuters noted that the strikes reflect Israel’s deep mistrust of Syria’s ruling Islamist faction, which ousted President Bashar al-Assad last December. Israel has warned that any deployment of Syrian forces or threats to the Druze community in southern Damascus will not be tolerated. Recent sectarian violence in Sahnaya, Damascus, left 40 people dead — an area populated by both Druze and Christians.

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.