Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus launched the ‘Labbayk’ mobile app, aimed at facilitating services for Hajj pilgrims. He expressed hope that the app would allow pilgrims to perform their religious duties more smoothly. He directed that from next year, the app should assist pilgrims right from the planning phase. He also encouraged collaboration with developed countries for technical support and providing assistance to less developed nations.

BNP leader Amir Khosru said that Bangladeshis did not fight and sacrifice to hand over the country’s leadership to a ‘superman.’ He questioned the narrative that democracy must wait for a savior, emphasizing instead the people’s right to vote. Khosru highlighted that nearly 50 parties have clearly demanded elections before December and called for immediate electoral reforms and setting an election roadmap.

Lawyer Md. Moniruzzaman has issued a legal notice urging authorities to halt the gazette notification and swearing-in of BNP leader Ishraq Hossain as mayor. He argues the decision was made hastily and without proper procedure. “We expected the Election Commission to challenge the tribunal’s ruling, but they didn’t. Instead, a revised gazette was issued without consulting the Law Ministry,” he stated. He further claimed that the mayoral term had already ended and the post was declared vacant by ordinance, rendering the tribunal’s order ineffective.

Khelafat Majlis leader Maulana Mamunul Haque called for building unity from the grassroots level to defend Islam and the nation’s dignity. Speaking to party workers in Sherpur, Bogura, after returning from a visit to Rangpur, he said, “Victory is assured through the power of faith. We must stand tall against injustice, despite hardships and obstacles.”

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin emphasized that the Pakistan-Bangladesh Business Forum will play a critical role in strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation. He stressed the need for enhanced people-to-people connections between the two nations. Despite their large populations, trade volume between Bangladesh and Pakistan remains disappointingly low. He urged businesses to proactively work toward overcoming tariff and non-tariff barriers.

In Noakhali, Shahriar Hasan Rimon (16), younger brother of martyr Rizvi, was attacked and severely injured in an attempted murder. According to his mother, Farida Yasmin, Rimon, a tenth-grade student, had earlier informed his teachers and family about a conflict with outsiders at his school. On his way home, a group ambushed him, brutally stabbing him in the back and head. Shockingly, the attackers even attempted to assault him at the hospital.

Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul revealed that an average of 500,000 cases are filed each year in Bangladesh. However, only 35,000 are resolved through the National Legal Aid Services Organization. He emphasized that if the organization could resolve 200,000 cases annually, court caseloads could be reduced by at least 40%. Asif Nazrul added that the government has already approved several amendments to the Civil Procedure Code, which are awaiting final approval in the next advisory council meeting.

Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki stated that only actress Nusrat Imrose Tisha can explain why she chose to act in the Mujib biopic under certain circumstances. Farooki added, “In our marriage, both of us enjoy complete professional independence.” He continued, “Do you really think we live in a society where a wife must seek her husband’s permission before making professional decisions, or vice versa? I don’t think so. Tisha makes her own professional choices.”

A meeting between the members of the National Consensus Commission and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus was held recently. The commission reviewed the progress of ongoing discussions with political parties. Professor Ali Riaz, Vice President of the Commission, briefed the Chief Adviser on the discussions that have taken place so far. Based on the review, the Chief Adviser provided guidance on the next course of action.

Italian news outlet Rai News described Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus as the “Banker of the Poor” and “Pope of the Oppressed,” likening his struggle to that of Pope Francis — a shared battle against inequality and for grassroots development. Dr. Yunus stated that Pope Francis deeply respected his work, and they discussed at length how microcredit transforms lives. Rai News highlighted Pope Francis’ historic 2017 visit to Bangladesh, where he met persecuted Rohingya refugees.

Jagannath University students locked their department gates in protest after Akram Hossain, a participant in the July Movement, was assaulted and handed over to police by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists, who accused him of attacking them during his first year. Akram denied political affiliations, stating he was once taken to rallies by senior members but never formally involved with Chhatra League and had actively participated in the July Uprising.

IGP Baharul Alam announced that arrests will not be made merely based on the filing of cases. Action will only be taken against those proven guilty during investigations. He emphasized that no innocent individual should be arrested or harassed in connection with the student-public deaths during the July Uprising. He admitted limitations in law enforcement, particularly regarding inflated suspect lists, and noted that international cooperation is being sought to apprehend fugitive masterminds.

Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun claimed that India lacks the courage to attack Pakistan and vowed not to let Indian troops use Punjab for such a purpose. “We, 20 million Sikhs, will stand like a wall beside Pakistan,” he declared, adding that attackers — whether Indira Gandhi, Narendra Modi, or others — never survive. He also vowed to bring Modi, Doval, Shah, and Jaishankar to justice.

According to ISPR, Pakistan’s security forces successfully repelled infiltration attempts by militants across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Hasan Khel, North Waziristan, from April 25-27. Seventy-one militants were killed over the course of the operations, with 17 fatalities recorded during the most recent clashes on Sunday and Monday.

An imam named Roizuddin, accused of molesting children in Pubail, died in jail after reportedly becoming ill following a public beating. According to OC Sheikh Amirul Islam, the imam appeared physically stable when brought to the police station, suggesting that stress or shame might have contributed to his deterioration. Reports allege that Roizuddin lured children into the mosque chamber, drugged them by mixing sedatives into soft drinks, and then sexually assaulted them.