Four Bangladeshi pilgrims have died in Mecca while performing Hajj, according to a daily bulletin from the Hajj IT Helpdesk of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. The deaths, all male pilgrims, occurred in Mecca, with no reports of fatalities in Medina, Jeddah, or Mina as of Monday.

By Sunday, a total of 35,766 Bangladeshi pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Among them, 3,284 traveled under the government’s management and 32,482 under private arrangements. The pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia on 89 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia, and Flynas. Biman carried 15,748 passengers, Saudia 12,469, and Flynas 7,549.

To support pilgrims, medical centers in Saudi Arabia have issued 2,850 automated prescriptions, and the IT Helpdesk has provided 6,922 services, according to the ministry’s bulletin.

The United States military carried out another strike on a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Sunday, resulting in three deaths, according to the US Southern Command. The operation is part of a series of similar missions conducted in recent months, which have reportedly caused at least 185 deaths in total, as reported by AFP.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Southern Command said the targeted vessel was operated by a terrorist organization and was confirmed through intelligence to be traveling along a known drug trafficking route. However, the Trump administration has not yet released clear evidence linking the attacked ships to drug smuggling, prompting debate over the legality of these operations.

Legal experts and human rights groups have argued that the strikes could amount to extrajudicial killings, as they target individuals who did not pose an immediate threat to the United States. The Southern Command confirmed that no US personnel were injured in the latest operation.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the attacker at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as mentally ill and anti-Christian during an interview with CBS News on Sunday. The event took place Saturday night at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, where journalists and media representatives had gathered for the annual dinner. Trump said he heard gunfire but was not worried, adding that the attacker’s target was unclear though it seemed directed at him.

Trump further stated that the suspect had once been a Christian and a believer but later turned against the faith, undergoing significant personal changes. He characterized the individual as likely suffering from illness. The remarks came amid ongoing discussions about the security and political climate surrounding high-profile public events in the United States.

The source did not provide details about casualties, the attacker’s identity, or law enforcement responses, leaving aspects of the incident unclear.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq inaugurated a mobile legal aid camp in Karail, Dhaka, on Monday morning. The initiative aims to provide free legal assistance to underprivileged and helpless individuals. During the event, the minister emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that no one is deprived of legal support and urged people to report if they face any barriers in accessing these services.

At the inauguration ceremony, the minister personally offered immediate legal advice to two women from the Karail slum. He also listened to the legal problems faced by slum residents and suggested possible solutions. The mobile camp is part of the government’s broader effort to expand access to justice for marginalized communities.

The event underscores the government’s focus on strengthening legal aid delivery at the grassroots level, aiming to make justice more accessible to all citizens.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has initiated a new plan to improve mobile network and internet quality inside homes across the country. The regulator is preparing to allocate spectrum from the ‘e-GSM’ band to mobile operators to enhance network capacity. Currently, about 40 percent of mobile users live in cities and 60 percent in suburban and rural areas, where weak signals, call drops, and slow internet remain major issues. BTRC has already allocated 700 MHz spectrum to Grameenphone and is now moving forward with the e-GSM band initiative.

BTRC currently holds 8.4 MHz of e-GSM spectrum, with Robi and Banglalink each requesting 3.4 MHz. Before final allocation, a one-month trial has begun to check for possible interference with the 850 MHz band near border areas. Robi stated that its infrastructure is ready for e-GSM deployment, while Banglalink said it will decide on further investment based on test results.

If successful, the initiative is expected to strengthen indoor mobile signals, reduce call drops, and improve internet speed and stability, particularly in rural and remote regions.

A Dhaka court has ordered a fresh three-day remand for former army officer and ex-MP Masud Uddin Chowdhury in a murder case. The order was issued on Monday afternoon by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Monirul Islam after Chowdhury was discharged from Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment.

According to the case file, Detective Branch SI Kofil Uddin presented Chowdhury before the court in connection with the killing of Delwar Hossain during a student protest in Mirpur on 19 July 2024. The prosecution sought a seven-day remand, arguing that further interrogation was needed to obtain complete information. The defense opposed the request, citing Chowdhury’s health issues and previous eight days of remand without clear investigative results.

The court granted three days of remand after hearing both sides. Earlier, on 11 April, Chowdhury had been placed on a four-day remand but was hospitalized the next day due to illness. He was arrested on 23 March from Baridhara in Dhaka in connection with the same case.

Three members of a family were killed when a large tree fell on their house during a storm in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur early Monday. The victims were identified as Khuki Begum, 65, and her daughters Farida Akter, 40, and Fate Akter, 37, all residents of Purbadagi area under Nayanagar Union. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when strong winds uprooted a mahogany tree that crashed onto their tin-roofed house while they were asleep.

According to local and fire service sources, the storm struck suddenly during the night, causing the tree to collapse on the house. Due to darkness and heavy winds, rescue operations could not begin immediately. In the morning, police and fire service personnel, assisted by locals, recovered the bodies from under the debris.

The tragedy cast a pall of grief over the Purbadagi area. Melandah Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jinnatul Ara said the administration took necessary measures at the site and would provide assistance to the bereaved family.

Recent research cited by Amar Desh Online on April 27, 2026, indicates that smoking poses greater health risks for women than for men. The report highlights that while smoking rates among men have slightly declined, the habit is increasing among women, leading to heightened concerns about its long-term effects on female health and fertility.

According to the findings, women who smoke face a higher likelihood of developing lung cancer compared to men and non-smokers. Smoking also negatively affects skin, teeth, and gums, accelerates aging, and contributes to anxiety, depression, and reduced bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. The most alarming impact is on reproductive health, as smoking can reduce fertility and raise the chances of miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth.

The article urges women to reconsider smoking habits, emphasizing that it is not a symbol of modernity or sophistication but a destructive addiction that undermines physical and mental well-being. It calls for awareness and lifestyle changes to protect health and motherhood.

US President Donald Trump has said that the war with Iran will end very soon. In an interview with Fox News, he stated that the United States will emerge as the victor in the conflict. Trump added that if Iran wishes to engage in discussions, it can contact the United States directly. He emphasized that any future talks will take place over the phone.

Iran has refused to enter into direct negotiations with Washington. Against this backdrop, Trump reiterated that the US remains open to communication if Tehran decides to reach out. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has traveled to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also expected to attend the meeting.

According to the report, Iran is seeking military and diplomatic support from Russia, while Putin has pledged to do everything possible to ensure peace in the Middle East.

A severe traffic jam stretching about eight kilometers formed on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Cumilla Cantonment area on Monday morning. The congestion occurred on the Chattogram-bound lane after a covered van broke down near Kabirla Eastern Medical College and ongoing road repair work slowed vehicle movement. As the day progressed, the line of vehicles continued to grow longer.

Passengers stranded in the jam reported being stuck for over an hour, with buses unable to move forward between Nimsar and the Cantonment area. The situation caused significant delays for commuters traveling toward Chattogram.

According to Moynamoti Highway Police Station officer-in-charge Abdul Momin, efforts were underway to remove the broken-down van using a wrecker from Eliotganj to ease the traffic situation.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mufti Amir Hamza, representing Kushtia-3 constituency, has filed a petition with the High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a defamation case. The hearing on his petition may take place on Monday before a bench led by Justice Zahid Sarwar Kajol. The case stems from allegations that Hamza made defamatory remarks about State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku.

On April 21, a Sirajganj court issued an arrest warrant against Amir Hamza after he failed to appear despite being summoned earlier. The case was filed on April 2 by Humayun Kabir, Additional Public Prosecutor of Sirajganj District and General Secretary of the District Bar Association. He accused Hamza of calling Iqbal Hasan Mahmud an atheist and making offensive comments about Islam.

The allegations arose from a March 26 speech by Iqbal Hasan Mahmud honoring the 1971 Liberation War and freedom fighters, which Hamza later criticized during a sermon at a mosque in Kushtia.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the Secret Service after being swiftly evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., following a shooting near a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Trump and his administration officials were the likely targets. Police arrested 31-year-old suspect Cole Thomas Allen, who was found with firearms and knives. The FBI’s criminal and counterterrorism units are investigating the incident.

According to U.S. media, Allen had a history of anti-Trump posts and allegedly sent a manifesto to family members before the attack. The White House described the event as a “survived assassination attempt.” Trump later told reporters he was reluctant to leave the stage and called his security team “tremendous.” The White House Correspondents’ Association president called the event “horrific” and credited the Secret Service for saving thousands of guests.

Trump used the incident to renew his call for constructing a secure ballroom at the White House, claiming it could have prevented the attack. He also thanked journalists for responsible reporting and urged peaceful resolution of differences.

A confrontation erupted at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) on April 27, 2026, when students affiliated with the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and general students faced off in front of Zia Hall. The clash followed a protest march triggered by tensions over wall writings opposing covert political activities on campus, which has officially banned politics since August 10, 2024.

The dispute began after wall writings appeared on April 23 criticizing secret political activities under the name of the nationalist student group. The next day, general students wrote slogans against both covert and open politics and hung a banner near the central library, which was later allegedly burned by Chhatra Dal supporters. The incident spread on social media, sparking anger among students.

University officials, including the deputy and assistant directors of the student welfare office, arrived at the scene to monitor the situation. Following the protest, students surrounded the administrative building, demanding strict enforcement of the campus ban on politics. The campus remains tense and anxious following the confrontation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in St. Petersburg on Monday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Araghchi said his visit aims to continue close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues. He confirmed that the meeting with Putin will focus on the current war situation and provide an opportunity to review the latest developments.

Araghchi expressed confidence that the discussions and coordination between the two countries would be particularly significant. According to the report, key decisions may emerge regarding diplomatic progress, possible solutions, and future steps to end the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. Before traveling to Russia, Araghchi had visited Islamabad, where he presented a framework for a permanent end to the Iran war to Pakistan’s top leadership.

The talks in St. Petersburg are expected to reinforce Iran-Russia cooperation on regional stability and diplomatic efforts related to the conflict.

The United States has directed 38 ships to return or change course as part of a naval blockade on Iran. The announcement was made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) through a post on social media platform X, stating that the move is part of ongoing operations restricting maritime access to Iranian ports.

CENTCOM explained that the blockade aims to limit Iran’s maritime movements, preventing vessels from entering or leaving Iranian waters. The command confirmed that US forces continue to enforce maritime restrictions around Iran’s ports as part of broader efforts to maintain control over regional sea routes.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, did not specify the duration of the blockade or the types of ships affected, leaving the broader implications for regional trade and security unclear.