State-owned Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCPLC) has reported a significant rise in profits for the first nine months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, driven by growing internet bandwidth demand and digital infrastructure expansion. According to the unaudited financial report approved at the company’s 252nd board meeting on April 23, 2026, net profit reached Tk 2.19 billion, up from Tk 1.40 billion in the same period last year, marking a 56% increase.

The company’s Deputy General Manager (Marketing and Sales), Engineer Md. Ariful Haque, said the growth reflects customer trust and the rising national demand for bandwidth. BSCCPLC earned Tk 3.77 billion in revenue from bandwidth sales and related services, compared to Tk 2.94 billion a year earlier. Earnings per share rose from Tk 7.49 to Tk 11.71, while net asset value per share increased to Tk 98.71.

BSCCPLC is investing Tk 12.86 billion in the third submarine cable project, with Tk 8.09 billion from its own funds and Tk 4.76 billion in government equity. The project aims to expand bandwidth capacity and strengthen the company’s long-term revenue base.

The Australian government has announced it will not repatriate any citizens suspected of links to ISIS from Syria. The statement came after reports that several Australian families were attempting to return home from a camp in northeastern Syria. According to national broadcaster ABC, four Australian women and nine of their children and grandchildren left the Roj camp on Friday, with Syrian authorities reportedly taking them to Damascus to facilitate their return.

A government spokesperson told AFP that Australia is neither repatriating nor planning to repatriate anyone from Syria. The spokesperson added that security agencies are monitoring the situation and remain prepared for any Australians who may attempt to return. The government warned that anyone found guilty of crimes would face the full force of the law, emphasizing that national security and the country’s interests remain top priorities.

The group is part of 34 Australians who failed to return in February due to coordination issues. The issue of repatriating families of ISIS members remains controversial in Australia, with some politicians viewing them as potential security threats.

After a 2–1 ODI series win over New Zealand, the Bangladesh cricket team enjoyed a rest day before turning attention to the upcoming T20 series starting Monday at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram. Spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed told reporters that the main goal now is to strengthen the team’s bench.

Selectors have left out experienced pacers Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Nahid Rana from the T20 squad, citing workload management and the need to give younger players opportunities. Ripon Mondol and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain have been brought in as replacements, and Mushtaq expressed confidence in their potential. He said the team’s recent ODI success has boosted morale and created a lively dressing room atmosphere.

Mushtaq emphasized that building bench strength is crucial for future tournaments, noting that young players performing well in T20s could also contribute in ODIs. He added that Bangladesh cricket is on the right track, with time to develop before the next major 50-over competition.

A group of recommended primary assistant teachers began a protest in Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Sunday morning demanding the issuance of their appointment letters. The demonstration started around 10 a.m. in front of the National Museum, where the teachers attempted to march onto the road but were stopped by police. Following the obstruction, they staged a sit-in at the museum entrance, chanting slogans calling for immediate implementation of their appointments.

The protesters stated that they had received official recommendations for appointment two and a half months ago but had not yet been given appointment letters or any official communication. They vowed to continue their movement until their demands were met. The police presence at the site created a tense situation, with both sides maintaining their positions.

The standoff highlighted growing frustration among the recommended teachers over administrative delays, though no resolution was reported as of the latest update.

The High Court has granted an additional six months for submission of the investigation report in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. The order was issued on Sunday, April 26, 2026, by a bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice A.F.M. Saiful Karim, following a request from the state side.

Earlier, on September 30, 2024, the High Court had directed the formation of a high-powered task force to investigate the case and allowed six months for the process. The task force, led by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) chief, includes four senior members overseeing the probe.

Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi were killed on February 11, 2012, at their rented apartment in West Rajabazar, Dhaka. The extension indicates that the investigation remains ongoing under judicial supervision.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has expressed concern over reports of SSC examination question papers being leaked online through fraudulent networks. In a press release issued on Saturday by the party’s Joint Member Secretary and Education and Research Secretary, Faisal Mahmud Shanto, the NCP demanded a thorough investigation and exemplary punishment for those involved. The party cited a private television report claiming that the leaks had spread widely online.

According to the statement, the NCP criticized the education ministry for what it described as extreme irresponsibility, noting that no visible action had been taken by authorities despite reports that the leaks began on April 20. The party accused the education minister of focusing more on monitoring exam halls than on addressing systemic issues such as question leaks, which it said were causing serious damage to the education system.

The NCP further stated that continuing examinations without resolving the leak issue would be inappropriate and urged the ministry to take immediate administrative responsibility to restore integrity in the education process.

New York City Mayor Zohraan Mamdani has condemned the shooting incident that occurred during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. In a post on social media platform X, Mamdani described the attack as an act of political violence and stated that such actions are completely unacceptable. He also expressed relief that President Donald Trump and the dinner guests were safe following the incident.

According to the report, Mamdani has met President Trump several times in the past. The mayor’s remarks came shortly after the incident drew national attention, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The statement was first reported by CNN.

The condemnation underscores the heightened concern among political leaders about the rise of politically motivated violence in public events, though further details about the investigation were not provided in the report.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner would not stop him from pursuing victory in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking at a White House briefing following the incident, Trump said the attack would not prevent him from achieving success in the Iran war. He added that he did not believe the shooting was connected to the conflict, though investigators were still examining the attacker’s motive.

Trump acknowledged earlier that it was difficult to determine whether the shooting had any link to the Iran war, emphasizing that the suspect acted alone. He also announced that the United States had canceled a planned delegation visit to Pakistan after rejecting Iran’s proposal for talks.

According to the report, Trump’s remarks came amid heightened tensions surrounding the Iran conflict and ongoing investigations into the White House shooting.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has no connection to the recent shooting incident in Washington, D.C. He confirmed that the investigation into the event is ongoing. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the attack as extremely serious and said charges would be filed soon.

FBI Director Kash Patel reported that investigators are examining weapons recovered from the scene and interviewing witnesses. Interim Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll added that the suspect possessed multiple firearms and that no evidence has been found suggesting the involvement of additional suspects.

Authorities continue to gather evidence to determine the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting, with officials emphasizing the seriousness of the case.

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were urgently evacuated after gunfire was reported during a dinner event in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on Saturday night at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner was taking place. Television footage showed Trump seated at the dining table when a loud noise was heard, prompting security personnel to surround him. While attempting to stand, Trump lost balance and fell as agents moved to secure him.

According to CNN, Secret Service agents quickly brought the situation under control and moved the president to a safe location. No injuries were reported among the First Lady or cabinet members. A senior official said Trump expressed a desire to return to the venue, but the Secret Service advised against it. The event, attended by journalists and officials, was thrown into panic as guests sought safety.

AP reported that a gunman was believed to have entered the hotel and opened fire, though his condition or fate remained unconfirmed. Trump later praised the Secret Service and local law enforcement for their swift response.

The funeral and burial of Alhaj Hazrat Maulana Mofizul Islam, known as the 'Boro Huzur' and director of Saiber Hat Qaumi Madrasa in Daulatkhan, Bhola, were completed on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Thousands of Islamic scholars and local residents attended the prayer at the Daulatkhan central Eidgah ground. He passed away on Saturday, April 25, at his established Saiber Hat Qaumi Madrasa in Ward 9 of Daulatkhan Municipality.

Mofizul Islam was the son of the founder of the historic Izzatul Islam Char Khalifa Qaumi Madrasa and was widely respected for his modest lifestyle and religious leadership. His death cast a shadow of mourning across the area.

Bhola-2 constituency BNP Member of Parliament Alhaj Hafiz Ibrahim, Daulatkhan Upazila BNP leaders Abdul Mannan Mia and Shahjahan Saju, and local religious organizations including the Ulama Dal and Ulama Mashayekh Aimma Oikya Parishad expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family.

The Republican Party in the United States is revising its strategy for the upcoming November midterm elections as fuel prices rise, President Donald Trump’s approval ratings fall, and the war with Iran continues. At a closed-door meeting in Washington’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, senior conservative campaign officials and Trump’s advisers outlined a plan to mobilize his loyal supporters while avoiding framing the election as a referendum on the unpopular president. White House Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles and political director James Blair urged candidates to emphasize Republican tax cuts and anti-inflation policies instead of focusing on Trump himself.

Recent Reuters and Ipsos polling shows Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 36 percent, with concerns inside his party over his temperament and controversial remarks. The ongoing two-month conflict with Iran has disrupted global energy supplies, pushing U.S. gasoline prices near $4 per gallon. Republican strategists fear that making Trump the central figure could allow Democrats to portray GOP candidates as mere extensions of the president. Instead, candidates are being advised to focus on local issues, though party officials maintain Trump remains a key motivator for voter turnout.

Middle East analyst Aaron David Miller noted that Iran appears to be exercising patience, believing Trump’s capacity to withstand economic and political pressure is limited.

At a biannual conference held on Saturday at Dewna Dawatul Haq Madrasa in Kapasia, Gazipur, the Qawmi Madrasa Teachers Council called for the rapid and effective implementation of the Qawmi certificate. Council president and Dewna Pir Principal Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury said Qawmi education is a specialized system that should not be reduced to a certificate-based model under the guise of modernization. He emphasized that Qawmi graduates contribute significantly to global employment and remittance earnings, underscoring the need to preserve the system’s distinct identity and dignity.

Speakers at the event urged the government to recruit Qawmi-educated individuals as religious teachers in primary schools to enhance religious education and create employment opportunities. They also demanded constitutional and legal reforms, including amending Article 17 to reflect Islamic education, revising sections 32, 33, and 34 of the current Waqf Act, and establishing Sharia-based family courts. Additionally, they called for action against films and social media content depicting prophets and companions, which they said offend religious sentiments.

The conference featured religious scholars and leaders from Bangladesh and India, who collectively voiced support for protecting Qawmi education’s autonomy and Islamic values.

A woman named Khadija Khatun, aged 55, was killed after falling from her husband’s motorcycle and coming under the wheels of a truck in Pabna’s Bhangura upazila on Saturday afternoon. The accident occurred on the Naubaria-Betuya road in the Puibil area of Dilpashar Union. Her husband, Abu Taleb, was injured in the incident. The deceased was a resident of Purba Bankirat village in Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj district. The information was confirmed by Bhangura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sakiul Azam.

According to local sources, Abu Taleb was taking his wife Khadija to Bhangura Bazar by motorcycle. While giving way to a mini truck at Puibil Bazar, Khadija, who was sitting on the back seat, fell off and came under the truck’s wheels, dying instantly at the scene. Police reported that the victim’s relatives took the body before officers arrived. The truck has been seized by police, but the driver fled the scene.

Authorities are investigating the incident, and the truck remains in police custody while efforts to locate the driver continue.

The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati, India, has issued a job notice that drew attention for its unusual requirements. Former UK Press Minister Akbar Hossain highlighted the matter in a Facebook post on Saturday, noting that the commission announced a vacancy for a security guard position restricted to Indian citizens from specific areas. The notice required at least a higher secondary education and included an additional qualification that the candidate must be able to draft letters in English.

Hossain questioned why a security guard would need to draft official letters, especially given that such correspondence within a diplomatic mission is typically confidential. He also raised concerns about the sensitivity of allowing a foreign national to handle such tasks, particularly in the context of countries like India and Pakistan. The circular was reportedly posted on the official Facebook page of the Guwahati Assistant High Commission.

The post has prompted public curiosity and debate about the appropriateness and intent behind the job requirements, though no official clarification has been issued yet.