Iranian authorities have safely neutralized an unexploded bunker-buster bomb found buried about 13 meters underground in a residential area of Yazd Province. The powerful bomb, dropped during wartime, had struck its target but failed to detonate. The operation was carried out jointly by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and local bomb disposal units, who completed the task without any accidents.

According to officials, the unexploded ordnance had remained embedded in the ground since the conflict period, posing a potential threat to nearby residents. The coordinated effort between military and local teams ensured the safe removal and neutralization of the device.

The successful disposal of the bomb has eliminated a long-standing safety risk in the area, though details about the exact origin and timing of the wartime strike were not disclosed in the report.

India’s opposition Congress party has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for remaining silent on Israel’s continued killings in Gaza and large-scale attacks in Lebanon. The party accused Modi of showing unprecedented solidarity with what it called the “murderous Israeli government” and described his stance as cowardly. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Modi administration had betrayed India’s traditional policies and humanitarian values.

Ramesh wrote on social media platform X that the prime minister’s silence over Israel’s actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and the occupied West Bank revealed his “moral cowardice.” He alleged that Modi had ignored the seizure of Palestinian property and the displacement of millions. Congress reiterated that no other Indian government had shown such support for Israel.

In March, Congress had claimed that Israel was pursuing its “Greater Israel” ambition under the cover of war in the Middle East, undermining hopes for a Palestinian state. The party had also previously criticized Modi for not speaking out against Israeli actions in the West Bank.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained around 240 people in security operations across Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency. The IRGC reported that 11 individuals were arrested in Kurdistan, where one member of a Kurdish armed group was killed and a large cache of weapons and ammunition was seized. In a separate operation, about 70 more people were detained.

In Kermanshah province, the IRGC detained 155 people, claiming they were members of anti-revolutionary groups. Among those arrested, four are suspected of being spies linked to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. Separately, police in Tehran arrested one person accused of collecting information on missile targets and supplying it to a hostile network.

Authorities stated that these operations were part of broader efforts to strengthen national security across various regions of Iran.

A newly constructed 120-meter RCC road from Sripur Chourasta to Baromi in Gazipur has developed cracks even before its official inauguration. The project, costing about 7 million taka, was implemented by contractor Arian Enterprise under the Annual Development Program (ADP). The road’s foundation stone was laid on March 4 by local MP Professor Dr. S.M. Rafiqul Islam.

Local residents and transport workers expressed concern over the premature cracks, questioning the quality of construction and warning of potential accidents. Some alleged that irregularities occurred during the project and accused a municipal engineer of collusion with the contractor. Assistant Engineer Harunur Rashid denied the allegations, attributing the cracks to intense sunlight and stating that repairs were underway. Chief Engineer Shahed Akhtar described the damage as minor hairline cracks caused by heat, assuring that proper treatment would follow.

Sripur’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer and municipal administrator Md. Nahid Bhuiyan said an on-site inspection would be conducted and action taken if faults were found. MP Rafiqul Islam emphasized that corruption in development work would not be tolerated.

Police in Dhamrai, Dhaka, have arrested a suspect within 24 hours of the murder of SSC examinee Nahida Akter. The arrest was announced on Saturday, April 25, 2026, during a press briefing by Dhamrai Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Nazmul Huda Khan. The OC confirmed that the accused, Shamim alias Swapan, confessed to the killing. According to police, Shamim, an online gambler, had been in debt and sought to borrow money from Nahida, who refused, leading to the fatal attack.

The incident occurred on April 23 in Dhamrai municipal town, where 16-year-old Nahida, a commerce student at the local Central School, was found dead with severe injuries to her face and neck. Police said Shamim, a 36-year-old mason living in a nearby rented room, was apprehended following a special operation. Officers recovered Nahida’s gold earrings but have yet to locate the murder weapon or her gold chain.

Police stated that no remand was sought since the accused confessed and no other suspects were involved.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has emphasized the crucial role of the livestock sector in strengthening Bangladesh’s economy. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking World Veterinary Day 2026 at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium on Saturday, he said the government is giving top priority to developing this sector to achieve food self-sufficiency and expand exports.

The minister highlighted that ensuring food security is one of the world’s most important challenges and that veterinary professionals play a vital role in providing safe food for people. He noted that public awareness about food safety has increased over time, and interest in veterinary education and careers has grown significantly across the country.

The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Mahbub Alam, president of the Veterinary Association of Bangladesh, and attended by senior officials from the ministry and the Department of Livestock Services. A keynote paper presented by Professor Dr. M. Ariful Islam of Bangladesh Agricultural University discussed the challenges, opportunities, and public health importance of the veterinary profession.

Artist Rajib Ahsen’s first solo exhibition, titled “Embrace of the Earth,” opens today at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka. The exhibition will be inaugurated at 6 p.m. in the presence of artist Professor Jamal Ahmed. Running until April 26, it will remain open to the public daily from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The organizers describe the show as a deeply personal and emotional presentation built around themes of memory, place, and transformation, featuring around 36 watercolor and acrylic paintings.

The exhibition explores the connection between rural intimacy and the evolving realities of urban life. Ahsen, who grew up amid the rhythms of agrarian life, draws inspiration from real experiences rather than artificial narratives. His works reflect nostalgia, adaptation, and identity through vibrant brushstrokes, layered textures, and subtle use of light and color.

Rajib Ahsen’s artistic journey has been shaped by his personal experiences and deep ties to place and memory. He has previously participated in the Sixth Friendship Art Exhibition and Seventh Kahal International Art Exhibition in Dhaka, as well as the Eighth Kahal International Art Fair in Tokyo.

An extortion attempt was reported in Gazipur after unidentified individuals allegedly demanded Tk 300,000 from the director of Alor Jibon Drug Rehabilitation Center by falsely using the name of Rakib Uddin Sarkar Pappu, former joint convener of Gazipur Metropolitan BNP. When the director refused to pay, the callers reportedly used abusive language and issued threats. Following the incident, Pappu filed a general diary at Tongi East Police Station on Friday night.

According to the diary, two people from separate mobile numbers called the center’s director on Friday afternoon, posing as associates of Pappu and demanding the money. Pappu later stated that a group had been misusing his name to extort money from individuals and organizations, allegedly to tarnish his social and political image ahead of the formation of the metropolitan BNP committee. He confirmed that similar incidents had occurred before.

Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mehedi Hasan confirmed that a general diary had been filed and said legal action would follow after investigation.

A new book titled ‘Bengali Muslims’ Hajj Journey: Historical Context and Early Depictions’ examines the evolution of Hajj travel narratives among Bengali Muslims. The work presents vivid portrayals of early pilgrimages, highlighting the emotional farewells at Ashkona Hajj Camp and contrasting them with the perilous journeys of a century ago. It references early 20th-century travelogues by Mohammad Badruddoza and Yasin Ali Sarkar, noting their stylistic influences from Fort William-era Bengali prose, and contrasts them with Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah’s 1921 account.

The book’s first chapters discuss the origins of the Kaaba, the universality of Hajj, and a glossary of related terms. Later sections trace the routes, demographics, and social traits of Bengali pilgrims, citing data from 1913–14 and 2023. It also highlights editorial inconsistencies and includes historical details such as the 1914 Hajj costs and the role of Bengali rulers in Mecca and Medina’s development. The author connects Hajj literature to broader political changes in Arabia, including shifts in Ottoman and Saudi influence.

Archival materials like the 1935 Calcutta Hajj Committee declaration and cost lists from 1920 to 2025 make the book a valuable resource for researchers.

A case has been filed against 63 people, including BNP leader Taher Talukdar, over an attack and vandalism on the car of Jamaat MP Masum Mostafa in Purbadhala upazila of Netrokona. The case, lodged on Friday night by Al-Amin, a youth wing activist of the local Jamaat unit, also names 50 to 60 unidentified individuals. Following the filing, a joint operation by the district detective branch and local police led to the arrest of nine suspects, including one named in the case.

The incident occurred on Friday evening at a filling station in Atkapara area, where tension reportedly arose over refueling. The MP’s car was vandalized, and he was briefly confined before being rescued by police and administration officials. Masum Mostafa later alleged that local BNP activists had planned the attack, while BNP leader Babul Alam Talukdar claimed he helped move the MP to safety.

Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tasnin Jahan described the event as an unwanted incident caused by unruly individuals and confirmed that additional police have been deployed in the area.

The Trump administration has launched an active diplomatic campaign to prioritize U.S. companies in rebuilding Gulf countries damaged by recent Iranian counterattacks. According to reports citing U.S. and Arab officials, Washington has urged Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to work with American engineering, manufacturing, and construction firms. The United States views these nations as potential clients after widespread infrastructure damage, while Saudi Arabia and Oman were less affected.

U.S. officials have emphasized the long-standing economic partnership between the United States and Gulf nations, framing the effort as part of the administration’s “America First” policy that prioritizes economic diplomacy. However, some Arab officials described the initiative as ill-timed, noting regional anxiety over renewed conflict and uncertainty about U.S. security commitments. Rystad Energy estimated that repairing energy infrastructure alone could cost around $39 billion, while Iran reported total economic losses of about $270 billion.

A fragile ceasefire remains between the United States and Iran, but tensions persist around the Strait of Hormuz. Washington may seek financial cooperation, including currency swap deals, to secure U.S. corporate involvement in the region’s reconstruction.

RAB-6 detained Zahidul, a suspect facing multiple cases and arrest warrants, from the Khulna toll plaza on Friday night around 7:45 p.m. The arrest took place in connection with several criminal allegations in Bagerhat’s Rampal upazila. According to local sources, Zahidul had three active arrest warrants and was accused in several cases involving assault, extortion, land grabbing, theft, robbery, violence against women, and attempted murder.

Police said Zahidul, a resident of Malliker Ber area in Rampal, had been evading arrest for some time. After being detained, he was handed over to Rampal police station by RAB and later sent to court following police procedures. Local residents alleged that Zahidul had long been involved in various criminal activities in the area.

The arrest marks a significant step in ongoing law enforcement efforts to apprehend fugitives with multiple criminal charges in the Bagerhat region.

The United States Department of State has suspended the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh. The decision, effective from January 21, 2026, was announced through a post on the official Facebook page of the US Embassy in Dhaka on April 25, 2026. The suspension applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect non-immigrant categories such as tourist or student visas.

According to the announcement, the suspension targets countries whose immigrants have a higher rate of receiving public assistance funded by US taxpayers. The Department of State stated that it is reviewing all screening and verification policies to ensure that immigrants from high-risk countries do not unlawfully access welfare benefits or become a financial burden on the state. The list includes countries from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The measure aligns with President Trump’s stated policy that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and should not impose economic strain on American citizens.

A young man died from an electric shock while operating a blender machine at his home in Saghata upazila of Gaibandha on Saturday morning. The deceased was identified as Jyotish Chandra Barman Mona, 32, son of Surendra Barman from Mathorpata Pachabosta village under Ghuridaha Union. According to local sources, he was working with the blender when he suddenly received an electric shock. He lost consciousness, and locals rushed him to a hospital, but he died on the way.

Family sources said Jyotish Chandra Barman ran a tea stall at Mathorpata Bottola Bazar, which was the main source of income for his family. He was the only earning member of the household. Saghata Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahabub Alam stated that no complaint had been filed yet regarding the incident. He added that legal action would be taken if a complaint is received.

The incident has left the family in distress as they lost their sole breadwinner, and police are awaiting any formal complaint to proceed with an investigation.

A total of 32,532 Bangladeshi pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Hajj, according to the daily bulletin of the Hajj IT Helpdesk under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Of them, 3,284 traveled under the government management system and 29,248 under private management. By 3 a.m. on Friday, 81 flights had carried the pilgrims, including 33 flights by Biman Bangladesh Airlines with 13,684 passengers, 30 flights by Saudia with 11,299 passengers, and 18 flights by Flynas with 7,549 passengers.

The report also confirmed the deaths of two Bangladeshi pilgrims in Makkah—Abul Kashem from Tangail, who died of cardiac arrest, and Naim Uddin Mondal from Joypurhat, who passed away naturally. The official Hajj flights from Bangladesh began on April 18 with the first dedicated flight carrying 419 pilgrims. The outbound flight operations will continue until May 21, while return flights are scheduled between May 30 and June 30.

This year, a total of 5,565 pilgrims will perform Hajj under government management and 73,935 under private management, as per the ministry’s data.