Residents of eight villages in Sirajganj’s Raiganj upazila depend on a fragile bamboo bridge over the Karatoa River at Kamarbari in Chandikona Union, as no permanent bridge has been built there. Every day, students, farmers, traders, and patients cross the unstable structure at great personal risk to reach schools, markets, and healthcare facilities.

Locals said the lack of a bridge near the Dhaka–Bogura highway severely disrupts communication between the river’s two banks. Farmers face major difficulties transporting rice, vegetables, and other produce to markets, often losing fair prices due to the bridge’s narrow and unsafe condition. The situation worsens during the monsoon when the current strengthens and the bridge becomes slippery, increasing the risk of accidents.

Local residents have long demanded a permanent bridge to ease their hardship. The Raiganj Upazila LGED engineer stated that the need for a bridge is under assessment and a proposal will be sent to higher authorities after verification.

Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) has once again secured a prestigious position in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2026. The university ranked within the 401–500 band across Asia, reaffirming its status as the top agricultural university in Bangladesh. The ranking, released last Thursday, listed a total of 28 Bangladeshi universities, including 19 directly ranked and 9 reporter institutions.

Among all public universities in Bangladesh, GAKRUBI achieved a joint third position nationally, highlighting its strong academic and research standing. Recognized as a “Center of Excellence” in research, the university scored 67 in research quality, reflecting the depth and impact of its scholarly work. In total, it earned 174.9 points across five evaluation indicators: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

The 2026 ranking assessed 929 leading universities from 36 Asian countries and regions. GAKRUBI stated its commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and supporting national goals for agricultural excellence and food security through continued research and development.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the recent increase in fuel prices does not justify any dramatic rise in bus fares or daily commodity prices. He made the remarks on Saturday, April 25, 2026, while speaking to journalists after visiting the knit industrial zone established on the site of the former Chittaranjan Cotton Mill in Godnail, Siddhirganj, Narayanganj. The minister also suggested that future investors should focus on developing less fuel-intensive factories instead of fuel-heavy ones.

During the visit, Muktadir explained that electricity produced in the country is distributed to private industrial factories after generation, so production and export have not been disrupted by fuel price changes. He attributed any decline in exports to a mild global slowdown rather than domestic energy issues. Responding to another question, he said two industrial plots under BTMC have already been developed, two more are being taken by the same company, and remaining plots face local occupation problems that will be resolved soon to facilitate investment.

State Minister Md. Shariful Alam, BTMC Chairman Brigadier General S.M. Zahid Hasan, and local officials accompanied him during the visit.

Member of Parliament S M Jilani from Gopalganj-3 (Kotalipara-Tungipara) stated that saving canals is essential for saving farmers. He said that active canals help farmers irrigate their lands easily and reduce waterlogging. Due to long-term blockage by water hyacinths, local farmers had been facing difficulties in irrigation and drainage. Considering their needs, he initiated a canal cleaning program.

On Saturday, April 25, Jilani joined the cleaning of the Konervita-Ramnagar canal in Sadullapur Union of Kotalipara upazila. The event aimed to restore water flow and support agricultural activities in the area.

Upazila BNP President S M Mohiuddin welcomed the initiative, calling it timely for solving farmers’ problems. He expressed the intention to continue such public-benefit activities under Jilani’s leadership. Several BNP and affiliated organization leaders and activists also participated in the cleanup drive.

Bangladesh has led the adoption of a landmark resolution on sustainable bioeconomy at the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The resolution, titled “Supporting the Transition Towards a Sustainable Bioeconomy in Asia and the Pacific,” was introduced by Bangladesh under the leadership of Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam and adopted unanimously by member states. This achievement is seen as recognition of Bangladesh’s growing diplomatic leadership in shaping the regional development agenda.

The resolution aligns with Bangladesh’s national priorities of achieving sustainable, innovation-driven, and inclusive growth. It emphasizes circular economy principles, efficient resource use, and the application of science and technology for economic transformation. It also calls for enhanced regional cooperation to promote knowledge sharing, capacity building, investment, and the development of sustainable bioeconomy value chains across Asia and the Pacific.

Countries including India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan co-sponsored the initiative, reflecting a broad regional consensus on sustainable development goals.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called on political leaders to respect the people's verdict, claiming that 70 percent of citizens have expressed their will through a referendum. Speaking at a party rally held at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday, April 25, 2026, he warned that if the referendum’s outcome is not implemented, their movement would continue both inside and outside parliament.

During his address, Rahman criticized the BNP for following what he described as a fascist path and argued that the party could not become like the Awami League. He also accused the ruling party of betraying national promises and opposing discussions on key legislative reforms necessary to end authoritarian governance.

Rahman emphasized his vision for a changed Bangladesh where citizens, including children and women, can move safely and where educational institutions promote learning rather than violence. He said the party seeks a secure and just society based on respect for democratic rights.

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.