Prime Minister’s Education, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Mahdi Amin announced that the government plans to gradually deliver improved mid-day meals to around 20 million primary school students across Bangladesh. He said the initiative aims to ensure nutritious, high-quality, and long-lasting food, supported by modern technology-based research. Amin made the remarks on Saturday at a roundtable titled ‘From Genome to Bioeconomy: Enhancing Bangladesh’s Biotechnology Capacity by 2030,’ organized by Bioted in Eskaton Garden, Dhaka.

The adviser emphasized that one of the Prime Minister’s major commitments is to guarantee mid-day meals for primary students. He noted that current tiffin items such as butter buns or bananas spoil quickly, underscoring the need for affordable and durable food solutions through research and development. Amin also highlighted the importance of curriculum reform to build transferable and technical skills, stronger industry-academia collaboration, and self-reliance in vaccine and food production through biotechnology.

He added that engaging expatriate researchers through joint research and short courses could transform brain drain into brain circulation, helping strengthen national research capacity and empower citizens through biotechnology.

Chuadanga is enduring an intense heatwave, with temperatures recorded at 36.8°C on Saturday evening, 36.7°C at 3 p.m., and 34.8°C at noon. The previous days also saw extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 37.3°C on Thursday and Friday, and 37.2°C on Wednesday. The scorching conditions have brought daily life to a standstill, as residents struggle under both high temperatures and prolonged power cuts.

Officials from the local electricity offices reported a significant power shortage. The zonal office, serving 84,000 customers, has a regular demand of 105 megawatts but receives only 77 megawatts, resulting in a 30 percent deficit. The West Zone office faces a daily shortfall of 5–6 megawatts against a 24-megawatt demand. The combination of heat and load-shedding has caused severe hardship, particularly for children, the elderly, and laborers.

According to the Chuadanga weather observatory, humidity levels ranged from 47 to 62 percent during the day, intensifying the discomfort caused by the heatwave.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has strongly condemned BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s recent remarks threatening to politically eliminate Jamaat. In a statement issued to the media on Saturday night, Porwar described the comments as unconstitutional, undesirable, and undemocratic, asserting that such language does not align with democratic principles.

Porwar argued that Mirza Fakhrul’s statement echoed the rhetoric of what he called fallen authoritarian forces, claiming it was inappropriate and disappointing from a senior political leader. He warned that such remarks could incite unrest and violence, pushing the country toward political chaos. Porwar further alleged that the BNP leader’s comments indicated an attempt to reestablish one-party authoritarian rule by eliminating the parliamentary opposition.

He urged the BNP secretary general to refrain from using provocative language and instead uphold democratic norms. Porwar emphasized that threats or intimidation could not suppress Jamaat-e-Islami and that the people of Bangladesh would reject any conspiracy to politically destroy the party.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has published a new fare list for inter-district and long-distance bus routes, including those in Dhaka and Chattogram, following the recent increase in fuel prices. The list was released on Saturday on the BRTA website, though passengers reported that no buses had yet displayed the updated fare charts. Supervisors said they had not received the official lists and were therefore continuing to charge previous fares.

According to a government notification issued on April 23, fares for diesel-run buses were raised by 11 paisa per kilometer. In Dhaka and Chattogram, 52-seat buses will now charge Tk 2.53 per kilometer, up from Tk 2.42, while inter-district buses will charge Tk 2.23, up from Tk 2.12. Minimum fares remain unchanged at Tk 10 for buses and Tk 8 for minibuses. The new rates do not apply to gas-powered vehicles.

Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam warned that any gas-run buses charging higher fares would face action. He added that future fare adjustments will automatically align with international fuel price changes through BRTA notifications, ensuring a transparent and consistent process.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central assistant secretary general Muazzam Hossain Helal alleged that some individuals were trying to conceal their history of fleeing to London by labeling others with secret tags. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing a protest rally organized by an eleven-party alliance at the Town Hall premises in Barishal city.

Helal claimed that within two months of taking office, the current government’s “fascist character” had become evident to the public. He accused the government of betraying the consensus reached in the Unity Commission regarding the July Charter and of using the judiciary to legitimize oppression. He urged the authorities to implement the July Charter in line with the referendum’s verdict and heed the people’s demands.

Barishal city Jamaat Amir Zahir Uddin Muhammad Babar said the government had disappointed the nation by reinstating old authoritarian laws and resuming campus occupation politics. He warned that attacks on student leaders indicated a deteriorating law and order situation and that student groups would resist if targeted. Speakers from the alliance vowed to continue their united movement and hinted at tougher programs ahead.

Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party has urged the government to swiftly implement the February referendum verdict, warning that any delay or disregard would amount to betrayal of the nation. Party leaders made the remarks on Saturday during the Majlis-e-Shura session held at a hotel in Dhaka, presided over by party chief Allama Sarowar Kamal Azizee and conducted by Secretary General Musa Bin Izhar. They said ignoring the people’s mandate would not only be a political failure but also an insult to the martyrs of the July uprising.

Speakers expressed deep concern over the country’s current political and economic situation, noting that the referendum reflected the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives for reform and citizens’ rights. Despite the government’s formation after winning the parliamentary majority, the leaders alleged procrastination in implementing the referendum’s outcome, which they described as disappointing and alarming.

The meeting also voiced concern over deteriorating law and order, citing rising instability in educational institutions and recent violent incidents. The party demanded swift arrests and exemplary punishment for those involved and announced new programs to strengthen its nationwide activities.

US technology giants Meta and Microsoft are set to lay off around 16,000 employees to manage rising expenses linked to their expanding artificial intelligence (AI) investments, according to a Financial Times report. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, plans to cut about 10 percent of its workforce, or roughly 8,000 employees, and cancel around 6,000 vacant positions. An internal memo indicated that the layoffs will begin on May 20.

Meta is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, including new data centers and recruitment of top-tier technology experts, to compete with rivals such as Google and OpenAI. The company previously stated that its 2026 capital expenditure could reach between 115 and 135 billion dollars, with a large portion allocated to AI infrastructure and operational costs.

Microsoft, meanwhile, is offering voluntary retirement to about 7 percent of its US-based workforce, affecting more than 8,000 employees who meet specific age and service criteria. The company had already cut over 15,000 jobs in 2025 while pledging 140 billion dollars to accelerate AI development.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is continuing its strategy of integrating expatriate talent into its youth teams. Following the success of winning the SAFF Under-20 Championship with expatriate players Ronan Sullivan and Declan Sullivan, BFF has now confirmed plans to include two more expatriates, Adam Abbas and Zidan Yusuf, in the national U-20 squad. The move comes as part of preparations for the upcoming AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

According to BFF Vice President Fahad Karim, both players, based in England, have expressed interest in representing Bangladesh. Nineteen-year-old right winger Adam Abbas has experience playing in youth teams of top English clubs, and his performance videos have impressed BFF’s technical team. His passport process is expected to be completed by June. Meanwhile, 18-year-old center-back Zidan Yusuf, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, already holds a Bangladeshi passport and currently plays for Walton & Hersham FC’s main team. He is expected to join the U-20 training camp soon.

BFF aims to strengthen its squad with these additions as it targets success on the Asian stage.

In Phulbaria upazila of Mymensingh, the local office of the Bangladesh Awami League has transformed into a betel leaf market. The office, located beside the government pond on Post Office Road, was once a hub of political activity but became inactive after the student and public movement on August 5, which led to a shift in local political dynamics. Following damage during the unrest, the office was abandoned and later repurposed as a trading spot.

Local sources report that every morning, betel farmers from nearby villages bring their produce to the site, where wholesalers and traders gather to negotiate prices and conduct sales for about two hours. Residents say the market has become a regular fixture, attracting over a hundred farmers and buyers daily. The organized trading system benefits local growers and traders.

According to locals, the conversion of the political office into a commercial market has created a new form of economic activity in the area, contributing modestly to the local economy.

A Comilla court has ordered former army officer Hafizur Rahman to be sent to jail after a three-day remand in connection with the murder of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a Victoria Government College student killed ten years ago. The order was issued on Saturday by Chief Judicial Magistrate Abdullah Aman. Investigation officer Tariqul Islam of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) said Hafizur was interrogated on key issues during remand, and his DNA sample has been collected for testing. Further legal steps will follow after verification of the obtained information.

Tonu’s father, Iyar Hossain, expressed dissatisfaction with the arrest, saying he wanted to see all suspects brought to justice, not just one. The PBI had earlier collected DNA samples from three retired army personnel, including Hafizur, for matching with evidence found in 2017. The case was filed in 2016 after Tonu’s body was discovered inside the Comilla Cantonment area.

The investigation continues as authorities await DNA test results to determine the next course of action.

Indian politician Raghav Chadha lost around one million social media followers within 24 hours of joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As of Friday, April 24, his Instagram following dropped from 14.6 million to 13.3 million, according to the report. The decline followed his formal entry into the BJP, marking a sharp reaction from his online audience.

According to Hindustan Times, Chadha had been highly popular among India’s youth, with many from Generation Z reportedly dissatisfied with his sudden party switch. Social media users circulated calls to unfollow him after the announcement, which appeared to gain traction among younger audiences.

Chadha’s popularity had been largely built through viral videos of his speeches in the Rajya Sabha and his public image, which resonated with younger voters. His marriage to Bollywood actor and singer Parineeti Chopra also contributed to his public profile.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman emphasized the need for women to play a leading role in building society and to safeguard their personal and organizational integrity. He made the remarks on Saturday during the closing session of a three-day training camp organized by the women’s wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for district and city secretaries and assistant secretaries, held at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa in Tongi, Gazipur.

The program, which began on Thursday, focused on discipline, moral development, and the cultivation of social leadership. Speakers including central and regional leaders discussed Islamic leadership, accountability, and the importance of moral excellence. Women’s wing secretary Nurunnisa Siddika highlighted the role of leadership in organizational management, while other sessions covered Quranic and Hadith studies and practical workshops on enhancing organizational skills.

The event concluded with a review session, departmental planning, and a closing prayer led by assistant secretary Saeeda Rumman. Participants were urged to strengthen their capabilities and maintain the organization’s positive image.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon stated that the alleged exam question leak is nothing but a rumor, which has already been proven beyond doubt. He made the remark on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in a Facebook post, rejecting the claims circulating on social media. The minister criticized the National Citizens Party (NCP), a youth-led political group, for issuing statements without fact-checking and called their actions baseless and disappointing.

Earlier, NCP’s Joint Member Secretary and Education and Research Secretary Faisal Mahmud Shanto alleged that question leak accusations had surfaced since April 20, but the Education Ministry and relevant authorities had shown no visible response. The party accused the government of negligence that could endanger the country’s education system.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka Education Board urged students, parents, and the public to remain cautious about false and misleading information related to the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations.

The Comilla University Journalists’ Association (CUBSAS) organized a human chain on Saturday evening at the Shaheed Abdul Kaiyum Square of the university, protesting the recent attack on Dhaka University journalists by members of the student wing of a political party. The demonstration demanded justice for the victims and called for ensuring a free and safe environment for independent journalism. Journalists from national and local print and electronic media joined the event.

Speakers at the protest described the assault as a direct threat to press freedom, freedom of expression, and democratic values. They urged authorities to identify and punish those responsible for the attack. Participants also criticized the silence of the university administration and law enforcement agencies, saying it legitimized such violence. They called on the government to stand by journalists who have faced attacks at various institutions.

CUBSAS leaders warned that if effective measures are not taken to stop violence against journalists and ensure their safety, university journalists across the country may launch stronger movements.

In Sukash Union of Singra upazila, Natore, acting Union Parishad chairman Sohrab Hossain has repaid double the market value of rice to 247 poor women after being found guilty of misappropriating rice from the Vulnerable Women Benefit (VWB) program. The repayment, including fines, was made on Saturday at the union council office in the presence of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abdullah Al Rifat. Each beneficiary received 3,425 taka.

According to the investigation, rice allocated for 247 cardholding women in March was withdrawn from the local food warehouse but sold in the open market instead of being distributed to beneficiaries. Following media reports, the upazila administration formed an inquiry committee that confirmed the embezzlement. Under section 9 of the VWB Implementation Guidelines 2011, double the market value must be recovered for misappropriated government goods.

UNO Abdullah Al Rifat stated that the recovery followed government rules and that no irregularities in government allocations would be tolerated. Sohrab Hossain admitted his wrongdoing, citing misunderstanding and external influence, and returned both the double value and the women’s savings. Beneficiaries expressed relief after receiving their due payments.