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.

Retired Colonel Oli Ahmad warned that the current government lacks the capacity to handle a potential mass movement. Speaking at a national rally organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, he advised the government to avoid those who flatter or mislead and instead consult experienced individuals. He urged the leadership not to remain idle out of fear or arrogance.

Ahmad called on the government to engage with opposition leaders to find solutions to national problems and to implement the referendum reform verdict within two to three days. He cautioned that failure to do so could trigger widespread protests across the country, which the government might not be able to control if demonstrations spread beyond Dhaka to all 64 districts.

He further advised the authorities to take strict action against extortion within their ranks and to demonstrate accountability to the public, emphasizing the need for responsible governance and respect for the people’s mandate.

Cumilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah made a public appeal on Friday night through a Facebook post, urging newly admitted first-year students not to compromise their integrity or submit to undue influence. In his message, he called on students to remain steadfast, avoid becoming subservient to others, and resist any attempts to restore a system that has already been dismantled. He also referenced a line from a poem by Khudiram to emphasize courage and solidarity.

The post, shared on April 25, 2026, was published by the online edition of the newspaper Amar Desh. It reflects Abdullah’s call for moral independence and collective responsibility among the youth entering higher education. The message appears to be a broader appeal for ethical strength and civic awareness in the face of social or political pressures.

The statement did not include further details about the specific system he referred to or any official response to his remarks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir in Islamabad, according to the Iranian embassy. The meeting focused on regional security and strengthening bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and National Security Adviser General Asim Malik also attended the discussions.

The Iranian delegation included Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei and Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amir Mokaddam. Both sides emphasized the importance of promoting peace and stability in the region and agreed to deepen security collaboration. Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday night, where he was received by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Munir.

The visit comes amid a deadlock in talks between the United States and Iran. Observers view the trip as a potentially significant step toward a second round of discussions between Tehran and Washington.

Legendary Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila is set to return to the Australian stage after nearly a decade. She will perform alongside Bengal Symphony and artist Emon Chowdhury in two grand concerts scheduled for August 1 and 8, 2026, in Sydney and Melbourne respectively. The first event, titled “Bangladesh Night,” will take place at Sydney’s Norwest Convention Centre, featuring performances by Runa Laila, Bengal Symphony, and Pintu Ghosh. The second concert, “Runa Laila and Symphony Legacy Tour,” will be held at Melbourne’s Recital Centre.

Organizers described the events as more than just concerts, promising audiences a memorable musical journey. Advance ticket sales have already begun online and are reportedly receiving a positive response. Runa Laila expressed her excitement about performing in Australia again and said she is preparing to sing audience favorites. She will travel to Sydney on July 29 with seven instrumentalists. Emon Chowdhury added that the team is enthusiastic about performing popular songs such as “Kotha Koyo Na,” “Baji,” “Sada Sada Kala,” and “Teka Pakhi.”