Iran Football Association President Mehdi Taj and his delegation faced questioning at Toronto airport while traveling to attend FIFA’s 76th Congress in Canada. Canadian authorities reportedly detained them for nearly three hours, raising questions about Taj’s past and present links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Although Taj was eventually allowed to attend the Congress, the situation became complicated, prompting the Iranian delegation to decide to return home.

After reaching Turkey, FIFA President Gianni Infantino offered to fly them back to Canada on a special aircraft, but the Iranian officials declined the offer. Taj later stated that despite holding valid visas, they withdrew from the event due to what he described as unnecessary harassment.

The incident highlights diplomatic sensitivities surrounding international sports participation and the scrutiny faced by officials with alleged political or military affiliations.

The Pakistan cricket team is arriving in Bangladesh in two phases to play a two-match Test series. The first group is scheduled to land in Dhaka early Sunday morning, followed by the second group on Monday morning. The split arrival is due to the Pakistan Super League final. After reaching Dhaka, the team will begin practice at Mirpur from Monday.

The first Test of the series will start on May 8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, while the second Test will be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium starting May 16. The Bangladesh team has already begun preparations for the series.

Following the conclusion of their T20 series against New Zealand, the remaining Bangladesh players will join red-ball practice sessions from the day after tomorrow.

The government is increasing its support fund for farmers severely affected in the Haor regions, Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid said on May 2, 2026, in Cumilla. He stated that the government is continuously collecting information from district administrations and the Department of Agriculture about those impacted. The initiative aims to expand financial assistance for the most affected farmers.

Speaking to journalists after inaugurating the district-level phase of the Nobo Kurri Sports-2026 at the Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium gymnasium, the minister added that the government will purchase paddy directly from farmers at fair prices through announcements at the union level. This measure is expected to increase farmers’ profits by up to thirty percent. Additionally, a three-month food assistance program will be implemented for the most affected Haor farmers, and other affected groups will also be included under new support projects.

Earlier, at a separate event at Cumilla Victoria Government College, the minister emphasized that agriculture is the main driving force of Bangladesh’s economy and that enhancing farmers’ dignity strengthens the nation’s overall standing.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure justice for the killings that occurred on May 5, 2013, at Dhaka’s Motijheel Shapla Chattar. In a statement issued to the media on Saturday, the group’s Amir Allama Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sajedur Rahman described the incident as a planned massacre by the then government, claiming that countless religious people were killed and thousands of scholars and devotees were injured. They also urged supporters to organize prayers and discussions nationwide in memory of those killed.

The Hefazat leaders said a case filed by the organization against 54 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is currently pending before the International Crimes Tribunal. They demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible, asserting that justice is essential for upholding fairness in the country. The statement further criticized past political failures and alleged that silence from sections of society had enabled the rise of authoritarianism.

The leaders warned that if the current government fails to protect citizens’ dignity, security, and religious sentiments, it risks losing public support.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar has accused the government of deliberately pushing the country toward a deep political and constitutional crisis by disregarding the people's direct verdict in a recent referendum. Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled 'Government Against Referendum Verdict: Nation Facing Crisis' held at Khulna Press Club, he said the government's stance under the 'July Charter' was not only a political tactic but also a denial of the people's mandate.

The seminar was organized by Jamaat’s Khulna Metropolitan branch, with participation from party leaders, lawyers, journalists, and student representatives. Porwar alleged that the government was intentionally creating public confusion by separating the July Charter from the referendum outcome, while ministers repeatedly promised to implement the charter but remained silent on the referendum verdict. He questioned why no objections were raised before the vote despite months of preparation and official orders.

Porwar warned that if the referendum verdict is not implemented in parliament, the party and its allies would be compelled to launch a movement, asserting that returning to the people would be their only option.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that the future of Bangladesh depends on the new generation. He made the remark on Saturday, May 2, 2026, while inaugurating the nationwide ‘Notun Kuri Sports 2026’ event at Sylhet District Stadium. Addressing the youth, he urged them to represent Bangladesh globally through sports and emphasized that they are the country’s future leaders and achievers.

The Prime Minister encouraged young people to engage in sports alongside their studies, assuring them of state and government support. He said that the current generation of leaders would pass the baton to the youth, who would one day become athletes, influential figures, and even prime ministers. The event was joined virtually by young athletes from district stadiums across the country.

‘Notun Kuri’ began in 1976 as a talent search program for children and adolescents, originally popularized through Bangladesh Television in the 1980s. The revived version, ‘Notun Kuri Sports,’ marks a new chapter, shifting the focus from stage performance to athletic fields.

Saudi Arabia has announced strict health regulations for Hajj pilgrims ahead of the main rituals of the pilgrimage. The Ministry of Health stated that individuals suffering from serious physical or mental illnesses will not be granted Hajj permits this year. The directive, reported by Gulf News citing the Saudi Public Health Authority, aims to ensure the safety of pilgrims who might struggle with the physically demanding rituals. The ministry has also made several vaccinations mandatory for all participants.

According to the Saudi authorities, people with kidney complications requiring dialysis, heart failure, liver cirrhosis, severe mental disorders including dementia, extreme age-related weakness, and women in the last trimester of pregnancy are ineligible for Hajj permits. All pilgrims must receive a meningitis vaccine at least ten days before the pilgrimage. Those at higher risk, such as the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, and pregnant women, are advised to take COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines.

The ministry emphasized that these measures are part of Saudi Arabia’s annual effort to prevent global health risks and ensure the safety of millions gathering in Mecca.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) will organize a national convention on Sunday at the Engineers Institution Hall in Dhaka, focusing on energy, economy, human rights, and referendum issues. The daylong event will include multiple sessions featuring NCP leaders, political scientists, sociologists, economists, educators, lawyers, and representatives from civil society. The announcement was made by NCP Joint Convener and Reform Implementation Committee Deputy Chief Sarowar Tushar at a press conference in the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor on Saturday.

The convention will open with a session chaired by NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, followed by thematic discussions on economic restructuring, energy security, freedom of expression, and democratic reform. Participants include academics, rights activists, and political figures from various parties. In the closing session, opposition leaders and civil society representatives will discuss constitutional reform and referendum outcomes.

At the press conference, Akhtar Hossain criticized the government for failing to implement referendum results and for not forming a constitutional reform council as expected after the last national election.

India and Bangladesh have taken steps to fully resume visa services between the two countries after about one and a half years of strained relations. According to a report by The Indian Express on May 2, Bangladesh has reopened visa issuance for all categories of Indian citizens, while India plans to gradually restart its own visa operations within the next few weeks. The move follows recent diplomatic discussions aimed at normalizing bilateral relations.

The report notes that Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman emphasized restoring normal visa procedures during his recent visit to India. All Bangladeshi visa centers in India are now operational, and Dhaka has urged New Delhi to reciprocate promptly. Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah said that although some centers were suspended last December, operations resumed in February. Since then, over 13,000 visas have been issued to Indian nationals across business, tourism, medical, and family visit categories.

The report adds that Bangladesh remains a major source of foreign tourists to India, though visitor numbers declined in 2024 amid political changes in Dhaka. The renewed visa cooperation signals an effort by both governments to stabilize bilateral ties.

City Bank PLC, one of Bangladesh’s leading private banks, recorded a 162% year-on-year increase in net profit for the first quarter of 2026, ending on March 31. The bank’s post-tax profit rose to Tk 2.41 billion from Tk 920 million in the same period of 2025, while earnings per share increased from Tk 0.6 to Tk 1.6. Managing Director and CEO Mashrur Arefin noted that despite the strong profit growth, he was concerned about the slowdown in credit growth across the sector.

The bank’s strong performance was driven mainly by higher core banking income. Interest income from loans rose 14% to Tk 13.06 billion, while investment income surged from Tk 6.03 billion to Tk 10.14 billion, accounting for 32% of total operating income. Fee and commission income also grew by 27% due to higher foreign exchange earnings, card-related fees, and trade commissions.

Total income increased by 38% to Tk 13.38 billion, while expenses were contained at Tk 5.95 billion, improving the cost-to-income ratio from 52% to 44%. Operating profit rose 61% to Tk 7.43 billion, supported by improved asset quality and reduced provisioning requirements.

France has strongly condemned an attack on a French Catholic nun in Jerusalem, describing it as a heinous act. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the growing trend of anti-Christian assaults in the Holy Land is unacceptable. The incident occurred in West Jerusalem and has drawn widespread outrage internationally this week.

Israeli police released a video on Thursday showing a man following the nun, pushing her to the ground, and later kicking her while she lay injured. The nun suffered a head injury, and the attacker was later arrested. Barrot expressed deep sympathy for the injured nun and wished her a speedy recovery, calling for exemplary punishment for the perpetrator.

The French reaction comes amid increasing concern over the safety of religious minorities in the Holy Land. Experts cited in the report emphasized the urgent need for swift and effective measures to prevent such attacks in the future.

Continuous and intermittent rainfall since Friday night has caused severe waterlogging across Rangpur city, submerging roads, alleys, and homes under knee-deep water. The downpour left large parts of the city, including Lalbagh Railgate, Khamar Mor, Babu Khan, Senpara, and nearby areas, inundated. Residents reported water entering their houses, forcing them to move furniture to higher ground, while transportation became difficult due to flooded streets.

Locals blamed the long-standing unplanned and weak drainage system for the recurring problem, saying even moderate rain now leads to waterlogging. Many families in Shantibagh and other neighborhoods were trapped in their homes, and residents complained that no local representatives or officials had visited them. The stagnant water has also damaged roads, increasing the risk of accidents. Citizens demanded immediate drainage repairs, regular cleaning, and an effective water disposal system.

According to Rangpur City Corporation, emergency measures are underway to drain the water and restore normalcy. The local weather office recorded 68.8 millimeters of rainfall in the past 24 hours and warned that conditions could worsen if the weather does not improve.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan inaugurated the Notun Kuri Sports 2026 at Chandpur Stadium on Saturday afternoon, organized by the district administration. He said that the late President Ziaur Rahman had initiated the Notun Kuri program nationwide to discover young talents, and now Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is continuing that legacy through Notun Kuri Sports to identify meritorious youth across the country.

The minister emphasized that students should remain engaged in both sports and studies throughout the year to foster intellectual and moral development. He expressed confidence that the next generation would represent Bangladesh as a new, capable nation on the global stage. He also noted that the Ministry of Education has already introduced sports activities at primary, secondary, college, and university levels, and this initiative will continue.

The event was chaired by Additional District Magistrate Nazmun Nahar and attended by several local Members of Parliament and officials. The minister formally inaugurated the games by releasing balloons in the presence of participating students.

Residents from Bangladesh’s haor regions living in Dhaka have placed nine demands, including scientific research on crop protection embankments and compensation for farmers affected by early floods. The demands were announced during a human chain held on Saturday in front of the National Press Club, organized by Haoranchalbasi, Dhaka. The group’s chief coordinator, Dr. Halim Dad Khan, said that three rounds of rainfall between mid-March and late April caused embankment breaches, submerging about 45,000 hectares of farmland.

Speakers added that hailstorms damaged another 800 hectares of crops and that ongoing rainfall in the haor areas and Meghalaya hills could worsen the situation. They noted that Boro rice is the only source of income for local farmers, many of whom cannot dry their harvested paddy due to continuous rain, leading to spoilage.

The nine demands include effective waterlogging solutions, year-round food support for affected farmers, dredging of rivers and canals, halting unplanned road and embankment construction, ensuring accountability for corruption in embankment projects, loan installment waivers, and combining local experience with scientific expertise for sustainable solutions.

Cox’s Bazar-4 Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury announced that the government is taking necessary steps to send Rohingyas back to Myanmar with dignity by 2027. He emphasized that the construction of permanent structures by Rohingyas in Bangladesh must be stopped. Chowdhury warned that if the Rohingya crisis continues, it could threaten local security, the economy, and social stability. He stressed that a quick and respectful repatriation is the only viable solution.

He made these remarks on Saturday morning at a human chain event organized by the ‘Adhikar Bastobayon Committee’ at Palongkhali Station Square in Ukhiya. Chowdhury also urged law enforcement agencies to take stricter measures to control drugs, weapons, and other crimes in border areas, noting that peace and security in the Ukhiya-Teknaf region depend on border safety.

The event was attended by local political, social, and professional leaders, including BNP representatives and community figures, who participated under the committee’s leadership.