Several people have been injured in a clash between two rival groups over control of the area surrounding Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka. The first round of clashes broke out around 11:00 am on Saturday near the area between the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Suhrawardy Hospital, according to a bdnews24.com. Police said a second round of fighting occurred later to the south of Suhrawardy Hospital. Others were treated at Suhrawardy Hospital and the National Institute of Neurosciences. The OC said the clash stemmed from disputes over hospital tenders, ambulance operations, and control of footpaths and other hospital-centred businesses.

Pakistan has successfully test-fired the Abdali surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which has an extended range of 450 km, the military’s media wing announced on Saturday, reports bdnews24.com citing the Dawn newspaper. The launch, part of “Exercise Indus,” aimed to validate key technical parameters and ensure the operational readiness of Pakistan’s strategic forces, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The launch came hours after Indian officials labelled Pakistan’s planned missile test a “reckless provocation” and a “dangerous escalation” of its hostile campaign”, according to the Hindustan Times. Pakistan’s military described the missile test as routine and defensive, but Indian authorities viewed it as an attempt to escalate tensions. The Abdali missile, previously known for a range of 180-200 km, appeared to have been upgraded for this test.

India has imposed a blanket ban on all imports from Pakistan amid soaring tensions between the countries following the deadly terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the NDTV reports. The decision has been taken in the interest of national security and public policy, the Indian broadcaster said, quoting the country’s commerce ministry. The restriction applies to all products in transit from Pakistan, reports bdnews24.com citing the NDTV. Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval of the Indian government," a notification issued by the ministry read. The move comes in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, which left at least 26 dead, including a Nepali tourist and a local guide.

The organisation’s Secretary General Sajidur Rahman announced the events at the grand rally at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday. The programmes include a divisional conference to establish women's rights within the next three months and a nationwide protest after Jummah prayers on May 23 with the four-point demands. Earlier in the morning, Hifazat leaders and activists from parts of the country began to converge at Suhrawardy Udyan to attend the rally. Nayeb-e-Ameer Ahmad Abdul Quader said: "We, on behalf of the Muslims, demand that the Women's Affairs Reform Commission must be abolished immediately. The Hifazat leader added that the decision to provide a humanitarian corridor in Myanmar’s Rakhine state must be taken in consultation with the people.

Amid the ongoing debate over a “humanitarian corridor” for aid to Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said if the United Nations (UN) leads the initiative, a decision will be made after discussions with "everyone" involved. Speaking at Chattogram Circuit House auditorium on Friday afternoon, he said: “We agree to the humanitarian corridor if the UN takes the initiative, bdnews24.com reports. He said discussions about Bangladesh’s potential involvement in such a mechanism began during a February 7 meeting with Guterres in New York. On Friday, Shafiqul said the “humanitarian corridor” was being discussed because of an ongoing conflict in Rakhine resembling civil war. “There’s now a humanitarian crisis there, affecting the Rohingya community and others living in Rakhine.”The press secretary termed the political reaction to the corridor discussions “premature.”“This will require consensus.

The Shilpakala Academy is grappling with a leadership vacuum and an inactive governing board following the resignation of Director General Syed Jamil Ahmed in late February. It proves its capacity.”According to Shilpakala Academy rules, the board of directors—its highest policy-making body—is responsible for setting the institution’s work plan. At the time, some board members accused Lucky of sidelining them, alleging he was “engaged in various irregularities.”Now, amid another transition of power, several board members say the continued absence of meetings is undermining Shilpakala’s governance. Under the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Act, the board president—who is also the minister of cultural affairs—is responsible for convening board meetings. In December, under his leadership, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy launched and implemented a wide array of initiatives across the country.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has released two Bangladeshi farmers picked up from the borders of Birol Upazila in Dinajpur on Friday nine hours after detaining them. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also released two Indian nationals around the same time after they were detained by locals in response to BSF’s action at the Dharmajain border. The incident occurred between 10 and 11am on Friday, near sub-pillar 11 of the 321 main border pillar in Birol’s Dharmajain, said Lieutenant Colonel Ahsanul Islam, captain of Dinajpur-42 BGB Battalion. The Bangladeshis taken by BSF have been identified as Masud, 22, and Enamul, 46, both residents of Birol, said Nur Islam, Chairman of the Dharmapur Union Parishad. In retaliation, Birol residents apprehended two Indian indigenous citizens: Avinash Tudu and Philip Soren, and handed them over to BGB personnel, said the chairman.

The BNP has sent the inspector general of police (IGP) a letter asking them to "ensure security" of Zubaida Rahman, the wife of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, upon their arrival to Bangladesh.The party also sought "police security alongside cars" to ensure her safety outside the home.The letter wrote, "BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will return home on May 4 (later the party said May 5) after completing her medical treatment abroad. Zubaida Rahman will come home as her travel companion. "According to the letter, Zubaida will stay at her father's house in Dhanmondi and "there is a security threat to her life asa member of the Zia family and the wife of Tarique Rahman". "Therefore, we are specifically requesting you to take security measures during her stay at her Dhaka residence during her trip," it said.Signed by Khaleda's private secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and dated Apr 30, the letter outlines a four-layer security arrangement.It includes armed security personnel, police escort with vehicles, a police guard at home, and the installation of archways at the residence.Sattar confirmed the matter of the letter to bdnews24.com, saying: "This letter has been sent to ensure her (Zubaida) security. After that, she did not return to the country.Several cases were filed against Zubaida during the tenure of the Awami League government.�"bdnews24.com

Novoair, one of Bangladesh’s three private airlines, has stopped operating its flights. Flight operations have been halted for the time being, and they may resume later." It stopped ticket bookings on Apr 19, and briefly resumed flights, but has now shut down completely. As the country's “first” airline, Novoair launched a frequent flyer programme for passengers - Smiles, co-branded cards, a mobile app for ticket purchase, and a web check-in facility. Although it was later resumed, the airline once again “temporarily” suspended flight operations on this route on Sept 16, 2024.

India has asked the International Monetary Fund to review loans disbursed to Pakistan, an Indian government source told Reuters on Friday, as tensions between the South Asian neighbours escalated following a deadly attack in Kashmir. India raised concerns with the IMF on its loans to Pakistan, asking for a review, a government source told Reuters without elaborating. The advisor to Pakistan's finance minister said the IMF programme is "well on track". Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both Hindu-majority India and Islamic Pakistan, but each rules it in parts. While New Delhi accuses Pakistan of backing an uprising in Indian Kashmir since 1989, Pakistan says it only offers diplomatic and moral support to a Kashmiri demand for self-determination.

The BNP has sent the inspector general of police (IGP) a letter asking them to “ensure security” of Zubaida Rahman, the wife of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, upon their arrival to Bangladesh. The party also sought “police security alongside cars” to ensure her safety outside the home. Zubaida Rahman will come home as her travel companion.”According to the letter, Zubaida will stay at her father’s house in Dhanmondi and “there is a security threat to her life as a member of the Zia family and the wife of Tarique Rahman”. She will be accompanied by Zubaida and Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman. Zubaida, daughter of former Navy Chief Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, went to London in 2007 with her daughter Zaima Rahman for better treatment for her husband Tarique.

US stocks advanced on Thursday, with the Dow and S&P 500 posting their eighth straight session of gains after strong results from megacaps Microsoft and Meta eased concerns about artificial intelligence spending. Meta Platforms gained 4.2% and closed at its highest since April 9 after posting higher-than-expected revenue on the back of a strong advertising performance. S&P 500 first-quarter earnings are seen growing 12.9% on an annual basis, per LSEG data, up from the 8% growth rate seen on April 1. McDonald's also reported earnings and shares declined 1.9% to cap gains on the Dow after posting a surprise drop in first-quarter global sales. The S&P 500 posted 11 new 52-week highs and four new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 45 new highs and 66 new lows.

The first death was registered among this year’s Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims. The information was provided in the latest bulletin from the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hajj Affairs Portal. The victim was identified as Md Khalilur Rahman, a 70-year-old resident of Ramkal Bahadurpur village in Rajbari’s Pangsha Upazila, according to bdnews24.com. He had arrived in Saudi Arabia’s Madinah aboard Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-3401. A total of 13,191 pilgrims from Bangladesh have arrived in Saudi Arabia so far, according to the bulletin.

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has put Syeda Nilima Dola, the daughter of Mahmuda Begum, president of Faridpur Mohila Awami League, in charge of forming the district committee. According to the letter, a special team has been created to set up NCP committees in five districts: Gopalganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Rajbari, and Shariatpur. Dola is also the niece of Golam Mohammad Nasir, general secretary of the district Awami Sramik League. When asked about the criticism surrounding her appointment, Dola said: “You may come across some posts related to my family’s association with the Awami League. The NCP leadership appointed me only after I passed their ‘litmus test’.”Responding to the controversy, Sohel Rana of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement said: “Her family is affiliated with the Awami League.

Decision on humanitarian corridor must come from elected parliament, says TariqueReferring to the interim government’s “in-principle decision" to provide a humanitarian corridor for UN aid to reach Myanmar's Rakhine state, BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman says the decision must come from parliament elected by people through the general election. About the interim administration’s decision on the humanitarian aid corridor to Rakhine, he said: “The government did not inform people when it decided on such a sensitive issue related to the country's independence and sovereignty. He said, "I don't want to debate whether the interim government can or should take such a decision without informing the country’s people. "But the freedom-loving people of the country believe the decision to allow or disallow the corridor should come from the people and the national parliament directly elected by them through voting. The rally was held at 2pm under the initiative taken by the BNP's labour affiliate Jatiotabadi Shramik Dal, or Nationalist Labour Party.