India has suspended visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect following the Pahalgam attack in south Kashmir. India has suspended visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect following the Pahalgam attack in south Kashmir. REUTERS/Francis MascarenhasThe government of Pakistan-administered Kashmir has closed all religious seminaries in the region for 10 days, officials said on Thursday, citing fears they would be targeted by Indian strikes following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir. The President's Office of Pakistani Kashmir also said the closure was due to "precautionary reasons." Many Muslims in Indian Kashmir have long resented what they see as heavy-handed rule by India.

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has ordered the country’s immigration and employment authorities to look into complaints of 26 Bangladeshi workers over “improper living conditions”. These Bangladeshi expatriates work at a local supermarket in Fiji’s Central Division, a social media post by the Fiji government said on Thursday. “No worker should live in conditions that compromise their dignity,” the post quoted Rabuka as saying. “We have Fijians working overseas and we don’t want them to be ill-treated. Rabuka also called on the employer to urgently “improve the workers’ living arrangements and uphold their basic welfare needs”.

“I want to tell Yunus - if you are truly against discrimination, then declare a minimum national wage of Tk 30,000 by May. Another workers' uprising is for the masses. We will not go home.”Montu Ghosh, president of the Garment Workers' Trade Union, said: “When garment workers fight [back], they are removed from the streets by the army, the police shoot and kill them. Despite this, garment workers keep fighting. Former CPB president Manjurul Ahsan Khan recounted how government holidays started in the country on International Workers’ Day.

The Labour Reform Commission’s recommendations could soon lead to a suggested rationing system that would help Bangladesh’s garment workers, many of whom experience financial difficulties at the beginning of each month as a result of delayed wages. The card-based program aims to provide food support in industrial zones and rural areas, addressing rising food inflation and the workers’ essential needs. According to experts, garment workers’ financial difficulties are made worse by the fact that they spend up to 72 per cent of their salary on rent and food, and that food inflation is higher than 12 per cent. Although the administration has not yet made a decision regarding the scheme’s implementation, authorities have stated that talks would begin after May Day. If put into action, the scheme might offer millions of low-wage garment workers—many of whom make substantial contributions to Bangladesh’s GDP and national economy—critical support.

Workers from the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Shramik Dal, or Nationalist Labour Party, have rallied to demand the national polls be held “immediately” during a May Day gathering. The BNP’s labour affiliate held a rally in front of the party office in Naya Paltan to commemorate May Day on Thursday. Thousands of leaders and supporters of the labour group attended the rally, stretching from Fakirapool to Kakrail intersection as voices shouting “May Day is calling, down with discrimination” filled the air. Donning red T-shirts with red caps, the attendees also chanted slogans like “workers of the world, unite and fight” and “we want a parliamentary election right now, they must be held”. Artists of the Jatiotabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS), or Nationalist Social Cultural Organisation, performed patriotic songs on the stage at 10am.

The Pakistani government has appointed the incumbent director general of the country’s flagship intelligence agency, Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, as its national security adviser (NSA). A notification issued by Pakistan’s Cabinet Division on Tuesday said that Malik would retain his role as ISI chief, according to the report. The NSA office plays a key role in shaping Pakistan's strategic direction, coordinating national security policy, and advising the prime minister on internal and external security affairs. Since the ousting of former prime minister Imran Khan in April 2022, the position had been vacant. The adviser also heads the National Security Division, based at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat in Islamabad.

Two children have been killed in a landslide at the Korean Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Chattogram’s Karnafuli Upazila. The two boys had been looking for birds’ nests when the incident occurred, according to locals. The incident occurred around 10:30 am on Thursday in Block C of the EPZ near the Boirag Union Water Tank No. “I heard that a few local children had gone hunting for birds’ nests in the area,” according to Mohammad Sharif, chief of Karnafuli Police Station. Mushfiqur Rahman, general manager of the Korean EPZ, said: “The accident occurred near the C Block.

US urges India and Pakistan to work with each other to reduce tensionsFILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a meeting of the Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias Task Force at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, US, Apr 22, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File PhotoUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to work with each other to de-escalate tensions after last week's Islamist militant attack in India-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people, the State Department said. Rubio urged the Asian nuclear-armed neighbours to work with each other "to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace." Washington urged other countries to help reduce tensions while asking India and Pakistan to work on a "responsible solution." After the attack, India suspended a treaty regulating water-sharing, and both countries closed airspace to each other's airlines.

In a bid to make kidney transplantation easier for patients in Bangladesh, the government is set to "revise" the Human Organ Transplantation Act. Under the current law, nephews and nieces were not among the 22 types of close relatives who could donate kidneys. Every year, as many as 30,000-40,000 kidneys are damaged permanently, requiring regular dialysis or kidney transplantation. Although 5,000 kidney transplants are needed annually, only 400 transplants can be done. KAMPS president Dr MA Samad identified donor crisis as the biggest hurdle for kidney transplants, adding that amending the law was a solution for that.

A group of men has beaten up TV actor Siddiqur Rahman, widely known as Siddique, in Dhaka and later handed him over to police. Ramna Police Station’s duty officer Sub-Inspector (SI) Jalal Uddin said the incident occurred around 5:45pm on Tuesday. “About an hour ago, the public brought actor Siddiqur Rahman to the station,” he said. After his death, Siddique sought the Awami League nomination, but the ticket went to Mohammad Ali Arafat, who won the seat. When Siddique was denied the nomination, he drew public attention by going live on Facebook and announcing a trip to Dubai “to lift his mood”.

Relief for Rakhine needs go-ahead from Bangladesh and Myanmar, says UNThe United Nations has said it would require the approval of both Bangladesh and Myanmar to facilitate humanitarian aid into Rakhine if the global body were to be involved in creating a channel for assistance. “Without this, the UN's direct involvement is limited.”The response comes amid debate over Bangladesh potentially serving as a “humanitarian corridor” to send aid into Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State. The statement added that the UN in Bangladesh continues to be concerned over the worsening situation in Rakhine and remains engaged in efforts to assist Rohingya refugees currently hosted in Bangladesh. On Apr 8, Khalilur Rahman, the chief advisor’s top aid, publicly mentioned the concept of a “humanitarian channel” for the first time. “We told him [Guterres] that there is no alternative to international assistance to address the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 70 bank accounts and shares belonging to Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and his family members. He said the ACC brought charges of money laundering, revenue evasion, land occupation, loan fraud, embezzlement and acquisition of illicit wealth and sought the freezing of bank accounts. An order has been issued to freeze 70 bank accounts containing Tk 198.1 million and 758.6 million shares worth $10,538 and Tk 14.58 billion belonging to Sobhan and seven members of his family. The others accused are: his son Sayem Sobhan Anvir, the managing director of Bashundhara Group, wife Sabrina Sobhan, Co-chairman Sadat Sobhan and his wife Sonia Ferdousi Sobhan, Vice-chairman Shafiat Sobhan Sanvir, Vice-chairman Safwan Sobhan and his wife Yeasha Sobhan. The investigation team’s member ACC Assistant Director Sajid-ur-Rahman lodged the complaint seeking the freezing of bank accounts and shares.

Bangladesh may seek more time on US tariffs without provoking Trump: SalehuddinBangladesh is considering asking for an extension to the three-month suspension of the new US supplementary tariffs, introduced earlier this month across more than 100 countries. On Apr 2, Trump announced a sweeping tariff hike, which included a 37 percent supplementary duty on Bangladeshi exports. Just days earlier, on Apr 7, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus had written to Trump, urging him to reconsider the decision. He hinted at reforms to simplify business licence renewals and remove “outdated” legal barriers, saying businesses would soon see changes. Salehuddin, however, was firm in saying tax exemptions would not be expanded.

A stellar all-round show from Mehidy Hasan Miraz has powered Bangladesh to a crushing victory by an innings and 106 runs against Zimbabwe in the Chattogram Test inside three days. Bangladesh racked up 444 in their first innings riding on Miraz’s century, taking a 217-run lead. The hosts then skittled out the Eagles for a measly 111 to register the win to draw the series 1-1. Miraz masterfully crafted his innings, displaying patience and intent to complete his second Test century off 143 balls, smashing 11 elegant boundaries and a six. A heroic ton by opener Shadman Islam has helped the Tigers take control of the second Test in Chattogram, giving them hope of a comeback win after a shocking loss to the Eagles in the first Test in Sylhet.

Gulshan Police Station's Sub-Inspector Abdus Salam said they sought a 10-day remand for Siddiqur, who was held in the court’s lockup before the hearing. State lawyer argued in favour of Siddiqur’s remand in court, saying the accused did “whatever he pleased” during the mass uprising last year. We request that the remand petition be rejected and appeal for his bail.”After hearing both sides, the judge remanded Siddiqur for questioning in police custody for seven days. Jabbar later filed a case with Gulshan Police Station accusing 109 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Gulshan Police Station chief Mahmudur Rahman said on Tuesday that Siddiqur was implicated in two cases related to the Anti-discrimination Movement.