New peace talks have begun amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran over control of the Hormuz Strait, a vital route for global oil and gas shipments. As part of a ten-point peace proposal, Iran has introduced a plan to charge up to two million dollars per vessel passing through the strait, claiming the funds will be used for reconstruction. Some ships have already been charged at least one dollar per barrel, resulting in about two million dollars per transit.

The initiative directly conflicts with international maritime law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prohibits imposing fees or restrictions on major waterways. Although neither Iran nor the United States has signed the convention, Washington has rejected Tehran’s claim of control. Analysts estimate that a one-dollar increase per barrel could add twenty million dollars in daily costs, raising expenses for shipping, insurance, and crew wages.

Experts warn that the plan could disrupt global energy supply and market stability. The International Energy Agency has described the situation as one of the largest energy crises in history, with potential long-term economic impacts if tensions persist.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased last week, according to data released Thursday by the US Department of Labor. Initial jobless claims rose by 6,000 to reach 214,000, exceeding market expectations of 211,000. The previous week’s revised figure stood at 208,000. The four-week moving average also climbed slightly to 210,750 from the prior week’s revised 210,000.

Despite the uptick in claims, the broader labor market showed signs of resilience. In March, the United States added 178,000 new jobs, significantly higher than the expected 65,000. The unemployment rate also edged down from 4.4 percent in February to 4.3 percent in March, indicating continued strength in employment conditions.

The data suggest a mixed picture for the US labor market, with short-term fluctuations in jobless claims but sustained job creation and a modest decline in unemployment.

Registration has begun for parents of students admitted in 2026 to grade six in schools and madrasas, and to the first year of higher secondary and Alim courses for the 2025–26 academic year, to receive stipends from the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust through the mobile financial service Nagad. The registration process will continue until May 7, 2026, through the official portal where guardians must log in and enter student and socioeconomic information accurately.

For stipend disbursement, the selected guardian’s National ID must be used to register the SIM and open a Nagad account, which will bear the name of the parent chosen as guardian. Nagad has previously distributed these stipends successfully. According to Nagad’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Md. Samsul Islam, the service has been effectively delivering various government allowances and stipends under social safety programs, earning public trust for its accessibility and low cash-out charges.

In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the government distributed social safety allowances worth 9,000 crore taka through Nagad, and the amount is expected to increase in the current fiscal year.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada is not yielding to pressure in its trade discussions with the United States, emphasizing that the talks are being conducted on an equal partnership basis. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney said that negotiations involve two sides and Canada is not merely following U.S. directives. He noted that Canada understands the U.S. position while identifying areas of mutual benefit.

Carney highlighted that Canada recognizes its own interests and seeks to strengthen joint interests with the United States. He also underlined his government’s ability to manage multiple issues simultaneously. Differentiating between manageable trade disputes and direct violations, Carney cited U.S. tariffs of 50 percent on steel and aluminum, 25 percent on automobiles, and duties on forest products as violations rather than ordinary trade issues.

He further noted that the United States is Canada’s largest trading partner, while Canada ranks as the second-largest for the U.S., underscoring the mutual dependence between the two economies.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that the country's total foreign exchange reserves stood at 35,117.50 million, or 35.11 billion US dollars, as of Thursday, April 23. The information was shared with the media by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank.

According to the central bank, the gross reserve figure was 35,117.50 million dollars, while under the International Monetary Fund’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserve stood at 30,484.01 million dollars. Two days earlier, on April 21, the gross reserve was 35,125.90 million dollars, and the BPM6-based reserve was 30,459.01 million dollars.

The report also noted that net reserves are calculated following the IMF’s BPM6 method, which determines the actual reserve amount by deducting short-term liabilities from the total reserve.

Spain’s Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, announced that the government is considering regulatory measures on online book sales to protect independent bookstores across the country. Speaking on World Book Day, April 23, during an interview with Cadena SER radio, Urtasun said one proposal involves requiring large online platforms to impose a minimum delivery charge on book purchases, effectively ending free shipping. The minister noted that similar rules already exist in France, where a minimum delivery fee applies to low-cost online book orders.

Urtasun emphasized that thousands of small bookstores in Spain are at risk and described them as not only retail spaces but also cultural centers. He said the government already provides direct support to these independent shops. Comparing the experience of buying books online and in-store, he highlighted the personal interaction and advice available in physical bookstores.

He added that reading habits in Spain have grown significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching record levels, particularly among women and young readers. Urtasun also underscored the cultural importance of World Book Day, celebrated in Catalonia as “Sant Jordi,” which promotes reading and strengthens the publishing industry.

Land registration and deed processing have been suspended for more than one and a half years in seven mouzas of Shambhupur Union under Tazumuddin upazila in Bhola district due to persistent server complications. The issue has left thousands of residents unable to buy or sell land, causing severe inconvenience and social tension. The information was confirmed by Tazumuddin’s acting Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Rezaul Islam.

According to the local land office, the problem arose because Shambhupur Union, previously under Borhanuddin upazila, has not yet been updated online under Tazumuddin in the DLRS system. As a result, the system still shows the union as part of Borhanuddin. Despite multiple letters sent to the Bhola Deputy Commissioner and the Ministry of Land, no resolution has been achieved. Residents report that the inability to complete land transfers has disrupted social and family matters such as marriages.

Officials from the Land Management Automation Project have attributed responsibility to the Tazumuddin land office, stating that the issue could be resolved locally if the office took necessary steps.

The Power Division of Bangladesh has announced that the country may face a shortfall of 3,000 megawatts of electricity on Thursday due to an ongoing fuel crisis. The information was shared by Joint Secretary Umme Rehana at a press conference held at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources in Dhaka. She stated that the maximum electricity demand for the day was estimated at 17,000 megawatts, while production was expected to reach only 14,000 megawatts.

According to the official, the country’s generation capacity is sufficient, but inadequate fuel supply has caused a production deficit. On Wednesday, electricity generation stood at 13,681 megawatts against a demand of 15,767 megawatts, resulting in over 2,000 megawatts of shortage and widespread load-shedding across the country. The crisis has been attributed to the fuel shortage, increased demand due to intense heat, technical problems at Adani’s power unit, and complications at one unit of the Banshkhali IPP plant.

The Power Division did not specify how long the shortfall or load-shedding might continue.

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) have signed a memorandum of understanding to simplify and accelerate banking services for investors. The agreement was confirmed on April 23, 2026, through a press release. Under this initiative, UCB’s services will be integrated into BIDA’s online One Stop Service (OSS) portal, aiming to make financial and administrative processes for foreign investors in Bangladesh faster, easier, and more transparent.

The signing ceremony took place at BIDA’s headquarters, where BIDA Director General Jiban Krishna Saha and UCB Additional Managing Director Adnan Masud signed the memorandum on behalf of their respective organizations. The event was chaired by BIDA Executive Member Air Commodore Md. Shaharul Huda and attended by senior officials from Bangladesh Bank and UCB.

BIDA’s OSS portal currently offers over 50 services, including company registration, utility connections, and import approvals. With UCB’s integration, investors will now be able to access direct banking services and documentation support through the same platform.

Motorcyclists in Saidpur, Nilphamari, blocked the Rangpur-Dinajpur highway on Thursday afternoon to protest a severe fuel shortage. The demonstration took place in front of the Iku Filling Station after riders were unable to buy fuel without official fuel cards. Many said they had not yet received their cards despite applying long ago, leaving them unable to work and facing daily hardship.

Participants emphasized that the protest was not politically motivated but driven by frustration over the fuel supply disruption. They warned of tougher actions if the situation did not improve soon. The blockade caused heavy traffic congestion on both sides of the highway, stranding long-distance buses, trucks, and other vehicles, and leaving passengers delayed and distressed.

According to the filling station owner, fuel sales had been restricted under written instructions from the local administration. Officials later arrived at the scene and temporarily allowed sales without cards to ease the situation, after which the motorcyclists lifted the blockade.

A severe fuel shortage has disrupted livelihoods in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, where residents queued for hours under the sun to collect petrol. On Thursday morning, at the Munshiganj Demla filling station, a woman named Bithika Rani Baidya was seen waiting in line to collect fuel for her son’s motorcycle. Her son, Sagar Baidya, a motorcycle driver, has been unable to work due to the shortage and has temporarily taken up agricultural labor. After five days of closure, the station resumed limited fuel distribution under the supervision of the upazila administration.

The shortage followed unrest in Burigoalini union, where a dispute over fuel distribution led to clashes between political figures and station staff. Local sources said over two thousand motorcycles in Munshiganj union have been affected, leaving many drivers jobless and families under financial strain. Allegations have surfaced that influential individuals are receiving fuel outside official rules, sparking public frustration.

Union officials stated that coordinated efforts between local leaders and the council have restarted distribution, and fair allocation could help stabilize the situation soon.

Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) has issued a recruitment notice to fill vacant positions across 16 categories, offering a total of 71 posts on both permanent and contractual bases. The announcement was published on April 23, 2026. Interested and qualified candidates can apply online through the designated website. The application process begins on April 27, 2026, at 9 a.m. and will close on May 18, 2026, at 5 p.m.

The permanent positions include roles such as auditor, accounts assistant, receptionist, medical assistant (male and female), surveyor, plant operator, senior technician, electrician, transport supervisor, PC operator (courier), mechanic, junior transport supervisor, and junior technician. Contractual positions include imam and muezzin posts. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age as of May 27, 2026, with a relaxation up to 32 years for children of freedom fighters and persons with disabilities.

Application fees ranging from 223 to 335 taka, depending on the position, must be paid via SMS through Teletalk prepaid SIM. Candidates are required to upload a scanned photo and signature during the online application process.

Newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Minhajur Rahman stated that there is no fuel crisis in Sunamganj district. He made the remarks on Thursday morning during a meeting with local journalists. The DC emphasized that the administration is giving top priority to maintaining agricultural activities and urged everyone to work together to protect farmers’ interests. He confirmed that no information indicating a fuel shortage has reached his office and that no such situation has arisen in the district.

Regarding crop protection embankments, the DC said he had been aware of the issue before taking office and has been maintaining regular communication with all concerned parties since his appointment. He recently visited Shantiganj upazila to inspect embankments, reviewed progress with officials and locals, and oversaw repair work on a damaged section. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to standing by farmers at all times.

Several additional deputy commissioners were present during the meeting, including those responsible for revenue, education and ICT, overall administration, and local government.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Road Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam for prioritizing public interest over bus owners’ demands in setting new fares. The association’s secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, issued a statement on Thursday following the government’s decision to raise bus fares by 11 paisa per kilometer in response to a one-taka increase in diesel prices.

According to the statement, bus owners had pressured the government for a 64 percent fare hike using inflated cost analyses, despite the minimal fuel price adjustment. The association recalled that in August 2022, when diesel prices rose sharply, fares were increased by 22 percent, but subsequent fare reductions were never implemented for passengers. The new adjustment raises fares by 4.45 to 5.19 percent across different routes.

The association warned that bus owners might exploit loopholes in fare-setting committees to overcharge passengers and urged the government to prevent fraudulent fare practices and stop CNG-run buses from charging diesel-rate fares.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol has warned that the ongoing Iran war and continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are severely disrupting global energy flows. In an interview with Reuters, Birol said the world is facing the biggest energy security threat in history as a result of these developments.

Birol explained that the conflict has already removed 13 million barrels of oil per day from the market and caused major disruptions in the supply of key commodities. Before the war, about 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily. He described the current situation as a “dual blockade,” with neither Iran nor the United States allowing ships to enter or leave the strait.

He also warned of growing risks to Europe’s jet fuel supply, noting that the region previously relied on Middle Eastern refineries for about 75 percent of its jet fuel, which has now dropped to almost zero. Europe is seeking alternative supplies from the United States and Nigeria.