Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the country will take necessary and appropriate measures to safeguard its national interests and security. His comments were reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, which cited a post on Telegram quoting Baghaei’s remarks.

The statement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of an extension to a ceasefire at Pakistan’s request, during which he commented that Iran’s government was “badly divided.” Addressing the possibility of future talks with Washington, Baghaei said that diplomacy is one way to ensure national interests and security, and that Iran would act when it deems the diplomatic environment suitable.

The exchange highlights continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iran emphasizing its readiness to respond as needed to protect its sovereignty and interests.

Algerian Ambassador Dr. Abdelouahab Saidani paid a courtesy call on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir at the Police Headquarters on Wednesday morning. The meeting took place in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, where the ambassador congratulated the newly appointed IGP and discussed areas of mutual interest.

During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on strengthening Bangladesh Police’s capacity in addressing irregular migration, human trafficking, and security-related matters. The IGP welcomed Algeria’s interest in supporting the enhancement of police capabilities and emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation between the police forces of the two countries.

Senior officials of Bangladesh Police were present at the meeting. Both parties expressed optimism about building stronger and more productive collaboration in the future.

Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam told Parliament that there is no plan to hand over Chattogram Port to any foreign operator. He made the clarification while responding to a question from BNP lawmaker Shahadat Hossain during the parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The minister explained that operators are appointed only for terminal management under government or Public Private Partnership Authority approval, and both domestic and foreign operators are eligible for consideration.

He added that several terminals are currently operated by both local and foreign entities to enhance port capacity in line with modernization and trade growth. For example, the Patenga Container Terminal is managed by a foreign operator, and a PPP agreement has been signed with Denmark-based Maersk Group subsidiary APM Terminals BV for the Laldia Container Terminal. The minister emphasized that Chattogram Port is an autonomous body governed by a board under a chairman, implementing government policy decisions as required.

The statement aimed to clarify the government’s stance amid questions about foreign involvement in port operations and to highlight ongoing modernization efforts at the country’s main seaport.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has demanded justice for an alleged attack by Chhatra Dal members on its activists and general students at Government City College in Chattogram on Tuesday. The demand was made by Shibir president Nurul Islam Saddam during an emergency press conference held at the organization’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. He claimed that the attack was carried out by hired thugs and street youths to destabilize the campus, leaving several Shibir activists injured.

According to Saddam, the incident began after disputes over poster campaigns and graffiti between the two student groups. He alleged that Chhatra Dal members tore down Shibir banners and used offensive language in their writings. When Shibir representatives informed the college administration, a confrontation occurred, followed by a violent assault later in the day. Saddam also accused the police of inaction during the attack and compared Chhatra Dal’s behavior to that of ruling party student groups.

He further alleged that such incidents reflect broader political failures and rising campus unrest. Shibir called on the government to ensure coexistence and take immediate action against those responsible for the violence.

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman announced in parliament that the government has formulated and begun implementing a five-year action plan to fulfill its electoral pledges. Speaking during a question-and-answer session on Wednesday, he said the plan covers the first 180 days of the administration, the 2026–27 fiscal year, and the next five years. The initiative aims to build a developed, prosperous, and dignified Bangladesh through coordinated efforts in democracy, good governance, economic growth, and human values.

The Prime Minister outlined priorities including free and fair elections, administrative transparency, rule of law, human rights, and freedom of expression. The plan also targets anti-corruption measures, industrialization, job creation, and human resource development. Additional focus areas include education, health, agriculture, and social protection to create an inclusive and equitable society.

Key initiatives already underway include dredging 20,000 kilometers of canals and rivers, issuing family and farmer cards, providing stipends to religious workers and athletes, planting 250 million trees, forgiving small agricultural loans, and expanding healthcare and education support nationwide.

S M Ziauddin Haider from Jhalokathi has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs with the rank of a state minister. The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, confirming his appointment under the Rules of Business. According to the order, he will receive the salary, allowances, and privileges equivalent to those of a state minister.

Ziauddin Haider hails from Keora Union in Jhalokathi Sadar upazila. Following the announcement, a celebratory atmosphere emerged in his home district. Local political, social, and cultural leaders extended their congratulations and expressed optimism that Dr. Ziauddin Haider would play a significant role in promoting national welfare through his new responsibilities.

The appointment underscores the Prime Minister’s continued focus on strengthening health-related advisory roles within the administration, as reflected in the formal notification issued by the Cabinet Division.

Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez has been appointed as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The appointment was announced through a notification signed by Md. Golam Rabbani, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, on Wednesday under the order of the President. The appointment is contractual for one year, effective from the date of joining, with the rank equivalent to a secretary. He must relinquish any other professional or institutional affiliations before assuming the role.

Dr. Parvez previously served as Special Assistant to the BNP Chairperson’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee and was a member of the party’s Central Election Steering Committee. He also leads the BNP’s think tank and content generation team and contributed to the party’s election manifesto committee. Additionally, he has been working as a technical expert in the government’s five-year project to plant 250 million trees.

The appointment places Dr. Parvez in a key advisory position on environmental and climate policy matters at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The High Court has directed that all election documents, including ballot papers and result sheets, for the Jhalakathi-1 (Rajapur-Kathalia) constituency be preserved. The order was issued on Wednesday by Justice Md Zakir Hossain’s bench following a petition filed by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami alleging irregularities and vote rigging in the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

According to court sources, the petition was filed citing election irregularities, prompting the court to order the safekeeping of all related materials after a preliminary hearing. Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate for the constituency, Dr. Faizul Haque, contested the election, while BNP’s Rafiqul Islam Jamal was declared the winning Member of Parliament.

Dr. Faizul Haque stated that the election had seen widespread irregularities and that the court’s directive would help uncover the truth. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Mohammad Monir represented the petitioner during the hearing.

The Election Commission on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, cancelled the nomination of Nusrat Tabassum, joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), for a reserved women’s seat in the 13th National Parliament. The commission stated that her nomination was not accepted because it was submitted after the official deadline. According to the report, Tabassum submitted her papers at 4:19 p.m. on April 21, while the deadline was 4:00 p.m.

The commission also suspended the nomination of another NCP candidate, Monira Sharmin, citing that she had not completed three years since resigning from government service. Under Article 12(1)(ch) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), a person is ineligible to contest parliamentary elections if less than three years have passed since their resignation or retirement from public service.

Both decisions reflect the Election Commission’s enforcement of legal and procedural requirements for candidate eligibility in the reserved women’s seat selection process.

Farida Khanam, a Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate of Dhaka. The appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, through an official notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration. The order, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Ismail Hossain, stated that the decision was made in the public interest and would take immediate effect.

According to the notification, Farida Khanam will replace the current DC, Md. Rezaul Karim, who has been transferred to the Cabinet Division as a Deputy Secretary. As the new DC, Farida Khanam will serve as the administrative and judicial head of Dhaka district. The Ministry of Public Administration issued the order to ensure continuity in the district’s governance and administrative functions.

The reshuffle reflects routine administrative adjustments within the government, aimed at maintaining effective management and coordination across ministries and districts.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has appointed two of its Members of Parliament, Advocate Abdullah Al Amin and Dr. Atik Mujahid, to its highest policymaking body, the Political Council (PC). The announcement was made in a press release issued on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The appointments were approved by NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain.

According to the release, Dr. Atik Mujahid, Joint Convener and MP for Kurigram-2, and Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, Joint Member Secretary and MP for Narayanganj-4, have been added to the Political Council. Abdullah Al Amin also serves as the head of the party’s disciplinary committee.

With these additions, the NCP Political Council now consists of 12 members, including the convener, member secretary, and other senior organizational leaders from different regions and departments of the party.

Masrur Anwar Chowdhury, who alleged he was abducted and tortured at the RAB Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell, told defense lawyers that his disappearance occurred because of his Facebook writings opposing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon during the second day of cross-examination at International Crimes Tribunal-1, where 17 accused, including Sheikh Hasina and several current and former army officers sentenced to death, are being represented.

During questioning, defense lawyer Tabarak Hossain denied that Chowdhury was detained for his anti-Modi posts, but Chowdhury insisted the claim was true. He confirmed his involvement in charity work, including building a mosque for Rohingya refugees with funds collected from friends and relatives. He rejected allegations of involvement in militant activities. When Sheikh Hasina’s lawyer Amir Hossain suggested she was not responsible for his abduction or career damage, Chowdhury disagreed, asserting that Hasina was responsible.

Chowdhury also stated he was not affiliated with any political party, though one of his cousins currently serves as the state minister for land.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem on April 22, 2026, criticized what he described as a return to violent politics following a clash between Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Dal at Chittagong Government City College. Speaking to reporters outside the Kotwali Police Commissioner’s office in Chittagong, he said those who promote politics of violence, including attacks with sharp weapons, would be rejected by students. The previous day’s confrontation reportedly left 20 people injured, with Shibir alleging that one of its leaders, Ashraful Islam, had his ankle severed by Chhatra Dal members.

Kayem stated that Chhatra Dal had not developed any new political narrative and accused it of reviving old fascist rhetoric. He claimed the clash was not over secret writings but that Shibir had used the issue to attack their rivals with machetes and other weapons. He also alleged that similar attacks by outsiders had occurred on other campuses, including in Rajshahi and Mymensingh.

Kayem added that police had assured zero tolerance toward such violence and that preparations were underway to file cases against those involved.

Iran has executed a senior civilian defense official found guilty of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. According to a report by Iran’s Mizan News Agency, the official, identified as Mehdi Farid, was hanged after the country’s Supreme Court upheld his death sentence.

The report stated that Farid admitted to attempting to pass sensitive information to Israeli intelligence, including organizational details, facility designs, and personnel documents. The execution marks another instance of Iran’s strict enforcement of espionage laws amid ongoing tensions with Israel.

The case, reported by Mizan and cited by Middle East Eye, underscores Iran’s continued focus on countering alleged foreign infiltration within its defense and intelligence sectors.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated that Tehran is ready to resume discussions with the United States once Washington lifts its sanctions. He emphasized that before any new round of talks can begin, the United States must also stop violating ceasefire agreements. According to Iravani, the next phase of discussions would take place in Islamabad once sanctions are removed.

Iravani further said that Iran is prepared for any scenario, whether it involves pursuing a political solution or facing conflict. His remarks, reported by Middle East Eye, come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, with both sides maintaining firm positions on sanctions and regional security issues.

The statement underscores Iran’s conditional approach to diplomacy with the United States, linking any future negotiations directly to the lifting of economic restrictions and adherence to ceasefire commitments.