After decades without legal status, Syria’s Kurdish population has begun registering for citizenship across the country. The process started last week following a directive from the Interior Ministry, implementing a January decree by President Ahmed al-Sharar granting citizenship to unregistered Kurds. Many applicants, such as 49-year-old Ahmad, described the hardships of living without official documents, including inability to register property, study, or travel.

The decree recognizes Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights and designates Kurdish as a national language. It follows recent clashes between Kurdish fighters and government forces in the northeast, where Kurdish authorities once held control. A February agreement integrated Kurdish administration into the central state, and a senior Kurdish commander, Sipan Hamo, was appointed as assistant deputy defense minister for the eastern region.

Officials said registration centers will remain open for one month, with possible extensions. Civil Affairs officer Abdallah al-Abdallah called the restoration of citizenship the greatest compensation for those long deprived of it.

State Minister for Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari announced that the government plans to replace the memorization-based syllabus in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) and other government recruitment exams with a skill-based evaluation system. He made the statement in parliament on Thursday, April 16, in response to a written question from ruling party member Md. Harun-ur-Rashid of Rajbari-2 constituency.

The minister said a committee has been formed to revise the BCS syllabus, reviewing civil service exam structures from other countries to incorporate necessary updates. He added that the Public Service Commission will soon introduce competency-based interviews to assess candidates’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Efforts are also underway to reduce delays in the recruitment process so that one BCS examination can be completed within a year.

In response to another question, the minister detailed the current quota system: 93 percent merit-based, 5 percent for freedom fighters and their descendants, 1 percent for ethnic minorities, and 1 percent for persons with disabilities and the third gender.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon. The meeting was confirmed by Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, who said the discussion focused on promoting reading habits among school students.

During the meeting, both sides agreed that the government and Bishwo Shahitto Kendro would work jointly to encourage students to read more books. The initiative will cover primary, secondary, and higher secondary school levels. The Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Affairs, Zahed Ur Rahman, was also present at the meeting.

Following the discussion, Prime Minister Rahman hosted a luncheon for Professor Sayeed, marking a gesture of goodwill and cooperation toward advancing educational and cultural development through reading programs.

NCP Member of Parliament Akhtar Hossain from Rangpur-4 expressed anger in Parliament after learning that the Bangladesh Bar Council election had been postponed through a midnight notice. The postponement was attributed to a severe fuel crisis. Speaking on a point of order, Hossain questioned the government’s contradictory stance, noting that while officials deny any fuel shortage, a state institution cited it as the reason for delaying the election. He demanded statements from the energy and law ministers to clarify the issue.

The law minister, Asaduzzaman, responded by saying that the Bar Council is an autonomous body that independently decided to defer the election. He mentioned that several bar associations, including the Dhaka Bar, had requested a postponement to ensure their own election processes could continue smoothly. The minister emphasized that the government had not interfered in the council’s decision and supported a fair and independent election process.

The Bar Council election had been scheduled for May 19, following an extended period under an ad hoc committee formed after the interim government took office.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yan Wao paid a courtesy call on Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan at the minister’s office in the Secretariat on Thursday. The meeting was also attended by State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Dr. Zahedur Rahman, and Information Secretary Mahbuba Farzana.

During the meeting, the ambassador expressed interest in signing a memorandum of understanding with the ministry to strengthen cooperation between the state media of both countries. He also proposed organizing two summits in China in July and October, where Bangladeshi journalists and intellectuals could exchange technological knowledge and skills. The information minister described China as a long-standing and reliable friend of Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in information and communication technology.

He noted that rapid global changes in ICT require international collaboration to build skilled human resources. The minister said joint initiatives with China would create new opportunities for Bangladesh and hoped that enhanced media and training exchanges would further deepen bilateral relations.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan emphasized the importance of building national and international networks for women journalists during a courtesy meeting with a delegation from the Bangladesh Women Journalists Forum (BWJF) on Thursday afternoon at his office. He discussed protecting professional dignity, enhancing skills, and improving the overall quality of women journalists.

The minister assured full cooperation for the development and advancement of women journalists and highlighted the need for research, seminars, and workshops on women and media engagement. He also expressed his ministry’s commitment to support such initiatives.

The six-member BWJF delegation was led by the forum’s adviser Momtaz Bilkis Banu and included Vice President Ayesha Parveen (Junan Nashit), Treasurer Shahnaz Begum Polly, Organizational Secretary Masuda Sultana, and members Shirin Sultana and Mashreka Mona. The BWJF, established in 1989, works to uphold the dignity and professional growth of women journalists in Bangladesh.

Australia has announced the largest military budget increase in its history to address growing global challenges. Defense Minister Richard Marles revealed the latest biennial update of the country's defense strategy on April 16, 2026, outlining plans to spend an additional 530 billion Australian dollars (38 billion US dollars) over the next decade. The defense budget will rise from 2.8 percent of GDP to 3 percent by 2033.

Marles stated that Australia faces its most complex and threatening environment since World War II. He emphasized that the decision was not made under external pressure, but based on current strategic realities. The announcement follows a January call from the US Department of Defense urging allied nations to take greater responsibility for their own security.

A major portion of the new investment will fund a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom. Through this initiative, Australia aims to reinforce its position amid global instability and geopolitical shifts linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

Nepal’s new government has established a committee to investigate the assets of politicians and government officials. An official announced on Thursday that the five-member body, led by a former Supreme Court justice, will review the wealth declarations of top figures who have held public office since 2006. The decision was approved in a cabinet meeting, according to Prime Minister’s press and investigation adviser Deepa Dahal, who said the government is finalizing the committee’s timeline and other details.

The formation of this committee was part of a 100-point reform program introduced by Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s administration after taking office. Earlier this month, Nepal issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife on money laundering charges, which Deuba, currently abroad, has denied. Nepal ranks 109th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

The committee’s findings are expected to play a key role in the government’s broader anti-corruption and governance reform agenda.

A Lebanese government source told AFP that the country was not informed about any planned talks with Israel, despite U.S. President Donald Trump announcing that leaders from both nations would hold discussions on Thursday. The source said there had been no official communication regarding such contact through any governmental channels.

Trump had earlier written on his Truth Social network that Washington was attempting to create a calmer atmosphere between Israel and Lebanon. He stated that the leaders of the two countries were set to speak for the first time in about 34 years, with the meeting scheduled for Thursday.

The Lebanese statement indicates a lack of coordination or awareness within Beirut regarding the reported diplomatic initiative, leaving uncertainty about whether the proposed talks will proceed as announced.

A cabinet meeting was held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office under the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The information was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Zahidul Islam Rony.

The meeting took place in the afternoon and was part of the government’s regular administrative activities. No further details about the agenda or decisions taken during the meeting were provided in the source.

The report also mentioned other recent developments, including a courtesy meeting between the Prime Minister and Abdullah Abu Sayeed, the commissioning license for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, and the government’s target to produce 10,000 megawatts of solar power.

Bangladesh’s Law Minister Asaduzzaman informed the National Parliament that as of December 31, 2025, a total of 4,041,924 cases remain pending in the country’s subordinate courts. He presented the data during a parliamentary question session chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal. The minister said the government is committed to easing public suffering and reducing case backlogs by expanding judicial capacity.

To address the backlog, 871 new courts and 232 judgeships have been created, with 304 more judicial positions under process. Recruitment of 150 civil judges is ongoing, and 708 judicial staff have been recommended for appointment to fill vacant posts. Additionally, 553 more staff are being recruited. The minister also reported that 467 judges received professional training in 2025, and 93 more have been trained so far in 2026.

Asaduzzaman added that the current government aims to ensure judicial appointments based on integrity and competence rather than political loyalty, marking a departure from previous practices. The Law Commission is also reviewing outdated British and Pakistani-era laws for necessary reform.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a constitutional amendment to expand the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats, making it the world’s largest democratically elected lower house. The plan also includes reserving one-third of the seats for women. Three draft bills were introduced to parliament on Tuesday, and a special session was scheduled to begin on April 16 to discuss them. Modi said stronger female voices in the legislature would strengthen democracy.

Women’s rights leader Ranjana Kumari welcomed the move as long overdue, noting that women currently hold only 13 percent of seats. However, critics argue that the redistricting would benefit Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by increasing representation in northern states where it dominates, while reducing seats in opposition-controlled southern states. Opposition leaders said they support women’s quotas but oppose the seat redistribution.

The amendment requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The government aims to implement the women’s reservation law before the 2029 general election using 2011 census data, though opposition figures warn that the delimitation could unfairly shift political power among states.

The Bangladesh Bar Council has temporarily suspended the lawyer certificate of Md. Masdar Hossain. The decision was taken unanimously at a council meeting held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, according to an official press release. The council also decided to seek an explanation from Hossain within 15 days regarding why his certificate should not be permanently revoked.

The Bar Council stated that the decision followed a report published on April 12 in a daily newspaper concerning allegations against Hossain. After reviewing the report and considering the preliminary evidence and questions of professional ethics, the council concluded that there were sufficient grounds to take initial action against him.

Until Hossain submits his explanation and the council reaches a final decision, his lawyer certificate will remain temporarily suspended.

Authorities in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj have reclaimed government land worth around Tk 4 crore from illegal occupation near Khilakanda area of Togar Haor. The eviction drive was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sanjay Ghosh on Wednesday afternoon, who ordered the occupants to vacate the land immediately and marked the area with red flags.

According to local sources, about two years ago, at least 11 residents of Chakiya Chapur village, including Khurshed Alam Bhuiyan, had submitted an application to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer demanding removal of illegal occupiers. The operation had been delayed for various reasons. Bhuiyan said 20–30 influential individuals had occupied the land and damaged natural resources by cutting trees from the Hijolbagan area. Locals expressed satisfaction with the administration’s action.

Assistant Commissioner Ghosh stated that this was the largest land recovery operation of its kind in the area and that similar drives against illegal occupation would continue.

Top leaders of the Eleven-Party Alliance held a meeting in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area on Thursday to determine the next phase of their ongoing political movement. The meeting began at 11 a.m. at the Al-Falah auditorium and concluded around 12:45 p.m. A press briefing was scheduled to follow at the same venue.

Participants included opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, National Citizens Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam, LDP chairman Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, among other senior alliance figures. The gathering focused on setting new programs following a series of recent nationwide activities.

Earlier, from April 9 to 15, the alliance conducted a week-long campaign across the country demanding implementation of the referendum verdict. Their activities included leaflet distribution, public outreach, demonstrations in all metropolitan and district areas, and a national seminar in Dhaka.