The Bangladesh Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman, held its fifth meeting on Thursday evening at the National Parliament complex and approved five major proposals. The most notable decision was to include the Purbachal New Town Project area under Dhaka North City Corporation, as well as bring it under the jurisdiction of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Dhaka WASA. To remove administrative complications, relevant parts of Rupganj in Narayanganj and Kaliganj in Gazipur will be incorporated into Dhaka district. The government stated that this move will enhance civic services, security, and urban management in Purbachal.

The Cabinet also decided to observe National Tea Day on May 21 each year, aligning it with the FAO-declared International Tea Day. Additionally, amendments were approved to remove the maximum age limit for appointing chairmen and members of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority, aiming to attract more skilled professionals.

In a significant change, the Cabinet gave final approval to a draft law abolishing the duty-free car import privilege for Members of Parliament. The government expects these measures to improve administrative efficiency, public services, and fiscal discipline.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a large rally in front of its central office at Naya Paltan, Dhaka, to mark International Workers’ Day. The event will feature BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as the chief guest. The announcement came from Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan following a press conference after a preparatory meeting of the party’s May Day celebration committee.

According to Khan, the rally will be organized by the BNP’s labor wing, with its president Anwar Hossain presiding and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attending as a special guest. He urged workers and party members to join the event, emphasizing ongoing demands for fair wages, workplace safety, and livelihood security. Khan noted that while some positive steps have been taken for agricultural workers and small farmers, further reforms to labor laws are still needed.

He described workers as the productive force of society deserving respect rather than sympathy and called for unity to make the May Day rally a success.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Dhaka South acting president Maulana Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum has called on the government to accept the demand for a proportional representation (PR) system in the upper house of the National Parliament. Speaking at a grassroots meeting in Shahjahanpur, he said political parties had proposed PR for the lower house, while the constitutional reform commission had recommended PR for the upper house. Under this system, a party’s seats in the upper house would correspond to its nationwide vote share, ensuring balanced representation and preventing single-party dominance.

Kaiyum criticized the government for ignoring public demands for state reform following the July uprising, warning that people would resist any move toward authoritarianism. He also accused opposition parties of failing to play an active role in the reform process, noting that they quietly submitted their women’s candidate lists instead. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Maulana Syed Hafizur Rahman and attended by local and organizational leaders.

The event reflected growing calls from Islami Andolan Bangladesh for structural political reforms and broader representation in national governance.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Liberation War Generation has announced a new 151-member full central committee. Engineer Md. Ishraq Hossain has been appointed as president, while Dr. K. M. I. Monty has been named general secretary. Ishraq Hossain currently serves as the state minister for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. The announcement was made on Thursday through a press release issued by the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Party, signed by its president Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat.

According to the release, the previously declared central convening committee from November 24, 2025, has been dissolved. The new committee was formed to make the organization more active and stronger. The committee includes senior vice president Zahedul Haque Shamim, several vice presidents, joint secretaries, and departmental secretaries covering areas such as finance, information technology, sports, culture, women’s affairs, and health.

The press release also noted that BNP chairman and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been listed as the number one member of the new committee.

India’s Home Ministry has reportedly proposed releasing crocodiles and snakes in riverine areas along the Bangladesh-India border that remain unfenced. The proposal, reported by The Telegraph India, aims to strengthen border security in regions where surveillance is difficult. However, the plan has triggered internal disagreement within the Border Security Force (BSF).

Former BSF Director General and Padma Shri recipient Prakash Singh criticized the idea as foolish, warning that it could endanger civilians living near the border. He questioned how animals could distinguish between Indian and Bangladeshi nationals. According to a senior BSF source, the ministry has asked the force to assess the feasibility of the proposal, but many officers oppose it due to potential risks, especially during floods.

A follow-up meeting is scheduled next week to continue discussions. The India-Bangladesh border stretches about 4,096 kilometers, with roughly 175 kilometers consisting of rivers and difficult terrain that complicate monitoring, according to the Home Ministry.

A protester threw a red liquid at exiled Iranian figure Reza Pahlavi in Berlin on Thursday, shortly after he left a press conference at the Federal Press Conference building. Video footage showed Pahlavi being struck on the neck and shoulder as he walked toward his car. He waved to supporters before quickly leaving the area. German police immediately detained the protester.

Earlier at the press conference, Pahlavi had sharply criticized the ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran, calling it ineffective and arguing that expecting behavioral change from the Iranian government was misguided. He advocated for continued military pressure on Iran.

Pahlavi, who has lived in exile since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has recently sought to position himself as a potential political figure in Iran amid the ongoing Iran-Israel-United States conflict. The attack is believed to have been motivated by opposition to his pro-war stance.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has called for peaceful and successful implementation of the 11-party alliance’s previously announced mass rallies to be held on Saturday, April 25, in all major cities except Dhaka. In a statement issued on Thursday, he said the rallies aim to press for the implementation of the referendum verdict, resolution of the energy crisis, control of rising commodity prices, and solutions to various public hardships.

Porwar stated that the country is going through a deep crisis and that citizens voted ‘yes’ in the referendum with high expectations. He emphasized that implementing the referendum’s outcome is the government’s main responsibility. According to him, the movement is not for any particular group but for restoring democratic rights and building a just society.

He urged Jamaat members, alliance activists, and patriotic citizens to ensure the rallies are orderly and peaceful. Porwar also prayed for national peace and prosperity and sought cooperation from all to maintain discipline during the program.

The administration of Chittagong Government City College has formed a three-member investigation committee following repeated clashes between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir over a dispute involving the word 'Gupta'. The committee was established on Thursday, confirmed by Principal Abu Saleh Mohammad Naeem Uddin around 3 p.m. He declined to disclose the names of the committee members citing security reasons. The principal stated that the situation during the incident was serious and that the committee will determine who was involved and recommend disciplinary action as per regulations.

The clashes began on Wednesday morning, April 21, when tensions between the two student groups escalated on the college campus. By noon, the situation turned violent, leading to an hour-long chase, brick-throwing, and widespread panic. Police and college authorities intervened to restore order, but violence resumed later in the afternoon during a protest by Chhatra Shibir. Both groups claimed that at least 20 people were injured in the confrontations.

The investigation committee is expected to review the events and identify those responsible for the unrest within the college premises.

The government has cancelled all fertilizer dealers who were appointed during the previous Awami regime, described as a fascist period by officials. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni announced the decision at a press conference in the Parliament lobby on Thursday, stating that new dealers will be appointed very soon to replace those removed.

In the same briefing, Moni said a ten-member committee has been formed to address the country’s ongoing energy crisis. The committee will include five members from the ruling party and five from the opposition, and will be led by Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. The proposal for the committee was supported by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following a suggestion from the opposition leader.

The proposal was unanimously passed in Parliament, signaling a rare moment of cross-party consensus on tackling the energy issue.

Leaders of various labor organizations have called for the formation of a joint oversight committee to monitor the proceedings of the Rana Plaza case. The demand was made on Thursday at a discussion held at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity. The event, titled 'Thirteen Years of Rana Plaza Collapse: Current State of Occupational Health and Safety in the Garment Industry,' was organized by the Industrial Bangladesh Council (IBC).

At the meeting, Ruhul Amin, chairman of the Workers Resource Center, emphasized that the Rana Plaza tragedy claimed 1,137 lives and left 2,500 people permanently disabled, yet no factory owner died—only workers. He urged the formation of a joint committee to ensure the case is concluded swiftly. IBC senior vice president Abul Kalam Azad also stressed the need for such a committee to prevent further worker deaths in factories.

IBC’s women affairs secretary Chaina Rahman demanded justice for the Rana Plaza owner and others involved, while the session was presided over by IBC president and freedom fighter Kutubuddin, with several other labor leaders in attendance.

A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activist was killed and at least 20 others were injured in a clash between two rival groups in Madhabpur village of Monoharpur Union, Shailkupa upazila, Jhenaidah, on Thursday morning. The deceased was identified as Mohon Sheikh, aged 66, a supporter of former district Jubo Dal senior joint convener Zahid Joarder. He was reportedly beaten to death by supporters of upazila BNP president Abul Hossain. Locals took him to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to local sources, the conflict stemmed from a long-running dispute over establishing dominance between the two BNP factions. Following the news of Mohon Sheikh’s death, both sides engaged in violent clashes using local weapons, leaving around 20 people injured and at least 12 houses vandalized. Police have been deployed in the area to prevent further violence.

Dr. Nahid Emran Tonni of Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex confirmed receiving Mohon Sheikh’s body and said the injured were being treated, with one referred to Faridpur for advanced care. Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Molla stated that the incident occurred due to a power struggle and that the situation remains tense.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said there is no pressure to extend the ceasefire with Iran, emphasizing that he is not in a hurry to end the war. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that he wants a 'better deal' with Iran rather than a quick resolution.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said on Wednesday that President Trump has clearly presented his final conditions to the Iranian side. She added that Washington is now waiting for Tehran’s response. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that the United States has informed Tel Aviv that the current ceasefire with Iran will expire on Sunday.

According to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan, Washington told Israeli officials that the deadline set by President Trump for Tehran is only a few days away, signaling that the next phase of U.S.-Iran negotiations could depend on Iran’s forthcoming reply.

Dhaka Metropolitan West Chhatra Dal General Secretary Akram Ahmed has announced a 'zero tolerance' policy against individuals conducting secret political activities. The declaration came during a protest rally in Mirpur, Dhaka, organized to condemn recent attacks on Chhatra Dal and general students at Chittagong City College and Pabna Ishwardi Government College. The rally began at the Tolarbagh footbridge and concluded near the Directorate of Primary Education in Mirpur-2.

In his address following the rally, Akram Ahmed alleged that for the past 16–17 years, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her followers had established a fascist regime that held ordinary citizens hostage. He further accused members of Shibir of carrying out covert attacks on Chhatra Dal activists and students. Akram stated that his organization would take a firm stand against such secret political operations in every educational institution and neighborhood under its jurisdiction.

He warned that any future attacks on Chhatra Dal members would be resisted. Several senior leaders of Dhaka Metropolitan West Chhatra Dal were present at the event.

Two leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), identified as A.B. Zubair and Mosaddeq Ali Ibn Mohammad, were reportedly attacked by activists of the Chhatra Dal in the Shahbagh area of Dhaka. The incident was reported on April 23, 2026, according to the source.

The report, published by Amar Desh, stated that the attack took place under the jurisdiction of Shahbagh Police Station. No further details about the circumstances of the attack, the condition of the victims, or any police action were provided in the initial report.

Further information is expected as the story develops, as the source indicated that more details are forthcoming.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem, also known as Barrister Arman, told the national parliament on Thursday that many individuals allegedly involved in enforced disappearances still occupy important positions in Bangladesh. Speaking during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he said these individuals are attempting to create instability in the country and must be brought to justice.

Drawing on his own experience as a former victim of enforced disappearance, Kasem became emotional while recounting the suffering of affected families. On their behalf, he presented three demands: ensuring accountability, guaranteeing the economic security of victims’ families, and preventing future occurrences of such crimes. He called for strong laws, political will, and the establishment of independent commissions on disappearances and human rights.

Kasem also mentioned testifying before the International Crimes Tribunal against powerful groups still in authority, saying witnesses face ongoing risks. He urged that justice for disappearances not become a superficial exercise reminiscent of authoritarian times and called for state recognition of victims.