After a two-month government ban to protect juvenile hilsa, coastal fishermen in Charfassion upazila of Bhola are preparing to resume fishing. The restriction, which covered the Meghna and Tentulia river sanctuaries during March and April, ended at midnight on Thursday. Around fifty thousand fishermen are expected to return to the rivers, with fishing villages now bustling as nets are repaired and boats readied.

Many fishermen reported difficulties obtaining ice and diesel, while some said they struggled to survive during the ban due to delays in receiving government rice allocations. Rising fuel prices have also increased the cost of preparing for the new fishing season. Senior Fisheries Officer Jayanta Kumar Apu stated that regular monitoring was conducted across about 190 kilometers of river areas during the restriction.

He added that the conservation effort is expected to boost hilsa production, and the government has expanded food assistance programs providing 160 kilograms of rice per family over four months. With the ban lifted, fishing families are hopeful for a better catch and improved livelihoods.

Ten Bangladeshi hockey players have departed for Europe to participate in professional leagues, with several joining Germany’s Bundesliga. Among them, young striker Amirul Islam, who scored 15 goals in the last Junior Hockey World Cup, has earned a call-up to play in Germany as recognition for his standout performance. This marks his first experience in a foreign league.

Alongside Amirul, national team players Din Islam Imon, Roman Sarkar, Rakibul Hasan, Mahbub Hossain Joy, Imran Pintu, and Ashraful Islam are also set to compete in the German league. Amirul expressed hope that the upcoming season will help him learn new techniques, while forward Din Islam described the opportunity to play in Europe as a major step for Bangladeshi players. The athletes believe that competing in Germany, known for its high standard of hockey, will sharpen their skills and enhance their international experience.

The move is seen as a milestone for Bangladesh hockey, reflecting growing recognition of the country’s emerging talent on the European stage.

A case has been filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act against around 100 leaders and activists of the Awami League in Jessore for allegedly holding a nighttime procession under the banner of the banned organization Jubo League. The case was lodged by Sub-Inspector Ashraf Uddin of Kotwali Police Station on Thursday. It names 40 individuals, including a former state minister and five former members of parliament.

According to the case statement, on the evening of April 28, leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations gathered on Aziz City Road near the Muktijoddha Complex in Jessore and chanted anti-government slogans while holding candles and lanterns. Police claimed that the first 13 accused were financiers and godfathers of the banned group, while the remaining 27 were members involved in alleged subversive activities.

Police conducted raids in various parts of the city on the night of April 29 and arrested nine individuals, who were later sent to jail through the court on Thursday.

The Ministry of Public Administration of Bangladesh issued a notification on Wednesday night announcing new appointments in several key government agencies. Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). He had previously been under transfer order to the National Housing Authority. Mosammat Ferdousi Begum, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the National Housing Authority.

In the same announcement, Md. Shawgatul Alam, Director General of the Novo Theatre, was appointed as the Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). Additionally, Abu Nasar Mohammad Abdullah, Additional Secretary of the Local Government Division, was transferred to serve as the Director General of the National Museum of Science and Technology.

The appointments reflect administrative reshuffles across multiple ministries and agencies, as formalized through the latest government notification.

The Ministry of Local Government has formed a 19-member committee to keep all canals and drainage systems in Chattogram city operational throughout the year and to strengthen coordination of development and service activities. Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has been appointed as the convener of the committee. The official order, signed by Deputy Secretary Ashfikun Nahar of the City Corporation-2 branch, was handed over to the mayor by State Minister Mir Shahe Alam at the CCC office on Thursday.

The committee includes representatives from the army’s 34 Engineer Brigade, Chattogram WASA, the district administration, Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Chattogram Port Authority, Power Development Board, and other relevant agencies. The CCC’s Chief Executive Officer will serve as the member secretary. According to the order, the committee will ensure year-round maintenance of canals and drainage channels, coordinate major development and service projects, and make recommendations to the government on public interest issues.

The formation follows recent heavy rainfall that caused waterlogging in several parts of the city, prompting the state minister’s visit to assess the situation.

Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, was hospitalized on Thursday morning in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area for gallbladder stone removal surgery at Insaf-Barakah Hospital. The operation was performed by Professor Dr. Matiar Rahman, with anesthesiologists Professor Dr. Idris and Dr. Rafiqul Islam, and Associate Professor Dr. Monir Hossain overseeing overall management. Following the surgery at 10 a.m., Rahman regained consciousness and was reported to be in stable condition by noon.

His wife Firoza Mahmud, who is also the managing director of Amar Desh, along with senior editorial staff and family members, were present at the hospital during the procedure. Doctors indicated that Rahman was admitted in the morning and, if recovery continues smoothly, he may be discharged on Friday. His family and colleagues have requested prayers for his quick recovery.

Later in the afternoon, a prayer gathering was held at the Amar Desh office after the Asr prayer, led by Sheikh Maulana Ali Hasan Tayeb, with participation from editorial and departmental heads wishing for Rahman’s full recovery.

Authorities in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla demolished two illegally operated brick kilns named MBS Bricks and Five Star Bricks during a joint drive on Thursday afternoon in the Chandannagar area of Jafarganj Union. The district and upazila administrations led the operation after receiving complaints from locals and monitoring reports indicating the kilns lacked environmental clearance and required permits.

Under the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2019, MBS Bricks was fined Tk 75,000, and its chimney, kiln, and about 10,000 raw bricks were destroyed. Five Star Bricks was also fined Tk 75,000, and its chimney was demolished. Both kilns were ordered to cease operations immediately.

The drive was led by Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Faisal Uddin and District Executive Magistrate Sultan Hasan Mahmud, with a team from the Department of Environment present. Officials stated that similar actions would continue to protect public interest and prevent environmental damage.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a reception in Kishoreganj on April 30, 2026, to honor newly certified lawyers. The event was held at a hall room of an upscale restaurant in the city and arranged by the Kishoreganj Lawyers Thana Branch of the organization. Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, the party’s central publicity and media secretary and secretary general of the Bangladesh Lawyers Council, attended as the chief guest.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Barrister A.S.M. Shahriar Kabir, district Jamaat Amir Professor Md. Ramzan Ali, cardiologist Professor Colonel (Retd.) Dr. Jehad Khan, and several other local and national leaders were present as special guests. In his speech, Akand emphasized strengthening the legal profession through moral integrity and justice, while Kabir advised young lawyers to pursue continuous study and professional ethics. Around fifty new lawyers participated in the event.

The program was presided over by Advocate Md. Musleh Uddin Suman, president of the Kishoreganj Lawyers Thana Branch, and conducted by its secretary, Advocate Hafiz Uddin.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has announced that fuel prices will remain unchanged for May 2026. A government notification issued on Thursday confirmed that the existing retail prices of diesel, kerosene, octane, and petrol will continue. The decision, approved by the competent authority, will take effect from May 1.

According to the notification, diesel will sell at 115 taka per liter, kerosene at 130 taka, octane at 140 taka, and petrol at 135 taka throughout May. The ministry stated that the decision follows the country’s existing policy of adjusting fuel prices monthly in line with international market trends.

The last price adjustment occurred on April 18, when the government raised fuel prices, including a 15 percent increase in diesel. The unchanged rates for May indicate a pause in further adjustments after the recent hike.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended greetings and respect to the working people of Bangladesh on the occasion of International Workers’ Day and May Day. In a message delivered on Thursday afternoon, he emphasized ensuring workers’ rights, dignity, and welfare. The Prime Minister noted that the day is being observed across Bangladesh with the theme “Healthy workers, diligent hands, a new dawn will come,” reflecting the spirit of the occasion.

He paid tribute to the workers who sacrificed their lives in the 1886 Haymarket movement in the United States for an eight-hour workday and honored all who have struggled for labor rights worldwide. Rahman described working people as the driving force behind national development, highlighting their contributions to industry, agriculture, infrastructure, and the economy. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving living standards, ensuring fair wages, and creating safe workplaces.

The Prime Minister recalled the contributions of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to labor welfare, mentioning reforms in labor laws, wage commissions, and welfare initiatives. He also announced initiatives such as the “Expatriate Card” for migrant workers and reiterated the government’s pledge to maintain timely wage payments and gender equality in pay.

Islami Bank has been downgraded from the 'A' to the 'Z' category after failing to declare dividends for two consecutive financial years. The decision followed a board meeting on April 29, 2026, where the bank reviewed its audited financial report for the year ending December 31, 2025, and announced a 'no dividend' policy. The downgrade was made in accordance with Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) regulations.

Following the downgrade, brokerage houses and merchant banks have been requested not to provide margin loan facilities for purchasing Islami Bank shares, as per the BSEC Margin Loan Regulations 2025. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) published these details on its website on Thursday. The bank’s share price fell by more than 4 percent, dropping from Tk 34.70 to Tk 33.30.

According to the 2025 audited report, Islami Bank’s consolidated earnings per share stood at Tk 0.85, and its net asset value per share was Tk 44.52, slightly higher than the previous year’s figures.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that a significant portion of Bangladesh’s GDP will be allocated to education and health sectors. He made the statement on Thursday during a session of the National Parliament. The Prime Minister said efforts are underway to increase the honorarium of primary school teachers to help them focus more on students’ education. He also mentioned a plan to allocate five percent of the total budget to education. Highlighting challenges in the health sector, he noted that many hospitals have buildings but lack doctors and medicines, emphasizing the need for greater investment.

Rahman added that the government aims to build a self-reliant Bangladesh. Discussing agricultural reforms, he said the introduction of farmer cards was intended to address farmers’ problems and ensure their welfare. He stressed that all who cultivate crops, fish, or livestock are farmers and that improving their livelihoods is a national priority.

Reflecting on his time in Britain, the Prime Minister said he used to compare their schools with those in Bangladesh and wished for similar standards at home.

Seven fishermen, including a father and his two sons, were reportedly abducted by Myanmar’s separatist group Arakan Army from the Naf River near Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred on Thursday morning while the fishermen were catching fish, according to local witnesses. The abduction was confirmed by local fisherman Nurul Alam Bahaddar.

The detained fishermen were identified as Ali Ahmed and his sons Nurul Absar and Abdur Rahim from Deil Para of Shah Porir Dwip, along with Abdur Rahman, Sabbir Ahmed, Nur Ahmed, Gura Mia, and Abdul Motaleb from Sabrang Union. Local sources said the fishermen were fishing with 10–15 engine boats when Arakan Army members arrived from the Rakhine border and seized two boats along with the seven men.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Inamul Hafiz Nadim stated that he had heard about the incident and that necessary steps would be taken after consulting relevant authorities.

The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has presented 14 recommendations—seven each for the government and industrial owners—to safeguard workers’ rights, dignity, and safety in Bangladesh. The proposals were announced on April 30, 2026, at a discussion marking International Workers’ Day at the National Press Club in Dhaka. HRSS Executive Director Ejazul Islam urged stronger government enforcement of labor laws and called for tripartite dialogue among the government, employers, and workers to resolve disputes through discussion rather than conflict.

The HRSS recommendations for the government include strict implementation of labor laws, enhanced labor inspections, fair wage determination, labor court reform, protection for domestic and informal workers, migrant worker safety, and gender-sensitive labor policies. For employers, the group advised timely payment of wages and bonuses, ensuring safe workplaces, respecting trade unions, upholding women’s dignity, investing in skill development, and fulfilling social responsibilities.

Speakers including human rights activist Nur Khan Liton and political leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna emphasized workplace safety, fair compensation, and inclusion of labor interests in constitutional reforms, noting that workers remain central to Bangladesh’s development journey.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to expedite the implementation of the ongoing Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. He issued the directive on Thursday while addressing the mid-term review workshop of the project at the UGC building. The minister emphasized that the project is vital for improving the quality of higher education and called for ensuring proper use of allocated funds.

Dr. Milan noted that some components of the project are no longer relevant and instructed that the Development Project Proposal (DPP) be revised to align with current government priorities in higher education. He expressed concern that only 5 percent of the project has been completed, with two years remaining, and urged immediate acceleration to meet the 2028 completion target. He also stressed cost efficiency and adherence to the Prime Minister’s directive to rationalize development spending.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed said the project would be completed within the scheduled time despite a delayed start, emphasizing that achieving objectives is more important than merely spending funds.