The government of Bangladesh has changed the date of National Tea Day from June 4 to May 21. The decision was approved at a cabinet meeting held on Thursday, presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Following the meeting, the Cabinet Division issued a notification confirming the approval of the proposal, which had been presented by the Ministry of Commerce.

According to the Cabinet Division, the change aligns Bangladesh’s observance with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which has marked May 21 as International Tea Day since 2020. Several major tea-producing countries, including India, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya, and Vietnam, also celebrate International Tea Day on this date.

The amendment to the circular on national and international day observances ensures that Bangladesh will now celebrate National Tea Day in harmony with the global schedule observed by other tea-producing nations.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir has expressed regret over the injury of journalists during a tense situation involving activists of JCD and Islami Chhatra Shibir near Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka. The incident occurred on Thursday following a controversial Facebook post, and Nasir issued his statement of regret on Friday morning through his verified Facebook account.

In his post, Nasir stated that several members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association were injured while covering the unrest between Shibir activists and agitated JCD members. He conveyed the organization’s sincere regret and reaffirmed JCD’s belief in the safety of journalists and the freedom of the press. Nasir also acknowledged the significant role of journalists in movements against fascism.

He further expressed hope that no journalist would face harassment in the future while performing professional duties, emphasizing JCD’s commitment to protecting media freedom and ensuring accountability within student politics.

The Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU) organized a protest march on Thursday night condemning an attack on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) leaders and members of the journalists’ association by activists of the Chhatra Dal. The march began at the university’s Zero Point and passed through several campus locations before concluding with speeches at the starting point.

Speakers at the protest accused Chhatra Dal of attempting to destabilize campuses to divert attention from the country’s ongoing energy crisis and the government’s recent failures. They alleged that the group was using the term “Gupta” as a pretext to target specific organizations and incite violence. ChakSU Vice President Ibrahim Hossain Rony criticized Chhatra Dal’s political approach, urging them to abandon divisive tactics and return to constructive politics. General Secretary Saeed Bin Habib claimed that the attack was based on a fabricated screenshot and warned against further attempts to seize student halls.

The protesters demanded accountability for those involved in the attacks and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining campus stability.

Bangladesh continues to experience intense heat and humidity as no rainfall was recorded across the country except in Kurigram’s Rajarhat during the past 24 hours, according to the national weather office on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Meteorological Department reported that the ongoing heatwave may persist through Saturday, with temperatures expected to rise further. Dhaka recorded its highest temperature of the season at 37°C, while the country’s highest temperature was 38°C in Jashore.

Meteorologists said that high humidity has intensified the discomfort, and power outages have worsened living conditions. The heatwave, which affected 27 districts earlier in the week, has now reduced to 20 districts, mainly in Khulna, Dhaka, and Rajshahi divisions. The weather office’s five-day forecast predicts that from Sunday, rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds may occur in parts of Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, easing the heatwave.

The forecast suggests that the rainfall trend could continue for several days, gradually reducing the heat intensity across the country.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has launched a third phase of protests demanding the implementation of the July National Charter and the referendum verdict, which were formulated during the interim government and approved by a national vote. Despite repeated appeals in parliament and public statements, the alliance claims the government has shown no effective response. The coalition plans to escalate its movement through phased programs, including rallies, leafleting, and seminars across the country until their demands are met.

Partner parties are also organizing separate demonstrations. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis will hold a mass rally at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan, while Jamaat-e-Islami will host a national assembly of July martyrs’ families at the same venue. The alliance has announced citywide and district-level marches through early May. Senior Jamaat leaders, including Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, have vowed to compel the government to act.

Government ministers have acknowledged the referendum’s legality but emphasized that implementation must follow constitutional procedures. Analysts note signs of flexibility from the ruling party, while opposition leaders remain determined to continue their campaign until full enforcement of the referendum outcome.

Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, who served as Religious Affairs Adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government, has resumed his teaching career at Al-Jamiyatul Arabiyatul Islamia (Jiri Madrasa) in Patiya, Chattogram. On April 23, he began regular classes twice a week, teaching Tirmizi Sharif and Taherik at the Darul Uloom Deoband department. His return has been warmly welcomed by students and colleagues, who expressed pride in having him back.

According to the madrasa’s director, Maulana Khubaib bin Taiyab, Dr. Hossain had been teaching there since 2021 but paused his duties during his government service. Dr. Hossain said teaching remains his core identity and that he is happy to be among students again. He previously taught at the International Islamic University and served as a mosque khatib. During his advisory tenure, he was praised for returning surplus funds to Hajj pilgrims and ensuring fair management.

His return to academia after national service is seen as a source of inspiration within the religious education community.

Bangladesh secured a 55-run victory over New Zealand in the third and final ODI at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram, winning the three-match series 2-1. Despite losing three early wickets for 32 runs after being sent to bat, senior batters Najmul Hossain Shanto and Liton Das stabilized the innings with a 160-run fourth-wicket partnership. Shanto scored 105 runs, while Liton added 76, guiding Bangladesh to a total of 265 for 8 in 50 overs.

In reply, New Zealand struggled against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 210 in 44.5 overs. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman claimed his first five-wicket haul in seven years, finishing with figures of 5 for 43. Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took two wickets each. Dean Foxcroft top-scored for New Zealand with 75 runs. With this result, Bangladesh achieved their third consecutive home ODI series win, following victories over West Indies and Pakistan, while captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz celebrated his third straight series triumph.

Najmul Hossain Shanto was named Player of the Match, and Nahid Rana received the Player of the Series award.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning for Dhaka, forecasting a further rise in temperatures after several days of intense heat across the country. According to the department’s Friday morning update, the capital recorded 28.2 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. with 85 percent humidity, causing severe discomfort. Thursday’s maximum temperature in Dhaka was 37 degrees Celsius, and meteorologists expect it to climb higher later in the day.

The six-hour forecast for Dhaka and surrounding areas indicates mainly dry weather with little chance of rain. Although skies may remain partly cloudy, the intensity of sunlight is unlikely to decrease. Mild to moderate heatwaves are sweeping across several regions, including Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Feni, Lakshmipur, Rangamati, Bandarban, Patuakhali, and the entire Khulna division.

Meanwhile, temporary thunderstorms with lightning and isolated hail may occur in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one due to possible gusty winds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has allocated funds and food grains to 280 parliamentary constituencies, excluding city corporation areas, to support local development and assist communities. However, lawmakers have criticized the allocation as insufficient, warning that the BNP-led government may face pressure in the ongoing parliamentary session. The ministry initially proposed Tk 5.5 million and 200 tons of rice or wheat per constituency, but after the minister’s illness, the amount was reduced to Tk 2.5 million and 20 tons of food grains in the first phase.

Officials said the funds will be used for small-scale infrastructure projects such as mosque repairs, rural road paving, and cemetery maintenance, while food grains will aid disaster-affected and poor families. The allocation marks the first since the government took office in February 2026. Ministry insiders noted that rising global prices have made development costs higher, making the current allocation inadequate.

Sources added that the government plans to reinstate a previous system allowing MPs to receive lump-sum allocations, reversing an interim government policy that had abolished it. Officials fear this could lead to misuse and inequality in constituency-level development funding.

Bangladesh is experiencing a widening electricity shortfall as rising demand during intense heat coincides with a fuel supply crisis. Despite official estimates of a 2,500-megawatt deficit, actual shortages have at times exceeded 4,000 megawatts. To maintain supply in Dhaka, rural areas are facing up to 10 hours of load-shedding daily. The shutdown of the 525-megawatt Barapukuria coal power plant and reduced imports from India’s Adani Power have further strained the national grid. The government has approved over 2,067 crore taka in payments to private power producers to stabilize supply.

Officials from the Power Division and related agencies said fuel shortages are preventing plants from meeting demand, with gas-based plants producing around 4,500 to 5,000 megawatts and oil-based output halved in one day. The Power Development Board (PDB) owes about 46,000 crore taka to power producers and has requested 20,000 crore urgently to sustain summer and irrigation season supply. Severe load-shedding has hit eight northern districts after Barapukuria’s two main units failed.

State Minister for Power Anindya Islam Amit announced that load-shedding will also occur in cities to reduce rural-urban disparities and ensure electricity for farmers’ irrigation needs.

A local BNP leader allegedly assaulted a female teacher with a shoe at Daokandi Government University College in Durgapur upazila of Rajshahi on Thursday afternoon, April 23, 2026. The incident occurred during the second-year degree examination amid Section 144 restrictions. Video clips of the attack spread on social media, sparking nationwide criticism. Witnesses said BNP activists entered the principal’s office, engaged in an argument, and then attacked teachers and vandalized the office. At least five people, including the principal and the assaulted teacher, were injured.

The injured were taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, with the principal and the female teacher reported in serious condition. The attack created panic among students and teachers, prompting many to leave the examination center. Police were present at the scene, and questions have been raised about their role during the assault.

The principal claimed he had been facing extortion demands from local groups, while the accused BNP leader denied the allegations, saying the dispute arose over corruption issues. Police stated that legal action would follow upon receiving a written complaint.

A report published on April 24, 2026, describes an escalating information war surrounding Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts, allegedly led by Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and armed groups. The article identifies Augustina Chakma, granddaughter of Shanti Bahini chief Santu Larma, as a key figure in international campaigns portraying Bangladesh and its security forces negatively. It claims that these groups are concealing internal conflicts, extortion, and abductions while blaming non-tribal citizens and the military.

The report says the latest phase of this campaign unfolded at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York, beginning April 20, 2026, where Augustina and other PCJSS representatives presented allegations of human rights abuses and demographic changes. Bangladeshi security agencies reportedly expressed concern that such one-sided narratives undermine national sovereignty and stability. The article also details violent incidents, extortion worth up to Tk 1,200 crore in 2025, and clashes between PCJSS and the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF).

Authorities and analysts cited in the report urge unified national efforts to counter misinformation, promote factual reporting, and resolve land and political disputes within Bangladesh’s constitutional framework.

Bangladesh has experienced a sharp increase in fuel prices, rising by 15 to 20 taka per liter, triggering market instability. Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman criticized the move as an additional blow to citizens, while Energy Minister Iqbal Mahmud Tuku defended it as a necessary step due to global oil price surges and wartime conditions. The article notes that the current crisis mirrors the 1973 oil embargo, with Iran’s closure of the Hormuz Strait now disrupting 20 percent of global supply.

The report highlights that Bangladesh has historically maintained fuel subsidies and adjusted prices multiple times since independence, with 40 recorded increases and three reductions. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and IMF data show that Bangladesh remains among the leading countries providing direct fuel subsidies. In response to the global shortage, IEA member states have agreed to release 400 million barrels from reserves, though experts deem it insufficient.

The author urges the government to form a unified national energy taskforce with opposition participation, warning that the current crisis is more about eroding public trust than fuel scarcity itself.

A government document has alleged that the then Awami League government orchestrated a 'Reshma rescue drama' to conceal the true facts of the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Savar, which killed 1,138 garment workers and injured thousands. The report claims that 17 days after the collapse, the government presented the rescue of worker Reshma, also known as Fatema, as a miraculous survival story, though evidence suggests she had escaped on the day of the disaster. Officials from the Law, Home, and Labour ministries confirmed the existence of the document.

The document further states that despite clear evidence implicating several officials and political figures, the absence of government approval prevented their inclusion in the charge sheet. It also notes that the case remains unresolved 13 years later, with influential accused persons released on bail and alleged interference by the Awami League government. The interim government that recently left office reportedly initiated efforts to uncover the truth and review the case.

State lawyers involved in the case said the previous government did not prioritize the trial, but the current legal team is treating it as a high-importance case.

Bangladesh’s export earnings have fallen for eight consecutive months through March 2026, marking the longest and steepest decline in the country’s history. Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data show March exports dropped over 18 percent year-on-year to USD 3.48 billion, down from USD 4.25 billion a year earlier. Overall, exports in the first nine months of fiscal year 2025–26 fell 4.85 percent to USD 35.39 billion. The apparel sector, which contributes more than 80 percent of total exports, saw an 8‑month slump, with March earnings down 19.35 percent.

Analysts attribute the downturn to the Middle East conflict, rising fuel import costs, and global market disruptions. Bangladesh has also lost its position as the world’s second-largest apparel exporter to Vietnam. Exporters cite high raw material import dependence, energy shortages, and delayed shipments due to closed airspace and disrupted sea routes. Industry leaders warn that foreign buyers are shifting orders to India and Vietnam amid concerns over Bangladesh’s power stability.

Economists caution that unless Middle East tensions ease and transport routes normalize, Bangladesh’s export recovery will remain uncertain, threatening foreign currency reserves and overall economic stability.