The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued an emergency directive instructing all government hospitals in Bangladesh to increase bed capacity to handle the growing number of measles patients. The order, signed by Dr. Abu Hossain Md. Moinul Ahsan, Director of Hospitals and Clinics, was released on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Hospitals have been told not to refuse or redirect any measles or measles-symptom patients due to bed shortages.

According to the directive, hospitals must arrange additional beds if necessary and can only refer patients when advanced or complex treatment is required. The DGHS also emphasized that all referrals must follow the established chain from upazila health complexes to district, medical college, and specialized hospitals. Any violation of this rule will hold the hospital head responsible.

DGHS data show that between March 15 and April 22, a total of 38 children died from measles, while 190 children with measles symptoms also died during the same period.

The government of Bangladesh has increased bus fares by 11 paisa per kilometer in response to rising fuel prices. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced the decision on Thursday at the ministry’s meeting room in the Secretariat. The minimum fare remains unchanged at 10 taka. In Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, bus and minibus fares have been raised from 2.42 taka to 2.53 taka per kilometer, while long-distance bus fares have increased from 2.12 taka to 2.23 taka per kilometer.

The minister stated that the revised fares will take effect immediately and will apply only to diesel-powered buses. CNG-run buses are excluded from this adjustment. He also mentioned that fares would be reduced again if fuel prices decrease. No decision has yet been made regarding railway fare adjustments.

Earlier, a 12-member fare adjustment committee of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority had discussed a possible 22 paisa increase per kilometer for city and inter-district buses, but that proposal was not finalized.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that technical trade courses will be introduced in 1,000 madrasas across Bangladesh. He made the statement on Thursday, April 23, during the 20th day of the parliamentary question-and-answer session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram. The announcement came in response to a question from Comilla-4 MP Md. Abul Hasnat, who highlighted employment challenges faced by madrasa graduates outside religious institutions.

In his reply, the minister said the government aims to modernize madrasa education by including vocational and professional subjects in the curriculum. Alongside religious studies, students will have access to science, technology, IT, and English education. A committee under the Technical and Madrasa Education Division has already begun updating the curriculum to make it more relevant to current needs. The initiative aligns with the government’s election manifesto to ensure technical education for all.

The minister added that vocational courses have already been launched in 548 madrasas, and the new technical trade courses will be expanded to 1,000 more institutions in phases.

Independent Member of Parliament Rumin Farhana described Brahmanbaria as both a culturally rich and paradoxical region during a parliamentary session on Thursday. She highlighted its heritage as the birthplace of renowned artists and language movement figures, while also noting its reputation for local disputes. Her remarks came while presenting a private member’s resolution in the National Parliament.

Farhana criticized the persistent gas crisis in her constituency, Sarail, despite Brahmanbaria being a key supplier of gas to the rest of Bangladesh. She said residents face low gas pressure from morning to afternoon, forcing reliance on clay stoves, LPG cylinders, and electric cookers. She alleged that illegal gas connections continue through corrupt practices, depriving the government of revenue and worsening shortages for legal users.

She urged that Brahmanbaria residents should receive gas supply priority before distribution to other regions, arguing that the district’s resources should first benefit its own people.

State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan has called on maritime trainees to view themselves as ambassadors of Bangladesh when working on foreign-flagged vessels. He made the remarks on Thursday, April 22, during the passing-out ceremony of the second batch of ratings at the National Maritime Institute in Madaripur. The event marked the completion of training for 95 trainees who are now preparing to enter professional service.

The ceremony, held on the institute’s campus, was attended by Madaripur-2 Member of Parliament Jahandar Ali Mia, Shipping Ministry Secretary Zakaria, and Director General of the Department of Shipping Commodore Md. Shafiul Bari. The institute’s principal Md. Shahidullah delivered the welcome address. Awards were distributed among the top-performing trainees.

Local and foreign shipowners, shipping agents, military and civilian officials, and guardians of the trainees were also present at the event, highlighting the importance of skilled maritime professionals in representing Bangladesh abroad.

Authorities in Jhenaidah district have confirmed that the body recovered from the Ichamati River near the Paliyanpur border in Maheshpur upazila belongs to Afghan citizen Hashmat Mohammadi. His identity was verified by his US-based brother, Mohammad Ira, after recognizing photos of the body. The body had been found on April 13 and was buried by a local charity after remaining unclaimed.

According to the report, Hashmat had been living in Italy and frequently traveled to India for gemstone trade. He was previously arrested in India following a business dispute but was later acquitted. Unable to return home, he planned to travel back to Italy through Bangladesh with the help of a man named Masud. Hashmat last contacted his brother on April 11 or 12, saying he was about to cross the Ichamati River into Bangladesh.

Police in Maheshpur have begun investigating the case, collecting Masud’s phone numbers and awaiting the autopsy report to determine the cause of death, as no injury marks were found on the body.

Authorities in Chattogram have identified two individuals seen wielding weapons during violent clashes between Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir at Government City College on Tuesday. Despite the identification, police have yet to make any arrests but said operations are ongoing to detain all involved. The clashes erupted over disputes surrounding graffiti related to the July Movement, escalating into multiple rounds of violence that spread from the campus to nearby areas.

Witnesses reported that several participants carried sharp weapons, including machetes, while others wore helmets. Identified individuals include City College student Noor Nabi Rishad and MES College Chhatra Dal member-secretary Mirza Faruk. Following the incident, both groups held rival demonstrations across Chattogram on Wednesday, joined by central leaders. The college suspended classes and exams, and additional police were deployed as tension gripped the campus.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasan Mohammad Shawkat Ali confirmed that CCTV footage is under review and assured that no armed participant will be spared. The city remains tense as both organizations continue to exchange accusations and stage counter-protests.

Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP visited several SSC, Dakhil, and equivalent examination centers in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Thursday. His inspection covered Mirpur-10 Adarsha High School, Kazipara Siddiqia Fazil Madrasa, and Shaheed Police Smriti College. During the visit, he inquired about the well-being of examinees and prayed for their success.

Dr. Rahman advised the center secretaries to ensure a fair and peaceful examination environment and called on the authorities to maintain uninterrupted electricity during the exams. He was accompanied by Jamaat’s central executive council member and Dhaka North Ameer Mohammad Selim Uddin along with local leaders.

Later, he inspected facilities arranged by the local Jamaat unit outside the centers, including shaded seating for guardians and safe drinking water. Guardians expressed appreciation for the arrangements and thanked the opposition leader and other organizers for maintaining a comfortable environment.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has said that even after 55 years of independence, the country has not been able to establish a second oil refinery, which he described as an urgent necessity in the current context. He made the remarks on Thursday at the closing ceremony of the Capstone Course conducted by the National Defence College in Mirpur, Dhaka.

General Waker-uz-Zaman emphasized that global crises are emerging one after another, making energy security more critical than ever. He underscored the importance of developing energy infrastructure to address these challenges. The army chief also stated that no institution can sustain itself without accountability and expressed his expectation that the army will always remain within a framework of accountability.

According to the source, a total of 45 fellows participated in the course, including members of parliament, senior military and police officers, academics, doctors, high-ranking representatives from government and private organizations, diplomats, and business leaders. Senior officials from various institutions attended the ceremony.

Authorities in Chauddagram, Cumilla, are investigating allegations against the Chaudhury Filling Station for selling fuel at inflated prices during nighttime hours while claiming shortages during the day. The issue resurfaced after earlier irregularities, including a fine of 50,000 taka imposed on August 25 for underweight fuel sales. Despite this penalty, reports indicate that the station’s manager, Nasir Uddin, charged an extra five taka per liter for diesel and additional amounts for petrol and octane.

Local transport operators and motorcycle riders have complained of being unable to purchase fuel during the day. However, after 8 p.m., soil transport businesses reportedly collect large quantities of fuel in drums. During a field visit on Tuesday evening, journalists observed fuel being loaded into vehicles, and one buyer confirmed paying extra for diesel. When questioned, the manager refused to comment and left the scene.

Chauddagram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Nurul Amin visited the site following complaints but stated that the accused had left before his arrival. He added that further action would be taken if similar allegations arise again.

The administration of Kishoreganj upazila in Nilphamari has introduced a mandatory fuel card system to regulate fuel distribution. Starting Thursday, April 23, 2026, no vehicle will receive fuel without a valid fuel card. The upazila executive officer, Arifur Rahman, inaugurated the distribution by handing cards to two recipients at his office. The initiative aims to restore order at filling stations and prevent fuel hoarding.

According to the upazila administration, a verification and distribution committee has been formed to process applications and issue cards. On the first day, 280 cards were distributed after verification. Residents can collect cards from their respective union councils, while government employees can obtain them from the rural development office. Each card specifies the fuel allocation based on the applicant’s occupation and needs.

The administration stated that fuel supply operations will be conducted under the supervision of law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance. The card distribution process remains ongoing.

In Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet, around 400 families in Dayamir Union’s Chakbazar area have been trapped in prolonged waterlogging caused by inadequate drainage during the ongoing Dhaka–Sylhet highway expansion into six lanes. Residents report that even light rainfall floods homes and roads, turning the area into a near-permanent waterlogged zone. Despite repeated appeals, no effective relief has been provided so far.

The problem began when the old drainage system in Chakmandal Kapan village was filled in during highway construction without building a replacement. As a result, homes, roads, mosques, markets, and schools are inundated, severely disrupting daily life. Students, patients, and livestock face particular hardship, while crop harvesting has been hampered. Locals also fear waterborne diseases and accidents involving children.

Project manager Debashish Roy stated that houses built over the original drainage channels contributed to the issue but assured that the project team would address any suffering caused by the expansion. Residents have urged authorities and local representatives to take immediate action to install a permanent drainage system.

Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that six closed jute mills will be leased to the private sector by December. He made the statement during a press briefing at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Thursday morning. The minister said the initiative is expected to bring investments ranging from 200 to 500 crore taka and create new employment opportunities.

The announcement marks a step toward revitalizing the jute industry through private sector participation. The government aims to attract investment and generate jobs by transferring management of the closed mills to private operators. The decision follows ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and productivity in the sector.

If implemented as planned, the leasing process could help restore industrial activity in the affected areas and contribute to broader economic growth through renewed jute production and export potential.

Six workers were reportedly abducted from a rubber plantation in the Hatirdera area of Tongkabati Union, Bandarban, late on Wednesday night, April 22. According to local sources, a group of armed men dressed in black took the workers away around 11:30 p.m. The abducted individuals were identified as Nurul Afsar, Md. Arafat, Ismail, Karim Ullah, Romit, and Sakib.

Tongkabati Union Parishad Chairman Mai Mro said he had heard that a group of men in black clothing carried out the abduction but could not confirm who they were. Bandarban Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shahed Parvez told the media that police were aware of the incident and were verifying the details.

Authorities have begun preliminary investigations, but no group has yet claimed responsibility for the abduction, and the motive remains unclear.

Private sector lender Southeast Bank is struggling to recover its defaulted loans, with 71 percent of its total Tk 2,513 crore in defaults concentrated among the top 10 borrowers as of December last year. According to the bank’s internal report, these top defaulters owe Tk 1,779 crore, with KSRM and S Alam Group alone accounting for nearly Tk 1,000 crore. The Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a case against KSRM Group’s chairman Abdul Khaleq Pathan and six others for allegedly embezzling funds from the bank’s Gulshan branch using forged documents.

S Alam Group ranks second with Tk 474 crore in defaulted loans, followed by FARR Ceramics Limited with Tk 338 crore and Padma Poly Cotton Knit Fabrics Limited with Tk 171 crore. Other defaulters include Tang Hai Knitting and Dyeing, Bishwas Garments, Care Specialized Hospital, ABN Properties, Intramex Group, and NASA Group. Bank officials said recovery efforts are ongoing, though some defaulters have fled or been jailed.

Managing Director Khalid Mahmud Khan stated that the bank is maintaining contact with clients and attempting to regularize loans where possible, including through rescheduling and asset sales.