Biometric attendance machines installed in government primary schools of Matlab North upazila, Chandpur, to ensure teacher attendance have become non-functional, turning a multimillion-taka investment into a waste. The devices, installed about eight years ago across 180 schools during the 2018–19 fiscal year, cost each school between Tk 26,000 and Tk 35,000, though similar machines were available in the market for Tk 5,000–6,000. Many of the machines are now missing or disconnected, with no operational database links.

Teachers and local officials have alleged that the machines were supplied at inflated prices under political pressure from ruling party members and that the project lacked proper planning and technical support. Several head teachers said the devices never worked due to missing connections and oversight, calling the initiative a misuse of government funds. The Upazila Primary Education Officer confirmed that none of the machines are currently functional.

Calls have been made for an investigation and accountability to prevent similar irregularities in future education technology projects.

A day laborer named Abdul Karim from Ulipur upazila in Kurigram has built a bridge over the Burir Teesta canal, fulfilling a long-standing demand of residents from about ten nearby villages. After repeated appeals to government offices failed, Karim took the initiative himself, using his savings and personal assets to complete the project. He sold his motorcycle and two goats, invested his small savings, and borrowed 100,000 taka to finish the construction. The bridge, made of bricks, wood, and iron supported by concrete pillars, was officially opened for public use last Friday.

Karim said he was inspired to act after witnessing the daily struggles of students, patients, and elderly people crossing the canal. Local residents praised his effort, noting that the bridge has eased access to hospitals, schools, and markets. Businessman Robiul Islam and teacher Sharmin Jahan highlighted how the bridge has reduced travel time and improved safety.

Ulipur’s acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Mehedi Hasan described Karim’s initiative as a rare example of social responsibility, saying it should inspire others to contribute to community welfare.

Former NCP leader Dr. Tasnim Jara has strongly criticized Comilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah’s demand for personal cars for members of parliament. Her reaction came on April 22 through a detailed post on her verified Facebook page, following widespread social media debate over the issue. Jara condemned MPs for prioritizing personal benefits while citizens face economic and professional hardships.

In her post, Jara argued that MPs deciding their own salaries and benefits is a conflict of interest, as these funds come from taxpayers. She compared MPs’ privileges with the struggles of teachers, doctors, nurses, and farmers, emphasizing that public representatives should focus on solving citizens’ problems rather than expanding their own perks.

Jara proposed forming an independent committee to review MPs’ benefits objectively. The committee, she suggested, should include judges, economists, governance experts, and ordinary citizens to ensure fairness and proportionality between MPs’ entitlements and the general population’s living standards.

Police in Brahmanpara, Comilla, arrested a local BNP leader named Sona Mia, also known as Ismail, with 600 yaba tablets during a special operation on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Officer-in-Charge Md Faruk Hossain raided his residence in Dhanyadaul village and recovered the drugs. The suspect was taken into custody and brought to the local police station.

According to local sources, Sona Mia serves as the publicity secretary of the Brahmanpara Sadar Union BNP and is the son of Majid Member from Dhanyadaul village. Brahmanpara Upazila BNP’s joint general secretary Nazrul Islam stated that the party was unaware of his involvement in drug activities and emphasized that there is no place for drug dealers in the BNP.

OC Faruk Hossain said that a case under the Narcotics Control Act is being processed and that similar special operations will continue to curb drug trafficking in the area.

Bangladesh’s Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that bus fares across the country have been increased by 11 paisa per kilometer, effective immediately from April 23, 2026. The minimum fare remains unchanged at 10 taka. The decision was made following a meeting with transport workers and owners at the Secretariat on Thursday.

According to the minister, the fare adjustment applies only to diesel-powered buses, while CNG-powered buses are excluded from this increase. He added that if fuel prices decrease in the future, bus fares will also be reduced accordingly. No decision has yet been made regarding fare adjustments for rail or water transport.

Currently, the fare for long-distance routes is set at 2 taka 12 paisa per kilometer, while in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, the rate stands at 2 taka 42 paisa per kilometer.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced a reduction in gold prices across the country. According to a notice issued on Thursday morning, the price of 22-carat gold has been cut by Tk 3,266 per bhori, setting the new rate at Tk 246,927. The revised prices took effect from 10 a.m. the same day. BAJUS stated that the adjustment was made considering the decline in the local market price of pure gold.

Under the new pricing, 21-carat gold now costs Tk 235,671 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 202,020, and traditional gold Tk 164,521. The previous adjustment occurred on April 15, when BAJUS raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 2,216 per bhori to Tk 250,193. That change also took effect at 10 a.m. on the same day.

So far in 2026, BAJUS has adjusted gold prices 56 times, increasing them 32 times and reducing them 24 times. In 2025, the association made 93 adjustments, with 64 increases and 29 decreases.

Bangladesh’s Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan met British Deputy High Commissioner James Gaultman on Thursday at the Secretariat. The meeting was attended by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj and Education Adviser Mahdi Amin. The minister expressed gratitude for the United Kingdom’s continued support in Bangladesh’s education sector and praised the British Council’s contribution to improving English education.

During the discussion, both sides emphasized expanding scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom. The meeting also expressed optimism about broadening future bilateral relations and cooperation in education and other sectors. The visiting delegation commended the Bangladesh government’s initiatives in education and related areas.

Officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the British Council’s Country Director Stephen Forbes, and Head of English and School Education Deepti Das were also present at the meeting.

The Election Commission has cancelled the nomination of Monira Sharmin, the National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate for a reserved women’s seat in the 13th National Parliament. The decision was made after inconsistencies were found in her submitted information during the verification process. The announcement came on Thursday around noon. Monira Sharmin stated that she intends to appeal the cancellation.

Earlier, the Election Commission had suspended her candidacy and granted her time until Thursday noon to submit proof of resignation from government service. Questions arose regarding her eligibility under Article 12(1)(ch) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, which disqualifies individuals from becoming Members of Parliament within three years of resigning or retiring from government or statutory employment.

Separately, the Commission also rejected the nomination of NCP central leader Nusrat Tabassum for missing the submission deadline by 19 minutes, as her papers were received after the 4 p.m. cutoff time.

Bangladesh made a commanding start in the women's kabaddi event at the Asian Beach Games, defeating Thailand 51-34 in their opening match held in Sanya, China. The team displayed strong attacking rhythm from the beginning, combining fast raids with solid defense to maintain control throughout the game. By halftime, Bangladesh had already built a 10-point lead, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

In the second half, Bangladesh maintained their momentum and extended the lead further. Thailand attempted a late comeback but could not overcome Bangladesh’s tactical play. The victory positioned Bangladesh as one of the strong contenders in the tournament and reaffirmed their dominance in South Asian kabaddi.

Bangladesh will face Nepal in their next match, aiming to continue their winning streak and strengthen their standing in the competition.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and Member of Parliament Nahid Islam has warned that if the ruling BNP government blocks reform efforts, public anger could erupt again. In an interview with Amar Desh published on April 23, 2026, he said the government has become highly unpopular within two months due to fuel shortages, rising prices, and international pressure. He accused the administration of maintaining the old power structure and failing to uphold the promises of the July uprising.

Nahid Islam alleged that a ‘deep state’—comprising bureaucrats, business elites, and former beneficiaries of the Awami League era—continues to dominate state institutions and resist reforms. He criticized the BNP for opposing judicial independence, ignoring earlier commitments to constitutional reform, and reverting to pre-uprising policies. He also expressed concern over media censorship, claiming that pro-Awami League interests are regaining control of news outlets.

He further warned that the NCP and its 11-party alliance are mobilizing public opinion and will not hesitate to take to the streets if reform demands are ignored. Nahid Islam also criticized the government’s foreign policy, banking sector decisions, and politicization of the July Memorial Museum project.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will visit Shilaidah in Kushtia to attend the national celebration of poet Rabindranath Tagore’s 165th birth anniversary on 25 Boishakh. The event will take place at the historic Kuthibari, a site closely associated with the poet’s life and work. Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Touhid Bin-Hasan confirmed the Prime Minister’s attendance at the event.

The three-day celebration is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Kushtia District Administration. A national preparatory meeting was held at the Secretariat to finalize arrangements for the occasion, where the Prime Minister’s participation was officially confirmed. The festival will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister at noon on 25 Boishakh.

Authorities in Kushtia have begun extensive preparations to welcome the Prime Minister and to ensure the successful organization of the national-level cultural program honoring the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore.

Five sluice gates built at a cost of several crore taka over various canals in Ramganj, Lakshmipur, have remained nonfunctional for more than two decades. Constructed during the 2001–02 fiscal year under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to control floods, improve irrigation, and reduce waterlogging, the structures are now obstructing natural water flow. As a result, local residents face irrigation shortages, water stagnation, reduced fish breeding, and rapid canal siltation.

Local farmers and residents said the gates became useless soon after installation due to lack of maintenance. Officials from the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Water Development Board (WDB), and the Department of Agriculture each denied responsibility for the structures, leaving their management unclear. The canals have become clogged with water hyacinth and waste, producing foul odors and stagnant black water.

Ramganj Upazila Engineer Sajjad Mahmud Khan stated that only one sluice gate in Katakhali falls under his office and that repair proposals have been submitted. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Farashid Bin Enam, said the gates would either be removed or repaired depending on their potential benefit to residents.

Bangladesh’s state-owned sugar mills under the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) have failed to meet their production targets for the 2025–26 crushing season. The nine operational mills produced 43,326 tons of sugar against a target of 51,857 tons, falling short by 8,531 tons, or more than 16 percent. Compared to the previous season, production dropped by 2,861 tons. Only Thakurgaon and Zeal Bangla sugar mills exceeded their targets, while North Bengal Sugar Mill recorded the highest output and Joypurhat the lowest.

The total sugarcane crushed this season was 782,673 tons, below the target of 850,000 tons. The overall sugar recovery rate slightly improved to 5.53 percent from 5.5 percent last season but remained unsatisfactory. Officials attributed the decline to outdated machinery, lack of modern processing methods, and poor-quality cane varieties. Most mills are decades old, with ten of fifteen mills having exceeded their operational lifespan.

Although a modernization plan was proposed earlier, it stalled after the government changed in 2024. A task force was formed to revive closed mills, but the finance ministry did not allocate funds, leaving production suspended and equipment deteriorating.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and Member of Parliament Nahid Islam has described the government’s discussions with India regarding the return of Sheikh Hasina as 'opaque'. In an interview with the newspaper Amar Desh published on April 23, 2026, he sharply criticized the current political situation, alleging that a deep conspiracy continues to preserve the old power structure more than a year after the mass uprising.

Nahid Islam accused the government of weakness in foreign policy, particularly in its dealings with India. He claimed that India had supported authoritarianism in Bangladesh for 16 years and was now sheltering those responsible for killings. He argued that seeking closer ties with India without resolving these issues lacked fairness and dignity. He also criticized the government’s stance on Iran and global affairs as overly dependent on major powers.

Discussing port modernization, Nahid Islam referred to interim government efforts to engage foreign firms like DP World and noted that some now advocate prioritizing domestic companies in the name of patriotism.

Bangladesh’s political scene has reached a critical juncture, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) seeking to implement its electoral promises and pursue state reforms after years of struggle. The absence of the banned Awami League and the controversial role of Jamaat-e-Islami have placed BNP in a delicate position, where its political strategy is being tested against public trust and expectations.

The article emphasizes that BNP’s foremost challenge is to establish political credibility after prolonged instability. Its proposed 31-point reform agenda, which includes democratic restructuring, judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, and decentralization of power, must not be compromised through alliances or negotiations. The piece argues that maintaining ideological integrity is essential for sustainable leadership and public acceptance.

It further suggests that issue-based cooperation, rather than permanent ideological alliances, could be a pragmatic approach in Bangladesh’s complex political environment. Clear communication through modern media and transparency in decision-making are deemed vital for gaining trust, particularly among younger voters. Ultimately, the article concludes that genuine public confidence, not power calculations, determines lasting political success.