In Sandwip upazila of Chattogram, BNP leader and upazila member secretary Alomgir Hossain Thakur has come under criticism after proposing to increase the Kumira-Guptachhara speedboat fare from Tk 250 to Tk 300 per passenger. The proposal was made during an open discussion meeting organized by the upazila administration on Monday, sparking public outrage. Although the administration indicated that the new fare would take effect, activists and residents questioned its legal validity.

According to meeting sources, the proposal followed demands from boat owners citing rising fuel prices. Thakur explained that he suggested Tk 300 as a compromise since owners wanted Tk 350. Jaglul Hossain Nayon, owner of Adil Enterprise, defended the increase, saying higher fuel and parts costs made current fares unsustainable. Upazila Executive Officer Mongchingnu Marma stated that the decision was reached with consensus and would remain effective until a gazette is issued.

However, over a hundred online activists challenged the legality of implementing the fare before approval from the BIWTA. Former BNP joint convener Belayet Hossain assured that no decision harming Sandwip residents would be accepted and said communication with the shipping minister was underway.

Bangladesh failed to maintain their winning momentum in the second women's ODI against Sri Lanka, losing by four wickets in Rajshahi on April 22, 2026. Despite a fighting effort with both bat and ball, Nigar Sultana Joty’s team could not defend their total, allowing Sri Lanka to level the three-match series 1-1.

Batting first, Bangladesh suffered early setbacks, losing two openers for just four runs. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty anchored the innings with a responsible 58 off 101 balls, but lack of support from the other end restricted the team to 165 runs. Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu starred with the ball, taking three wickets.

In reply, Sri Lanka also stumbled early but recovered through a 77-run fourth-wicket stand between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hansima Karunaratne. Athapaththu contributed 40 off 39 balls, while Kavisha and Nilakshi guided the visitors to victory. Nahida Akter was Bangladesh’s standout bowler with four wickets. The series will now be decided in the third and final match.

Tahmina Akter, an SSC examinee from Government Setara Smriti Girls' High School in Jianagar, Pirojpur, has received the 'Konya Sahasika' (Brave Daughter) award from the Pirojpur district administration. The award, presented on April 22, 2026, included a certificate and financial assistance to help her continue her education. District Commissioner Abu Sayeed handed over the honor and support at his office.

Tahmina, daughter of Alam Hawlader from Charakhali Ward in Indurkani Sadar Union, gained attention after she sought help from Jianagar police on April 18 to prevent her own marriage and ensure she could sit for her SSC exams. With the assistance of the local administration and community leaders, she successfully avoided child marriage.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Hasan Md. Hafizur Rahman praised Tahmina’s courage, saying her determination was inspiring and that the administration was proud to recognize her bravery.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to replace fertilizer dealers appointed during the fascist era with new ones. The announcement came on Wednesday in the National Parliament during an unscheduled discussion, following a demand raised by Chief Whip Nurul Islam. The Chief Whip stated that the dealers appointed under the previous fascist government were still active but not distributing fertilizer properly, allegedly creating an artificial shortage. He urged the Prime Minister to cancel their licenses and appoint new dealers to ensure fair fertilizer prices for farmers.

In response, Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman said that the entire Parliament welcomed the proposal. He added that if there was full parliamentary consent, the government would soon take necessary steps to implement the decision.

The discussion reflected a unified stance among lawmakers to address fertilizer distribution issues and ensure transparency in the appointment process.

Bangladesh’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that the government will soon recruit 100,000 health workers to address manpower shortages in the health sector. He also stated that ten armed Ansar personnel will be deployed at each upazila-level hospital to ensure doctors’ safety. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday in Dhaka’s Shahbagh after signing a memorandum of understanding to launch a Bangladesh-China joint surgical clinic.

Hossain added that the country currently has a six-month stock of measles vaccines, assuring that there will be no shortage in the coming months. He urged the public not to panic about vaccine availability. The memorandum signed with China aims to establish joint surgical clinics and mobile medical services in Bangladesh.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen expressed hope that bilateral cooperation in complex surgeries and medical services will reach new heights through this initiative.

A joint operation by police and the navy in Hatiya, Noakhali, led to the seizure of 1,500 liters of stored diesel and the detention of one individual. The operation took place late Tuesday night at a motor parts shop in Tomorddi Bazar. The detained person, identified as Md. Mofiz Uddin Faruk from Kshirodia village in Tomorddi Union, was accused of illegally hoarding fuel. The confiscated diesel was handed over to Hatiya Police Station on Wednesday morning.

According to Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain, the suspect was arrested for illegal fuel storage, and a case was filed under the Special Powers Act. The joint forces’ operation aimed to curb unauthorized fuel hoarding in the area.

The incident highlights ongoing enforcement efforts against illegal fuel storage in coastal regions like Hatiya, where joint operations between police and naval forces are being used to prevent black-market activities.

Long-distance bus operations between Rajshahi and Dhaka have remained suspended for two consecutive days, causing severe suffering for passengers. The disruption, confirmed by Rajshahi Bus Owners Association General Secretary Nazrul Islam Helal, stems from an internal conflict among bus owners. As a result, no buses departed from Rajshahi to Dhaka for the second straight day on Wednesday.

Passengers with urgent travel needs were left stranded at counters without prior notice of the suspension. Many, including commuters and students, expressed frustration at the sudden halt, saying they could not make alternative arrangements. The absence of advance announcements worsened the situation, forcing travelers to return home or wait indefinitely.

According to the association, the dispute involves bus owners from Rajshahi and Natore. Discussions with local administration are underway to resolve the issue, and officials hope that normal operations may resume by Wednesday evening, though no specific timeline has been confirmed.

A family in Gangra village of Chauddagram, Cumilla, has accused Nurul Islam Faruki’s wife and four children of forging multiple death and inheritance certificates to seize family land. The alleged fraud deprived other heirs, including Monirul Islam and his family, of their rightful property and forced them to live in rented housing for ten years. The accused reportedly received assistance from Jagannathdighi Union’s panel chairman, Shahidul Islam Chowdhury.

According to the complaint, the accused created a false inheritance certificate on 19 August 2012 and later used it to prepare a forged land record on 17 October 2023. They allegedly transferred property obtained from Begum Bia to a third party on 21 March 2024. Witnesses and local residents confirmed that Faruki died before his mother, contradicting the forged documents that reversed the order of deaths. The case was filed under the Land Crime Prevention and Remedy Act in Cumilla court by Nurul Afsar, nephew of the deceased.

The local panel chairman denied involvement, while the Chauddagram Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that legal action would follow if the forgery allegations proved true.

A local youth leader in Raipur municipality of Lakshmipur has been accused of extortion under the guise of lease collection. According to reports, a betel trader named Harun was assaulted and humiliated after refusing to pay the demanded amount. A video of the incident circulated on social media, sparking widespread concern among local traders.

Local sources said Mizan Sardar, who took lease of the municipal Murihata area, has been collecting money from traders while identifying himself as a youth leader. Harun alleged that he was asked to pay increasing sums, from a monthly fee to daily payments, and was beaten when he refused. The accused denied the allegations, claiming he was collecting fees according to the official lease schedule.

Members of the local traders’ association criticized the practice, noting that footpaths cannot legally be leased. The Raipur municipal administrator said he would review the matter before commenting. Traders have urged swift administrative action to stop such extortion practices.

An elderly woman was killed and three others were seriously injured in a stabbing attack in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar district on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. in the Siddheshwarpur area under Rahimpur Union. According to reports, a man named Elim Mia allegedly entered the victims’ house and attacked them with a knife due to previous enmity.

The victims included 65-year-old Badrun Begum, wife of the late Ilias Mia, and three others. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared Badrun Begum dead after examination. The remaining three victims are receiving treatment at the hospital.

Police visited the scene after receiving information and are attempting to arrest the accused. Kamalganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Awal confirmed the incident and said legal action is being taken.

The Department of Environment in Chandpur conducted a raid on an illegal polythene production factory equipped with modern machinery in the heart of Chandpur city. Acting on a tip-off, officials discovered the factory operating inside a tin-shed warehouse near the Harijan community housing on Swarnakhola Road. The operation took place on the night of April 21, and the department confirmed the action on April 22, 2026. Authorities seized a large quantity of polythene and raw materials before sealing the facility through a mobile court.

According to the Department of Environment, the warehouse had been rented and used for illegal polythene production for a long time, supplying products to Chandpur and other districts. During the raid, 1,774 kilograms of polythene and polypropylene granules were confiscated. The mobile court was led by Executive Magistrate Masud Rana from the district administration office.

Deputy Director Mizanur Rahman of the Department of Environment stated that the operation was carried out jointly with the magistrate and law enforcement agencies. Legal action will follow as part of the next steps.

Bangladesh have been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for maintaining a slow over rate during their One Day International match against New Zealand in Mirpur. Despite winning the match by six wickets on Monday and leveling the three-match series 1–1, the team failed to complete their bowling quota within the allotted time. As a result, the ICC imposed a fine equivalent to 10 percent of the players’ match fees.

According to an ICC statement, Bangladesh bowled two overs short of the required rate, prompting the penalty issued by elite panel match referee Andy Pycroft. Under ICC regulations, teams are fined a minimum of five percent of match fees for each over not completed in time. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz accepted responsibility and the sanction, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

The match officials included on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Gazi Sohel, third umpire Nitin Menon, and fourth umpire Masudur Rahman Mukul.

Bangladesh, the two-time defending champions, have been placed in Group B alongside India and the Maldives for the upcoming SAFF Women's Championship. The tournament is scheduled to begin on May 25 in Goa, India, with the group draw held in Dhaka. According to the latest FIFA women's rankings, Bangladesh ranks third among the six participating teams, which were divided into three pots for the draw.

The competition will feature six teams split into two groups, with each team playing two group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. Group A includes Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, with Nepal considered the strongest side in that group. If Bangladesh tops its group, it could avoid facing Nepal in the semifinals.

Despite recent security concerns that postponed the Bangladesh men's cricket tour to India, the Ministry of Sports has shown a positive stance toward the women's football team’s travel. Improved bilateral relations following national elections have reduced potential obstacles. Bangladesh will soon begin a training camp in Chattogram and is also planning overseas practice sessions.

Jubo Mohila League leader Shilpi Begum was granted bail on Wednesday morning and released from Kashimpur Central Women's Jail in Gazipur along with her one-and-a-half-month-old daughter. She had been arrested on Monday night from her home at Tejgaon Railway Colony Station Road in Dhaka in connection with an explosives and violence case filed at Tejgaon Police Station. The following night, she entered the prison with her infant daughter.

On humanitarian grounds, the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court granted her bail on Tuesday night, with Judge Mostafizur Rahman issuing the order. However, due to pending signatures, her release was delayed, forcing her and her child to spend the night in jail. The necessary paperwork was completed on Wednesday morning, and after verification, both mother and child were freed around 11:30 a.m.

Senior Jail Superintendent Mosha. Kawalin Nahar confirmed that the bail documents arrived at the prison on Wednesday morning and were processed before Shilpi Begum’s release later that day.

A deadly clash erupted in Kendua upazila of Netrakona on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, over a long-standing land dispute between two groups. The confrontation took place around 11:20 a.m. in Madhya Amtala village under Roailbari Union, resulting in the death of a woman named Soma Akter, 30, and injuries to at least 10 to 12 others. She was declared dead at Kendua Upazila Health Complex after being taken there with severe injuries.

Hospital sources reported that four to five of the injured were in critical condition and preparations were underway to transfer them for advanced treatment. Locals said the dispute had persisted for a long time and suddenly escalated into a violent confrontation involving traditional weapons. The area remained tense following the incident.

Law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene to bring the situation under control, and additional police forces were deployed. Attempts to contact the local police station for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.