Intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College (RAMEC) Hospital resumed duty on Wednesday morning after a 24-hour work stoppage. The decision was announced at a press briefing held at 9 a.m. in the hospital’s emergency department office, where the interns declared the withdrawal of their protest and return to duty.

The interns stated that the hospital director had agreed to ensure a safe working environment for doctors and to take necessary legal action against those involved in a recent attack on medical staff. Following this assurance, the interns ended their strike and returned to their respective wards. The work stoppage had been called the previous morning to protest the attack and demand workplace safety.

Hospital authorities claimed that patient care was not significantly disrupted during the protest, as mid- and senior-level doctors took on additional responsibilities to maintain services.

The government of Bangladesh announced that it will begin procuring paddy, rice, and wheat from May 3 under the current fiscal year’s food procurement program, continuing until August 31. According to the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, the purchase prices have been fixed at Tk 36 per kilogram for Boro paddy, Tk 49 for parboiled rice, Tk 48 for Atap rice, and Tk 36 for wheat.

The meeting, held at the Secretariat’s Press Information Department conference room, was attended by State Minister for Food Abdul Bari. The government has set procurement targets of 500,000 metric tons of Boro paddy, 1.2 million metric tons of parboiled rice, 100,000 metric tons of Atap rice, and 50,000 metric tons of wheat. Paddy and wheat collection will start on May 3, while rice collection will begin on May 15.

The Home Minister stated that the country currently has sufficient rice reserves, with 1.7 to 1.8 million tons stored in government warehouses. He added that Bangladesh’s total wheat demand is 8 million metric tons, of which 7 to 7.2 million tons are produced domestically, and the remaining 800,000 tons are imported through government-to-government arrangements.

A student at Rajshahi University was allegedly stabbed by a Chhatra Dal leader and his associates near Paris Road on Tuesday night, April 21. The accused, Hasibul Islam Hasib, joint general secretary of the university’s Chhatra Dal unit, has denied the allegation, claiming he was ill and not on campus. The victim, Hasan, a student of Islamic History and Culture, said Hasib and several outsiders attacked him with a knife while he was sitting at a tea stall with friends. Witnesses confirmed seeing Hasib arrive at the scene in an agitated state.

The incident reportedly followed a dispute the previous day when a university guard asked a student couple to leave the Fine Arts area, leading to suspicions of extortion attempts by some students. The university administration had resolved that issue earlier, but the stabbing occurred later that night. Hasan also alleged that Hasib had been threatening him by phone and that the proctor had received threats as well.

Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman stated that the attack was unacceptable and that the university would investigate the complaint. He said legal action could be taken and that no one involved would be spared if found guilty.

A pedestrian was killed after being hit by a speeding motorcycle in Rauzan upazila of Chattogram on Tuesday night. The accident occurred around 8 p.m. on Hafez Muhammad Bazlur Rahman Road in Ward 8 of Rauzan Municipality. The victim, Mohammad Azgar, aged 60, was from Hajipara village. Witnesses said he was crossing the road near the shrine of Boro Maulana Shah (R.) when a motorcycle coming from the north struck him forcefully. Locals took him to Rauzan Upazila Health Complex and later to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where he died around 11 p.m.

The motorcycle rider, Md. Raihan of Mohammadpur Muazzin Bari, and another passenger were injured and received primary treatment. The victim’s nephew, Maulana Md. Jasim Uddin, said the family was preparing for a wedding that night, which turned tragic due to the accident. He urged authorities to install speed breakers on the road to prevent reckless driving. Rauzan police confirmed visiting the scene and stated that legal procedures are underway.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has nominated only one woman leader from Chattogram for a reserved seat in parliament, sparking widespread dissatisfaction among local leaders and activists. The final list, announced on Monday, included Barrister Shakila Farzana, daughter of late MP Wahidul Alam, as the sole nominee from the region. Many senior and long-serving women leaders who led protests and endured imprisonment were overlooked, which local members described as political discrimination against Chattogram.

Party insiders said 36 women from the district had collected nomination forms, including several senior figures from the city and northern and southern districts. Local leaders alleged that internal conflicts among central leaders influenced the final selection, leaving many deserving candidates excluded. Some viewed the decision as a failure of the central leadership to recognize sacrifices made by grassroots activists.

Chattogram-9 MP Abu Sufian stated that the district deserved at least three to four reserved seats given its political importance and contribution to the party’s movements. He urged the BNP high command to reconsider the list before the oath-taking ceremony to restore morale among dedicated members.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association has issued a strict directive prohibiting any increase in bus fares without prior government approval. The instruction, signed by the association’s secretary Md. Saiful Alam on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, states that no additional fare may be charged beyond the current rates until the government announces a final decision on fare adjustments. All transport owners and workers operating on routes across the country have been urged to comply with this order.

The association’s statement notes that the cost of operating transport services has risen sharply due to a Tk 15 per liter increase in diesel prices and higher expenses for vehicle parts and maintenance caused by the rising dollar rate. In light of these challenges, the association has called on the government to promptly and realistically adjust fares to prevent financial losses in the transport sector.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has warned of strong protests if bus and launch fares are increased unilaterally in violation of international consumer rights laws. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association’s secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, said transport owners’ associations were pushing for excessive fare hikes following a recent diesel price increase.

The statement recalled that in August 2022, when diesel prices rose sharply to 114 taka per liter, bus fares increased by 22 percent and launch fares by 32 percent. Although diesel prices later dropped to 100 taka, the government only made minor fare reductions on paper, and passengers did not benefit in practice. The association alleged that despite the latest 15-taka rise in diesel prices to 115 taka, transport owners are now seeking to raise bus fares by 64 percent and launch fares by 42 percent.

The Passenger Welfare Association accused certain government officials of supporting transport owners for short-term gains while excluding passenger representatives from fare adjustment discussions, warning that such actions could trigger widespread protests.

The Bangladesh government has issued a circular declaring November 7 to be observed annually as 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day'. The directive, released by the Cabinet Division on April 21, 2026, categorizes the date as a 'Class A' national day. All ministries, divisions, and relevant agencies have been instructed to take necessary measures to implement the decision.

According to the circular, the decision follows a government announcement made on April 16, 2026, reinstating November 7 as a national day and including it in the list of public holidays. Cabinet Secretary Md Nasimul Gani stated that the day will be officially celebrated after a long interval, with due state honor and a public holiday.

The circular also introduced July 6 as 'National Rural Development Day', though this occasion will not be accompanied by a public holiday.

An alleged attack took place late Tuesday night, April 21, 2026, at a Jamaat-e-Islami-run library in the Segunbagan area under Khulshi Police Station in Chattogram. According to Jamaat leaders, a group of BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal activists stormed the library around 9 p.m. while a scheduled meeting of the Labour Welfare Federation’s hotel workers unit was underway. At least eight Jamaat workers were injured, and furniture and a large number of books were damaged.

Witnesses said the attackers vandalized over fifty chairs and tables, tore books and documents, and looted mobile phones and wallets from participants. Labour Welfare Federation leaders condemned the incident, calling it a politically motivated attack carried out without provocation. They demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and announced a press conference to address the issue.

Chattogram city Jamaat leaders described the attack as a planned act following recent clashes at City College. However, the Chattogram BNP denied involvement, claiming their members were not connected to the incident and urged authorities to investigate and arrest the real perpetrators.

Police in Jianagar, Pirojpur recovered 75 barrels of stolen bitumen that had been left abandoned inside a house in Seutibaria village. The operation was conducted on Tuesday evening, April 21, under the leadership of Sub-Inspector Ismail Hossain. The barrels were found inside the home of Ibadul Kabir Badol Hawlader and taken into police custody. According to police, the bitumen had been lying there for about a month.

House owner Badol Hawlader stated that he lives in Dhaka and was unaware of who had left the bitumen on his property. Earlier, on April 4, police had recovered 59 barrels of stolen bitumen from a work site linked to contractor Shakil Mahmud Palash Hawlader, Badol’s relative. Locals suspect the newly recovered barrels may also belong to Palash, though he denied any involvement, claiming he was being framed by rivals.

Sub-Inspector Saiduzzaman confirmed that several individuals have contacted police claiming ownership of the bitumen. Authorities said the barrels will be handed over through court once valid ownership documents are verified. Several related bitumen theft cases have recently been filed in nearby districts.

A cargo trawler bound for Monpura sank at Choumuhani Ghat in Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola on Tuesday evening after being hit by strong waves from the Dhaka-bound launch MB Farhan. The incident resulted in the loss of goods including 934 pieces of school feeding bread, 150 sacks of poultry feed, 110 sacks of rice, and edible oil, with an estimated damage of about Tk 2 million, according to locals.

Trawler driver Hiron Mia said the MB Farhan launch had departed from Betuaghata in Charfassion and created strong waves while leaving Choumuhani Ghat for Dhaka, causing the trawler heading to Monpura to sink. Some school feeding items were saved, but most of the cargo went underwater immediately. No casualties were reported in the incident.

The officer-in-charge of Tazumuddin Police Station said he was unaware of the incident and would look into it after being informed by the reporter.

Two sub-health centers in Raipur upazila of Lakshmipur have been operating without doctors for about 11 to 12 years, depriving local residents of essential healthcare. According to the Raipur Upazila Health Complex office, the centers in Haydarganj Bazar of Char Ababil Union and Saicha village of Bamni Union each have sanctioned doctor posts that remain vacant. Currently, an MBBS doctor visits once a week, while a sub-assistant community medical officer serves patients on other days.

Local union chairmen and residents said the absence of doctors has forced villagers to travel 10 to 12 kilometers to the upazila health complex for even minor ailments, increasing patient pressure on the 50-bed facility. Around 86,000 families, traders, students, and coastal workers depend on these centers, but the lack of doctors has caused severe hardship.

Raipur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Bahrul Alam confirmed that reports on the vacancies are regularly sent to the civil surgeon. He noted that the shortage has significantly increased patient load at the upazila hospital, where 400–500 people visit the outpatient department daily.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) has initiated the viva voce process for candidates who passed the written examination of the 47th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS). As part of the preparation, candidates are required to fill out and submit the ‘BPSC Form-3’ online using their BCS user ID and password. The form must be completed in Bangla through the designated website, and candidates need updated browsers with Flash Player and Unicode support. After submission, the form must be downloaded, printed, and two copies submitted to the viva board. Candidates can edit any incorrect information within the specified time.

The BPSC notice, signed by Exam Controller (Cadre) Masuma Afrin, also instructs candidates to select the correct option under the ‘Freedom Fighter Status’ section from four available categories. In addition, the commission has announced that viva examinations for 2,570 general cadre candidates will begin on May 11 at the BPSC headquarters in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, starting daily at 10 a.m. according to registration numbers.

The directive ensures a standardized digital process for candidate data submission ahead of the 47th BCS viva sessions.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized illegal Indian medicines worth about Tk 20 million during an operation in the Muktijoddha Chattar area of Madhabpur upazila, Habiganj. The operation took place on Tuesday afternoon along the Dhaka–Sylhet highway, where a truck was stopped and searched. The contraband medicines and Indian snacks were found hidden under bricks inside sacks. The seized goods were later handed over to the customs office following legal procedures.

According to a press release issued by Lieutenant Colonel Tanzilur Rahman, commander of the Habiganj Battalion (55 BGB), the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb cross-border smuggling. He stated that BGB remains firm in protecting the border and preventing illegal trade. Intelligence surveillance has been strengthened in border areas to safeguard domestic industries and maintain economic stability.

The BGB official added that similar operations will continue in the future to ensure tighter control over smuggling activities and to support lawful trade practices.

Fuel is being sold at inflated prices across several districts of Bangladesh, with sellers citing supply shortages. Consumers are being forced to pay more for petrol, octane, diesel, and kerosene, which is driving up the prices of essential goods. In Jamalpur, new official rates have been set, but many stations are charging extra, leading to long queues and frustration among buyers.

Reports from Faridpur, Rangpur, and Bogura describe irregularities such as phone-based fuel sales, syndicate control, and deliberate supply halts. In Sunamganj, a mobile court fined a businessman for overpricing fuel, while in Chuadanga, 300 liters of illegally stored diesel were seized and resold to farmers at official rates. The Coast Guard in Bhola confiscated 4,000 liters of petrol being transported illegally, and in Narayanganj, a company was fined for selling diesel and furnace oil without valid documents.

Authorities in several districts have launched mobile court operations and enforcement drives to curb illegal sales and stabilize the market, though widespread public hardship continues.