A report published on April 25, 2026, accuses the former Awami League government of widespread corruption and mismanagement in Bangladesh’s major infrastructure projects. It claims that several mega projects, including the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Padma Bridge, and Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, were marked by excessive costs, poor planning, and delays. The interim government’s white paper committee and task force found that eight major projects exceeded initial budgets by 7.52 billion dollars, citing weak planning, delays, and corruption as key causes. The report highlights that projects such as the Karnaphuli Tunnel are operating far below expectations, incurring heavy losses and failing to deliver promised benefits. It also notes that 95 percent of these projects were financed through foreign loans, creating severe repayment pressure. The railway sector, despite massive investment, continues to suffer losses due to inefficiency and inflated costs. According to the report, inflated construction costs, project delays, and poor design have turned many of these ventures into burdens for citizens. Projects like the Gazipur-Airport BRT and Lal Khan Bazaar-Airport Elevated Expressway remain incomplete, causing public suffering and raising questions about accountability.

The July Uprising Memorial Museum, planned at Dhaka’s former Ganabhaban after the 2024 July Revolution, remains unopened despite repeated government assurances. The interim government had announced the transformation of the royal residence into a museum honoring the student-led uprising, but bureaucratic delays and political inertia have stalled its inauguration. Although the July Uprising Memorial Museum Bill 2026 was passed on April 10, giving the project permanent legal status, the gates remain closed to the public. Families of martyrs and injured activists have expressed frustration over the delay, blaming administrative inefficiency and lack of political will. Some allege that influential bureaucrats linked to the previous regime are obstructing progress, while others maintain that the current government is sincere and working to open the museum soon. The project, approved in July 2025 with a budget exceeding 400 million taka, was initially scheduled for an August 2025 launch. The museum features thematic galleries using digital and visual technology to document the revolution, with preserved artifacts, letters, and footage. It will operate as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, with branch museums at former detention sites known as “Ainaghars.”

Real Madrid stumbled again in the La Liga title race after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer against Real Betis, resulting in a 1-1 draw on April 25, 2026. Despite taking an early lead through Vinícius Júnior in the 17th minute, Real failed to secure victory as Héctor Bellerín scored in the 94th minute to level the match. The draw denied Madrid a chance to close the gap with league leaders Barcelona. Throughout the match at Betis’ home ground, Real faced strong resistance. Betis controlled 52 percent of possession and took 19 shots, four on target, while Real managed 12 shots with eight on target. Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham missed opportunities to extend the lead, and Mbappé had a goal disallowed for offside. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made several key saves to keep Madrid ahead until the final moments. After 33 matches, Real Madrid remain second with 74 points, trailing Barcelona, who lead with 82 points from one game fewer. Betis stand fifth with 50 points. The late setback adds pressure on Madrid’s pursuit of the league title.

Violent clashes between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and Islami Chhatra Shibir have spread across several educational institutions, including Chittagong City College, Ishwardi Government College, Comilla Polytechnic Institute, and Dhaka University. The confrontations, which left numerous activists injured, reportedly began over a graffiti dispute and social media posts targeting the prime minister and her daughter. Authorities and law enforcement have faced criticism for their handling of the escalating unrest. Educators and administrators have expressed concern that the violence is undermining the academic environment and fueling national political tension. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor A.B.M. Obaidul Islam urged tolerance and announced two investigation committees. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury warned that those destabilizing the country would face consequences. Jamaat-e-Islami condemned the attacks on Shibir activists, while both student groups blamed each other for provoking the violence. Chhatra Dal’s general secretary expressed regret over injuries to journalists during the Dhaka University incident, while both organizations called for restraint. Observers fear the unrest could further disrupt campuses unless swift administrative and law enforcement measures are taken.

A commentary published on April 25, 2026, in the newspaper Amar Desh by retired Major Rokon Uddin examines the controversial political legacy of Chittaranjan Sutar, a former Awami League leader and member of Bangladesh’s first parliament in 1973. The article recounts repeated allegations that Sutar maintained links with Indian intelligence and was involved in the separatist ‘Bangabhumi’ movement, which sought to create a Hindu state in parts of southwestern Bangladesh. It also recalls his wartime role as a liaison between India and the Mujibnagar government during the 1971 Liberation War. The author argues that Sutar’s career reflects deeper weaknesses in Bangladesh’s post-independence state-building process, where political loyalty and vigilance against foreign influence were not always enforced. The piece cites historical reports and official concerns about cross-border separatist activities to illustrate that such threats were taken seriously at the state level. Concluding, the article frames Sutar as a symbol of internal subversion and warns that national sovereignty depends not only on defending borders but also on maintaining political integrity and awareness of internal collaborators.

Experts in Bangladesh have warned that exposure to light, air, and oxygen significantly reduces the nutritional value of vitamins A and D in fortified edible oils. They emphasized that transparent bottles allow ultraviolet rays to degrade these vitamins, while opaque or laminated packaging can effectively preserve their potency. The Ministry of Health’s Technical Advisory Committee conducted a national survey in 2025 on vitamin D levels among 2,481 people, revealing widespread deficiencies across age groups and pregnant women. The survey results prompted a proposal for nationwide vitamin D fortification in edible oils, complementing existing vitamin A enrichment. The Ministry of Industry is awaiting formal recommendations from the Ministry of Health to proceed. Experts from organizations such as GAIN, the National Heart Foundation, and Progotir Jonyo Gyan highlighted that consumer preference for transparent packaging and manufacturers’ lack of awareness about light sensitivity remain major challenges. Stakeholders called for stronger public awareness, inter-ministerial coordination, and mandatory use of opaque, light-resistant packaging to ensure the nutritional integrity of fortified oils and improve public health outcomes.

Islami Bank Bangladesh, once considered the country’s top financial institution, has fallen into deep crisis following years of alleged irregularities and loan fraud linked to S Alam Group. According to the report, the group and its affiliates defaulted on Tk 57,175 crore in loans, representing 62 percent of the bank’s total non-performing loans as of December last year. The group reportedly took about Tk 70,000 crore in loans under various names, including relatives and paper-based entities, after gaining control of the bank in 2017 through an intelligence agency. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) later reported that S Alam Group’s total loans, both direct and indirect, amounted to Tk 105,483 crore. The bank has filed 24 civil and 368 criminal cases against the group, while the Anti-Corruption Commission has also initiated several cases. Islami Bank’s acting managing director said the group has not repaid its loans, and legal recovery efforts are ongoing. The bank has also signed three non-disclosure agreements with foreign entities. After the interim government removed S Alam’s control, Islami Bank’s board was restructured, reducing total defaulted loans to Tk 92,115 crore by December. However, reports suggest S Alam is now attempting to regain influence through former employees and supporters.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has responded to a reported US threat to suspend Spain from NATO for not cooperating in a military operation against Iran. Speaking at a European Union summit in Nicosia on Friday, Sánchez described Spain as a reliable NATO member and said he was not concerned about speculation surrounding an internal Pentagon email. According to Reuters, cited by AFP, the email discussed possible punitive measures against NATO allies that refused to join the Iran-related operation, including the potential suspension of Spain. Sánchez emphasized that Spain fulfills all its NATO responsibilities and bases its decisions on official documents and declared US policy, not on leaked communications. He reiterated that Spain supports full cooperation with NATO within the framework of international law. The report notes that NATO’s founding treaty does not explicitly provide for suspension or expulsion of members. Amid tensions over the Iran conflict, US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with allies such as Spain, France, and Italy for denying US military aircraft access to their bases or airspace, calling NATO a “paper tiger.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant announced that the waivers allowing purchases of Russian oil and petroleum products will not be renewed. According to an Associated Press report, Besant confirmed that no new exemptions will apply even to Russian oil currently in transit. He also ruled out any extension of time limits for Iranian oil, stating that sanctions remain in place and no oil is leaving Iran. This decision reflects the United States’ firm energy policy aimed at maintaining pressure on both Iran and Russia. Analysts cited in the report view the move as a continuation of Washington’s broader strategy to tighten sanctions and limit the energy revenues of these two countries. The announcement underscores the US commitment to enforcing its sanctions regime without exceptions, signaling continued economic pressure on Moscow and Tehran.

Police officers came under attack during an anti-drug operation in Sarikaite Union of Sandwip upazila, Chattogram, late on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. in Ward No. 9 when police responded to a 999 call reporting the detention of a man named Didar with drugs. Upon arrival, officers found two local BNP factions engaged in a clash. During the chaos, a man named Manna was seriously injured, after which a group of alleged drug dealers and their followers blamed the police and launched a coordinated attack involving about 50 to 60 people. Two sub-inspectors, Apel and Nur Mohammad, were injured in the assault. Additional police forces later arrived, rescued the injured officers, and brought the situation under control. The injured policemen received primary medical treatment. Police have detained three suspects—Fahim, Tahin, and Niloy—in connection with the attack. Sandwip Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sujon Halder stated that a case is being processed and that the special anti-drug operation continues with additional forces deployed in the area.

The administration of President Donald Trump has announced plans to again terminate the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of people who sought asylum in the United States through the CBP One app. The plan was disclosed in a court filing in Boston, Massachusetts, following a judge’s earlier ruling that the administration’s previous attempt to end that status was unlawful. Under former President Joe Biden, about 900,000 individuals had been granted humanitarian parole while their asylum cases were processed. The new filing states that the Department of Justice is complying with Judge Allison Burroughs’s order but will begin issuing new parole termination notices based on a memo from CBP head Rodney Scott. Lawyers representing affected individuals have asked the court to block what they describe as an attempt to evade compliance with the prior ruling. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for May 6. The move comes amid Trump’s broader hardline immigration agenda during his second term, which has included halting most asylum claims at the southern border and replacing the CBP One app with a self-deportation tool called CBP Home.

The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2026 confirmed famine in parts of the Gaza Strip and Sudan in 2025, marking the first dual famine confirmation since formal reporting began. The report, compiled by 18 humanitarian and development partners, found that 22.9 percent of populations across 47 crisis-affected countries—about 266 million people—faced acute food insecurity last year. Although slightly lower than 2024’s total, the decline reflected fewer countries analyzed rather than an improvement in conditions. The Gaza Strip was the worst affected, with 640,700 people—32 percent of its population—facing famine conditions, followed by Sudan with 637,200 people. Four other countries, including South Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, and Mali, recorded smaller groups in catastrophic food shortages. Conflict and violence were the leading causes of hunger in 19 countries, affecting 147.4 million people, while weather extremes and economic shocks drove crises in others. Humanitarian and development funding for food crises dropped to levels last seen in 2016–2017. The report warned that without sustained action to address structural drivers of hunger, fragile countries will continue to bear a disproportionate burden into 2026, with ongoing risks from conflict and market disruptions.

Across South Asia, record gold prices are reshaping wedding traditions as many brides and families turn to imitation and one-gram gold jewellery. In Indian-administered Kashmir, 29-year-old accountant Uzma Bashir said she cannot afford even a single gold ring on her modest salary, while others in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are also abandoning pure gold due to its soaring cost. Gold prices reached $5,595 per ounce in January and remain near record highs, driving a 24 percent drop in jewellery demand in India in 2025. In New Delhi, Fatima Begum said she replaced real gold with one-gram jewellery for her daughters’ weddings, while jewellers in Mumbai and Dhaka report a surge in demand for artificial ornaments. In Bangladesh, 22-carat gold hit $2,200 per bhori, prompting shoppers to choose imitation pieces for both affordability and safety. Pakistani families face similar pressures, with gold prices reaching 540,000 rupees per tola. Jewellers across the region say the shift marks a cultural adjustment, as gold becomes an investment rather than a wearable symbol. Many brides now rely on gold-plated substitutes to preserve tradition without financial strain.

United States President Donald Trump announced that Iran is “collapsing financially” due to a US naval blockade of Iranian ports that began on April 13. The blockade includes the seizure of Iranian-flagged tankers and redirection of vessels trading with Iran. In retaliation, Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to foreign shipping and captured several foreign vessels. Iranian leaders, including First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have said the blockade must end for any ceasefire to take effect. Analysts cited in the report say the blockade is straining Iran’s economy but that the country retains significant oil reserves and export capacity. Iran continues to earn billions from oil already in transit and has imposed tolls on ships passing through the Strait. Experts note that Iran’s floating oil reserves could sustain revenues until August, while the US faces domestic political limits on maintaining the blockade beyond May 1. China’s opposition to disruptions of its trade with Iran adds further pressure on Washington. The standoff has driven up global oil prices and heightened regional instability. Both sides appear entrenched, with Iran signaling patience and unity, and the US facing growing political and logistical challenges to sustain the blockade.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has undergone successful treatment for early-stage prostate cancer following the discovery of a small tumour during a routine medical checkup. The information was disclosed in his annual medical report released on Friday, and Netanyahu explained on social media that he had delayed the announcement by two months to avoid its release during the height of the war against Iran. The 76-year-old leader said the tumour was found during regular monitoring after surgery for an enlarged benign prostate in 2024. According to the medical report, Netanyahu received radiation therapy and remains in good health. Aharon Popovtser, director of Hadassah Hospital’s oncology unit, confirmed that the cancer was detected early and that test results now show no signs of disease. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, had faced speculation about his health earlier in the year when fake, AI-generated images circulated online falsely claiming he had died, including on Iranian state media. In March, Netanyahu released a video of himself visiting a Jerusalem café to refute the false reports about his condition.