Iran has strengthened its control over the Strait of Hormuz as uncertainty persists over ending the ongoing war and no signs of renewed peace talks have emerged. Tehran has seized two ships in the strategic waterway, according to reports. The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a unilateral ceasefire extension, saying it would remain in effect until discussions on an Iranian peace proposal take place. Iranian officials have not confirmed whether they agreed to extend the ceasefire and criticized the U.S. decision to maintain a naval blockade on Iranian trade routes, calling it a wartime measure. Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that a full ceasefire would only be meaningful if the blockade were lifted. The war, which began on February 28 with a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, has seen little progress toward resolution. Maritime sources said a third Liberian-flagged container ship was fired upon but not damaged. The U.S. military reported redirecting over 30 ships as part of the blockade and detaining at least three Iranian tankers near Asian waters.

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.

The US Senate has once again failed to pass a proposal aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s war powers. The measure, intended to halt military action against Iran, was put to a vote for the fifth time. It received 46 votes in favor and 51 against, falling short of the required majority. Before the vote, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer criticized Trump for what he described as empty promises to end wars. The vote followed recent joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. President Trump stated that positive news regarding a second round of peace talks with Iran could come by Friday. According to The New York Post, citing Islamabad-based sources, discussions may resume within 36 to 72 hours. Earlier, Trump extended the existing ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for peace negotiations. He noted that, for the first time, the United States had not set a specific deadline for Iran’s next move and credited Pakistan’s leadership for its advisory role in this decision.

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.

US Navy Secretary John Phelan has been removed from his position, according to CNN citing sources. The decision was made as part of an ongoing wartime restructuring within the Pentagon. The move follows Defense Secretary Hegseth’s earlier dismissal of the US Army’s top general about a week ago. A brief Pentagon statement confirmed that the order for Phelan’s removal took immediate effect and that he has vacated his post. However, no explanation was provided regarding the reason for his dismissal or whether it was voluntary. CNN reported that Hegseth spoke with President Trump before informing Phelan that he must resign or be dismissed. According to the report, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth agreed that new leadership was needed in the Navy. The Pentagon has not yet announced Phelan’s replacement or further details about the restructuring process.

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.

Political tension in West Bengal has intensified as the state assembly election enters a critical phase. Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deployed every possible force except Rafale fighter jets to win the election. Her remark, seen as a sharp political jibe, also highlights concerns over the excessive influence of central forces, portraying the election as an unequal contest. Voting began in 152 constituencies across 16 districts, revealing deep political polarization. The heavy deployment of central security forces and a series of Election Commission restrictions have reportedly created fear and division among voters, raising questions about the freedom and fairness of the democratic process. Mamata’s criticism centers on the militarized security presence, which she claims intimidates ordinary voters. Meanwhile, Amit Shah has taken a contrasting approach, attacking the Mamata government over corruption and promising one lakh jobs annually for youth. His campaign also hints at religious polarization, further complicating the political landscape. Additional unrest has emerged as the ‘Votadhikar Raksha Mancha’ called for a ‘Black Day’ and complaints surfaced about voter list exclusions.

The United States military has detained at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters, redirecting them from positions near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. The information was reported by Reuters on Wednesday, citing maritime and security sources. The seizures come as Washington continues to enforce sanctions on Iran’s maritime trade. The report notes that Iran has fired on vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Despite a declared ceasefire nearly two months after the outbreak of conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, there are no visible signs of renewed peace talks. The closure of the strait has disrupted one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies, triggering a worldwide energy crisis. In recent days, US forces have also seized an Iranian cargo ship and an oil tanker, while Iran claimed to have captured three vessels attempting to leave the Persian Gulf. The US Central Command has not yet commented on the latest tanker detentions.

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.

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed five people, including a journalist, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). The attacks took place in the village of At-Tiri, where the first strike damaged a vehicle and killed two people inside a house. The NNA reported that a subsequent airstrike hit a building in the same village, trapping a journalist under the debris. Amal Khalil, a reporter for the local newspaper Al Akhbar, was later found dead at the scene. The Israeli military stated that it targeted two vehicles that had departed from a military facility used by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. The NNA’s report, citing Al Jazeera as a source, confirmed that the strikes occurred in southern Lebanon but did not specify further details about the timing or broader context of the attacks. The incident highlights ongoing hostilities between Israel and armed groups operating in southern Lebanon, though the report did not include any official reactions or statements from Lebanese authorities or Hezbollah.

A 15-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan on April 9, 2026, expired on April 22 without renewal. Despite mediation efforts by Pakistan and Egypt, no agreement was reached on extending the truce. Key disputes remain unresolved, including Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Iran accused the US of violating the ceasefire by maintaining naval blockades, while Washington claimed Iran was attempting to blackmail it by closing the strait. Reports indicate that the US has increased its military activity in the region, deploying additional naval and air assets, including aircraft carriers, artillery brigades, and missile defense systems. Analysts suggest the US may be using the ceasefire to rebuild its strategic strength after failing to achieve its objectives during earlier hostilities. Iran, meanwhile, is said to be rebuilding its defenses with support from Russia and China. Observers believe the short-term truce may serve as a tactical pause for both sides to regroup, raising concerns that renewed conflict could erupt soon if diplomatic efforts fail.

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.