A high-level two-day meeting begins Wednesday in London to discuss ways to ensure safe and normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes. The conference is jointly organized by the governments of France, led by Emmanuel Macron, and the United Kingdom. Defense ministers, senior military officials, and planners from more than 30 countries are expected to attend. Over a dozen nations have already expressed interest in joining a UK- and France-led international mission to protect navigation in the area. According to Reuters, nearly 50 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have shown willingness to participate in the proposed mission. The London meeting follows an online video conference involving about 50 nations, where the decision to convene this gathering was finalized. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that the meeting aims to translate diplomatic consensus into a joint plan supporting a lasting ceasefire and freedom of navigation in the strait. Analysts note that security in the Strait of Hormuz is vital for global trade and energy supply, but recent regional tensions and the Iran-Israel conflict have sharply reduced commercial traffic, affecting global energy markets.

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.

Iran has called on the United Nations to strongly condemn the United States for seizing an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran described the incident as an act of piracy and a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the two countries. According to AFP, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US Navy had taken control of the Iranian-flagged vessel named ‘Tuska,’ which is under American sanctions. Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote to the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General, calling the seizure a dangerous provocation that threatens maritime security and stability. He said the move clearly breaches the ceasefire signed on April 8 and constitutes aggression under the UN Charter. Iravani urged the UN to condemn the action and demand the immediate release of the ship. Trump later stated on his Truth Social platform that he was extending the ceasefire to continue talks with Iran but that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.

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.

Iran fired on a container ship near the coast of Oman, causing extensive damage, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The organization reported that a vessel linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps approached the ship about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman before the attack. Tasnim News Agency stated that the Iranian military issued multiple warnings to the ship, which were ignored, prompting Iran to enforce what it described as 'maritime law.' The incident occurred as U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran. An adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed Trump’s decision as meaningless, asserting that Washington cannot impose conditions on Tehran. The event underscores ongoing maritime and political tensions between Iran and the United States in the region.

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 United States military has used a significant portion of its key missile stockpiles during the recent war with Iran, according to a CNN report citing three individuals familiar with internal Pentagon assessments. The depletion raises concerns that the US could face ammunition shortages if new conflicts arise in the coming years. A recent analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that at least 45 percent of precision strike missiles, half of THAAD interceptors, and about 50 percent of Patriot air defense missiles were expended during the seven-week conflict. Sources familiar with the review said these figures align with classified Pentagon data. While the US still retains enough weapons to continue operations against Iran if the fragile ceasefire collapses, it reportedly lacks sufficient munitions to sustain a large-scale conflict with a peer power such as China. The report added that restoring stockpiles to prewar levels could take several years. The analysis also indicated that around 30 percent of Tomahawk missiles, over 20 percent of long-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, and about 20 percent of SM-3 and SM-6 missiles were used, with replenishment expected to take four to five years.

The United Kingdom has passed a new law aimed at creating a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of all tobacco products to individuals born after 2008. According to The Guardian, the bill on tobacco and vaping received approval from both houses of Parliament and is awaiting royal assent to become law. Once enacted, it will prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, gradually phasing out tobacco use nationwide. The bill was first introduced on November 5, 2024, and completed its legislative journey after the House of Lords approved amendments from the House of Commons. Policymakers expect the measure to break the cycle of addiction and significantly reduce smoking-related health risks. Statistics show that in England alone, smoking leads to about 400,000 hospital admissions and 64,000 deaths annually, costing the National Health Service billions of pounds each year. Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the bill as a historic step for public health, saying it will protect future generations from addiction and tobacco-related harm while promoting a healthier society.

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.

Oil prices in Asian markets declined slightly on Wednesday morning as peace talks between the United States and Iran remained stalled. US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he would extend the ceasefire until progress is made in negotiations with Tehran. He also stated that the United States would continue its blockade of Iranian ports until Iran presents a comprehensive proposal. Early in the day, oil prices initially rose but later fell, with Brent crude dropping 0.3 percent to 98.20 dollars per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declining 0.5 percent to 89.21 dollars per barrel. The energy market has remained unstable since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to threaten strikes on ships in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The continued geopolitical tension and uncertainty over US-Iran negotiations have kept global energy markets volatile, with traders closely monitoring developments in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump has continued a series of posts targeting Iran on his social media platform, Truth Social. In his latest message, he claimed that Iran is financially collapsing and eager to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump further alleged that the country is in a severe cash crisis, losing about 500 million dollars daily, and that its military and police are complaining about unpaid salaries. According to the report, Trump provided no independently verifiable evidence to support his claims. The Iranian government has not issued any immediate response to his statements. The posts come amid heightened tensions between the two countries, with recent reports highlighting Iran’s seizure of ships in the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional instability. The lack of official verification or response leaves uncertainty about the accuracy of Trump’s assertions, while the rhetoric underscores the continuing strain in U.S.-Iran relations.

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.