A new UN-backed Global Report on Food Crises has identified Bangladesh among the ten countries where two-thirds of the world’s food-insecure population are concentrated. The report, released on Friday, shows that in 2025, the majority of people suffering from acute food insecurity lived in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Together, Sudan, Nigeria, and Congo accounted for one-third of the total affected population. According to the report, around 266 million people worldwide experienced severe food insecurity in 2025, nearly double the number recorded in 2016. Experts cited conflict and extreme climate conditions as the main drivers of the crisis. The report warned that little improvement is expected in 2026, with ongoing wars and instability continuing to disrupt food production and supply chains. While Bangladesh and Syria showed slight improvements, conditions worsened in Afghanistan, Congo, and Myanmar. The report also expressed concern over declining international aid and noted that rising fuel and fertilizer prices could further strain food production, urging investment in local fertilizer production and climate-resilient crops.

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) is joining the ongoing nationwide measles vaccination campaign under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to strengthen outreach in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) areas. The government began the campaign on 20 April 2026 to combat a measles outbreak, with activities running from 12 April to 11 May. DNCC currently operates 599 vaccination centers, including permanent, temporary, and evening sites, and has vaccinated 378,990 children, achieving 78% of its target. To ensure no child is left unvaccinated, BDRCS will deploy 104 trained volunteers across 30 high-risk wards of DNCC. The plan, finalized in a coordination meeting at the DNCC office, will be implemented from 25 April for 11 days. Additionally, 124 volunteers will serve at 50 selected centers in 31 wards, with 10 centers featuring child-friendly corners. DNCC will also display measles awareness visuals on billboards and continue public awareness campaigns through loudspeaker announcements across its 54 wards.

Bangladesh’s Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintu announced that the interim government will maintain its existing decision on tourism control for Saint Martin’s Island. According to a report citing the minister, scientific field research showed that the island’s environment, ecosystem, and biodiversity improved after a nine-month closure to tourists. The government had finalized the tourism regulation policy in 2024 after nearly seven years of consultation with relevant agencies. Under the policy, a maximum of 2,000 tourists are allowed to visit the island daily from November to January, while tourism remains closed from February to October to allow natural recovery. The minister said the restriction has yielded positive results and must continue to preserve the country’s only coral island and its ecological balance. However, some residents have been demanding the withdrawal of the ban, arguing that tourism is the main source of income for most islanders and that the restrictions have severely affected the local economy and livelihoods.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has approved the start of a trial against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity. The ICC’s pre-trial judges unanimously confirmed the allegations, stating there was sufficient reason to believe Duterte committed the crimes. The charges relate to thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings during his controversial anti-drug campaign between 2011 and 2019. Duterte, aged 81, has been detained for over a year and repeatedly sought release, but the court rejected his appeals. He has refused to recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, arguing that the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019. However, ICC judges ruled that the alleged crimes occurred while the country was still a member, giving the court authority to proceed. More than 500 victims have been allowed to participate in the proceedings. Human rights groups claim Duterte’s campaign targeted small drug dealers while sparing major criminals. Duterte has denied the accusations as false, and police have maintained that their actions were in self-defense.

Leaders and activists of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Raksu) and various hall unions held a protest march on Thursday condemning the recent attack on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) leaders and members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association. The procession began in front of the Raksu office, paraded through key campus roads, and ended at the starting point, with participants chanting slogans demanding justice and accountability. Raksu’s assistant general secretary Salman Sabbir denounced the attack as premeditated and urged authorities to identify and punish those responsible. Senate member Fahim Reza warned against growing unrest on campuses and called for maintaining peace and respect for elected representatives. Raksu vice president Mostakur Rahman Zahid said the assault targeted not only one organization but also students, journalists, employees, and traders, warning of larger movements if justice is not ensured. Around three hundred students joined the demonstration, which emphasized unity among students and a demand for campus safety and accountability.

Md. Selim Uddin has called on party leaders and activists to prepare for a street movement, asserting that political struggle will continue both in parliament and on the streets. He claimed that the current government has lost its moral right to remain in power. Selim Uddin made these remarks on Thursday while addressing a unit representative conference at the Women’s Voluntary Association in Lalmatia, Dhaka, organized by the Mohammadpur East branch of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. During his speech, Selim Uddin alleged that the government raised fuel prices only hours after promising not to do so, describing it as evidence of inconsistency in its stance. He also accused the authorities of manipulating the national election results, claiming that the parliamentary seats won by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were actually due to Jamaat and were altered through electoral engineering. The conference was presided over by Mohammadpur East Jamaat Amir Mashiur Rahman and conducted by Secretary Anisur Rahman, with central Majlis-e-Shura member Ziaul Hasan and Banani Central Mosque Khatib Maulana Abul Kalam Azad also addressing the event.

Commerce, Industry, Jute and Textile Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that power generation in Bangladesh has been disrupted and load-shedding has increased due to the inability to import sufficient gas to meet national demand. He made the remarks on Friday while visiting the Bashia River in Masukganj area of Sylhet Sadar upazila. The minister explained that the country’s electricity production remains largely dependent on gas. Technical complications have limited gas imports, creating a shortfall in power generation. He added that the government is actively working to address the crisis. Regarding fuel prices, he said the recent 15 percent increase in diesel prices is not expected to significantly affect overall inflation, as the adjustment was made after careful calculation. He estimated that transporting goods 200 kilometers by truck could raise costs by about 30 paisa per kilogram. Muktadir also announced plans to expand LNG import capacity by establishing a new terminal, with tenders to be invited soon. He noted that the Bashia River dredging project will benefit around 90,000 farmers and enable additional crop production on 20,000 hectares of land.

Several notable political and social figures formally joined the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Friday afternoon at an event held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka. The new members include former Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal organizing secretary and expelled BNP leader Ishaq Sarkar, Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq’s granddaughter Fersamin Huq Iqbal Flora, content creator Nuruzzaman Kafi, July uprising leader Mohiuddin Roni, and Bangladesh Janata Party senior vice chairman Maksudur Rahman Sohel. NCP convenor Nahid Islam and other senior leaders welcomed them with flowers. Fersamin Huq Iqbal joined virtually from California, while the others were present on stage. Ishaq Sarkar, who faced numerous political cases during the previous government, joined the NCP along with his supporters. He is set to become the convener of NCP’s Dhaka South Metropolitan unit, replacing joint member secretary Alauddin Mohammad, who is stepping down. The event marks an expansion of NCP’s leadership base with figures from diverse political and civic backgrounds, signaling potential organizational strengthening ahead of future political activities.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has announced recruitment for 75 positions across grades 13 to 20, including posts under the Toshakhana Unit and Toshakhana Museum. The online application process will begin on April 29, 2026, at 10 a.m., and no offline applications will be accepted. The deadline for submission is May 28, 2026, at 5 p.m. The available positions include stenographer-cum-computer operator, computer operator, cataloger, cashier, office assistant-cum-computer typist, data entry/control operator, office assistant, modeler, storekeeper, gallery attendant, electrician, receptionist, publication assistant, security guard, and cleaner. Salaries range from BDT 8,250 to BDT 26,590 depending on grade. Applicants must be between 18 and 32 years old as of April 1, 2026, with an age relaxation up to 40 years for departmental candidates applying for specific posts. Application fees are set at BDT 112 for grades 13–16 and BDT 56 for grades 20 positions, inclusive of Teletalk service charges. All applications must be submitted online within the specified timeframe.

Japan has decided to release part of its national oil reserves starting May 1 to address supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis that has affected crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced the decision on Friday, stating that efforts are underway to secure oil through alternative routes. According to the ministry, the release will amount to roughly 5.8 million kiloliters of oil, equivalent to about 20 days of national demand, valued at approximately 540 billion yen (around 3.38 billion US dollars). Japan expects to source more than half of its crude oil from alternative suppliers by May compared to last year, which would help maintain stable supply through the end of the year while limiting the need for further reserve releases. The ministry said the move is being carried out under Article 31 of the Petroleum Stockpiling Act to ensure stable energy supply. As one of the world’s largest oil importers, Japan remains vulnerable to instability in the Hormuz Strait region, which poses a significant risk to its energy security.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested a man described as a notorious human trafficker with a foreign-made pistol in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The arrest took place late Thursday night near Maheshkhaliapara area following a special operation based on secret intelligence. Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon confirmed the information on Friday afternoon. The detainee, identified as Yasin, 28, is a resident of Maheshkhaliapara in Teknaf and the son of Anjal Hossain. Preliminary interrogation revealed that he had been involved in human trafficking for a long time and faced multiple cases, including murder and trafficking charges. The seized 7.65 mm pistol and the suspect are now under legal processing for further action. According to the Coast Guard, operations like this will continue to maintain law and order and curb human trafficking along the coastal and border regions.

A heatwave that has persisted for five consecutive days across 16 districts of Bangladesh showed signs of weakening on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the intensity and coverage of the heatwave have gradually decreased compared to earlier in the week, when it affected up to 27 districts. The highest temperature recorded on Friday was 37.8°C in Rajshahi, down from 40°C earlier in the week. Meteorologist Khondaker Hafizur Rahman said the heatwave’s intensity and spread are expected to decline further by Saturday. He added that from Sunday, rain is likely to increase across the country, which could help ease the ongoing heatwave. The forecast indicates possible moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with scattered showers in Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions. Despite the slight drop in temperature, high humidity levels have made conditions feel extremely hot, causing widespread discomfort. The weather office expects the rainfall trend to continue for several days, bringing relief from the oppressive heat.

NRBC Bank clinched the title in the Don Ready Mix Concrete Bankers Club Cricket Tournament 2026 final with a commanding 53-run win over City Bank PLC. The match, held under the organization of Bankers Club Rajshahi, saw NRBC Bank secure their third consecutive championship title. Batting first after winning the toss, NRBC Bank were bowled out for 134 runs in 19.1 overs, with Helal scoring 27 off 14 balls and Sayed adding 23 off 27. City Bank’s Raju took 4 wickets for 29 runs, while Nayeem claimed 2 for 13. Chasing 135, City Bank struggled against NRBC’s disciplined bowling attack and were dismissed for 81 runs in 16.1 overs. Abir starred with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 15 runs in 3.1 overs, while Helal contributed with 2 wickets for 12 runs. Abir was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, and Helal hit the most sixes in the final. The trophy was presented to NRBC Bank’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. Md. Touhidul Alam Khan by Bankers Club Rajshahi President Amjad Hossain Khan. The award ceremony was attended by senior officials from various banks, including former national cricket captain Khaled Mashud Pilot, whose Clemon Cricket Academy managed the event.

Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament Barrister Kaiser Kamal visited his former school, Kalmakanda Government Pilot High School in Netrokona, on Friday morning without a formal invitation. Upon arrival, teachers approached him with flowers, but he refused the greeting and expressed anger toward them for not inviting him. He stated that he had expected an invitation from the school and had arranged the visit himself. During a subsequent meeting with teachers, the Deputy Speaker inquired about the school’s institutional and academic affairs. He expressed surprise that only 15 teachers were serving against 28 sanctioned posts and questioned why the school had been run by an acting headteacher for eight years. He criticized the teachers for sending a demand notice without consulting the elected representative and advised them to maintain professional integrity and avoid political dependence. The meeting ended in silence among teachers and attendees, with administrative officials, including the Upazila Nirbahi Officer S.M. Mikail Islam, present at the event.

Tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated after Donald Trump claimed that a Chinese ‘gift’ was found on an Iranian cargo ship seized by the United States. On Friday, China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the allegation, stating it had no factual basis. The ministry emphasized that China is a responsible state and that normal trade flows between countries should not be disrupted. Earlier in the week, Beijing had described similar claims as ‘malicious lies.’ China has consistently called for a ceasefire and dialogue since the start of the war, portraying itself as a neutral party despite being Iran’s largest trading partner and top buyer of Iranian oil. Beijing maintains that it does not supply weapons to Iran. Trump’s new accusation has cast uncertainty over his planned mid-May visit to China, which was intended to stabilize bilateral relations after being postponed once due to the war. On the same day, China’s Commerce Ministry imposed export controls on seven European firms accused of supplying arms to Taiwan, adding another layer of strain to its international relations.