The Bangladesh Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman, held its fifth meeting on Thursday evening at the National Parliament complex and approved five major proposals. The most notable decision was to include the Purbachal New Town Project area under Dhaka North City Corporation, as well as bring it under the jurisdiction of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Dhaka WASA. To remove administrative complications, relevant parts of Rupganj in Narayanganj and Kaliganj in Gazipur will be incorporated into Dhaka district. The government stated that this move will enhance civic services, security, and urban management in Purbachal. The Cabinet also decided to observe National Tea Day on May 21 each year, aligning it with the FAO-declared International Tea Day. Additionally, amendments were approved to remove the maximum age limit for appointing chairmen and members of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority, aiming to attract more skilled professionals. In a significant change, the Cabinet gave final approval to a draft law abolishing the duty-free car import privilege for Members of Parliament. The government expects these measures to improve administrative efficiency, public services, and fiscal discipline.

Tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz after the United States Navy seized an Iranian-flagged ship named “Towska.” Within days of the seizure, Iran launched attacks on three vessels and detained two of them, according to reports. US President Donald Trump said the Iranian ship was captured after ignoring warnings from the US Navy. In response, Iran condemned the seizure as a violation of the ceasefire and an act of “armed piracy,” warning of swift retaliation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy later announced that it was closely monitoring maritime traffic in the strait and would take strict action against any violators. Subsequently, the IRGC claimed to have detained two ships, “MSC Francesca” and “Epaminondas,” alleging that they were operating without authorization, attempting to leave the strait secretly, and tampering with navigation systems. The BBC reported that these claims could not be independently verified.

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have destroyed or damaged more than 50,000 homes during the latest conflict with Hezbollah, according to official data released Wednesday. The National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) reported that 17,756 homes were completely destroyed and 32,668 were damaged over a 45-day period. More than 2,400 people have been killed and over one million displaced since March 2, when Iran-backed Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war. CNRS head Shadi Abdallah said that in the first three days of the ceasefire, 428 homes were destroyed and 50 damaged. A Lebanese official told AFP that Lebanon will request an extension of the ceasefire during its next meeting with Israel on Thursday. The country previously endured over a year of clashes between Hezbollah and Israel, which escalated into a two-month war in late 2024 before a November ceasefire attempt. Environment Minister Tamara Zein stated that Israeli attacks since 2023 have caused widespread destruction across residential areas, infrastructure, and farmland, leaving more than 220,000 homes damaged or destroyed.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased last week, according to data released Thursday by the US Department of Labor. Initial jobless claims rose by 6,000 to reach 214,000, exceeding market expectations of 211,000. The previous week’s revised figure stood at 208,000. The four-week moving average also climbed slightly to 210,750 from the prior week’s revised 210,000. Despite the uptick in claims, the broader labor market showed signs of resilience. In March, the United States added 178,000 new jobs, significantly higher than the expected 65,000. The unemployment rate also edged down from 4.4 percent in February to 4.3 percent in March, indicating continued strength in employment conditions. The data suggest a mixed picture for the US labor market, with short-term fluctuations in jobless claims but sustained job creation and a modest decline in unemployment.

Several journalists were attacked by activists of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal in front of Shahbagh Police Station on Thursday evening, April 23, 2026. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. when reporters were filming at the scene. Among the injured were journalists from Kaler Kantho, Agamir Somoy, Dhaka Tribune, Dhaka Mail, Naya Diganta, Manabzamin, and The Daily Observer. One journalist, Mohammad Iftekhar Hossain Sifat of Dhaka Mail, sustained serious injuries to his eyes and face and was taken to Dhaka University Medical Center for treatment. Victims and eyewitnesses alleged that Dhaka University Chhatra Dal leaders and activists carried out the attack in a coordinated manner. The president of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association, Manzur Hossain Mahi, said the assault began after journalists were obstructed from recording video footage. He identified several Chhatra Dal leaders from various halls as being involved, including Abu Zafar Gifari Ifat, Mansur Rafi, Junayed Abrar, Sakib Biswas, Sajjad Khan, and others. The Dhaka University Journalists’ Association reported that at least ten of its members were injured and demanded the immediate arrest and academic expulsion of those responsible. Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident.

At least ten journalists were injured when activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra Dal allegedly attacked them near Shahbagh police station in Dhaka on Thursday evening, April 23, 2026. Witnesses and victims said the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. when university-based reporters were covering events in the area. The attackers reportedly shouted at the journalists, asking 'what kind of journalists' they were, before launching the assault. According to the victims, the attackers were members of the Dhaka University unit of the Chhatra Dal, including leaders from several residential halls. Injured journalists included reporters from Kaler Kantho, Agamir Somoy, Dhaka Tribune, Dhaka Mail, Naya Diganta, Manabzamin, and The Daily Observer. One journalist, Mohammad Iftekhar Hossain Sifat of Dhaka Mail, sustained serious injuries to his eye and face and was taken to Dhaka University Medical Center for treatment. The Dhaka University Journalists’ Association condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest and academic expulsion of those involved. As of the report’s publication, law enforcement authorities had not issued any official statement regarding the incident.

Registration has begun for parents of students admitted in 2026 to grade six in schools and madrasas, and to the first year of higher secondary and Alim courses for the 2025–26 academic year, to receive stipends from the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust through the mobile financial service Nagad. The registration process will continue until May 7, 2026, through the official portal where guardians must log in and enter student and socioeconomic information accurately. For stipend disbursement, the selected guardian’s National ID must be used to register the SIM and open a Nagad account, which will bear the name of the parent chosen as guardian. Nagad has previously distributed these stipends successfully. According to Nagad’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Md. Samsul Islam, the service has been effectively delivering various government allowances and stipends under social safety programs, earning public trust for its accessibility and low cash-out charges. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the government distributed social safety allowances worth 9,000 crore taka through Nagad, and the amount is expected to increase in the current fiscal year.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a large rally in front of its central office at Naya Paltan, Dhaka, to mark International Workers’ Day. The event will feature BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as the chief guest. The announcement came from Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan following a press conference after a preparatory meeting of the party’s May Day celebration committee. According to Khan, the rally will be organized by the BNP’s labor wing, with its president Anwar Hossain presiding and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attending as a special guest. He urged workers and party members to join the event, emphasizing ongoing demands for fair wages, workplace safety, and livelihood security. Khan noted that while some positive steps have been taken for agricultural workers and small farmers, further reforms to labor laws are still needed. He described workers as the productive force of society deserving respect rather than sympathy and called for unity to make the May Day rally a success.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada is not yielding to pressure in its trade discussions with the United States, emphasizing that the talks are being conducted on an equal partnership basis. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney said that negotiations involve two sides and Canada is not merely following U.S. directives. He noted that Canada understands the U.S. position while identifying areas of mutual benefit. Carney highlighted that Canada recognizes its own interests and seeks to strengthen joint interests with the United States. He also underlined his government’s ability to manage multiple issues simultaneously. Differentiating between manageable trade disputes and direct violations, Carney cited U.S. tariffs of 50 percent on steel and aluminum, 25 percent on automobiles, and duties on forest products as violations rather than ordinary trade issues. He further noted that the United States is Canada’s largest trading partner, while Canada ranks as the second-largest for the U.S., underscoring the mutual dependence between the two economies.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that the country's total foreign exchange reserves stood at 35,117.50 million, or 35.11 billion US dollars, as of Thursday, April 23. The information was shared with the media by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank. According to the central bank, the gross reserve figure was 35,117.50 million dollars, while under the International Monetary Fund’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserve stood at 30,484.01 million dollars. Two days earlier, on April 21, the gross reserve was 35,125.90 million dollars, and the BPM6-based reserve was 30,459.01 million dollars. The report also noted that net reserves are calculated following the IMF’s BPM6 method, which determines the actual reserve amount by deducting short-term liabilities from the total reserve.

Spain’s Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, announced that the government is considering regulatory measures on online book sales to protect independent bookstores across the country. Speaking on World Book Day, April 23, during an interview with Cadena SER radio, Urtasun said one proposal involves requiring large online platforms to impose a minimum delivery charge on book purchases, effectively ending free shipping. The minister noted that similar rules already exist in France, where a minimum delivery fee applies to low-cost online book orders. Urtasun emphasized that thousands of small bookstores in Spain are at risk and described them as not only retail spaces but also cultural centers. He said the government already provides direct support to these independent shops. Comparing the experience of buying books online and in-store, he highlighted the personal interaction and advice available in physical bookstores. He added that reading habits in Spain have grown significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching record levels, particularly among women and young readers. Urtasun also underscored the cultural importance of World Book Day, celebrated in Catalonia as “Sant Jordi,” which promotes reading and strengthens the publishing industry.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Dhaka South acting president Maulana Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum has called on the government to accept the demand for a proportional representation (PR) system in the upper house of the National Parliament. Speaking at a grassroots meeting in Shahjahanpur, he said political parties had proposed PR for the lower house, while the constitutional reform commission had recommended PR for the upper house. Under this system, a party’s seats in the upper house would correspond to its nationwide vote share, ensuring balanced representation and preventing single-party dominance. Kaiyum criticized the government for ignoring public demands for state reform following the July uprising, warning that people would resist any move toward authoritarianism. He also accused opposition parties of failing to play an active role in the reform process, noting that they quietly submitted their women’s candidate lists instead. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Maulana Syed Hafizur Rahman and attended by local and organizational leaders. The event reflected growing calls from Islami Andolan Bangladesh for structural political reforms and broader representation in national governance.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday called on alliance members to learn from Turkey’s defense industry, describing the country as having undergone a defense industry revolution. Speaking at the headquarters of Turkish defense company Aselsan, he said Turkey’s rapid progress in recent years could serve as an example for others. Rutte emphasized that increasing production alongside innovation is one of NATO’s top priorities and noted that these issues will be highlighted at the NATO summit scheduled for July in Ankara. He stated that raising defense spending alone will not ensure security, stressing the need to expand production of air defense systems, drones, ammunition, radar, and space technologies. Rutte praised Turkey’s achievements, saying Aselsan is at the forefront of this progress, and urged the company to accelerate innovation and production. He added that ensuring the security of nearly one billion people across Europe and North America requires not only strong armed forces but also a robust defense industry. Rutte also noted growing cooperation within NATO and highlighted that Turkish defense firms are expanding their operations and exports across Europe, calling for stronger collaboration from Alaska to Ankara.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Liberation War Generation has announced a new 151-member full central committee. Engineer Md. Ishraq Hossain has been appointed as president, while Dr. K. M. I. Monty has been named general secretary. Ishraq Hossain currently serves as the state minister for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. The announcement was made on Thursday through a press release issued by the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Party, signed by its president Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat. According to the release, the previously declared central convening committee from November 24, 2025, has been dissolved. The new committee was formed to make the organization more active and stronger. The committee includes senior vice president Zahedul Haque Shamim, several vice presidents, joint secretaries, and departmental secretaries covering areas such as finance, information technology, sports, culture, women’s affairs, and health. The press release also noted that BNP chairman and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been listed as the number one member of the new committee.

Land registration and deed processing have been suspended for more than one and a half years in seven mouzas of Shambhupur Union under Tazumuddin upazila in Bhola district due to persistent server complications. The issue has left thousands of residents unable to buy or sell land, causing severe inconvenience and social tension. The information was confirmed by Tazumuddin’s acting Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Rezaul Islam. According to the local land office, the problem arose because Shambhupur Union, previously under Borhanuddin upazila, has not yet been updated online under Tazumuddin in the DLRS system. As a result, the system still shows the union as part of Borhanuddin. Despite multiple letters sent to the Bhola Deputy Commissioner and the Ministry of Land, no resolution has been achieved. Residents report that the inability to complete land transfers has disrupted social and family matters such as marriages. Officials from the Land Management Automation Project have attributed responsibility to the Tazumuddin land office, stating that the issue could be resolved locally if the office took necessary steps.