Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) has issued a recruitment notice to fill vacant positions across 16 categories, offering a total of 71 posts on both permanent and contractual bases. The announcement was published on April 23, 2026. Interested and qualified candidates can apply online through the designated website. The application process begins on April 27, 2026, at 9 a.m. and will close on May 18, 2026, at 5 p.m.

The permanent positions include roles such as auditor, accounts assistant, receptionist, medical assistant (male and female), surveyor, plant operator, senior technician, electrician, transport supervisor, PC operator (courier), mechanic, junior transport supervisor, and junior technician. Contractual positions include imam and muezzin posts. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age as of May 27, 2026, with a relaxation up to 32 years for children of freedom fighters and persons with disabilities.

Application fees ranging from 223 to 335 taka, depending on the position, must be paid via SMS through Teletalk prepaid SIM. Candidates are required to upload a scanned photo and signature during the online application process.

Newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Minhajur Rahman stated that there is no fuel crisis in Sunamganj district. He made the remarks on Thursday morning during a meeting with local journalists. The DC emphasized that the administration is giving top priority to maintaining agricultural activities and urged everyone to work together to protect farmers’ interests. He confirmed that no information indicating a fuel shortage has reached his office and that no such situation has arisen in the district.

Regarding crop protection embankments, the DC said he had been aware of the issue before taking office and has been maintaining regular communication with all concerned parties since his appointment. He recently visited Shantiganj upazila to inspect embankments, reviewed progress with officials and locals, and oversaw repair work on a damaged section. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to standing by farmers at all times.

Several additional deputy commissioners were present during the meeting, including those responsible for revenue, education and ICT, overall administration, and local government.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued new instructions for secondary school heads to assist in the 'Notun Kuri Sports' April 2026 program. A notice signed by Professor Md. Shahidul Islam, Deputy Director (Physical Education), was published on the DSHE website on Thursday. According to the notice, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the program on May 2 at 3 p.m. at the Sylhet District Stadium, marking the nationwide start of the initiative.

The notice outlines six specific steps for school heads to implement. These include encouraging students aged 12 to 14 to register online or on-site, informing students and teachers during class time, posting notices on school boards, displaying approved banners at school gates, promoting the event on social media, and publicizing it on school websites.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to promote sports development across Bangladesh, aiming to engage young students in organized athletic activities.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Road Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam for prioritizing public interest over bus owners’ demands in setting new fares. The association’s secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, issued a statement on Thursday following the government’s decision to raise bus fares by 11 paisa per kilometer in response to a one-taka increase in diesel prices.

According to the statement, bus owners had pressured the government for a 64 percent fare hike using inflated cost analyses, despite the minimal fuel price adjustment. The association recalled that in August 2022, when diesel prices rose sharply, fares were increased by 22 percent, but subsequent fare reductions were never implemented for passengers. The new adjustment raises fares by 4.45 to 5.19 percent across different routes.

The association warned that bus owners might exploit loopholes in fare-setting committees to overcharge passengers and urged the government to prevent fraudulent fare practices and stop CNG-run buses from charging diesel-rate fares.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have sharply escalated despite U.S. President Donald Trump extending the ceasefire period. Tehran has blamed Washington’s naval blockade for halting peace negotiations, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) detained two foreign ships and fired on a third in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s parliament speaker declared that the strait cannot be reopened as long as the blockade remains, calling it a clear violation of the ceasefire.

The White House stated that President Trump has not set a deadline for Iran to submit a peace proposal. Meanwhile, discussions in Washington over the fragile truce between Lebanon and Israel have faced difficulties due to Hezbollah’s absence. Within the U.S., Defense Secretary John Phelan was dismissed and replaced temporarily by Hong Kao, while a Senate motion to limit Trump’s war powers against Iran failed by a 55–46 vote.

The U.S. Central Command reported turning back at least 31 ships as part of the blockade, which Washington says aims to pressure Iran economically into negotiations. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and northern Gaza have also resulted in multiple civilian deaths, including journalists and children.

A court in Ullapara, Sirajganj, has sentenced a man named Faridul Islam to 10 years in prison for involvement in the buying and selling of counterfeit currency. The Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-3, presided over by Judge Nazrul Islam, delivered the verdict on Thursday afternoon. The court also imposed a fine of 20,000 taka, with an additional one-year imprisonment in default of payment. According to the Additional Public Prosecutor Hamidul Islam Dulal, the convict was absconding when the verdict was announced.

The case originated from an incident on May 10, 2023, when Sirajganj Detective Branch police arrested Faridul Islam with 80 counterfeit 1,000-taka notes during a transaction. Sub-Inspector Ishanur Rahman of the Detective Branch filed the case following the arrest. Faridul Islam is the son of Kalachan from Matikura Matpara village in Ullapara upazila.

The ruling concludes a case that began nearly three years earlier, highlighting continued law enforcement efforts against counterfeit currency operations in the region.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, founder of the World Literature Center, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat. The meeting was attended by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Ministers Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khaiyum and Bobby Hajjaj, and Prime Minister’s advisers Mahdi Amin and Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman.

Discussions focused on developing reading habits among students at primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels. It was decided that the government and the World Literature Center would work together to encourage reading among students. Senior officials from the World Literature Center and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs were also present at the meeting.

The collaboration aims to strengthen national efforts to promote a culture of reading and intellectual development among young learners across Bangladesh.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol has warned that the ongoing Iran war and continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are severely disrupting global energy flows. In an interview with Reuters, Birol said the world is facing the biggest energy security threat in history as a result of these developments.

Birol explained that the conflict has already removed 13 million barrels of oil per day from the market and caused major disruptions in the supply of key commodities. Before the war, about 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily. He described the current situation as a “dual blockade,” with neither Iran nor the United States allowing ships to enter or leave the strait.

He also warned of growing risks to Europe’s jet fuel supply, noting that the region previously relied on Middle Eastern refineries for about 75 percent of its jet fuel, which has now dropped to almost zero. Europe is seeking alternative supplies from the United States and Nigeria.

Leaders of various labor organizations have called for the formation of a joint oversight committee to monitor the proceedings of the Rana Plaza case. The demand was made on Thursday at a discussion held at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity. The event, titled 'Thirteen Years of Rana Plaza Collapse: Current State of Occupational Health and Safety in the Garment Industry,' was organized by the Industrial Bangladesh Council (IBC).

At the meeting, Ruhul Amin, chairman of the Workers Resource Center, emphasized that the Rana Plaza tragedy claimed 1,137 lives and left 2,500 people permanently disabled, yet no factory owner died—only workers. He urged the formation of a joint committee to ensure the case is concluded swiftly. IBC senior vice president Abul Kalam Azad also stressed the need for such a committee to prevent further worker deaths in factories.

IBC’s women affairs secretary Chaina Rahman demanded justice for the Rana Plaza owner and others involved, while the session was presided over by IBC president and freedom fighter Kutubuddin, with several other labor leaders in attendance.

An allegation has been raised against Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shamima Akter Jahan for slapping a motorcycle garage worker at a fuel station in Lalmonirhat. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at Lubana Filling Station in Chandrapur Union’s Chaparhat Bazar when the UNO reportedly checked a fuel card and found the photo did not match the person presenting it. A video of the incident later spread on social media, drawing widespread criticism across the district.

According to locals, the worker, identified as Nodi, had gone to collect fuel on behalf of a sick college teacher using his card. Nodi claimed the UNO slapped her several times without asking any questions, despite her innocence, and she demanded justice. In response, UNO Shamima Akter Jahan denied the allegation, saying she only took the vehicle key because the card appeared irregular and instructed the worker to contact her office. She added that the key was later returned when the worker’s guardians arrived.

The incident has sparked local outrage and debate over the conduct of administrative officials during public service supervision.

A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activist was killed and at least 20 others were injured in a clash between two rival groups in Madhabpur village of Monoharpur Union, Shailkupa upazila, Jhenaidah, on Thursday morning. The deceased was identified as Mohon Sheikh, aged 66, a supporter of former district Jubo Dal senior joint convener Zahid Joarder. He was reportedly beaten to death by supporters of upazila BNP president Abul Hossain. Locals took him to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to local sources, the conflict stemmed from a long-running dispute over establishing dominance between the two BNP factions. Following the news of Mohon Sheikh’s death, both sides engaged in violent clashes using local weapons, leaving around 20 people injured and at least 12 houses vandalized. Police have been deployed in the area to prevent further violence.

Dr. Nahid Emran Tonni of Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex confirmed receiving Mohon Sheikh’s body and said the injured were being treated, with one referred to Faridpur for advanced care. Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Molla stated that the incident occurred due to a power struggle and that the situation remains tense.

Bangladesh has dispatched emergency medicines and medical supplies to war-torn Iran following a directive from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The assistance materials have already been handed over in Dhaka to Iranian Ambassador Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 23, 2026. The aid is being sent through the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

The ministry’s statement added that the Prime Minister had earlier donated 10 million taka to the Red Crescent Society on April 6 to purchase emergency medicines and medical equipment for the treatment of injured civilians in Iran. The initiative reflects Bangladesh’s humanitarian support amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The aid delivery marks a continuation of Bangladesh’s engagement in international humanitarian efforts, with the Red Crescent Society serving as the implementing agency for the relief operation.

In Laxmipur, members of the Chhatra Dal distributed pure drinking water to SSC examinees on Thursday morning to help them cope with the extreme heat. The initiative took place before and after exams in front of several examination halls, where students were handed bottles of water. The municipal unit of the Chhatra Dal also arranged temporary rest areas for parents accompanying the students. The effort was organized under the leadership of municipal convener Abul Barakat Sourav.

Earlier, Chhatra Dal activists assisted students in finding their seats through a help desk at the start of the exams. Parents expressed satisfaction with the initiative, describing it as student-friendly and urging the group to continue supporting learners. Abul Barakat Sourav stated that the Chhatra Dal remains committed to helping students take their exams smoothly. Acting under the guidance of Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny, the group distributed water, provided educational materials, and set up rest facilities for guardians.

Sourav added that such supportive activities for students will continue in the future.

Police in Tongi, Gazipur arrested two men early Thursday in connection with a recent gunfight incident. The arrests took place in the Pagar Pathanpara area, where officers recovered a foreign-made pistol and an empty magazine from one of the suspects’ rented rooms. The detainees were identified as Jasim, 40, from Pagar Pathanpara, and Shariful Alam Arif, 32, from Lalmonirhat Sadar.

According to Tongi East Police, the arrests are linked to a case filed over a recent clash and exchange of gunfire in the Pagar Jhinu Market area, reportedly stemming from a dispute over local dominance. Acting on a tip-off, police detained the two named suspects and later recovered the weapon based on their information.

Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan confirmed the operation and stated that the accused were sent to the Gazipur court after a case was filed under relevant laws.

At least ten people were killed in an armed attack on a copper and gold mining project in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. Officials said on Thursday that around forty gunmen on motorcycles and other vehicles attacked the National Resources Private Limited (NRL) project in the Darigwan area of Chagai district on Wednesday. According to a local administrative officer, the dead included seven workers and three security personnel.

The officer added that there were reports of some workers being taken hostage, though this information could not be confirmed. Another local police official, speaking anonymously, confirmed details of the attack. In a statement issued Wednesday night, NRL acknowledged the incident and said security forces responded quickly and secured the area.

No group has claimed responsibility for the assault. However, in recent years, local ethnic separatist groups have increased attacks in the region, often targeting mining projects.