Former NCP leader Dr. Tasnim Jara has strongly criticized Comilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah’s demand for personal cars for members of parliament. Her reaction came on April 22 through a detailed post on her verified Facebook page, following widespread social media debate over the issue. Jara condemned MPs for prioritizing personal benefits while citizens face economic and professional hardships.

In her post, Jara argued that MPs deciding their own salaries and benefits is a conflict of interest, as these funds come from taxpayers. She compared MPs’ privileges with the struggles of teachers, doctors, nurses, and farmers, emphasizing that public representatives should focus on solving citizens’ problems rather than expanding their own perks.

Jara proposed forming an independent committee to review MPs’ benefits objectively. The committee, she suggested, should include judges, economists, governance experts, and ordinary citizens to ensure fairness and proportionality between MPs’ entitlements and the general population’s living standards.

Tension broke out in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Thursday, April 23, 2026, shortly after the start of the first phase of voting. The incident occurred in Shibnagar village under the Naoda assembly constituency, where supporters of the Trinamool Congress clashed with Humayun Kabir, a former party leader and founder of the Amjanata Unnayan Party (AUJP).

As Humayun Kabir arrived at a polling station, Trinamool supporters reportedly chanted slogans telling him to leave and surrounded his car, accusing him of being an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The confrontation created severe tension around the polling area, disrupting the atmosphere of the election process.

Humayun Kabir, currently a legislator from Bharatpur, was expelled from the Trinamool Congress in December of the previous year after proposing the construction of a mosque modeled after the Babri Masjid. Following his expulsion, he formed his own political party and is contesting again in the ongoing election.

Israeli media reported that the United States has informed Israel the ceasefire with Iran will expire on Sunday. According to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan, Washington told Tel Aviv that the deadline set by President Donald Trump for Tehran is nearing its end within a few days. The report added that Trump seeks to reach an agreement with Tehran rather than prolonging indefinite negotiations.

Israeli sources cited in the reports indicated that progress in the ongoing US-Iran discussions is unlikely this week. Earlier, White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt stated that President Trump had not set any specific deadline for receiving proposals from Iran. The information was originally reported by Middle East Eye and later circulated through Israeli outlets.

The approaching end of the ceasefire raises uncertainty about the next phase of US-Iran relations and potential regional tensions if no agreement is reached before the deadline.

Police in Brahmanpara, Comilla, arrested a local BNP leader named Sona Mia, also known as Ismail, with 600 yaba tablets during a special operation on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Officer-in-Charge Md Faruk Hossain raided his residence in Dhanyadaul village and recovered the drugs. The suspect was taken into custody and brought to the local police station.

According to local sources, Sona Mia serves as the publicity secretary of the Brahmanpara Sadar Union BNP and is the son of Majid Member from Dhanyadaul village. Brahmanpara Upazila BNP’s joint general secretary Nazrul Islam stated that the party was unaware of his involvement in drug activities and emphasized that there is no place for drug dealers in the BNP.

OC Faruk Hossain said that a case under the Narcotics Control Act is being processed and that similar special operations will continue to curb drug trafficking in the area.

Bangladesh’s Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that bus fares across the country have been increased by 11 paisa per kilometer, effective immediately from April 23, 2026. The minimum fare remains unchanged at 10 taka. The decision was made following a meeting with transport workers and owners at the Secretariat on Thursday.

According to the minister, the fare adjustment applies only to diesel-powered buses, while CNG-powered buses are excluded from this increase. He added that if fuel prices decrease in the future, bus fares will also be reduced accordingly. No decision has yet been made regarding fare adjustments for rail or water transport.

Currently, the fare for long-distance routes is set at 2 taka 12 paisa per kilometer, while in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, the rate stands at 2 taka 42 paisa per kilometer.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced a reduction in gold prices across the country. According to a notice issued on Thursday morning, the price of 22-carat gold has been cut by Tk 3,266 per bhori, setting the new rate at Tk 246,927. The revised prices took effect from 10 a.m. the same day. BAJUS stated that the adjustment was made considering the decline in the local market price of pure gold.

Under the new pricing, 21-carat gold now costs Tk 235,671 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 202,020, and traditional gold Tk 164,521. The previous adjustment occurred on April 15, when BAJUS raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 2,216 per bhori to Tk 250,193. That change also took effect at 10 a.m. on the same day.

So far in 2026, BAJUS has adjusted gold prices 56 times, increasing them 32 times and reducing them 24 times. In 2025, the association made 93 adjustments, with 64 increases and 29 decreases.

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.