Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would only be possible if a full ceasefire is observed and Israeli military actions across all fronts are halted. He made the remarks on Wednesday in a post on social media platform X, emphasizing that a ceasefire would only be meaningful if naval blockades and aggressive actions cease.

Ghalibaf added that amid what he described as severe violations of the ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not feasible. He also rejected the idea that Iran could be pressured into concessions, saying that neither military aggression nor external pressure would achieve such goals. According to him, the only viable path is for others to recognize the rights of the Iranian nation.

The comments come after Ghalibaf led the Iranian delegation in recent discussions with the United States, underscoring Tehran’s firm stance on sovereignty and resistance to coercion.

The government has cancelled the appointments of two ambassadors who were appointed during the interim administration. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the appointments of former Inspector General of Police Md. Moinul Islam and former secretary Dr. M. Mahfuzul Haque have been revoked.

Moinul Islam had been appointed as ambassador to Poland on April 10, 2025, under a contractual arrangement, while Mahfuzul Haque was appointed as ambassador to Portugal on September 19, 2024. Both were among four ambassadors appointed on contract during the interim government period. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier withdrawn all four on March 8, and the government has now officially cancelled the remaining tenure of their appointments.

The decision marks a continuation of the government’s review of diplomatic appointments made under the interim administration, though no further details were provided in the announcement.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a national rally in Dhaka titled the July Martyrs’ Families and July Fighters National Assembly. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 25, at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital. The announcement was made through a press release issued on Wednesday, April 22.

According to the statement, families of July martyrs, July fighters, and senior leaders from various political parties will attend the gathering. The Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, will be present as the chief guest. The release also confirmed that top leaders from eleven political parties are expected to join the event.

The announcement highlights Jamaat-e-Islami’s effort to organize a large-scale political assembly involving multiple parties and groups in Dhaka.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has outlined three major obstacles hindering dialogue with the United States over the ongoing conflict between the two countries. In a social media post on Wednesday, he stated that Iran welcomes and continues to pursue dialogue and compromise. Pezeshkian identified broken promises, sanctions, and threats as the main barriers to genuine negotiations.

Referring to the United States, Pezeshkian wrote that the world can see the contradictions between its words and actions. His remarks came as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high. Earlier, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted on social media that a meaningful ceasefire would only be possible if naval blockades and aggressive actions by Zionist forces ceased.

Ghalibaf also stated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would not be possible amid such severe ceasefire violations. The statements reflect Iran’s position that external pressures and hostilities must end before any substantial peace process can move forward.

Teachers at Barishal University have been observing a two-day academic work stoppage and shutdown program since Tuesday, demanding resolution of promotion issues. All classes and examinations were suspended after the complete shutdown began on Wednesday, raising fears of session delays among students. The protest followed a written declaration signed by 102 teachers on Monday evening.

The teachers cited long-standing faculty shortages, promotion complications, and legal uncertainty as reasons for their action. They said a recent University Grants Commission directive requiring the Chancellor’s approval for employment, promotion, and administrative regulations has created legal ambiguity and questioned the validity of previous activities. Around 51 teaching positions remain vacant, and unpaid part-time lecturers have disrupted teaching. Frustration has also grown over the pending promotion of 24 teachers to professor rank.

Students expressed concern about session jams and academic losses, while university authorities urged teachers to avoid actions harming students. The vice-chancellor stated that efforts are underway to resolve the promotion crisis and called for cooperation until an acceptable solution is reached.

The United States has extended the easing of sanctions on oil sales from Iranian and Russian ships for an additional 30 days. The decision was announced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said it followed requests from countries facing potential oil shortages due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Bessent told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that finance ministers from about ten countries made the appeal during last week’s meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The move marks a reversal from Bessent’s earlier statement last week, when he said the relaxation period would not be extended.

According to the report, the extension aims to ease supply concerns among nations dependent on oil shipments affected by the regional disruption.

A total of 174 Bangladeshi nationals were repatriated from Tripoli, Libya, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, through the coordinated efforts of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Libya and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The returnees, who had been living in risky and distressed conditions in Tripoli and nearby areas, voluntarily chose to return home. Among them, 27 individuals were reported to be physically ill, including one in serious condition. They were scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday morning via Buraq Air flight UZ 222.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Libya, Major General Md Habib Ullah, met the returnees at the embassy premises before their departure and provided a pre-departure briefing. He emphasized that the embassy continues to work closely with relevant authorities to ensure the safe return of Bangladeshis wishing to come home voluntarily. The ambassador also highlighted the support of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment in prioritizing the repatriation of distressed and trafficked citizens.

He further urged the returnees to take legal action against fraudulent brokers who had deceived them, aiming to prevent future exploitation of Bangladeshi migrants.

A new rule at a temple in Uttarakhand, India, has sparked controversy as it requires visitors to consume 'Panchagavya'—a mixture of cow milk, curd, ghee, dung, and urine with Ganga water—before entering. The regulation coincides with the start of the Char Dham Yatra and applies to all visitors, including non-Hindus, who must fulfill this condition to gain entry. The temple committee stated that the practice demonstrates devotion to Sanatan Dharma.

According to the Yamunotri Temple Committee spokesperson Purushottam Uniyal, no religious ritual is complete without Panchagavya, and the temple has followed this tradition for generations. He added that the rule aims to ensure that only those who respect Sanatan traditions can visit the shrine, as the number of visitors without such devotion has reportedly increased.

The decision has triggered renewed debate in India over religious freedom and discrimination, with discussions emerging about the implications of imposing faith-based entry conditions at religious sites.

Jagannath University (Jabi) Chhatra Dal organized a 'Chikamara' wall-writing program on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, protesting an attack on Chhatra Dal activists and students at Chittagong City College. The attack reportedly occurred after they wrote slogans opposing 'secret politics' on campus walls. During the protest, Jabi Chhatra Dal members wrote slogans such as 'Those who harbor secret politics belong in Pakistan' and demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the Chittagong incident.

Leaders present at the event stated that there should be no place for 'secret politics' or underground political activities in educational institutions. They said the wall-writing campaign was part of a central program demanding justice and student safety. Branch convener Mehedi Hasan Himel explained that the initiative aimed to resist hidden political conspiracies and promote transparent political practices.

The protest followed recent clashes at Chittagong City College over wall writings, which sparked similar demonstrations by Chhatra Dal across educational institutions nationwide.

Julian Casablancas, lead singer of the popular band The Strokes, made critical remarks about the role of Zionists in the United States during an appearance on comedian Kareem Rahma’s online talk show Subway Takes. The interview, recorded in the New York City subway and published on YouTube on Tuesday, featured Casablancas discussing various topics, including political issues. His comments have drawn attention and discussion across social media platforms.

Casablancas argued that American Zionists enjoy privileges similar to white beneficiaries but speak as if they are oppressed like African Americans during the era of slavery. Host Kareem Rahma agreed, calling the situation tragic and referencing the ongoing violence in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed. Rahma described the situation as horrific and said expressing such criticism should not be considered wrong.

The exchange has fueled online debate about privilege, oppression, and the framing of identity in the context of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

A mortar shell resembling a bomb was recovered from a pond in Dhanua Kamalpur, a border area of Bakshiganj upazila in Jamalpur district, on Wednesday evening, April 22, 2026. The shell was found in the pond of a local resident named Sada Mia in South Kamalpur village. A local woman noticed the object while feeding her goat near the pond and initially mistook it for a piece of metal. Locals informed the police after realizing it was an old mortar shell.

Police from Bakshiganj station arrived at the scene and took the shell into custody under guard. The object is currently being kept under police protection. Officials believe the rusted shell may date back to the 1971 Liberation War period and remained unexploded for decades. Bakshiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Murad Hossain visited the site following the recovery.

Authorities have not reported any injuries or explosions, and the shell remains secured while further examination is expected.

Bangladesh’s National Parliament has renamed several of its galleries after the seven Bir Sreshtho heroes of the Liberation War, following the advice of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The decision replaces the previous floral and river-themed names with those directly linked to the nation’s independence history, embedding the spirit of the 1971 war within the heart of the country’s democracy.

According to the new naming, Gallery-3 is now named after Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rouf, Gallery-4 after Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, Gallery-5 after Engine Room Artificer Mohammad Ruhul Amin, Gallery-6 after Lance Naik Noor Mohammad Sheikh, and Gallery-7 after Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal. Additionally, VIP Gallery-1 and VIP Gallery-2 have been named after Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir and Sepoy Hamidur Rahman respectively. Galleries 1 and 2 remain reserved for journalists.

The initiative aims to institutionalize the memory of the Liberation War within the Parliament and make the stories of heroism and sacrifice more visible to the public.

A Comilla court has granted a three-day remand for Senior Warrant Officer Hafizur Rahman, the first accused in the murder case of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a student of Comilla Victoria Government College. The order was issued by Senior Judicial Magistrate Mominul Haque after Hafizur was presented before the Comilla Sadar Court-1 on Wednesday afternoon. He had been arrested earlier by PBI investigator Tariqul Islam from his residence and brought to court. The PBI had sought a seven-day remand, but the court approved three days.

The case, which began after Tonu’s body was found inside the Comilla Cantonment on March 20, 2016, has seen multiple investigations by different agencies including the police, DB, and CID, without resolution. Over ten years, the case has been handled by seven investigating officers from four agencies, with 80 hearing dates passed. Tonu’s parents attended the latest hearing, expressing continued grief and demanding justice.

The arrest marks the first time a named suspect has been detained in the long-stalled case, raising hopes among the victim’s family for progress in the investigation.

Md. Mashiur Rahman has been appointed as the new Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet. The appointment was announced in a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Wednesday, stating that the posting takes immediate effect. Before this appointment, Rahman served as the Director General of the Directorate of July Uprising.

According to ministry sources, the reshuffle aims to make administrative activities more dynamic and effective. Officials expect that Rahman’s administrative experience will contribute positively to the overall development of the Sylhet division.

Prior to Rahman’s appointment, Khan Mohammad Reza-un-Nabi served as the Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet but was recently made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and attached to the Ministry of Public Administration. In the interim, Joint Secretary Ashraful Rahman had been serving as Acting Divisional Commissioner.

Leaders and activists of the Kabi Nazrul Government College unit of Chhatra Dal held a protest rally in Dhaka on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, condemning an alleged attack by Islami Chhatra Shibir members on their activists in Chattogram City College. The clash reportedly stemmed from wall writings opposing secret political activities on the Chattogram campus. The rally began at the main gate of Kabi Nazrul College, moved through Bahadur Shah Park and Ray Shaheb Bazar, and concluded at the college’s open stage, where a brief assembly took place.

During the gathering, participants chanted slogans against Jamaat-Shibir and secret political practices. College unit convener Irfan Ahmed Fahim accused certain groups of conducting covert politics under the guise of campus restrictions on student politics. He warned that any attempt to continue such activities or attacks on Chhatra Dal members and general students would face strong resistance.

The protest reflected growing tensions over alleged underground political activities in educational institutions following restrictions on formal student politics.