National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan visited journalist Imran Hossain, a staff reporter of the newspaper Amar Desh, at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday afternoon. He inquired about Imran’s condition and later told reporters that the journalist would need time to fully recover, expressing wishes for his good health and long life.

Imran Hossain was injured in a road accident on March 25 in the Barobari area of Gazipur after being hit by a car. He was initially treated in the orthopedic surgery department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being transferred to the old burn unit, where he underwent surgery. His recovery process is ongoing under medical supervision.

The visit by the NCP spokesperson highlights continuing concern for the journalist’s health following the accident and his ongoing treatment at the hospital.

Iran has announced its full readiness to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed the information to state broadcaster IRIB on April 22, stating that the Ministry of Sports and Youth has completed all necessary preparations for the national team’s participation. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier said that Iran’s participation was expected in the tournament scheduled from June 11 to July 19.

In March, US President Donald Trump expressed doubts about whether it would be appropriate for the Iranian team to attend the World Cup, citing concerns for their “life and safety.” Infantino, however, emphasized that football unites the world and that Iran had earned its place in the competition through merit.

The announcement underscores Iran’s determination to compete on the global stage despite political sensitivities surrounding its participation in the North American-hosted event.

U.S. President Donald Trump said a positive development could emerge by Friday regarding a second round of peace talks with Iran. According to The New York Post, citing Islamabad-based sources, the discussions might resume within 36 to 72 hours. When asked about potential progress, Trump responded via text message saying, “It’s possible! – President D.J.T.”

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency immediately rejected the claim, posting on social media that Trump was lying and that Iran had no plans to join talks on Friday. Earlier, Trump had extended the existing ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for negotiations, and the truce remained effective as no new clashes occurred.

Trump noted that the United States had not set a specific deadline for Iran’s next move and credited consultations with Pakistan’s leadership for this approach. He added that U.S. forces were instructed to maintain the blockade and uphold the ceasefire until Iran presented a unified proposal.

A five-year-old boy named Jubayer Mia was killed after being hit by an autorickshaw in Sadullapur upazila of Gaibandha district on Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred on the Sadullapur-Dhaperhat road in the Dhaperhat area. Jubayer, son of Afizur Rahman from Hingarpur village, was crossing the road when the autorickshaw coming from Dhaperhat towards Sadullapur struck him. He was taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where he died in the evening while undergoing treatment.

Following the incident, angry locals blocked the road by setting fire to tires and placing tree trunks across it. The protest disrupted traffic in the area for some time. Police later arrived at the scene and persuaded the residents to withdraw the blockade.

Authorities said the road was cleared after police intervention, restoring normal movement in the area.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan said there are still opportunities for appeal and writ petitions regarding the suspension of Monira Sharmin’s candidacy for a reserved women’s seat in parliament. He expressed hope that the issue could be resolved through proper legal procedures. Asif made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon while visiting injured journalist Imran Hossain at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

He explained that the issue surrounding Monira Sharmin’s eligibility involves a three-year restriction related to government employment, not matters such as loan default or foreign citizenship. Asif also stated that the party maintains confidence in the Election Commission’s decision. Earlier, the Election Commission suspended Monira Sharmin’s candidacy until 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 23.

According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), a person is ineligible to become a Member of Parliament within three years of resigning or retiring from any government or statutory body position.

Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed outrage in the Bangladesh Parliament after a ruling party member allegedly used threatening and unparliamentary language during a session. Speaking on Wednesday during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, Rahman said the remarks had hurt the opposition and questioned whether the MP was inciting public disorder. He demanded that the comments be expunged from the parliamentary record.

The Speaker, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, responded that the matter would be reviewed and any unparliamentary words would be removed if found. He added that certain expressions were part of Bangladesh’s political discourse and urged members not to interrupt while others were speaking. The incident occurred during a session where BNP MP Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan had sharply criticized the opposition while participating in the debate.

The Speaker’s assurance to examine the language suggests that a procedural review may follow to determine whether the remarks violated parliamentary norms.

Shyamal Baran Das has joined as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Upay, a leading mobile financial service (MFS) provider in Bangladesh. The announcement was made on April 22, 2026. Das brings over 25 years of experience in digital banking and financial services, with a career focused on expanding access to modern financial solutions across the country.

Before joining Upay, he held senior positions at several major financial institutions, including Additional Managing Director at Nagad, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Information Officer at Meghna Bank, Chief Digital Officer at BRAC Bank, and CEO of BRAC IT Services Limited. He has been recognized for his success in developing digital platforms and building skilled teams in the financial technology sector.

The Board of Directors of UCB Fintech Company Limited, which operates Upay, welcomed Das to the leadership team. The board expressed confidence that under his leadership, Upay will reach new heights and deliver more advanced and modern services to its customers in the coming days.

A political debate erupted in Europe after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned Turkey alongside Russia and China in a recent speech. Speaking at an event in Hamburg marking the 80th anniversary of the German newspaper Die Zeit, von der Leyen reaffirmed her support for European Union enlargement and said Europe must build a more unified geopolitical stance. Her comment that Europe should remain free from the influence of Russia, Turkey, or China drew immediate criticism.

Members of the European Parliament Rudy Kennes and Marc Botenga warned that such remarks risk dividing the world into opposing blocs and ignoring the reality of a multipolar global order. In an interview with Anadolu, Kennes linked the statement to broader geopolitical tensions involving the United States and its allies, arguing that Western influence is declining in a multipolar world.

The European Commission later clarified that Turkey remains an important partner for the EU, citing cooperation on migration management, economic ties, and strategic connectivity through the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor.

Around 3,000 containers destined for Iran have been stranded at Pakistan’s Karachi port due to heightened tensions and a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Documents recently surfaced requesting assistance to release the containers, which were originally meant to reach Iran through trans-shipment but were unloaded in Karachi instead. Discussions are underway with Pakistani authorities to use a land route to move the containers to the border, from where Iranian trucks would transport them into Iran.

Maritime experts and shipping industry sources noted that Iran has been collecting tolls from China in yuan and cryptocurrency, charging about one dollar per barrel of oil and setting cargo fees based on oil prices. This system has generated significant revenue for Iran. However, the United States has reportedly found ways to disrupt this supply chain, with several vessels already detained under the naval blockade.

Experts believe the blockade functions more as a pressure tactic against Iran than as a direct act of war.

A waste-to-energy project at the Aminbazar landfill in Savar is set to begin operations soon, with formal work scheduled to start on July 1. The announcement came from State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam following an inter-ministerial meeting. He expressed optimism that the initiative would help reduce the foul odor from waste and improve local living conditions.

During a visit to the Aminbazar landfill, the minister explained that the project had been delayed due to earlier complications. With the new government in place, he said all necessary processing would be completed soon to launch the project. He also mentioned discussions with Dhaka North City Corporation regarding waste dumping practices at the site.

The minister noted that thousands of tons of waste have been affecting the local environment but expressed hope that electricity generation from waste would ease public suffering once the project becomes operational.

A mobile court in Narsingdi conducted an operation to disconnect illegal gas connections in the Ghorashal area on Wednesday afternoon. The drive took place in Miyapara, Tekpara, and Kutirpara villages under Ghorashal municipality. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Nepal Kanti Dev of the district administration.

During the operation, illegal gas stoves and connections in several houses were disconnected. Nine families were fined a total of 214,000 taka for unauthorized gas use. More than one hundred illegal gas connections were removed in the process.

Officials from Titas Gas, including Engineer Ahmad Ullah, Engineer Abdullah Al Mamun, and Engineer S M Fazlul Haque, along with members of law enforcement agencies, were present during the operation.

A day after talks between the United States and Iran collapsed, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam in Islamabad on Wednesday. According to a statement released on the Pakistani government’s social media account, the meeting focused on the current regional situation and ongoing peace efforts.

The failed dialogue followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to extend the Iran ceasefire indefinitely, just hours before it was set to expire, to allow more time for negotiations. Although a second round of talks was planned in Islamabad, it did not take place. The White House confirmed that U.S. Vice President JD Vance did not travel for the meeting, while Iran made no formal announcement about sending a delegation.

The conflict began on February 28 after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which quickly spread across the region, including Lebanon. Amid this tension, Pakistan is seeking to position itself as a key mediator in regional peace efforts.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has requested members of parliament not to address him as 'His Excellency' during parliamentary sessions. The request came on Wednesday, April 22, during the question-and-answer session of the National Parliament, when Moulvibazar-2 MP Md. Shawkatul Islam used the term while addressing him. The Prime Minister politely asked that the phrase not be used again in future addresses. His remark was met with table-thumping approval from other MPs present in the chamber.

Earlier, MP Shawkatul Islam, representing the BNP, had begun his question by apologizing for his voice condition and expressing his honor in being able to directly question the Prime Minister. He then inquired about the government’s initiatives concerning public health. The exchange took place in a formal parliamentary setting, reflecting the Prime Minister’s emphasis on modest and respectful communication norms.

The session also included discussions on other national matters, including energy problem-solving committees and reports on education sector corruption, though these were separate from the Prime Minister’s request.

In Chattogram, the weekly public hearing led by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah has evolved into a trusted platform for citizens seeking assistance. Held every Wednesday, the event allows residents from across the district to present grievances and requests directly to the DC, who often provides immediate financial or material support. During the latest session, 74 applicants were heard, with nine ill individuals and one student receiving cash aid, while 48 impoverished men and women were given relief packages containing essential food items.

The hearing featured several cases of vulnerable individuals, including single mothers, patients with chronic illnesses, and families in financial distress. The DC personally responded to each case, offering direct help and instructing officials for prompt action. Applicants expressed satisfaction with the compassionate and responsive approach, saying it has built public confidence in the administration.

According to district officials, the initiative has grown beyond a routine administrative process into a humanitarian effort that reflects the district administration’s commitment to citizen welfare and responsive governance.

A protest march and rally were held in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon by the Dhaka South unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir. The demonstration was organized to protest attacks on teachers, students, and Shibir activists at Chittagong Government City College, to demand justice for the killing of Tejgaon College student Sakibul Hasan Rana, and to denounce ongoing acts of violence across the country. The procession began at Dainik Bangla intersection and concluded with a brief rally at the National Press Club.

The event was led by Dhaka South unit president Hafez Delwar Hossain, with central office secretary Azizur Rahman Azad attending as chief guest. Other central leaders, including literary secretary Saidul Islam, publication secretary Amirul Islam, and JOCSU vice president Riazul Islam, were also present. In his speech, Azad condemned the recent attack on students and teachers in Chittagong, alleging involvement of Chhatra Dal activists, and demanded punishment for those responsible and government support for the injured.

Azad also referenced the earlier killing of Tejgaon College student Sakibul Hasan Rana, calling for immediate justice. He criticized both Chhatra Dal and BNP for alleged attempts to rehabilitate banned political groups before elections.