Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, stated that if the government can reduce theft, corruption, mismanagement, and system loss in the energy sector by ten percent, there would be no need to increase fuel prices. He made the remarks in a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, urging the government to withdraw its decision to raise fuel prices.

Haque expressed concern over severe load-shedding in rural areas, warning that it could seriously harm agricultural production, particularly boro rice cultivation. He said the ongoing crisis in the energy sector is responsible for the situation and called for coordinated government action to address it. He also noted that despite the fuel price hike, farmers and ordinary citizens are still struggling to access adequate fuel supplies.

Highlighting a severe diesel shortage, Haque said irrigation work has been disrupted in most districts, with thousands of hectares of boro crops drying out. He urged the government to immediately increase diesel supply for irrigation and take more active steps to import diesel.

BNP-affiliated Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir announced that secret political activities will no longer be tolerated on any campus in Bangladesh. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon at a protest rally near New Market in Chattogram City College, he said politics must be conducted openly. The event was organized to protest an alleged attack on JCD members by Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Nasir claimed that armed individuals wearing helmets and masks involved in the Chattogram clash were Shibir activists, accusing them of spreading misinformation by labeling them as JCD members. He warned that any attempt to blame JCD for violence through covert politics would be resisted by students. Nasir also alleged that Shibir had infiltrated the NCP and that recent NCP nominations for reserved women’s seats included members of the secret Shibir network.

The protest was chaired by Chattogram Metropolitan JCD Convener Saiful Alam and attended by other city and district JCD leaders. Nasir reiterated that JCD activists, alongside general students, would prevent any future secret political operations on campuses.

Police in Savar seized a truck carrying 361 sacks of rice marked with the Food Department’s name and detained three individuals, including the driver and his assistant. The seizure took place on Wednesday at Pakija Mor along the Dhaka–Aricha highway during a routine inspection. Authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of those detained.

According to police, the truck was stopped on the Paturia-bound lane as part of regular checks. Officers found that the vehicle lacked the required documentation for transporting the rice, prompting them to take the truck and its occupants to the local police station. Sub-Inspector Md. Niamat of Savar Police Station stated that the rice belonged to the Food Department but was being moved without proper papers.

An investigation is currently underway to determine the source and intended destination of the seized rice and to verify whether any irregularities or misuse of government resources occurred.

The Bangladesh government has compulsorily retired 13 police officers holding the ranks of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Additional DIG, citing provisions under the Government Service Act, 2018. The decision was confirmed through a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, signed by Senior Secretary Md. Mahbubur Rashid. The order stated that the officers would receive retirement benefits as per regulations.

According to the circular, the officers were known for their close association with the ruling Awami League government and were previously accused of involvement in suppressing opposition political parties. Following the July 2024 mass uprising, they had been transferred to various posts across the country. The list includes officers from units such as the Anti-Terrorism Unit, Tourist Police, Industrial Police, and Police Telecom.

The government’s move marks a significant administrative reshuffle within the police force, reflecting continued post-uprising adjustments in key law enforcement positions.

Exit polls for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election will be released 30 minutes after the final phase of voting on April 29, covering 142 constituencies, following the first phase on April 23 for 152 seats. Alongside Bengal, exit poll results for Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry will also be published. The contest in West Bengal remains primarily between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Suvendu Adhikari, with the Left Front and Congress as other participants.

According to the report, past exit polls in West Bengal have shown mixed accuracy. In 2016, they broadly predicted a TMC victory but underestimated its margin. In 2019, they captured the BJP’s rise but not the exact seat distribution. In 2021, most polls suggested a close race, yet the TMC won a landslide with 213 seats. The general pattern indicates that while exit polls often identify the winning party correctly, they frequently misjudge the scale of victory.

This historical inconsistency raises questions about the reliability of upcoming 2026 exit polls, especially given the high-stakes TMC–BJP rivalry and administrative concerns noted in the report.

Iran has announced that it will continue discussions in Islamabad only if the United States lifts its blockade. The report, based on information from Tehran and published by Al Jazeera, said the extension of the ceasefire was seen as a positive signal, but Iran’s response remained mixed.

According to the report, the current situation is defined by uncertainty, fragility, and complexity. Despite the ceasefire extension, the possibility of renewed conflict persists. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, yet several contentious issues remain unresolved between the two sides, including the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, frozen assets, ballistic missiles, war reparations, and regional relations.

Sources cited in the report indicated that deep mistrust and suspicion now dominate Iran’s approach to any potential agreement with the United States, reflecting the strained nature of their bilateral relations.

Bangladesh experienced its hottest day of the season on Wednesday, with Rajshahi recording 40 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature so far this year. The capital Dhaka also saw its seasonal peak at 36.5 degrees Celsius. Except for light rain in Patuakhali’s Khepupara, the rest of the country remained dry. The ongoing heatwave, coupled with widespread power outages, has severely disrupted daily life across urban and rural areas.

According to the Meteorological Department, the heatwave has expanded from 14 districts on Tuesday to 24 districts on Wednesday, covering all of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions as well as parts of Dhaka, Tangail, Madaripur, Dinajpur, Rangamati, and Bandarban. Meteorologists warned that temperatures could exceed 42 degrees Celsius in the next two days before easing with possible rainfall from Saturday or Sunday. Experts attributed the rising heat to increased humidity and lack of rain.

The department’s long-term forecast suggests that while this year’s heatwave is intense, it is unlikely to persist as long as in 2023 and 2024, when continuous heat lasted 22 and 26 days respectively.

A delegation from Premier University, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor S. M. Nasrul Kadir, met with University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed at the UGC office on Tuesday. The delegation included Treasurer Professor Dr. Zahed Hossain Sikder and Registrar Mohammad Iftekhar Monir. During the meeting, they handed over copies of accreditation certificates received from the Bangladesh Accreditation Council for five undergraduate programs: Bachelor of Business Administration, BA (Honours) in English, LLB (Honours), BSS (Honours) in Economics, and BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. They also presented a copy of the confidence certificate for the BSc in Computer Science and Engineering program.

The UGC chairman expressed satisfaction upon receiving the certificates and praised Premier University for its achievement. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the achieved quality standards and advised the university to take necessary steps for accreditation of its remaining programs. The vice-chancellor also briefed the chairman on the university’s overall academic progress and future plans.

The meeting highlighted the institution’s ongoing efforts to strengthen academic quality and compliance with national accreditation standards.

Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a protest march in Lakshmipur on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, condemning recent attacks by Chhatra Dal and the rising cost of essential goods. The procession began in the Uttar Temuhani area and moved through several city streets before concluding with a brief rally at Dakshin Temuhani.

During the rally, speakers alleged that incidents of violence and disorder had increased across the country, disrupting the normal environment in educational institutions. They strongly condemned these acts and demanded that those responsible be brought under the law. The speakers also urged the authorities to ensure a peaceful and secure academic atmosphere.

Leaders and activists of the Lakshmipur city unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir participated in the demonstration, including city president Abdul Awal Hamdu, secretary Ismail Hossain Fayzal, office secretary Junaid Hossain Khan, and college affairs and law secretary Sarwar Hossain.

Israeli forces attacked mourners attending the funeral of two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank village of Al-Mughayir, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. The incident occurred on Wednesday as residents gathered to bury a teenager and a man who were killed a day earlier in an assault by settlers at a local school.

Wafa reported that Israeli troops fired live ammunition, stun grenades, and tear gas at the funeral procession. Despite the attack and attempts to block the ceremony, the bodies were buried in the village cemetery following prayers at a local mosque.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as a source, did not provide details on casualties from the funeral attack or official responses from Israeli authorities.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Saiful Alam Milon, representing Dhaka-12, told Parliament on Wednesday that WASA-supplied water in Dhaka is foul-smelling and contains insects, making it undrinkable. He raised the issue during a discussion on urgent public importance, urging the minister to take special measures to address the problem.

Milon also highlighted four major problems faced by Dhaka residents, including waterlogging caused by the closure of natural canals. He cited examples of water accumulation in areas such as Dhanmondi, Bijoy Sarani, and Panthapath, where blocked canals have worsened flooding during the monsoon. He called for immediate steps to resolve the issue.

The MP further criticized poor waste management and outdated gas lines across the city, urging the prime minister’s assistance to improve waste disposal and repair old gas pipelines that have caused widespread inconvenience in Dhaka.

BNP lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan accused opposition parties of conspiring inside and outside Parliament to embarrass the government during a session on April 22, 2026. Speaking during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he alleged that the opposition was acting like fascists and warned that their supporters would not remain silent but would protest. His remarks drew loud objections from opposition members, who accused him of using threatening and unparliamentary language.

Opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman strongly protested Wadud’s comments, questioning whether he was inciting public disorder and demanded that his remarks be expunged from the record. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed responded that the matter would be reviewed and any unparliamentary language removed. The session also saw references to recent clashes at Chittagong City College and further exchanges between ruling and opposition MPs over political tolerance and democratic conduct.

The Speaker urged both sides to maintain decorum and respond through speeches rather than interruptions, emphasizing that differing political ideologies should not disrupt parliamentary proceedings.

Three teachers have been relieved of their duties after an SSC examination in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, was conducted with the wrong question paper. The incident occurred at the KanSat Soleman Mia Degree College examination center, where students in room number eight reportedly received the incorrect paper for the Bangla First Paper exam. The issue came to light when a student named Tahmidur Rahman submitted a written complaint to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) on Wednesday afternoon.

Following the complaint, the administration removed three teachers from examination duties: Abdus Sattar, head teacher of Bagbari High School; Maksudur Rahman, assistant teacher of Kansat Mahedur Rahman Girls’ High School; and Mahbubur Rahman, assistant teacher of Daipukuria Union Council High School. UNO Mazharul Islam stated that the matter had been referred to the Rajshahi Education Board for re-evaluation of the affected students’ papers.

The administrative action aims to ensure accountability and proper evaluation for the students affected by the error, according to the local authority.

The two-day International Education Fair and Seminar organized by Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) in collaboration with Edumex Consultancy concluded at Jagannath University. The event featured an international education seminar held on Wednesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the university’s central auditorium, focusing on study abroad preparation, application processes, and higher education opportunities. The first day’s activities took place on Tuesday at the Faculty of Science field from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Speakers included North South University lecturer Md. Zahidul Islam Miaji and Jagannath University marketing professor Dr. Imranul Haque, who emphasized goal setting and perseverance in pursuing higher studies abroad. Organizers reported that over 300 students would receive free IELTS courses from Edumex after a selection test, requiring a refundable deposit of 2,000 taka for those meeting attendance and test performance criteria.

JAKSU’s education and research secretary Ibrahim Khalil stated that the expo aimed to provide students with a platform for career and higher education planning through on-campus counseling, visa guidance, and language test support.

Police in Sherpur seized 835 liters of diesel being transported illegally from Babar Filling Station in Sherpur Sadar upazila late on April 21, 2026. Two employees of the station were detained during the operation but were later released after fines were paid through a mobile court proceeding.

On April 22, Assistant Commissioner (NDC) Rajib Sarkar led a mobile court at the district administration office, where the seized diesel and the detained employees were presented. The court fined Babar Filling Station one lakh taka under Section 52 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, for attempting to store diesel illegally. The fine was imposed in the name of Fazlul Haque, who was in charge of the station.

Authorities also ordered the open sale of the confiscated diesel, with 96,425 taka from the sale to be deposited into the government treasury, according to the district administration.