A mobile court in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj fined three local businesses for selling octane, diesel, and petrol in the open market without authorization. The operation took place on Tuesday evening in the Krishnapura area, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mostafizur Rahman Imon. The fines were imposed under the Consumer Rights Protection Act.

According to the court, Rifat Auto Parts owner Shajahan was fined 3,000 taka, Insaf Auto Parts owner Habibur 7,000 taka, and Khaja Garibe Newaz establishment owner Motalib 2,000 taka. The magistrate stated that selling fuel without approval is both risky and punishable, as it poses a danger of accidents.

The enforcement action highlights local authorities’ efforts to curb unauthorized fuel trading and ensure compliance with safety and consumer protection laws in Narayanganj.

At a pre-budget discussion held on April 22, 2026, at the Revenue Building, business leaders warned that foreign apparel buyers are redirecting their orders from Bangladesh to India due to severe gas and electricity shortages. They reported a decline in orders for July and August, raising concerns that the country’s garment industry could face a major crisis if the situation persists.

Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Chamber, said garment production and exports have been falling for eight consecutive months. He urged the government to take effective measures to reverse the downturn. Representatives from Gazipur highlighted a diesel shortage that has disrupted industrial operations, while others called for tax exemptions on renewable energy investments in the upcoming budget to address the energy crisis.

National Board of Revenue Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan responded that tax incentives had previously been offered for renewable energy and would continue in the future. Business representatives from Dhaka, Sylhet, Gazipur, and Narayanganj also demanded raising the tax-free income limit to 500,000 taka and reducing corporate tax rates to ease inflation-driven production costs.

U.S. President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran for two more weeks without setting a new expiration date, following a high-level meeting at the White House on Tuesday afternoon. The decision came as Washington awaited a response from Tehran regarding proposed negotiation terms, but received none. Vice President JD Vance and other officials had been preparing to travel to Pakistan for talks, yet the lack of Iranian engagement left the administration uncertain about the next steps.

Officials cited internal divisions within Iran’s leadership as a key reason for the silence, particularly disagreements over uranium enrichment and stockpile management. Reports suggested that new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s unclear directives were contributing to the deadlock. Trump stated on Truth Social that Iranian officials were “deeply divided” but reaffirmed his preference for a diplomatic resolution over renewed military action.

Pakistani intermediaries had encouraged Trump to extend the truce, and U.S. officials indicated that talks could resume quickly if Iran showed readiness. However, advisers warned that the absence of a fixed deadline might allow Tehran to prolong negotiations indefinitely.

NCP leader Monira Sharmin’s nomination for a reserved women’s seat in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament has come under legal scrutiny. The nomination submission deadline was April 22, when candidates from the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami filed their papers. However, Sharmin’s eligibility is being questioned because she resigned from a state-owned bank only four months ago, in December 2025, falling short of the three-year requirement for former government employees to contest elections.

According to Article 12 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), anyone who has not completed three years since resigning or retiring from a government or statutory position cannot run for parliament. Election Commission officials confirmed that this rule also applies to reserved women’s seats. If Sharmin’s nomination is canceled, the alliance could lose one of its 13 seats, potentially benefiting the ruling BNP-led coalition, whose seat count could rise from 36 to 37.

Alliance coordinator Hamidur Rahman Azad expressed confidence that the nomination would not be canceled, while Sharmin argued that her former position was not a profit-based government post and that the rule should not apply to party nominations.

Jagannath University has decided to conduct classes online one day each week to reduce expenses amid the global energy crisis. The decision was made at the university’s 77th special Academic Council meeting, held on April 22, 2026, under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Raiqul Uddin. The meeting followed directives from the Ministry of Public Administration, the Ministry of Education, and the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for awareness in conserving electricity and fuel while ensuring that academic activities remain uninterrupted. He urged department heads and teachers to coordinate with students to maintain educational continuity and expressed optimism that the global crisis would be overcome soon.

Based on members’ proposals, the council decided that starting next week, all academic activities every Thursday will be conducted online. Treasurer Professor Dr. Sabina Sharmin noted that suspending transport operations one day a week could significantly save fuel. Participants also shared constructive suggestions to ensure energy conservation and smooth academic operations.

Electro Mart has received three prestigious recognitions at the third edition of the Bangladesh Retail Awards 2026, organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum and Bangladesh Retail Forum at a five-star hotel in Dhaka. The company was honored as Best Retailer in Electronics, Emerging Retailer of the Year, and Most Admired Retailer, reflecting its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer trust.

The Best Retailer in Electronics award recognized Electro Mart’s efforts to deliver advanced technology products, quality service, and superior retail offerings. The Emerging Retailer of the Year title was given for setting strong goals, aligning with customer needs, and offering world-class products at affordable prices. The Most Admired Retailer award acknowledged its reputation as one of Bangladesh’s most trusted electronics brands.

Electro Mart, representing global brands Konka, Gree, and Haiko, has been a leading electronics manufacturer and marketer in Bangladesh for over 25 years. The company stated that these recognitions reinforce its responsibility to maintain quality and innovation while expressing gratitude to customers for their continued trust and support.

Intern doctors at Rajshahi Medical College (RAMEC) Hospital resumed duty on Wednesday morning after a 24-hour work stoppage. The decision was announced at a press briefing held at 9 a.m. in the hospital’s emergency department office, where the interns declared the withdrawal of their protest and return to duty.

The interns stated that the hospital director had agreed to ensure a safe working environment for doctors and to take necessary legal action against those involved in a recent attack on medical staff. Following this assurance, the interns ended their strike and returned to their respective wards. The work stoppage had been called the previous morning to protest the attack and demand workplace safety.

Hospital authorities claimed that patient care was not significantly disrupted during the protest, as mid- and senior-level doctors took on additional responsibilities to maintain services.

A high-level two-day meeting begins Wednesday in London to discuss ways to ensure safe and normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes. The conference is jointly organized by the governments of France, led by Emmanuel Macron, and the United Kingdom. Defense ministers, senior military officials, and planners from more than 30 countries are expected to attend. Over a dozen nations have already expressed interest in joining a UK- and France-led international mission to protect navigation in the area.

According to Reuters, nearly 50 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have shown willingness to participate in the proposed mission. The London meeting follows an online video conference involving about 50 nations, where the decision to convene this gathering was finalized. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that the meeting aims to translate diplomatic consensus into a joint plan supporting a lasting ceasefire and freedom of navigation in the strait.

Analysts note that security in the Strait of Hormuz is vital for global trade and energy supply, but recent regional tensions and the Iran-Israel conflict have sharply reduced commercial traffic, affecting global energy markets.

The government of Bangladesh announced that it will begin procuring paddy, rice, and wheat from May 3 under the current fiscal year’s food procurement program, continuing until August 31. According to the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, the purchase prices have been fixed at Tk 36 per kilogram for Boro paddy, Tk 49 for parboiled rice, Tk 48 for Atap rice, and Tk 36 for wheat.

The meeting, held at the Secretariat’s Press Information Department conference room, was attended by State Minister for Food Abdul Bari. The government has set procurement targets of 500,000 metric tons of Boro paddy, 1.2 million metric tons of parboiled rice, 100,000 metric tons of Atap rice, and 50,000 metric tons of wheat. Paddy and wheat collection will start on May 3, while rice collection will begin on May 15.

The Home Minister stated that the country currently has sufficient rice reserves, with 1.7 to 1.8 million tons stored in government warehouses. He added that Bangladesh’s total wheat demand is 8 million metric tons, of which 7 to 7.2 million tons are produced domestically, and the remaining 800,000 tons are imported through government-to-government arrangements.

A student at Rajshahi University was allegedly stabbed by a Chhatra Dal leader and his associates near Paris Road on Tuesday night, April 21. The accused, Hasibul Islam Hasib, joint general secretary of the university’s Chhatra Dal unit, has denied the allegation, claiming he was ill and not on campus. The victim, Hasan, a student of Islamic History and Culture, said Hasib and several outsiders attacked him with a knife while he was sitting at a tea stall with friends. Witnesses confirmed seeing Hasib arrive at the scene in an agitated state.

The incident reportedly followed a dispute the previous day when a university guard asked a student couple to leave the Fine Arts area, leading to suspicions of extortion attempts by some students. The university administration had resolved that issue earlier, but the stabbing occurred later that night. Hasan also alleged that Hasib had been threatening him by phone and that the proctor had received threats as well.

Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman stated that the attack was unacceptable and that the university would investigate the complaint. He said legal action could be taken and that no one involved would be spared if found guilty.

A pedestrian was killed after being hit by a speeding motorcycle in Rauzan upazila of Chattogram on Tuesday night. The accident occurred around 8 p.m. on Hafez Muhammad Bazlur Rahman Road in Ward 8 of Rauzan Municipality. The victim, Mohammad Azgar, aged 60, was from Hajipara village. Witnesses said he was crossing the road near the shrine of Boro Maulana Shah (R.) when a motorcycle coming from the north struck him forcefully. Locals took him to Rauzan Upazila Health Complex and later to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where he died around 11 p.m.

The motorcycle rider, Md. Raihan of Mohammadpur Muazzin Bari, and another passenger were injured and received primary treatment. The victim’s nephew, Maulana Md. Jasim Uddin, said the family was preparing for a wedding that night, which turned tragic due to the accident. He urged authorities to install speed breakers on the road to prevent reckless driving. Rauzan police confirmed visiting the scene and stated that legal procedures are underway.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has nominated only one woman leader from Chattogram for a reserved seat in parliament, sparking widespread dissatisfaction among local leaders and activists. The final list, announced on Monday, included Barrister Shakila Farzana, daughter of late MP Wahidul Alam, as the sole nominee from the region. Many senior and long-serving women leaders who led protests and endured imprisonment were overlooked, which local members described as political discrimination against Chattogram.

Party insiders said 36 women from the district had collected nomination forms, including several senior figures from the city and northern and southern districts. Local leaders alleged that internal conflicts among central leaders influenced the final selection, leaving many deserving candidates excluded. Some viewed the decision as a failure of the central leadership to recognize sacrifices made by grassroots activists.

Chattogram-9 MP Abu Sufian stated that the district deserved at least three to four reserved seats given its political importance and contribution to the party’s movements. He urged the BNP high command to reconsider the list before the oath-taking ceremony to restore morale among dedicated members.

Iran has called on the United Nations to strongly condemn the United States for seizing an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran described the incident as an act of piracy and a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the two countries. According to AFP, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US Navy had taken control of the Iranian-flagged vessel named ‘Tuska,’ which is under American sanctions.

Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote to the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General, calling the seizure a dangerous provocation that threatens maritime security and stability. He said the move clearly breaches the ceasefire signed on April 8 and constitutes aggression under the UN Charter. Iravani urged the UN to condemn the action and demand the immediate release of the ship.

Trump later stated on his Truth Social platform that he was extending the ceasefire to continue talks with Iran but that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association has issued a strict directive prohibiting any increase in bus fares without prior government approval. The instruction, signed by the association’s secretary Md. Saiful Alam on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, states that no additional fare may be charged beyond the current rates until the government announces a final decision on fare adjustments. All transport owners and workers operating on routes across the country have been urged to comply with this order.

The association’s statement notes that the cost of operating transport services has risen sharply due to a Tk 15 per liter increase in diesel prices and higher expenses for vehicle parts and maintenance caused by the rising dollar rate. In light of these challenges, the association has called on the government to promptly and realistically adjust fares to prevent financial losses in the transport sector.

Iran fired on a container ship near the coast of Oman, causing extensive damage, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The organization reported that a vessel linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps approached the ship about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman before the attack.

Tasnim News Agency stated that the Iranian military issued multiple warnings to the ship, which were ignored, prompting Iran to enforce what it described as 'maritime law.' The incident occurred as U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran.

An adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed Trump’s decision as meaningless, asserting that Washington cannot impose conditions on Tehran. The event underscores ongoing maritime and political tensions between Iran and the United States in the region.