The Bangladesh Land Ministry has fallen short of its land development tax collection target, with only 41.77 percent of the combined goal achieved by February 2026. Government institutions have shown the least compliance, contributing just 9 percent of their target, while the general service sector, including private landowners and residential properties, reached 32.77 percent. The ministry now faces the challenge of collecting nearly one thousand crore taka by June 29.

According to ministry sources, a total of 656.97 crore taka is owed by government agencies such as Bangladesh Railway, the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, and the Shipping Ministry. To accelerate revenue collection, the ministry is organizing a five-day “Land Development Tax Fair” from May 10 to 14 across 516 AC Land Offices nationwide. The event aims to encourage tax payment and raise awareness about digital land services, record management, and name registration.

Officials believe the fair could significantly improve tax collection, as a similar three-day event last year generated 3.25 crore taka. The ministry has formed multiple committees led by additional secretaries to ensure the fair’s success.

The Ministry of Railways has renewed its initiative to construct a 500-bed hospital and a 100-seat medical college in Chattogram’s CRB area, a site known for its dense greenery and biodiversity. The project, previously halted for nearly four years amid environmental protests, is now being reconsidered under Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam of the BNP government. The minister is scheduled to visit the proposed site in the Goalpahar area on April 19 to inspect it before granting policy approval.

Researchers and environmentalists have warned that the hospital project could destroy the area’s natural ecosystem. A four-month study led by Chittagong University’s Associate Professor Omar Faruk Russell identified 183 species of medicinal plants in CRB, many used to treat serious diseases such as cancer and heart ailments. The study also found 223 plant species overall, including several endangered and century-old trees.

Local residents and cultural groups regard CRB as the “lungs” of Chattogram—a rare urban refuge combining nature, history, and community life. The renewed construction plan has reignited public debate over balancing development with environmental preservation.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has started forming a shadow cabinet for the 13th National Parliament, according to party sources. The initiative, led by a team of experts, will include party-elected MPs, senior leaders, and specialists assigned to ministry-based roles. Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair said the process may take another one to two months to finalize. He also dismissed a list circulating on social media naming party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman as prime minister of the shadow cabinet, calling it entirely false.

The idea of a shadow cabinet was first mentioned publicly by Supreme Court lawyer and Jamaat MP Mohammad Shishir Monir in February, who urged for creative political engagement through parallel ministerial structures. The National Citizen Party (NCP) later expressed similar intentions to form a shadow cabinet to ensure transparency and accountability. Party insiders said the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, now recognized as the parliamentary opposition with 77 MPs, aims to monitor government activities and propose alternative policies through this structure.

The shadow cabinet concept, common in parliamentary democracies like the UK and Canada, is designed to hold the ruling government accountable and offer policy alternatives.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suspended the next tranche of its loan to Bangladesh, citing insufficient progress in revenue and banking sector reforms. The disbursement, scheduled for June under a $5.5 billion program, has been delayed as key conditions remain unmet. The decision was confirmed by members of Bangladesh’s delegation attending the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, led by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

According to the IMF, Bangladesh failed to advance in areas such as revenue mobilization, banking discipline, subsidy reduction in the energy sector, and implementation of a market-based exchange rate. The organization has proposed initiating discussions on a new loan framework with revised conditions. IMF officials indicated that a review mission will not proceed until significant progress is achieved, making a June disbursement unlikely.

Economists warn that the delay could strain Bangladesh’s foreign reserves and budget support, potentially affecting financing from other development partners who view IMF assessments as key indicators. The IMF’s Asia-Pacific director emphasized that strong political will is needed to implement overdue reforms in fiscal and financial sectors.

Iran’s Defense Ministry has stated that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen only under specific ceasefire conditions. According to the semi-official Fars News Agency, ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik said that the passage will remain conditional and that military or enemy-linked vessels will not be allowed to transit through the strait.

The spokesperson described the current situation in the waterway as temporary, noting that if conditions in Lebanon change, Iran may again close the strait. The statement, reported by Fars and cited by Al Jazeera, highlights Iran’s linkage of regional developments to its control over the strategic maritime route.

The announcement underscores Tehran’s use of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic lever amid ongoing regional tensions, though no timeline or further details on enforcement were provided in the report.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, formed after its sweeping victory in the 13th parliamentary election, is preparing to hold local government elections by the end of 2026. Reliable sources indicate that polls for upazila and municipal councils are planned in phases from November to December. The government has decided not to appoint administrators to these bodies and instead proceed with elections to ensure representation through public voting. A recently passed amendment to the Local Government (Municipality) Act 2026 removes party symbols from local elections, allowing party members to contest as independents.

Officials cited extreme heat in June–July, monsoon rains in August–September, and overlapping national examinations as reasons for scheduling the elections in winter. BNP leaders have begun organizational preparations, focusing on candidate selection, local campaigning, and maintaining unity to avoid internal conflicts. The party aims to sustain its national momentum through strong local representation.

The Election Commission has confirmed readiness to conduct the polls once the government finalizes its decision. The first phase will cover upazila and municipal elections, followed by city corporation and union council polls.

Global oil markets saw a significant decline after Iranian officials announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial ships. On April 18, 2026, Brent crude and US oil prices dropped below 90 dollars per barrel, with Brent crude settling 9.1 percent lower at 90 dollars and 38 cents by the end of the day.

The development comes amid a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, though Washington continues to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that Tehran would close the Strait again if the blockade persists. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route through which one-fifth of the world’s crude oil is transported.

The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran, disrupting shipping through the strategic waterway. The latest move to reopen the Strait has temporarily eased oil supply concerns but tensions remain high in the region.

Widespread frustration and anger have erupted following the cancellation of Bangladesh’s much-anticipated Human Rights Commission Ordinance. Analysts and stakeholders warned that the government’s decision not to retain key provisions from the interim administration’s ordinance would render the commission ineffective. The ordinance, issued in November 2025, had expanded the commission’s powers and restructured its leadership, including appointing former Justice Moinul Hossain as chairman. However, as the ordinance was not presented to parliament within 30 days of its first session, it automatically lapsed under constitutional provisions.

Officials and victims expressed deep dissatisfaction, alleging that the move aims to shield law enforcement officers implicated in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman defended the decision, citing the need to avoid legal conflicts between the ordinance and existing laws. In contrast, commission members and victims’ families accused the government of undermining accountability for serious human rights violations.

The commission’s chairman, Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, called the government’s move unprecedented and regrettable, warning it would damage Bangladesh’s international image. Several international organizations, including Washington-based Right to Freedom and TIP, also voiced concern over the government’s decision.

US President Donald Trump has made several comments and social media posts in recent hours concerning Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and the ceasefire in Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera. The remarks were reported on April 18, 2026, by the outlet Amar Desh Online.

The report lists Trump’s recent claims and statements but does not provide specific details about their content. It notes that his comments come amid heightened attention to regional developments involving Iran and Israel, as well as ongoing discussions about the situation in Lebanon and the strategic importance of the Hormuz Strait.

The article also references related regional reactions, including remarks from Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Turkey’s foreign minister, and updates on Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, indicating a complex and evolving geopolitical context.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed a diplomatic breakthrough in ongoing negotiations with Iran, suggesting that Tehran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium, which he referred to as “nuclear dust.” According to reports cited by the BBC, Trump stated that the United States would take possession of the material but would not release Iran’s frozen funds in exchange. He presented these conditions as a sign of progress in the discussions.

However, analysts and Iranian officials have disputed Trump’s optimism. Iran’s foreign minister has categorically rejected the idea of sending enriched uranium abroad, while Iranian parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed Trump’s claims as false. These reactions highlight the continuing divide between Washington and Tehran despite Trump’s assertions of success.

The situation remains uncertain as both sides face a critical period that could determine whether diplomacy endures or tensions escalate. Trump has warned that if no agreement is reached, conflict could resume.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismissed recent statements by US President Donald Trump as “completely false.” According to Al Jazeera, Ghalibaf made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, saying that all seven claims made by Trump within the past hour were untrue. He added that such falsehoods would neither help the United States win a war nor achieve progress in negotiations.

Ghalibaf warned that the Strait of Hormuz would not remain open if US sanctions continued. He stated that maritime traffic through the strait would operate only under Iran’s designated routes and authorizations, emphasizing that its regulations would not be determined through social media.

The exchange of conflicting statements between Iran and the United States has further complicated the already tense situation between the two nations.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that his country is ready to assist international efforts aimed at restoring stability and security in the Strait of Hormuz. His statement came after participating in a virtual summit jointly hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In a post on social media platform X, Albanese emphasized Australia's commitment to contributing to the initiative.

He warned that the longer the conflict continues, the more severe its impact will be on the global economy and humanitarian conditions. Referring to domestic concerns, Albanese noted that Australians are already feeling the effects on fuel supply and prices, and the government is working to protect families from these negative consequences.

Australia relies heavily on refined fuel from Southeast Asia, which depends on crude oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Continued instability in the region could therefore place additional pressure on the country’s energy supply.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned Israel’s attack on a key bridge in southern Lebanon, calling for an immediate suspension of arms sales to Israel. According to the organization, Israeli forces destroyed the Qasmiyeh Bridge on April 16, just hours before a ceasefire was declared. The bridge had served as a vital route for delivering food, medical supplies, and other humanitarian aid to residents of southern Lebanon.

In a statement, HRW said the deliberate strike eliminated the last functioning access route for civilians and aid, raising concerns of disproportionate harm to non-combatants. The group urged that the incident be investigated as a potential war crime. HRW also called on governments to send a clear message to Israel that they would not risk complicity in war crimes by continuing arms transfers.

The organization’s appeal follows growing scrutiny of Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza, emphasizing the need for accountability in the use of force against civilian infrastructure.

Leaders of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Chaksu) staged a protest early Friday night after four students, including Jahin Sarkar Abir, the university correspondent of Somoy TV, were injured in an attack by locals near the university’s rail crossing around 9:30 p.m. The demonstration took place at the university’s Zero Point around 12:30 a.m., demanding the immediate arrest of those involved and stronger security for students.

Speakers at the protest alleged that students have long faced assaults and violence from local residents, yet the university administration has failed to take effective action. Chaksu leaders criticized the lack of active police presence on campus despite the existence of a police outpost, contrasting it with earlier times when large numbers of police were deployed to control internal political conflicts. They cited previous incidents, including a recent assault on a student during Pahela Baishakh and a large-scale attack last August that injured hundreds.

Protesters reiterated their demand for a safe campus environment, emphasizing that recurring violence has forced students to take to the streets for their own protection.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday hosted the third meeting with his counterparts from Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. According to diplomatic sources, the session took place on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the southern Turkish city of Antalya. No details about the discussions were disclosed.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, running from Friday to Sunday, brings together world leaders and senior government officials. This year’s event focuses on addressing global uncertainty. The forum is held under the patronage of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

Anadolu Agency serves as the global communication partner for the forum, which is themed “Outlining the Future, Managing Uncertainty.”