Md. Mizanur Rahman (Dulal) has been elected president and Ashraf Hossain Khan general secretary of the Dhaka Tax Bar Association for the 2026–2027 term. The election took place on April 22 and 23, 2026, at the association’s office in the Revenue Building, Kakrail, where registered members cast their votes over two days. The results were announced on Friday after vote counting.

The Dulal–Ashraf-led Blue Panel, supported by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), won by a large margin. Three panels contested in total: the BNP-backed Blue Panel, the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Green Panel, and the National Citizen Party (NCP)-backed Red-Green Panel.

This was the first direct election of the Dhaka Tax Bar Association since 2018, marking a return to member-based voting after several years.

Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain stated that offenders, regardless of identity, must be brought under the law and that no one should take the law into their own hands. He made these remarks on Friday afternoon at the Nawabganj Upazila Parishad auditorium in Dinajpur while attending a program to distribute checks to families of road accident victims and provide seeds and fertilizers to farmers.

During his speech, the minister urged everyone to remain vigilant against drugs and to assist the administration in maintaining control. He also welcomed new innovations showcased at the science fair, expressing hope that today’s students could become great scientists through their creative work.

At the event, the minister distributed bicycles to 17 students, vegetable seeds and fertilizers to 540 farmers under the SSCP-RAINS project, and mung bean seeds and chemical fertilizers to 40 farmers.

A workshop titled “Climate-Resilient Beekeeping for Livelihood Development in Bangladesh” was held at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) on Wednesday morning. The event took place at the university’s old auditorium and was implemented under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. The session aimed to promote sustainable beekeeping practices amid climate challenges, improve bee health and queen production, encourage research and innovation, strengthen industry collaboration, and make beekeeping a stable and profitable livelihood for farmers and entrepreneurs.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman attended as the chief guest, while Professor Dr. Md. Ahsanul Haque Swapon chaired the session. Representatives from leading agricultural research institutes, including BARI, BRRI, and the Sugarcane Research Institute, along with professors, researchers, and students from several universities, participated. Dr. Haque presented the keynote paper highlighting the potential of beekeeping in addressing climate challenges and the plan to establish an “ApiHealth Research Center.”

The event concluded with an open discussion led by the Vice-Chancellor, emphasizing beekeeping’s role in sustainable livelihoods, nutrition security, and environmental conservation. A symbolic beehive was presented to the Vice-Chancellor as a token of appreciation.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Lebanon’s Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah have accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement. The IDF reported intercepting several projectiles launched from Lebanon toward Israel and claimed to have killed three individuals identified as Hezbollah fighters who allegedly attempted to fire missiles at an Israeli aircraft. Hezbollah, through Telegram, confirmed launching rocket attacks into Israel, asserting that these were in response to Israeli violations.

According to the IDF, Hezbollah had previously fired rockets twice at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, actions the IDF described as clear breaches of the ceasefire terms. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state news agency reported that Israel carried out strikes in the southern Tyre region earlier in the day. Hezbollah stated that its attacks on northern Israel were retaliatory measures following Israeli actions.

The renewed hostilities came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire and pledged U.S. cooperation with Lebanon to strengthen its defense against Hezbollah.

Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said the upcoming local government elections will be memorable and more challenging because they will be held without party symbols. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing the annual sports and prize distribution ceremony at Haji Fateh Mohammedia Dakhil Madrasa in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila.

Annie stated that the absence of elected local representatives has created difficulties across the country, with many rural areas facing problems for 17–18 years due to this situation. He noted that although the current government has been in office for two months, many local positions remain vacant or inactive, and he urged cooperation with those still serving.

He also emphasized that candidates for chairman positions should be people-friendly, connected to the public, and dedicated to community needs. Annie warned that multiple candidates from the same party could weaken their chances and reminded that union council leaders play a crucial role in shaping local welfare and stability.

A team from the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested a member of a fraud ring along with a stolen CNG auto-rickshaw in the Ramna area of the capital. The arrest took place around 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday during an operation conducted by the DB-Motijheel division. The detainee was identified as Md. Suman Hawlader, aged 24.

According to DB-Motijheel sources, the operation was carried out near the Ramna Shopping Complex under Ramna Police Station. The suspect was apprehended as an active member of a fraud group involved with the stolen CNG. Following the arrest, a regular case was filed against him at Ramna Police Station.

The DMP spokesperson, Deputy Police Commissioner N M Nasir Uddin, confirmed the arrest on Friday and stated that further investigation is underway.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that no one will be spared if they attempt to disrupt national stability. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Saraswati Gyan Mandir at the University of Chittagong. The minister emphasized that his government was elected to build a sensitive, tolerant, and stable nation, and that progress is impossible without maintaining stability.

Discussing the banking sector, the minister said that under BNP governments, financial discipline had always been maintained, including in the stock market and macroeconomy. He assured that similar discipline would return but asked for some time. On load-shedding, he acknowledged the existence of an energy crisis and explained that fuel prices in Bangladesh were raised by only 10–15 percent, compared to a doubling of prices in Washington, due to the government’s limited capacity.

He added that austerity measures were necessary to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, continued industrial operations, and minimal disruption to people’s livelihoods.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M. Iqbal Hossain MP emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy against hoarding and extortion during a meeting with local traders at the Gauripur Upazila Parishad office in Mymensingh on Friday morning. He said that traders who illegally stockpile essential goods to raise prices are enemies of the nation and that such practices are strictly prohibited in Islam. He urged business owners to unite against extortionists and to report any such activities to law enforcement agencies.

During the meeting, the minister also announced efforts to upgrade Gauripur’s 50-bed hospital to a 100-bed facility and plans to build a children’s recreation park in the municipal area. The event was chaired by Gauripur Combined Business Forum convener Md. Mahbubul Alam Faruk and attended by several local business leaders.

Later that day, the minister inaugurated road construction work on the municipal market road, accompanied by local administrative and police officials.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam has announced that those found guilty in the recent assault on journalists at the university will be expelled under institutional regulations. He made the statement on Friday while receiving a complaint letter from the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association at the Abdul Matin Virtual Classroom near his office. The vice-chancellor expressed regret over the incident, noting that journalists were performing their professional duties and that the matter is being treated seriously.

He confirmed that two separate investigation committees have been formed—one to examine Facebook-related messages and another to probe the physical assault on journalists and others. The university will take further action based on the committees’ reports. The journalists’ association submitted a list of 12 accused individuals, including their departmental and residential details, and demanded their immediate expulsion.

The association also called for permanent expulsion after investigation, cancellation of certificates of former students involved, and identification of any additional perpetrators. The attack, which occurred while journalists were on duty near Shahbagh Police Station, has sparked strong reactions across the national media community.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) central president Rakibul Islam Rakib issued a warning to Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) General Secretary Salauddin Ammar, saying that the student organization exists even in Ammar’s hometown. Rakib made the remarks in a verified Facebook post published late Thursday night, cautioning Ammar against his recent comments and behavior on social media.

In his post, Rakib stated that JCD has active members across all universities, colleges, districts, and subdistricts of Bangladesh, not just in Rajshahi. He criticized Ammar for allegedly using offensive language and making derogatory remarks about JCD and the Zia family. Rakib also accused a specific group of deliberately creating tension and claimed Ammar continued to post provocative statements online despite the situation calming down.

In response, Salauddin Ammar shared Rakib’s post and wrote that he feared no one except God, urging Rakib to avoid aligning with oppressors and to seek divine guidance for better judgment.

Analysts believe Iran’s economy will not collapse immediately despite the ongoing US naval blockade on its ports, imposed after Tehran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict. The blockade, in effect since April 12, aims to pressure Iran into peace negotiations. Former US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is financially breaking down, but Iranian economist Saeed Laylaz told AFP that only a blockade lasting two to three months could cause serious harm, while Gulf states might suffer even more.

Energy experts warned that Iran’s main oil export terminal at Kharg Island could soon reach full storage capacity. Data from Kpler indicated that Iran’s crude oil production has already dropped by about 200,000 barrels per day and could fall by another 420,000 barrels in April. However, Jamie Ingram of the Middle East Economic Survey noted that Iran has previously endured long-term sanctions without major concessions.

Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group added that while ordinary Iranians face growing pressure, the country’s leadership has shown resilience under severe economic strain, using control over the Strait of Hormuz as leverage.

In Kaptai upazila of Rangamati district, residents are facing 12 to 14 hours of daily load shedding, severely affecting daily life and ongoing SSC examinations. Students reported that frequent power outages during study hours, both day and night, make it difficult to concentrate due to extreme heat. Parents expressed deep concern, urging authorities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply until the exams end. The outages have also disrupted operations in educational institutions, factories, banks, insurance offices, businesses, and hospitals, with some factory owners reporting order cancellations due to missed delivery deadlines.

The Kaptai Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station, which normally produces 230 megawatts for the national grid, is currently generating only 30 to 40 megawatts because of low water levels. As a result, even the area producing electricity is suffering long power cuts. Acting residential engineer Ashraful Islam acknowledged the load shedding, explaining that one of two supply lines is alternately shut down. He assured that the problem would not persist long and that examinees would not face major disruptions.

The situation highlights the irony of power shortages in a region that contributes electricity to the national grid.

An unapproved stone crushing operation named Al-Madina Wash Plan has been accused of causing severe environmental damage near the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Achimotla area of Jamurki Union, Mirzapur upazila, Tangail. The activity reportedly continues day and night without proper authorization or required documentation, producing noise and dust pollution that threaten local residents, businesses, and workers’ health.

Local residents complained that the constant machine noise and dust make daily life difficult, covering nearby shops and obstructing movement along the road. The owner, Suman Khan, claimed to have a trade license but was unaware of other necessary permits. Officials from the Department of Environment and the Mirzapur Upazila administration said they were not aware of the operation but promised to investigate and take action if irregularities are found.

The ongoing unregulated activity has raised concerns about environmental degradation and public health risks in the area, prompting calls from residents for relocation of the facility to a more suitable site.

A special anti-war concert titled 'No War No Empire' is being held this afternoon at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. The event, organized jointly by several political parties and progressive student groups, aims to protest ongoing wars, genocides, and imperial domination around the world. According to organizers, the concert will begin at 4:30 p.m. and feature performances by popular Bangladeshi artists and bands including Kofil Ahmed, Arup Rahi, Ahmed Hasan Sani, Ila Lalalala, Warda Ashraf, Suchin Marma, Kuasha Murkh, and groups such as Shohojia, Chorus, The Comrades, Bangla Five, Mavoi, and Samgeet.

Organizers stated that the concert expresses solidarity with people in Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Venezuela, and Cuba facing aggression and mass killings. They also plan to demand the cancellation of U.S. trade agreements signed during the interim government period. The initiative reflects artists’ belief that they cannot remain silent amid global conflicts and humanitarian crises.

The concert is open to all, with the goal of using music and cultural expression to build public opinion against imperialism and spread messages of peace.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) hosted a reception and award ceremony for the Bangladesh Under-20 national football team, which recently won the SAFF U-20 Championship. The event took place on Wednesday morning at the Gulshan Nagar Bhaban in Dhaka. Each player received a cheque of 50,000 taka, a crest, and a commemorative gift from DNCC, while the coaching staff were presented with honorary mementos.

DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan attended as the chief guest, and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal was present as the special guest. DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman delivered the welcome speech. In his remarks, the DNCC administrator praised the players’ achievement and highlighted ongoing efforts to free public spaces for sports under the Prime Minister’s directive. He emphasized that the main goal of the event was to honor and inspire the young athletes.

BFF President Tabith Awal thanked the DNCC administrator for his support of sports and noted the city corporation’s role in promoting unity and social well-being through athletics.