Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks has reached 2,294 since fighting began on March 2 between Hezbollah and Israel. The ministry said at least 7,544 people have been injured during this period. The figures were released on Friday, according to the ministry’s latest update.

In recent weeks, Israeli forces have intensified airstrikes and military operations across several areas of Lebanon. The attacks have caused significant damage to civilian lives and property. The Lebanese health authorities expressed deep concern as the number of casualties continues to rise and confirmed that rescue and medical operations remain ongoing in affected regions.

The situation highlights the continuing escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with mounting humanitarian consequences across Lebanon.

Jamaat-e-Islami central Majlis-e-Shura member and Barishal regional team member Maulana Mustafa Kamal, who was also a candidate for the Bhola-4 constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka for the past 12 days due to serious illness. On Friday evening, the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Parwar, visited him at the hospital.

During the visit, Golam Parwar spent some time beside the ailing leader, inquired about his health condition, and spoke with the attending doctors to learn about the progress of his treatment. He prayed for Mustafa Kamal’s quick recovery and expressed sympathy to his family members and relatives present at the hospital, advising them to remain patient and trust in divine mercy.

The visit highlighted Jamaat-e-Islami’s concern for its senior member’s health, though no further details about his medical condition or treatment outcome were disclosed in the report.

BRAC Bank has signed an agreement with the SME Foundation to strengthen financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs and boost the country’s production sector. The signing ceremony took place in Dhaka, where BRAC Bank Managing Director and CEO Tarek Refaet Ullah Khan and SME Foundation Managing Director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury signed the deal in the presence of senior officials from related sectors.

Under the agreement, Tk 300 crore will be distributed nationwide through banks and financial institutions from the SME Foundation’s revolving fund. BRAC Bank will provide Tk 40 crore in collateral-free loans. Entrepreneurs can borrow between Tk 1 lakh and Tk 25 lakh at an 8 percent interest rate. The program will prioritize women-led enterprises, manufacturing sectors, and cluster-based businesses.

Officials stated that the initiative aims to expand financing opportunities for marginal and small entrepreneurs, contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The event was attended by the Minister of Industries, Commerce, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, SME Foundation Chairman and Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman, and Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Nurun Nahar.

The Marma community in Rangamati concluded their New Year celebrations with a traditional water festival held on Friday at the Chinghla Mong Chowdhury Mari Stadium. The event, organized by the central committee of the Marma Cultural Organization (MASS), was inaugurated by Dipen Dewan MP, Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. He highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts for balanced development in the hill regions and recalled the historical role of former President Ziaur Rahman in initiating development plans for the area. State Minister Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin MP also attended, emphasizing national unity among all communities.

The festival, known as Sangrai, featured the Marma community’s traditional water play, symbolizing the washing away of the past year’s misfortunes. Participants, dressed in colorful attire, enjoyed music, dance, and splashing water on one another. The event drew people of all ages and communities, spreading a message of harmony and friendship across the hills.

Organizers stated that the festival aims to strengthen social bonds and promote unity between hill and plain communities through shared cultural celebration.

An Israeli drone strike in Lebanon during an ongoing ceasefire killed one person, according to reports on April 17, 2026. The incident occurred as Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc sharply criticized the Lebanese government for engaging in direct talks with Israel, calling the move a dangerous concession. Despite the attack, Hezbollah expressed cautious support for the 10-day ceasefire, provided it remains comprehensive and applies across all of Lebanon.

Hezbollah stated that the ceasefire should mark the beginning of a full Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanese territory. The group credited Iran’s pressure and diplomatic efforts for making the truce possible. In its statement, Hezbollah accused the Lebanese government of abandoning earlier commitments and warned that the ongoing negotiations could undermine national sovereignty.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Hezbollah’s stance may complicate Lebanon’s internal politics and the broader peace process, as tensions persist despite the declared ceasefire.

As-Sunnah Foundation organized a grand reception on April 17, 2026, at its auditorium in Aftabnagar, Dhaka, to honor 500 top-performing scholars from the central Dawra-e-Hadith (master’s equivalent) examination under Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh. The event, titled ‘Qawmi Meritorious Student Reception 2026,’ ran from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and distributed awards worth Tk 4.5 million, including Umrah packages, books, and honorary crests.

From 1,119 applicants, the top 500 were selected based on examination scores. As-Sunnah Foundation Chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah presided over the ceremony, explaining that the initiative aimed to encourage Qawmi scholars who often lack national-level recognition and guidance. He emphasized nurturing research-oriented and confident young scholars capable of meeting contemporary challenges. Chief guest Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, Secretary General of Befakul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh, praised the initiative as rare and inspiring for Qawmi students.

Other distinguished guests included senior Islamic scholars, educators, and professionals from various institutions. The foundation pledged to continue similar initiatives to promote higher education and research among young scholars.

Chattogram-4 Member of Parliament Professor Aslam Chowdhury has called on people from all walks of life to unite against drug abuse and strengthen social awareness. He made the appeal on Friday after attending Jumu’ah prayers at Gafur Shah Mosque in Sitakunda upazila. Chowdhury described drugs as a major cause of social destruction, emphasizing that addiction harms individuals, families, and society as a whole.

He stated that families can play the most effective role in preventing drug abuse and urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to work together. He highlighted the importance of social, family, and moral education to protect the younger generation. Chowdhury also stressed the need to build public awareness and social resistance to create a drug-free society. A special prayer was held afterward for the welfare of the nation.

Later the same day, he inaugurated the Jinnat Ali Chowdhury Nurani Madrasa in Mahalonga village of Baraiahdala Union, noting that such institutions play a vital role in providing moral and religious education for children and contribute to building a healthy and ideal society.

A mobile court in Rajshahi’s Puthia upazila sentenced student leader Abdus Sabur Bullet to three days in jail on Thursday after he allegedly caused chaos and obstructed government work at the Baneshwar filling station. Witnesses said the incident began when Bullet, identified as a senior joint convener of the Rajshahi district unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, tried to take fuel out of turn and misbehaved with officials who intervened. Authorities detained him and announced the sentence on the spot.

However, he was later released after signing a written pledge, sparking public debate and questions about the reversal of the court’s decision. Locals speculated whether political influence played a role in his release. The mobile court official, Liakat Salman, confirmed that Bullet was freed after giving a pledge.

The same day, police also arrested another man, Md. Samrat Hossain, for allegedly creating disorder and verbally abusing officers at the same location. The incident has stirred widespread discussion in the area and mixed reactions regarding the administration’s handling of the matter.

Police in Natore have arrested 13 robbers along with stolen goods worth about Tk 1.5 crore in connection with a robbery at an under-construction power grid in Baraigram. The arrests were made from the Gajari forest area of Sreepur in Gazipur following operations across several districts. The information was disclosed by Natore Superintendent of Police Muhammad Abdul Wahab at a press conference on Friday afternoon.

According to police, ringleaders Ruhul Amin and Soikat planned the robbery while in jail and executed it on the night of March 25 after their release. The gang tied up four guards and looted materials worth Tk 1.93 crore, transporting them by truck. The following day, Assistant Manager Anik Kumar Biswas filed a case with Baraigram Police Station. Subsequent operations led to the recovery of 350 battery cells, 10 mobile phones, and other items, as well as the seizure of the truck used in the robbery.

After initial interrogation, the 13 arrested suspects were sent to Natore District Jail on Friday evening, confirmed the investigating officer, SI Shamim Hossain.

At least twelve people were injured in a clash between two groups in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah after a shopkeeper refused to sell tea on credit. The incident occurred on Friday morning in the Khaldharpara area of the municipal town. Police were deployed in the area following the violence.

According to police, the dispute began when Ripon Hossain went to Shahjahan’s tea shop in the same village. Shahjahan refused to serve tea on credit because Ripon had not paid previous dues. An argument and scuffle ensued, leading supporters from both sides to engage in a violent confrontation using local weapons. The injured were taken to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

Emergency department physician Dr. Mahbub Alam Parvez confirmed that the injured were admitted to the hospital. Shailkupa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Molla said police had been deployed and that the situation was now under control.

Global oil prices dropped sharply on April 17, 2026, after Iran announced that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz was now fully open for commercial shipping. Following the declaration by Iran’s foreign minister, Brent crude fell below $90 per barrel, down from over $98 earlier in the day. The U.S. benchmark, Nymex Light Sweet Crude, also saw a notable decline.

Before recent conflicts, Brent crude traded below $70 per barrel, but prices had surged past $100 in early March and peaked at $119 later that month. The latest announcement reversed part of that upward trend, signaling relief in global energy markets.

Stock markets in Europe and the United States responded positively to the news. Paris’s CAC and Frankfurt’s DAX indices each rose by more than two percent, while London’s FTSE also gained modestly. In early U.S. trading, the Dow Jones increased by 1.3 percent and the S&P by 0.7 percent, reflecting renewed investor optimism.

After years of suspension, beef sales have officially resumed at Daknirpat market in Ward 2 of Bhitorbond Union, Nageshwari upazila, Kurigram. The sale began on Friday, April 17, 2026, after Jumma prayers in front of the market’s Jame Mosque, with beef priced at 600 taka per kilogram. The move followed a report published on April 11 in the daily Amar Desh titled “Beef sales banned under invisible pressure,” which went viral on social media and drew administrative attention.

In response, a meeting was held on April 12 at the Kurigram Deputy Commissioner’s office, where local Member of Parliament Professor Anwarul Islam took responsibility for resolving the issue. A follow-up negotiation took place on April 13 in the presence of the acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Badruzzaman Risad and Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Hil Zaman, involving leaders from all parties and representatives of both Muslim and Hindu communities. Although an initial decision postponed the matter until April 21, local dissatisfaction led to renewed administrative intervention.

On April 17 morning, officials designated a slaughtering site, allowing beef sales to begin. Residents expressed joy, calling it the restoration of their constitutional rights.

NRBC Bank and City Bank advanced to the final of the Don RMC Bankers Club Cricket Tournament after two contrasting semifinal matches held in Rajshahi and Meghna. In the first semifinal at Padma Ground, NRBC Bank defeated Prime Bank by two wickets in a tense contest. Chasing 112, NRBC struggled early but recovered through Iqbal’s 44 and Helal’s quick 28 to seal victory at 14.4 overs with eight wickets down. Abir’s controlled bowling earned him the player of the match award.

In the second semifinal at Meghna Ground, City Bank dominated Eastern Bank to secure a five-wicket win. Opting to field first, City Bank restricted Eastern Bank to 111 all out in 15 overs, thanks to Raju’s five-wicket haul. Raju also contributed 29 runs in the chase, supported by calm batting from Alam, who scored 44, and Deep, who remained unbeaten on 35. City Bank reached the target in 12.4 overs.

The final will feature NRBC Bank’s resilience against City Bank’s confident form, promising a competitive title clash.

Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Speaker of the National Parliament and Member of Parliament for Bhola-3, stated that the Speaker’s position holds honor but no real power. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing a public reception in Tazumuddin as the chief guest. Hafiz thanked voters for their trust and said he remains their representative regardless of his official role.

He criticized what he called a 'mafia government' for fostering abductions and killings in politics and claimed that the people had rejected such governance. Hafiz also mentioned his previous work as Water Resources Minister, highlighting the Tazumuddin town protection embankment project. He emphasized that he had not engaged in corruption or personal enrichment, noting that he lives in his father’s flat in Dhaka.

During the visit, Hafiz met with local administration officials and assured them he would address staffing shortages in the health and other departments. The event was attended by local leaders, activists, and journalists, who greeted him with flowers.

The Political Council of Bangladesh’s Revolutionary Workers Party has adopted a resolution stating that the country has been governed contrary to the spirit of its independence declaration for the past 55 years. The resolution was passed on Friday at the party’s office in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, during a council meeting chaired by General Secretary Saiful Haque.

According to the resolution, Bangladesh has failed to follow the ideals set out in its founding declaration, instead moving toward inequality, human rights crises, and oppressive social and state systems. The council noted that the February 12 election and the formation of a new government have created an opportunity to reverse this situation. It also expressed respect for the wartime government formed in 1971 at Meherpur’s Amrakanon, describing it as a milestone in the nation’s independence struggle.

The resolution further observed that while public expectations were initially high for the BNP-led government, disappointment has begun to emerge within two months of its tenure.