In Naogaon’s Niamatpur upazila, locals set fire to the house of Sabuj Hossain, accused in the murder of a couple and their two children. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Wednesday in Bahadurpur village. According to local sources, furniture and other belongings inside the house were destroyed before police arrived and brought the situation under control.

Residents have demanded swift justice for the killings, warning that similar incidents could increase if exemplary punishment is not ensured. Police have deployed additional forces in the area to maintain order, said Niamatpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbubur Rahman.

Earlier, police had taken Sabuj Hossain, his father A. Samad, and another person into custody for questioning in connection with the four-murder case.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated that Tehran is ready to resume discussions with the United States once Washington lifts its sanctions. He emphasized that before any new round of talks can begin, the United States must also stop violating ceasefire agreements. According to Iravani, the next phase of discussions would take place in Islamabad once sanctions are removed.

Iravani further said that Iran is prepared for any scenario, whether it involves pursuing a political solution or facing conflict. His remarks, reported by Middle East Eye, come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, with both sides maintaining firm positions on sanctions and regional security issues.

The statement underscores Iran’s conditional approach to diplomacy with the United States, linking any future negotiations directly to the lifting of economic restrictions and adherence to ceasefire commitments.

Bangladesh bowling coach Shaun Tait said on Wednesday that understanding wickets in Bangladesh is difficult, describing this unpredictability as part of the country's cricketing beauty. Speaking at a press conference in Chattogram, Tait explained that even after discussions between the curators Zahid Reza Babu and Tony Hemming with the team management and captain, the wicket remained hard to read. He referred to the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, noting that the difference between the first and second match wickets highlighted this unpredictability.

Tait emphasized that such variations make Bangladesh cricket unique. Reflecting on his one-year coaching experience in the country, he said Chattogram offers Bangladesh’s best batting wickets. He expressed optimism that Thursday’s match would feature a similar surface and added that regardless of conditions, he believes the bowlers will perform their roles effectively.

The comments came as preparations continued at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium ahead of the next match in the series.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev’s recent remarks have alarmed Gulf nations, as he suggested that reopening the Strait of Hormuz could become the central issue in Iran-US negotiations to end the ongoing conflict. His warning reinforced fears among Gulf states that such talks might only achieve limited de-escalation, leaving Tehran’s influence intact. Experts noted that the next round of discussions, possibly in Islamabad, is unlikely to prioritize Iran’s missile program or its regional proxies, focusing instead on uranium enrichment limits and Iran’s control over Hormuz.

Gulf officials cautioned that this approach could entrench rather than reduce Iran’s power, effectively managing rather than dismantling its dominance over a key global energy route. They expressed concern that global economic stability was being prioritized over the security of nations most exposed to energy and defense risks. Sources indicated that Washington and Tehran’s diplomacy now emphasizes uranium enrichment levels while tacitly accepting Tehran’s sway over the strait, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes.

Negotiations remain stalled as Iran rejects both a “zero enrichment” proposal and demands to export its uranium stockpile abroad, deepening regional unease over shifting priorities.

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.