The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced an increase in the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The price of a 12-kilogram cylinder has been raised from Tk 1,728 to Tk 1,940. The new rate takes effect from the evening of Sunday, April 19, 2026, according to a message issued by the commission.

This marks the second price adjustment in April 2026. The previous revision took place on April 2, when the 12-kg cylinder price was set at Tk 1,728. The latest change represents a Tk 212 increase per cylinder at the consumer level.

The BERC did not provide further details in the announcement, including reasons for the price hike or its expected duration.

A suspected robber named Dulal was killed in a mob beating in Nazirpur upazila of Pirojpur district after attempting a burglary at the home of college teacher Nazmul Hasan on Saturday night. Police said Dulal was from Hizla upazila in Barishal. The incident occurred when an eight-member gang broke into Nazmul’s house in Kalaradoania village, held the family hostage, and attacked Nazmul and his son Mishkat with sharp weapons.

According to local accounts, Nazmul retaliated, and when his wife screamed for help, neighbors surrounded the house. The robbers fired blank shots and fled, but Dulal was caught and beaten to death by locals. Nazirpur police chief Tariqul Islam confirmed that preparations were underway to file a case and efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining gang members.

Nazmul and his son, both seriously injured, were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Police said Dulal had 15 previous cases filed against him in different police stations.

The Sylhet Battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh (48 BGB) conducted coordinated anti-smuggling operations across several border areas in Sylhet, seizing goods valued at approximately 4.87 million taka. Acting on confidential information, the raids took place in locations including Banglabazar, Sonalichela, Sripur, Domdomia, Protapur, Songram, Tamabil, Sonarhat, and Bisnakandi Border Outposts.

According to BGB, the confiscated items included Indian cattle, cumin, sugar, tires, saris, blankets, chocolates, creams, olive oil, facewash, soap, mehendi, biscuits, bidi, and liquor. Additionally, betel nuts and catfish were seized while being smuggled out of Bangladesh. The total estimated market value of the seized goods was reported to be 4,868,640 taka.

The 48 BGB commander stated that regular patrols and intelligence operations are being maintained to strengthen border security and prevent smuggling and drug trafficking in the Sylhet region.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association submitted a memorandum on Sunday, April 19, to Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam and Shipping Minister, demanding the reformation of the committees responsible for determining bus and launch fares. The organization argued that previous administrations, in collaboration with private transport owners and labor leaders, had monopolized fare-setting decisions, causing severe hardship for passengers.

The memorandum stated that despite the formation of a new government by the BNP, it continues to follow the policies of the previous regime. The association expressed concern that the recent 15 percent or Tk 15 per liter increase in fuel prices has worsened the situation for commuters. It also noted that the ministries lack expert panels for fare determination, allowing influential transport leaders to impose fares unilaterally.

The association urged the government to prioritize public interest by restructuring the fare committees to include representatives from passenger and consumer groups, following international consumer rights laws, and to ensure fair fare adjustments that protect passenger welfare.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited the Alikadam cantonment under the Bandarban region last Saturday and formally inaugurated the newly established Army Hill and Jungle Warfare School. The visit and inauguration were confirmed in a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) on Sunday.

The training institution has been set up to enhance the army’s specialized capabilities for conducting professional operations in both plain and difficult hilly or jungle-covered areas. Through this facility, army personnel will receive specialized training to strengthen their physical fitness, mental resilience, and tactical skills for effective performance in challenging and risky environments.

Senior military officials, including the General Officer Commanding of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Engineer-in-Chief, the Adjutant General, and the General Officer Commanding of the 24th Infantry Division and Area Commander of Chattogram Area, were present during the visit.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that more than 150 Hezbollah members were killed within 24 hours before a ceasefire agreement came into effect. In a post on Telegram, the IDF stated that the attacks were carried out across Lebanon targeting various military sites. According to the statement, around 300 military installations, including command centers and weapons depots, were struck during the operation.

The IDF also claimed that several Hezbollah commanders were among those killed in the strikes. Meanwhile, during the ceasefire period, two Israeli soldiers were reported killed in southern Lebanon over the past two days. The IDF confirmed that this brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the conflict began to 15.

The report, citing the BBC, did not provide independent verification of the Israeli claims or details about Hezbollah’s response to the attacks.

A college student was killed and at least 30 others injured in a violent clash between two groups over possession of government land in Begumpur village of Nabiganj upazila, Habiganj, on Sunday morning. The deceased, Manjur Mia, 23, was a first-year BA student at Nabiganj Government Degree College and son of Khalilur Rahman. Police said the situation was brought under control and the body was sent to the morgue.

According to local sources, Khalilur Rahman had long been living on the government land, which another group led by Helal Mia and Moniruzzaman attempted to seize. The longstanding dispute escalated when Helal and Moniruzzaman’s men allegedly tried to occupy the land with weapons, triggering the clash. Manjur and about 20 others were injured, and he was declared dead at Nabiganj Upazila Health Complex.

Police have deployed additional forces in the area and launched an operation to arrest those involved. The investigation officer confirmed that the situation remains under control.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran will not withdraw its decision to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed if the United States continues its naval blockade. He mentioned that the ongoing talks between the two sides are stuck on only a few issues, though he did not specify what those issues are or how significant they might be.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump expressed optimism about ending the conflict, saying that the discussions between the two sides have gone well and that he believes an agreement will be reached. However, just hours before his remarks, reports emerged that a ship in the Strait of Hormuz had come under fire from Iranian gunboats.

The situation highlights the fragile state of negotiations and the persistent tension in the region, with both sides maintaining firm positions despite diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has called for transforming the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) into a truly representative, effective, and non-political organization for the country’s business community. He made the remarks on Sunday, April 19, during a meeting with business leaders at the Ministry of Commerce conference room.

The minister emphasized that FBCCI must play a stronger and more active role in protecting business interests and presenting their demands to the government. He said the organization should exert constructive pressure when necessary to secure policy support but must not be used for political purposes. Muktadir added that FBCCI should serve as a collective platform for all entrepreneurs and act as a supportive force to the ministry by providing practical policy input.

He assured business leaders of the government’s commitment to a business-friendly environment and announced that the new import policy is in its final stage. Separate committees will also be formed with business representatives to simplify services in the textile, jute, industry, and commerce ministries.

The Malacca Strait, one of the world’s most vital maritime routes linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, has reemerged as a focal point of global attention amid geopolitical tensions. The renewed concern follows a US proposal seeking broader permission to operate military aircraft over Indonesian airspace after a recent defense agreement. Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed the proposal remains under consideration. Experts warn that such moves could reshape regional stability and influence global trade dynamics.

Researchers note that the Malacca Strait handles nearly one-third of global trade, including 29 percent of seaborne oil and large volumes of liquefied natural gas, electronics, and vehicles. The area also faces persistent threats from piracy and natural disasters. Analysts emphasize that while immediate disruptions to shipping are unlikely, long-term risks could emerge if major powers such as China perceive expanded US presence as a strategic challenge.

The so-called “Malacca Dilemma” underscores China’s heavy reliance on this route for energy imports and trade. Experts suggest that instead of reducing dependence, China is focusing on managing and expanding its influence across the South China Sea and adjacent maritime corridors.

A large-scale measles vaccination campaign has begun in Chandpur, aiming to immunize 321,000 children aged six months to five years. The program will continue until April 25, with an official inauguration scheduled at 10 a.m. on Monday at the District Collectorate School by Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, Member of Parliament for Chandpur Sadar.

Ahead of the campaign, a press conference was held at the Chandpur Press Club, where Dr. Md. Rafiqul Hasan Faisal, the Upazila Family Planning Officer, explained the symptoms and transmission risks of measles. He emphasized that the virus spreads rapidly and poses serious danger to young children, urging parents to ensure timely vaccination. To support the effort, 2,424 vaccination centers have been set up across the district, staffed by 313 teams.

Local journalists, including the president and former leaders of the Chandpur Press Club, attended the briefing and shared their views and suggestions regarding the campaign’s implementation.

Two sections of the Jamuna Riverbank protection area in Kazipur, Sirajganj, collapsed into the river on Friday night during the dry season. Locals blamed the erosion on illegal sand extraction using dredger machines in several nearby areas, including Kazipur Eco Park, Palashpur Ghat, Meghai Ghat, and Dhekuriya. The sudden collapse has caused widespread concern among residents living near the river.

According to the Water Development Board, the western bank protection work was completed in 2014 using stone blocks and sandbags. The recent collapse has raised fears of further damage to Meghai embankment, croplands, and nearby structures. Locals reported that around 40 sand points in Kazipur are now controlled by political groups, with large-scale sand trading continuing daily despite the absence of legal leases.

Officials from the Water Development Board and the Upazila administration stated that sandbags are being placed at the collapsed sites and that actions are being taken against illegal sand extraction. They assured that monitoring is ongoing and that no one will be allowed to extract sand in ways that damage the embankment.

Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission announced it is investigating the deaths of 12 civilians, including women and children, during a military operation in the restive Papua region. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Kemburu village, Central Papua, where the armed forces conducted what they described as a law enforcement operation against the TPNPB-OPM rebel group. Several others were also reported injured.

Commission chief Anis Hidayah told AFP that there is strong suspicion Indonesian soldiers were responsible. The military has not commented on the matter. Local media cited the army’s Habema Task Force as saying its troops killed four members of the separatist movement in a clash and were separately investigating the fatal shooting of a child in another village.

Komnas HAM, which operates independently within Indonesia’s state structure, stated that civilian casualties in any operation are unacceptable and constitute violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The commission urged all sides to exercise restraint and called on the military to reconsider its operations against Papuan insurgents.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku has called for increased foreign investment to enhance development and production in Bangladesh’s fisheries and livestock sector. He made the appeal on Sunday during a courtesy meeting with Shibli Alam, the Civic Mayor of Tameside Council in Manchester, England, at his office in Dhaka.

During the meeting, the state minister highlighted the longstanding partnership and mutual understanding between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. He urged British investors to expand their investments in Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral relations. Mayor Shibli Alam raised several issues faced by businesspeople investing in Bangladesh, and the minister assured that existing problems would be resolved promptly.

Both sides discussed organizing a joint working group meeting to expand economic and trade relations between the two countries. The minister expressed optimism that through joint initiatives and coordinated efforts, Bangladesh and the UK would elevate their investment and trade cooperation to new heights.

The Imam-Ulama Council has initiated a plan to establish an Islamic University (Jamia) on abandoned land valued at Tk 500 crore in the suburban area of Gaibandha. On April 16, the council submitted an application to the district commissioner seeking allocation of 20 bighas of recovered land from a 60-bigha abandoned plot in Gobindpur mouza under Gaibandha Sadar police station. The proposed university will operate under the supervision of the Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasa Education Board and focus on higher studies in Hadith, Islamic law, and Tafsir.

According to the application, the project also includes plans for skill development training, a drug rehabilitation center, a large Eidgah ground, a Tablighi center, and other religious and social facilities. Hundreds of local worshippers signed a public petition supporting the initiative, which was formally submitted to the district administration. The district commissioner reportedly welcomed the proposal and assured necessary administrative action after field verification.

The land in question has remained unutilized for 17 years despite previous administrative investigations and media reports since 2009. The council now seeks official allocation to develop the proposed Islamic University and associated institutions.