A severe fuel shortage has gripped Chattogram, mirroring the nationwide crisis triggered by the ongoing war in the Middle East. Many petrol pumps across the city have run dry, forcing drivers to wait in lines stretching up to a kilometer. Some motorists have waited four to five hours without receiving fuel, leading to frustration and occasional scuffles at filling stations. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation reported that Chattogram Division has 383 petrol pumps, with 46 located in the city.

Most city pumps are out of octane, and those still operating are rationing fuel, causing traffic congestion around the stations. Several major pumps, including those in Katalganj, New Para, Baluchhara, and Oxygen areas, remained closed due to lack of supply from depots. Only a few stations, such as QC Petrol Pump in Gani Bakery area, continued limited operations.

Officials and station managers attributed the crisis to reduced depot supply and panic buying by consumers. They warned that unless supply normalizes soon, the situation in Chattogram could deteriorate further, disrupting transportation and goods movement.

Advocate Mohammad Naser, a Jamaat-e-Islami–backed candidate, has been elected unopposed as president of the Banshkhali Lawyers’ Association for the 2026–2027 session. The result was announced on Thursday at the Banshkhali court premises. According to an official notice jointly signed by the election commissioners, Naser became the sole candidate after the nomination of his only rival was canceled, leading to his uncontested victory.

Naser previously served as the general secretary of the association for the 2024–2025 session, where he gained recognition among lawyers for his organizational skills and active participation. The election commission’s notice bore the signatures of Chief Election Commissioner Advocate Dilip Kanti Sushil and Assistant Commissioners Advocate Md. Saifuddin and Advocate Md. Jasim Uddin.

Elections for other posts in the association will be held through direct voting on April 20, with campaigning already underway and local lawyers showing strong enthusiasm for the upcoming polls.

Prime Minister’s adviser on finance and planning, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, said that the current Prime Minister does not believe in rhetorical speeches. Speaking at a meeting on equitable regional development at the Faridpur Deputy Commissioner’s office on Friday, he noted that the Prime Minister announced a 10,000 taka loan waiver for farmers, livestock owners, and fishermen during the first cabinet meeting and introduced a family card within the first month of forming the government.

He stated that equitable regional development is underway, with coordination meetings already held in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions. Titumir criticized the previous government’s economic model for failing to create employment and highlighted rising unemployment, especially among women and graduates. He added that inflation over the past three years has increased hardship and poverty, but the Prime Minister has prioritized public welfare as the top agenda.

During his daylong visit, Titumir inspected industrial and research facilities, including the Zobaida Karim Jute Mill and the River Research Institute, emphasizing stronger roles in production and river management research.

The United Nations has reported that around 900 Rohingya refugees died at sea in 2025, marking the deadliest year on record for the region. The announcement came on Friday following a shipwreck earlier this month that left hundreds missing. UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said in a briefing in Geneva that the deaths occurred in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

According to UNHCR data, over 6,500 Rohingya attempted dangerous sea journeys last year, with one in every seven either missing or dead. Baloch noted that this represents the highest mortality rate among major sea routes used by refugees and migrants worldwide.

Most of the Rohingya begin their journeys from overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where more than one million refugees live after fleeing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The region continues to face intense fighting between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army, worsening conditions for civilians and prompting more to attempt perilous escapes by sea.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described Iran’s decision to fully open the Strait of Hormuz for the remainder of the ceasefire as a “right step.” In a statement cited by BBC, Guterres said that the full restoration of international navigation rights and freedoms in the Strait must be respected by all parties.

The statement added that Guterres hopes this measure, alongside the ongoing ceasefire, will help build trust among the involved parties. He also expressed optimism that it would strengthen the dialogue currently being mediated by Pakistan.

The UN chief’s remarks come amid efforts to maintain stability in the region and ensure the free movement of international maritime traffic through one of the world’s most critical waterways.

A human chain was organized in front of the Narsingdi Press Club on Friday afternoon, following Jumu'ah prayers, demanding the release of Islamic scholars arrested in connection with the July Movement. Local residents and participants from various professions joined the demonstration, calling for justice and the unconditional release of the detained clerics.

Speakers at the event alleged that several scholars, including Maulana Ataur Rahman Bikrampuri, Maulana Ainul Haque Kasemi, and Maulana Abdullah Al Mamun, were arrested without valid cause during the previous government’s tenure. They claimed the charges against them were baseless and urged authorities to ensure fair treatment. Organizers stated that their movement would continue until the detainees are freed.

According to the report, the arrests occurred between 2023 and 2025, with some detainees allegedly re-arrested under special powers even after receiving bail. Participants concluded the protest by pressing the government to secure the immediate release of the scholars.

Social media content creator A M Hasan Nasim was taken from his residence in Dhaka’s Agargaon area by a team of Detective Branch (DB) police on Friday, April 17, shortly after evening prayers. According to DB officials, Nasim is accused of spreading anti-government propaganda and rumors on social media. His family members said police entered their home without a warrant and took him away in front of his young daughter, causing panic in the neighborhood.

Nasim, originally from Patharghata in Barguna, works as a consultant assisting students with overseas education applications and manages a Facebook page called “Patharghata Dot Com,” where he writes about local issues. Relatives believe his outspoken posts on public concerns drew official attention. Family members gathered at the DB office later that night seeking information about him.

DB Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam stated that Nasim is being interrogated at the DB office and that legal procedures are underway, though no formal case had been filed as of late Friday. The incident has sparked strong reactions online, with many users criticizing it as a continuation of warrantless detentions to suppress dissent.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said that BNP leader M Ilias Ali was a dedicated and courageous figure who fought for democracy and free elections in Bangladesh. Speaking on Friday, April 17, 2026, after Jumma prayers at the Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) Dargah Mosque in Sylhet, Annie stated that Ilias Ali might not have been abducted if he had not spoken for the people’s rights. The event was a prayer gathering organized by the Sylhet District BNP, seeking the safe return of the missing leader.

Annie added that the BNP had come to power through the people’s mandate after years of struggle and that Tarique Rahman was now serving as Prime Minister. He mentioned that many BNP activists had been victims of repression and casualties during the July–August movement. Annie also announced that Tarique Rahman would soon visit Sylhet to inaugurate the Bhasia River dredging project and the “Notun Kuri Sports” program at the district stadium.

Sylhet District BNP President Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury and MP Emran Ahmad Chowdhury also spoke, describing Ilias Ali as a symbol of public rights and calling his disappearance a tragic and unresolved issue.

A controversy has erupted in Feni after district council administrator and local BNP leader Professor M A Khalek allegedly received a ‘VIP protocol’ and ‘guard of honor’ from school students. The incident took place on Thursday during the annual sports competition at Motobi Adarsha High School in Feni Sadar upazila. Witnesses said students lined up to welcome him with flowers and red ribbons in a military-style formation, a gesture usually reserved for heads of state or war heroes.

The event drew sharp criticism on social media and among locals, who questioned the appropriateness of using students for such displays. Many argued that even the prime minister does not accept such protocols, calling the practice undesirable and urging an end to it. Professor Khalek said he did not personally request the arrangement, claiming the school authorities acted out of enthusiasm. Acting head teacher Monindra Kumar Nath said the arrangement followed previous practice but did not clarify the official protocol rules.

The school, with 260 students, reportedly spent about 50,000 taka on the event. Locals linked the incident to political influence and excessive flattery within educational institutions.

Three motorcyclists in Daulatdia, Goaland upazila of Rajbari district, were fined by a mobile court for driving without valid licenses while collecting fuel at a local filling station. The inspection, held on Friday morning through noon, was part of a monitoring initiative by the upazila administration to ensure orderly fuel distribution. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Muntasib Hasan Khan led the operation.

During the inspection, officials checked vehicle documents and found that three riders failed to produce valid driving licenses. Each was fined 1,000 taka under Section 66 of the Road Transport Act, 2018, for violating Section 4 of the same law. In default of payment, each would face three days of simple imprisonment. The administration stated that such drives are being conducted regularly to restore discipline on roads and discourage unlicensed driving.

Local residents expressed that regular enforcement could help reduce road accidents and improve compliance with traffic laws.

U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected an offer of assistance from NATO to help ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said NATO had contacted him with a proposal to support operations in the area, but he advised the alliance to stay away. He remarked that NATO could only come if it wanted to refuel its ships and criticized the alliance as a 'paper tiger.'

The rejection follows earlier tensions when several NATO member states declined to join a U.S.-led naval blockade in the same region. Trump’s latest comments highlight the continuing strain between Washington and its traditional allies over security cooperation in the Gulf. He also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar for their courage and cooperation during the crisis.

Trump’s stance toward NATO has sparked renewed debate in international circles about the future of transatlantic defense coordination amid ongoing instability in the Hormuz Strait.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that it is reviewing Bangladesh’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in New Delhi since leaving Dhaka on August 5, 2024. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated at a weekly press briefing in New Delhi on Friday that the request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes, and that India will continue constructive discussions with all concerned parties.

The statement follows Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s visit to India on April 8, during which he met Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Rahman later told reporters that Bangladesh had reiterated its earlier request for Hasina’s return under the existing extradition treaty but declined to disclose further details for strategic reasons. Jaiswal emphasized that both sides agreed to explore proposals to deepen bilateral cooperation and that follow-up meetings between officials are expected soon.

The discussions also covered regional and global issues of mutual interest, reflecting both governments’ intent to strengthen ties under Bangladesh’s new administration.

A senior Iranian military official announced that all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must now obtain permission from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The directive was disclosed in an interview with Iran’s state television. Another Iranian government official told Reuters that commercial vessels, including those flying the U.S. flag, will be allowed passage, but warships or naval vessels from any country will not receive authorization.

Tehran indicated that the move aims to maintain security and control over the strategic waterway, which is vital for global energy trade. The decision comes amid renewed tensions surrounding the strait, drawing international attention to Iran’s assertion of authority over the route.

The statement reinforces Iran’s position that while commercial trade will continue, it will not tolerate foreign military presence in the area, underscoring its firm stance on sovereignty and regional control.

Britain and France have announced a joint international mission aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement after a meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, stating that the mission will begin once conditions are favorable. The initiative is described as peaceful and defensive, focusing on protecting commercial vessels and assisting in mine clearance at sea.

Starmer called on other nations to join the mission, noting that at least a dozen countries have already pledged resources and equipment. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global energy trade, and recent tensions have heightened concerns over maritime security in the area.

According to Starmer, maintaining the safety of this route is a collective responsibility of the international community to protect global trade interests.

Real estate firm Coral Reef Properties has been accused of fraud, forgery, and embezzlement in constructing a 15‑storey building in Chattogram’s Agrabad area, allegedly violating Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) regulations. The company reportedly failed to hand over promised flats to landowners, sold the same units to multiple buyers, and forged signatures to create fake contracts. Police investigations confirmed the landowners’ allegations, while the developer’s counter‑case was found baseless.

The project began in 2012 under a contract with 30 land heirs, requiring completion within three years. Despite CDA approval in 2014, the company delayed construction and withheld compensation owed to owners. Complaints also cite illegal conversion of parking areas into shops and unauthorized hotel‑style modifications. The dispute has escalated into multiple lawsuits and local tensions.

Sources said Coral Reef’s fraudulent activities extended to Cox’s Bazar, where it allegedly deceived thousands of investors through false hotel ownership promises. The company’s offices are now unresponsive, and residents fear potential violent clashes over flat ownership disputes.