The International Monetary Fund has lowered its global growth forecast for 2026 from 3.3 to 3.1 percent, citing the economic fallout from the United States-Israeli war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has disrupted vital energy exports and damaged Gulf infrastructure, while a prolonged war could push global growth down to 2.5 percent. Low-income and developing nations are expected to suffer most from rising energy and commodity prices, and global shipping faces additional strain.

Despite the downturn, several industries are thriving amid the turmoil. Wall Street banks such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan Chase reported double-digit profit increases in early 2026, driven by heavy trading activity. The crypto-based prediction platform Polymarket has also surged, earning millions in daily fees from users betting on geopolitical outcomes. Meanwhile, global defence firms are benefiting from rising military spending, and the AI sector remains resilient, with Taiwan’s chip exports and TSMC’s profits reaching record highs.

The war has also accelerated the global shift toward renewable energy. Governments across Asia are implementing emergency measures and new incentives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, driving a 70.92 percent annual rise in the S&P Global Clean Energy Transition Index.

Several residents of Shahrasti upazila in Chandpur have accused Abdus Sattar, general secretary of the BNP’s Raishree Dakshin Union unit and former union parishad chairman, of embezzlement, fraud, and intimidation. The allegations were made at a press conference held at the Shahrasti Press Club on Friday evening, where multiple victims presented written statements detailing their experiences.

Abdul Malek of Bijoypur village claimed Sattar borrowed 200,000 taka from him in 2011, promising repayment within three months after the union election, but never returned the money. Mosharraf Hossain of Nahara village alleged that Sattar and a local Awami League leader took 50,000 taka to resolve a land dispute but later attacked him instead. Widow Shahin Begum said Sattar took 30,000 taka to help recover her inherited property but threatened her when she asked for the money back. Victims said they had filed written complaints with the local MP, BNP leaders, and police but received no visible remedy.

Records show Sattar was temporarily suspended as union chairman in April 2016 under the Local Government Act for proven corruption and embezzlement. His response to the new allegations was not available.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued two fishermen and arrested an armed member of a notorious gang during two separate operations in the Sundarbans. The operations were part of ongoing efforts to eliminate forest bandit groups under the directives of the Home Minister. The rescues took place after the fishermen were abducted by the Boro Jahangir gang near Joymonighol area on April 15, while the arrest occurred in a separate raid on April 17.

According to Coast Guard officials, the fishermen were held for ransom and tortured before being rescued alive from a fishing boat during an operation near Murti Khal in Mongla. In another operation at Hogoldora Khal in Shyamnagar, a member of the Doyal gang named Tarikul Islam, aged 35, was captured with two single-barrel guns and nine rounds of ammunition. He is a resident of Koyra in Khulna and allegedly involved in multiple robberies.

The Coast Guard stated that legal action against the detainee is underway and the rescued fishermen are being returned to their families. Authorities affirmed that similar operations will continue until the Sundarbans are completely free of bandit activity.

Residents of Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar held a human chain protest on Friday demanding the arrest and punishment of human traffickers after a trawler carrying migrants to Malaysia sank near the Andaman Islands. The demonstration took place at Panirchhara Robi Bazar in Hoanak Union, organized by the local sports and social group Panirchhara Brothers Union. Families of the missing and deceased, along with local citizens, joined the protest calling for justice.

Speakers at the event alleged that a trafficking network led by a local man named Ali Hossain had been luring people with false promises of better lives abroad, pushing them toward deadly journeys by sea. They said the same pattern of deaths was occurring on routes to both Libya and Malaysia. One grieving mother broke down in tears, demanding justice for her son who was deceived into boarding the ill-fated trawler.

According to local reports, at least fifty young men from various unions of Maheshkhali remain missing following the recent trawler sinking near the Andaman Islands.

Member of Parliament Advocate Zainul Abedin for Barishal-3 (Babuganj-Muladi) stated that the government is taking various initiatives, including infrastructural development, to ensure modern and relevant education for the current generation of girls. He made the remarks on Friday while inaugurating a newly constructed academic building and attending the annual sports and cultural competition at Rahmatpur Secondary Girls’ School in Babuganj.

The event was presided over by Babuganj Upazila Executive Officer Asma Ul Husna. During his speech, Abedin also acknowledged former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s contributions to promoting women’s education. He announced that the road in front of the school would be carpeted soon and that a boundary wall would be built around the institution in response to students’ requests.

Following the inauguration, day-long sports and cultural competitions were held, and prizes were distributed among the winners.

Police in Bakerganj, Barishal, have arrested a fugitive who had been sentenced to ten years in prison in a drug-related case. The detainee, identified as Arifur Rahman Babu, aged 35, is the son of Motaleb Hawlader from Badalpara village. He was apprehended on Friday afternoon from his home in Badalpara under Charamaddi Union.

According to Bakerganj police sources, the court had sentenced Babu to ten years of rigorous imprisonment in 2025 after finding him guilty in a narcotics case. Following the verdict, he had been on the run. Acting on a tip-off, a police team from Bakerganj Police Station conducted an operation and arrested him. He has since been sent to jail through the court.

The arrest concludes a year-long search for the convict and reinforces local law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to execute pending court verdicts in drug-related offenses.

Bangladesh Labor Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran has accused the government of hiding the severity of the country’s ongoing fuel crisis. Speaking on Friday evening at a workers’ meeting in Demra, Dhaka, he said the government is deceiving the public while fuel shortages at pumps are causing severe hardship. He alleged that despite the crisis, authorities have taken no effective measures to address the situation.

Dr. Iran stated that members of parliament and ministers are refusing to acknowledge the crisis in the National Parliament, even though fuel is unavailable at pumps. He added that the shutdown of the country’s only refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited, due to a shortage of crude oil, has worsened the situation and disrupted fuel supply nationwide. He urged the government to take immediate and visible steps to resolve the crisis and present the real situation to the public.

The meeting, chaired by Dhaka-5 constituency candidate Md. Golam Azam, also discussed preparations for the upcoming Dhaka South Labor Party council scheduled for May 15, calling for unity among grassroots leaders and activists.

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.