The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) have signed a memorandum of understanding to simplify and accelerate banking services for investors. The agreement was confirmed on April 23, 2026, through a press release. Under this initiative, UCB’s services will be integrated into BIDA’s online One Stop Service (OSS) portal, aiming to make financial and administrative processes for foreign investors in Bangladesh faster, easier, and more transparent.

The signing ceremony took place at BIDA’s headquarters, where BIDA Director General Jiban Krishna Saha and UCB Additional Managing Director Adnan Masud signed the memorandum on behalf of their respective organizations. The event was chaired by BIDA Executive Member Air Commodore Md. Shaharul Huda and attended by senior officials from Bangladesh Bank and UCB.

BIDA’s OSS portal currently offers over 50 services, including company registration, utility connections, and import approvals. With UCB’s integration, investors will now be able to access direct banking services and documentation support through the same platform.

The United States Navy has seized an Iranian oil-carrying vessel identified as the 'M/T Majestic X' in the Indian Ocean. The operation took place on Wednesday night, when US forces boarded and took control of the ship. The US Department of War confirmed the seizure in a statement posted on social media platform X, describing the vessel as 'stateless' and operating under the jurisdiction of the US Indo-Pacific Command.

According to the statement, the ship was transporting Iranian oil in violation of US sanctions. The department said the action was part of efforts to disrupt illegal maritime networks and prevent material support to Iran. It emphasized that no sanctioned entity would be allowed to use international waters as a shield.

The seizure was described as part of the broader enforcement of strict sanctions imposed on Iran. The US also pledged to continue global operations aimed at curbing unlawful maritime activities and protecting freedom of navigation.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has called for peaceful and successful implementation of the 11-party alliance’s previously announced mass rallies to be held on Saturday, April 25, in all major cities except Dhaka. In a statement issued on Thursday, he said the rallies aim to press for the implementation of the referendum verdict, resolution of the energy crisis, control of rising commodity prices, and solutions to various public hardships.

Porwar stated that the country is going through a deep crisis and that citizens voted ‘yes’ in the referendum with high expectations. He emphasized that implementing the referendum’s outcome is the government’s main responsibility. According to him, the movement is not for any particular group but for restoring democratic rights and building a just society.

He urged Jamaat members, alliance activists, and patriotic citizens to ensure the rallies are orderly and peaceful. Porwar also prayed for national peace and prosperity and sought cooperation from all to maintain discipline during the program.

Motorcyclists in Saidpur, Nilphamari, blocked the Rangpur-Dinajpur highway on Thursday afternoon to protest a severe fuel shortage. The demonstration took place in front of the Iku Filling Station after riders were unable to buy fuel without official fuel cards. Many said they had not yet received their cards despite applying long ago, leaving them unable to work and facing daily hardship.

Participants emphasized that the protest was not politically motivated but driven by frustration over the fuel supply disruption. They warned of tougher actions if the situation did not improve soon. The blockade caused heavy traffic congestion on both sides of the highway, stranding long-distance buses, trucks, and other vehicles, and leaving passengers delayed and distressed.

According to the filling station owner, fuel sales had been restricted under written instructions from the local administration. Officials later arrived at the scene and temporarily allowed sales without cards to ease the situation, after which the motorcyclists lifted the blockade.

Two rival teenage gangs clashed violently in Tongi’s East Arichpur Bou Bazar area of Gazipur early Wednesday, engaging in several rounds of blank gunfire and detonating around 20 to 25 crude bombs. The confrontation, which took place between 3:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., stemmed from disputes over territorial dominance, drug trade control, and gang leadership.

Residents reported that the conflict involved groups led by Ariful Islam Rappi, also known as Pistol Bappi, and Sabuj, known as Vadaimma Sabuj. Both sides, comprising about 40 to 50 teenage members armed with firearms, machetes, samurai swords, hockey sticks, and iron rods, chased and attacked each other, spreading panic across several nearby neighborhoods including Rupbaner Tek, Tongi Rail Bridge, and Mirashpara.

According to Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mehedi Hasan, police were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the violence. He said the incident is under investigation and that appropriate action will be taken following the inquiry.

The administration of Chittagong Government City College has formed a three-member investigation committee following repeated clashes between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir over a dispute involving the word 'Gupta'. The committee was established on Thursday, confirmed by Principal Abu Saleh Mohammad Naeem Uddin around 3 p.m. He declined to disclose the names of the committee members citing security reasons. The principal stated that the situation during the incident was serious and that the committee will determine who was involved and recommend disciplinary action as per regulations.

The clashes began on Wednesday morning, April 21, when tensions between the two student groups escalated on the college campus. By noon, the situation turned violent, leading to an hour-long chase, brick-throwing, and widespread panic. Police and college authorities intervened to restore order, but violence resumed later in the afternoon during a protest by Chhatra Shibir. Both groups claimed that at least 20 people were injured in the confrontations.

The investigation committee is expected to review the events and identify those responsible for the unrest within the college premises.

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical cooperation expert mission began operations in Bangladesh on 19 April 2026 to assist in implementing the IAEA Water Availability Enhancement Approach (I-WAVE). The two-member team, comprising Dr. Melanie Vital of the IAEA and Professor Frederic Huneau of the University of Corsica Pascal Paoli, aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s national capacity for sustainable water resource management through isotope hydrology techniques. The mission is scheduled to conclude on 23 April 2026.

During the visit, the experts inspected the Isotope Hydrology Division (IHD) laboratory at the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology in Savar and noted shortages in analytical facilities and manpower. They emphasized the need to enhance isotopic analysis capabilities through IAEA technical cooperation and government-funded projects. On 20 April, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) hosted a national stakeholder workshop to promote understanding of isotope-based nuclear technology for water resource assessment and to identify priority areas for future collaboration.

Government and BAEC officials reaffirmed their commitment to integrating isotope hydrology with conventional methods to improve national water planning and to support the Sustainable Development Goals.

A local BNP leader in Comilla’s Brahmanpara upazila has been expelled from the party after being arrested with 600 yaba tablets. The expulsion was confirmed on Thursday through a press release by Hedayetullah Sardar, office secretary of the Brahmanpara upazila BNP. The arrested leader, identified as Sona Mia alias Ismail, served as the publicity secretary of the Brahmanpara Sadar Union BNP.

Police said the arrest took place on Wednesday afternoon following a tip-off. A team led by Officer-in-Charge Md Faruk Hossain raided Sona Mia’s residence in Dhanyadaul village and recovered the yaba tablets. He was subsequently detained and charged under the Narcotics Control Act before being sent to court.

Brahmanpara upazila BNP joint general secretary Nazrul Islam stated that the party had no prior knowledge of Sona Mia’s involvement in drug trade and reaffirmed that drug dealers have no place in the BNP. Police said special drives against narcotics will continue in the area.

A man allegedly killed his seven-month-old son by drowning him in a pond in the Manikdi Purbo Kanda area of Gajaria Union under Bhairab upazila in Kishoreganj. The accused, identified as 24-year-old Meraj Mia, reportedly threw his son Tanvir, also known as Mojahid, into the water. Police recovered the child’s partially decomposed body on Thursday afternoon after being informed by locals. Meraj and his mother, Rabeya Begum, have been missing since the incident, according to Bhairab Police Station Sub-Inspector Rafiqul Islam.

Local and police sources said Meraj, son of the late Felu Mia, married Taslima Begum three years ago. The couple had a son seven months ago. Meraj was known to be drug-addicted and often quarreled with his family over money for drugs. After being expelled from his home, he lived with his in-laws. About a week ago, the child’s grandmother took the baby away, claiming she would take him to a doctor. Three days later, Meraj told relatives he had sold the child. Police later pressured him to return the baby, and he admitted to throwing the child into a pond.

Police are continuing efforts to locate and arrest Meraj and his mother.

In Gaza, displaced families living in makeshift tents near piles of rubble are facing a new fear—an invasion of large rats. Samah al-Dabla, who lives with her two young children in a temporary tent, said the rodents have become increasingly aggressive despite her efforts to keep the area clean. She believes the rats have grown more violent after feeding on bodies trapped under the debris.

According to the report, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. The presence of decomposing bodies beneath the ruins has intensified the rat infestation and heightened the risk of disease outbreaks in Gaza City. Thousands of displaced families like Samah’s are now struggling with this additional health hazard alongside the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The growing infestation underscores the severe public health challenges emerging from the prolonged destruction and lack of sanitation in Gaza’s war-torn areas.

A severe fuel shortage has disrupted livelihoods in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, where residents queued for hours under the sun to collect petrol. On Thursday morning, at the Munshiganj Demla filling station, a woman named Bithika Rani Baidya was seen waiting in line to collect fuel for her son’s motorcycle. Her son, Sagar Baidya, a motorcycle driver, has been unable to work due to the shortage and has temporarily taken up agricultural labor. After five days of closure, the station resumed limited fuel distribution under the supervision of the upazila administration.

The shortage followed unrest in Burigoalini union, where a dispute over fuel distribution led to clashes between political figures and station staff. Local sources said over two thousand motorcycles in Munshiganj union have been affected, leaving many drivers jobless and families under financial strain. Allegations have surfaced that influential individuals are receiving fuel outside official rules, sparking public frustration.

Union officials stated that coordinated efforts between local leaders and the council have restarted distribution, and fair allocation could help stabilize the situation soon.

The government has cancelled all fertilizer dealers who were appointed during the previous Awami regime, described as a fascist period by officials. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni announced the decision at a press conference in the Parliament lobby on Thursday, stating that new dealers will be appointed very soon to replace those removed.

In the same briefing, Moni said a ten-member committee has been formed to address the country’s ongoing energy crisis. The committee will include five members from the ruling party and five from the opposition, and will be led by Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. The proposal for the committee was supported by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following a suggestion from the opposition leader.

The proposal was unanimously passed in Parliament, signaling a rare moment of cross-party consensus on tackling the energy issue.

Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) has issued a recruitment notice to fill vacant positions across 16 categories, offering a total of 71 posts on both permanent and contractual bases. The announcement was published on April 23, 2026. Interested and qualified candidates can apply online through the designated website. The application process begins on April 27, 2026, at 9 a.m. and will close on May 18, 2026, at 5 p.m.

The permanent positions include roles such as auditor, accounts assistant, receptionist, medical assistant (male and female), surveyor, plant operator, senior technician, electrician, transport supervisor, PC operator (courier), mechanic, junior transport supervisor, and junior technician. Contractual positions include imam and muezzin posts. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age as of May 27, 2026, with a relaxation up to 32 years for children of freedom fighters and persons with disabilities.

Application fees ranging from 223 to 335 taka, depending on the position, must be paid via SMS through Teletalk prepaid SIM. Candidates are required to upload a scanned photo and signature during the online application process.

Newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Minhajur Rahman stated that there is no fuel crisis in Sunamganj district. He made the remarks on Thursday morning during a meeting with local journalists. The DC emphasized that the administration is giving top priority to maintaining agricultural activities and urged everyone to work together to protect farmers’ interests. He confirmed that no information indicating a fuel shortage has reached his office and that no such situation has arisen in the district.

Regarding crop protection embankments, the DC said he had been aware of the issue before taking office and has been maintaining regular communication with all concerned parties since his appointment. He recently visited Shantiganj upazila to inspect embankments, reviewed progress with officials and locals, and oversaw repair work on a damaged section. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to standing by farmers at all times.

Several additional deputy commissioners were present during the meeting, including those responsible for revenue, education and ICT, overall administration, and local government.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued new instructions for secondary school heads to assist in the 'Notun Kuri Sports' April 2026 program. A notice signed by Professor Md. Shahidul Islam, Deputy Director (Physical Education), was published on the DSHE website on Thursday. According to the notice, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the program on May 2 at 3 p.m. at the Sylhet District Stadium, marking the nationwide start of the initiative.

The notice outlines six specific steps for school heads to implement. These include encouraging students aged 12 to 14 to register online or on-site, informing students and teachers during class time, posting notices on school boards, displaying approved banners at school gates, promoting the event on social media, and publicizing it on school websites.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to promote sports development across Bangladesh, aiming to engage young students in organized athletic activities.