The authorities have decided to reinstate the 'silent expel' system in this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations to strengthen discipline and transparency. According to the recently issued examination management policy, a candidate may be silently expelled for violating rules or using unfair means even without being caught in the act. In such cases, the student will not be immediately aware of the expulsion, but their answer script will later be considered canceled.

The policy defines silent expulsion as a measure applicable when a candidate talks, turns their head, looks at another’s paper, or behaves suspiciously during the exam. Invigilators must record the incident in a confidential form and submit the reported answer script separately in a red-marked packet to the exam controller’s office. The reasons for silent expulsion must be detailed in the observer’s report.

The policy further states that silently expelled students may continue to sit for subsequent exams, but their answer scripts must be submitted separately with attached reports. Education board officials believe this method will help maintain order and curb malpractice in public examinations.

At least 14 people were killed in a new wave of Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, local authorities reported on Thursday. The strikes occurred overnight, hitting multiple regions including the capital Kyiv and the southern port city of Odesa. In Odesa, seven people were killed, while four died in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old child. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the casualties and said explosions caused fires in buildings and vehicles. In Dnipropetrovsk, three more deaths were reported. The attacks also left at least 45 people injured in Kyiv.

The assault came shortly after a 32-hour Orthodox Easter ceasefire ended, during which both sides accused each other of violations. Ukrainian officials said a drone directly struck an 18-story apartment building in Kyiv, while rescue teams pulled a child from the rubble in the Podilskyi district. Meanwhile, Russian officials reported that two children were killed in Ukraine’s retaliatory overnight strike on Russia’s Krasnodar region.

Authorities in Kyiv issued missile alerts and urged residents to remain in shelters until the all-clear was given.

Bangladesh’s Law Minister Asaduzzaman informed the National Parliament that as of December 31, 2025, a total of 4,041,924 cases remain pending in the country’s subordinate courts. He presented the data during a parliamentary question session chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal. The minister said the government is committed to easing public suffering and reducing case backlogs by expanding judicial capacity.

To address the backlog, 871 new courts and 232 judgeships have been created, with 304 more judicial positions under process. Recruitment of 150 civil judges is ongoing, and 708 judicial staff have been recommended for appointment to fill vacant posts. Additionally, 553 more staff are being recruited. The minister also reported that 467 judges received professional training in 2025, and 93 more have been trained so far in 2026.

Asaduzzaman added that the current government aims to ensure judicial appointments based on integrity and competence rather than political loyalty, marking a departure from previous practices. The Law Commission is also reviewing outdated British and Pakistani-era laws for necessary reform.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a constitutional amendment to expand the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats, making it the world’s largest democratically elected lower house. The plan also includes reserving one-third of the seats for women. Three draft bills were introduced to parliament on Tuesday, and a special session was scheduled to begin on April 16 to discuss them. Modi said stronger female voices in the legislature would strengthen democracy.

Women’s rights leader Ranjana Kumari welcomed the move as long overdue, noting that women currently hold only 13 percent of seats. However, critics argue that the redistricting would benefit Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by increasing representation in northern states where it dominates, while reducing seats in opposition-controlled southern states. Opposition leaders said they support women’s quotas but oppose the seat redistribution.

The amendment requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The government aims to implement the women’s reservation law before the 2029 general election using 2011 census data, though opposition figures warn that the delimitation could unfairly shift political power among states.

The Bangladesh Bar Council has temporarily suspended the lawyer certificate of Md. Masdar Hossain. The decision was taken unanimously at a council meeting held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, according to an official press release. The council also decided to seek an explanation from Hossain within 15 days regarding why his certificate should not be permanently revoked.

The Bar Council stated that the decision followed a report published on April 12 in a daily newspaper concerning allegations against Hossain. After reviewing the report and considering the preliminary evidence and questions of professional ethics, the council concluded that there were sufficient grounds to take initial action against him.

Until Hossain submits his explanation and the council reaches a final decision, his lawyer certificate will remain temporarily suspended.

Authorities in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj have reclaimed government land worth around Tk 4 crore from illegal occupation near Khilakanda area of Togar Haor. The eviction drive was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sanjay Ghosh on Wednesday afternoon, who ordered the occupants to vacate the land immediately and marked the area with red flags.

According to local sources, about two years ago, at least 11 residents of Chakiya Chapur village, including Khurshed Alam Bhuiyan, had submitted an application to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer demanding removal of illegal occupiers. The operation had been delayed for various reasons. Bhuiyan said 20–30 influential individuals had occupied the land and damaged natural resources by cutting trees from the Hijolbagan area. Locals expressed satisfaction with the administration’s action.

Assistant Commissioner Ghosh stated that this was the largest land recovery operation of its kind in the area and that similar drives against illegal occupation would continue.

Top leaders of the Eleven-Party Alliance held a meeting in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area on Thursday to determine the next phase of their ongoing political movement. The meeting began at 11 a.m. at the Al-Falah auditorium and concluded around 12:45 p.m. A press briefing was scheduled to follow at the same venue.

Participants included opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, National Citizens Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam, LDP chairman Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, among other senior alliance figures. The gathering focused on setting new programs following a series of recent nationwide activities.

Earlier, from April 9 to 15, the alliance conducted a week-long campaign across the country demanding implementation of the referendum verdict. Their activities included leaflet distribution, public outreach, demonstrations in all metropolitan and district areas, and a national seminar in Dhaka.

Starbucks announced Wednesday the launch of a beta app within ChatGPT designed to help customers discover new drink options. Users can enable the Starbucks app through ChatGPT’s app directory and interact with it by including “@Starbucks” in their prompts. The tool allows customization and location selection, but final orders must still be completed through the Starbucks app or website, maintaining integration with the company’s loyalty program. Paul Riedel, senior vice president of digital and loyalty, said the initiative aims to meet customers at their moment of inspiration rather than starting from a menu.

The move is part of Starbucks’ broader “Back to Starbucks” turnaround strategy to attract U.S. customers back to its cafes. The company has reintroduced seating, streamlined its menu, and added new loyalty tiers. It has also promoted drink discovery through its mobile app’s trending beverage and secret menu features, targeting Gen Z consumers who favor unique beverages.

This beta app marks Starbucks’ continued use of generative AI and collaboration with OpenAI, following its earlier Green Dot Assist tool for baristas. Other major retailers like Walmart, Etsy, and Booking.com are also experimenting with ChatGPT integrations to enhance shopping experiences.

House Democrats have submitted articles of impeachment against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of treason and multiple high crimes. The proposal, introduced in the House of Representatives last Wednesday, cites six specific charges, including launching an attack on Iran without congressional approval and ordering deadly strikes on civilian vessels under the guise of anti-smuggling operations. The impeachment motion references a March airstrike on an Iranian school that reportedly killed at least 175 people, including many children, according to The New York Times.

Arizona Democrat Yasamin Ansari and Representative John Larson are leading the effort, alleging that Hegseth violated laws intended to minimize civilian harm during armed conflict. The motion also accuses him of endangering national security by leaking classified information about planned attacks on Yemen’s Houthi rebels through a Signal group chat that allegedly included Vice President JD Vance and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Additional allegations include concealing civilian casualty data, attempting to punish Senator Mark Kelly, and removing transgender personnel from the military.

Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson dismissed the accusations as a publicity stunt, telling Axios that it was an attempt to distract the American public. Analysts note that with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the impeachment proposal is unlikely to pass.

Frequent power outages have severely disrupted daily life in Khulna, where residents are struggling with extreme heat and repeated electricity cuts. The outages, occurring both day and night, have made it difficult for people to sleep and carry out daily activities. Children, the elderly, and the sick are suffering the most, while businesses are also facing operational challenges due to unannounced power interruptions.

Local residents have accused the electricity distribution authorities of failing to take effective measures to stabilize the situation. However, officials from the West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDCO) stated that the outages are temporary and caused by a shortfall in power generation compared to demand. On April 16, Khulna’s electricity demand reached 653 megawatts, while supply stood at 550 megawatts, resulting in a 103-megawatt shortfall. The previous day, the deficit was even higher at various times.

Affected residents have urged authorities to take urgent steps to ensure stable electricity supply and reduce load-shedding during the ongoing heatwave.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has questioned Zahidur Rahim Jowardar, CEO of Communication Technology Limited, over allegations of corruption in the installation of the national parliament’s sound system. The interrogation took place on Thursday morning, April 16, 2026, at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. A team led by Assistant Director Probir Das conducted the questioning regarding various irregularities.

According to the report, major irregularities occurred in the sound system installation carried out in 2018 during the Awami League government. Allegations of corruption also surfaced during subsequent renovation work under the interim government, prompting the ACC to launch an investigation in January. Communication Technology Limited was responsible for the 2018 installation project.

The company faces accusations of embezzling and laundering hundreds of crores of taka. The ACC’s ongoing inquiry aims to determine the extent of financial misconduct and identify those responsible.

A nurse named Marufa Akter, aged 27, was seriously injured after her husband allegedly cut the tendons of her hands and legs in Madan municipality of Netrakona on Thursday morning. The incident occurred at their rented home on Baribhadera Road. Marufa, a senior staff nurse at Madan Upazila Health Complex, was first taken to the local health complex and later transferred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Police have detained her husband, Ariful Islam, in connection with the attack.

According to police and hospital sources, Ariful is from Ghatail in Tangail, while Marufa hails from Madanpur in Netrakona Sadar. The couple married about ten years ago and have a seven-year-old daughter. Reports indicate they often quarreled, and the assault followed another dispute. Ariful told reporters he attacked his wife out of frustration, claiming she had been mistreating him.

Madan Upazila Health Officer Nurul Huda Khan confirmed Marufa’s transfer for treatment and said the matter has been reported to higher authorities. Police stated that further legal action will follow after receiving a written complaint from the victim’s side.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has arrested four individuals in the northern province of Gilan on allegations of having connections with Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. According to Iranian state media reports on April 16, 2026, the detainees were identified as agents and were taken into custody following operations by the IRGC’s intelligence division.

The official news agency IRNA reported that the accused allegedly transmitted images and locations of key Iranian military and security installations to Mossad officials via the internet during wartime. The arrests were part of ongoing intelligence efforts by Iranian authorities to counter foreign espionage activities.

No further details were provided about the identities of the detainees or the specific nature of the alleged espionage activities, and Iranian authorities have not released additional statements regarding the case.

A mobile court in Chuadanga Sadar upazila discovered 1,000 liters of illegally stored diesel at the home of a Union Parishad member in Amirpur village under Mominpur Union. The operation, conducted on Wednesday evening, led to the sentencing of Shahinur Islam to 15 days of imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 taka under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. The seized diesel, valued at around 100,000 taka, was found in five barrels.

Authorities stated that Shahinur Islam admitted to selling fuel at prices higher than the government rate. During the operation, several individuals attempted to obstruct the mobile court’s activities and approached with intent to attack but fled the scene. A regular case is being processed against them. The confiscated diesel will be sold to consumers at the government-fixed price.

As the convicted individual is a Union Parishad member, administrative action under local government laws is also being processed. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md. Aminul Islam, with support from the Sadar police team.

Pope Leo XIV has taken a bold stand against what he described as the bullying and warlike behavior of U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Catholic leader of 1.4 billion followers declared that he is not afraid of the Trump administration’s threats or displays of power. Without naming Trump directly, he condemned the growing obsession with dominance and aggression, saying that the God of peace does not listen to those whose hands are stained with blood.

Reports indicate that Washington issued a veiled warning following the Pope’s remarks. During a meeting with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the U.S. envoy to the Vatican, a senior Pentagon official reportedly asserted that Washington has the military capability to act as it wishes and suggested the Church should align with its position. Despite this, Pope Leo remained firm, stating that his mission is to spread the Gospel and that he fears no government.

Analysts noted that while many global leaders have chosen compromise to avoid Trump’s anger, Pope Leo XIV’s moral clarity and courage have set a rare example of principled leadership.