The government of Bangladesh has appointed new heads to 15 departments and agencies, along with three authorities, in a large-scale administrative reshuffle. The Ministry of Public Administration issued 15 separate notifications on Sunday, April 26, 2026, assigning additional secretaries to the posts of director general or equivalent positions across various ministries and divisions.

According to the notifications, Md. Jasim Uddin Khan from the Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed Director General of the Directorate General of Food, while Md. Lutfar Rahman from the Ministry of Agriculture will lead the Department of Environment. Other appointments include M M Arif Pasha as Director General of the Department of Agricultural Marketing, Md. Abdullah Al-Mamun as Director General of the National Freedom Fighters Council, and several others to key directorates such as youth development, nursing, and patents.

Additionally, three new chairmen have been appointed to major authorities: Md. Abdul Hai to the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), Md. Shafiqul Islam to the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, and Mohammad Habibur Rahman to the National Housing Authority. The appointed officials have been placed under their respective ministries.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque has congratulated the Bangladesh women's kabaddi team for winning the bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Beach Games. In a congratulatory message issued on April 26, 2026, he extended his greetings to all players, coaches, and officials, describing the achievement as a special moment for the country's sports sector. He praised the team’s determination, especially their fighting spirit in the semifinal match against India.

The minister noted that this was Bangladesh’s first kabaddi medal at the Asian Beach Games since 2012, marking a return to the podium after 14 years. He said the success would significantly boost the confidence of female athletes and inspire further progress in women’s sports. Despite the semifinal loss, he expressed optimism that the team would qualify for the finals in future tournaments.

Aminul Haque reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue supporting women athletes and expressed hope that the team would achieve even greater success on the international stage.

An alleged extortionist named Sagar Hossain, aged 35, was beaten by locals and handed over to police in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred around noon in the Chhoto Hindu Para area of Sabrul village when Sagar and his group reportedly attempted to seize a pond belonging to a local resident named Narendra Nath. Villagers gathered and attacked Sagar while his associates fled the scene.

According to local accounts, Sagar had long been extorting money from residents, and fear of him had forced about ten families to leave their homes. Shahjahanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ashiq Iqbal confirmed that Sagar is a known criminal with previous cases involving murder and illegal weapons. He was injured in the mob beating and taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police are preparing to file a new case against him.

Authorities stated that efforts are underway to eliminate extortion and terrorism in the area with community cooperation.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has decided to organize the ‘BFF National Trial 2026’ to identify talented under-15 footballers across the country. The decision was made at a meeting of the Under-15 National Football League Committee held at the BFF headquarters in Dhaka. According to the federation’s media department, the trial will be conducted under the supervision of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) and will begin on April 27 at the Kamalapur Stadium in the capital.

The eight-day trial will include residential facilities for participating players. Through this program, promising footballers at the under-15 level will be observed and selected for further development. Officials involved believe that the initiative will play an important role in nurturing skilled and talented players for the future national team.

The trial is expected to strengthen the foundation of youth football in Bangladesh by providing structured opportunities for young athletes to showcase their abilities under international development standards.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of engaging in 'nuclear terrorism' during a speech on Sunday marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. According to a report by AFP, Zelensky said that Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine had once again brought the world to the brink of a man-made catastrophe.

Zelensky alleged that Russian drones regularly fly over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and that one drone struck the site’s protective structure last year. He urged the international community not to allow such 'nuclear terrorism' to continue, emphasizing that the best way to stop it would be to compel Russia to end its reckless attacks.

The Chernobyl disaster occurred in 1986 and remains one of the most severe nuclear accidents in history, serving as a grim reminder of the potential dangers of nuclear mishandling.

Police in Rouzan, Chattogram, have arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of Kawsar-uz-Zaman Bablu, 36, who was murdered early on April 25 reportedly over a dispute involving soil and sand trading. The arrests took place in the early hours of Saturday, April 25, in the Purba Rouzan area, according to Officer-in-Charge Sajedul Islam. The detainees were identified as Md. Shafi, 39, and Md. Suman, 33, both residents of Ward 9 under Rouzan Municipality.

Bablu’s father, Abul Kalam Soudagar, filed a murder case with Rouzan Police Station (case no. 21), naming 12 individuals and several unidentified suspects. The victim, a father of two daughters, was killed around 3 a.m. on Friday night. Following the incident, local residents staged a protest on the road, demanding the arrest of the perpetrators within 24 hours.

Police said the arrested suspects have been produced before court with a remand petition, and operations are continuing to apprehend the remaining accused.

A tea worker named Sohrab Uddin, aged 40, was killed by lightning on Sunday morning while working in a tea garden in Sonapatila area of Dhamor Union, Atwari upazila, Panchagarh. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. when he and two other workers were collecting tea leaves. Another worker named Mostafa was seriously injured and taken to Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital for treatment.

Police and local sources confirmed that the lightning struck suddenly, killing Sohrab Uddin on the spot. The third worker who was with them was unharmed. Sub-Inspector Zahidul Islam of Atwari Police Station stated that the body would be handed over to the family after a preliminary report. A case of unnatural death (UD) is being processed at the police station.

Authorities are continuing formal procedures related to the incident, and the injured worker remains under medical care.

Residents of Gauripur in Gomastapur upazila, Chapainawabganj, held a human chain and protest rally on Sunday morning over allegations that a local primary school head teacher made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The demonstration took place in front of the upazila office, where participants demanded exemplary punishment and administrative action against the accused teacher, Abu Raihan Kawser of Gauripur Government Primary School.

Local leaders including village head Nadimul Islam, former head Khos Mohammad, Imam Samoun Islam, and college student Nazir Hossain addressed the gathering. They said the teacher’s alleged comments deeply hurt religious sentiments and caused anger among devout Muslims in the area. A written complaint was submitted to the upazila administration on behalf of the residents.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Zakir Munsi confirmed that the complaint had been received and that an investigation was underway. He stated that legal action would be taken if the allegations were found to be true.

The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has established a 'Rice Garden' in Dinajpur for the 2025–26 Boro season under the initiative of its regional office. The garden, located in the Kaugā area of Sadar upazila, aims to increase rice production, expand modern varieties, and provide farmers with hands-on exposure to new technologies.

The 'Rice Garden' serves as an open learning field where farmers can directly observe different rice varieties, their growth stages, disease resistance, yield, and quality characteristics. This comparative observation helps them identify varieties suitable for local conditions and encourages interest in modern rice cultivation. According to BRRI officials, the initiative enables farmers to make informed decisions for future planting seasons.

The Dinajpur regional office also plans to establish similar gardens for the upcoming Aus and Aman seasons. The current garden, located in the institute’s technology village, remains open to interested farmers, researchers, and related stakeholders.

At least four people were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on April 26, 2026, according to local health officials. Reports said one person died in an airstrike near Al-Mughraqa village in central Gaza, while two others were killed by Israeli shelling and gunfire near Gaza City. In southern Gaza’s Khan Younis area, a 40-year-old woman was reportedly shot dead by Israeli forces.

The Palestinian Health Ministry stated that since the conflict began in October 2023, at least 72,587 people have been killed in Gaza. Although a ceasefire agreement was reached in October 2025, Israeli attacks have reportedly continued almost daily, raising concerns about violations of the truce.

The ongoing violence underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the persistent humanitarian toll in Gaza, as reports continue to emerge of civilian casualties despite formal peace efforts.

Authorities in Madan upazila of Netrakona seized 29 sacks of government rice on April 1 from a house about 10 yards from a Food-Friendly Program distribution point. The rice, meant for low-income beneficiaries, was found stored illegally. Although officials initially announced a regular case would be filed, the person storing the rice was released after signing a bond. The administration later stated that the seized rice would be distributed among poor and destitute residents, five kilograms per person.

Twenty-five days after the seizure, no distribution or further action had taken place, raising public suspicion of an attempted cover-up involving local officials and black market traders. The rice remains stored under guard in the same location. Union Secretary Krishna Chandra Sarkar confirmed the rice was still in storage and said he could not distribute it alone. Assistant Land Officer Nurul Islam claimed no knowledge of the distribution process. Union Administrator and Agriculture Officer Mahmudul Hasan Mizan said a list was being prepared and distribution was planned for April 29.

Upazila Executive Officer Bedbati Mistri confirmed she had instructed the union administration to distribute the rice among the needy residents.

A mass wedding involving 300 couples took place in central Gaza on Friday, supported by the United Arab Emirates. The event, held under the program titled 'Galant Night 3', aimed to assist couples who were unable to marry due to financial hardship. Around 20,000 people, including families, local leaders, representatives of international organizations, and residents, attended the ceremony.

Organizers said the couples were selected from thousands of applicants, with priority given to unmarried individuals facing economic challenges. Applications had opened in February. Alongside the wedding, newlyweds received gifts and assistance to help them begin their married lives. The ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the marriages, emphasizing Palestinian cultural traditions.

Both the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Palestine were performed during the event, symbolizing solidarity and cultural unity amid Gaza’s ongoing recovery from Israeli attacks.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it has seized a commercial vessel named 'Sevan' in the Arabian Sea. According to CENTCOM, the ship was attempting to violate the naval blockade imposed on Iran. The operation was carried out by a U.S. Navy helicopter launched from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney. CENTCOM reported that the seized vessel is now complying with U.S. directives and is being redirected toward Iran.

CENTCOM described the 'Sevan' as part of a network involved in transporting Iranian oil and gas. The command stated that U.S. forces continue to fully enforce sanctions and the naval blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports. Since the blockade began, 37 vessels have reportedly been diverted to alternate routes.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, underscores Washington’s continued enforcement of maritime restrictions targeting Iranian trade networks in the region.

At least eight people were killed and 49 injured in a 20-hour Russian drone and missile assault on the central-eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, local authorities said on Saturday. The attack, which began before dawn and continued into the afternoon, struck residential areas, businesses, and energy infrastructure. Officials described it as the largest attack on Dnipro to date. Among the injured were two children and a city mayor’s adviser. Additional casualties were reported in other parts of the Dnipropetrovsk region and in neighboring Zaporizhzhia.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight, most of which were intercepted. The Russian defense ministry claimed it targeted Ukrainian military sites, denying attacks on civilians. A drone also crashed in Romania, prompting evacuations and the deployment of British fighter jets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visiting Azerbaijan, urged the international community to respond more firmly to Russia’s actions.

The Dnipropetrovsk region is a key industrial area located about 100 kilometers from the front line. Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, with peace initiatives disrupted by other global conflicts.

An Iranian delegation is set to return to Pakistan tonight, according to Iran’s state media. The delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, will visit Islamabad after completing a trip to Oman and before departing for Russia. The report indicates that part of the Iranian negotiating team had earlier returned to Tehran for consultations related to issues concerning the cessation of hostilities.

Members of the delegation are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Sunday night to rejoin Araghchi, bringing with them necessary advice and new directives from Tehran. The visit underscores Iran’s ongoing diplomatic engagements across the region amid discussions linked to ending conflict.

The information was reported by Iran’s official news agency IRNA and relayed by Tasnim News Agency, citing Pakistan’s Dawn as the source.