Around 20,000 sailors are stranded in the Persian Gulf as hundreds of oil, gas, and cargo ships remain unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz due to a US blockade and ongoing security risks. The standoff has persisted for nearly eight weeks, leaving crews such as that of Indian captain Rahul Dhar confined to their tankers while maintaining operations under growing psychological strain.

The sailors had hoped for relief after a ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 7, but the conflict has yet to reach a clear resolution. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy route, normally handling about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, only about 80 ships crossed the strait between April 13 and 19, compared with more than 130 per day before the conflict, underscoring the severe slowdown in maritime traffic.

The Palestine Football Association (PFA) has filed an appeal with the international sports court against FIFA’s decision not to take action against Israeli clubs operating in the occupied West Bank. The appeal, submitted on April 20, 2026, follows FIFA’s statement last month that no disciplinary measures could be taken because the legal status of the West Bank remains internationally unresolved. The PFA described FIFA’s position as unfair and said it had exhausted all internal legal options within the organization.

PFA Vice President Susan Shalabi said the association would continue to pursue justice through legal means, emphasizing that discussions on the issue had been ongoing for 15 years without resolution. She also highlighted the dire state of Palestinian football, noting that most infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed or rendered unusable, professional leagues have been suspended, and player safety remains a major concern.

The appeal has drawn renewed international attention to the longstanding dispute over the participation of Israeli clubs based in occupied territories.

More than 78,000 teaching positions remain vacant in government primary schools across Bangladesh, causing severe disruption to education and administration. The vacancies include over 34,000 head teacher posts and 24,000 assistant teacher posts, with additional newly created positions still unfilled. Recruitment has stalled due to prolonged procedures, court cases, and administrative complications, leaving many schools—especially in rural areas—without adequate staff.

Although the results for 14,384 teacher appointments were finalized during the previous interim government, the process has been on hold for two and a half months. Only 1,122 posts have been advertised for direct recruitment through the Public Service Commission, attracting nearly 700,000 applicants, but no exam date has been set. Promotion of qualified assistant teachers to head teacher roles has also been blocked by a court injunction.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has announced plans to recruit about 60,000 teachers soon and to resolve the legal issues surrounding 32,500 head teacher posts. Officials say the government is prioritizing the removal of these obstacles to restore stability in the primary education system.

The government of Bangladesh has approved five loan proposals totaling $1.9 billion from development partners, of which around $1.6 billion are classified as non-concessional loans with strict repayment terms. The approval came from the Standing Committee on Non-Concessional Loans at the Planning Ministry, chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. About $1.3 billion of the total will be used as budget support to address immediate fiscal pressures.

Under the approved package, Bangladesh will receive $450 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), $500 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), $250 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and $100 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development. Officials said these loans carry higher interest rates, shorter grace periods, and tighter repayment schedules. In addition, ADB will provide another $300 million for the SASEC Dhaka–Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project.

The committee also decided that non-concessional loans will be taken only when concessional financing is unavailable, and repayment capacity must be ensured. It set limits to keep annual repayment costs below 10% of export earnings or 15% of government revenue, and total non-concessional debt under 10% of GDP.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that his administration is reviewing the possibility of reducing the number of American troops stationed in Germany. He announced on his social media platform that a decision on the matter would be made soon.

The statement comes at a time of heightened tension between Washington and Berlin, following remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the Iran conflict. Merz had said that the United States was being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership, a comment that drew sharp criticism from Trump. The US president has also repeatedly accused Germany and other NATO allies of failing to adequately support the US-Israel alliance, particularly criticizing their reluctance to deploy naval forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Germany currently hosts one of the largest US military contingents abroad, with approximately 33,900 American troops stationed there, according to the report.

A controversy erupted in Fatullah of Narayanganj Sadar upazila after newly appointed acting chairman of Boktabali Union Parishad, Pinky Akter, greeted Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) S M Foyez Uddin with flowers. The event, held on Wednesday at the upazila office, included individuals accused in assault and attempted murder cases as well as local Awami League leaders. Photos of the incident spread on social media, sparking public outrage and criticism.

The Boktabali Union chairman post had remained vacant for a long time, causing difficulties in public services. Following media reports, Pinky Akter was recently appointed as acting chairman. However, her participation in this event with controversial figures drew strong reactions. Among those present were charge-sheeted accused Russell Member, Awami League leader Amjad Member, and others.

Local BNP leaders expressed anger, alleging that those involved in past political violence were being rehabilitated. The UNO could not be reached for comment. Grassroots activists urged Narayanganj district and Fatullah BNP leadership to intervene and demanded an investigation and administrative action over the incident.

A court in Kushtia has sentenced Jony Hossain, also known as Rajim, to life imprisonment for raping a college student under the false promise of marriage. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday afternoon by Judge Zainal Abedin of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in Kushtia, in the absence of the accused. Jony, aged 30, from Bahirchar Union in Veramara upazila, was also fined 100,000 taka, with an additional six months of imprisonment if unpaid.

According to the case details, Jony met the victim through social media, falsely claiming to be a member of the armed forces. He first raped her on January 1, 2022, when her parents were away, and continued the assaults under the pretext of marriage, leading to her pregnancy. When the matter became known, he demanded 800,000 taka from the victim’s family, which her expatriate father paid. After receiving the money, Jony cut off contact and tried to defame her.

The victim gave birth to a son on March 2, 2023, and filed a case on June 22, 2023. DNA tests confirmed Jony’s involvement, leading to his conviction. He was arrested in July 2023 but later released on bail and is currently absconding.

A protest and brief road blockade took place on Wednesday night at the Jhinai Filling Station in Sarishabari municipality of Jamalpur district, centering on fuel distribution. Locals alleged that a syndicate’s influence caused suffering for ordinary bikers and emergency service workers. The unrest reportedly forced station employees to remain inside their office for about one and a half hours until police restored order.

According to local sources, long queues formed from morning, and fuel was distributed until 6 p.m. Allegations surfaced that former Sarishabari municipal Chhatra League joint convener Faruk Ahmed stayed near the dispenser under the pretext of assisting distribution, obstructed journalists and service workers, and later incited bikers to protest. The station manager said distribution stopped at 6 p.m. per administrative instruction, after which some people created chaos and blocked the road. The owner stated that fuel supply was adequate but distribution was being done three days a week due to exams and traffic congestion.

Police confirmed that no major untoward incident occurred and that the situation is now normal.

At least 12 people were killed in lightning strikes across seven districts of Bangladesh on Wednesday, according to local police and administrative officials. The incidents occurred in Patuakhali, Jamalpur, Barguna, Mymensingh, Bagerhat, Rangpur, and Rajbari at different times of the day. Several others were injured. Patuakhali reported the highest number of casualties, with four deaths during a nor’wester storm, while Jamalpur and Barguna each recorded two fatalities. One person died in each of the remaining districts.

In Patuakhali, lightning during a storm also killed more than 50 cows over the past two days. Local officials confirmed the deaths and said the victims were engaged in outdoor activities such as farming, fishing, and cattle tending when struck. In Barguna, authorities provided financial assistance to one victim’s family under a government relief program.

The incidents highlight the recurring danger of lightning during the pre-monsoon season in rural Bangladesh, where many people work in open fields and near water bodies, increasing their vulnerability to such natural hazards.

The fourth executive meeting of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) was held on Tuesday evening at the Daksu conference room, chaired by Vice-Chancellor and Daksu President Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam. The meeting adopted several key decisions aimed at improving student welfare, campus infrastructure, security, and administrative transparency. Proposals included launching a Saturday bus service, introducing modern shuttle buses, and ensuring disciplinary action against those involved in recent campus violence.

Discussions covered eviction of unauthorized hall residents, transparent seat allocation policies, and progress on housing scholarships for first-year students. Plans were made to establish computer labs with operators in every hall, introduce teaching and research assistantships, and implement a teacher evaluation system. Infrastructure upgrades such as library security, lift repairs, and water facilities at key buildings were also discussed.

The meeting further emphasized inclusive campus initiatives, including gym facilities for female students, Braille signage, talking lifts, and reactivation of the e-library. It reviewed progress on major development projects worth about Tk 2,841 crore and endorsed annual multicultural holidays in April. Proposals for improved canteen management and separate dining options for students of different faiths were also presented.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in Riyadh, according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs released on Thursday. The meeting focused on reviewing bilateral relations and exploring ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Both ministers also discussed recent regional and international developments and their implications for security and stability. Prince Yazid bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister’s adviser on Lebanese affairs, was also present.

The French minister’s visit took place amid a deadlock in efforts to resolve tensions between the United States and Iran, which have affected Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and France have been jointly pursuing diplomatic initiatives to address Lebanon’s instability. The meeting comes as cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel continue despite a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The discussions in Riyadh are expected to contribute to ongoing diplomatic coordination between Saudi Arabia and France on regional security matters, particularly concerning Lebanon and broader Middle Eastern stability.

The Bangladesh National Museum has dismissed recent media reports about alleged irregularities in the construction costs and recruitment process of the July Uprising Memorial Museum, calling them baseless and misleading. In a press release issued on April 30, 2026, the museum clarified that no recruitment has yet taken place for the new museum. It explained that a CCTV video circulating online showed an informal meeting with families of martyrs and injured persons, not a job interview. The museum said all future hiring will follow official government procedures under a high-level recruitment committee.

The statement also denied claims of excessive spending, stating that from April 2025 to February 2026, total hospitality expenses amounted to 3.74 million taka, not over 10 million as reported. It further clarified that the 6.4 million taka boundary wall cost was part of a larger 984.5 million taka allocation managed by the Public Works Department, not the museum itself. The museum emphasized that the project to convert the former Ganabhaban in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar into a museum was a major undertaking and that the facility is now ready for inauguration by the Prime Minister.

The museum urged media outlets to verify information before publication to avoid spreading misinformation.

After a two-month government ban, fishermen from Ramgati and Komolnagar upazilas in Lakshmipur are preparing to return to the Meghna River from midnight on Thursday. The restriction, which prohibited all fishing, transport, and marketing of fish from March 1 to April 30, will officially end at 12:00 a.m. Fishermen were seen repairing nets, cleaning boats, and making final preparations to resume work.

According to the fisheries department, the ban covered about 100 kilometers of the river area from Ramgati to Shatnol in Chandpur. Around 21,500 registered fishermen in Ramgati and 11,500 in Komolnagar were affected by the restriction. Officials said the measure aimed to protect juvenile hilsa and increase fish production. Some fishermen reported receiving government assistance during the ban, while others said they did not and faced hardship.

Local fisheries officers confirmed that the restriction was effectively enforced and that fishermen would be allowed to resume fishing activities from midnight as the conservation period concludes.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has stated that the United States lacks a coherent or effective strategy in its ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking to Swedish Radio News, Kristersson said it remains unclear how Washington intends to achieve its declared goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He expressed frustration, saying he sees no consistent plan behind U.S. actions at this stage.

Kristersson’s remarks add to a growing wave of European criticism directed at Washington’s handling of the Iran issue. Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the U.S. of having no exit strategy for the war and claimed Washington had been humiliated at the negotiating table with Tehran. French President Emmanuel Macron had also urged the U.S. to maintain a more serious and consistent approach toward Iran.

The continued criticism from key Western allies is expected to increase pressure on the Biden administration over its Middle East policy, particularly regarding Iran.

Pakistan has opened six land transit routes for Iran to facilitate the movement of thousands of stranded containers following a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative, formalized through the “Transit of Goods Through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026” issued on April 25, allows goods produced in third countries to be transported by road across Pakistan into Iran. The move creates an official road corridor linking Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar ports with Iran’s Gabd and Taftan border crossings.

The announcement coincided with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Islamabad, where he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir. Pakistan is currently attempting to mediate an end to the two-month conflict between Washington and Tehran. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan described the decision as a significant step toward promoting regional trade and strengthening Pakistan’s role as a trade corridor. However, Indian goods remain excluded due to a post-2025 air war ban.

Analysts said the corridor could reduce Pakistan’s reliance on Afghanistan for westward trade and position it as a key gateway for China-backed routes into West Asia, though security risks along the border remain a concern.