Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that power politics is re-emerging in Bangladesh’s universities and that institutions are being increasingly politicized. Speaking on Friday afternoon at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka, he said that after the July uprising, tendencies of inequality and partisanship have grown again across the country. He warned that if attempts are made to sustain fascism or authoritarianism, people will once again unite under the NCP’s banner.

Nahid Islam described the NCP as a political party born out of the historical struggle of the July uprising. He said the party aims to harness youth energy to bring reform and transformation to Bangladesh. According to him, the NCP has received overwhelming support nationwide and seeks to build an organized political force that reflects the aspirations of the young generation, ensures employment, eliminates inequality, and establishes democracy.

He also alleged that the government has turned the recent election into a mere power transition, separating it from the legacy of the July uprising, and that key constitutional reform proposals are being gradually dismissed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly confirmed that he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer and has completed treatment. In a statement on Friday, April 24, 2026, he said the cancer was detected following prostate surgery he underwent in late 2024. The 76-year-old leader revealed that the tumor was identified after his prostate gland had enlarged, and he has since finished medical treatment.

Netanyahu kept the diagnosis secret during a period of heightened conflict with Iran, only disclosing it now through his annual health report. He explained that after a successful operation for a non-harmful prostate issue about a year and a half ago, doctors later found a small, less than one-centimeter mark that turned out to be an early-stage cancerous tumor. He emphasized that the cancer had not spread elsewhere in his body.

Following treatment, Netanyahu stated that he has fully recovered and is currently in very good health. He said he chose active treatment over observation, citing his preference to confront risks quickly both in state affairs and personal life.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan alleged that the ruling Awami League’s student wing, Chhatra League, has reintroduced a reign of terror on campuses similar to past incidents. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at a joining ceremony of leaders from various political parties at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka.

Mahmud said the struggle to establish merit- and qualification-based politics is ongoing and must continue nationwide. He urged NCP members to strengthen organizational capacity and invite respected individuals not associated with fascism or atrocities to join the party. He also emphasized the importance of converting public support into votes in the upcoming local government elections to build what he called a “new Bangladesh.”

Mahmud further criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), claiming it now follows the political culture of the Awami League and the ideology of the 1972 Constitution, making it indistinguishable from the ruling party.

A new UN-backed Global Report on Food Crises has identified Bangladesh among the ten countries where two-thirds of the world’s food-insecure population are concentrated. The report, released on Friday, shows that in 2025, the majority of people suffering from acute food insecurity lived in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Together, Sudan, Nigeria, and Congo accounted for one-third of the total affected population.

According to the report, around 266 million people worldwide experienced severe food insecurity in 2025, nearly double the number recorded in 2016. Experts cited conflict and extreme climate conditions as the main drivers of the crisis. The report warned that little improvement is expected in 2026, with ongoing wars and instability continuing to disrupt food production and supply chains.

While Bangladesh and Syria showed slight improvements, conditions worsened in Afghanistan, Congo, and Myanmar. The report also expressed concern over declining international aid and noted that rising fuel and fertilizer prices could further strain food production, urging investment in local fertilizer production and climate-resilient crops.

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) is joining the ongoing nationwide measles vaccination campaign under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to strengthen outreach in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) areas. The government began the campaign on 20 April 2026 to combat a measles outbreak, with activities running from 12 April to 11 May. DNCC currently operates 599 vaccination centers, including permanent, temporary, and evening sites, and has vaccinated 378,990 children, achieving 78% of its target.

To ensure no child is left unvaccinated, BDRCS will deploy 104 trained volunteers across 30 high-risk wards of DNCC. The plan, finalized in a coordination meeting at the DNCC office, will be implemented from 25 April for 11 days. Additionally, 124 volunteers will serve at 50 selected centers in 31 wards, with 10 centers featuring child-friendly corners.

DNCC will also display measles awareness visuals on billboards and continue public awareness campaigns through loudspeaker announcements across its 54 wards.

Bangladesh’s Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintu announced that the interim government will maintain its existing decision on tourism control for Saint Martin’s Island. According to a report citing the minister, scientific field research showed that the island’s environment, ecosystem, and biodiversity improved after a nine-month closure to tourists. The government had finalized the tourism regulation policy in 2024 after nearly seven years of consultation with relevant agencies.

Under the policy, a maximum of 2,000 tourists are allowed to visit the island daily from November to January, while tourism remains closed from February to October to allow natural recovery. The minister said the restriction has yielded positive results and must continue to preserve the country’s only coral island and its ecological balance.

However, some residents have been demanding the withdrawal of the ban, arguing that tourism is the main source of income for most islanders and that the restrictions have severely affected the local economy and livelihoods.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has approved the start of a trial against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity. The ICC’s pre-trial judges unanimously confirmed the allegations, stating there was sufficient reason to believe Duterte committed the crimes. The charges relate to thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings during his controversial anti-drug campaign between 2011 and 2019.

Duterte, aged 81, has been detained for over a year and repeatedly sought release, but the court rejected his appeals. He has refused to recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, arguing that the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019. However, ICC judges ruled that the alleged crimes occurred while the country was still a member, giving the court authority to proceed. More than 500 victims have been allowed to participate in the proceedings.

Human rights groups claim Duterte’s campaign targeted small drug dealers while sparing major criminals. Duterte has denied the accusations as false, and police have maintained that their actions were in self-defense.

Leaders and activists of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Raksu) and various hall unions held a protest march on Thursday condemning the recent attack on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) leaders and members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association. The procession began in front of the Raksu office, paraded through key campus roads, and ended at the starting point, with participants chanting slogans demanding justice and accountability.

Raksu’s assistant general secretary Salman Sabbir denounced the attack as premeditated and urged authorities to identify and punish those responsible. Senate member Fahim Reza warned against growing unrest on campuses and called for maintaining peace and respect for elected representatives. Raksu vice president Mostakur Rahman Zahid said the assault targeted not only one organization but also students, journalists, employees, and traders, warning of larger movements if justice is not ensured.

Around three hundred students joined the demonstration, which emphasized unity among students and a demand for campus safety and accountability.

Md. Selim Uddin has called on party leaders and activists to prepare for a street movement, asserting that political struggle will continue both in parliament and on the streets. He claimed that the current government has lost its moral right to remain in power. Selim Uddin made these remarks on Thursday while addressing a unit representative conference at the Women’s Voluntary Association in Lalmatia, Dhaka, organized by the Mohammadpur East branch of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

During his speech, Selim Uddin alleged that the government raised fuel prices only hours after promising not to do so, describing it as evidence of inconsistency in its stance. He also accused the authorities of manipulating the national election results, claiming that the parliamentary seats won by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were actually due to Jamaat and were altered through electoral engineering.

The conference was presided over by Mohammadpur East Jamaat Amir Mashiur Rahman and conducted by Secretary Anisur Rahman, with central Majlis-e-Shura member Ziaul Hasan and Banani Central Mosque Khatib Maulana Abul Kalam Azad also addressing the event.

Commerce, Industry, Jute and Textile Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that power generation in Bangladesh has been disrupted and load-shedding has increased due to the inability to import sufficient gas to meet national demand. He made the remarks on Friday while visiting the Bashia River in Masukganj area of Sylhet Sadar upazila.

The minister explained that the country’s electricity production remains largely dependent on gas. Technical complications have limited gas imports, creating a shortfall in power generation. He added that the government is actively working to address the crisis. Regarding fuel prices, he said the recent 15 percent increase in diesel prices is not expected to significantly affect overall inflation, as the adjustment was made after careful calculation. He estimated that transporting goods 200 kilometers by truck could raise costs by about 30 paisa per kilogram.

Muktadir also announced plans to expand LNG import capacity by establishing a new terminal, with tenders to be invited soon. He noted that the Bashia River dredging project will benefit around 90,000 farmers and enable additional crop production on 20,000 hectares of land.

Several notable political and social figures formally joined the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Friday afternoon at an event held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka. The new members include former Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal organizing secretary and expelled BNP leader Ishaq Sarkar, Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq’s granddaughter Fersamin Huq Iqbal Flora, content creator Nuruzzaman Kafi, July uprising leader Mohiuddin Roni, and Bangladesh Janata Party senior vice chairman Maksudur Rahman Sohel. NCP convenor Nahid Islam and other senior leaders welcomed them with flowers.

Fersamin Huq Iqbal joined virtually from California, while the others were present on stage. Ishaq Sarkar, who faced numerous political cases during the previous government, joined the NCP along with his supporters. He is set to become the convener of NCP’s Dhaka South Metropolitan unit, replacing joint member secretary Alauddin Mohammad, who is stepping down.

The event marks an expansion of NCP’s leadership base with figures from diverse political and civic backgrounds, signaling potential organizational strengthening ahead of future political activities.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has announced recruitment for 75 positions across grades 13 to 20, including posts under the Toshakhana Unit and Toshakhana Museum. The online application process will begin on April 29, 2026, at 10 a.m., and no offline applications will be accepted. The deadline for submission is May 28, 2026, at 5 p.m.

The available positions include stenographer-cum-computer operator, computer operator, cataloger, cashier, office assistant-cum-computer typist, data entry/control operator, office assistant, modeler, storekeeper, gallery attendant, electrician, receptionist, publication assistant, security guard, and cleaner. Salaries range from BDT 8,250 to BDT 26,590 depending on grade. Applicants must be between 18 and 32 years old as of April 1, 2026, with an age relaxation up to 40 years for departmental candidates applying for specific posts.

Application fees are set at BDT 112 for grades 13–16 and BDT 56 for grades 20 positions, inclusive of Teletalk service charges. All applications must be submitted online within the specified timeframe.

Japan has decided to release part of its national oil reserves starting May 1 to address supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis that has affected crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced the decision on Friday, stating that efforts are underway to secure oil through alternative routes.

According to the ministry, the release will amount to roughly 5.8 million kiloliters of oil, equivalent to about 20 days of national demand, valued at approximately 540 billion yen (around 3.38 billion US dollars). Japan expects to source more than half of its crude oil from alternative suppliers by May compared to last year, which would help maintain stable supply through the end of the year while limiting the need for further reserve releases.

The ministry said the move is being carried out under Article 31 of the Petroleum Stockpiling Act to ensure stable energy supply. As one of the world’s largest oil importers, Japan remains vulnerable to instability in the Hormuz Strait region, which poses a significant risk to its energy security.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested a man described as a notorious human trafficker with a foreign-made pistol in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The arrest took place late Thursday night near Maheshkhaliapara area following a special operation based on secret intelligence. Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon confirmed the information on Friday afternoon.

The detainee, identified as Yasin, 28, is a resident of Maheshkhaliapara in Teknaf and the son of Anjal Hossain. Preliminary interrogation revealed that he had been involved in human trafficking for a long time and faced multiple cases, including murder and trafficking charges. The seized 7.65 mm pistol and the suspect are now under legal processing for further action.

According to the Coast Guard, operations like this will continue to maintain law and order and curb human trafficking along the coastal and border regions.

A heatwave that has persisted for five consecutive days across 16 districts of Bangladesh showed signs of weakening on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the intensity and coverage of the heatwave have gradually decreased compared to earlier in the week, when it affected up to 27 districts. The highest temperature recorded on Friday was 37.8°C in Rajshahi, down from 40°C earlier in the week.

Meteorologist Khondaker Hafizur Rahman said the heatwave’s intensity and spread are expected to decline further by Saturday. He added that from Sunday, rain is likely to increase across the country, which could help ease the ongoing heatwave. The forecast indicates possible moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with scattered showers in Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions.

Despite the slight drop in temperature, high humidity levels have made conditions feel extremely hot, causing widespread discomfort. The weather office expects the rainfall trend to continue for several days, bringing relief from the oppressive heat.