Law Minister Md. Anisul Huq stated that the government had no involvement in the Bangladesh Bar Council election process. Responding to a question from Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain in Parliament on April 16, 2026, he explained that the election was postponed following requests from various bar associations. He noted that the law allows postponement for reasonable causes and that several associations, including the Dhaka Bar with over 22,000 members, sought a delay to align with their own election schedules.

Akhtar Hossain had earlier questioned the justification for postponing the election, citing that the notice mentioned an energy crisis while the government had denied such a crisis in Parliament. He suggested that the real issue might be whether a democratic institution was being politicized. The law minister responded that the postponement was based on legitimate requests and not on government interference.

According to the law, Bar Council elections are to be held every three years, with provisions for postponement only in exceptional circumstances such as pandemics or natural disasters.

State Minister for Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari told Parliament on April 16, 2026, that allegations of corruption and politicization in BCS cadre recruitment during the Awami League’s tenure are under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission and other law enforcement agencies. He said that legal action will be taken once the investigation reports and recommendations are received.

The statement came during the 15th day of the first session of the National Parliament, chaired by the Deputy Speaker. In response to a written question from MP Md. Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas of Pabna-5, Bari reported that in the past 16 years, 12 BCS administration cadre officers were forced into retirement, 39 were dismissed, and 564 were made officers on special duty (OSD). The MP had asked about the government’s steps regarding alleged politicization in the civil service.

Bari reiterated that the government will act according to law after the investigation concludes, signaling official acknowledgment of the ongoing scrutiny into recruitment practices during the Awami League period.

The United States Navy has confirmed the loss of one of its most advanced and expensive drones, an MQ-4C Triton, which crashed over the Persian Gulf on April 9. The Navy’s Safety Command disclosed the incident in a report released on Tuesday but withheld the exact crash location for operational security reasons. According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the drone took off from the Sigonella naval base in Italy and went missing while flying over the Persian Gulf.

Data showed that the drone suddenly dropped from 50,000 feet to 9,000 feet before losing all communication. It first transmitted a '7400' signal, indicating loss of contact with ground control, and about 70 minutes later sent a '7700' emergency signal before disappearing from radar at 9,250 feet. The Navy has not yet provided any explanation for the cause of the crash.

The report, citing CNN, marks a rare public acknowledgment of a high-value drone loss by the US military in the Middle East.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has scheduled April 20 for the charge framing order against eight accused, including former Jessore Superintendent of Police Anisur Rahman, in a case over the 2016 shooting of two Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders in Chougachha. The two-member judicial panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar with Justice Shofiul Alam Mahmud, fixed the date after hearing arguments on Thursday. Three accused—then Sub-Inspector Akikul Islam and constables Sajjadur Rahman and Jahurul Haque—were produced before the tribunal, while five others, including Anisur Rahman, remain absconding.

Defense lawyers argued that the alleged incident does not constitute crimes against humanity, claiming it was an isolated event outside the scope of systematic or widespread attacks. The prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, countered that the case forms part of a broader pattern of targeted abductions, torture, and killings between 2009 and 2015, and urged formal charges to be framed.

According to the case details, the two student leaders were detained, tortured for two nights, and shot in the legs under police orders, leading to severe infections that required amputation.

Police in Savar have arrested a madrasa student named Ibrahim in connection with the death of his classmate Golam Rahim, aged 13. The incident occurred at the Sawtul Quran Madrasa in the Jadur Char area of Hemayetpur. According to the report, the two students engaged in a verbal dispute on Wednesday night that escalated into a physical fight, leaving Rahim seriously injured. He was first taken to a local clinic and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died on Thursday morning.

Following the arrest, a court ordered that Ibrahim be sent to a juvenile correction center. The report did not mention any further details about the investigation or the circumstances leading to the altercation.

The incident highlights a tragic outcome of a conflict between two young students within a religious educational institution in Savar.

Five people, including a school student and a woman, were killed by lightning strikes in three districts on Thursday. The incidents occurred in Munshiganj, Chuadanga, and Maheshpur of Jhenaidah. In Munshiganj’s Tongibari upazila, two young men, Rizwan Dhali and Arafat Khan, died after being struck by lightning during a nor’wester storm. Both were taken to Tongibari Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared them dead.

In Chuadanga, two people, including a ninth-grade student, died in separate lightning incidents. The victims were identified as Rasel from Jibannagar’s Ghoshnagar village and Tajimuddin, a student of Memnagar BD Secondary School in Damurhuda. Tajimuddin was struck by lightning while working with his father in a field. In Maheshpur of Jhenaidah, a housewife named Rozina Khatun died after being hit by lightning while working near her kitchen.

Local police confirmed the deaths in all three districts and stated that the bodies were handed over to the families as no complaints were filed.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will begin tonight at 21:00 GMT. The announcement was made through a post on Truth Social, where Trump said he had held 'excellent' discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Trump, both leaders agreed to formally begin the ceasefire at 5:00 p.m. EST to pursue peace between their countries.

Trump also stated that representatives from Israel and Lebanon met in Washington on Tuesday for the first time in 34 years, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio present. He added that he had directed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary Rubio, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to work with both nations to ensure lasting peace.

Trump described resolving nine global conflicts as an honor and said this would be his tenth, expressing determination to complete the effort.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has declined to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a historic dialogue between the two leaders. A Lebanese official confirmed to CNN that Beirut informed Washington it was not ready to take such a step at this time.

According to the same official, Lebanon has clearly told both Israel and the United States that it will not engage in any discussions until a formal ceasefire agreement is reached between Israel and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet convened on Wednesday to discuss possible ceasefire arrangements.

The development comes as Trump recently announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and received thanks from President Aoun for his mediation efforts, while Israel has issued threats of severe attacks against Iran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which he expressed gratitude for Trump’s efforts to promote a ceasefire in Lebanon. The Lebanese presidential office confirmed the call, according to a report by Al Jazeera. In a post on social media platform X, Aoun thanked Trump for his initiatives aimed at establishing a ceasefire and ensuring long-term peace and stability in Lebanon.

The official statement added that President Aoun reiterated the urgent need to establish a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah “as soon as possible.” It was also reported that Trump expressed his support for Lebanon and for President Aoun personally. The exchange is being viewed as part of broader diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

The phone call highlights renewed international engagement in seeking to end hostilities in the region, though the source did not specify any concrete outcomes or next steps following the discussion.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun stated that a ceasefire with Israel would serve as a natural entry point for future direct negotiations between the two countries. He made the remarks during a meeting with the British Minister of State for Middle East Affairs, according to a report by Al Jazeera. In a statement later shared on social media, Aoun said Lebanon seeks to end tensions across all regions, including the south, to stop attacks on civilians and the destruction of homes in villages and cities.

Aoun emphasized that any potential talks with Israel should be conducted solely through Lebanese authorities to preserve national sovereignty. He also highlighted that the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory is a key step toward implementing a ceasefire. Additionally, he mentioned redeploying the Lebanese army up to the international border to halt any armed presence.

The report noted that establishing a ceasefire could play a significant role in improving future Israel-Lebanon relations if successfully implemented.

The government has announced a reshuffle involving the secretaries of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute and the Posts and Telecommunications Division. Bilkis Jahan Rimi, previously serving as secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, has been appointed as the new secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division. Meanwhile, Abdun Naser Khan, whose tenure as secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division has ended, has been appointed as secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute on a one-year contractual basis.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Thursday, Abdun Naser Khan’s post-retirement leave and related benefits have been suspended under the condition that he will not engage in any other profession, business, or employment with any government, semi-government, or private organization during his contractual term.

The reshuffle reflects the government’s administrative adjustments within key ministries, ensuring continuity in leadership and management of both the textile and telecommunications sectors.

UK Minister for Middle East Affairs Hamish Falconer has called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, emphasizing that the ongoing conflict was not initiated by Lebanon. He welcomed the start of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, describing them as a positive step toward de-escalation. Falconer made the remarks on April 16, 2026, according to Al Jazeera.

Falconer stated that recent attacks in Lebanon have had devastating effects on civilians. He urged Hezbollah to stop firing and disarm, stressing that the exclusive right to use force in Lebanon should rest solely with the Lebanese government. However, he did not mention Israel’s attacks, which have reportedly killed more than 2,100 people and displaced over one million since the conflict intensified earlier in the month.

Reports also indicated that following a meeting in the United States between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, both countries agreed to begin direct negotiations, signaling a potential diplomatic opening amid the violence.

A private car fell into the Shitalakshya River along with its driver while boarding a ferry at Nabiganj Ghat in Bandar upazila of Narayanganj on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred around 5 p.m., prompting witnesses to immediately alert emergency services through the 999 hotline and the Fire Service. Locals assisted with boats and trawlers to rescue the driver alive, but the car sank into the river.

Following the alert, teams from Hajiganj Fire Station, Bandar Fire Service, and the Narayanganj river diving unit conducted a joint operation. They successfully recovered the submerged vehicle around 6:30 p.m. According to Hajiganj Fire Service Senior Station Officer Nurul Alam Dulal, no casualties occurred in the incident. He stated that the accident was caused by the driver’s carelessness.

Authorities confirmed that the situation was brought under control after the rescue operation, and no further damage or injuries were reported.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam told the National Parliament that the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway will be upgraded to four lanes by 2029. He made the statement in response to a proposal raised by Shahjahan Chowdhury, MP for Chattogram-15 (Satkania-Lohagara) and secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s parliamentary party. The minister said the project is part of the Highway Improvement Project (Phase-1), under which 26.21 kilometers of the road will be widened to four lanes, with completion targeted for 2029.

He added that a 2.6-kilometer six-lane flyover will also be built under the same project, while feasibility studies for the remaining 48 kilometers are ongoing. Discussions with JICA are underway, and the government expects to finalize the Development Project Proposal soon. The minister acknowledged that the highway is accident-prone and said preventive measures have been planned for identified risky areas.

During the parliamentary discussion, Shahjahan Chowdhury urged the government to upgrade the highway to six lanes, citing its strategic importance for trade, border connectivity, and accident reduction. Other MPs also emphasized the need for rapid improvement and safer travel conditions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is viewing Lebanon as his last opportunity to achieve a military victory, according to analyst Ori Goldberg, as reported by Al Jazeera. The statement comes amid Israel’s ongoing confrontation with Hezbollah, which began in 1982 and has continued for decades both inside Lebanon and along Israel’s northern border.

Israel maintains that despite some past successes, Hezbollah remains a major threat to its northern region. The Israeli military has been targeting infrastructure in southern Lebanon and exerting military pressure aimed at disarming the Lebanese state. Analysts note that Lebanon’s weak military and its shifting political balance among Christian, Sunni, and Shia groups make it a vulnerable target for Israel’s strategic ambitions.

The report underscores that Lebanon’s proximity to Israel’s most persistent military adversary continues to shape the dynamics of the conflict, suggesting that the current campaign may represent a decisive phase in Israel’s long-standing struggle with Hezbollah.