Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that no one will be spared if they attempt to disrupt national stability. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Saraswati Gyan Mandir at the University of Chittagong. The minister emphasized that his government was elected to build a sensitive, tolerant, and stable nation, and that progress is impossible without maintaining stability.

Discussing the banking sector, the minister said that under BNP governments, financial discipline had always been maintained, including in the stock market and macroeconomy. He assured that similar discipline would return but asked for some time. On load-shedding, he acknowledged the existence of an energy crisis and explained that fuel prices in Bangladesh were raised by only 10–15 percent, compared to a doubling of prices in Washington, due to the government’s limited capacity.

He added that austerity measures were necessary to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, continued industrial operations, and minimal disruption to people’s livelihoods.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M. Iqbal Hossain MP emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy against hoarding and extortion during a meeting with local traders at the Gauripur Upazila Parishad office in Mymensingh on Friday morning. He said that traders who illegally stockpile essential goods to raise prices are enemies of the nation and that such practices are strictly prohibited in Islam. He urged business owners to unite against extortionists and to report any such activities to law enforcement agencies.

During the meeting, the minister also announced efforts to upgrade Gauripur’s 50-bed hospital to a 100-bed facility and plans to build a children’s recreation park in the municipal area. The event was chaired by Gauripur Combined Business Forum convener Md. Mahbubul Alam Faruk and attended by several local business leaders.

Later that day, the minister inaugurated road construction work on the municipal market road, accompanied by local administrative and police officials.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam has announced that those found guilty in the recent assault on journalists at the university will be expelled under institutional regulations. He made the statement on Friday while receiving a complaint letter from the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association at the Abdul Matin Virtual Classroom near his office. The vice-chancellor expressed regret over the incident, noting that journalists were performing their professional duties and that the matter is being treated seriously.

He confirmed that two separate investigation committees have been formed—one to examine Facebook-related messages and another to probe the physical assault on journalists and others. The university will take further action based on the committees’ reports. The journalists’ association submitted a list of 12 accused individuals, including their departmental and residential details, and demanded their immediate expulsion.

The association also called for permanent expulsion after investigation, cancellation of certificates of former students involved, and identification of any additional perpetrators. The attack, which occurred while journalists were on duty near Shahbagh Police Station, has sparked strong reactions across the national media community.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) central president Rakibul Islam Rakib issued a warning to Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) General Secretary Salauddin Ammar, saying that the student organization exists even in Ammar’s hometown. Rakib made the remarks in a verified Facebook post published late Thursday night, cautioning Ammar against his recent comments and behavior on social media.

In his post, Rakib stated that JCD has active members across all universities, colleges, districts, and subdistricts of Bangladesh, not just in Rajshahi. He criticized Ammar for allegedly using offensive language and making derogatory remarks about JCD and the Zia family. Rakib also accused a specific group of deliberately creating tension and claimed Ammar continued to post provocative statements online despite the situation calming down.

In response, Salauddin Ammar shared Rakib’s post and wrote that he feared no one except God, urging Rakib to avoid aligning with oppressors and to seek divine guidance for better judgment.

Analysts believe Iran’s economy will not collapse immediately despite the ongoing US naval blockade on its ports, imposed after Tehran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict. The blockade, in effect since April 12, aims to pressure Iran into peace negotiations. Former US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is financially breaking down, but Iranian economist Saeed Laylaz told AFP that only a blockade lasting two to three months could cause serious harm, while Gulf states might suffer even more.

Energy experts warned that Iran’s main oil export terminal at Kharg Island could soon reach full storage capacity. Data from Kpler indicated that Iran’s crude oil production has already dropped by about 200,000 barrels per day and could fall by another 420,000 barrels in April. However, Jamie Ingram of the Middle East Economic Survey noted that Iran has previously endured long-term sanctions without major concessions.

Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group added that while ordinary Iranians face growing pressure, the country’s leadership has shown resilience under severe economic strain, using control over the Strait of Hormuz as leverage.

In Kaptai upazila of Rangamati district, residents are facing 12 to 14 hours of daily load shedding, severely affecting daily life and ongoing SSC examinations. Students reported that frequent power outages during study hours, both day and night, make it difficult to concentrate due to extreme heat. Parents expressed deep concern, urging authorities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply until the exams end. The outages have also disrupted operations in educational institutions, factories, banks, insurance offices, businesses, and hospitals, with some factory owners reporting order cancellations due to missed delivery deadlines.

The Kaptai Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station, which normally produces 230 megawatts for the national grid, is currently generating only 30 to 40 megawatts because of low water levels. As a result, even the area producing electricity is suffering long power cuts. Acting residential engineer Ashraful Islam acknowledged the load shedding, explaining that one of two supply lines is alternately shut down. He assured that the problem would not persist long and that examinees would not face major disruptions.

The situation highlights the irony of power shortages in a region that contributes electricity to the national grid.

An unapproved stone crushing operation named Al-Madina Wash Plan has been accused of causing severe environmental damage near the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Achimotla area of Jamurki Union, Mirzapur upazila, Tangail. The activity reportedly continues day and night without proper authorization or required documentation, producing noise and dust pollution that threaten local residents, businesses, and workers’ health.

Local residents complained that the constant machine noise and dust make daily life difficult, covering nearby shops and obstructing movement along the road. The owner, Suman Khan, claimed to have a trade license but was unaware of other necessary permits. Officials from the Department of Environment and the Mirzapur Upazila administration said they were not aware of the operation but promised to investigate and take action if irregularities are found.

The ongoing unregulated activity has raised concerns about environmental degradation and public health risks in the area, prompting calls from residents for relocation of the facility to a more suitable site.

A special anti-war concert titled 'No War No Empire' is being held this afternoon at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. The event, organized jointly by several political parties and progressive student groups, aims to protest ongoing wars, genocides, and imperial domination around the world. According to organizers, the concert will begin at 4:30 p.m. and feature performances by popular Bangladeshi artists and bands including Kofil Ahmed, Arup Rahi, Ahmed Hasan Sani, Ila Lalalala, Warda Ashraf, Suchin Marma, Kuasha Murkh, and groups such as Shohojia, Chorus, The Comrades, Bangla Five, Mavoi, and Samgeet.

Organizers stated that the concert expresses solidarity with people in Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Venezuela, and Cuba facing aggression and mass killings. They also plan to demand the cancellation of U.S. trade agreements signed during the interim government period. The initiative reflects artists’ belief that they cannot remain silent amid global conflicts and humanitarian crises.

The concert is open to all, with the goal of using music and cultural expression to build public opinion against imperialism and spread messages of peace.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) hosted a reception and award ceremony for the Bangladesh Under-20 national football team, which recently won the SAFF U-20 Championship. The event took place on Wednesday morning at the Gulshan Nagar Bhaban in Dhaka. Each player received a cheque of 50,000 taka, a crest, and a commemorative gift from DNCC, while the coaching staff were presented with honorary mementos.

DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan attended as the chief guest, and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal was present as the special guest. DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman delivered the welcome speech. In his remarks, the DNCC administrator praised the players’ achievement and highlighted ongoing efforts to free public spaces for sports under the Prime Minister’s directive. He emphasized that the main goal of the event was to honor and inspire the young athletes.

BFF President Tabith Awal thanked the DNCC administrator for his support of sports and noted the city corporation’s role in promoting unity and social well-being through athletics.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Friday, April 24, 2026, accused the government of returning to authoritarian rule and using student groups to suppress dissent. Speaking as the chief guest at a ward presidents’ conference organized by Jhenaidah district Jamaat, he alleged that the government was unleashing student activists against others in educational institutions and warned that citizens would not tolerate a return to autocracy.

Porwar criticized the government for alleged election engineering and claimed that those labeling Jamaat and Shibir as secretive had themselves lived abroad for 17 years. He also accused the ruling party of maintaining fascist tendencies and said the people had previously sacrificed their lives to end such regimes. Responding to remarks by the prime minister, he argued that the government, not Jamaat, was possessed by authoritarian impulses.

Addressing the July national charter and referendum, Porwar said 33 political parties had reached consensus on constitutional reforms, but the BNP opposed ten key points. He warned that if the government ignored the referendum mandate, the people would take to the streets again.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned the assault on a college teacher and other staff at Daokandi Government University College in Durgapur, Rajshahi. In a statement issued to the media on Friday, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of Publicity and Media, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, denounced the April 23 attack, which allegedly involved local BNP leader Akbar Ali and his associates. The attackers reportedly entered the college during examinations, demanded money, assaulted a female teacher with shoes, and vandalized property.

Zubair described the incident as unacceptable and alarming, saying it insulted the entire teaching community and disrupted the educational environment. He criticized the law enforcement agencies for their inaction despite being present during the attack, calling it a sign of deteriorating law and order. Jamaat demanded a thorough investigation into the assault, identification and arrest of those responsible, and proper medical care, security, and compensation for the injured teachers.

The statement also urged the government to ensure justice and restore safety in educational institutions across the country.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its April 2026 World Economic Outlook, showing that India has dropped from the top five to sixth place among the world’s largest economies. The United States remains the largest economy with over 32.4 trillion dollars in GDP, followed by China at 20.8 trillion, Germany at 5.4 trillion, Japan at 4.4 trillion, and the United Kingdom at 4.3 trillion. India’s nominal GDP is estimated at 4.15 trillion dollars, slightly below the UK and Japan.

According to the IMF, India’s shift in ranking is mainly due to changes in currency exchange rates and the adoption of a new GDP base year. The Indian government updated its methodology using 2022–23 as the new base year, revising earlier figures downward by about 3–4 percent. The rupee’s depreciation of roughly 10 percent against the US dollar over the past year also contributed to the decline.

The IMF projects that India will regain its position by 2027, overtaking the UK and Japan, and could surpass Germany by 2031 to become the world’s third-largest economy.

An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday night, according to several Pakistani government sources cited by Al Jazeera. The visit comes amid what sources describe as a strong possibility of major progress in discussions between the United States and Iran. Earlier in the day, Araghchi and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation, confirmed by both sides.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the two ministers discussed regional developments, ceasefire efforts, and ongoing diplomatic initiatives related to U.S.-Iran engagement. Dar emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue, while Araghchi praised Pakistan’s consistent and constructive mediating role. Iran’s state news agency IRNA also reported that Araghchi spoke separately with Pakistan’s army chief, though Islamabad has not confirmed this call.

Pakistan has been preparing for a potential second round of U.S.-Iran talks after the first 21-hour session in February ended without agreement. Security has been tightened in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and two hotels have been reserved for delegations, though Iran has not yet agreed to resume talks.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that the movement to secure people's rights will continue without pause until the referendum verdict and the July Charter are fully implemented. He warned that those who betray the July cause will not be spared. Rahman made these remarks on Friday at a public gathering organized by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.

He stated that the alliance of eleven parties will not rest until the referendum verdict is realized, emphasizing that their movement will persist both in parliament and on the streets. The event was part of a broader campaign demanding the full implementation of the July Charter and recognition of the referendum outcome.

The gathering also reflected growing calls from allied groups for intensified street mobilization and national unity around the July cause, signaling continued political activism in the coming months.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a national rally on Saturday, April 25, at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, involving families of July martyrs and July fighters. The event aims to press for the implementation of the referendum verdict, constitutional reform, and inclusion of the July Charter in the constitution. Party Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar urged citizens to ensure the rally’s success through spontaneous participation.

In a statement issued Friday, Porwar said thousands of students and people from various professions sacrificed their lives, blood, and health during the July uprising to reform the state and secure citizens’ rights. He criticized the current BNP-led government for failing to implement the February 12 referendum verdict, despite nearly 70 percent voting “yes,” calling it disrespectful to the martyrs and the nation.

Porwar also urged the government to honor the sacrifices of July martyrs by swiftly implementing the referendum outcome, improving law and order, and ensuring justice for recent campus violence incidents.