Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has returned 251 mobile phones to their rightful owners after recovering them using digital tracking. These phones were lost, stolen, or snatched, and later reclaimed by police stations including Sher-e-Bangla Nagar (63), Hatirjheel (54), Mohammadpur (40), Tejgaon Industrial (32), Adabor (32), and Tejgaon (30). The devices were officially handed over in the presence of Deputy Police Commissioner Md. Ibne Mizan on Thursday.

Students of Sunamganj Medical College staged protests for the third consecutive day, demanding the immediate opening of the 500-bed hospital affiliated with their college. Although the academic program began in 2020-21, the hospital remains non-operational, forcing students in higher years to attend limited clinical classes twice a week at the district hospital 15 kilometers away. With no dedicated transport, this severely disrupts their education.

Following an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) petition, a court has ordered the freezing of 1,360 bank accounts linked to Mohammad Saiful Alam, chairman of S. Alam Group, and his associates. These accounts hold a total of Tk 2,619 crore. The ACC stated they are investigating allegations of money laundering and unlawful fund transfers, necessitating the freeze to prevent asset flight.

Former police chief Benazir Ahmed, known for his ties to authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina, has been expelled from the Dhaka Boat Club over allegations of misappropriating Tk 320 million. Club President Nasir Uddin Mahmud confirmed the expulsion and said legal action is being taken against others involved. Former club secretary Tahsin Amin, a close associate of Benazir, has also been removed.

Development work in the country is lagging, with only 36.65% of the Revised Annual Development Program (RADP) implemented in the first nine months of the fiscal year—down from 42.30% during the same period last year. Notably, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) spent nothing. Six ministries have implemented less than 15%, while only eight crossed the 50% mark. From a total RADP allocation of Tk 2.26 trillion, only Tk 828.14 billion was spent by the ministries and departments between July and March.

Legal Action Network reported that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar abruptly cut short his UK visit and left the country after a formal request for an arrest warrant was submitted against him. They claim Sa’ar is under investigation for serious crimes and urge the public to alert London Metropolitan Police if he is spotted, but warn against approaching him due to possible armed security. The Hind Rajab Foundation also filed a similar request. During his secret visit, Sa’ar held a private meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, discussing Gaza and other Middle East issues, confirmed by the UK’s Commonwealth and Development Office.

Adviser Farida Akhter announced a revised fishing ban, reducing the closed season from 65 to 58 days to prevent foreign fishermen from exploiting the ban. She noted that during previous bans, neighboring countries’ fishermen often entered Bangladeshi waters. Farida also said Cox’s Bazar is set to host one of the country’s most modern fish landing centers and wholesale markets, with support from JICA.

Bangladesh has not yet reached an agreement with the IMF regarding the fourth and fifth tranches of its $4.7 billion loan program. The IMF said discussions will continue, with possible disbursement by the end of June if conditions are met. The IMF noted a rise in non-performing loans (NPLs) and urged effective reforms. Currently, NPLs average 43% in state-owned banks and 16% in private banks—well above IMF targets of 10% and 5%, respectively.

Technical Student Movement has announced a nationwide protest on Friday, modeling it after the symbolic “Shroud Movement” of 1987. Polytechnic students across the country will wear shrouds on their heads and march in unison after Jummah prayers. The students also staged torch marches protesting deceptive meetings by the Education Ministry and attacks on demonstrators in Cumilla.

Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh is working to reduce its trade deficit with the US by diversifying exports. He mentioned attempts to revive GSP privileges and highlighted planned discussions with the World Bank, ADB, IMF, and OPEC Fund regarding budget support and project financing. Potential deals may also be reached concerning the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, despite existing sanctions. Private sector partnerships, particularly in the energy sector, are also being explored.

Petitioners in India’s Supreme Court sought a stay on the Waqf Act, but the court declined to issue one. However, the justices considered issuing an interim order with three key points. The move was postponed after the central government’s legal representatives requested more time to present their explanation. The matter will be heard again on Thursday.

The proposed interim directives include:
1. No land or institution currently declared as Waqf property can be declassified as non-Waqf during the pendency of the case.
2. District Magistrates may investigate Waqf-related properties but cannot issue any binding orders.
3. Members of Waqf Boards and Councils must be Muslim, although non-Muslims may join only by virtue of holding specific offices.

On the occasion of Historic Mujibnagar Day, Adviser Faruk-E-Azam paid tribute at the Mujibnagar Memorial on April 17. Speaking at the event, he expressed deep concern over individuals falsely identifying themselves as freedom fighters, calling it “shameful.” He stated that actions have already been taken against fake freedom fighters.

Referring to the Mujibnagar Government formed on April 17, 1971, at the mango orchard in Meherpur, he called it a heroic and historic chapter in Bangladesh’s journey to independence. “The Mujibnagar government was internationally recognized and played a key role in organizing the Liberation War,” he said.

He also clarified that the current government has no intention of renaming the Mujibnagar Government, emphasizing, “History cannot be erased. It must be preserved in its rightful place.” Additionally, he noted that there are over 2,700 legal cases pending, many related to this issue, and the government is waiting for court verdicts.

The government has decided to amend the Bank Resolution Act and modernize judicial processes, Environment Adviser Rizwana Hasan announced. “The judiciary remains largely outdated. From now on, court summons can be issued via phone calls, SMS, or other modern devices,” she said. Information related to cases can also be sent via email or WhatsApp. The government has also approved key policy-level amendments to the colonial-era Civil Procedure Code (CPC), aiming to ease case backlogs. “Previously, after a verdict, a new suit had to be filed for execution. Now, execution clauses will be included in the original verdict,” she explained. The amendment to the Bank Resolution Act will enhance the powers of Bangladesh Bank and help curb financial irregularities.

Traffic on the road from Khilkhet to Kuril and Bashundhara will be suspended for 29 hours from 7 PM on April 17 to midnight on April 18 due to utility relocation work for the MRT Line-1 project. Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited has advised commuters to take alternate routes, including using the U-turn in front of Radisson Hotel and Kuril Flyover.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the government of Bangladesh strongly condemns the recent attacks on Muslims in India and calls for full protection of the minority community. Dhaka urged both the central Indian government and the West Bengal state government to ensure the safety of Muslim citizens. The interim government also vehemently protested attempts to link Bangladesh to communal violence in Murshidabad, where Indian security forces reportedly opened fire on a Muslim protest linked to the Wakf Bill.