To protect the fragile ecosystem, the government has decided to ban new industrial establishments within 10 kilometers of the Sundarbans. A formal notification will soon be issued by the Ministry of Environment. Additional decisions include revising the Climate Change Trust regulations and collecting inter-ministerial feedback to combat noise pollution. Proposals have also been made to increase risk allowances for forest workers and mandate 30% block use in all new buildings by 2025.

Polytechnic students in Chattogram blocked roads demanding cancellation of a 30% promotion quota for craft instructors applying for junior instructor posts. They argue that many craft instructors lack the technical background required for teaching roles. Most only have education up to class 8 or SSC, traditionally serving as lab assistants. Students announced they would continue protests, including hunger strikes, until their demands are met.

Tuhin Farabi, personal officer to Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, has been relieved of his duties and instructed not to report to the office. Various allegations have emerged against him. Farabi is known for his role in the quota reform movement and was a member of the central medical wing of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has directed crime and intelligence units to carry out home raids and arrest active Awami League members involved in recent violence and killings. Protest marches continue across the capital, with many participants facing murder charges. Authorities have been instructed to update citizen information forms to track residents’ movements. The commissioner also expressed frustration over the low number of arrest warrants executed and unresolved cases.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into national cricketer Shakib Al Hasan over allegations of money laundering and accumulation of illegal wealth. A two-member inquiry team led by Deputy Director Mahbubul Alam has been formed. The ACC has also sent inquiries to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission. Shakib has previously faced criticism for his alleged links to gambling promotion and stock market manipulation.

Religious Affairs Adviser praised Bangladesh as a global model for communal harmony during a press briefing, citing decades of peaceful coexistence among different faith communities in the country.

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum returned an honorarium of BDT 120,000, which she had received despite not contributing to the nursing examination process. She followed the precedent set by Railway Adviser Muhammad Faojul Kabir Khan, who earlier discouraged receiving honorariums for official duties during working hours. Begum added that accepting or refusing such payments should remain a personal choice, with relevant ministries deciding on further action.

The High Court has issued a rule asking why a list of individuals granted presidential clemency over the past 33 years should not be made public. The petition was filed by Barrister Omar Faruk after sending a legal notice to the Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, and the Secretary to the President’s Office, which went unanswered.

Md. Moazzem Hossain, the Assistant Personal Secretary to Adviser Asif Mahmood, has been relieved of his duties as of April 8, according to a circular issued Monday by the Ministry of Public Administration. The circular did not mention any reason for his dismissal. Hossain was appointed on August 14, with the tenure subject to the adviser’s preference.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the government is committed to bringing back all MPs and ministers who fled abroad after committing crimes, including murder and corruption. He highlighted several upcoming meetings in Qatar focused on labor market expansion and energy cooperation. Dr. Yunus will also give an interview at Al Jazeera’s headquarters and participate in a 2.5-hour session on the Rohingya issue.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus departed Dhaka on a four-day official visit to Qatar on Monday evening via Biman Bangladesh Airlines. He will participate in the “Arthna Summit 2025” at the invitation of Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. According to Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Dr. Yunus is also expected to meet with the Emir during his visit.

KUET Director of Student Welfare Professor Dr. Abdullah Elias Akhtar has called on students to resolve issues through dialogue instead of resorting to hunger strikes. He assured students that he would discuss the suspension of 37 students with the university administration. Assistant Professor Raju Ahmed added that necessary legal assistance would be provided regarding the case against the students and discussions are underway to withdraw the case. He clarified that the KUET administration has no involvement in the case.

Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Christian world, has passed away at the age of 88. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over his death. The first non-European pope since 741 AD, Pope Francis was widely respected for his continued efforts to reform the Catholic Church. Just a day before his death, he addressed thousands at St. Peter’s Square with a “Happy Easter” message.

A study by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) revealed that Bangladesh lost an estimated Tk 2.26 trillion in tax revenue in 2023 due to evasion. Corporate tax evasion alone accounted for half of the losses—around Tk 1.13 trillion. The causes include high tax rates, weak administration, a complex legal framework, and widespread corruption in the taxation system.

A Dhaka court has granted a 7-day remand for three individuals accused in the murder case of Prime Asia University student Zahidul Islam Parvez. The accused—Al Kamal Sheikh alias Kamal (19), Alvi Hossain Junayed (19), and Al Amin Sani (19)—are all former students of Banani Bidyaniketan School. The plaintiff’s lawyer had initially sought a 10-day remand.