Noted environmentalist Syeda Rizwana Hasan has voiced serious concerns over repeated thefts of rare wildlife from the Bangabandhu Safari Park in Sripur. Following last month’s lemur theft incident, she called for a more robust investigative team, including wildlife crime specialists. She urged strict punitive actions against the culprits and recommended installing CCTV in all enclosures holding rare species. Hasan visited several park sections, including the African Safari and bird enclosures.

A fresh case has been filed in connection with the recent attack and looting of business establishments in Sylhet, naming 800 accused. Police have already arrested 21 individuals and pledged to bring all responsible to justice. In protest, local business owners formed a human chain at Court Point, condemning the violence. They urged legal action against those exploiting pro-Palestinian sentiments to justify attacks, and called for a ban on Israeli products in Sylhet markets.

Joining the BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting virtually from Kathmandu, Agriculture Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation to ensure food and nutrition security across the region.

He said agriculture, livestock, and fisheries are not only economic sectors but also vital to livelihood and rural development. Emphasizing climate change and resource inequality as key challenges, he called for collaborative research and sustainable cooperation, expressing Bangladesh’s willingness to lead initiatives on climate resilience and fisheries management.

Thinker and poet Farhad Mazhar said that revolutions break laws to create new systems, laws, and cultures—but Bangladesh did the opposite.

“We sacrificed lives, and then handed power back to Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Even though she is no longer here, her ghost—the constitution she authored—still governs us. It is a fascist constitution,” he said during a discussion.

Following Trump’s decision to suspend tariffs on all countries except China, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed gratitude in a Facebook post.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for responding positively to our request to suspend tariffs for 90 days. We remain committed to supporting your trade policies and look forward to working with your administration,” he wrote.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a three-month suspension of retaliatory tariffs on most countries while increasing tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Due to China’s disrespect for global markets, we are imposing a 125% tariff on their goods, effective immediately.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised Trump’s bold move, stating that countries willing to negotiate will be rewarded.

Following the announcement, U.S. stock indices surged. Notably, Trump made this decision shortly after receiving a letter from Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, requesting a temporary suspension of the tariffs.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to visit Qatar on April 21 to participate as a speaker in the upcoming Earthna Summit in Doha from April 22–23.

Other key speakers at the summit include UN Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Thiaw, IRENA Deputy Director Gauri Singh, and IUCN Director General Dr. Grethel Aguilar. The summit will focus on climate adaptation strategies for arid and hot climate nations.

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar reaffirmed that the upcoming national parliamentary elections remain the primary focus of the Election Commission.

He mentioned that local elections could still be held if there is political consensus and a government decision. “We are targeting December for the national election. Voter list updates are nearing completion and will conclude by April 11,” he added.

He also stated that a party’s decision to participate in elections is entirely political, and the process for party registration will proceed as before. “It’s too early to finalize which symbols will appear on the ballot—time will determine that. Interestingly, this time female voters outnumber male voters.”

In a cabinet division notification, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative for Rohingya Affairs to the Chief Adviser, has been concurrently appointed as the National Security Adviser. His new title will be “National Security Adviser and High Representative on Rohingya Affairs.”

Reacting to his appointment, Dr. Rahman said, “I’m deeply grateful for the continued trust of the Honorable Chief Adviser. I fully understand the gravity of this responsibility and will do my utmost to uphold and advance our national interests.”

Violent protests erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Tuesday over proposed changes to the Wakf law, with several Muslim organizations taking to the streets. Following the unrest, authorities have imposed restrictions on gatherings of more than five people in two police station areas and suspended internet services to prevent further escalation.

The protests, which continued into the night, saw police vehicles set ablaze and several shops and residential buildings vandalized. Protesters hurled stones at law enforcement, prompting the police to fire multiple rounds of tear gas.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the situation, saying, “I understand the concerns of the minority community regarding Wakf property. But please have faith—nothing will happen in Bengal that could lead to division. We must live together in harmony. Didi will protect you and your property. Do not fall for provocations.”

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur led a delegation to London from March 17 to 21 as part of a high-profile diplomatic initiative to recover laundered assets and participate in global workshops on financial inclusion and interconnectivity.

As head of the asset recovery task force, Governor Mansur was the keynote guest at a meeting held at Portcullis House, UK Parliament. The event was attended by UK MPs Jo Powell, Rupa Huq, Baroness Uddin, and former Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk.

During the meeting, Dr. Mansur called for stronger cooperation in recovering stolen wealth and urged the UK government to impose sanctions on those involved in money laundering. He also met with Catherine West, Minister for Asia at the UK Foreign Office, expressing gratitude for the UK’s support. The visit included engagements with legal professionals and media representatives to build momentum around the issue.

Six individuals were arrested by the army during a raid on a house in Adabor, Dhaka. The suspects—members of the ‘Kobji Kata Anwar’ gang—were found with two hand grenades, 16 machetes, two samurai swords, two Chinese axes, three knives, and a large cleaver. They allegedly gathered at a house in Shyamoli Housing before committing robberies and assaults.

In a sharp escalation of trade tensions, China has announced an 84% tariff on all American goods, effective from Thursday. This move comes in retaliation to the United States imposing a 104% tariff on Chinese imports, which Beijing has described as “oppressive.”

The Chinese Ministry of Finance stated that the new tariffs are a necessary response to the U.S.‘s aggressive trade policies. Analysts believe this development marks the beginning of another round of trade war between the world’s two largest economies—raising concerns about potential negative impacts on the global economy.

Despite the escalation, China has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. government to resolve the conflict. In a white paper released on Wednesday, Beijing emphasized its consistent efforts to maintain mutually beneficial trade relations with Washington. The document acknowledges that trade disputes are “normal” but stresses the importance of safeguarding China’s national interests.

India has revoked the transshipment facility that allowed Bangladesh to export goods to third countries via Indian land customs stations, ports, and airports. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs issued the cancellation order on April 8, also scrapping a 2020 directive that enabled the process. Goods already in transit through India will be allowed to exit. The move follows lobbying from India’s apparel exporters. This decision impacts exports to Nepal and Bhutan, which relied on Indian territory for transport.

The Dhaka Education Board announced that students can fill up HSC forms with late fees from April 13 to 21 and must complete payment via Sonali Sheba by April 22. Institutions are responsible for ensuring form completion. HSC exams start June 26 and run through August 10, with practicals from August 11 to 21.