At the Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Bangladesh National Conference 2026, participants warned that recently passed digital laws in Bangladesh continue to pose risks to freedom of expression and personal privacy. Speakers at a press conference held Tuesday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center said the laws were passed hastily without stakeholder consultation and retained provisions enabling extensive digital surveillance.

Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that the new laws contain inconsistencies and contradict both the spirit of July’s ideals and the ruling party’s election pledges. UNESCO’s Head of Representative in Bangladesh, Susan Vize, urged the government to review the laws to strengthen human rights protections. Additional Secretary Muhammad Anwar Uddin from the ICT Ministry defended the laws as necessary and said improvements are underway.

Representatives from Meta, Telenor Asia, and BTRC discussed implications for data management, telecommunications oversight, and trust in policymaking. The conference also featured a panel on artificial intelligence governance, emphasizing the need for meaningful dialogue in developing AI policies.

Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman told Parliament that everyone ‘lovingly blames’ him for various issues, prompting laughter in the chamber. He made the comment on Tuesday during a discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, responding to remarks by Bangladesh National Party (BJP) MP Andaleeve Rahman Partha. The exchange began when Partha referred to statements about freeing people from the Zia family, which Rahman denied making.

Dr. Rahman challenged Partha to clarify when, where, and how he allegedly made such comments, insisting he never speaks recklessly about anyone, including the family of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Partha replied that his reference came from another leader’s statement, not Rahman’s, calling the situation a misunderstanding. The Deputy Speaker, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, intervened to restore order as tensions rose.

Dr. Rahman later emphasized that any parliamentary references or documents must be clear and accurate to avoid confusion. He urged members to present evidence precisely when citing sources during debates.

Leaders and activists of the Jubo League in Kamalnagar, Lakshmipur, reportedly took an oath at night to bring back Sheikh Hasina to the country. A video that surfaced on social media on Monday showed the group swearing allegiance under the leadership of Char Kalkini Union Jubo League president Zahidul Islam Riad. Locals said the event took place secretly at a remote riverside location along the Meghna River.

The two-minute, forty-one-second video showed around a hundred participants standing in rows and pledging readiness to make any sacrifice for their leader. Following the student and public uprising, most Awami League members and affiliates have gone into hiding, and the video has sparked curiosity and concern among residents. Omar Faruk, joint convener of the local Jubo Dal, condemned the act, alleging that the group was planning unrest in Kamalnagar.

Kamalnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Faridul Alam stated that the video is under investigation and that legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken the initiative to construct five new houses for three families affected by an arson attack in Masqara village of Chauddagram upazila, Comilla. The foundation stone for the new houses was laid on Tuesday afternoon, according to Moksedul Momin Mithun, member secretary of the organization 'Amra BNP Poribar'. The initiative followed a viral video on social media showing that the families’ homes were burned allegedly for voting for the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol.

Mithun stated that the Prime Minister, upon seeing the video, instructed his additional press secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman to provide immediate assistance to the victims. The foundation-laying ceremony was led by Masud Rana, with local BNP leaders including Upazila BNP president Md Kamrul Huda present. Huda emphasized that standing by persecuted and affected people is a moral duty, and that 'Amra BNP Poribar' continues humanitarian support under the Prime Minister’s direction.

The arson incident occurred on April 4 in Batisha Union, where several homes, including that of farmer Milon, were completely destroyed. Injured Jubo Dal leader Zahidul Hasan Masum also received medical support on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam announced that the government is preparing a policy to regulate illegal battery-powered rickshaws in the capital. He made the statement on Tuesday during a meeting at the DSCC building focused on easing traffic congestion and reducing public suffering caused by unlicensed rickshaws. Leaders of the Bangladesh Rickshaw-Van and Battery Rickshaw-Van Owners Federation attended the meeting, which was chaired by Salam.

According to the discussion, the number of unlicensed battery-powered rickshaws has grown sharply, worsening traffic and endangering public safety. Federation leaders said pedal rickshaws are disappearing as drivers switch to battery models, and some owners have added batteries to licensed pedal rickshaws. They urged the government to legalize these modified vehicles under the new policy and to take action against seasonal operators from outside Dhaka.

Salam stated that the policy will balance public convenience and livelihoods, setting standards for design, speed, and safety to prevent road disorder. He also called on legitimate Dhaka-based rickshaw owners and drivers to oppose illegal operators from outside the city.

A violent clash between activists of the BNP and Jamaat occurred in Taherpur village of Begumganj upazila, Noakhali, on the night of April 27, 2026. The incident, reportedly triggered by previous political disputes, left at least eight people injured, including a Jubo Dal activist named Shakil Mahmud, who sustained a gunshot wound. The confrontation took place around 9:30 p.m. following tensions that began earlier in the day at a rally of the newly formed Krishak Dal.

Police and local sources said the conflict stemmed from an earlier altercation between two BNP supporters, which escalated when rival groups gathered in the evening. BNP’s former vice president of the local unit, Md. Alauddin, alleged that Jamaat-linked individuals attacked him, while others claimed the shooting resulted from a misfire by BNP members. Jamaat’s district secretary, Borhan Uddin, denied his party’s involvement, asserting it was an internal BNP dispute.

Begumganj police confirmed visiting the scene and stated that legal action would follow upon receiving a written complaint.

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller paid a courtesy call on Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the Secretariat on Tuesday. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation between Bangladesh and the EU, with both sides describing the discussions as productive.

The minister emphasized expanding and strengthening mutual partnership, particularly by utilizing EU expertise in water management. He expressed interest in launching joint experience-sharing programs in this sector, noting their potential benefits for Bangladesh. Ambassador Miller described Bangladesh as a reliable and proven development partner and reaffirmed the EU’s interest in deepening and broadening existing cooperation.

Discussions also covered decentralization of governance, e-governance improvement, infrastructure progress, and sustainable development. Both parties expressed optimism that joint initiatives and partnerships would make future Bangladesh–EU development cooperation more dynamic. Senior officials from the ministry and its subordinate offices were present at the meeting.

Teachers at Barishal University have declared a total non-cooperation movement against Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Toufiq Alam amid an ongoing complete shutdown program demanding promotions. The announcement was made at a press conference held on Tuesday noon at the administrative building of the university. Since the work stoppage and shutdown began on April 22, all academic and administrative activities, including classes and examinations, have been halted.

According to the protesting teachers, many faculty members became eligible for promotion under the university’s existing upgradation policy as early as mid-2024, but no action was taken by the previous vice-chancellor. They allege that the current vice-chancellor has continued to delay the process despite repeated requests. Teachers claim that mandatory upgradation board meetings were not held within the required timeframe and that even after partial progress in late 2025, the final approval process was stalled.

The teachers further accuse the vice-chancellor of using comments from University Grants Commission officials as a pretext to suspend promotions and of undermining the university’s autonomy. They have called for government intervention to resolve the crisis, while the vice-chancellor has urged teachers to resume classes and warned of legal action if disruptions continue.

Kishoreganj-4 Member of Parliament Fazlur Rahman made strong remarks during a parliamentary session on Tuesday afternoon, saying that although the descendants of collaborators still exist, freedom fighters like him are also alive. He criticized opposition members, noting that some call him 'Faza Pagla' while claiming to be civilized.

Rahman further stated that an opposition leader identified himself as belonging to a freedom fighter and martyr family while being associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, which he described as a 'double crime.' He argued that members of freedom fighter or martyr families should not be involved with Jamaat.

Referring to events after August 5 under the Yunus government, Rahman said that cultural activities such as songs, plays, and Lalon music could not take place in front of the Shilpakala Academy, claiming that dark forces had destroyed everything.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the Bangladesh government is determined to make the Coast Guard a modern, strong, and time-befitting force to ensure security in the country’s maritime and coastal areas. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, during the celebration of the 31st founding anniversary and Coast Guard Day 2026.

The minister recalled that the force was established in 1995 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia with the motto “Guardian at Sea.” He praised the Coast Guard’s recent successes in curbing drug trafficking, human smuggling, and piracy, as well as protecting forest and fishery resources in the Sundarbans, including 29 successful operations in the past year. He also highlighted the addition of three surveillance drones and ongoing construction of one multirole response vessel and two offshore patrol vessels funded by JICA.

Ahmed announced plans to procure bulletproof high-speed boats through Khulna Shipyard and to add helicopters and a maritime surveillance system in the future. The government is also working to increase the force’s manpower to 10,000 members.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed multiple times that a regime change has already occurred in Iran, asserting that the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top officials brought about this shift. However, reports indicate that Iran’s core institutions of the Islamic Republic remain functional. Following Khamenei’s death, a religious council swiftly appointed his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor.

Iran’s military, security, political, and judicial authorities have reaffirmed their loyalty to the Supreme Leader’s office and the theocratic system. Although the new leader has not yet appeared publicly, several written statements have been released on his behalf. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), established after the 1979 revolution to protect the regime, continues to lead military operations and maintain significant economic influence through control of natural resources.

The IRGC also retains armed control of the streets through the Basij and other paramilitary forces, underscoring the continued strength of Iran’s theocratic governance structure despite leadership changes.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that establishing the rule of justice is essential to consolidate Bangladesh’s democratic journey. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka’s Shahbagh during a discussion marking National Legal Aid Day 2026, organized by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. At the event, lawyers Sayem Khan from Dhaka and Nilima Biswas from Rajshahi received awards from the Prime Minister for their contributions.

Rahman stated that no country can be truly democratic or humane without the rule of law, justice, and human rights. He emphasized that after the end of one and a half decades of authoritarian rule, Bangladesh has resumed its democratic path. The government, he said, is committed to ensuring access to justice for all, particularly for those unable to afford legal assistance, through continued legal aid programs and specific plans.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that justice should not remain confined to legal texts but become a living value reflected in all state policies and institutions. BRAC was recognized for advancing legal aid activities nationwide, with its Executive Director Asif Saleh receiving an award.

A 62-year-old Hajj pilgrim named Bacchu Mia has died, and Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has taken responsibility for transporting his body to his village and arranging the burial. The incident occurred when Bacchu Mia, accompanied by his wife, arrived at the Hajj camp early Tuesday morning. After feeling unwell, he was assisted by volunteers and taken to the medical camp, where a doctor referred him to Kurmitola General Hospital. Upon arrival, the attending physician declared him dead.

According to the Hajj Office director, Bacchu Mia’s body was sent to his home village, Lundia in Bhairab upazila of Kishoreganj, in a refrigerated vehicle. His wife, a Ministry of Religious Affairs official, a representative from the Hajj agency, and several volunteers accompanied the body. Fellow pilgrims said Bacchu Mia had felt discomfort on the way to the camp, and attempts to give him sugar at a roadside tea stall were unsuccessful.

The Prime Minister’s decision to oversee the burial arrangements reflects direct state involvement in supporting the deceased pilgrim’s family.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has said that Bangladesh has urged India to normalize visa issuance for Bangladeshi citizens and expressed hope that positive changes will be seen soon. He made the statement on Tuesday in response to a question from ruling party lawmaker Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Kishoreganj-5) during a parliamentary question-and-answer session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister referred to his recent visit to India, during which he held productive discussions with India’s foreign minister, the minister of petroleum and natural gas, and the national security adviser. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with India and other South Asian neighbors are based on shared values, historical ties, and strong people-to-people connections.

Dr. Rahman added that since the current government took office, it has been working to advance relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality, fairness, mutual respect and trust, and national interest.

At a gathering in New York on Sunday afternoon, expatriate leaders from organizations Patriots of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Forum called on the Bangladesh government to implement the July Charter in accordance with the referendum verdict. The event was held to demand enforcement of the verdict and an end to mob violence.

Speakers including SM Rahmat Ullah Bhuiyan of JAGPA USA, Abdul Kader of Patriots of Bangladesh, and Haji Anwar Hossain of JSF criticized the government for alleged subservience to India and for curbing freedom of speech. They described the July movement as a historic struggle for democracy and dignity, urging unity among expatriates to restore democratic rights and respect the people’s mandate. Participants also emphasized building international awareness against what they termed ongoing state repression and human rights violations.

The meeting, chaired by journalist Dipu Chowdhury of Bangladesh Forum, was attended by leaders from various political, social, and cultural organizations, human rights activists, and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora.