Jamaat-e-Islami activist Bibi Sawda was released on bail on April 7, 2026, after being arrested under Section 54 in Bhola. She was detained from her home on April 5 for sharing a Facebook post about the ongoing fuel crisis. Upon her release, Sawda expressed anger and grief over what she described as suppression of freedom of speech, warning that if such rights were taken away, a new mass uprising could begin. Thousands of female Jamaat activists gathered at the Bhola District and Sessions Judge Court premises during her release.

Her lawyer, Advocate Abdullah Al Mamun, said the court granted unconditional bail as the case was bailable and the prosecution failed to present valid grounds to oppose it. The bail order was issued by Senior Judicial Magistrate Saurav Roy Mithu after hearing arguments from both sides.

Bhola district Jamaat leaders had earlier condemned the arrest, calling it inhumane since Sawda was taken away in front of her speech-impaired three-year-old child. They demanded her immediate release and warned of protests against what they termed authoritarian actions.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police have sought a two-day remand for former Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in an attempted murder case filed at Lalbagh Police Station. The remand petition was submitted to the court on Tuesday afternoon. Earlier that morning, she was shown arrested in the same case linked to the anti-discrimination movement.

According to the report, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was detained early Tuesday from her cousin Arif Masud Chaudhury’s residence in Dhanmondi and later interrogated at the Detective Branch office on Minto Road. She also faces a murder case related to the July uprising, in which a gold worker named Muslim Uddin was shot dead in Rangpur on August 27, 2024. Police said she has six cases filed against her in various police stations across Dhaka.

The report adds that Shirin Sharmin had been in hiding since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, and resigned from her position as Speaker on September 2 of the same year.

The Bangladesh Parliament passed nine bills on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, converting ordinances issued during the interim government into laws. The bills were approved by voice vote without any amendments or debate. Among them, the Haor and Wetland Conservation Bill was introduced by the Water Resources Minister, while the Law Minister Asaduzzaman presented several amendment bills, including the Code of Criminal Procedure, Civil Courts, International Crimes (Tribunals), and Registration Acts.

During the presentation of the International Crimes (Tribunals) (Amendment) Bill, the Law Minister stated that the bill includes enforced disappearance within the definition of crimes against humanity. He advised critics to review the law before claiming the government intends to abolish the disappearance law, asserting that the government is committed to justice for such crimes. Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman responded that the minister’s remarks were unnecessary, while the Speaker reminded members to keep discussions within parliamentary bounds.

Other bills passed were related to the health ministry, mainly to formalize name changes in existing laws. In the absence of the Health Minister, the Home Minister presented three health-related amendment bills, and later the Health Minister proposed another, all of which were passed by voice vote.

An eleven-party alliance, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party, has announced a series of nationwide protests demanding the implementation of a referendum verdict. The announcement came on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, following a meeting at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka’s Moghbazar. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish leader Maulana Mamunul Haque declared the program, accusing the government of opposing the referendum’s outcome.

According to the announced schedule, leaflet distribution at Shahbagh will begin on April 9, followed by protest marches at upazila and thana levels on April 11, district-wide rallies on April 12, and a seminar in Dhaka on April 13 in support of enforcing the referendum verdict. Mamunul Haque stated that the alliance would continue its street movement until the verdict is implemented and criticized the BNP for ignoring interim government reform decisions.

The press conference was conducted by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, with senior leaders from several allied parties present, including Jamaat, Khelafat Majlish, the National Citizens Party, and others.

Several US lawmakers have called for invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office. The amendment allows the transfer of presidential powers to the vice president if the president is deemed unable to perform duties. Arizona Congresswoman Yasamin Ansari most recently urged this step, accusing Trump of inciting an illegal war, threatening potential war crimes, and targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran. Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, New Mexico Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, former Illinois Republican Congressman Joe Walsh, and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy also voiced similar demands.

The calls emerged amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, following Trump’s strong rhetoric and actions related to the conflict. Lawmakers described the situation as abnormal and alarming, urging immediate constitutional action by Congress and the Cabinet.

The debate underscores growing concern in Washington over Trump’s handling of the Iran crisis and its potential consequences for US foreign policy and global stability.

Former Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury has been shown arrested in a case filed at Lalbagh Police Station in connection with the anti-discrimination movement. The arrest was confirmed on Tuesday morning by Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police Joint Commissioner Md. Nasir Uddin. Authorities stated that she faces six cases across various police stations in the capital, including the Lalbagh case. Earlier that morning, she was detained from her cousin Arif Masud Chowdhury’s residence in Dhanmondi and later questioned at the Detective Branch office on Minto Road.

Police sources said Shirin Sharmin is also accused in a murder case related to the July uprising, where a gold worker named Muslim Uddin was shot dead in Rangpur. The case was filed on August 27, 2024, by the victim’s wife against Shirin Sharmin, former Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, and 15 others. Tipu Munshi is currently in jail over that case.

According to police, Shirin Sharmin had been in hiding since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, and resigned from her post as Speaker on September 2 of the same year.

The Bangladesh Parliament has introduced three bills to repeal ordinances issued during the caretaker government concerning the Supreme Court Secretariat, judicial appointments, and the National Human Rights Commission. Law Minister Asaduzzaman presented the bills separately on Monday, with discussions expected later in the week. The bills aim to nullify caretaker-era decrees and reinstate the 2009 law governing the Human Rights Commission.

During the session, confusion arose when the Law Minister mistakenly introduced the wrong bill, leading to one bill being presented multiple times while another was not introduced at all. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker addressed the procedural errors, and the minister acknowledged the mistake. Opposition members raised objections to the Supreme Court-related bills, citing dissent notes in the special committee.

In the same session, Parliament passed seven other bills, including amendments to the Representation of the People Order and the Voter List Act, without debate. The legislative push is part of a broader effort to regularize 133 ordinances issued under the caretaker administration before the April 9 deadline.

The government of Bangladesh has declared a general holiday on April 9, 2026, in areas under two constituencies—Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3—where by-elections will be held. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on April 1 announcing the decision, which was made under the authority of the Rules of Business 1996. The holiday will apply only to the respective electoral areas on the day of voting.

According to the notification, the decision was taken based on a request from the Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat. The by-elections are being held to fill two vacant parliamentary seats. The Bogura-6 seat became vacant after BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who had won both Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 in the 13th national election on February 12, chose to retain Dhaka-17. The Sherpur-3 seat remained vacant after the death of the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate before the February election, leading to the postponement of voting there.

Voting in both constituencies is scheduled for April 9, 2026, with the declared holiday intended to facilitate voter participation.

The Bangladesh National Parliament has decided to conduct two daily sittings starting Tuesday to meet the constitutional requirement of converting 133 ordinances, issued during the interim government, into laws. The first session will begin at 10:30 a.m. and adjourn at noon, while the second will start at 3:30 p.m. and continue into the night. The decision was announced by Chief Whip Nurul Islam following an emergency meeting of the Business Advisory Committee on Monday.

Nurul Islam explained that all 133 ordinances must be passed by April 9. He expressed regret that copies of all bills could not be distributed earlier due to time constraints. He added that bills already agreed upon in special committees would be passed immediately, while those with dissent notes or proposed amendments would be presented separately by the next day. According to parliamentary sources, nine ordinances have already been passed, including seven on April 6, with three more introduced the same day.

The move to hold two sessions daily aims to ensure completion of the legislative process before the April 12 constitutional deadline for final decisions on the ordinances.

Former Speaker of Bangladesh’s National Parliament, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, was arrested early Tuesday morning from her residence after remaining out of public view for 20 months. According to reports, she was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) police around 4:30 a.m. She had gone into hiding on August 5, 2024, amid mass protests and an uprising that led to the fall of the previous government.

Sources indicated that during her disappearance, Chowdhury was under strict government surveillance and lived with her husband and younger son. She had resigned from her position as Speaker on September 2, 2024, though questions persisted about whether the resignation was voluntary. Allegations also surfaced that she applied for an e-passport while in hiding, possibly to leave the country. Chowdhury faces a murder case filed in Rangpur related to the July 2024 uprising, in which former minister Tipu Munshi is already in custody.

Following her arrest, she was taken to the DB office on Minto Road in Dhaka. Authorities may show her arrested in the ongoing murder case, which would require her appearance before a Rangpur court.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has strongly condemned the arrest of Bibi Sawda, a female activist of the Bhola Municipality Women’s Jamaat-e-Islami. In a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, he described the treatment of Sawda as a message of neo-fascism, accusing those in power of silencing dissenting voices to hide their failures.

Earlier, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Helal issued a statement on Monday night expressing deep concern and protest over the arrest, which took place at Sawda’s home around 11 p.m. on April 5. He said law enforcement officials cited “higher orders” as the reason for the arrest, calling it inhumane and undemocratic. Helal noted that Sawda has a three-year-old speech-impaired child who depends on her care.

Helal demanded Sawda’s unconditional release and urged authorities to ensure a humane and democratic environment in the country, stating that such actions contradict the public’s expectations following the 2026 election.

US President Donald Trump has sharply reacted to reports that Iran plans to impose tolls on ships passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Responding to a journalist’s question, Trump said Iran would not be allowed to collect any tolls and asserted that the United States could do so instead if necessary. He claimed that the US holds dominance in the region and therefore has the right to collect tolls. Analysts noted that such a move could require establishing military control over the strait.

Trump also issued a stern warning to Iran, threatening that the country could be “destroyed overnight” if no agreement is reached by the set deadline. He stated that Iran must reach a deal by 8 p.m. Washington time on Tuesday. Iran, however, rejected the pressure, saying it would not accept any temporary ceasefire and would only agree to a deal ensuring a permanent halt to attacks and compensation for war damages.

Earlier, Trump had said Iran was offered an acceptable deal, but Tehran’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal has further complicated the situation.

US President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO and key allied nations for failing to support the United States in the ongoing war with Iran. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, April 6, he described NATO as a “paper tiger” and named Australia, Japan, and South Korea as countries that provided no assistance. Trump expressed frustration that despite the US maintaining large troop deployments to protect its allies, they did not reciprocate during this conflict.

He reminded reporters that 50,000 US troops are stationed in Japan and 45,000 in South Korea to defend those nations, yet they have not stood by the United States in its time of need. His remarks reflected growing anger over what he sees as an imbalance in alliance commitments.

Trump also claimed that the US military has plans capable of destroying Iran’s bridges and power plants within hours but emphasized that Washington does not wish to take such extreme action.

Former Speaker of the National Parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was detained by the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) early Tuesday morning. According to the report, the detention took place around 5 a.m. at a residence on Road 8/A in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner A.N.M. Nasir Uddin confirmed the detention and said she is currently being held at the DB office. He added that further details would be provided later.

The DB has not yet issued any official statement regarding the specific case or reason for her detention. Joint Commissioner (DB) Nasirul Islam stated that she was detained from the house of her relative, Arif Mahmud Masud. Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury served as Speaker of the National Parliament for over a decade, first elected on April 30, 2013. She reportedly went into hiding after August 5, 2024, following a student and public uprising, and had not been seen publicly since then.

Authorities have not disclosed what legal or investigative process will follow her detention.

Iran’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, stated in an interview on April 5 that Tehran is fully prepared to support Bangladesh in energy security, deep-sea mineral exploration, and advanced technology cooperation. He said Iran views Bangladesh’s recent political transition and the leadership of Tarique Rahman positively, expressing hope that the country will pursue an independent foreign policy and play a constructive role in Muslim world unity.

The ambassador emphasized Iran’s willingness to collaborate in oil and gas exploration, refinery establishment, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, stem cell research, and medical science. He also confirmed discussions with Bangladesh’s energy minister regarding safe passage for Bangladeshi ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Jahanabadi criticized U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran, linking them to global economic disruptions, including fuel shortages in Bangladesh.

He urged Bangladesh to use its diplomatic ties with the United States to promote peace and discourage the use of regional bases for military aggression. The envoy concluded by reaffirming Iran’s commitment to stand by Bangladesh during crises and strengthen bilateral friendship.