Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani held a telephone conversation with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Tawhid Hossain. The two discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. The conversation also covered aspects of economic cooperation, diplomacy, and the welfare of expatriates. The dialogue is seen as a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties, paving the way for closer and more effective collaboration between the two nations.

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed has announced that a separate secretariat for the judiciary will be established soon. He stated that a thorough evaluation process is currently underway, including the review of several proposals. “Finalization is imminent,” he said, while noting that efforts are being made to address any constitutional hurdles. The Chief Justice also highlighted the infrastructural challenges faced by lawyers, especially female lawyers, and assured that these issues will be resolved soon. He called on lawyers and journalists to support the establishment of an independent judiciary.

In Manikganj, the home of artist Manbendra Ghosh was set on fire by alleged supporters of the ruling Awami League, following accusations that he created an artwork resembling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh) celebrations in Dhaka. Ghosh has denied the allegations, claiming the piece was a tiger motif, not a depiction of Hasina. Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki condemned the attack and stated that the police have begun operations to apprehend the perpetrators. He also confirmed that the Home Adviser has issued clear directives to the Inspector General of Police. Farooki pointed out that pro-government activists had been inciting online attacks against the artist in recent days, accusing him of ‘creating an effigy of Hasina.’ He warned that this violent trend appears to be continuing into July.

Investigations have revealed that S. Alam Group has acquired and occupied approximately 6,231 bighas of land across various regions of Bangladesh, with 5,000 bighas located in Chattogram alone. Authorities have also identified 17 luxury apartments in Dhaka and Chattogram linked to the group. The total estimated value of these assets stands at around BDT 64,000 crore. A central bank probe has found that S. Alam Group embezzled nearly BDT 2 trillion from several banks, part of which was allegedly laundered abroad, while other portions were invested in industries and land—violating the central bank’s regulations that prohibit purchasing land with commercial loans. The Financial Intelligence Unit has also traced properties under S. Alam’s name in Singapore, the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Canada, and Malaysia. Authorities have seized shares worth BDT 25,366 crore across multiple companies connected to the group.

A high-level BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, met with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at his residence in Jamuna to discuss the upcoming national election. The delegation included Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Nazrul Islam Khan. According to party insiders, Wednesday’s meeting is expected to focus on formulating a clear election roadmap and addressing prevailing confusion surrounding the electoral process. The BNP also seeks clarity on the government’s stance regarding the election and intends to raise concerns about the current political climate. On April 17, BNP will hold another round of discussions with the National Consensus Commission on reform issues.

A tragic incident occurred on the Cox’s Bazar-bound Prabal Express when a fire broke out near Lohagara. In panic, a couple jumped from the moving train with their 8-month-old son, resulting in the child’s death. The injured parents—24-year-old Abdur Razzak and 18-year-old Liza Akter—are in critical condition. According to Station Master Didar Hossain, the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit and was extinguished within 15–20 minutes. However, the panic led to the fatal leap.

Responding to queries about the reported arrest warrant against British MP and former UK minister Tulip Siddiq, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of local Bangladeshi authorities. She emphasized that Bangladesh’s future must be determined by its people, noting the importance of elections and cautioning against decisions that could damage the lives of citizens. Bruce remarked, “For 20–25 years we’ve seen how bad choices can destroy lives. Now, many countries must decide which path they want to take.”

In the wake of a mass uprising, a court has ordered the seizure of shares worth Tk 17,000 crore belonging to the family of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 10 major industrial groups. Additionally, Tk 4,000 crore from various bank accounts has been frozen and travel bans imposed on 84 individuals. The task force—led by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur—is investigating financial activities of groups including S. Alam, Beximco, Nabil, Summit, Orion, Gemcon, Nasa, Sikder, Aramit, and others. Some company heads have reportedly renounced their Bangladeshi citizenship. The task force is moving swiftly to recover illicit funds.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has issued a statement urging the KUET syndicate to compassionately reconsider the temporary suspension of 37 students following the February 18-19 campus incidents. JCD called for restoring academic normalcy and improving the educational environment. The statement also criticized Chhatra League for fostering a toxic campus culture over the past 15 years, and called for educational reforms, democratic rights, peaceful coexistence, and better student accommodation and nutrition across all institutions.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has expressed gratitude to the Chief Adviser for selecting Rangpur Division as the site for one of the three planned China-Bangladesh Friendship General Hospitals. In a statement, Sarjis highlighted the long-standing healthcare challenges faced by residents in remote areas of Rangpur. He emphasized the need for medical colleges and hospitals in the region and argued that turning Rangpur into a healthcare hub could also benefit neighboring countries.

Md. Zobaidur Rahman Jony, founder of ‘Medico,’ has alleged that on August 2, 2023, plainclothes CID officer Jewel Chakma and several other officers forcibly entered his apartment without allowing his wife to wear her hijab. He claims he was abducted, beaten, and pictures of the assault were sent to his wife. Jony alleges the then-CID chief threatened him with crossfire if he didn’t pay Tk 5 crore. His family was later forced to sell property and paid Tk 4 crore in installments through CID officials. Jony denies allegations of exam paper leaks and has filed a case on April 15 against Jewel Chakma (now Additional SP, RAB-14), former CID chief Mohammad Ali Mia, SI Mehedi Hasan, SI Atikur Rahman, and several unidentified individuals.

Intelligence sources report that ousted members of the Awami League are secretly regrouping and heading toward Dhaka. Their primary objective is to demoralize and destabilize the police force. Analysts warn that such efforts could severely impact law and order, ultimately harming the government. In the past seven months alone, 322 cases have been filed over attacks on police forces, with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) being the main target. DMP stations have registered 63 such cases during this period. Experts are calling for decisive action to curb this trend.

Indian law enforcement arrested 24 Bangladeshi nationals—including 11 women and 4 children—from a village in the Chilmarie forest area of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. None of them had valid travel documents. During interrogation, they admitted to entering India via coastal routes.

Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves have risen to $26.51 billion, driven by increased remittances and export earnings, according to central bank data. As of April 15, gross reserves stood at $26.52 billion, while reserves calculated under the IMF’s BPM6 method amounted to $21.18 billion. Reserves had dipped to $19.7 billion after a $1.75 billion payment to the Asian Clearing Union in March but have since rebounded.

In Kurigram’s Roumari, BNP leader Abdul Aziz and his followers allegedly beat Jamaat-e-Islami activist and lecturer Abul Hashem (50) and his son Tahmid Arman Jim (18) after announcing the attack over a loudspeaker. The assault reportedly stemmed from Hashem’s criticism on Facebook of illegal excavators and tractors damaging local roads. Aziz, also president of the local tractor association, had earlier issued threats to Hashem.