Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has confirmed meeting BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia during his recent Brussels trip. “We worked together for many years. She is unwell, and it is our moral responsibility to check on her,” he said. When asked about any communication with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, he responded, “When two people meet, many things are discussed.” He declined to elaborate further. During the trip, Jamaat leaders also met with members of the South Asia Caucus of the European Parliament and officials from the EU’s South Asia desk.

Former press secretary to Khaleda Zia, Maruf Kamal, has revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Naib-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Abu Taher recently met with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Tareque Rahman at Tareque’s residence in London after their return from a European tour. Details of the meeting remain undisclosed. Kamal hinted that this meeting may either signal a political development or be merely a courtesy visit—only time will tell.

The shutdown of 170 madrasas in India’s Uttarakhand state has drawn strong condemnation from the Young Ulema Society, known for leading the July uprising. In a statement, they described the move as a blow to India’s secularism and a systematic attempt to marginalize Muslim education and culture. They said, “If 170 temples were shut down in Bangladesh, the world would erupt in protest.” They also criticized the rising state-sponsored suppression of Muslim institutions, prayer practices, and religious attire in India, calling for global accountability.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted a raid at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today, focusing on financial irregularities in the Mujib Centenary program. Assistant Director Mahmudul Hasan stated that Tk 250 million was reported as spent for a concert and related events, although actual spending was just Tk 70 million. Documents were also requested regarding ticket sales revenue of Tk 20 million, which was not reported. ACC suspects embezzlement may exceed Tk 190 million. Additional irregularities were found in third-division team selections as well.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Jabed Iqbal from RAB-2 has been suspended following his February 11 arrest under a warrant issued by the International Crimes Tribunal Act, 1973 (Section 3). According to a Home Ministry notice, his suspension is in accordance with Section 39(2) of the Government Service Act, 2018. He will remain eligible for subsistence allowance during this period, as per government rules.

At Chittagong University, a student was reportedly beaten by Chhatra Dal members on suspicion of being affiliated with the banned student group Chhatra League. The victim, Shawon Hossain from the Statistics Department (session 2016-17), denies any involvement. However, Chhatra Dal members claim he had assaulted one of their activists earlier. Shawon is reportedly linked to the CFC subgroup of Chhatra League. Police also confirmed that Chhatra Dal tried to block his transfer from the university medical center to Chittagong Medical College.

In a statement, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Golam Parwar criticized the government’s decision to increase soybean oil prices and industrial gas tariffs. He called the 14-taka hike in oil and 33% gas price increase “irrational” and harmful to new industrial ventures. With the new gas rate at BDT 40 per unit, up from BDT 30, Parwar warned that these changes will discourage entrepreneurship and worsen conditions for the poor, who primarily rely on soybean oil for cooking. He urged the government to withdraw the decisions immediately.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has announced new prices for soybean oil, effective immediately. Bottled soybean oil will now cost BDT 189 per liter, an increase of BDT 14. Loose soybean oil will sell at BDT 169 per liter, up by BDT 12. A five-liter bottle will now retail at BDT 922. To increase local supply, two oil companies have resumed production, with six to seven more expected to follow. The last price hike occurred on December 9, 2023, when bottled oil was set at BDT 175 per liter.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) has officially banned the import of yarn via land routes from India, including ports such as Benapole, Bhomra, Sonamasjid, Banglabandha, and Burimari. However, yarn imports will still be allowed via sea or other non-land routes. The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association had earlier demanded a halt to land-route imports, citing unfair competition. Reports suggest yarn imported via land was being under-invoiced compared to declared prices at Chattogram Customs, undermining local manufacturers.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former UK minister and niece of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Siddiq, along with two former RAJUK legal advisers, over allegations of illegally acquiring a flat in Gulshan, Dhaka.
According to ACC sources, the accused are Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, former Assistant Legal Adviser of RAJUK Shah Md. Khasruzzaman, and former Assistant Legal Adviser-1 Sardar Mosharraf Hossain. The complaint alleges that the trio conspired to misuse their influence and violate public trust, obtaining a luxury flat in Eastern Housing Ltd.’s Gulshan-2 property (Flat No. B/201, House No. 5A & 5B [old], now 113 & 11B [new], Road No. 71) without making any payment. The property was later formally registered in their names.
The charges include abuse of power, misconduct, and unlawful enrichment through criminal conspiracy.

Sheikh Bashir Uddin, currently serving as adviser to the interim government’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Textiles & Jute, has now also been given charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. This reshuffle was confirmed through a cabinet notification issued on Tuesday. The new responsibilities were assigned by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Sheikh Bashir, the Managing Director of Akij Bashir Group, was sworn in as an adviser to the interim cabinet on November 10.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has clarified that he never claimed the government would remain in power for five years. “That’s what the people have said,” he noted. As for the timing of the next general election, he stated, “The Chief Adviser has already addressed that. I have nothing to add.”
Referring to the attack that took place the day before the Pahela Baishakh event at Chattogram’s DC Hill, he assured the public that steps would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Regarding the recent transfer of the Detective Branch chief, he said the move had no connection to the Meghna Alam case. “It was a routine administrative change—officials come and go,” he explained. He also announced that police uniforms and logos would gradually be updated.
Jahangir Alam highlighted that this year’s Chaitra Sankranti and Pahela Baishakh festivities saw successful participation from people of all communities for the first time.

Khoda Bux Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, has stated that no unlawful action has been taken against model Meghna Alam. He emphasized that all actions have been carried out in accordance with existing laws, and where necessary, special legal provisions have been invoked. “This does not constitute any illegal activity,” he clarified. Regarding the allegations and ongoing developments, he added, “The matter is currently under judicial consideration in the High Court. Since it is sub judice, it would be inappropriate to comment further. We’ll wait and see what the court decides.”
Notably, a legal adviser had earlier raised concerns about the arrest procedure, calling it improper.

For the 118th time, the submission of the investigation report into the high-profile murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi has been delayed. The court has extended the deadline to May 21. The PBI has already interrogated six individuals, including a retired Supreme Court judge, former military officers, and suspects in other homicide cases. Despite high-profile detentions, the case remains unresolved over a decade after the brutal double murder.

Harvard University has refused to comply with demands from the Trump administration regarding alleged antisemitism on campus. In a strongly worded letter, Harvard’s legal team accused the administration of undermining university autonomy and misrepresenting efforts to combat bigotry. The administration had threatened to review $9 billion in federal funding and contracts over the university’s response to pro-Palestinian protests. Already, $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts have been suspended, sparking a national debate over academic freedom and government overreach.