Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has revealed that the country’s banking sector has become a major victim of money laundering. Over the past 15 years, approximately Tk 5 trillion (500,000 crore) has been misappropriated. He said major business groups and families have laundered Tk 250,000 to 300,000 crore abroad. One large group from Chattogram alone siphoned off nearly Tk 150,000 crore. Dr. Mansur assured that action will be taken upon receiving concrete allegations. Despite the losses, he said the country’s stock market and foreign reserves remain stable, exports are increasing, inflation is at a manageable level, and regular LNG imports are helping maintain stable electricity production.

In protest against the genocide in Gaza, the ‘March for Gaza’ will be held on Saturday at Suhrawardy Udyan. Islamic scholar Shaykh Ahmadullah issued five guidelines for participants, including personal responsibility for the event’s success, maintaining cleanliness, bringing essentials like water, umbrellas, and masks, avoiding provocation, and cooperating with volunteers. Participants are instructed to carry only the Bangladeshi and Palestinian flags, avoiding political symbols. Any attempt to incite violence will be deemed a conspiracy, and joint efforts with law enforcement will be made to resist wrongdoers.

BNP Vice Chairman Dr. Asadzuzzaman Ripon stated that the public is seeking change and has grown weary of governance similar to the Awami League’s. He said people desire elections and the right to vote, for which they have fought and sacrificed. Ripon reiterated BNP’s dual demands for reform and elections. He criticized certain advisers for allegedly harboring ambitions to remain in power for another five years, calling such claims that the public wants them to stay “utterly false.”

Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud announced plans to revitalize grassroots sports, stating, “We’re giving importance to district-level sports. The Bangladesh Football Federation has been instructed to design a plan for district football. Once that’s in place, we aim to start within 2–3 months.” He emphasized ongoing efforts to bring structural reforms in the sports sector and has requested the government for more incentives to support this vision. Sports organizer Anjan Chowdhury Pintu also urged increased attention to district-level sporting activities.

During a meeting with ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan in Turkey, Advisers Md. Touhid Hossain and Md. Mahfuz Alam expressed deep sympathy for the suffering of the Palestinian people due to recent aggression. They appreciated the ICC’s stance on the Gaza situation and the Rohingya crisis. Bangladesh reaffirmed its unwavering support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, in line with multiple UN resolutions. The advisers also emphasized the importance of accountability and justice for crimes against the Rohingya, calling for a lasting resolution to the crisis.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, criticized India’s decision to unilaterally halt transshipment, stating that such actions violate international agreements and are unbecoming of a trustworthy neighbor. He warned, “You will be mistaken if you view Bangladesh through Hasina’s eyes. Build relations with the country, not with a specific party.” Addressing the Home Advisor’s recent remarks, Haque questioned whether the advisor was voicing the government’s intentions and demanded clarity for the nation. He also called for a boycott of Israeli products in protest of the genocide in Palestine.

Nurul Haque Nur, President of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, has warned of an attempt to manufacture a new political crisis by positioning electoral demands against calls for reform. He urged the public to remain alert. Nur emphasized that there are around 50 registered political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and his own party, as well as student organizations, all demanding elections. The Chief Adviser of the current government has already announced a tentative timeline for elections—either in December this year or by June next year. Nur highlighted that both elections and reforms are essential for the nation’s progress and long-term stability. Meanwhile, Rashed Khan called for a ban on the Awami League.

PUSAB has issued five key directives for students of private universities participating in the ‘March for Gaza’ campaign. Students must wear their institutional ID cards during the event and arrive ahead of time to ensure a prompt start at 12 PM. Participants are urged to remain vigilant against any individuals trying to incite disorder. All students are considered volunteers and must collectively maintain discipline during the large-scale march. Full cooperation with the organizers is expected to ensure a peaceful procession to Suhrawardy Udyan.

Energy Adviser Mohammad Fawzul Kabir Khan has said that the government is doing its utmost to reduce load shedding during the summer. However, if power cuts become inevitable, they will begin in Dhaka before other regions. He clarified that there are two types of power outages: load shedding due to reduced production and disruptions caused by natural incidents such as storms or transformer failures. The adviser noted that uninterrupted power supply, as during Ramadan, may not be possible in the summer. However, the government is making every effort. He stressed that rural areas will not be solely targeted—load shedding will start in the capital. He also encouraged the public to conserve electricity.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will return to Bangladesh on Monday along with his wife Rahat Ara Begum after completing medical check-ups in Singapore. “All our medical reports came out good. Rahat Ara Begum is healthy and doing well,” said Fakhrul. The couple traveled to Singapore on April 6 for medical examinations and are scheduled to return on April 14.

On the Bengali New Year, metro trains will not stop at Dhaka University and Shahbagh stations. Additionally, from 5 PM, public access to the university campus will be restricted. At a press briefing at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed outlined the route of the traditional Mangal Shobhajatra procession, which will start from the Faculty of Fine Arts, pass through Shahbagh, and end back at Charukola. Comprehensive security measures will be in place throughout the event.

In a major immigration raid on Thursday, Malaysian authorities detained 288 undocumented immigrants, including 98 Bangladeshis. Immigration officials inspected documents of 1,035 individuals—785 foreigners and 250 locals. Among the detainees were 242 men and 46 women, aged between 18 and 60. The arrested individuals are nationals of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Sudan.

On April 8, 2025, during an investment summit, Bangladesh became the 54th country to sign the Artemis Accords, a set of international agreements focused on peaceful space exploration. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tracy Jacobson was present at the signing, with Bangladesh’s Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Mohammad Ashraf Uddin representing the government. The U.S. Department of State affirmed its commitment to the long-standing partnership with Bangladesh, stating, “For over 50 years, the U.S. and Bangladesh have enjoyed a strong relationship, and we remain committed to its continuation.” The Artemis initiative, launched in 2020 by the U.S. and seven other countries, now includes 54 member nations.

Brigadier General Syed Mohammad Motaher Hossain, Inspector General of Prisons, has revealed that over 300 individuals convicted in militancy-related cases have been released, though some were involved in serious crimes. “The government remains vigilant. Those involved in heinous activities have been dealt with, and several have been re-arrested,” he said. Adviser Mahfuz Alam added that while some have renounced militancy, like Jashim Uddin Rahmani who issued a public statement distancing himself from extremism, all released individuals remain under close surveillance. “The intelligence agencies and the state are extremely sensitive about their actions. Any wrongdoing will be met with swift government action,” he stated.

A Bangladeshi national named Kuti Mia (50) was shot dead by Indian Khasi tribesmen near the Mokanchhara border in Doarabazar, Sunamganj. The incident occurred seven kilometers inside Indian territory, in Nothrai Punji under Mosharam police station of Meghalaya’s Shillong district on Thursday afternoon. Six other villagers from the same area managed to escape unharmed. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local police claim the group had crossed the border to steal betel nuts.