Member of Parliament Rumin Farhana told the national parliament on Thursday, April 16, 2026, that the only hospital serving around 350,000 people in nine unions of Sarail upazila, Brahmanbaria, is in a dire state. She described the 50-bed facility as being like a patient itself, highlighting its inability to meet the community’s healthcare needs.

According to her statement, the hospital faces severe shortages of doctors, staff, medicines, and modern equipment. A plan had been taken to construct a new building at a cost of 10 crore taka, but the contractor fled after August 5, leaving the project incomplete. As a result, services continue in the old two-storey building, where 64 positions remain vacant.

Her remarks underscore ongoing infrastructure and staffing challenges in rural healthcare facilities, with no immediate resolution mentioned in the parliamentary discussion.

The Bangladeshi government has claimed that the ongoing Middle East conflict has not disrupted the country’s fuel supply. At a press briefing in Dhaka, Energy Division Joint Secretary Md. Monir Hossain Chowdhury said that fuel reserves and supply remain satisfactory, with refined oil being imported from alternative sources. Eastern Refinery Limited continues limited operations to maintain supply, while five lakh liters of stored fuel have been recovered. Despite these assurances, long queues and temporary closures were reported at petrol pumps across the country.

Officials confirmed that crude oil shipments from Saudi Arabia and the UAE were delayed due to the closure of the Hormuz Strait, preventing the arrival of three lakh tons of crude oil in March and April. However, new shipments are expected by early May, and emergency imports have been approved. The government also formed a cabinet committee to review potential fuel price adjustments if the conflict persists.

Energy officials attributed the current fuel station chaos to panic buying rather than actual shortages, urging citizens not to stockpile fuel unnecessarily.

A Jubo Dal leader in Gaibandha’s Saghata upazila, Saiful Islam, was arrested again on Tuesday night, April 14, for alleged involvement in drug trading. Police said they detained him along with another suspect, Nazmul Haque Nayon, during a special operation near Riyad-Rahat Mobile Point at Barokona Bazar. Ten yaba tablets were recovered from their possession, while another suspect, Ismail Hossain, managed to flee. A case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act at Saghata Police Station.

Saiful Islam, the convener of Kamalerpara Union Jubo Dal, had previously been arrested on October 22, 2025, with yaba and expelled from the party the next day. However, he was later reinstated to his position during the 13th national election period. After regaining his post, he allegedly resumed drug trading activities.

Local Jubo Dal leaders expressed frustration over his reinstatement. Joint convener Ikhtiar Ahmed Sujon said drug traders have no place in the party, while convener Ahmed Kabir Shaheen stated that the district committee should expel him again due to the seriousness of the allegations.

A cabinet meeting was held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office under the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The information was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Zahidul Islam Rony.

The meeting took place in the afternoon and was part of the government’s regular administrative activities. No further details about the agenda or decisions taken during the meeting were provided in the source.

The report also mentioned other recent developments, including a courtesy meeting between the Prime Minister and Abdullah Abu Sayeed, the commissioning license for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, and the government’s target to produce 10,000 megawatts of solar power.

The authorities have decided to reinstate the 'silent expel' system in this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations to strengthen discipline and transparency. According to the recently issued examination management policy, a candidate may be silently expelled for violating rules or using unfair means even without being caught in the act. In such cases, the student will not be immediately aware of the expulsion, but their answer script will later be considered canceled.

The policy defines silent expulsion as a measure applicable when a candidate talks, turns their head, looks at another’s paper, or behaves suspiciously during the exam. Invigilators must record the incident in a confidential form and submit the reported answer script separately in a red-marked packet to the exam controller’s office. The reasons for silent expulsion must be detailed in the observer’s report.

The policy further states that silently expelled students may continue to sit for subsequent exams, but their answer scripts must be submitted separately with attached reports. Education board officials believe this method will help maintain order and curb malpractice in public examinations.

Bangladesh’s Law Minister Asaduzzaman informed the National Parliament that as of December 31, 2025, a total of 4,041,924 cases remain pending in the country’s subordinate courts. He presented the data during a parliamentary question session chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal. The minister said the government is committed to easing public suffering and reducing case backlogs by expanding judicial capacity.

To address the backlog, 871 new courts and 232 judgeships have been created, with 304 more judicial positions under process. Recruitment of 150 civil judges is ongoing, and 708 judicial staff have been recommended for appointment to fill vacant posts. Additionally, 553 more staff are being recruited. The minister also reported that 467 judges received professional training in 2025, and 93 more have been trained so far in 2026.

Asaduzzaman added that the current government aims to ensure judicial appointments based on integrity and competence rather than political loyalty, marking a departure from previous practices. The Law Commission is also reviewing outdated British and Pakistani-era laws for necessary reform.

The Bangladesh Bar Council has temporarily suspended the lawyer certificate of Md. Masdar Hossain. The decision was taken unanimously at a council meeting held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, according to an official press release. The council also decided to seek an explanation from Hossain within 15 days regarding why his certificate should not be permanently revoked.

The Bar Council stated that the decision followed a report published on April 12 in a daily newspaper concerning allegations against Hossain. After reviewing the report and considering the preliminary evidence and questions of professional ethics, the council concluded that there were sufficient grounds to take initial action against him.

Until Hossain submits his explanation and the council reaches a final decision, his lawyer certificate will remain temporarily suspended.

Authorities in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj have reclaimed government land worth around Tk 4 crore from illegal occupation near Khilakanda area of Togar Haor. The eviction drive was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sanjay Ghosh on Wednesday afternoon, who ordered the occupants to vacate the land immediately and marked the area with red flags.

According to local sources, about two years ago, at least 11 residents of Chakiya Chapur village, including Khurshed Alam Bhuiyan, had submitted an application to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer demanding removal of illegal occupiers. The operation had been delayed for various reasons. Bhuiyan said 20–30 influential individuals had occupied the land and damaged natural resources by cutting trees from the Hijolbagan area. Locals expressed satisfaction with the administration’s action.

Assistant Commissioner Ghosh stated that this was the largest land recovery operation of its kind in the area and that similar drives against illegal occupation would continue.

Top leaders of the Eleven-Party Alliance held a meeting in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area on Thursday to determine the next phase of their ongoing political movement. The meeting began at 11 a.m. at the Al-Falah auditorium and concluded around 12:45 p.m. A press briefing was scheduled to follow at the same venue.

Participants included opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, National Citizens Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam, LDP chairman Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, among other senior alliance figures. The gathering focused on setting new programs following a series of recent nationwide activities.

Earlier, from April 9 to 15, the alliance conducted a week-long campaign across the country demanding implementation of the referendum verdict. Their activities included leaflet distribution, public outreach, demonstrations in all metropolitan and district areas, and a national seminar in Dhaka.

Frequent power outages have severely disrupted daily life in Khulna, where residents are struggling with extreme heat and repeated electricity cuts. The outages, occurring both day and night, have made it difficult for people to sleep and carry out daily activities. Children, the elderly, and the sick are suffering the most, while businesses are also facing operational challenges due to unannounced power interruptions.

Local residents have accused the electricity distribution authorities of failing to take effective measures to stabilize the situation. However, officials from the West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDCO) stated that the outages are temporary and caused by a shortfall in power generation compared to demand. On April 16, Khulna’s electricity demand reached 653 megawatts, while supply stood at 550 megawatts, resulting in a 103-megawatt shortfall. The previous day, the deficit was even higher at various times.

Affected residents have urged authorities to take urgent steps to ensure stable electricity supply and reduce load-shedding during the ongoing heatwave.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has questioned Zahidur Rahim Jowardar, CEO of Communication Technology Limited, over allegations of corruption in the installation of the national parliament’s sound system. The interrogation took place on Thursday morning, April 16, 2026, at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. A team led by Assistant Director Probir Das conducted the questioning regarding various irregularities.

According to the report, major irregularities occurred in the sound system installation carried out in 2018 during the Awami League government. Allegations of corruption also surfaced during subsequent renovation work under the interim government, prompting the ACC to launch an investigation in January. Communication Technology Limited was responsible for the 2018 installation project.

The company faces accusations of embezzling and laundering hundreds of crores of taka. The ACC’s ongoing inquiry aims to determine the extent of financial misconduct and identify those responsible.

A nurse named Marufa Akter, aged 27, was seriously injured after her husband allegedly cut the tendons of her hands and legs in Madan municipality of Netrakona on Thursday morning. The incident occurred at their rented home on Baribhadera Road. Marufa, a senior staff nurse at Madan Upazila Health Complex, was first taken to the local health complex and later transferred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Police have detained her husband, Ariful Islam, in connection with the attack.

According to police and hospital sources, Ariful is from Ghatail in Tangail, while Marufa hails from Madanpur in Netrakona Sadar. The couple married about ten years ago and have a seven-year-old daughter. Reports indicate they often quarreled, and the assault followed another dispute. Ariful told reporters he attacked his wife out of frustration, claiming she had been mistreating him.

Madan Upazila Health Officer Nurul Huda Khan confirmed Marufa’s transfer for treatment and said the matter has been reported to higher authorities. Police stated that further legal action will follow after receiving a written complaint from the victim’s side.

A mobile court in Chuadanga Sadar upazila discovered 1,000 liters of illegally stored diesel at the home of a Union Parishad member in Amirpur village under Mominpur Union. The operation, conducted on Wednesday evening, led to the sentencing of Shahinur Islam to 15 days of imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 taka under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. The seized diesel, valued at around 100,000 taka, was found in five barrels.

Authorities stated that Shahinur Islam admitted to selling fuel at prices higher than the government rate. During the operation, several individuals attempted to obstruct the mobile court’s activities and approached with intent to attack but fled the scene. A regular case is being processed against them. The confiscated diesel will be sold to consumers at the government-fixed price.

As the convicted individual is a Union Parishad member, administrative action under local government laws is also being processed. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md. Aminul Islam, with support from the Sadar police team.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the first Hajj flight from Bangladesh on Friday, April 17, at 12:30 a.m. The announcement was confirmed by Religious Affairs Minister Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad. Preparations are in their final stages at the Ashkona Hajj Camp to ensure smooth operations for the pilgrimage season.

This year, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims are set to perform Hajj. Immigration procedures for the Saudi Arabian segment are being completed in Bangladesh as in previous years. On the first day, 13 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Flynas, and Saudia Airlines will carry pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

A 171-member medical team has already arrived in Saudi Arabia, with an additional 150 personnel expected to assist pilgrims. However, travel agencies have expressed concerns about potential difficulties in Mina, Arafah, and Muzdalifah due to new regulations introduced by the Saudi government.

The acting officer-in-charge of Shariatpur Sadar Upazila food warehouse, Shahnewaz Alam, has been transferred to Munshiganj following allegations of irregularities involving 400 sacks of government rice. The transfer order was issued on April 15, 2026, by the regional food controller’s office, signed by Regional Food Controller Suraiya Khatun. The incident began on April 13 when locals intercepted a truck carrying the rice from Angaria warehouse to Kotapara, suspecting it was being diverted for black market sale. The truck was stopped multiple times by residents before the rice was eventually moved to the district food warehouse at midnight.

Following widespread discussion and criticism in the district, the administration formed a three-member investigation committee led by local food control officials. Acting District Food Controller Humayun Kabir stated that the transfer was made for administrative reasons and that further action would depend on the committee’s report. The mysterious disappearance of the truck driver and helper after the incident has raised additional questions among locals.

Residents have demanded a full investigation and strict action against those responsible to prevent future irregularities in government food grain transport.