The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized a fishing boat carrying a large quantity of cement allegedly being smuggled to Myanmar. The operation took place on Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026, at the Sarikait Gachtali Ghat area in Sandwip, Chattogram. According to the Coast Guard headquarters, the raid was conducted based on secret information, leading to the recovery of 660 sacks of cement valued at approximately 363,000 taka.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the Coast Guard’s media officer, stated that the cement was being transported illegally to evade government duties. The suspected traffickers fled upon noticing the presence of Coast Guard personnel, and no arrests were made during the operation. The fishing boat used in the smuggling attempt was seized.

The Coast Guard confirmed that legal proceedings regarding the seized items are underway. Authorities also emphasized that similar operations will continue to prevent smuggling and illegal trade along maritime and coastal routes.

Police in Dhaka have arrested a suspected mugger accused of robbing passengers on moving vehicles in the city’s Jatrabari area. The detainee, identified as Md. Aminul Islam, 24, was apprehended on Wednesday night, April 15, following a targeted operation. The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Media and Public Relations Division, signed by Deputy Commissioner N M Nasir Uddin.

According to Jatrabari police sources, Aminul Islam was captured around 7:30 p.m. based on secret intelligence and with the help of technology. Authorities reported that he has multiple cases of robbery and mugging filed against him at Jatrabari Police Station. Preliminary interrogation revealed that he had been involved in robbing passengers on moving buses, microbuses, and other vehicles in the area for a long time.

Police stated that legal proceedings are underway against the arrested suspect.

The government of Bangladesh has imposed a 58-day ban on fishing in the country's maritime territory of the Bay of Bengal, effective from Wednesday until June 11. As a result, around 64,000 registered fishermen across seven upazilas of Bhola district have become temporarily unemployed. The restriction aims to protect fish resources during the breeding season. Each registered fisherman is set to receive 77 kilograms of rice during the ban period, distributed at a rate of 40 kilograms per month.

According to the district fisheries office, trawlers are returning from the sea to local docks, and rice distribution will begin once they arrive. Some fishermen have complained about irregularities and delays in previous relief distributions. Local officials assured that rice allocations have already reached union councils and will be distributed on time. Ice factory and fuel sellers have also been instructed not to supply trawlers during the ban.

Bhola’s district administration said it will monitor fair distribution and request NGOs to suspend loan installments for fishermen during the two-month fishing ban.

The ‘Boishakhi Entrepreneur Fair 1433’ at the University of Chittagong campus featured a mix of traditional Bangladeshi products and imported Chinese items. The two-day event, organized by the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CHAKSU), took place at the university’s Buddijibi Chattar and drew a large number of visitors. The fair was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan, with 75 stalls participating.

Among the highlights, the ‘Karukuti’ stall attracted attention with eco-friendly jute bags, floor mats, betel-nut shell plates, and shoes made from cooling mats. The marketing manager said their products are registered under the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation and the Ministry of Jute. Another stall, ‘Gift Basket by Kaniz Girls Priority,’ sold Chinese skincare products, jewelry, and artificial nails, drawing crowds of female students. Participants expressed satisfaction with sales and enthusiasm for future ventures.

Organizers stated that the fair aims to encourage student entrepreneurship and promote local products. Awards will be given to the top three stalls based on product quality and presentation after the event concludes.

The Saidpur municipal branch of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a prayer event on Wednesday at the Upazila Model Mosque auditorium for students appearing in the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. Former central executive council member Abul Kalam Azad attended as the chief guest and emphasized that hard work, discipline, and faith in Allah are key to success. He urged students to build their future with moral and ideological strength.

The event was presided over by Fahim Muntasir, president of the Saidpur municipal branch, with Sirajul Islam Sohag, office secretary of the Nilphamari town branch, as special guest. Around 150 students from various educational institutions participated in the program. After the prayer, educational materials were distributed among the examinees.

According to the organizers, such events play an important role in motivating students mentally and praying for their success in upcoming examinations.

The Bangladesh Madrasa Education Directorate has issued instructions to all madrasa principals to implement a 180-day action plan aligned with the government’s election manifesto. The directive, announced in a letter sent on Wednesday, requires each institution to execute the plan and submit an implementation report via email to the Directorate’s Director General at planning.madrasah@gmail.com.

According to the letter, the action plan includes four key programs: Learning with Happiness (joyful education), prioritizing health and nutrition, launching free Wi-Fi, and implementing the One Child, One Tree initiative. These programs are part of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division’s broader effort to fulfill commitments made in the government’s manifesto.

The Directorate emphasized that all madrasa heads must strictly follow the instructions and ensure timely submission of progress reports to support the national education reform agenda.

Severe power shortages have crippled daily life in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet, where around 200,000 residents are enduring frequent and prolonged load-shedding. The outages, lasting several hours at a time, have left large parts of the area without electricity. According to the local power office, daytime demand stands at 10 to 12 megawatts, but supply is limited to only 4 to 5 megawatts. At night, demand rises to 16 to 17 megawatts, yet supply remains far below requirement.

Residents complain that despite government directives for uninterrupted electricity, the situation has worsened, with power cuts occurring even without storms or visible technical faults. On Wednesday, electricity was out for nearly four hours in the afternoon, returning briefly before another outage in the evening. The disruptions have severely affected education, with students struggling to prepare for ongoing and upcoming exams, and businesses facing major losses during the busy Eid season.

Officials attribute the crisis to national grid load management issues, while locals question the feasibility of the government’s promise of continuous power supply.

A landmine explosion occurred near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, injuring a 26-year-old Rohingya man named Mohammad Yunus. The blast, which took place on Wednesday morning near border pillar BRM-19 inside Myanmar territory, severed his right leg. He was rescued in critical condition and admitted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment.

According to local sources, the border area is considered highly dangerous due to landmines reportedly planted by the Arakan Army. Over the past 17 days, at least four Rohingya individuals have lost their legs in similar explosions along the Balukhali and Palongkhali border zones. Locals said occasional explosions are heard, and many people still venture into the area for fishing or livelihood, increasing the risk of accidents.

The commanding officer of the Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB) confirmed that the explosion occurred inside Myanmar and said border patrols and surveillance have been intensified. Residents have been warned to avoid high-risk areas.

Pirojpur-1 Member of Parliament Masud Saeedi inaugurated a canal re-excavation project in Jianagar upazila of Pirojpur on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The work began at the Saidkhali sluice gate in Balipara Union and will extend to the house of Kalaiya Shahjahan Hawlader. The initiative is part of a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation program aimed at improving water management in agricultural regions.

During the event, MP Saeedi emphasized that resolving water scarcity is essential for building a prosperous agricultural nation. He recalled the image of late President Ziaur Rahman working with a spade as an inspiration for patriotic service. Upazila BNP President Farid Ahmed noted that the government plans to excavate and re-excavate about 20,000 kilometers of canals over the next five years as part of its election commitments.

Local residents expressed optimism that the re-excavation will ease water shortages and boost yields of seasonal crops such as rice, melons, and watermelons.

Police in Bhangura, Pabna, arrested Suman Babu, a 37-year-old joint secretary of the Upazila Volunteer League and member of the 'Joy Bangla Brigade', on Wednesday afternoon from his home. The arrest was made in connection with a sedition case alleging his involvement in anti-state activities and a plan to overthrow the interim government. The case was filed earlier under CR-222/25 at Ramna Police Station in Dhaka.

According to police sources, the case was originally lodged on March 27, 2025, by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md. Enamul Haque against 73 individuals, including a fugitive former prime minister. Bhangura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiul Azam confirmed the arrest and stated that a warrant had been issued against Suman Babu.

Following his arrest, Suman Babu was sent to Pabna District Jail through the court. No further details on the court proceedings or other accused individuals were provided in the report.

At a meeting in Segunbagicha on Wednesday, Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, senior joint secretary of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, said the country’s economic condition has become dire, with several banks reportedly bankrupt. He criticized the interim government for taking what he called reckless decisions to implement its manifesto using 400 billion taka from reserves. He urged the government not to push the economy to the brink through initiatives like agricultural and family cards.

Rahman alleged that dishonest traders have established dominance in the market, causing essential commodity prices to rise sharply through syndicates. He warned that low-income families are struggling to meet basic needs and that without effective government action, ordinary people might be forced to protest again. Other party leaders, including Shah Ifthekhar Tariq and Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, also spoke at the event, criticizing the government’s handling of economic and political issues.

Speakers further accused the interim government of colluding with foreign powers to suppress Islamist political forces and manipulating election outcomes, urging immediate corrective measures to restore public trust.

Bangladesh national cricket team head coach Phil Simmons said he is not surprised by the frequent changes in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) leadership during his tenure. Since taking charge in October 2024, Simmons has worked under three different BCB presidents—Faruk Ahmed, Aminul Islam Bulbul, and now Tamim Iqbal. Speaking at a press conference, the 63-year-old coach remarked that nothing in life surprises him anymore, emphasizing that such changes have not affected his coaching approach or team preparations.

Simmons explained that his focus remains on preparing the team for upcoming series and building towards long-term goals. He noted that the changes in BCB leadership have not influenced the coaching group’s work or planning. The coach also confirmed that he has spoken twice with the new BCB president, Tamim Iqbal, including during a recent practice match.

Simmons reiterated that his coaching philosophy remains consistent regardless of administrative shifts, stressing that his team continues to work toward creating something strong and sustainable for Bangladesh cricket.

A video showing the public slaughter of a spotted deer near the Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram has gone viral on social media. The seven-second clip, recorded on April 11 in the Muhuri Project area of Ichakhali Union, shows two men restraining and attempting to slaughter the animal while another person stands nearby. The footage, which spread online on April 14, sparked widespread criticism and calls for the arrest and punishment of those involved.

According to the Forest Department, the coastal mangrove forest in Mirsarai once stretched about 20 kilometers and was home to thousands of deer and other wildlife. However, deforestation linked to the establishment of the national special economic zone has drastically reduced wildlife populations. Locals said the deer likely strayed into the locality after being separated from its herd due to forest clearing.

Forest officials confirmed that three individuals were involved in the incident and that a drive is underway to arrest them. They believe the suspects work at nearby farms.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis lawmaker Sayeed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala, representing Madaripur-1, has called for a law prescribing the death penalty for those who insult Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Speaking in parliament on Wednesday during the discussion on the president’s address, he also urged that anyone denying the Prophet as the final messenger be declared non-Muslim by law. Hanzala directed his appeal to Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarek Rahman, saying millions of Islamic scholars in Bangladesh expect such a move.

Citing verses from Surah Al-Ahzab, Hanzala said belief in the Prophet as the last messenger is integral to faith and lamented that some groups in Bangladesh reject this belief while claiming to be Muslim. He argued that many people have died protesting such denials and insults. The opposition MP emphasized that Bangladesh’s Muslim-majority population deeply reveres the Prophet and that insulting him provokes strong public outrage.

Hanzala also demanded justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, describing him as a man who sought justice and reform. He added that opposition members should support the government when it does good work and oppose it when necessary.

In Agailjhara of Barishal, serious allegations have surfaced against local union parishad member Sohel Molla for using bamboo sticks instead of iron rods in the concrete casting of a government-funded iron bridge. Locals also accused him of collecting money from residents in addition to the official allocation. Photos showing bamboo used in the bridge’s structure spread on social media, sparking widespread criticism across the district. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has not yet taken any action.

Residents said the bridge, built over the Dushmi-Karim Bazar canal in Ratnapur Union’s Barpaika village, was funded by the union council. The bridge measures 45 feet in length and 5.5 feet in width, though locals claim it should have been 55 feet long. They alleged that the concrete thickness and cement use were below standard, prompting them to buy extra cement themselves.

Union Parishad Chairman Golam Mostafa Sardar confirmed the project’s funding stages, while the Upazila Engineer and Executive Officer said the LGED had not been informed and that an on-site inspection would be conducted soon.