A truck carrying around 400 sacks of government-sealed rice from the Angaria food warehouse in Shariatpur was stopped twice by locals on Monday amid suspicions of illegal diversion. The driver and helper fled after failing to show valid documents, claiming the rice was being taken for weighing. Officials later produced a delivery form, saying the rice was allocated under a government food program for a local dealer, but the named dealer denied any knowledge of the consignment.

Locals alleged that despite informing authorities, no officials arrived for nearly five hours. Police later took the truck to the station, but the same consignment was reportedly released again at night after being declared valid by officials. Residents questioned how the truck was cleared without proper verification. Later, attempts to move the rice to the warehouse faced public resistance before it was allegedly taken there secretly at night.

The acting district food controller confirmed that the rice was seized and a probe committee formed to investigate possible irregularities. Public frustration has grown over the administration’s delayed response and lack of visible action.

A pedestrian named Md. Harunur Rashid Khan, aged 70, was killed in a road accident on the Dumki-Bauphal road in Patuakhali on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. near the Dumki Upazila Parishad when a speeding pickup lost control, veered off the road, and struck him. The vehicle then hit a roadside tree, leaving its front section severely damaged. Another person, Mojibur Rahman, aged 40, who was in the pickup’s front seat, sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the Dumki Upazila Health Complex.

Police confirmed that the deceased, Harunur Rashid Khan, was a retired bank officer from Charboyra village and the son of the late Gias Uddin Khan. Dumki Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Md. Selim Uddin stated that the body was being sent to the morgue and the pickup had been seized. Efforts to arrest the absconding driver are ongoing.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the accident and the driver’s whereabouts.

Former Chattogram City Corporation mayor Manjur Alam has denied any plan to contest the upcoming mayoral election under the National Congress Party (NCP). He made the remarks in an interview with BBC Bangla after NCP MP Hasanat Abdullah visited his residence in Chattogram. During the visit, a group of youths identifying themselves as freedom fighters gathered outside and questioned Hasanat Abdullah.

Manjur Alam clarified that he had not discussed any political matters with Hasanat Abdullah. He said Abdullah had called him earlier in the day to inform him about a local program and accepted an invitation to lunch at his home. According to Manjur, Abdullah arrived around 3 p.m., had lunch, and later spoke briefly with the youths outside before leaving around 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Responding to allegations that he was aligned with the Awami League, Manjur Alam stated that he had no cases against him and was not affiliated with the party. He emphasized that he had previously served as a BNP mayor and had never joined the Awami League.

Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said Bangladesh might need to raise fuel prices if the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel prolongs. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a press briefing held at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room in the Secretariat, where he discussed the progress of various government activities.

Rahman explained that the United States has begun blocking ships related to Iran, and if this situation persists, it could worsen global conditions, making it difficult for the government to continue providing fuel subsidies for an extended period. He confirmed that fuel prices would not increase in April but noted that adjustments could become necessary if the conflict continues.

Since February, retail fuel prices in Bangladesh have been set at Tk 100 per liter for diesel, Tk 112 for kerosene, Tk 116 for petrol, and Tk 120 for octane.

Police have arrested Mizanur Rahman Mizan, a fugitive accused in 21 criminal cases, from a rented house in the Mission Mor area of Lalmonirhat town early Tuesday. The 45-year-old suspect, son of the late Hossain Ali from Shathibari in Durga­pur Union under Aditmari upazila, was apprehended in a joint operation by Aditmari and Lalmonirhat Sadar police based on secret information.

According to police sources, Mizan, a resident of a border area, had long been involved in drug trafficking, theft, extortion, and violence against women and children. Of the 21 cases filed against him, 15 are related to narcotics. To evade arrest, he had been secretly living in Lalmonirhat town while continuing his illegal drug trade from there.

Aditmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Haque confirmed that Mizan was sent to court following his arrest.

Police have arrested three leaders linked to the BNP following a violent clash between two party factions over the jhut (waste fabric) trade in Enayetnagar Chandni Housing area of Fatullah, Narayanganj. The detainees include Monir Hossain, president of the local Jubo Dal, general secretary Khairul Alam Jasim, and Chhatra Dal leader Liyan Mahmud Akash. They were apprehended early Tuesday from a hotel in Kuakata, Patuakhali, and later sent to Narayanganj court on Wednesday.

According to Fatullah Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge Md Abdul Mannan, the arrests followed a case filed by Md Hossain Khoka, father of a gunshot victim named Rakib. The suspects had gone into hiding after the case was lodged, and police tracked them down using information technology. The clash on April 12 involved gunfire and crude bomb explosions, leaving two people injured.

Authorities continue investigating the incident to identify others involved in the violence and determine the full extent of the damage caused during the confrontation.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam told Parliament that the government is in contact with several airlines to begin international flights from Cox’s Bazar Airport. She said this during a parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The minister noted that the airport has received certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) after meeting international standards and suitability requirements.

According to the minister, the runway has been extended from 9,000 to 10,700 feet toward the sea to accommodate larger aircraft, and a new international terminal building covering 17,955 square meters has been constructed. Testing and commissioning work is ongoing to make the airport fully operational. Afroza Khanam added that it will take a few more months to modernize and launch the airport as an international facility.

She also stated that Biman Bangladesh Airlines remains profitable overall, though it faces aircraft shortages. Steps are underway to add new aircraft to the fleet and improve operational efficiency to enhance profitability and service quality.

A young man named Md. Sabbir, aged 21, has been sentenced to seven days of simple imprisonment for illegally storing fuel in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur district. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning near the Kathar Bil Filling Station area. According to the upazila administration, Sabbir was transporting 120 liters of diesel without authorization, intending to store it illegally. Upon receiving information, the administration conducted an immediate operation and detained him.

A mobile court led by Executive Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shah Zahurul Hossain later sentenced Sabbir to seven days in jail for fuel hoarding and irregularities. The UNO confirmed that the sentence was handed down the same morning following the seizure of the diesel.

The operation reflects the local administration’s ongoing enforcement against unauthorized fuel storage and related violations in the area.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said students and parents are delighted by the reinstatement of the primary scholarship examination. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday morning after visiting the Motijheel Government Primary School exam center in Dhaka, he stated that the government aims to encourage school attendance and learning through programs like scholarships. He added that the initiative will be expanded further in the future.

Hajjaj explained that his visits to two centers, including Motijheel Ideal Government Primary School, were to ensure students received all necessary facilities for a smooth examination. Reports from across the country were described as positive, though some student absences were noted. He said steps would be taken to improve attendance and meet parents’ expectations through continued and new initiatives.

The state minister also mentioned that the government is considering revising the scholarship policy, including the amount and number of recipients, and setting new criteria for both public and private school students. The government’s broader goal is to raise the literacy rate to 96 percent by strengthening both formal and non-formal education systems.

A 70-year-old farmer named Saber Ahmed was killed in a wild elephant attack in Purba Gozalia Satgharia Para area of Islamabadh Union under Eidgaon upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Wednesday when he was guarding his paddy field at night. According to local sources, he was sitting on a chair near a fire to protect his crops when elephants came from the nearby forest and attacked him, causing his death on the spot.

His daughter Monju Ara said that her father was the only earning member of their family, and the household depended entirely on his income. Local Union Parishad member Jubaid Ullah Jewel confirmed the incident as true.

The death highlights the continuing risk faced by rural farmers in areas adjacent to forest zones where wild elephants frequently enter farmland in search of food.

A long-distance bus traveling from Sylhet to Cox’s Bazar came to a stop in Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026, due to a fuel shortage. Around 30 passengers were stranded on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway near Banur Bazar in Bhatiari Union. The bus had departed from Sylhet the previous evening but ran out of fuel midway, causing significant disruption for travelers.

Passengers reported repeated difficulties obtaining fuel during the journey, with the bus assistant attempting unsuccessfully for over an hour to collect fuel from nearby filling stations. One passenger said they had to wait in long lines and pay extra for small amounts of fuel, yet the supply remained insufficient. Another passenger expressed concern about missing a scheduled training session in Cox’s Bazar.

Driver Osman Gani stated that the trip required about 160 liters of fuel, but the bus started with only 70 liters. Despite efforts to refuel en route, most stations could not provide enough fuel, leading to the breakdown. He added that some passengers bound for Chattogram were being assisted with local transport, while alternative arrangements were being made for others.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Md. Majedul Haque Helal from Chattogram for allegedly selling the firearm used in the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho. CID has sought a seven-day remand for Helal to facilitate further investigation. The hearing on the remand petition is scheduled to take place before Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam on Wednesday.

According to the remand petition, the pistol used in the killing was recovered from Narsingdi, where a case under the Arms Act was filed. Forensic tests confirmed that bullets found at the crime scene were fired from the recovered weapon. The investigation traced the pistol’s serial number, revealing that it was imported by M I H Arms Co. in Dhaka, later sold through several dealers before reaching Helal’s shop, Hamidul Haque Arms & Co. in Chattogram.

The petition further stated that Helal’s shop license, originally issued to his father, expired in 2014 and was not renewed. Investigators aim to determine how the weapon reached the suspects’ possession through Helal.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government has decided to recruit 500,000 new government employees. He stated that recruitment for 2,879 positions under the Ministry of Public Administration and its affiliated offices is already underway. The announcement was made on Wednesday morning during the 14th day of the first session of the National Parliament, in a written reply to a question from a member of parliament.

In another written response, the Prime Minister said that a project related to the ‘e-Health Card’ initiative is awaiting approval. Under a 180-day program, the government plans to distribute e-Health Cards to citizens once the project is approved. He also addressed a question regarding training for primary school teachers in English, emphasizing that the government’s manifesto prioritizes improving teaching quality and skills through special training programs.

These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on expanding public employment, enhancing healthcare access through digital means, and strengthening the education sector through teacher training programs.

Joint Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, stated that Bangladesh will not face any fuel shortage in the next two months based on current supply and reserves. He made the remarks during a briefing at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Monir, from March 3 to April 14, a total of 9,116 operations were conducted across the country, resulting in 3,510 cases filed. Authorities collected fines amounting to 15.6 million taka and sentenced 45 individuals to imprisonment. The drives led to the recovery of 542,236 liters of illegal fuel, including diesel, octane, petrol, and furnace oil.

He further detailed that the country currently holds reserves of 101,385 metric tons of diesel, 31,821 metric tons of octane, 18,211 metric tons of petrol, 77,546 metric tons of furnace oil, and 18,223 metric tons of jet fuel, ensuring stability in fuel supply for the near term.

The government will begin issuing licenses to footpath vendors in Dhaka as part of a new initiative led by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Administrator Md. Abdus Salam announced the plan on Wednesday after inaugurating a pilot project to clear the sidewalks in front of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He emphasized that all businesses, including those on footpaths, must obtain permission from the city corporation and operate through legal procedures.

According to Abdus Salam, the government will prepare a list of footpath vendors and issue licenses accordingly. Guidelines will also be introduced to ensure that vendors are properly spaced and that overcrowding is avoided. He added that the police will conduct a survey within a week to help bring order to the system.

The initiative aims to balance urban order and livelihood needs by regulating street vending through formal licensing and coordination between citizens and the city corporation.