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.

Ziaul Haque, a 67-year-old retired agriculture officer and adviser to the Jamalpur District Awami League, died late Tuesday night while being taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. He had been suffering from diabetes and kidney disease and fell seriously ill while in Jamalpur District Jail. His condition worsened on Tuesday afternoon, prompting authorities to transfer him for advanced treatment, but he passed away en route.

Ziaul Haque, a resident of Haridrata village in Digpait Union under Jamalpur Sadar upazila, had been in custody since January 15 after being arrested in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission over recruitment irregularities at Digpait DK High School, where he served as managing committee president. His family alleged that negligence in providing medical care led to his death.

Jamalpur Jail Superintendent Lipi Rani Saha confirmed the death but denied any negligence, stating that the prison’s on-duty doctor had provided treatment to the detainee before his transfer.

Bangladesh has been ranked 95th in the latest global passport index published by Henley & Partners, moving down from its previous position of 93rd. According to the new ranking released on April 15, 2026, Bangladeshi passport holders can now travel to 36 countries without obtaining a visa in advance.

The list of 36 destinations includes Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Bahamas, Gambia, Timor, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. However, not all of these countries allow direct entry; some require on-arrival or electronic visas.

Globally, Singapore retained the top position in the index, followed by Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates in joint second place. Sweden ranked third, while Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland shared the fourth position.

Former Chattogram City Corporation mayor Manjur Alam has explained what happened when NCP leader and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah visited his residence. According to Manjur, Hasnat had a scheduled program in Chattogram and called him around noon, expressing his wish to visit. Manjur invited him for lunch, and Hasnat arrived around 3 p.m., staying until about 6 p.m. During that time, a group of local youths gathered outside the house, identifying themselves as July fighters and questioning Hasnat about his visit. Videos of the incident later spread on social media.

Manjur told BBC Bangla that some of the youths accused him of being an ally of the Awami League, which he denied. He stated that he had been elected mayor in 2010 with BNP support and retired from politics after the 2015 election, now focusing on social work. He also dismissed speculation that he might contest future mayoral elections under the NCP banner, saying he had not discussed such matters with Hasnat Abdullah.

Hasnat Abdullah did not respond to calls seeking his comment on the incident.

Authorities in Noakhali’s Senbagh upazila seized around 5,500 liters of fuel hidden inside a house in Madhya Kadra village under Senbagh municipality on Tuesday afternoon. The mobile court recovered 4,000 liters of diesel and 1,500 liters of octane from the residence known as Bhuiyabari. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Nur Peyara Begum, who also fined a man named Iqbal Bhuiya Tk 50,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act.

According to the mobile court, the seized fuel will be sold in the local market at government-fixed prices. Officials stated that the fuel had been illegally stored inside the house. The raid was part of an ongoing administrative effort to curb illegal fuel hoarding in the area.

The enforcement action highlights local authorities’ continued monitoring of fuel storage and distribution practices to ensure compliance with government regulations.

A high-level investigation committee has been formed to probe allegations of fund misappropriation at the Aditmari Upazila Health Complex in Lalmonirhat. The accusations involve the embezzlement of 870,000 taka allocated for doctors and staff who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Rajan Kumar Das is accused of secretly withdrawing the funds after taking charge, without informing the concerned employees.

According to administrative findings, the funds were initially left in a government account by former officer Dr. Toufiq Ahmed due to procedural delays. After the issue surfaced through a written complaint by 46 staff members, media and social platforms drew attention to the alleged corruption. Records show that Dr. Rajan later redeposited 400,000 taka into the government account in April 2025, but no explanation has been provided for the remaining 470,000 taka.

The divisional health office appointed Nilphamari Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak to lead the three-member inquiry team, which will review documents and collect testimonies on-site at the Aditmari Health Complex.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have increased again, with the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announcing a new rate effective from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The price of 22-carat gold has been raised by 2,216 taka per bhori, bringing it to 250,193 taka. The adjustment was made due to higher prices of refined gold in the local market, according to a BAJUS statement signed by committee chairman Dr. Dewan Aminul Islam Shahin.

The new price list also sets 21-carat gold at 238,820 taka per bhori after a 2,099 taka increase, 18-carat gold at 204,703 taka after a 1,808 taka rise, and traditional gold at 166,737 taka following a 1,448 taka increase. The decision was taken at a meeting of the BAJUS Pricing and Price Monitoring Standing Committee.

Just six days earlier, on April 9, gold prices had been reduced by 4,432 taka per bhori for 22-carat gold. Silver prices have also been raised, with 22-carat silver now priced at 6,065 taka per bhori, up by 350 taka.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will begin the fifth five-year Primary Education Development Program on July 1. He made the statement in the National Parliament on Wednesday morning while responding to a question from a member of parliament. The program marks the continuation of the government’s long-term efforts to strengthen the country’s primary education system.

In addition to the education initiative, the Prime Minister said the government has undertaken a ‘Marine Spatial Planning’ program to utilize the resources of Bangladesh’s vast maritime area. Responding to another question, he added that work is underway to formulate a national tourism plan aimed at developing the country’s tourism sector.

These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on education, maritime resource management, and tourism development as part of its broader national development agenda.

At least eight students of Dhaka University were injured when a campus bus named Khonika was involved in an accident in the capital on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. near the FDC intersection as the bus was descending from the Mohakhali Expressway. The identities of the injured students were not immediately known.

According to Dhaka University students, the bus had been operating without proper fitness certification. While coming down from the flyover, one of its tires burst, causing the driver to lose control. The bus then collided with a microbus, resulting in injuries to several passengers.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the condition of the injured or any official investigation into the cause of the accident.

Police have arrested a manager named Forkan in connection with the assault of a Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) engineer in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria. The arrest took place on Tuesday evening following a case filed by sub-assistant engineer Mirza Tarikul Islam after he was attacked with sticks and bricks during a site inspection of a road construction project.

According to the case, contractor Lokman Hossain, his driver Billal Hossain, and several unidentified individuals assaulted the engineer when questioned about substandard work on a 4.5-kilometer road between Merkuta Bazar and Shibpur. Videos circulating on social media showed the contractor and his associates chasing and beating the engineer with bamboo sticks. The project, worth about Tk 146.38 million, was being implemented by Rajshahi-based Barendra Construction Limited.

LGED officials confirmed that irregularities were found in the road construction, prompting an order to halt work. Police said the arrested manager was sent to court, while efforts to detain the remaining accused continue.