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.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raise the festival allowance for MPO-listed teachers from 50 percent to 100 percent of their basic salary. He made the announcement on Tuesday while speaking as the chief guest at an event, describing the move as part of the government’s responsibility to improve the education system and elevate teachers’ social and professional status.

The minister noted that previous administrations had taken partial steps to increase the allowance, but full implementation had not been achieved. The current government, he said, plans to continue that process and address existing challenges in the education sector gradually. He emphasized that ensuring teachers’ financial and professional security is essential for building a humane and educated citizenry.

Dr. Milan also highlighted the government’s integrated approach to advancing agriculture, education, and health, noting that measures have been taken to protect farmers’ rights and dignity. He expressed optimism that ongoing initiatives would bring positive change to the education system and fulfill teachers’ long-standing demands.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is undergoing a severe crisis marked by soaring non-performing loans, deepening capital shortfalls, and reduced private investment due to heavy government borrowing. As of September 2025, non-performing loans reached 35.73 percent, while banks faced a provisioning gap of over Tk 1 trillion in 2024. The World Bank estimates that recapitalizing the sector would require 10 percent of GDP, or about Tk 5.5–6 trillion. Government borrowing from banks tripled between December 2020 and December 2025, reaching Tk 5.99 trillion, pushing private sector credit growth down to 6.03 percent in January 2026.

The article argues that this is not merely a banking crisis but a national economic priority requiring immediate policy action. It calls for asset recovery mechanisms, legal reforms, recapitalization with strict accountability, tax incentives for transparency, and modernization of collateral systems. It also recommends reducing government borrowing from banks, improving tax collection through digital integration, and promoting a cashless economy.

The author stresses that the success of these measures depends on ensuring the effective independence of Bangladesh Bank to restore public confidence in the financial system.

Two fuel tankers carrying a total of about 68,000 tons of diesel have anchored at the outer mooring of Chattogram port. The vessels, MT Torm Damini supplied by Unipac Singapore with 33,000 tons and MT Lucia Solis from Vitol Asia with 35,000 tons, arrived late on Tuesday night, April 14.

According to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the country currently sells over 11,000 tons of diesel daily. As of April 12, the available stock was 119,000 tons, enough to meet around ten days of demand. The new shipments are expected to extend reserves by another four to five days.

BPC Chairman Rezanur Rahman stated that several vessels have already arrived and more are expected soon. He added that, alongside contracted suppliers, efforts are underway to import fuel from alternative sources, ensuring no supply shortage is anticipated this month.

National Youth Power has strongly condemned the mob violence and harassment against Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 and leader of the July uprising, in Chattogram. The organization described the incident as disgraceful and contrary to democratic values.

According to the report, Hasnat Abdullah had gone to meet former Chattogram mayor and ex-BNP leader Monjur Alam. Monjur, who was elected mayor in 2010 and nominated again in 2015 by the BNP, had previously served as an adviser to Begum Khaleda Zia and organized events during her illness. National Youth Power stated that while such activities had not faced protest before, labeling Monjur as an “associate” and attacking an elected representative now reflects political intolerance and double standards.

The organization called for a fair investigation, quick identification of those involved, and exemplary punishment. It also urged all political groups in the country to uphold tolerance and democratic conduct.

The Bangladesh government has issued new directives to reduce fuel consumption by shifting official meetings, workshops, and training sessions to virtual platforms. The Cabinet Division recently sent letters to the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, all senior secretaries, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and upazila executive officers instructing them to avoid in-person meetings unless absolutely necessary.

According to the directive, participants from field levels must join ministry or departmental programs through virtual means. For divisional programs, district-level participants will attend online, while for district-level programs, upazila participants will connect virtually. The government emphasized that these measures aim to ensure uninterrupted and efficient administrative operations while conserving fuel in light of the global energy situation.

The instruction will remain in effect until further notice, and all concerned authorities have been asked to ensure full compliance and take necessary actions to implement the directive.

The body of Girish Chandra Sutradhar, a Bangladeshi national killed in Bahrain after being struck by missile debris from the ongoing Middle East war, arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday. The remains were transported on Emirates Airlines flight EK0582 and received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, who later handed the body over to the victim’s younger brother, Naresh Sutradhar.

Earlier, on April 3, the body of another Bangladeshi worker, S.M. Tarek, who was also killed in Bahrain during the same conflict, had arrived in Dhaka. His remains were received by the Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, along with State Ministers Md. Nurul Haque and Shama Obaid Islam from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The repatriation of the victims underscores the human toll of the ongoing Middle East conflict on Bangladeshi migrant workers stationed in the region.

Immigration police detained Lion Swapon, former joint convener of the banned Chhatra League in Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon. He was taken into custody upon arrival from Saudi Arabia, where he had been staying with his brothers.

According to police and local sources, Swapon had gone into hiding after the fall of the government on August 5 and later left for Saudi Arabia. He faces multiple cases filed with Chatkhil Police Station, including one for murder and another related to an attack on students and protesters during an anti-discrimination movement. The airport police informed Chatkhil police about his detention.

Chatkhil Police Station’s officer-in-charge Abdul Monnaf said Swapon is accused in two cases and will be handed over to Chatkhil police after legal procedures are completed. Authorities are verifying details before providing further information.

A robbery took place at the house of expatriate Absar Uddin in Patiya upazila of Chattogram on the night of April 14, 2026. Thieves broke into the house in Kelishahar Union’s Ward 7 when no one was home and stole cash, gold, and other valuables worth over Tk 2 million. Police from Patiya station visited the scene immediately after being informed, confirming the incident.

According to local sources and the victim’s family, Absar’s brother Jasim Uddin and his family were away visiting a religious shrine in Fatikchhari. Jasim’s son, Naimur Rahman Durjoy, discovered the break-in upon returning home around 9:30 p.m. He found the door open, lockers broken, and the window grill cut. The robbers reportedly took 7 bhori of gold, Tk 400,000 in cash, a laptop, and the CCTV disk containing footage from seven cameras.

Police suspect the robbery occurred sometime after evening. The family has demanded that those responsible be quickly identified and brought to justice.

A woman named Lili Akter, aged 30, was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday morning in the South Bandar area of Anwara upazila, Chattogram. Following the incident, police detained her husband, Mohiuddin Jahangir, for questioning. The couple had two children, an eight-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter. The sudden death has cast a shadow of grief over the family and local community.

According to reports, Lili’s mother-in-law, former female member Rezia Begum, informed Lili’s parental family about the death shortly after it occurred. Local residents claimed that the death did not appear to be natural and suggested that other causes might be involved. They urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident.

Karnaphuli Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahinur Alam stated that the body had been sent to the morgue and that a complaint from the family had been received. He confirmed that an investigation is underway and that necessary legal steps will be taken based on its findings.

The 2025 primary scholarship examinations have begun across Bangladesh on Wednesday at 10 a.m., starting with the Bangla subject test that will continue until 12:30 p.m. The schedule was approved by the National Steering Committee of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education on March 5, followed by the publication of detailed timings by the Directorate.

According to the official schedule, the English test will be held on April 16, primary mathematics on April 17, and Bangladesh and Global Studies with Primary Science on April 18. Each exam will start at 10 a.m. and last for two and a half hours. However, in the three hill districts—Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban—the exams will follow a different timetable, beginning with mathematics on April 17 and ending with English on April 20.

Authorities have also announced that students with special needs will receive an additional 30 minutes for each test, ensuring inclusive participation across all examination centers.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Huq has called on the Bar Council to ensure that the current bar examination system does not become an undue obstacle for English-medium and foreign-educated law graduates. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Supreme Court Auditorium in Dhaka during an event marking the completion of the first phase and the start of the second phase of a six-month internship program organized by the Attorney General’s Office with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The minister noted that many talented students who studied in English-medium institutions or abroad face difficulties because the bar exam questions are in Bangla. He urged the Bar Council to consider modernizing the system. He also emphasized enhancing the social status of the legal profession and improving its quality. Praising the internship program, he said it inspired him to propose to the Prime Minister that each Member of Parliament be assigned an intern from a university to assist in research and legislative work.

The minister further mentioned budgetary instructions for modernizing the Attorney General’s Office and expressed concern over the limited implementation of the Law Commission’s recommendations despite significant expenditure.

Allegations have surfaced that a multi-storey building is being constructed illegally on reserved forest land in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar. According to local sources, the construction is taking place at Swarnapahar in Kutupalong East Para under Rajapalong Union. The sons of the late Ilyas, known locally as Rohingya Ilyas, are accused of occupying forest department land and building a five-storey structure, with three floors already completed.

Residents claim that an influential group has long been encroaching on forest areas to build various structures, causing environmental damage. Environmentalist and journalist Jasim Azad stated that forest encroachment, hill cutting, and illegal construction are increasing across the upazila, urging urgent action to protect the environment. Under the Forest Act of 1927, such encroachment and construction are punishable offenses, and the Environment Act of 1995 also provides penalties for environmental harm.

Forest department officials said about five acres of forest land were recently recovered, and regular drives are ongoing. Ukhiya Range Officer Mohammad Shahinur Islam confirmed that legal action is being prepared against the accused and that necessary measures will be taken promptly.

Masud Saeedi, Member of Parliament for Pirojpur-1, said that Bangladesh should be built by upholding the significance and spirit of Baishakh and preserving Bengali culture. He made these remarks on Tuesday, April 14, during a Baishakhi fair organized by the Jhalokathi upazila administration.

Saeedi emphasized that foreign cultures must be avoided, claiming that Western influences have nearly overtaken local traditions. He called on young people to revive and practice authentic Bengali cultural values, stating that a nation survives through its native culture and language. He urged unity and patriotism to shape the next generation into true patriots.

He also criticized previous governments, accusing them of promoting foreign cultures over Bangladesh’s own and prioritizing foreign approval over national pride.