A case has been filed after an extortion demand was allegedly made from Professor Dr. Kamrul Islam, Managing Director of the Center for Kidney Diseases and Urology (CKDU) Hospital in Dhaka, by individuals claiming to represent Jubo Dal. Former Jubo Dal leader Md. Moin Uddin Moin was named as the main accused, along with seven to eight unidentified persons. The case was filed on Saturday night by Md. Abu Hanif, the hospital’s operation theater in-charge.

According to the report, Jubo Dal’s central leaders, including President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan, visited the hospital after the incident was publicized. They assured strict action against those involved and said law enforcement agencies were working to arrest the culprits. A viral CCTV footage had earlier shown a local leader threatening hospital staff while demanding money under the Jubo Dal banner.

The accused leader has also been alleged to have been intimidating hospital staff and demanding money since the July uprising, and of attempting to incite a mob outside the hospital by labeling Dr. Kamrul Islam as affiliated with the Awami League.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam Rinku said the government is making every effort to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East. She confirmed that a Bangladeshi woman named Dipali Khatun was among those killed in an Israeli attack in Lebanon two days earlier. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted Dipali’s family, and efforts are underway to repatriate her body despite flight disruptions due to the ongoing conflict.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with members of the Hindu community at her home village in Nagarkanda, Faridpur, on April 11, Rinku said the government and the Bangladesh mission in Lebanon are working to relocate citizens to safer areas. She added that some Bangladeshis have already been brought home on chartered flights, and arrangements are being made for others who wish to return.

The minister noted that eight Bangladeshis, including women, have died in various countries amid the regional unrest. She said the government will take steps to help returnee workers reintegrate into employment once they are back in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Automobile Workshop Owners Association has demanded that authorities stop the planned eviction of 172 automobile workshops in Dhaka’s Motijheel and Kamalapur areas. The appeal was made on Sunday during a press conference at the National Press Club, where association representatives said the workshops have been operating in the area for about 25 years.

Speakers at the event warned that sudden eviction would push thousands of workers, employees, and their families into uncertainty and could disrupt the country’s ongoing transport system. They urged the authorities to consider humanitarian and practical realities before proceeding with any eviction.

The association called for an immediate suspension of the eviction drive, adequate time for adjustment, and a planned rehabilitation process to ensure sustainable management of the sector. The press conference was attended by association president Engineer Jahangir Alam and other members.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has said that retired teachers from schools, colleges, and madrasas may be appointed as presidents of managing committees or governing bodies in various private educational institutions. He made the remarks on Sunday while addressing a program at Azimpur Government Girls School and College auditorium in Dhaka.

The minister explained that a commission could be formed with retired teachers to select presidents for managing committees across the country, which he believes would help improve the education system. He noted that no formal decision has been made yet, but the process is under consideration. The minister was speaking at a meeting with center secretaries of the Dhaka region ahead of the upcoming SSC and equivalent examinations, organized by the Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Education.

During the event, the minister emphasized that improving teaching quality is a top priority, noting that many teachers do not teach properly, leading parents to rely on private tutors or coaching centers.

The Bishu festival of the Tonchongya community began in Kaptai, Rangamati, with a colorful rally, flower floating on the Sangu River, and a discussion meeting on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Tonchongya Welfare Association Kaptai Regional Committee and the Devatachhari Raissyabili region. The rally started from Kaptai Upazila Karnaphuli Stadium at 9:30 a.m. and concluded at the Kaptai Upazila headquarters, with men and women participating through music, dance, and traditional attire.

Before the rally, community members dressed in new clothes and floated flowers on the Karnaphuli River to mark the beginning of the day. A discussion meeting followed at the Kaptai Upazila Officers’ Club premises, presided over by Chiranjit Tonchongya, Chairman of Wagga Union Parishad, and conducted by Rupamoy Tonchongya. Kaptai Upazila Executive Officer Md. Ruhul Amin attended as chief guest, highlighting the participation of all communities and the cultural significance of the event. Other speakers included local officials and community leaders.

The celebration reflected the Tonchongya community’s cultural unity and aspiration to promote their traditional Bishu festival to a wider audience.

Several educational institutions in Dhaka have begun pilot online classes to address the ongoing energy crisis. On Sunday, April 12, 2026, Vikarunnesa Noon School and College started virtual lessons at 9 a.m., where teachers conducted classes from their classrooms while students joined from home. The initiative is being tested during the Baishabi holidays, with plans to expand to the school section soon.

According to the education ministry, the program is part of a broader plan to introduce online classes three days a week in metropolitan schools and colleges. A stakeholder meeting was held on April 8 to discuss the proposal, and the decision was announced on April 9 by Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon. The schedule alternates between online and offline classes throughout the week, aiming to reduce energy consumption and encourage digital learning.

If successful, the ministry plans to gradually expand the hybrid model nationwide as part of its digital education strategy.

An emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign began on Sunday across 540 centers under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The month-long program, running from April 12 to May 11, 2026, aims to vaccinate 402,456 children aged six months to under five years. The campaign was inaugurated at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium, with Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain as chief guest and State Minister for Road Transport and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib as special guest. DSCC Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam presided over the event, attended by representatives from UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

The health minister said coordinated efforts could control measles and other infectious diseases, noting that similar programs had already started in 18 districts. He thanked UNICEF and WHO for their support and urged citizens to remain alert against dengue. The state minister described the rising measles cases as alarming and called on the media to raise awareness among working parents. DSCC officials emphasized reaching every child through community-level awareness.

Following the inauguration, officials visited the Khilgaon Maternity Center to inspect vaccination activities and participate in a cleanliness drive.

In Pabna’s Bhangura upazila, allegations have surfaced against a contractor for using substandard and burnt brick chips in a road repair project worth about Tk 3.32 crore under the 2025–26 fiscal year rural road maintenance program. The project, covering 3,576 meters from Bheramara Bazar to Hatgram, was awarded to Kushtia-based Saikat Enterprise, with a Pabna sub-contractor reportedly handling the work. The project is scheduled for completion by June 30.

Field visits revealed that after inspection by senior officials, a mix of low-quality and good brick chips continued to be used, with no supervising engineer present on-site. Locals said poor materials had been used from the start and had lodged verbal complaints. LGED Deputy Director Momin Mojibul Haque confirmed the allegations during his inspection and ordered the removal of substandard materials, but the directive was reportedly ignored.

The acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer warned that if the poor-quality materials were not removed, action would be taken against those responsible.

Former Speaker of the National Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, has been granted bail in an attempted murder case filed at Lalbagh Police Station in connection with the July movement. The Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court approved her bail petition on Sunday, April 12, 2026. She had been arrested on April 7 from a relative’s residence and was sent to jail the same day.

The case originated from an incident on July 18 of the previous year, when victim Md. Ashraful, also known as Fahim, was participating in a demonstration inside the Azimpur Government Colony under Lalbagh Police Station during an anti-discrimination movement. According to the case details, shots fired by the accused caused severe injury to Ashraful’s left eye. The victim filed the attempted murder case on July 17 at Lalbagh Police Station.

The court’s decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the July movement incident.

The Dhaka Traffic Relief Committee, a private organization, unveiled 11 proposals aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the capital. The proposals were presented by committee president Ishaq Dulal at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Sunday. Key recommendations include canal restoration for water transport, construction of tram and ring roads, relocation of major bus terminals, and improved traffic management training. The committee also suggested launching city transport under the two city corporations, freeing sidewalks from illegal occupation, and halting gas supply to private vehicles to redirect it toward industrial production.

Citing a United Nations Development Programme report, Dulal warned that Bangladesh’s population could reach 230–250 million by 2050, with most growth occurring in urban areas, intensifying congestion if no action is taken. He noted that Dhaka’s average vehicle speed has dropped from 21 km/h in 2007–2008 to between 4.5 and 7 km/h. A CPD survey found that passengers lose 46 minutes to traffic every two hours, costing the economy an estimated 500 billion taka annually.

The committee urged the government to consider these proposals, some of which are already under partial implementation.

The Bangladesh National Parliament has formed a 10-member Library Committee during the first session of the 13th Parliament, following an order from the Speaker. The committee was officially announced on April 6 through a notice issued by the Committee Branch-2 of the Parliament Secretariat. Saied Al Noman, Member of Parliament for Chattogram-10 (Double Mooring–Pahartali–Halishahar), has been included as a member of this committee.

According to the announcement, the committee was constituted under Article 76 of the Constitution and Rule 257 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP for Netrakona-1, will serve as the committee’s chairman. Other members include MPs from Lakshmipur-4, Mymensingh-7, Faridpur-3, Dhaka-14, Patuakhali-4, Chattogram-7, Pabna-1, and Rangpur-4. The committee’s tenure and responsibilities will be determined according to parliamentary rules.

Local leaders and residents of Chattogram-10 have expressed enthusiasm over Saied Al Noman’s inclusion, with expectations that he will contribute to modernizing the parliamentary library and promoting knowledge-based legislative practices.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that the government will distribute farmer cards without any political consideration. The initiative targets 22.7 million marginal farmers, ensuring that all eligible recipients will receive cards in phases. He made the statement on Sunday at a press conference held at the Press Information Department (PID) auditorium in Dhaka, marking the launch of the farmer card distribution program.

According to the minister, the government aims to modernize Bangladesh’s agriculture sector through a technology-driven and farmer-centered system. The farmer card will serve as a universal digital identity for each farmer, enabling access to banking and agricultural services. Accounts have already been opened through Sonali Bank, and preparations for distribution are complete. As of April 11, data from 22,065 farmers have been collected, including 20,671 marginal and small farmers, 1,303 medium farmers, and 91 large farmers.

In the pre-pilot phase, landless, marginal, and small farmers will receive annual direct cash assistance of 2,500 taka. The card will also provide access to fertilizers, seeds, irrigation, and agricultural loans at fair prices and easy terms.

Two Boishakhi fairs in Patiya, Chattogram, have continued past midnight despite government restrictions on electricity use due to a nationwide energy crisis. The government has shortened office hours and ordered all shops and businesses to close by 7 p.m. to conserve power. However, the fairs at Patiya Adarsha High School field and Ruku Garden Community Center have been brightly illuminated and active until late night, defying the directive.

The fairs began on April 10 and are scheduled to run daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until April 20, according to organizers. Yet, reports indicate activities continued until 10 p.m. or later. Local residents and civic representatives have criticized the extended lighting and festivities, calling them inappropriate during a period of power shortages. They argue that such events increase pressure on the electricity supply when the government is emphasizing conservation.

Organizers have defended the fairs as cultural celebrations for the local community. Some admitted to exceeding permitted hours on the first day, citing misunderstanding of the government order, and claimed to have adjusted operations afterward.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam announced that the process of reopening the Dinajpur Textile Mill under a public-private partnership (PPP) model has begun. He made the statement on Sunday after inspecting the mill and speaking to journalists. The mill, once a symbol of pride for the people of Dinajpur, has remained closed for a long time.

The minister explained that the government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, had pledged in its election manifesto to revive closed industrial establishments and create new employment opportunities. As part of that commitment, initiatives have been taken to gradually reopen all closed institutions under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. He noted that many jute and textile mills across the country have unused land, which the government plans to utilize through domestic or foreign investment.

According to the minister, the reopening of the Dinajpur Textile Mill through PPP investment will restore industrial activity in the area and generate new employment opportunities for local residents in the near future.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has decided to publish the draft voter list across the country on April 20. The list will include individuals born on or before January 1, 2008, who registered in the voter database between November 24, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The decision was confirmed in a letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Nasir Uddin Chowdhury on April 12.

According to the commission, applications for corrections, inclusion of names, or removal of deceased voters can be submitted until May 3. Upazila or thana election officers will resolve all received applications by May 6, and the updated final voter list will be published on May 14. Printed copies of the draft list will be displayed in public places for citizens’ convenience.

To raise public awareness, the Election Commission has instructed local religious institutions and cable operators to promote the correction process and encourage citizens to verify their information.