BNP leader Fazlul Haque Sobahan has regained his Union Council member position following a court ruling three years after his 2021 election defeat. The case involved vote recounting in Ward 6 of Shahid Ohabpur Union, Rajbari Sadar Upazila. Sobahan was declared the unofficial winner with 376 votes after a new count, overturning the earlier result where his opponent, an Awami League candidate, won with 377 votes.

The traditional ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’ procession marking Bengali New Year has been renamed ‘Borshoboron Anondo Shobhajatra’ (New Year Joyful Parade), as announced at a press conference by the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University. Dean Azharul Islam said the event will be celebratory and inclusive. Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki had hinted at the change earlier at a meeting on March 23.

Sadequl Islam Nannu, president of the Upazila BNP, reportedly asked police to exclude Awami League names from the charge sheet in a case involving vandalism and a cocktail explosion at the BNP office. The district BNP has since issued a notice demanding an explanation. Nannu also issued a nomination letter appointing Youth League leader Abdul Hakim—an accused in the case—as president of the proposed Fazlupur Union chapter of the BNP’s labor wing.

A Volunteer League leader and a drug dealer were snatched from police custody in Kalkini, Madaripur, by a group of accomplices. Though police recovered the handcuffs, the suspects remain at large. The detainees—Rashed Khan and Al Amin Sardar—were being transported when the ambush occurred, injuring five police officers. Security around the police station has since been tightened.

Police recovered the body of Surman Ali (35) in Kushtia with a towel wrapped around his neck. Family members allege he was tortured to death by a group of 10–12 people who accused him of theft. Surman had ongoing disputes with a neighbor, Abdul Hakim, whose house had recently been robbed. Locals discovered the body near a toilet behind the same neighbor’s house.

Police detained at least 15 individuals, including seven women, from a residential hotel in Uttara for alleged involvement in immoral activities. Police recovered narcotics and other evidence from the premises. OC Hafizur Rahman stated the operation was based on a tip-off. Allegedly, leaders from the “Swairachar League” had been operating the hotel, with similar establishments nearby also involved in vice-related activities.

At least 40 more Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours due to Israeli strikes across Gaza. The total death toll has now reached approximately 50,900. Since renewed attacks began on March 18, over 1,500 have been killed. An additional 146 people were injured in the last day, raising the total number of wounded to 115,875 since the conflict began.

While Donald Trump recently announced a 125% tariff hike on Chinese imports, the White House has clarified that existing tariffs raise the total to 145%. This includes a previous 20% duty already in place. China condemned the move as economic bullying, warning that prices for products like Apple devices will skyrocket.

Armed pirates attacked four fishing trawlers—FB Tufan-2, FB Madina-1, FB Ma-1, and FB Tarek-1—off the coast of Patharghata in the Bay of Bengal. Seven fishermen were beaten and one was shot. The robbers made off with fish worth BDT 2 million, BDT 50,000 in cash, and 30 mobile phones. Coast Guard units later rescued the injured. Witnesses report the attackers spoke in a Chittagong dialect and wore masks.

Following the U.S. decision to impose a 125% tariff on Chinese goods, China is ramping up engagement with major trade blocs. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held virtual meetings with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Malaysian Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul. Both sides expressed eagerness to initiate negotiations on market access and electric vehicle pricing, and to redirect exports previously bound for the U.S. toward Europe. China reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with ASEAN and all trade partners.

Former MP Morshed Alam and 84 Awami League leaders and activists have been named in a case over a 2018 attack on BNP candidate Zainul Abdin Farroque’s election rally. The current chairman and Kadra Union Jubo League president Gias Uddin Bhuiyan has been arrested. Other accused include Morshed Alam’s son and former Upazila chairman Saiful Alam Dipu, and Vice Chairman Golam Kabir.

RAB has arrested ASM Zulfikar Haidar, vice-president of Bakerganj Upazila Awami League, for allegedly financing crackdowns on student-led uprisings. A police team led by SI Tofazzal brought him from Dhaka to Barishal, later presenting him in court citing health issues. Zulfikar has been charged in a case related to an attack on BNP activists in Garuria.

Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, expressed partial satisfaction with the government’s ongoing reforms, despite the country’s many challenges. He praised Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his advisers for their constructive approach to rebuilding the nation. Criticizing some political factions obsessed with regaining power, he warned that elections without prior reforms would be a mockery. He also opposed Pahela Baishakh parades featuring drums and owl imagery, calling it a scripted cultural import from neighboring countries.

A delegation led by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mubarak Hossain met with local and foreign investors, pledging good governance and a corruption-free, investor-friendly environment. Addressing concerns on women’s empowerment, party representatives stated Jamaat supports it positively. They assured that during previous tenures, no corruption allegations were raised against their ministries. They committed to reforms, investment security, efficient one-stop solutions, and streamlined profit repatriation mechanisms.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have managed to destroy only 25% of Hamas tunnels, with 75% still operational, according to reports. In February, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told News12 he personally witnessed several tunnels entering Egypt—some open, some sealed. IDF sources claim Hamas fighters have dispersed among civilians to avoid direct confrontation, with many allegedly hiding inside tunnels.