The Chittagong University unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan demanding the establishment of a safe, student-friendly, discrimination-free, and modern campus. The memorandum was handed over on Wednesday afternoon at the vice-chancellor’s conference room by leaders and activists of the organization. The memorandum called for increasing the number of shuttle trains and adding extra compartments to improve student transportation. It also urged the construction of new residential halls, renovation of existing ones, transparency in seat allocation, and the introduction of housing allowances for non-residential students. Additional demands included modernization of administrative activities, ensuring justice for campus violence incidents, and strengthening overall student security. The JCD also emphasized launching campus-wide Wi-Fi and providing photocopy, print, and scanning facilities in departmental seminar libraries. The memorandum further stated that the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CHAKSU) should work for the welfare of all students rather than representing any particular group. It also sought rehabilitation for the families of students Hridoy Chandra Tarua and Farhad Hossain, who were killed in the July uprising, and for the injured.

On Wednesday afternoon, financial assistance was provided to four temples in the Dhaka-17 constituency on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The aid was distributed by his Assistant Private Secretary-2 and constituency representative, Engineer Abdur Rahman Sani, who handed over donation checks to the temple authorities. The temples receiving the checks were Bhashantek BRP Sarbojonin Temple, Shri Shri Raksha Kali Temple near Mohakhali Chest Disease Hospital, ID Hospital Sarbojonin Puja Temple, and Shri Shri Shivakali Puja Temple at Tempo Mor, Mohakhali. The event was attended by Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front Chairman Bijon Kanti Sarkar, BNP Executive Committee member Romesh Dutta, the Prime Minister’s research officer Abdus Sattar Patwari, and leaders, priests, and devotees of the respective temples. The distribution aimed to extend financial support to local religious institutions within the constituency, reflecting the Prime Minister’s outreach to diverse faith communities.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon held a meeting with primary school teachers and headmasters to discuss introducing both online and in-person classes in government primary schools across metropolitan areas. The proposal aims to address the national energy crisis affecting the country. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, where the minister outlined a plan for six weekly classes, with three conducted online and three in person. Teachers expressed opposition to the online class proposal, citing difficulties in implementing such a system at the primary level. They noted that young students lack the skills to use digital devices and that many families cannot afford or manage online participation. Several teachers requested government support to provide necessary devices if the plan moves forward. According to an official from the Directorate of Primary Education, no final decision has been made yet. The minister had earlier mentioned that similar hybrid arrangements were being considered for all metropolitan educational institutions except universities to manage the ongoing energy crisis.

Bangladesh’s Law Minister Md. Anisul Haque announced that a total of 23,865 politically motivated cases, allegedly filed to harass citizens, have been withdrawn. He made the statement in parliament on Wednesday in response to a question from ruling party MP S M Jahangir Hossain. The minister added that the process of withdrawing the remaining politically influenced cases is ongoing after proper verification. Responding to supplementary questions, the minister said that individuals acquitted by the court and proven innocent must be treated according to the law, as it is their fundamental right. He also noted that in the past, many teachers and even deceased persons had been named in politically motivated cases. Some cases were also filed against persons with disabilities and political leaders. The minister urged affected individuals to apply through their respective ministries or departments for case withdrawal. He clarified that while the law ministry is aware of the issue, the matter does not fall directly under its jurisdiction.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman informed the National Parliament that Bangladesh is in the process of signing agreements with seven countries to recover an estimated 234 billion US dollars allegedly laundered abroad during the previous Awami League government. He said the government is strengthening information exchange, asset identification, and mutual legal assistance with the concerned nations to retrieve the funds. According to the Prime Minister, ten countries have been identified as destinations for the laundered money, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong-China. Agreements with Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the UAE have already received consent, while deals with the remaining seven are under process. A task force led by the Bangladesh Bank governor is overseeing recovery efforts, with 11 joint investigation teams working on priority cases. Rahman added that assets worth about 704.46 billion taka have been seized domestically and abroad, and 141 cases have been filed, with six verdicts delivered so far. The government has prioritized asset recovery as part of its broader anti-corruption and anti-money laundering strategy.

A female head teacher in Cumilla was assaulted after a dismissed Awami League leader, accused of obtaining his job through forgery, returned to his workplace and attacked her. The victim, acting head teacher Hasina Islam of Berakhla Abdul Matin Khasru Girls’ High School, filed a case on Monday night against 11 people, including the dismissed teacher Aminul Islam Sujon and his cousin, Jubo Dal leader Sohel Rana. The assault reportedly took place on Sunday morning when the two, accompanied by several supporters, attacked the teacher at her office. Following the incident, Cumilla South District Jubo Dal issued a show-cause notice to Sohel Rana, accusing him of violating party discipline and engaging in activities contrary to organizational rules. He was instructed to submit a written explanation within three days to the district conveners. Police confirmed that a case had been filed and said efforts to arrest the accused were ongoing. According to the case details, Sujon had previously been dismissed in 2019 for using fake certificates and falsifying official documents but recently claimed a court ruling allowed him to return to his post, leading to renewed conflict at the school.

A mobile court in Narayanganj recovered a total of 13,980 liters of illegally stored diesel in two separate operations. The raids were conducted on Tuesday night in the Godnail area of Siddhirganj based on secret information, according to a press release from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources issued on Wednesday. Two individuals were fined and sentenced to short prison terms without labor for their involvement. In the first operation around 6 p.m. near the Eidgah adjacent to the Meghna Depot in Godnail, 9,100 liters of diesel were seized. The accused, Sifat, was fined 6,000 taka and sentenced to two months of imprisonment without labor. In the second operation at a house near S.A. Road in the same area, 4,880 liters of diesel were recovered, and Nasir was fined 3,000 taka and sentenced to one month of imprisonment without labor. The ministry stated that such operations will continue to prevent illegal hoarding and manipulation of fuel supplies.

Authorities in Nesarabad upazila of Pirojpur conducted a mobile raid on April 1, 2026, seizing around 3,000 liters of diesel and kerosene allegedly stored illegally. The operation, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amit Dutta and based on NSI intelligence, took place at Mahamudkathi Bazar under Atghar Kuriana Union. The seized fuel was found in a warehouse belonging to Messrs. Nantu Talukdar, who lacked valid documents for fuel sales. The individual was fined 10,000 taka, and the confiscated fuel will be sold under administrative supervision with proceeds deposited into the government treasury. The raid followed reports in the newspaper Amar Desh highlighting a severe diesel shortage affecting IRRI-Boro rice cultivation and causing hardship for farmers. Complaints had also surfaced about fuel being sold at prices higher than government rates. Officials stated that such drives would continue and that strict legal action would be taken against those hoarding fuel or destabilizing the market. The operation reflects ongoing administrative efforts to address fuel hoarding and stabilize supply during the reported diesel shortage.

State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari informed the National Parliament that 468,220 positions remain vacant in government jobs across Bangladesh. He disclosed the figures on Wednesday during the question-and-answer session, responding to a query from Sheikh Md. Rezaul Islam, Member of Parliament for Naogaon-6. The session was presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. According to the minister, as of December 31, 2023, a total of 1,450,891 employees were working in various government positions. Among them, 190,773 were in the first class, 233,726 in the second class, 613,835 in the third class, 404,557 in the fourth class, and 7,980 in other categories. The vacancies include 68,884 in the first class, 129,166 in the second class, 146,799 in the third class, 115,235 in the fourth class, and 8,136 in other categories. The updated statistics reflect the latest manpower data compiled by the Ministry of Public Administration, providing an overview of staffing levels and vacancies across the government service structure.

The United Nations has expressed concern over attempts to suppress media freedom in the United States and Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, according to Al Jazeera. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated that civic space is shrinking across the Middle East and other regions, with increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Türk criticized efforts to limit press freedom, citing Israel’s military censorship regulations and the US Federal Communications Commission’s threat to revoke broadcast licenses over war-critical coverage. He warned that invoking security concerns to justify such restrictions undermines fundamental rights. The statement highlights growing international concern about the erosion of civil liberties during wartime, particularly regarding the right to free expression and independent journalism.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, met with the Speaker of the National Parliament, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad (Bir Bikram), on Wednesday at the Parliament Secretariat. During the courtesy meeting, the High Commissioner expressed deep condolences over the recent death of the Speaker’s wife, Dilara Hafiz, and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family. Both sides discussed the ongoing global crisis and exchanged views on several important issues concerning their respective countries. The meeting reflected a gesture of goodwill and diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Wasif, and senior officials from the Parliament Secretariat were also present during the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took part in his first question-and-answer session in the 13th National Parliament on Wednesday, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Responding to questions from lawmakers, he expressed gratitude to his constituents in Dhaka-17 and pledged to fulfill the commitments made in the government’s election manifesto. He emphasized that his administration would work diligently to deliver on its promises to the people. In response to BNP lawmaker A.B.M. Mosharraf Hossain, the Prime Minister said that the Family Card and Farmer Card programs would help strengthen the national economy. He announced that 30,000 more families would be included in the Family Card program within the remaining three months of the fiscal year. The initiative, launched on March 10 across 13 districts, has already provided allowances to 37,814 women-led households, with a goal to reach 40 million families within four years. Tarique Rahman added that the Family Card, issued in the name of the female head of household, would enhance women’s control over family resources and decision-making. He also stated that the government would take steps to repatriate laundered money, describing it as the people’s trust and a national responsibility to recover it.

A student of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) was allegedly assaulted at the university’s Bangla Tiffin canteen on Wednesday morning following a dispute over seating. The incident involved Toufiqul Islam, a student of the Mechanical Engineering Department from the 2020–21 session, who was attacked by three to four unidentified students after refusing to vacate his chair. Security personnel later arrived at the scene. Initially, the canteen authorities denied the incident but later admitted that a physical altercation had occurred after pressure from eyewitnesses. Toufiqul Islam stated that he and a friend were eating when several unknown students demanded their seats. When he refused and suggested they sit nearby, they verbally abused and then assaulted him. RUET’s Deputy Director of Student Welfare, H.M. Monjur Morshed, described the incident as regrettable and confirmed that the university had spoken with the victim. He said steps were being taken to identify and take strict action against those responsible. The university administration has begun the process of investigating the assault and ensuring accountability for the incident.

In Kishoreganj of Nilphamari district, about 2,104 feet of main electricity cable from four poles were stolen late Tuesday night. The theft occurred during a storm when power supply was already suspended, according to the local electricity office. As a result, power supply remains cut off in several areas including Tengonmari and Putimari under the Kishoreganj grid. Officials from the Kishoreganj electricity office stated that organized thieves took advantage of the storm and heavy rain to steal the cables stretching from a local petrol pump to Fakirpara. The estimated value of the stolen wires is around 150,000 taka. Additionally, five poles in the storm-hit Putimari Union were uprooted, and multiple lines were damaged, further disrupting electricity supply. Residential engineer Samsul Arefin confirmed the theft and said restoration work is underway. He added that a formal complaint will be filed with the police after the immediate repair efforts are completed.

Poland has declined a U.S. request to send one of its Patriot air defense systems to the Middle East. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the decision on Tuesday, according to Anadolu. The U.S. proposal reportedly came amid rising tensions surrounding Iran and increased risks of missile attacks on American forces and allies in the region. Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on social media that Poland’s Patriot systems will remain dedicated to protecting the country’s airspace and NATO’s eastern flank, emphasizing that national security remains the top priority. The Polish Defense Ministry added that the United States had not exerted any pressure regarding the matter. Meanwhile, Chief of General Staff Wiesław Kukuła denied that any such request had been made. Poland currently operates two fully functional Patriot batteries, which became fully operational by the end of 2025. They are stationed in the Sochaczew area and can intercept aircraft and missiles up to 100 kilometers away.