Turkish Ambassador Ramis Sen paid a courtesy call on Brigadier General (Retd.) A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, the Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser, at his office in the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment on Monday. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the meeting focused on issues of mutual interest and expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral military relations and strategic ties between Bangladesh and Turkey.

The discussion highlighted the shared intention of both nations to deepen defense cooperation and enhance mutual understanding in areas of strategic importance. The meeting was part of ongoing diplomatic engagements aimed at expanding collaboration in defense and related sectors.

The ISPR statement underscored that both sides view the meeting as a step toward reinforcing existing military partnerships and exploring new avenues for cooperation in the future.

Social Welfare, Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain said that those appointed by Dr. Muhammad Yunus did not perform their duties properly. He stated that a review of the interim government’s overall preparedness for measles prevention would reveal the real cause of the outbreak. The minister made these remarks on Monday, April 6, in Gulshan during a discussion titled “Commitment, Reality and Future in Establishing Equality and Justice in Bangladesh’s Changing Context.”

He emphasized that the measles outbreak could not have spread across the country in just 49 days and reiterated that the interim government’s preventive measures should be examined. The minister also reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption and violence against women and children, stressing that the government continues to act responsibly toward citizens.

Former NCP leader Dr. Tasnim Jara, present at the event, said the current measles situation exposed weaknesses in the healthcare system. She attributed the crisis to poor coordination and lack of adequate data within the government.

Iran has announced that it will participate in the upcoming World Cup only if its group-stage matches are moved from the United States to Mexico. The country’s sports minister, Ahmad Danialmali, told Turkey-based Anadolu Agency on Sunday that the request to shift venues remains in place due to security concerns. He said Iran’s participation will be confirmed only if FIFA approves the relocation; otherwise, the situation will remain uncertain.

According to the tournament schedule, Iran is set to play three group-stage matches in the United States—against New Zealand on June 16 in Los Angeles, Belgium on June 22 at the same venue, and Egypt on June 27 in Seattle. Although Mexico and Canada are also co-hosts, most matches are planned in the US. Danialmali added that the Iranian team continues its preparations but the government will not finalize its decision without security assurances.

Tensions have escalated in the region following a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28. US President Donald Trump said Iran would be welcomed but acknowledged possible security risks. Iran’s football federation president, Mehdi Taj, reaffirmed that the team will not travel to the US without guarantees and will continue discussions with FIFA about moving the matches to Mexico.

The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association has strongly refuted claims of internal division regarding the proposed establishment of a Supreme Court Secretariat. In a statement issued on Monday, Association President Mohammad Ali Hossain and General Secretary Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman protested against what they described as misleading media reports suggesting disagreements among judges. They clarified that judges remain united on the issue and that no division exists within the association.

The association stated that reports published in several newspapers, including Kalbela, were incomplete and contrary to reality. It emphasized that all members support the creation of the Supreme Court Secretariat to ensure institutional and financial independence, accountability, and an effective administrative structure for the judiciary. The association also rejected claims of disputes during its virtual meeting, asserting that no policy differences had arisen.

The statement further expressed concern over the publication of unverified information without citing sources or verifying facts with responsible officials. The association urged adherence to professional journalism standards when reporting on judicial matters.

Iran’s most recent round of attacks caused damage at 28 locations across central Israel, according to emergency service reports published on April 6, 2026. The strikes, which involved cluster bombs launched by Iran, left one man in his forties moderately injured. The affected areas include Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak, and Givatayim.

The report, citing Israeli emergency authorities, indicates that the damage was widespread but provides no details on the scale of destruction or the type of facilities hit. The information was sourced from Al Jazeera and relayed by the outlet Amar Desh. The incident marks another escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel.

Further details on Israel’s response or international reactions were not included in the report, leaving the broader implications of the attack unclear.

National Citizens Party (NCP) South Regional Chief Organizer and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah warned that if the government uses its parliamentary majority to avoid necessary reforms, preparations for another uprising similar to that of July would begin. He made the remarks on Monday, April 6, at a citizens’ dialogue organized by Voice of Reform at the BDL Building in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. The event focused on the suspension of key ordinances related to judicial independence and enforced disappearances.

Hasnat said the 2024 mass uprising was aimed at structural transformation of the state, not merely a change of leadership. He argued that maintaining the current system could allow future authoritarianism to re-emerge, emphasizing that state reform is now essential. He also warned that failure to implement the Human Rights Commission ordinance could return investigative authority to the Home Ministry, undermining justice for victims of the July uprising and enforced disappearances.

Other speakers, including human rights activists and academics, urged the government to expedite judicial independence and avoid bureaucratic delays in reform legislation.

Pakistan has presented a proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which includes an immediate ceasefire. According to a Reuters report cited by the source, both Iran and the United States have received the proposal, which is currently being referred to as the 'Islamabad Accord'. The details of the proposal were shared with both countries as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic effort to halt the violence.

The report indicates that Pakistan formally handed over the outline of the proposal to Iran and the United States. The initiative comes amid escalating regional tensions, including recent Iranian attacks that caused damage at 28 sites in Israel and other related incidents reported in the region.

The proposal’s contents and the responses from Iran and the United States have not yet been disclosed, leaving uncertainty about whether the initiative will lead to a ceasefire or broader negotiations.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury informed Parliament that current members of parliament collectively owe Tk 11,117.31 crore in loans, of which Tk 3,330.08 crore are classified as defaulted. He provided the information in response to a written question from Comilla-4 MP Md. Abul Hasnat during the ninth day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament, presided over by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

The minister stated that the total loan amount includes debts held by MPs and institutions linked to their interests in banks and financial companies. He also mentioned that, according to court directives, the total defaulted amount of Tk 3,330.08 crore has not yet been officially recorded as defaulted.

The disclosure highlights the scale of financial obligations among sitting lawmakers and their associated entities, as well as the ongoing legal and procedural complexities in classifying certain loans as defaults.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has issued important directives to enhance non-urea fertilizer management during a meeting held at the Agriculture Building in Dhaka. The meeting, organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), focused on improving fertilizer distribution and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth across the country.

During the session, the minister highlighted the government’s ongoing initiatives for balanced and sustainable development, identifying agriculture as a top priority sector. He announced a master plan to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals over the next five years, with 5,000 kilometers already under implementation in the 2025–2026 fiscal year. He also stated that a farmer card distribution program will begin soon to support marginal farmers and emphasized strengthening the activities of agencies under the Agriculture Ministry to make fertilizer management more efficient.

The minister assured that the country has sufficient fertilizer reserves and that continued imports will prevent any shortage. Plans are also underway to explore the use of railways for fertilizer transport to reduce costs and improve accountability.

The eleven-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has called a top-level meeting to decide on future movement programs related to implementing the referendum verdict. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area, followed by a press conference at noon at the same venue. The information was confirmed by Dr. AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, coordinator of the alliance and assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Earlier, on April 2, the alliance leaders met and issued a press release demanding effective steps to implement the referendum’s public verdict and to form a constitutional reform council immediately. They also warned that if their demands were not met, they would launch street movements. Following that decision, the alliance held a protest rally and procession at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram on Saturday afternoon and announced further public outreach and leaflet distribution programs.

According to the earlier announcement, the upcoming April 7 meeting will finalize the outline and next steps of the movement.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC carried out a series of operations on April 5, 2026, to identify and remove illegal gas connections across several districts. The drives were led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md. Tarif Al Tawhid in Narayanganj, targeting five locations in Dattapara, Dailerbag, and Pirojpur under Sonargaon. During the operation, four illegal lime factories and one restaurant had their gas connections cut, with 30 feet of GI pipe and 11 regulators seized. Authorities also collected fines totaling 15,500 taka.

On the same day, gas connections were disconnected at Paragon Ceramics Ltd. and other commercial entities in Gazipur due to unpaid bills. Additional operations in Dashra and Bandutia, Manikganj, resulted in the removal of illegal distribution lines and disconnection of 16 double-burner stoves. Earlier, on March 31, Titas Gas teams in Savar and Ashulia disconnected several industrial clients for outstanding dues.

The company’s ongoing enforcement actions aim to curb illegal gas use and recover unpaid bills from industrial and commercial consumers.

Boeing Vice President Paul Righi met with Bangladesh’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Afroza Khanam Rita, at her office on Monday. State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat was also present during the meeting. The discussion focused on various aspects of Boeing’s agreements with the government and explored opportunities for leasing aircraft to meet the country’s current aviation needs.

During the meeting, Paul Righi expressed Boeing’s interest in leasing narrow-body aircraft, particularly from the 737 series, to Bangladesh. Minister Afroza Khanam Rita emphasized the importance of advancing the leasing process as soon as possible to support the nation’s aviation capacity and service expansion.

The meeting highlighted ongoing cooperation between the government and Boeing, signaling potential progress in Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen its civil aviation fleet through international partnerships.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told Parliament that the government has a concrete plan to strengthen Bangladesh’s stock market and make it a vibrant source of long-term financing. Responding in writing to a parliamentary question, he said the government aims to enhance governance, transparency, accountability, and investor education to build a sustainable and dynamic capital market. Plans include developing a strong bond market, listing fundamentally sound companies, and bringing unlisted state-owned enterprises to the market.

The minister detailed initiatives such as introducing exchange-traded funds, sukuk, green bonds, commodity and financial derivatives, and improving mutual fund governance to encourage wider participation. He also highlighted measures to curb irregularities, strengthen enforcement, modernize and digitize the market, and ensure whistleblower protection and corporate governance.

Ongoing legal reforms include merging the 1969 Securities and Exchange Ordinance and the 1993 BSEC Act into a new 2025 law, reviewing the draft Capital Market Stabilization Fund Act 2026, and updating corporate governance and debt securities rules. The government also plans to integrate investment education into school curricula and expand public awareness through training and media programs.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Joint Secretary General, Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi, issued a statement on April 6, 2026, urging people to organize modest and shirk-free cultural rallies during the upcoming Pahela Baishakh celebrations. He noted that the Ministry of Culture decided to rename the traditional ‘Mangal’ and ‘Ananda’ processions as ‘Baishakhi Shovajatra’ and expressed doubt about how free the event would be from what he described as Hindu cultural influence.

In his statement, Islamabadi said that Islam does not oppose decent artistic or cultural practices as long as they do not conflict with the spirit of Tawheed. He emphasized that idol-making or displaying animal figures is fundamentally prohibited in Islam and encouraged Bengali Muslims to celebrate in a dignified manner that reflects their own cultural and religious identity. He also criticized what he called “Hindutvadi cultural fascism” and urged showcasing Muslim heritage, including symbols like horses, in cultural rallies.

Islamabadi further criticized secular cultural groups such as Udichi for promoting what he described as aggressive Bengali nationalism that excludes ethnic minorities, calling for a more inclusive and faith-conscious cultural expression.

Iran has sharply criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing it of inaction that allegedly encourages attacks on nuclear facilities. In a letter sent on Monday to the IAEA chief, Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, said the agency’s failure to act decisively has emboldened aggressors, particularly against key sites such as the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Eslami stated that Bushehr, Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant, has been targeted four times. The most recent attack on April 4 killed one security guard and injured several others near the facility. He warned that any strike on an active reactor could release radioactive materials, posing severe risks to human life, the environment, and neighboring countries.

Calling the assaults a clear violation of international law, Eslami criticized the IAEA’s limited response, arguing that mere expressions of concern are insufficient and could lead to further attacks if stronger measures are not taken.