Following an Anti-Corruption Commission petition, a court has frozen 12 bank accounts, 18 company shares, and two vehicles owned by former minister Tipu Munshi and his wife Malbika Munshi. The court also ordered the seizure of properties in Uttara, Rangpur, and Gulshan. The ACC alleges the couple amassed Tk 59 million in assets disproportionate to known income sources, abusing public office for personal gain.

Labour Party MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq once told a journalist in 2017, “I am not Bangladeshi; I’m a British MP.” However, official records show otherwise. Tulip holds a Bangladeshi National ID card, passport, and Tax Identification Number (TIN), and has submitted tax returns, confirming her Bangladeshi citizenship. Her NID, issued on January 3, 2011, lists Sudha Sadan—Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s residence—as her address. Recently, her NID has been locked.

China has imposed counter-sanctions on six US Congress members, officials, and NGO heads in retaliation for Washington’s recent sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials over alleged suppression of pro-democracy activists. The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the US actions as interference and warned of stronger retaliation if such policies continue. The original US sanctions targeted those accused of using Hong Kong’s national security law to silence dissent. The geopolitical standoff also intensified through a tit-for-tat tariff escalation.

The Labor Reform Commission has submitted a report recommending legal protections for all workers, fair national and sector-based wages, and safe working conditions. It also proposed establishing a comprehensive labor database and easing trade union rights to promote transparency and accountability. The commission urged the government to facilitate overseas employment and skill development, especially for youth and entrepreneurs. It further recommended state recognition for workers killed in the 2024 uprising, justice for victims of workplace negligence, and six months of maternity leave along with anti-harassment policies.

Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of violating the Constitution by freezing $2.2 billion in federal funding. The university claims this was a retaliatory move after it refused to comply with federal demands related to campus protests. Harvard says the freeze endangers vital research on childhood cancer, infectious diseases, and veterans’ health. The lawsuit argues that the government failed to establish any reasonable link between its decision and concerns over antisemitism or academic conduct.

Bangladesh Medical University and Kunming Medical University of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, paving the way for a $138.2 million Chinese investment in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector. Professor Zhueshan highlighted the foundation laid by recent high-level meetings between the two nations for long-term collaboration in health and education. He emphasized the strengths of traditional and advanced Chinese medical education. Professor Dr. Mujibur Rahman Howlader said the agreement will significantly boost medical modernization through joint research, training, technology transfer, and infrastructure development.

Yemen’s armed forces claimed responsibility for multiple drone and missile strikes on Monday targeting Israel’s Ashkelon port and Umm al-Rashrash, as well as US naval assets. The attacks were carried out using Yafa and Samad-1 drones, along with cruise missiles, reportedly in retaliation for US-led aggression and recent deadly airstrikes in Yemen. Targets included the USS Harry Truman and accompanying warships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.

Russia resumed military strikes on Ukraine on Monday, ending President Putin’s 30-hour unilateral Easter ceasefire. Three civilians were reportedly killed. Both sides had accused each other of violating the temporary truce. The Ukrainian military noted a reduction in Russian activity but stated that the war had not ceased entirely.

Israeli forces demolished multiple Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank on Monday, targeting properties in Ramallah and Hebron governorates, and destroying a residential building. They also damaged vehicles, olive trees, and other properties. Attacks were reported in Safarkha and Bidya towns. According to the UN, since Israel launched a new military campaign on January 21, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced.

In a mass wedding ceremony organized by WAAMI for 60 underprivileged and fatherless couples, Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain highlighted the spiritual and moral significance of marriage. He said marriage is a safeguard against immoral behavior and is essential for building ideal families, fulfilling natural needs, and attaining peace of mind.

He added, “According to a Hadith, when a person gets married, they complete half of their faith; for the other half, they should fear Allah.” Dr. Hossain underscored that marriage is an unparalleled institution for preserving one’s character.

Rights group VOiD has demanded the withdrawal of all false cases against victims of enforced disappearances, along with their safety, compensation, and justice against those responsible. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam called for the prosecution of everyone involved in such cases. VOiD also demanded the repeal of the 2013 Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, transparency in state records, and a public apology from state forces to the victims and the nation.

More than 100 travelers, including 47 Bangladeshis, were detained at a South African airport on Sunday. Despite clearing immigration and collecting baggage, many were stopped by border guards. The reason for their detention remains unclear, and authorities are holding them at the airport. There is a possibility that they may be deported.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam announced the formation of a taskforce to improve the quality of newspapers. The taskforce will focus on verifying actual circulation figures, implementing the wage board, and setting fair ad rates. He stressed that newspapers following government guidelines will be eligible for state advertisements and benefits. The adviser emphasized the need for transparency at all stages of newspaper publication and hinted at tighter scrutiny on tax compliance.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix commended Bangladesh’s contribution to global peacekeeping during a courtesy meeting with IGP Baharul Alam. The IGP affirmed that Bangladeshi peacekeepers have consistently demonstrated professionalism and expressed readiness to deploy more personnel to UN missions in the future.

To protect the fragile ecosystem, the government has decided to ban new industrial establishments within 10 kilometers of the Sundarbans. A formal notification will soon be issued by the Ministry of Environment. Additional decisions include revising the Climate Change Trust regulations and collecting inter-ministerial feedback to combat noise pollution. Proposals have also been made to increase risk allowances for forest workers and mandate 30% block use in all new buildings by 2025.