Workers of Seasons Dresses Ltd. blocked the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway in Tongi on Wednesday, demanding 20 days of unpaid wages from March. Around 1,500 workers joined the protest after management failed to provide a specific date for payment. Tensions escalated when their demands were ignored, leading workers to leave the factory chanting slogans and take to the highway. This protest follows a five-day movement earlier in the month over similar issues.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated that the 2024 flood was not a usual one. He mentioned the immense scale of the flood became clear only after it receded. He expressed concerns over financial aid distribution but felt relieved when the military took charge of the Ashrayan project. He also virtually handed over 300 houses to the affected individuals.

Security measures and surveillance protocols have been significantly strengthened compared to before. Strict monitoring is now being conducted on flights of all foreign airlines traveling through or departing from Indian airspace. Before granting clearance to any suspicious aircraft, its pilot must provide an Air Defense Clearance number. No aircraft will be allowed to take off without proper documentation and identification. All staff working within the airports are now required to carry valid identification at all times.

Cross-border gunfire between Indian and Pakistani troops continued for the sixth straight day. According to Indian military sources, Pakistani forces opened fire from across the international border in the Pargwal sector. The firing, which reportedly began Tuesday night and continued into early Wednesday, affected the Nowshera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor sectors in Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC).

Indian forces returned fire in response to what they described as “unprovoked” aggression. So far, Pakistan has not commented on the allegations.

At least 14 people have died and many others suffered burn injuries in a devastating fire at a hotel in Kolkata’s bustling Burrabazar area. The blaze has since been brought under control. West Bengal Congress President Shubhankar Sarkar lashed out at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, calling the tragedy “heartbreaking” and criticizing the lack of safety measures. “I don’t know what the corporation is doing. Many people are still trapped inside,” he said. Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj confirmed the recovery of 14 bodies and the rescue of several survivors. A special investigation team has been formed to probe the incident.

A report by Bangladesh Bank reveals that Islami Bank’s Gulshan branch approved a staggering Tk 950 crore loan in the name of a Nabil Group-affiliated trading company called “Market Master Analyzer” — a company that central bank inspectors confirmed does not exist. Although the loan was approved under a single name, only Tk 550 crore was deposited into Nabil Group’s account. The remaining Tk 400 crore was transferred to S. Alam Group.

In another case, a private bank approved a Tk 90 crore loan in the name of a company under the Uttara Group. However, the funds were rerouted through several accounts and ultimately ended up in one controlled by Beximco Group, which later withdrew the money. Meanwhile, Nasa Group secured Tk 200 crore from its own bank, Exim Bank, by using a shell company.

Saiful Hock of the Revolutionary Workers Party stated their support for reducing the terms of parliament and the president to four years. They proposed limiting the prime minister to two terms and leaving development tasks to local governments. The party also advocated for reducing the deposit amount in national elections and expressed concerns that local elections could destabilize the country.

Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has clarified that neither he nor the ‘July’ movement had any direct or indirect involvement in the recent termination of three journalists. In a statement, Farooki responded to claims made during a recent press conference, where the journalists questioned whether a killer could be called a killer—remarks Farooki deemed hurtful to anyone sensitive to the events of July. He emphasized that each media outlet has its own editorial policies and that any employment decisions are internal matters. “Some are suggesting their jobs were lost because they questioned me. That’s laughable,” Farooki wrote, asserting, “This is not about me—it’s about July and the policies of their institutions.”

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain criticized the government’s unilateral decision to establish a humanitarian corridor in Rakhine, Myanmar. “This decision was made without any dialogue with political parties or the public. We are unaware of the conditions attached to this decision,” he said. The BNP believes that an unelected government lacks the authority to make such a sovereignty-sensitive decision and demands full disclosure and transparency.

One person, Aziz Mia (60), was killed and at least 20 others injured in a violent clash between residents of two villages in Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria. The conflict erupted after a quarrel at Salimganj Bazaar between a youth from Badda village and a shopkeeper. The violence escalated as Badda residents set fire to a house in Barail and vandalized others. The resulting tension led to a full-scale clash between the two villages.

Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, SDG coordinator, emphasized that technical and vocational education must be a core strategy for Bangladesh after its graduation from LDC status. He urged the government to give serious attention to these sectors. “Students are protesting with various demands, but policymakers are not listening, and media coverage is inadequate,” he said. He called for an end to discriminatory policies against technical education and prioritized investment in human resource development.

Actor Siddiqur Rahman faces two cases—one for murder and another for attempted murder—filed at Gulshan Police Station in connection with recent anti-government protests. He is expected to be handed over to Gulshan police for further legal procedures. Earlier, he was assaulted during the protest, and his clothing was reportedly torn before police detained him.

The Jahangirnagar University chapter of the Bangladesh Democratic Students’ Alliance staged a protest demanding swift trial of the perpetrators involved in the July campus attack and called for the announcement of JAKSU election schedules by April 30. Student leader Nadia Rahman Annesha accused the administration of delaying the student union elections to consolidate authoritarian control. Protesters claimed that some factions oppose the student union to protect their interests in corruption and extortion.

Following the attack in Pahalgam, India has seen a surge in anti-Muslim sentiment online, with a growing number of hate songs appearing on YouTube. One such song, titled “Pehle Dharam Poochha”, accuses Muslims of conspiring against Hindus. Al Jazeera has identified at least 20 similar songs promoting Islamophobia and hate speech. Despite the growing hostility, it was a Muslim horseman who died trying to stop the attackers, and local Muslims were among the first to assist injured tourists.

On the second day of the ICJ hearing into genocide allegations against Israel, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation stated that Palestinians are being subjected to atrocities, oppression, and genocide with global impunity. Representative Zane Dangor said Israel faces no accountability despite violating international law. He also alleged that entities attempting to hold Israel responsible are often met with retaliatory pressure. Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s actions in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza as clear breaches of international law. Israel has boycotted the hearing, labeling the case biased.