UAE-based airline Air Arabia has resumed limited international flight operations from the United Arab Emirates after disruptions caused by recent conflicts in the Middle East. The airline announced on Saturday that it is gradually restarting services from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to 49 destinations across 17 countries, subject to regulatory approval.

According to Air Arabia’s official statement, the decision was made to align with the evolving situation in the region. The destinations include countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe, with Bangladesh among those listed. The airline emphasized that passengers whose flights were previously canceled can rebook their tickets, provided they have not already opted for a date change or refund.

Air Arabia stated that affected passengers will be contacted directly regarding rebooking procedures, as part of its phased plan to restore international operations following the earlier disruptions.

State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid said the country, achieved through the July uprising and the sacrifice of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, will be rebuilt under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Saturday at the annual sports competition and prize distribution ceremony of Haider Ali School and College in Manda, Mugda, Dhaka. Rashid emphasized that the nation will become stronger in the post-uprising reality.

He announced that after the national parliamentary election, initiatives have been taken to remove all political banners and festoons. The government will ensure that educational institutions remain free from political displays and will create a conducive learning environment. Measures will also be taken to ensure safe movement for students.

Addressing students, Rashid said Bangladesh was earned through the blood of countless martyrs, and the new generation must grow into responsible citizens to build a prosperous nation. The event was presided over by Principal Muhammad Zakir Hossain and attended by local BNP leaders, teachers, students, and guardians.

Students at primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels across Bangladesh are receiving a continuous three-day holiday this week, confirmed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. However, the madrasa holiday schedule differs, as the Directorate of Madrasa Education stated that only April 14 is included in their official holiday list, leaving April 12 and 13 as regular working days.

According to the annual holiday calendar, schools and colleges will remain closed on April 12 for the Baisabi festival, April 13 for Chaitra Sankranti, and April 14 for Pahela Baishakh. Regular classes will resume on Wednesday, April 15. In contrast, madrasas will observe only one day off on April 14 due to religious considerations, meaning their students will not enjoy the extended break.

The variation in holiday schedules highlights the differing observances between general and religious educational institutions during the April festivities.

A Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) operation in Chattogram’s Patenga area led to the seizure of 500,000 yaba tablets worth Tk 150 million from a fishing trawler on Friday night, April 10. The raid took place at the 15 No. Ghat area under Patenga Police Station, confirmed by RAB-7 Senior Assistant Director (Media) A. R. M. Mozzafar Hossain. Nine individuals were arrested during the operation, including five Rohingya refugees and four residents of Cox’s Bazar.

According to RAB sources, the drug consignment was being transported by sea from the Cox’s Bazar border area toward Chattogram. When RAB personnel arrived at the scene around 9:30 p.m., several suspects attempted to flee but were captured after a chase. The yaba tablets were later recovered from the trawler’s engine room.

RAB stated that the detainees had long been involved in smuggling yaba from border areas at low prices and distributing them across Chattogram for profit. Legal action has been initiated against all nine suspects.

Retired Appellate Division Justice Abdul Matin has accused the government of undermining judicial independence by repealing two key ordinances — the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance and the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance — originally issued by an interim government after the July Revolution to ensure full judicial autonomy. Speaking at a public discussion titled “Fifty-five years since repeal of the Supreme Court Secretariat and Judges Appointment Ordinances: How far is independence?” held at the National Press Club on Saturday, he said the government’s decision would bring disastrous consequences.

At the same event, retired district and sessions judge Masdar Hossain, who was the petitioner in the judicial separation case, said the repeal would have negative outcomes and accused successive governments of fearing judicial independence. He criticized the government for interfering in judicial matters, including seeking explanations from 28 judges over social media posts, which he said exceeded the law ministry’s authority. Other speakers, including senior lawyers and July Movement leaders, echoed concerns that the government’s actions were eroding the judiciary’s autonomy.

Speakers warned that continued interference could provoke public backlash and urged the government to restore respect for judicial independence.

Political leaders, academics, and public figures have accused the government of duplicity in implementing the July Charter, describing it as a betrayal of the nation. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Center for Inclusive Policy and Governance (CIPG) at the National Press Club on Saturday, they said the government has failed to form the Constitutional Reform Council or take oath despite winning a majority in the national election held under the same schedule. They argued that the people’s will, expressed through the July uprising and referendum, is being ignored.

The speakers demanded the enactment and full implementation of the 'July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025' to uphold the spirit of the July movement. Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad alleged that the government is passing laws unilaterally and not following its declared 31-point agenda. Retired Major Akhtaruzzaman emphasized the need for an independent judiciary and an effective anti-corruption system through a reform council.

Barrister Muhammad Belayet Hossain stated that the interim government had formed 11 reform commissions whose proposals were approved by referendum, making their implementation a legal and moral obligation for the government.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the pre-pilot program for distributing the 'Krishak Card' on April 14. The launch event will take place at 10 a.m. at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail Sadar. The announcement was made in a letter from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday.

According to the ministry, the initiative will begin simultaneously in ten upazilas across the country as part of the program. These upazilas include Tangail Sadar, Panchagarh Sadar, Boda in Panchagarh, Shibganj in Bogura, Shailkupa in Jhenaidah, Neserabad in Pirojpur, Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, Adarsha Sadar in Cumilla, Islampur in Jamalpur, Goaland in Rajbari, and Juri in Moulvibazar.

The pre-pilot program marks the initial phase of the 'Krishak Card' initiative, which aims to be expanded nationwide following its trial implementation in these selected areas.

A video showing a brick kiln worker being tied and beaten in Lakshmipur’s Kamalnagar upazila has gone viral on social media. The incident occurred on April 9 in the Moulvirhat area of Torabganj Union. The victim, identified as Kalu from Charbosu Badamtoli Bazar, was allegedly taken from his in-laws’ house by Ismail, a labor supplier, and assaulted with his hands bound. The six-minute video shows Kalu being beaten and verbally abused while being forced to make promises.

According to local sources, Kalu had agreed to work at a brick kiln in Chattogram for Tk 80,000 but returned home due to illness. Ismail reportedly brought him back from his in-laws’ house, tied him up, and coerced him to have his brothers work in his place. After the video spread online, locals demanded justice. Police later rescued Kalu, while Ismail went into hiding.

Police confirmed that the victim was rescued and said efforts are ongoing to arrest the accused.

Police in Feni have arrested Jubo League leader Delwar Hossain Dalim, aged 45, in connection with a murder case linked to the July Movement. He was detained during a raid at his sister’s residence in Dhaka’s Pallabi area on Friday night and sent to jail through the court on Saturday afternoon.

According to police sources, Dalim, who serves as the organizational secretary of Feni District Jubo League and is a former chairman of Kalidah Union Parishad, is known as a close associate of local politician Nizam Uddin Hazari. He has been named in six cases related to the violent incidents that occurred in Mohipal on August 4, 2024. Additionally, Feni Model Police Station has issued three more arrest warrants against him.

The officer-in-charge of Feni Model Police Station, Gazi Muhammad Fouzol Azim, stated that the exact number of cases against Dalim could not yet be confirmed. Law enforcement authorities said investigations into the cases are ongoing.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that market control through syndicates will no longer be allowed in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Saturday morning while inaugurating the country’s first direct farmers’ sales center, ‘Krishoker Hat,’ at Tilaghar in Sylhet city. The initiative, jointly organized by the Sylhet District Administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension, allows marginal farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers without intermediaries.

The minister said the program aims to eliminate market mismanagement that prevents farmers from receiving fair prices while consumers face high costs. As part of the plan, deputy commissioners in every district will ensure that farmers can sell directly to buyers at least once a week. He added that the entire supply chain will be integrated into an AI-generated model to enhance government monitoring and stabilize prices.

Muktadir also announced that the operations of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will be expanded, even as subsidies—currently amounting to about Tk 3,200–3,300 crore annually—are gradually reduced.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called on accountants to evolve beyond traditional financial management roles and position themselves as strategic advisors in modern organizations. He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing the 22nd convocation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) held at a hotel in Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that in today’s technology-driven world, accountants must remain aware of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and the digital ecosystem, rather than limiting themselves to institutional knowledge. Addressing newly certified chartered accountants, he described the current era as one of both challenges and opportunities, urging them to enhance their skills and contribute to national and professional development.

He expressed optimism that the professional success of new chartered accountants would play a significant role in the country’s progress. The event also featured speeches by Professor Dr. Salimullah Khan as the convocation speaker and ICAB President N K A Mobin.

The Manipuri Meitei community’s religious festival ‘Lai Haraoba’ concluded on Friday evening at the Manipuri Cultural Complex in Tetigaon, Adampur, Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar. The three-day celebration began on Wednesday and ended with vibrant performances and rituals reflecting the community’s deep spiritual traditions. According to Manipuri belief, the term ‘Lai Haraoba’ literally means ‘the merrymaking of the gods’ and is regarded as the origin of Manipuri dance.

The festival’s central theme revolved around ancient myths of creation, performed through ritual dances led by traditional priests and priestesses known as Maiba and Maibi. The event began with the invocation of deities from water bodies, followed by performances depicting stages of human life from settlement to death. Organizers described the festival as one of the most significant celebrations of the Manipuri people, symbolizing creation, divinity, cosmology, and harmony through music, chants, and distinctive dance forms such as Maibi Jagoi.

The festival reaffirmed the community’s cultural identity and religious heritage, emphasizing continuity of traditional practices within Bangladesh’s Manipuri population.

A man was arrested on Friday after throwing a Molotov cocktail at the San Francisco home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. OpenAI confirmed that no one was injured in the early morning attack and expressed gratitude to the San Francisco Police Department for its swift response. The company also reported that threats were made to its headquarters in the city around the same time.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, firefighters responded to a fire at Altman’s residence just before 4 a.m., which security guards had already extinguished at the property’s exterior gate. The suspect fled before firefighters arrived. About an hour later, police responded to reports of a man threatening to burn down the building housing OpenAI’s headquarters and identified him as the same individual involved in the earlier incident.

The 20-year-old suspect has not been publicly identified, and no charges have yet been filed. OpenAI spokesperson Jamie Radice said the company is cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.

A group of drug dealers allegedly attacked Jubo Dal leader Zahid Uddin in Cumilla’s Adarsha Sadar upazila after he tried to stop them from using yaba. The incident occurred on April 10 in the Chapapur area of Jagannathpur Union, shortly after Friday prayers. Zahid Uddin, the joint convener of the upazila Jubo Dal, was seriously injured and is now receiving treatment at Cumilla Medical College Hospital.

Local sources said drug trading has long been active in the border-adjacent area. Following the formation of anti-drug committees under the BNP-led government, tensions rose among local drug dealers. Residents reported that the attackers also injured another man named Rubel, who had earlier informed the anti-drug committee about local drug use. Both victims said the attackers used sharp weapons during the assault.

Victims and local residents believe the attack was retaliation for their anti-drug activities. They have demanded a proper investigation and justice. Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge said no formal complaint had been received yet but assured action once a report is filed.

Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election was held on February 12, 2026, across 299 constituencies, with one seat postponed due to a candidate’s death. According to the Election Commission, 86 women contested, and only seven were elected directly. The remaining women MPs will be chosen through the reserved seat system, which allocates seats proportionally based on each party’s number of elected members.

Under the 2004 Reserved Women’s Seat Election Act, one reserved seat is assigned for every six general seats won by a party. The Election Commission announces the schedule, and parties nominate candidates who are then elected by their party’s MPs. In past elections, many nominees were declared elected unopposed. This year, the BNP-led alliance won 212 of 297 seats, likely securing around 35 reserved seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance may receive 12 to 13.

Bangladesh currently has 50 reserved women’s seats. Analysts note that although the number has increased over time, the indirect election process raises questions about the effectiveness of women’s empowerment through this system.