Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the government is working on police reform but emphasized that such changes cannot happen overnight. He made the remarks on Sunday, April 5, during a courtesy meeting with a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at his official residence on Bailey Road in Dhaka. The discussion covered law and order, police reform, the establishment of an independent police commission, the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, the enforced disappearance prevention ordinance, and the Rohingya issue.

During the meeting, the UNDP’s resident representative assured cooperation in police reform and highlighted the organization’s long-standing contribution to forming the National Human Rights Commission. The representative noted that UNDP assisted in drafting the commission’s ordinance, incorporating international best practices. The minister said the ordinance is closely linked with the creation of an independent police commission and will be presented to parliament after necessary review.

On the enforced disappearance ordinance, the minister said it would also be tabled in parliament after further scrutiny. He added that some definitions in the draft make identifying the actual perpetrators difficult and shared his own experience of disappearance. He also clarified that the Armed Police Battalion in Rohingya camps is not an investigative body but promised stronger camp security.

Bangladesh’s National Parliament has passed the Government Service (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at preventing protests and disciplinary breaches among civil servants. The bill, introduced by State Minister for Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari, was approved by voice vote on Sunday without any discussion. Opposition members abstained from voting. It took three minutes and thirty-five seconds to pass, marking the first bill approved in the current thirteenth parliament session.

The bill transforms an ordinance issued by the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus into law. It defines four types of misconduct, including disobedience, collective absence from duty, incitement to avoid work, and obstruction of others’ duties. Penalties include suspension, dismissal, and demotion in pay or grade. The interim government had issued the ordinance in two phases in May and July 2025, and it now awaits presidential approval to become law.

According to the minister, the legislation aims to strengthen discipline and accountability within the civil service and facilitate legal action in related matters.

An Iraqi oil tanker named ‘Ocean Thunder’ has passed through the Strait of Hormuz without incident under Iran’s special exemption policy, according to Al Jazeera. Data from LSEG and Kpler showed that the vessel traveled along Iran’s coast through the strategic waterway. Iran had announced a day earlier that Iraq would not face any restrictions on navigation through this vital maritime route.

Marine traffic trackers indicated that the tanker was last located in the Gulf of Oman. Kpler data revealed that ‘Ocean Thunder’ loaded about one million barrels of Basra Heavy crude oil on March 2 and is expected to arrive at Malaysia’s Pengerang port in mid-April.

The smooth passage of the Iraqi tanker is being viewed as significant amid ongoing tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy transport corridors.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation rate declined slightly in March 2026, falling to 8.71 percent on a point-to-point basis from 9.13 percent in February, according to updated data released Sunday by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The report also showed that inflation was lower than the 9.35 percent recorded in March 2025, indicating a modest downward trend.

The BBS attributed the improvement mainly to easing food price pressures. Food inflation dropped to 8.24 percent in March from 9.30 percent in February, while non-food inflation edged up marginally to 9.09 percent from 9.01 percent. Analysts noted that prices of daily essentials have become relatively stable, offering some relief to consumers, though costs in housing, transport, fuel, and services remain elevated.

Economists said the overall decline in inflation is a positive signal for the economy, but living expenses for low-income groups remain high. They cautioned that it may take more time before ordinary households experience tangible relief from the cost-of-living burden.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that mass media and social media play a vital role in shaping people's minds. Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of six short-term courses at the Bangladesh Cinema and Television Institute (BCTI) on Sunday, he noted that the growing influence of these platforms makes establishing ethical control one of the major challenges of the time.

The minister explained that people naturally tend to listen, understand, and believe others, which allows influential figures to shape public thinking. While this can have positive effects, it also carries risks of misuse. He emphasized that film is a powerful medium capable of deeply affecting emotions and urged that its power be used for the welfare of humanity and civilization.

In his address, Swapan advised participating students to balance technical knowledge with ethical standards and a sense of responsibility. He formally inaugurated the six short-term courses and thanked all involved in organizing the event.

A Dhaka court has acquitted former Shariatpur-1 MP and Awami League organizational secretary BM Mozammel Haque in a case filed over an alleged demand for Tk 25 lakh in extortion. The verdict was delivered on Sunday, April 5, 2026, by Judge Mahmuda Akhter of Dhaka’s 14th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court. Despite the acquittal, Mozammel will not be released from prison as he faces several other pending cases, according to his lawyer Md Liton Mia.

The case was filed by businessman Khalilur Rahman, who alleged that before the 2014 national election, Mozammel demanded Tk 25 lakh for election expenses and threatened to abduct him if he failed to pay. Rahman later claimed that Mozammel used political influence to disrupt his business in Shariatpur. The case was lodged on August 24, 2024, after the fall of the Awami League government. Mozammel was arrested by the Detective Branch from Dhaka’s Niketan area on October 5, 2025, and has been in custody since then.

The trial began on April 1, 2026, when the complainant told the court he had no objection to Mozammel’s acquittal, leading to the verdict announced four days later.

A probe committee formed to investigate alleged irregularities and favoritism in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election has submitted its report to the National Sports Council (NSC). The committee interviewed several individuals as part of the inquiry. However, former sports adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan did not respond to the committee’s summons.

In a verified Facebook post on Sunday, April 5, Asif Mahmud explained four reasons for his noncompliance. He stated that the ministry was investigating a matter beyond its jurisdiction since the BCB is an autonomous body. He also argued that the committee’s notification had predetermined conclusions, and that investigating a case pending before the High Court amounted to contempt of court. Additionally, he alleged that the state minister for sports was pressuring board directors to resign or comply for personal gain.

Asif Mahmud concluded that he would not participate in any process he considered irregular or contemptuous of court, which is why he ignored the committee’s interview notice.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmad Azam Khan informed the National Parliament on April 5, 2026, that 481 individuals falsely listed as freedom fighters had their gazettes canceled between August 2024 and March 2026. The cancellations followed investigations and verifications conducted across the country. The announcement came in response to a notice from Sylhet-3 MP Md. Abdul Malik during the eighth day of the 13th Parliament’s first session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram.

MP Abdul Malik alleged that during the previous government, many fake freedom fighters were politically enlisted, depriving genuine veterans of recognition and benefits. He cited widespread misuse of state facilities, particularly in Sylhet’s Balaganj and South Surma areas. In reply, the minister said that identifying such fraudulent entries is an ongoing process handled by the National Freedom Fighters Council’s subcommittee, which cancels certificates and gazettes once allegations are proven.

The minister also pledged to expedite the handover of the South Surma Freedom Fighters Complex and to include Balaganj and Fenchuganj complexes in government development plans. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to honoring genuine freedom fighters and ensuring they receive proper recognition and digital identification.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita conducted an unannounced inspection at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday to oversee overall operations. During the visit, she reviewed the cargo terminal’s activities and instructed officials and staff to ensure quick and harassment-free cargo clearance following proper procedures. She emphasized that under the new democratic government, cargo transport operations would be made completely free from harassment, with a strict ‘zero tolerance’ policy against corruption.

The minister also inspected the Biman Bangladesh Airlines hangar complex, where she inquired about the technical condition of the Boeing 787-9 aircraft of flight BG 202. She directed engineers and officials to complete maintenance of the central hydraulic system promptly to make the aircraft airworthy again. Afroza Khanam Rita personally examined the aircraft’s cabin and cockpit to assess the functionality of various instruments and panels.

Senior officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, including Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines were present during the inspection.

Iran has claimed that a US special operation to rescue a missing American pilot has failed. The statement came after US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social account that the mission was one of the most courageous in US history and had been completed successfully. Following Trump’s post, Iranian authorities and state media rejected the claim, describing the operation as unsuccessful.

A spokesperson for Iran’s central military headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya, said in a statement that US forces made desperate attempts to recover the downed pilot but failed due to the efforts of Iranian forces. The United States had earlier confirmed that there was an exchange of gunfire between American and Iranian troops during the mission.

Iran’s military further alleged that Washington’s announcement of a successful rescue was an attempt to conceal its defeat. The incident has added to the ongoing tensions between the two countries, which have previously clashed over military and political issues.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has attributed the current measles outbreak to mismanagement by previous governments. He made the remark on Sunday while inaugurating a measles vaccination campaign at the Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex in Dhaka.

The minister announced that measles vaccinations will begin simultaneously across all districts and upazilas on May 3. In Dhaka North and South City Corporations, as well as in Mymensingh and Barishal, vaccinations will start earlier on April 12. He also stated that the government has initiated the process of purchasing measles vaccines using 604 crore taka that remained unspent during the COVID-19 period.

According to World Health Organization data cited by the minister, 82 percent of measles patients are under five years old, and this group will be prioritized for vaccination, with others to follow in phases.

Iran has claimed to have shot down a US C-130 transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters in the southern province of Isfahan. According to Tehran, the incident occurred during a US mission to rescue missing crew members. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf shared an image of the event on social media, while state television broadcast footage showing the downed aircraft.

A statement from Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters said the aircraft were destroyed during what it described as a reckless and hostile rescue operation by enemy forces south of Isfahan. Iranian authorities have portrayed the incident as a major victory, arguing that it disproves US claims about the weakness of Iran’s air defense capabilities.

The situation remains tense following recent US-Israeli attacks in Iran. US President Trump has warned of potential large-scale strikes on key Iranian infrastructure within hours or days, according to reports from Al Jazeera and Tasnim News Agency.

Iran and Oman have held a high-level meeting aimed at maintaining normal maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transport routes, according to Al Jazeera. The meeting, reported by the Oman News Agency, brought together the deputy foreign ministers of both countries to discuss ways to ensure safe and uninterrupted passage through the strait.

Technical experts from Iran and Oman presented several proposals and plans to preserve stability in the area. The Strait of Hormuz is vital for global energy supplies, and recent tensions have raised concerns about its security. Following a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, Tehran had temporarily declared the route closed to shipping.

Iran later announced that the strait would remain safe for all nations except the United States, Israel, and their allies, signaling a partial reopening of the crucial maritime corridor.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, told parliament that the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has disrupted the process of sending Bangladeshi workers to several Middle Eastern labor markets, including the United Arab Emirates. He made the statement on Sunday in response to a question from BNP lawmaker Shafiqul Rahman during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister explained that the government alone cannot manage the overseas employment process and therefore issues licenses to private recruiting agencies to involve them in manpower export. He highlighted government initiatives to expand labor markets in Dubai and other Asian countries. Chowdhury also reported that in 2025, a total of 1,132,519 Bangladeshis secured overseas employment, including 62,352 women workers. He added that over 15 million Bangladeshis are currently working in 176 countries worldwide.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the rights and welfare of expatriate workers and noted that previous administrations had neglected these issues. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and competition in labor recruitment, particularly regarding Malaysia.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed met with a delegation led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Stefan Liller at his official residence on Bailey Road on April 5, 2026. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including law and order, police reform, the establishment of an independent police commission, the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearances Ordinance, and the Rohingya issue.

During the meeting, the minister emphasized that police reform is an ongoing process and that Bangladesh believes in gradual improvement. He noted that UNDP could assist in strengthening police capacity and restructuring efforts. The UNDP representative assured continued cooperation, highlighting the organization’s long-standing involvement with the National Human Rights Commission and its contribution to drafting the related ordinance.

The Home Minister stated that both the Human Rights Commission and Enforced Disappearances ordinances would be presented to Parliament after further review. He also clarified that the Armed Police Battalion deployed in Rohingya camps is not an investigative body but assured that security measures there would be further strengthened.