Two hotel owners in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet have been fined and sentenced for dumping waste beside Joybunnecha Girls High School. The mobile court, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Munmun Nahar, conducted the operation on Wednesday afternoon following a report published on April 3 about the persistent waste problem near the school. The owner of Capital Hotel was initially sentenced to five years in prison and fined 20,000 taka under three sections of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, but the jail term was waived after he promised to build a drainage system within a week and apologized for his actions.

The owner of Gram Bangla Hotel was fined 2,000 taka for dumping garbage next to the school wall and was strictly warned against repeating the offense. The operation freed around 200 students from the foul odor and improved the school’s environment. The administration announced that regular monitoring would continue to protect the school’s surroundings and directed steps to establish a permanent waste management system in the area.

The school’s teachers and students expressed relief and gratitude, hoping that the initiative would restore a healthy learning environment soon.

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), has warned that the current government’s failure to learn from past mistakes signals danger for everyone. He made the remarks on Thursday, April 9, at a roundtable discussion titled “Citizen Thoughts and Challenges on Human Rights Protection and Ordinances Related to an Independent Judiciary,” organized by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Majumdar questioned the government’s decision to repeal two ordinances concerning the appointment of judges to the higher court and the judicial secretariat. He recalled that in 2018, many BNP leaders and activists sought legal protection from the courts but received no remedy. He cautioned that repeating such patterns could endanger everyone’s safety. He urged lawmakers to consider the consequences of their decisions and warned that excessive parliamentary majority could lead to authoritarian tendencies.

Other speakers at the event included HRSS Chairman Shahjada Al Amin Kabir, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Shishir Monir, journalist Abu Sayeed Khan, and several civil society representatives.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a boycott of the Sherpur-3 by-election, alleging widespread irregularities. Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said that returning officers of the two constituencies concerned have been instructed to investigate the allegations and submit reports. He stated that the commission will take necessary action after receiving the findings. The secretary made these remarks at his office on Thursday afternoon while speaking to journalists.

Earlier in the day, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar alleged at a press conference that the ruling party had engaged in vote rigging, ballot stuffing, and expulsion of Jamaat polling agents. He claimed that presiding officers had signed result sheets early in the morning and later allowed fake votes, while agents were forced out of polling centers. Jamaat also alleged that women voters were obstructed, workers assaulted, and the administration remained inactive.

The party demanded suspension of voting in affected centers, re-voting, and legal action against presiding officers. The EC secretary reiterated that the allegations are being taken seriously and that results should not be delayed while the investigation proceeds.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a zero-tolerance policy to keep city roads and footpaths free from illegal occupation and to ease traffic congestion. On Thursday, two mobile courts operated separately at Saidabad Bus Terminal and Gulistan’s GPO Link Road areas, led by DSCC executive magistrates. The drives resulted in the removal of numerous illegal structures and the closure of unauthorized counters.

At Saidabad, nearly 100 illegal bus counters were sealed during the second consecutive day of operations, and long-standing unauthorized structures occupying footpaths were demolished. The action follows a March 10 meeting among DSCC, DMP, and transport leaders that decided to remove all illegal counters outside the terminal and allocate spaces inside in an orderly manner. In Gulistan, footpaths and roads near Baitul Mukarram Market were cleared, reopening pedestrian access.

DSCC also issued a public notice warning that goods cannot be kept on footpaths in front of shopping malls and markets. Violators risk trade license cancellation and legal action. The corporation stated that such eviction and monitoring drives will continue regularly in the public interest.

The New Zealand national cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on April 13 for an upcoming series. To ensure the smooth completion of the matches between Bangladesh and New Zealand, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced an integrated and comprehensive security plan. Acting DMP Commissioner Md. Sarwar made the announcement during a coordination meeting on security and traffic management held at the DMP headquarters on Thursday.

According to the acting commissioner, security will be ensured at all venues, practice grounds, accommodations, and travel routes for players, officials, and all related personnel. Both uniformed and plainclothes police will be deployed, while SWAT, bomb disposal, dog squad, and crime scene teams will remain on standby. Representatives from the armed forces, intelligence agencies, specialized police units, the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and various service organizations attended the meeting.

The meeting began with a presentation by Joint Police Commissioner (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah outlining the overall security plan, followed by open discussions where participants shared their views and suggestions.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev described the Strait of Hormuz as Iran’s strategic “nuclear weapon,” according to Anadolu. In a statement on social media platform X on Wednesday, he said that while it remains unclear how the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran will be implemented, Iran holds a powerful strategic element—the Strait of Hormuz—with immense potential.

Analysts clarified that Medvedev’s remark was metaphorical, not a reference to an actual nuclear weapon. The phrase highlights Iran’s geopolitical leverage and the strait’s critical role in global energy supply. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes, has long been a focal point of Middle Eastern tensions.

The comment came as US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, noting that Tehran had presented a ten-point proposal for negotiations. The United States had been pressing Iran to reopen the strait following heightened tensions and reciprocal attacks involving Iran, the US, and Israel.

A special operation by Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station led to the arrest of nine suspects, including four members of a mugging gang. The arrests took place over a 24-hour period in various parts of Cox’s Bazar town and surrounding areas. Among those detained, five were wanted in different cases, according to police officials.

The arrested muggers were identified as Md. Rafique (38), Abdul Wahid (24), Rahim alias Rong Cha (38), and Abu Zafar Siddique alias Salman Shah (21). The operation was conducted to recover weapons and drugs and to curb criminal activities in the area. Officer-in-Charge Md. Shami Uddin stated that after legal procedures, the detainees were handed over to the court.

Police authorities said such operations will continue regularly to maintain law and order in Cox’s Bazar and ensure public safety.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the process of implementing the Media Reform Commission’s recommendations is underway and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforming the media sector. He made these remarks on Thursday while addressing an event jointly organized by the Citizen Platform for SDGs, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), and the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF).

The minister emphasized that investigative journalism and civic initiatives can play vital roles in state governance. He thanked ERF and other stakeholders, noting that their criticism, observations, and analyses help the government make more effective and accountable decisions. Swapan also mentioned ongoing efforts to ensure journalists’ safety, establish mechanisms for redress against abuse, and develop welfare structures for retired journalists.

He further stressed the importance of formulating an advertising policy to ensure transparency and accountability in the media sector and highlighted the need to strengthen technology-based “reform tracking” systems. The minister expressed hope that joint efforts by the government, media, and civil society would help build a transparent and responsible media environment.

Israel reopened the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem to Palestinian worshippers after a 40-day closure. Verified footage from Al Jazeera showed thousands of Palestinians entering the mosque gates early Thursday, with around three thousand attending the dawn prayer. The reopening followed a period of restrictions imposed after the outbreak of war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance on February 28, which had limited or halted access to holy sites for Christians, Jews, and Muslims.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem confirmed that all mosque gates were reopened for worshippers from dawn. The Jordan-linked religious authority responsible for managing the site did not provide further details. Earlier footage showed volunteers cleaning and preparing the prayer areas to welcome worshippers.

Israeli authorities announced the reopening of both Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Wednesday evening, citing updated guidance from the Israeli Home Front Command. Hundreds of police and border guards were deployed across Jerusalem’s Old City to ensure visitor safety.

The New Zealand national cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on April 13 for a series against the host nation. To ensure the smooth completion of the matches, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced a coordinated and comprehensive security plan. Acting DMP Commissioner Md. Sarwar made the announcement during a coordination meeting on April 9 at the DMP headquarters, focusing on security and traffic management for the visiting team.

According to the DMP, security measures will cover all venues, practice grounds, accommodations, and travel routes. Both uniformed and plainclothes police will be deployed, supported by standby SWAT, bomb disposal, dog squad, and crime scene teams. Representatives from the armed forces, intelligence agencies, specialized police units, the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and various civic and emergency services attended the meeting to discuss and refine the security arrangements.

The DMP expressed optimism that with collective cooperation, the international tournament will proceed smoothly and safely.

A Dhaka court has once again postponed the submission of the investigation report in the Bangladesh Bank reserve theft case, marking the 94th delay. On Thursday, April 9, 2026, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam set May 18 as the new date after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to present the report.

The case stems from the February 5, 2016 cyber theft of 81 million US dollars from Bangladesh Bank’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The stolen funds were transferred to the Philippines through fraudulent use of the SWIFT system. Investigators believe a local group may have assisted the hackers in laundering the money.

Following the incident, on March 15, 2016, Zobayer Bin Huda, Deputy Director of the Accounts and Budgeting Department of Bangladesh Bank, filed a case under the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 (amended 2015) and the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006. The CID continues to investigate the case.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed that all Pahela Baishakh celebrations across Bangladesh must conclude by 6 pm to ensure a safe and peaceful observance of the Bengali New Year 1433. The decision was made at a law and order meeting chaired by Senior Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury at the Secretariat on April 8, 2026. A press release signed by Public Relations Officer Faisal Hasan confirmed the measures, which include strict security arrangements nationwide.

Key directives include mandatory closure of events at venues such as Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University, Hatirjheel, and Rabindra Sarobar by 6 pm, with no new public entry after 5 pm. The ministry also banned lanterns, fireworks, gas balloons, and vuvuzelas, and prohibited wearing masks during the Dhaka University Fine Arts Faculty’s traditional procession. Dog squads, CCTV, watchtowers, and mobile courts will be deployed to prevent harassment and theft.

Fire service units, ambulances, and medical teams will be stationed at major venues, while the TSC metro station will remain closed on April 14 for security reasons. The ministry urged visitors to avoid carrying bags, lighters, or matches and to keep identification notes with children.

A Dhaka tribunal has sentenced three men to life imprisonment and two others to ten years in jail for maiming a seven-year-old boy to force him into begging sixteen years ago. The verdict was delivered on Thursday, April 9, 2026, by Judge Munshi Md. Moshior Rahman of the Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-4. Each convict was also fined five lakh taka, with an additional one-year imprisonment in default. The court ordered that the fines be realized through auctioning the convicts’ properties and given to the victim’s family.

The life-term convicts are Salauddin, Md. Shariful Islam alias Korban Mia, and Khondaker Omar Faruk. Considering their age, Md. Ramzan and Saddam received ten-year sentences. Two other accused, Kawsar and Nazma Akter, were acquitted due to lack of evidence. Among the convicts, Shariful Islam and Omar Faruk are in custody, while Salauddin, Ramzan, and Saddam remain fugitives. Arrest warrants have been issued for the absconding convicts.

According to the case, the crime occurred on May 6, 2010, in Kamrangirchar, where the child was lured away, mutilated, and left severely injured. The tribunal heard testimony from 20 witnesses before delivering the verdict.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has urged students not to fear the upcoming SSC examinations, assuring that the process will be properly monitored. Speaking on Thursday morning at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka, he said the ministry is working to prevent question paper leaks and will introduce laws to curb digital cheating. He also noted that future HSC exams will be held under a unified question system across all boards.

The minister made these remarks while inaugurating a three-day workshop jointly organized by the National University, the ICT Division, and UNICEF. The workshop aims to integrate technical courses into the National University curriculum to prepare college students as skilled human resources for future challenges. The National University currently oversees 2,284 affiliated colleges with over four million students, most from middle- and lower-middle-income families.

Officials said the curriculum reform follows BNQF guidelines and includes advanced ICT and skill-based courses. The initiative, supported by the ICT Division’s a2i program and UNICEF Bangladesh, seeks to make higher education more employment-oriented and globally competitive.

The governments of Bangladesh and Malaysia have agreed to reopen Malaysia’s labor market for Bangladeshi workers and reduce migration costs. The decision followed a bilateral meeting held on Thursday in Putrajaya, attended by Bangladesh’s Minister for Labor and Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Both sides committed to ensuring a fair, ethical, and transparent recruitment process based on Malaysia’s sectoral labor demands.

According to a joint press statement, the two countries reaffirmed their long-standing partnership in labor migration and pledged to strengthen cooperation through a transparent and inclusive framework. The agreement includes addressing structural barriers that increase costs, using credible recruitment agencies, and expediting the placement of stranded workers. Malaysia also informed Bangladesh about its plan to introduce a technology-driven, AI-based recruitment system aimed at reducing intermediaries and ensuring that employers bear all recruitment expenses in line with International Labour Organization guidelines.

Bangladesh expressed full support for implementing such a digital platform as part of a broader global initiative involving other labor-sending countries.