Bangladesh has taken a significant step toward strengthening international cooperation in sports development. On March 30, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) and Beijing Sports University at an event held in Beijing. The agreement was signed by BKSP Director General Brigadier General Mohammad Saif Ullah and Beijing Sports University President Zhang Jiang.

According to officials, the memorandum is not merely ceremonial but aims to open a new chapter of collaboration between Bangladesh and China in the field of sports. It will create opportunities for modern athlete training, coach skill development, and exchange of expertise in sports science and research.

Experts believe that participation in international-level training and research will help young Bangladeshi athletes become more skilled, ultimately strengthening the country’s sports sector in the future.

Iranian media reported that more than 130 historical sites across the country have been damaged following attacks by the United States and Israel. According to the latest field assessments and expert surveys conducted by Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the number of affected sites has reached 132. Each of these sites is described as being deeply connected to Iran’s history and civilization.

The report, citing the BBC Persian Service, stated that historical buildings and monuments in 18 provinces of Iran have been either destroyed or damaged. The extent of the destruction and the specific locations of the affected sites were not detailed in the report.

The findings highlight the cultural toll of the ongoing conflict, though the report did not specify what measures, if any, are being taken to preserve or restore the damaged heritage sites.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country is prepared to continue defending itself against military aggression from the United States and Israel and can sustain the conflict for six months or longer if necessary. In an interview with Al Jazeera in Tehran, he said Iran would not operate under any imposed timeline and would not accept deadlines set by its adversaries.

Araghchi clarified that there have been no direct talks or agreements with the United States, though some messages have been exchanged through official channels under the supervision of the national security council. He emphasized that Iran did not seek war but is resisting firmly to protect its interests. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed only to ships from aggressive states, he added, warning that any attacks on Iranian infrastructure would lead to severe consequences.

He further stated that Iran’s goal is to establish peace across the region and that its military actions target only US and Israeli positions, not friendly nations. Araghchi urged regional countries to rely on mutual coordination and cooperation rather than foreign forces for long-term security.

Bangladesh’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo met with Nepal’s Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday. During the courtesy meeting, both sides discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas including environment, forestry, climate change, energy, education, and tourism.

Minister Mintoo emphasized that both Bangladesh and Nepal are climate-vulnerable nations, highlighting the need to expand greenery and adopt environmentally friendly technologies in the energy sector. He also mentioned the government’s initiatives for environmental protection and climate-resilient development planning. Ambassador Bhandari noted Nepal’s success in forest management, stating that about 45 percent of the country’s land is forested, and expressed optimism about strengthening cooperation on climate change.

Officials from both countries agreed to expand mutual collaboration in environmental conservation, forest management, and climate change response, with potential joint initiatives under the BIMSTEC framework also discussed.

During a visit to London on Tuesday, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara stated that Syria will not engage in any war unless it is directly attacked. His remarks came amid escalating tensions following a joint United States-Israel strike on Iran, which prompted Iran to retaliate against American bases in the Middle East.

Speaking at the Chatham House think tank in central London, Shara emphasized that after fourteen years of civil war, he does not want Syria to be drawn into another conflict. He repeatedly stressed the importance of keeping his country away from war and clarified that Damascus would not join the U.S.-Israel confrontation against Iran unless Syria itself is targeted.

Shara added that Syria would refrain from involvement as long as no external pressure is applied and no diplomatic solution is reached, underscoring his government’s cautious stance amid regional instability.

Thirteen people who were being held for illegal trafficking to Malaysia were rescued by members of RAB-15 in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The operation took place late Tuesday night at a house in the South Lombori area of Teknaf Sadar Union. According to RAB-15 Assistant Director and Assistant Superintendent of Police A. M. Faruk, the victims were being detained with plans to traffic them by sea and demand ransom.

RAB-15 reported that the traffickers fled the scene upon sensing the presence of law enforcement, but thirteen individuals were successfully rescued. Among them were six Bangladeshi men, four Rohingya men, and three Rohingya women. The suspects identified in the case include five residents of the Teknaf area, while several others remain unidentified.

RAB confirmed that the rescued victims are now under protection, and a case is being filed at Teknaf Model Police Station. The agency stated that operations to apprehend the remaining members of the human trafficking network are ongoing.

Police in Muktagacha, Mymensingh, arrested a man named Azizul Haque on Thursday night for allegedly sharing a Facebook post involving Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The post, originally uploaded from an account called 'Tarique Rahman Blog', placed the Prime Minister’s image beside that of an unidentified woman. A case was filed the following day under the Cyber Security Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act, naming Azizul as the sole accused. He was later produced before court and sent to jail.

Local sources told Deutsche Welle that tension had arisen among BNP supporters before the arrest, though police denied any political pressure. The Muktagacha police chief said Azizul was detained under Section 54 before the case was filed, citing confirmed evidence of wrongdoing. Azizul’s relatives claimed he was illiterate and that someone else might have used his phone to share the post.

Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton questioned the urgency of the arrest, noting the Prime Minister’s generally tolerant stance. The Prime Minister’s press secretary stated that freedom of expression does not justify posting indecent images and that the administration acted independently under the law.

Former BNP vice chairman and ex-president of the National Press Club, journalist Shawkat Mahmud, is reported to be in a critical condition while in custody. His family stated that prolonged illness and lack of proper medical care have left the 73-year-old facing life-threatening complications. His daughter, Mehet Mamun, has appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for his unconditional release and immediate medical attention.

According to the appeal, Mahmud suffers from heart disease, diabetes, COPD, respiratory problems, and age-related complications. He underwent six bypass surgeries in 2004 and had four stents placed in 2013 and 2022. Arrested on December 7 last year, he fell ill during remand and was admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on January 6. The family claims he was detained in a false case and continues to face harassment through multiple charges.

The family also described severe financial distress, saying they sold their only car to cover legal and medical expenses. From prison, Mahmud reaffirmed his loyalty to BNP’s founding ideals and sought forgiveness for any unintentional mistakes, expressing readiness to accept any decision from the prime minister.

A Dhaka court has rejected the bail petition of Sanjay Chisim, one of the accused in the murder case of Inquilab Manch spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The order was issued on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Sabbir Faiz after hearing arguments from Chisim’s lawyer. Court bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision.

According to the case details, Hadi was shot by assailants on a motorcycle in the Box Culvert area of Paltan on December 12 after completing election campaigning in Motijheel. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on December 18. The case was subsequently converted into a murder case. On January 6, the Detective Branch submitted a charge sheet against 17 individuals, including former ward councillor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and Faisal Karim Masud. However, Inquilab Manch’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed a petition expressing dissatisfaction with the charge sheet.

Following the petition, the court granted the request and directed the CID to conduct further investigation into the case.

Former Bangladesh national team opener Imrul Kayes has expressed strong frustration over the prolonged suspension of domestic cricket in the country. In a Facebook post on April 1, 2026, he voiced concern about the current state of cricket and urged authorities to take immediate and effective action to resume competitions.

Kayes stated that cricket administrators have become so preoccupied with power struggles that on-field cricket has come to a halt, severely affecting domestic players who depend on these leagues for their livelihood. He noted that many cricketers are struggling financially due to the league shutdown, yet there appears to be little concern or initiative from those responsible. He emphasized that focusing solely on the national team is not enough and that the overall cricket structure needs equal attention.

Concluding his message, Kayes appealed to all stakeholders to set aside personal conflicts and restore cricket activities promptly. He also called on the Sports Minister to ensure that cricket progresses free from political influence.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Sylhet on April 30 for the first time since assuming office, where he will inaugurate the nationwide 'Notun Kuri Sports' program from the Sylhet District Stadium. The announcement was made by State Minister for Sports Aminul Haque during his inspection of the stadium on April 1. The event will be launched simultaneously across all districts, featuring seven sporting events including football and cricket.

During his visit, the state minister expressed optimism about making sports compulsory from grade four in the next academic year and introducing government sports scholarships. He emphasized the goal of building a healthy, drug-free society through a sports-friendly environment. Aminul Haque also criticized the previous government for alleged corruption that left the Sylhet District Stadium in poor condition.

The minister added that the government has already brought national athletes under a salary structure and provided sports allowances and honor cards. The district commissioner said the prime minister’s full itinerary will be announced later.

A new treatment approach called Mitral Valve Clipping, technically known as Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER), is transforming care for patients with mitral regurgitation, according to a report published on April 1, 2026. The condition occurs when the mitral valve fails to close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the left atrium and leading to complications such as heart failure and irregular heartbeat. Traditionally, open-heart surgery was the main treatment, but many patients, especially the elderly or those with other organ complications, were not suitable candidates.

The TEER procedure, using Abbott Laboratories’ MitraClip device, allows doctors to repair the valve without opening the chest or stopping the heart. A catheter is inserted through the femoral vein to deliver a clip that joins the valve’s leaflets, reducing backward blood flow. Studies, including the COAPT Trial, have shown that this method lowers hospitalizations and mortality while improving quality of life. Based on these findings, major cardiology societies have recognized TEER as an important treatment option.

However, the method is not suitable for all patients, particularly those with severe valve calcification, enlarged ventricles, or active infections, making expert evaluation essential.

Family members and relatives of businessman Selim Pradhan held a human chain protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding his unconditional release. They alleged that despite having no political affiliation, he was being deliberately implicated in multiple false cases and kept in jail even after securing bail. His sister Smriti Pradhan broke down in tears during her speech, calling the cases against him fabricated and conspiratorial.

Smriti Pradhan said her brother, who grew up in Japan, returned to Bangladesh to launch cleanliness initiatives in Rupganj and contribute to social welfare. She claimed that vested interests tried to harm him commercially and that he was previously detained for over four years under the Awami League government on false charges of aiding the BNP. Other family members, including Riyadul Islam and Mohibur Rahman Joy, echoed similar allegations, saying Selim Pradhan faced repeated arrests and harassment despite no proven political involvement.

Speakers at the protest urged the government to ensure equal justice for all citizens as guaranteed by the constitution and to consider Selim Pradhan’s case from a humanitarian perspective.

Police in Dhaka’s Hazaribagh area conducted a daylong special operation on Tuesday, arresting 43 individuals accused of involvement in various criminal activities. The operation was carried out across different parts of the Hazaribagh police station area, and law enforcement officials recovered illegal drugs from the detainees. The arrests were confirmed on Wednesday afternoon by Arifa Akhtar Preeti, Assistant Commissioner of the Media and Public Relations Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

According to Hazaribagh police sources, officers seized 33 packets of cannabis and 27 yaba tablets during the operation. The arrested individuals, whose names and ages were listed by police, have been sent to court following their detention.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by Dhaka Metropolitan Police to curb drug-related crimes and maintain law and order in the capital, as indicated by the official statement.

A Dhaka court has cancelled the bail of four accused, including two sons of Chittagong-6 MP Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, and issued arrest warrants against them. The order was given by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Sefatullah on Wednesday after a petition from the plaintiff’s side. The accused are Samir Quader Chowdhury, Shakir Quader Chowdhury, Merina Irshad, and Ashiqur Rahman. The case involves allegations of assault, vandalism, and looting during an attempt to seize a flat in Gulshan belonging to the family of a late industrialist.

According to the case filed by Farzana Anna Islam, wife of late industrialist Mainul Islam, the accused tried to take possession of the flat using forged documents. The complaint states that the accused entered the house in July 2024, demanded Tk 5 crore, and later attacked the residents in August, injuring them and looting valuables. The court had earlier directed the CID to investigate and submit a report.

The court accepted the plaintiff’s request to cancel bail for the four accused who failed to appear, while the MP and his security guard were excused due to parliamentary duties.