BNP lawmaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury expressed dissatisfaction with the reply of Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam during a parliamentary session on Sunday, April 5. The discussion took place under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Chowdhury compared the minister’s response to those given by former ministers under the Awami League government, saying he was disappointed by the similarity.

In his supplementary question, Chowdhury alleged that despite spending Tk 17,500 crore on road projects, necessary underpasses and overpasses were not built in Cumilla. He criticized the lack of compensation for victims of road closures since 2014. In response, Minister Alam said feasibility studies were ongoing to upgrade the Dhaka–Chattogram highway to ten lanes, with design and budget adjustments underway. He added that new plans include three underpasses in the region and two more at Paduar Bazar.

When asked by the Speaker whether these steps would solve the problem, the minister replied that the solution would be partial.

Dhaka-14 MP Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem expressed deep anger in Parliament over the recommendation to repeal the 'Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance' issued during the interim government. Speaking on a point of order, he said victims of enforced disappearance and those who suffered under past repression could not support such a move. He urged that the ordinance be approved as law first and then amended if necessary, warning that otherwise the legal definition of disappearance would be lost.

During the same session, Law Minister Asaduzzaman responded that the bill would be revised to make it more contemporary and presented in the current or next parliamentary session. He explained that the definition of disappearance had already been included in the ICT Act, which provides for harsher penalties, including death or life imprisonment, compared to the ten-year maximum under the ordinance. He added that the Human Rights Commission Ordinance would also be reviewed to prevent misuse and ensure justice.

The minister assured that the review process would involve victims like Barrister Arman and others affected by enforced disappearances to ensure no offender escapes accountability.

The government of Bangladesh is set to implement major reforms in the recruitment process for heads and assistant heads of private educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and madrasas. According to a notice issued by the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the long-standing appointment method will be replaced by a centralized examination system.

The NTRCA stated that this is the first time since independence that a central exam-based system is being introduced for these key positions to ensure transparency and accountability in recruitment. Under the new system, appointments to vacant posts across the country will be made based on merit and qualifications. Currently, there are 12,951 vacant positions to be filled under this new process.

To provide further details about the new recruitment method, exam structure, and the ongoing hiring process, the NTRCA will hold a press conference on April 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the office of its chairman, Md. Aminul Islam, who will present the implementation plan and respond to media queries.

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigorievich Khokhin paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) A.K.M. Shamsul Islam on Sunday at the Armed Forces Division office in Dhaka Cantonment. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release, the meeting focused on issues of mutual interest and expressed optimism about enhancing bilateral military relations and strategic ties between Bangladesh and Russia.

The discussion underscored the ongoing cooperation between the two nations in defense matters, reflecting a shared interest in deepening engagement. The ISPR statement highlighted that both sides viewed the meeting as an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening defense collaboration.

No further details were provided about specific agreements or future initiatives discussed during the meeting.

The Bangladesh Parliament session was suspended for 40 minutes on Sunday, April 5, 2026, after a technical fault disrupted the sound system. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed made the decision when the issue prevented members from hearing speeches during the session. The problem arose shortly after two bills were passed following the afternoon prayer break. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni began addressing the presence of a group of July fighters in the VIP gallery, but his remarks could not be heard properly.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and ruling party members welcomed the July fighters by tapping on their desks, but opposition members were unable to participate effectively due to the malfunction. The Speaker noted that his own microphone was not working and that he could not hear the proceedings. He then adjourned the session at 5:55 p.m. for 40 minutes, allocating 20 minutes for the Maghrib prayer and another 20 minutes to fix the sound system.

The session was expected to resume once the technical issue was resolved and the prayer break concluded.

Israeli police conducted an operation to disperse an anti-war protest in Tel Aviv, detaining several demonstrators including Alon-Lee Green, leader of the Jewish-Arab movement 'Standing Together'. The protesters had gathered to oppose Israel’s ongoing war, attacks on neighboring countries, and destruction in Gaza. They chanted slogans demanding an end to the war and aggression, accusing authorities of suppressing dissent. Police reportedly used force to break up the rally and arrested multiple participants.

According to the report, the detainees were held on buses after their arrest. During this time, air raid sirens sounded in the area, but police allegedly prevented them from reaching nearby shelters, escalating tensions. Human rights groups and activists claim that arrests, use of force, and dispersal of gatherings are increasingly being used to suppress anti-war protests, even as public opposition continues to grow.

Recent weeks have seen similar crackdowns across Israel, with numerous arrests reported during other anti-war demonstrations.

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.