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.

The Election Commission (EC) has issued a directive requiring voters in the upcoming Bogura-6 by-election to apply indelible ink on the opposite hand from the one used during the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12. The by-election is scheduled for April 9, and the EC has sent letters to returning officers instructing them to follow this guideline. The rule applies specifically to voters who already have ink marks from the previous election.

According to the EC notification, voters who did not cast their ballots in the February 12 election will continue under the previous ink-use instructions. The Bogura-6 by-election will feature candidates Md. Abidur Rahman from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha from the BNP, and Al Alim Talukder from the Bangladesh Development Party.

The seat became vacant after BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who won both Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 constituencies, chose to retain Dhaka-17. The EC subsequently declared Bogura-6 vacant and announced a new schedule. The same-day Sherpur-3 general election will not follow this ink-hand rule.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended a prayer gathering held for the late Dilara Hafiz, wife of National Parliament Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikrom. The prayer took place after Maghrib prayers on Saturday, April 5, at the mosque inside the National Parliament complex in Dhaka.

Dilara Hafiz had passed away earlier in Singapore while undergoing medical treatment. According to the report, she died at 1:29 p.m. local time on Saturday at Singapore General Hospital at the age of 78. She is survived by her husband, one son, one daughter, grandchildren, and numerous admirers.

The event was organized to pray for the salvation of her soul, reflecting respect and remembrance for the Speaker’s late spouse.

Mahdi Amin, an adviser to the Prime Minister, and Abu Abdullah M. Saleh (Shibli), the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, have been appointed as official spokespersons of the Prime Minister’s Office. The announcement was made through a government notification issued on Sunday, stating that under Rule 28(4) of the Rules of Business, 1996, both officials will handle the dissemination of official information to the press, media, and other platforms.

Mahdi Amin, who holds the rank of minister of state, oversees the ministries of Education, Primary and Mass Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Labour and Employment. He previously served as a key member and spokesperson of the BNP’s central election management committee during the 13th national election and has contributed to policy discussions on education, employment, and inclusive development. Saleh Shibli, a veteran journalist, has worked with several major media outlets and served in various press roles, including as Press Secretary to BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman.

Both officials have long-standing professional ties with the current Prime Minister and are expected to coordinate official communications from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has appointed four judicial magistrates to oversee and curb electoral offences in the upcoming by-elections for Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 constituencies, scheduled for April 9. The appointments were confirmed on April 5 through a notification issued by Mohammad Didar Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the EC’s Law Branch. The magistrates will conduct summary trials under the Representation of the People Order and Section 190 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and submit reports to the Commission. They will serve from April 7 to 11.

The appointed magistrates include Md. Mehedi Hasan and Md. Kamal Hossain for Bogura, and Md. Sultan Mahmud Milon and Md. Hasan Bhuiyan for Sherpur. Earlier, the EC had deployed 20 executive magistrates to ensure compliance with the electoral code of conduct in these constituencies.

The Bogura-6 seat became vacant after BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who won the February 12 election, retained another constituency. The Sherpur-3 election was rescheduled after a candidate’s death during the same national polls.

Bangladesh’s Law Minister Asaduzzaman stated in parliament on April 5, 2026, that those involved in enforced disappearances will not escape justice. Responding to a question from MP Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman during the eighth day of the 13th National Parliament’s first session, he referenced more than 700 victims of enforced disappearance, including the current Home Minister, and emphasized that offenders would not evade legal accountability.

The minister explained that the government is reviewing the Human Rights Commission Act and the Enforced Disappearance Prevention Act to ensure consistency with the International Crimes Tribunal Act of 1973, which already defines enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity. He noted that the proposed ordinance allows for a maximum sentence of ten years, while the ICT Act provides for life imprisonment or the death penalty, creating a need for harmonization.

Asaduzzaman added that the laws will be revised to make them more contemporary, welfare-oriented, and justice-focused. He said discussions with stakeholders would take place later in the session to finalize a bill ensuring that no offender can escape punishment.

State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Rajib Ahsan announced that all vessels in Bangladesh will soon be brought under a digital registration system to make the country’s waterways safer, more organized, and modern. He said a comprehensive policy will also be formulated to ensure proper registration, operation, and discipline in water transport. The announcement came on Sunday during a meeting at the Department of Shipping headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, focused on resolving fuel shortages for lighter vessels engaged in cargo transport.

The state minister stated that there is currently no fuel crisis affecting passenger or cargo vessels and that water transport operations are running normally. To prevent potential future shortages, the ministry plans to form a coordination cell to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply and hold meetings with fuel-supplying companies. He emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining safe and smooth navigation and urged vessel operators to comply with laws and avoid hoarding or wastage amid the global fuel situation.

The initiatives aim to strengthen discipline and efficiency in the country’s maritime transport system through digitalization and better coordination.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for attacks on petrochemical facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. According to a statement carried by Iranian media, the strikes were carried out in response to earlier attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure and a bridge in Karaj, west of Tehran. The IRGC described the action as retaliation against assaults allegedly conducted by the United States and Israel.

The statement further warned that if civilian facilities in Iran are targeted again, the IRGC will launch a second wave of attacks that would be stronger and more extensive. The situation has become more tense as U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly set a 48-hour deadline, warning that if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, American forces could target energy and desalination infrastructure.

The developments mark a sharp escalation in regional tensions, with both sides signaling readiness for further confrontation if demands are not met.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will face severe consequences if it continues to block the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared that Tuesday would be 'Power Plant Day' and 'Bridge Day' in Iran, implying possible military action if the strait is not reopened promptly. He stated that failure to comply would lead to harsh military measures and make conditions in Iran 'like hell.'

Analysts cited in the report said Trump’s remarks have further escalated tensions in the Middle East. Earlier, Trump had issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the strait, warning that otherwise 'hell will descend' on the country. Iran rejected the ultimatum, calling it a sign of weakness and confusion.

Iranian military officials responded strongly, with General Ali Abdullahi Ali Abadi describing Trump’s threats as desperate and irrational, while spokesman Ebrahim Zulfakari warned that any escalation would turn the entire region into a 'hell' for the United States and its allies.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed deep concern over the safety of Iran’s nuclear facilities following a reported US-Israeli strike. In a message posted on social media platform X, Tedros warned that such attacks pose a serious risk of nuclear accidents with potentially devastating health consequences lasting for generations. He added that as the conflict escalates, so do the associated risks and threats.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a projectile struck near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing one worker after debris fell on the site. Bushehr is Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant and is located in a city of about 250,000 people, considered one of the country’s key industrial and military centers.

The incident has heightened international concern about the potential for further escalation and the safety of nuclear infrastructure in conflict zones.

An emergency vaccination campaign against measles and rubella began in Mymensingh on Sunday morning to protect children from the two infectious diseases. The program was inaugurated at Churkhai Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa center by Member of Parliament Abu Wahab Akand Wahid. Health officials, local administrators, and community representatives attended the event. On the first day, vaccination centers saw large crowds of parents eager to immunize their children.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, the campaign aims to vaccinate 164,500 children aged six to 59 months across Sadar, Trishal, and Phulpur upazilas. Parents expressed relief after receiving the vaccines, saying they were worried by recent reports of measles-related hospitalizations and deaths in different parts of the country. The campaign is being conducted in phases to ensure full coverage.

Mymensingh Medical College Hospital reported that 19 new children showing measles symptoms were admitted in the past 24 hours, with 63 currently under treatment and six deaths recorded so far. Authorities said the government is prioritizing rapid implementation to curb the outbreak and strengthen child health protection.

A clash reportedly broke out between US and Iranian forces during a search and rescue mission in Iran to recover the second crew member of a US F-15 fighter jet that had been shot down. The injured crew member was rescued, according to Donald Trump, who said the injuries occurred when the aircraft was downed, not during the gunfire. The incident took place as multiple US warplanes participated in the operation.

Trump stated that no US personnel were killed or injured in the clashes. However, Iranian sources claimed that a US drone was shot down during the search effort. Video footage from the previous Friday appeared to show several individuals firing at a US Black Hawk helicopter.

The confrontation adds to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, which have recently been marked by mutual accusations and military incidents, according to the report.

NASA’s Artemis-2 mission, launched from Florida, will send four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor J. Glover, and Jeremy Hansen—on a 10-day journey around the Moon without landing. The mission, originally planned for November 2024, was delayed due to technical issues. It aims to test flight strategies and prepare for Artemis-3, scheduled for next year. The next human landing on the lunar surface is expected with Artemis-4, planned for 2028.

The Artemis program, launched in 2017 after several canceled projects, involves thousands of people and an estimated cost of $93 billion. It seeks to establish a sustainable lunar presence through a lunar orbit station and a surface base, paving the way for future Mars missions. NASA has partnered with private companies, selecting SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s lander designs for future lunar landings.

NASA’s renewed lunar focus also reflects growing geopolitical interest, as both the United States and China aim to explore resource-rich regions of the Moon. Artemis-2 will mark the first time in over 50 years that humans view the Moon’s far side directly, capturing images for future scientific analysis.

The government of Bangladesh is implementing a large-scale food assistance program to ensure food security for ultra-poor families. Under the Food-Friendly Program, 5.5 million families across 495 upazilas are receiving 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kilogram. Food Minister Md. Abdul Bari shared the information in parliament on April 5, 2026, during the 13th session. The 2025–26 fiscal year budget allocates 1 million tons of rice for this program, distributed over six months annually.

The minister said that fortified rice enriched with vitamins A, B-1, B-12, B-9, iron, and zinc is being distributed to improve nutrition. A total of 370,000 tons of fortified rice is being supplied across 248 upazilas for five months. To stabilize market prices, the Open Market Sale (OMS) program operates through 1,091 centers in 12 city corporations, 14 industrial districts, and 52 district towns, selling rice at Tk 30 per kg and flour at Tk 24 per kg.

The Food Directorate is also supplying rice to 6.77 million Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) family cardholders. The minister affirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining food security and price stability for low-income citizens.