A tragic gas cylinder explosion in Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila has claimed the life of Mrs. Shaheda Ahmed, principal of Dhaka Oxbridge International School. The incident occurred when a gas leak in the kitchen of her family home caused a sudden fire, leaving her severely burned. She had returned to her village home to spend the Eid holidays when the accident took place.

Family members immediately rescued her and took her to Alhera Hospital in Maona. Due to the severity of her injuries, doctors referred her to Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka, where she was placed on life support. With about 55 percent of her body burned, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away on Sunday morning after several days of treatment.

Her death has cast a pall of grief over the local education community, relatives, and well-wishers. The family has requested prayers for the departed soul.

At least 22 migrants died and 26 others were rescued after a boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea while traveling illegally from Libya to Greece. Among the rescued, 21 are Bangladeshi nationals, and initial reports indicate that at least 10 of the deceased were from Sunamganj. Survivors said the deaths occurred due to a lack of food and water after the boat drifted longer than expected.

During a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam said the Bangladesh Embassy in Greece is in contact with survivors to verify their identities and current conditions. Injured individuals have been hospitalized, while others are being kept in a camp. She emphasized that proper identification is essential to facilitate the repatriation process in coordination with Greek authorities.

The minister stated that an organized international human trafficking network operating in Bangladesh and Libya was behind the incident. She directed law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible under both international and Bangladeshi law, stressing the need for long-term measures to prevent human trafficking.

The conflict in Iran has entered its second month as US-Israeli attacks continue, resulting in a rising death toll. According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, 2,076 people have been killed so far, including 216 children. The ministry’s latest update also reports that 26,500 people have been injured, among them 1,767 children.

The health sector has suffered extensive damage, with 336 health and emergency service centers across the country affected. The ministry had previously released casualty figures in stages, indicating a rapidly deteriorating situation. The report was cited by Al Jazeera.

The continuing escalation underscores the severe humanitarian impact of the ongoing strikes, with both civilian casualties and infrastructure losses mounting across Iran.

Authorities in Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur detained a man for illegally storing approximately 3,000 liters of diesel. The operation took place on Saturday night near the Fatema Hotel area adjacent to the Kaliakair Bypass Bus Stand along the Dhaka-Tangail highway. A mobile court led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Fahim Shahriar imposed a fine of 20,000 taka after recovering the fuel stored in 18 drums.

Police reported that a syndicate had been illegally collecting and hoarding fuel for an extended period. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement and administrative officials conducted the raid that led to the arrest and seizure. The detained individual was identified as Abul Hossain.

Kaliakair Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khondaker Nasir Uddin stated that similar operations against illegal fuel trading would continue and that legal action would be taken against those involved.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Afroza Khanam (Rita), met with Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, in Dhaka on Sunday morning. According to a ministry statement, the meeting took place at the minister’s office and was also attended by State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Nepal and enhancing cooperation in aviation and tourism.

During the meeting, the Nepalese ambassador emphasized the importance of upgrading Saidpur Airport to international standards. Both sides also discussed setting reasonable ticket prices for flights on the Dhaka–Kathmandu route. The participants expressed optimism about working jointly to promote tourism development between the two countries.

Minister Afroza Khanam and the state minister assured continued cooperation with Nepal to advance mutual interests in aviation and tourism sectors.

Nepalese police arrested former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Saturday, accused of involvement in the crackdown on Gen-Z protesters last September. The arrests came a day after newly elected Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his cabinet took office. Kathmandu Valley Police spokesperson Om Adhikari confirmed the arrests and said further legal steps would follow.

The Gen-Z protests erupted after a temporary social media ban, fueled by long-standing economic hardship. The demonstrations turned violent on September 8 and 9, leaving at least 76 people dead, including 20 young protesters on the first day. The unrest led to Oli’s resignation at age 74 and the fall of his government. In the subsequent March 5 election, Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party won an absolute majority.

An interim commission investigating the violence recommended legal action against Oli and other officials, citing negligence in controlling the shootings that killed several children.

World Bank’s Regional Director for Bangladesh, Jean Pesme, has assured cooperation in implementing the Family Card program. The assurance came during a courtesy meeting on Sunday with Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain and State Minister Farzana Sharmin. The discussion also covered joint efforts with the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to promote social security and good governance.

During the meeting, Minister Zahid Hossain presented details of the Family Card initiative, one of the government’s key election pledges. He stated that 37,567 families, each led by a woman, have already received Family Cards, entitling them to monthly financial support of 2,500 taka. The minister added that within four years, a universal Family Card will be issued in the name of each family’s female head as a mark of civic recognition.

Jean Pesme described the initiative as a positive step toward strengthening social protection. Both sides agreed to work jointly for the sustainable implementation of the Family Card program.

Hatirjheel Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Golam Mortuza has offered an unconditional apology over the closure of a Nabin Fashion panjabi shop in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area. On Sunday, 29 April, he appeared before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman’s court and submitted a written explanation along with his apology. The court had earlier summoned him to explain the police’s role in the incident and ordered him to reopen the shop within 24 hours.

The court took the matter into consideration after a video circulated on social media on 20 March showing neighboring traders closing the Nabin Fashion shop for selling panjabis at low prices. The traders reportedly compared the discount sales to “relief distribution” and objected to it, while police were seen present at the scene. The state prosecutor, Jamal Uddin Marjin, confirmed the OC’s appearance and apology, adding that the court has kept its order pending.

The court also sought the prosecution’s opinion regarding individuals who had introduced themselves as friends or relatives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during the incident.

Pakistan has taken on a mediating role in efforts to reduce ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, according to a report published on March 29, 2026. Foreign ministers from the involved countries are meeting to bring both sides back to the negotiation table, a task described as highly complex. The discussions are being facilitated with the participation of four countries that maintain good relations with the United States, while Pakistan also enjoys a positive relationship with Iran.

As part of its mediation, Pakistan is relaying messages between Washington and Tehran, conveying the U.S. position to Iran and returning with Iran’s responses and demands. The foreign ministers are using their influence over both nations to encourage direct dialogue.

Some in Pakistan believe that, given past experiences with U.S.-Iran negotiations, President Donald Trump may be taking time before making decisions, during which military deployment preparations could continue.

Authorities in Saghata upazila of Gaibandha conducted a raid at an unregistered fuel pump in Bharatkhali, seizing 1,200 liters of petrol. The operation took place on Sunday at Messrs. Abul Kalam Azad Traders, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ashraful Kabir, who also imposed a fine of Tk 30,000 on the establishment.

According to local residents, the pump’s proprietor, Abul Kalam Azad (also known as Olok), had been selling petrol at nearly double the government-fixed price for an extended period. During the raid, officials confirmed the allegations of overpricing. The seized petrol was ordered to be sold at the official rate, with the Officer-in-Charge of the local police station and the Upazila Agriculture Officer assigned to oversee the sale.

The proceeds from the sale of the confiscated fuel are to be deposited into the government treasury, as directed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer.

A Rohingya teenager was seriously injured when a landmine, allegedly planted by Myanmar’s armed rebel group Arakan Army, exploded near the Balukhali border in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Sunday, March 29, 2026. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. along the zero line of the Naf River. The victim, 15-year-old Abdul Hakim, is the son of Mohammad Ibrahim, a resident of Block A in Camp 19 of the Ukhiya Rohingya refugee settlement. Locals rescued him and took him for urgent medical treatment after the blast severed his leg.

According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials, the explosion happened when Hakim was returning to shore after fishing in the Naf River. The blast caused severe injuries, including the amputation of his right ankle. BGB’s Ukhiya Battalion 64 commander stated that such mines are planted inside Myanmar territory and pose a serious risk to people near the border.

Frequent landmine explosions in the border area have created widespread fear among local residents, who are urging authorities to identify dangerous zones and strengthen security measures.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued 11 urgent directives to ensure that the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations are conducted smoothly, fairly, and without malpractice. The instructions, sent on March 28, 2026, to all exam center secretaries and field officials, emphasize strict compliance. Authorities warned that any negligence leading to unwanted incidents would result in legal action against responsible individuals.

According to the DSHE, the directives were based on decisions made in a Ministry of Education meeting. The nationwide SSC examinations are scheduled to begin on April 21, 2026. The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward irregularities during the exams. The measures include mandatory installation and operation of CCTV cameras in all exam rooms, proper video storage, deployment of adequate security personnel, prohibition of mobile phone use by teachers and students, and body searches of examinees to prevent cheating.

The DSHE also instructed that exam centers maintain cleanliness, adequate lighting, and display special notices for students and guardians at main gates to promote a disciplined and transparent exam environment.

Bangladesh’s Health Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bakul has said that measles vaccines have not been administered in the country for the past eight years. He made the statement amid a rise in measles cases, announcing that the government has allocated 6.04 billion taka to purchase new vaccines. The minister spoke to reporters on Sunday at the inauguration of the International Pharmaceutical Industry Fair at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

According to the minister, the last government-administered measles vaccination took place eight years ago, and since then no new doses were provided. He said the purchase committee has approved the allocation, and vaccines will be collected and distributed in due time. Measles cases have recently increased, with infections detected in Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar in early January and later spreading to slum areas in Dhaka.

Following reports of child deaths due to lack of ICU space at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, the government received five donated ventilators. The minister added that more than 12 additional ventilators will soon be supplied to support the Health and Family Welfare Ministry’s efforts against the outbreak.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed at three oil depots in Srimangal, Moulvibazar, to prevent illegal fuel hoarding, maintain discipline in distribution, and ensure uninterrupted supply. Since March 25, two BGB platoons have been stationed at the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna depots. On March 29, the depots were inspected by Lieutenant Colonel Sarkar Asif Mahmud, Commanding Officer of Srimangal 46 Battalion BGB.

According to officials, the deployment aims to counter attempts by certain groups to stockpile fuel amid global market instability. BGB members are conducting strict checks at entry points, verifying vehicle documents, and monitoring tanker loading operations. Depot authorities reported minor supply delays but said security has improved significantly since the deployment.

The Srimangal Upazila administration has also held a coordination meeting with depot owners, pump owners, BGB, and law enforcement agencies to maintain smooth fuel distribution across the region.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Md. Aminul Islam, stated on Sunday, March 29, 2026, that no one involved in crimes or abuse of power during the One-Eleven period will be exempted, regardless of their influence. He mentioned that two officials, Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Mamun Khaled, have already been arrested and are in police custody in other cases. Their past activities, he said, fall under the tribunal’s jurisdiction as crimes against humanity.

Islam added that the accused misused power and were involved in inhumane acts such as creating secret detention sites like “Aynaghar,” where people were allegedly tortured, killed, or disappeared. He emphasized that all allegations cannot yet be disclosed for the sake of investigation but confirmed that numerous complaints have been received. He also discussed the Abu Sayeed case, noting that judgment is scheduled for the 9th and that investigations into related incidents are ongoing.

The Chief Prosecutor affirmed that anyone found involved in crimes from the One-Eleven period to the previous government will face trial, and no indemnity will obstruct the tribunal’s work.