A Dhaka court has ordered the release of Tahmina Akter, a mother of three, who was detained at the National Memorial in Savar while paying tribute on behalf of the banned Awami League. The order was issued on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, by Senior Judicial Magistrate Afroza Sultana Sweety after accepting a report submitted by the Detective Branch (DB) police.

According to the DB report filed on March 31 by Sub-Inspector Abdul Muktalib of Dhaka District (South), Tahmina Akter lives in a rented house in Dhaka, her husband is an expatriate, and she has limited contact with her family. The report stated that on March 26, unidentified individuals associated with Awami League politics persuaded her to visit the National Memorial to lay a wreath and chant slogans for social media promotion. The investigation found no evidence linking her to any political activity or criminal offense.

Following the hearing, the court ordered her release under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as no specific charges were substantiated against her.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that an additional 30,000 families will be brought under the Family Card program within the remaining three months of the current fiscal year. He made the statement during the question-and-answer session in the national parliament, marking his first appearance in that format as prime minister. The program, launched on March 10 across 15 wards in 13 districts, has already provided allowances to 37,814 women-headed families.

Rahman explained that the Family Card will be issued in the name of the female head of each household, aiming to strengthen women’s control over family assets. The initiative is designed to ensure that financial assistance is used directly for food, nutrition, healthcare, and education, while also enhancing women’s decision-making power and social status. The government plans to expand the program to cover 40 million families within the next four years.

During the session, the prime minister also stated that the government would take steps to recover laundered money, describing it as the people’s trust and a national responsibility to bring it back.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that opposition parties have the right to walk out of parliament, describing it as part of parliamentary culture. He made the remarks on Wednesday, April 1, during a parliamentary session after opposition leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman announced a walkout over the government’s lack of decision on a referendum reform proposal and the formation of a constitutional council.

In his response, the minister explained that while the opposition’s walkout is within their rights, it is important that the government’s position also be recorded. He elaborated on procedural rules, noting that certain motions cannot be discussed under parliamentary regulations and that decisions on adjournment motions rest with the Speaker. Ahmed emphasized that discussions on such motions do not require a vote once they have been debated.

He further clarified that the Speaker has discretion over whether to consider adjournment motions and that opposition members have the privilege to raise issues, but those must follow established parliamentary procedures.

Pakistan’s security forces conducted intelligence-based operations on two bases of Fitna al Khawarij, described as an ‘Indian proxy force,’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), at least 13 members of the group were killed in the raids carried out on Wednesday, April 1. The operations targeted militant hideouts in the Bara area of Khyber district and in Bannu district.

ISPR reported that ten militants were killed in Bara after intense gunfire, while three others were killed in Bannu during a separate operation. The raids were launched following intelligence reports about the presence of armed militants in those areas.

The ISPR stated that search operations are continuing to eliminate India-backed militants and that counterterrorism efforts under the Azm-e-Istehkam program will proceed at full pace.

The government has finalized a decision to bring all teachers and employees of MPO-listed educational institutions, including heads of institutions, under a unified transfer system through a dedicated software. The decision was made at a meeting of the Ministry of Education held on Wednesday, chaired by Additional Secretary (Private Secondary) Md. Mizanur Rahman. The meeting also emphasized the need to update the transfer software and to publish a revised transfer policy soon.

According to meeting sources, the inclusion of institution heads, assistant heads, and employees in the transfer process will require new contracts, as transfers without such agreements would be considered irregular. The vendor company responsible for the software has demanded additional payment of around 2 to 2.5 million taka for the necessary updates. Once the new contracts are completed, the software will be updated to include all relevant personnel.

Officials present at the meeting indicated that the revised policy and updated software will ensure that both senior officials and other employees are regularly included in the transfer process.

A severe nor’wester struck Nilphamari district late Tuesday night, causing extensive damage across four unions in Jaldhaka and Kishoreganj upazilas. More than 200 houses were destroyed and 38 hectares of maize fields were heavily affected. Power supply from the Kishoreganj NESCO office to Jaldhaka’s Tengonmari area remained cut off through Wednesday afternoon due to damaged electric lines and leaning poles.

In Kishoreganj’s Putimari Union, around 100 houses were destroyed and nearly 200 more tilted, while about 200 hectares of maize fields were flattened. Local officials reported that many tin roofs were blown away and trees fell on houses. The Upazila Agriculture Officer said 150 hectares of maize fields were affected, with 12 hectares at risk of total loss. In Jaldhaka, the storm hit Khutamara, Dharmapal, and Golna unions, damaging about 100 houses and 26 hectares of maize.

Officials from both upazilas said field assessments are underway to finalize damage reports, while power restoration efforts continue in affected areas.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic Division carried out coordinated eviction drives across several areas of the capital on Wednesday, April 1, imposing fines totaling Tk 1.92 lakh and sentencing 23 individuals to varying jail terms. The operations targeted illegal occupation of footpaths and roads, confiscated goods, and took legal action against violators, according to a press release signed by Assistant Police Commissioner Arifa Akhtar Preeti of the DMP Media and Public Relations Division.

Separate drives were conducted by multiple traffic zones, including Lalbagh, Wari, Ramna, Mirpur, Motijheel, Tejgaon, Gulshan, and Uttara. In Kotwali, 13 people were arrested under the Road Transport Act 2018, while in Wari, seven traders were fined Tk 15,000. The Ramna zone issued 49 video cases and 10 instant cases for illegal parking, seizing goods equivalent to three pickup trucks. Other zones imposed fines ranging from Tk 15,000 to Tk 70,000 and warned several business owners.

Police officials stated that such eviction operations will continue to ensure smooth pedestrian movement and maintain order on city roads.

Government party lawmaker Zainul Abedin Faruk has submitted a motion in Bangladesh’s parliament to discuss the implementation process of the July National Charter. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed accepted the motion and scheduled a two-hour debate for April 5, 2026. The Speaker noted that this marks a rare precedent in the country’s 53-year parliamentary history, as it is the first time a motion from the treasury bench has been accepted for discussion.

Earlier, independent lawmaker Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal had also proposed a motion on the same issue, but no decision has been made on it yet. Opposition leader Shafiqul Rahman had previously brought another motion regarding the convening of the Constitutional Reform Council, which was discussed but left unresolved. The opposition later walked out in protest, alleging their proposal was being suppressed.

Faruk described the July National Charter as a political consensus document containing proposals for constitutional amendments and legal reforms. The upcoming debate is expected to clarify the government’s approach to implementing the 2025 charter.

In the National Parliament on Wednesday, April 1, Comilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah raised a question regarding the long delay in increasing salaries for government employees. He noted that, according to ministerial data, there are 1,450,891 government employees in the country whose last pay scale revision occurred in 2015. Over the past eleven years, inflation has reportedly risen by 50 to 55 percent, significantly increasing living costs. Hasnat asked whether the Ministry of Finance would send any proposal to raise salaries, particularly for employees in the first to fourth grades, and sought details of the government’s specific plans.

In response, Abdul Bari, the State Minister for the Ministry of Public Administration and MP from Joypurhat-2, did not directly address the salary increase issue. He stated that a pay commission has already been formed and is working under the Ministry of Finance. He added that detailed information would be presented in Parliament if a separate notice is issued on the matter.

The exchange highlighted ongoing concerns about stagnant public sector wages amid rising inflation, with the government indicating that further details will come through formal parliamentary procedures.

A vessel named MV MP Ultra Max 2 carrying 61,000 tons of wheat from the United States has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port under a cash purchase agreement signed within a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, according to a Food Ministry press release issued on Wednesday.

Earlier, Bangladesh received 58,457 tons and 62,150 tons of wheat in the first and second shipments under government-to-government (G2G) agreements. Sampling of the newly arrived wheat has already begun, and arrangements for quick unloading are underway. Of the total shipment, 29,450 tons will be unloaded at Chattogram Port and 31,550 tons at Mongla Port.

Under the G2G-01 and G2G-02 agreements, Bangladesh has so far imported a total of 467,884 tons of wheat from the United States. The country’s annual wheat demand is around 7 million tons, while domestic production stands at about 1 million tons, with the remainder imported by both public and private sectors.

Spain and England both struggled in their final warm-up matches before the upcoming World Cup. In Barcelona, Spain were held to a goalless draw by Egypt despite dominating possession. The 2010 world champions failed to convert several chances, including efforts from Ferran Torres and Pedri. Egypt’s Omar Marmoush nearly scored in the first half, but his long-range shot hit the post. Even after Egypt went down to ten men in the 84th minute, Spain could not find a breakthrough, raising concerns about their form and ranking.

In London, England suffered a 1–0 defeat to Japan at Wembley Stadium. Missing injured striker Harry Kane, coach Thomas Tuchel deployed Phil Foden as a false nine, but the tactic failed to produce results. Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma scored the only goal in the 23rd minute after a defensive error by Cole Palmer. Despite multiple substitutions and late pressure, England could not equalize and faced boos from home fans. The result marked Japan’s first-ever win over England and England’s second loss in twelve matches under Tuchel.

The disappointing outcomes for both European teams have raised questions about their readiness for the World Cup.

Jamaat-e-Islami executive council member Dr. Rezaul Karim stated that 133 loan defaulters participated in Bangladesh’s previous national election despite owing thousands of crores of taka. He made the remarks on Wednesday, April 1, at a reception for new lawyers held at the Oitijjhya Convention Center in Lakshmipur. Dr. Rezaul criticized the disparity in law enforcement, saying that while minor offenders face severe punishment, major financial defaulters manage to remain in politics.

He further alleged that the government is attempting to weaken several key institutions, including the Anti-Corruption Commission, and to reduce accountability for those involved in enforced disappearances and large-scale bank loan defaults. Dr. Rezaul also referenced delays in high-profile criminal cases and urged collective resistance against injustice and corruption.

The event was organized by the Bangladesh Lawyers Council, Lakshmipur branch, and attended by local Jamaat leaders and several advocates. The discussion centered on legal integrity and the need for stronger action against corruption and abuse of power.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sent a special written message to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The message was formally handed over on April 1 in Abu Dhabi during a key meeting, according to the Emirates News Agency. The diplomatic communication aims to strengthen the long-standing friendship and bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

During the meeting, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir met UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and delivered the letter. The message emphasized mutual interests, including maintaining the continuity of historical relations, expanding bilateral trade and investment, and cooperating toward achieving sustainable development goals for both countries.

Humayun Kabir also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s full solidarity and unwavering support for the UAE’s efforts to maintain security and stability in the region, as reported by the source.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain stated that the recent measles outbreak struck suddenly, comparing it to a lightning strike and admitting that authorities were unprepared. He made the remarks to journalists on Thursday around 11:15 a.m.

The minister’s comment highlights the unexpected nature of the outbreak and the lack of prior readiness to handle it. No further details about the scale of the outbreak, affected regions, or government response measures were provided in the initial report.

Further information is expected as the situation develops, according to the source.

A Bangladeshi expatriate from Cumilla’s Brahmanpara upazila was killed in a missile strike in Dubai’s Fujairah Dibba area on Wednesday morning, April 1, 2026. The attack occurred amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East. The victim, identified as Shah Alam Bhuiya, 50, was the second son of Hanif Bhuiya from Jiruin village under Sahebabad Union. According to sources among expatriates in Dubai and the victim’s family, the missile struck while he was on his way to work.

Witnesses reported that sirens sounded in the area as people ran for cover before the missile hit. The incident has cast a shadow of grief over the expatriate Bangladeshi community in Dubai and among residents of Shah Alam’s home village in Brahmanpara, Cumilla.

Local reports described widespread mourning in the victim’s village following news of his death, as relatives and neighbors expressed shock over the tragedy.