Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has accused the BNP of violating its pledge to the people by abandoning its earlier proposal for a referendum after securing a two-thirds majority. Speaking on Friday afternoon at a Jamaat-organized gathering in South Keraniganj, he said the BNP’s reversal created a political crisis and amounted to a breach of public trust.

Dr. Rahman argued that although the constitution identifies the people as the source of all power, their opinions are being disregarded. He warned that ignoring popular will marks the beginning of fascism and urged unity among all who have suffered oppression, including current and former political groups. He also criticized the government for concealing the real situation of the fuel crisis, alleging artificial shortages and inflated prices, and called for open dialogue with all political parties.

He further opposed the appointment of administrators in local government, calling it a violation of elected representatives’ rights, and warned that the new “home class” initiative could increase children’s device addiction. He announced that an eleven-party alliance would begin field-level programs from April 4 to continue the struggle for people’s rights.

Iranian media have reported that a U.S. fighter jet crashed inside Iran, leaving two American pilots missing. The incident occurred in the western region of the country, and Iranian authorities have announced a reward for anyone who can locate the missing pilots. According to the reports, the pilots ejected and landed in separate areas, prompting U.S. rescue operations.

Iranian sources claim that clashes took place between U.S. forces and Iranian ground troops during the attempted rescue, resulting in American casualties. State television in Iran has called on citizens to assist in finding the pilots and announced a reward of 10 billion tomans, approximately 64,000 U.S. dollars.

If Iran succeeds in capturing the missing pilots, it could mark a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict, as it would be the first instance of U.S. prisoners of war in the confrontation.

A mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping across 27 districts of Bangladesh, including Khulna and Rajshahi divisions, causing severe discomfort in Dhaka and other regions. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the heatwave, which expanded from 17 districts the previous day, is expected to persist until Sunday. On Friday, Chuadanga recorded the highest temperature at 39.7°C, while Dhaka reached 36.4°C. The department warned that temperatures could rise further by 1–2°C nationwide over the next two days.

Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Haque stated that although the heatwave’s extent has increased, it is likely to be less intense than in 2023 and 2024 due to intermittent rainfall. In those years, heatwaves lasted 22 and 26 consecutive days respectively. Doctors have reported a rise in heat-related illnesses, particularly among children, and advised caution during the humid spell.

Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir forecasted possible relief starting Monday, with scattered rain, gusty winds, and isolated hailstorms expected for three to four days across parts of the country.

Bangladesh’s Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government is considering an increase in fuel prices to manage rising costs in the global energy market. Speaking to reporters on Friday at the Korean EPZ in Karnaphuli, Chattogram, he noted that maintaining the supply chain requires purchasing fuel at high prices, which is straining public finances. Although no immediate price hike has been decided, he indicated that a decision could come soon.

The minister emphasized that ensuring energy security remains the government’s top priority, warning that disruptions could halt agricultural and industrial production. To ease fiscal pressure, the government has adopted strict austerity measures, including a 30 percent fuel rationing for ministers and officials. He added that high import costs are affecting all sectors, including development programs and budget commitments.

Chowdhury also mentioned that the ongoing war situation poses challenges for maintaining supply chains of fuel, food, and other essentials. He urged public cooperation to overcome the crisis and expressed optimism about the recovery of the capital market.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam has assured that the government will extend the visas of expatriate workers stranded in Bangladesh due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. She made the statement on Friday, April 3, while receiving the body of Bangladeshi worker S M Tarek, who died in Bahrain, at Shahjalal International Airport. The minister said that visa validity has already been extended by one month and will be further extended as needed for affected countries.

She added that efforts are underway through relevant embassies to ensure the safety of expatriate workers both in Bangladesh and abroad. Regarding the repatriation of deceased workers, she said that three of the six bodies have been brought back to Bangladesh, and efforts continue to return the remaining ones.

The minister also warned against illegal migration, noting that many lives have been lost due to human trafficking. She stated that the government is working to bring back those stranded abroad and to bring traffickers to justice.

Italy’s football leadership has entered turmoil after the national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. Two days after the elimination, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina announced his resignation, reversing his earlier refusal to step down. Soon after, Gianluigi Buffon, head of Italy’s football delegation and legendary goalkeeper, also resigned, releasing an emotional statement describing his decision as deeply heartfelt. The wave of resignations continued as head coach Gennaro Gattuso left his position as well.

The resignations follow Italy’s penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ended their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Gravina had led the federation since 2018, during which Italy also missed the 2022 World Cup. Italian media reported that discussions have begun over four potential replacements for Gattuso: Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri, and Pep Guardiola. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mancini is currently the frontrunner, having guided Italy to the Euro 2020 title.

The series of resignations marks another chapter of instability for Italian football, which continues to face intense criticism following repeated qualification failures.

National Parliament Whip and Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati and Komolnagar) MP ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan said that wealthy individuals and those under government protection contribute less revenue compared to ordinary and poor citizens. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing the 'Komolnagar Pride Award', meritorious student reception, and wheelchair distribution ceremony organized by Sunrise Club at the Surjomukhi Kindergarten field in Char Lawrence, Komolnagar.

Nizan emphasized that the fight against drugs requires collective action, not just words. He urged teachers to focus on their professional duties rather than politics, suggesting that political activities be limited to the pre-election period. Responding to organizers’ requests to make the awards government-recognized, he cautioned that transferring such initiatives to government control could limit community autonomy, though the government could provide support.

The event honored nine distinguished individuals, six meritorious students, and distributed wheelchairs to fourteen persons with disabilities, recognizing contributions in education, social work, and entrepreneurship.

More than half of the countries participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are facing significant financial challenges due to unresolved tax issues. FIFA has not reached a universal tax exemption agreement with the United States government, and differences in bilateral tax treaties have created uneven conditions among the 48 participating nations. As a result, most national football federations will have to pay federal, state, and local taxes on their tournament earnings.

Experts note that smaller nations without double taxation agreements with the US will bear the heaviest burden. Only 18 countries, mostly European, have such treaties. While Canada and Mexico have granted tax exemptions for all teams, the US has not extended similar benefits. The operational budget per team is set at $1.5 million, but daily allowances have been reduced from $850 to $600 per member, even as travel and accommodation costs in the US have risen.

FIFA has stated it is working with participating nations to provide tax-related assistance. However, the lack of uniform tax relief has become a major concern for smaller and first-time participant countries preparing for the tournament.

A US official has confirmed that an American warplane was shot down in Iranian airspace, according to reports from Axios, Reuters, and The New York Times, as cited by BBC on April 3, 2026. The official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, stated that rescue operations are ongoing to locate the aircraft’s crew. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the United States is conducting an active mission to recover the crew members.

Earlier, Iranian media claimed that a US warplane had been downed and that the United States was attempting to rescue the pilot. Iran has since asserted that the American rescue attempt to recover the pilot has failed. The incident has drawn attention from multiple international outlets, highlighting rising tensions surrounding the event.

Rescue efforts continue as both sides maintain differing accounts of the situation, and no further details about the aircraft type or the number of crew members have been disclosed.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam visited the dilapidated bridge over the Bairan River in Gopalpur, Tangail, on Friday. During the inspection, he announced an allocation of Tk 4.5 crore for the construction of a new bridge and directed officials to begin work immediately. The bridge, built in the 1980s at Hatbairan area, has long been in a dangerous condition, forcing thousands of people to cross it daily at great risk.

The issue gained attention after a report was published in the newspaper Amar Desh on January 19, prompting authorities to take notice. The inspection was attended by Tangail-2 Member of Parliament Abdus Salam Pintu, local administration officials, and political leaders. Local residents and community representatives expressed relief that the long-neglected infrastructure problem was finally being addressed.

Residents hope that once the new bridge is completed, it will ease long-standing suffering and improve local communication and economic activities in the region.

Former Human Rights Watch chief Kenneth Roth has warned that any US attack on Iran’s civilian infrastructure, particularly power plants or water desalination facilities, would amount to a war crime. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Roth said that if former US President Donald Trump carried out his threats to strike such sites, it would clearly violate international humanitarian law.

Roth, now a visiting professor at Princeton University, explained that such attacks would lack legitimate military justification and cause disproportionate harm to civilians. He cited the International Criminal Court’s previous actions against Russian commanders for similar strikes in Ukraine as precedent.

Roth further noted that more than 100 international law experts share this assessment, emphasizing that any such move would undoubtedly be treated as a war crime under international standards.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Rangpur-3 MP ATM Azharul Islam has accused the government of adopting fascist tendencies by questioning the legitimacy of a national referendum. Speaking as the chief guest at a ward-level leadership conference organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka North on Friday in Vatara, Dhaka, he said the July Revolution was aimed at establishing good governance and justice, not merely changing power. He criticized the government for refusing to fully implement the July Charter and for opposing constitutional reforms promised in it.

Azharul claimed that the government’s stance on the referendum reflected ideological bankruptcy and a betrayal of the July spirit. He alleged that despite a major public mandate in the last election, election engineering prevented full reflection of the people’s will. He urged the government to act wisely and implement the July Charter immediately.

In his closing remarks, Dhaka North Ameer Mohammad Selim Uddin said the government’s denial of the July Charter contradicted the will of 48 million voters who supported constitutional reform, warning that the people would compel its implementation through mass movements.

The Bangladesh government has temporarily suspended interest-free car loans for officials as part of a broader initiative to reduce fuel consumption and administrative expenses. The decision was announced following the fourth cabinet meeting held on Thursday at the Cabinet Division conference room in the National Parliament Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. According to an official press release, the prime minister, ministers, and state ministers will also reduce their monthly fuel allocations for official vehicles by 30 percent.

The statement further detailed that all foreign training funded by the government will be halted until further notice, while domestic training expenses must be reduced by 50 percent. Additionally, hospitality costs for meetings and seminars are to be cut by 50 percent, conference expenses by 20 percent, and travel costs by 30 percent. These measures are aimed at curbing operational expenditures across government departments.

Under the existing 2020 policy, eligible officials such as deputy secretaries and above could previously access up to 3 million taka in interest-free loans to purchase vehicles, along with monthly allowances for maintenance and drivers. The suspension will remain in effect until new directives are issued.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Dr. Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy Bir Bikram, convener of the National Committee for Implementation of the July Charter Movement, warned that people would return to the streets if the government failed to implement the July Charter in line with the referendum verdict. He made the statement on Friday during a human chain and rally organized by the committee in front of the National Press Club.

Speakers at the event accused the government of deceiving the people and urged immediate implementation of the referendum’s outcome. They asserted that the referendum represented the supreme will of the people, which all state institutions, including parliament and the judiciary, must uphold. The speakers warned that failure to do so would provoke a strong public response and severe consequences for the government.

Committee member secretary Ahmed Karim announced that a nationwide movement would soon be launched to build public opinion in favor of implementing the July Charter.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has described U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to send Iran “back to the Stone Age” as an indication of possible large-scale war crimes. According to Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian said such statements reveal an intent to cause massive destruction, which could be considered a serious violation of international law.

Referring to his discussion with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Pezeshkian noted that he had raised the issue with his Finnish counterpart, who is a legal expert. He added that history contains many examples where silence in the face of crimes has come at a great cost.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions following reports of a U.S. acknowledgment of an Iranian warplane being shot down and warnings that any attack on Iran’s power facilities would constitute a war crime.