Crude oil prices dropped below $100 per barrel on April 1, 2026, as optimism grew over easing tensions in the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The international benchmark Brent crude fell 4.7 percent to $99.05 per barrel, while the U.S. standard WTI declined 4 percent to $97.33 per barrel. The decline in oil prices coincided with a notable rise in Asian stock markets.

South Korea’s KOSPI index rebounded by 8.4 percent after earlier losses at the start of the week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 5.2 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 2.3 percent, and China’s Shanghai Composite advanced 1.5 percent. The market movements reflected investor optimism linked to the apparent de-escalation of the regional conflict.

The report also noted that the ongoing war had disrupted the supply of around 12 million barrels of oil per day, underscoring the conflict’s continuing impact on global energy markets despite the recent easing of tensions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stated that approximately 234 billion US dollars were illicitly transferred abroad from Bangladesh during the previous Awami League government. Responding to a written question in parliament on Wednesday, he said the recovered funds will be used for the welfare of the people. The estimate comes from the White Paper Committee formed by the interim government, covering the years 2009 to 2023. Efforts are underway to recover the money through information exchange, asset identification, and mutual legal assistance with relevant countries.

Rahman said ten countries have been identified as destinations for the laundered funds, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Thailand, the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong-China. Agreements for mutual legal assistance have been reached with Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the UAE, while discussions with the remaining seven countries are ongoing. A task force led by the Bangladesh Bank governor has been formed to oversee recovery efforts.

According to the Prime Minister, 141 cases have been filed so far, with six verdicts delivered. Assets worth about Tk 70,446 crore have been seized domestically and abroad as part of the recovery process.

ASM Abdur Rob, president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), warned that ignoring the referendum verdict on implementing the National Charter could lead to a dangerous situation. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, he said the commitment to hold a referendum after the July uprising was a clear and collective pledge supported by all political parties. He described the uprising as a historic effort by the people to redefine state power through direct participation.

Rob emphasized that the legitimacy of the state stems from the people’s consent and participation, and the National Charter reflects the collective aspirations of working citizens. He argued that bypassing the referendum or replacing it with administrative measures would contradict the principles of inclusive democracy and institutionalize internal subjugation. He cautioned that any attempt by the government to avoid or delay the referendum would deepen the crisis of public trust.

He concluded that the government’s political integrity depends on honoring its commitment to the referendum, urging it not to disregard public opinion and to implement the National Charter in line with the people’s mandate.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will host a high-level international summit to discuss ways to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement comes amid growing disruption in this vital maritime trade route, which has been effectively blocked by Iran in response to attacks from Israel and the United States.

According to the report, the blockade has caused significant interruptions to global energy supplies and driven up fuel prices worldwide. Starmer emphasized that the United Kingdom will not become directly involved in the Middle East conflict. Instead, he stated that the most effective way to control living costs is to apply international pressure to reduce tensions and ensure the swift resumption of normal maritime traffic through the strait.

He added that all possible diplomatic avenues are being explored to achieve this goal, underscoring the UK’s focus on diplomacy rather than military engagement.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that Bangladesh’s road management system will be reorganized ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, which he described as more challenging than Eid-ul-Fitr. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning while inaugurating a tree-planting program at the Madani Avenue link road from the Purbachal 300 Feet Expressway in Dhaka. The minister noted that around 15 million people are expected to leave Dhaka while about 10 million sacrificial animals will enter the city. He also mentioned that the government is considering the possibility of constructing another Jamuna Bridge and will test a demo train before any project approval.

The minister launched a large-scale nationwide tree-planting initiative under the Road Transport and Highways Division to promote environmental balance and sustainable development. He urged citizens, government offices, and organizations to turn the campaign into a people’s movement rather than a ceremonial event. State Minister Habibur Rashid said the government has adopted a plan to plant 2.5 billion trees in five years as part of its long-term vision for a sustainable and livable Bangladesh.

Officials from the ministry and related departments attended the inauguration ceremony.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni has announced that a special parliamentary committee will soon be formed to address constitutional amendments. Speaking to reporters after a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday, he said the committee will include representatives from all parties, including independents, in proportionate numbers. He added that the committee could have 15 to 20 members, though the exact number has not yet been finalized.

Moni emphasized that both ruling and opposition party legal experts will be included in the committee to ensure broad participation. He urged opposition parties to join, saying that constitutional reform is essential for the country and should not be delayed. He also stated that the government aims to make parliament more effective and to solve national issues through parliamentary processes.

A parliamentary press release added that the meeting recommended installing an echo-free sound system in the session chamber, improving internet speed, ensuring safe drinking water in the parliament area, and preparing residences for members by April 10.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament on Wednesday that Bangladesh is tracing approximately 234 billion US dollars allegedly laundered abroad during the previous regime. Responding to a written question from MP Md. Abul Kalam, he said the government aims to recover the funds for public welfare. According to him, assets worth about 70,446 crore taka have already been seized or frozen domestically and overseas under court orders.

The prime minister said the interim government’s white paper committee estimated that between 2009 and 2023, illicit financial outflows averaged 16 billion dollars annually. Ten countries have been identified as destinations for the laundered money, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Thailand, the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong-China. Agreements on mutual legal assistance have been reached with Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the UAE, while talks with the remaining seven countries are ongoing.

Rahman added that a task force led by the Bangladesh Bank governor is pursuing recovery through 11 priority cases, with 141 total cases filed so far. The government has made asset recovery a top priority in its broader anti-corruption and anti-money laundering strategy.

Bangladesh has imported an additional 7,000 tons of diesel from India through the Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline to the Parbatipur depot in Dinajpur. The consignment arrived at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday after pumping began on March 28 from the Numaligarh Refinery in Assam. The information was confirmed by the Deputy Manager (Operations) of Padma Oil PLC’s Parbatipur depot, Md. Ahsan Habib Chowdhury.

According to the report, the government continues regular diesel imports from India via pipeline to ensure national fuel security. Earlier, on March 11 and 23, two separate consignments of 5,000 tons each were received, bringing the total imported volume through the pipeline to 17,000 tons. Distribution to registered dealers began on Wednesday afternoon, and the depot remained open on Friday under government instruction to maintain normal fuel supply.

To ensure security, members of the Bangladesh Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed at the Parbatipur depot, overseeing the distribution process to dealers.

Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that the ruling party is unwilling to fully implement the July Charter under the guise of forming a constitutional amendment committee. The party’s senior Nayeb-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament ATM Azharul Islam made the remark on Wednesday afternoon at the 13th National Parliament building, where Barrister Najibur Rahman MP was also present.

ATM Azharul Islam stated that there is no question of the opposition joining the government’s proposed constitutional amendment committee, arguing that mere amendments are insufficient and that full reform is necessary. He also commented that some statements by the opposition leader had been misquoted, which he said was not acceptable.

Earlier in the morning, the third meeting of the parliamentary committee was held in the Cabinet Room of the National Parliament. The discussion reflects ongoing political disagreement over the process and scope of constitutional reform linked to the July Charter.

International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol has stated that the ongoing war has disrupted global oil supplies by about 12 million barrels per day. Speaking in a podcast with Nicolai Tangen, head of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, Birol said around 40 key regional energy facilities have been damaged due to the conflict.

He warned that the disruption could double in April compared to March, with Europe expected to feel the impact soon. Birol highlighted that the most severe shortages are currently in jet fuel and diesel, noting that Asia is already experiencing the effects and that Europe may face similar challenges by April or May.

Analysts believe the situation has sparked renewed concerns in the global energy market, as the supply disruptions and fuel shortages threaten to intensify economic pressures worldwide.

A Bangladeshi national was killed in the United Arab Emirates after debris from a downed drone struck him. The Fujairah emirate authorities confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday. According to the government’s media office, the UAE’s air defense system successfully intercepted a drone within its airspace, and the wreckage fell on a farm in the Al-Riffa area, causing the fatality.

Rescue teams and relevant authorities are currently at the site, monitoring the situation and working to ensure the safety of the surrounding area. The report was carried by Gulf News and confirmed by Fujairah’s government media office.

The incident occurred amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of drone and missile attacks linked to ongoing conflicts affecting oil supply and regional security.

The Bangladesh English Medium School Parents’ Forum has opposed the Education Ministry’s proposal for a 3+3 online class model, under which students would attend three days of online and three days of in-person classes each week. In a statement issued on Wednesday, forum president A.K.M. Ashraful Haque demanded cancellation of the plan and presented four alternative measures aimed at saving electricity without disrupting students’ education.

The forum argued that the proposed model would increase financial pressure on parents due to the cost of high-speed internet and digital devices, while working parents would struggle to supervise online classes. Instead, they suggested holding four days of in-person classes weekly and keeping schools closed for the remaining three days to reduce travel and institutional electricity use. Additional proposals included shortening school hours, limiting air conditioner use, and maximizing natural light and ventilation.

The statement warned that implementing the 3+3 model could harm students’ academic progress, especially with upcoming O- and A-Level exams and session finals approaching in May.

The opposition parties in Bangladesh’s National Parliament staged a walkout on Wednesday afternoon after failing to receive a response regarding their demand to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Reform Council. Opposition leader Shafiqul Rahman announced the walkout, leading members out of the chamber in protest against what they described as an attempt to suppress their proposal by introducing another motion.

The dispute followed Tuesday’s discussion on a pending motion about convening the council. The ruling party had proposed forming an all-party special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendments, but the opposition disagreed, insisting that any committee should center on the Constitutional Reform Council. During Wednesday’s session, Shafiqul Rahman sought a ruling from Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, who replied that the earlier motion was inadmissible for legislative reasons but that further discussion could be allowed.

The opposition leader maintained that their demand reflected public sentiment and accused the government of disregarding voter expectations. The Speaker acknowledged their right to walk out, and opposition members subsequently left the chamber.

Iran has expressed dissatisfaction and sorrow over Bangladesh’s official statement following the joint attack by the United States and Israel. Speaking at a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said Tehran had expected Bangladesh, as a Muslim-majority nation, to directly condemn the aggression. Instead, Bangladesh only expressed concern, which Iran found disappointing.

The ambassador noted that countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, and Spain had explicitly condemned the attack, contrasting their positions with Bangladesh’s cautious response. Although Iran will not send an official letter to Dhaka, Jahanabadi said he would personally raise the issue with Bangladesh’s prime minister in a future meeting. He emphasized that Iran targets only US bases in the region, not neighboring Muslim countries, and questioned why Arab states allow such bases on their soil.

Despite the discontent, the ambassador reaffirmed Iran’s intention to strengthen ties with Bangladesh and welcomed any peace initiatives Dhaka might take in the Middle East. He also assured cooperation in ensuring the safe return of Bangladeshis from Iran.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will provide free school uniforms to 200,000 primary school children. He made the statement on Wednesday, April 1, during a live question-and-answer session with members of parliament at the National Assembly. The session was part of a scheduled 30-minute segment dedicated to questions for the prime minister.

During his remarks, Rahman expressed gratitude to voters and emphasized his responsibility to serve all citizens, including those who did not vote for him. He said the government had already begun implementing its election manifesto, including plans to plant 15 million saplings of various species during the current monsoon season. He also stated that the introduction of family and farmer cards would help stabilize the economy and prevent inflation.

According to the prime minister, an additional 30,000 families will receive family cards within the next three months, and 40 million more families will be included over the next four years.