A severe traffic jam spanning about 10 kilometers developed early Thursday on the Dhaka-Chattogram-Sylhet highway, causing significant suffering for commuters. Witnesses reported that vehicle movement slowed across several sections of the highway from morning, eventually turning into a long tailback that affected both office-goers and long-distance travelers.

According to Md. Julhas Uddin, in-charge of the Highway Police’s Shimrail Camp, two separate road accidents and a vehicle breakdown occurred late at night on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. These incidents led to heavy congestion from Meghna to Signboard. Similarly, traffic on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway became gridlocked from Rupshi to Kanchpur Bridge, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

Highway police later reached the spots and removed the disabled vehicles, after which traffic movement gradually began to return to normal, officials said.

The admission test for the cluster-based 'B' unit of the 2025–2026 academic session began today at Islamic University (IU). The one-hour examination is being held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. across six academic buildings on the campus. A total of 9,133 candidates have been allocated seats at the IU center for the test under the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Many applicants arrived at the venue nearly two hours before the scheduled start time.

To assist examinees and guardians, several active student organizations have set up help desks at the university’s main gate, offering pens, water, chocolates, saline, and medicines. The university administration has strengthened a four-tier security system to ensure smooth conduct of the exam, with coordinated deployment of Ansar, RAB, and police personnel. Members of the BNCC and Rover Scouts are also on duty at key points under the supervision of the proctorial body.

According to the university’s proctor, Professor Dr. Shahinuzzaman, candidates are entering the centers normally, and all necessary security measures have been taken to maintain an orderly environment.

Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 coup against Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, is set to become the country’s next president after a parliament dominated by his loyalists convened on Friday. He resigned as commander-in-chief to assume the post, fulfilling a long-delayed promise of returning to civilian rule, though the process remains largely symbolic. The military’s party, the USDP, won nearly 80 percent of contested seats in an election widely seen as predetermined.

The new government is expected to remain heavily militarized, with General Ye Win Oo, a close ally of Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed as the new army chief. The incoming president has also formed a powerful advisory council with authority over both civilian and military affairs. Analysts and opposition groups say the shift will not alter Myanmar’s ongoing conflict, which has displaced millions and devastated the economy since the coup.

Opposition forces, including the National Unity Government, continue to reject the election as illegitimate and vow to fight for a federal constitution. Meanwhile, economic hardship, fuel shortages, and widespread displacement persist across the country.

Serious allegations have emerged that land worth hundreds of millions of taka under Bangladesh Railway’s East Zone in Chattogram was allocated without a tender, violating the Railway Land Allocation Policy. The allocation reportedly took place at SRV Station, involving a syndicate of officials from the commercial branch, land property office, and security forces allegedly linked to former Awami League MP Fazle Karim Chowdhury. The process bypassed mandatory steps such as open tender and joint approval from key departments, sparking anger among railway employees.

Documents show that the company receiving the allocation, Utsab Trading and Engineering, had no connection to railway transport or storage, failing to meet policy requirements. Despite this, it was granted 4,500 square feet of land in January 2025, and a license fee notice was later issued. Investigation reports and design documents lacked required signatures from senior officials, and the design was approved without authorization.

Railway Director General Md. Afzal Hossain stated that any irregularities in land allocation would be investigated and appropriate action taken.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed the formation of a strong task force to strictly enforce the national building code. The instruction came during a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief on Thursday. The meeting also approved several measures to enhance earthquake preparedness, including structural safety assessments, public awareness, curriculum inclusion, research funding, and improved rescue capacity.

Officials said the Prime Minister emphasized comprehensive readiness for potential earthquakes, with a proposal to classify buildings into green, yellow, and red categories based on safety. A detailed engineering assessment for major cities is under approval. The meeting also set a goal to train 100,000 volunteers within two months and to integrate disaster topics into examinations and teacher training. Universities will receive government funding for disaster research.

The meeting identified 445 safe shelters in Dhaka and reported 4,869 rescue tools across agencies. Each ministry was instructed to allocate a separate disaster management budget. The Prime Minister also gave policy approval to link the Fire Service with the Disaster Management Ministry to strengthen coordination.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened additional attacks on Iran’s critical infrastructure, according to a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday. He stated that the U.S. military, which he described as the world’s strongest, has not yet begun destroying what remains in Iran. Trump added that bridges and power plants could be next targets, urging Iran’s leadership to act quickly.

The post came a day after Trump’s national address about “Operation Epic Fury,” which began on February 28. In that address, he warned that the United States would deliver severe blows to Iran within the next two to three weeks, saying the country would be pushed back to the “stone age.” The remarks were reported by Anadolu Agency.

The statements mark an escalation in rhetoric following the launch of Operation Epic Fury, signaling potential intensification of U.S. military actions against Iran’s infrastructure in the coming weeks.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has initiated a mega project aimed at reducing dependence on foreign vessels by adding 25 new ships to its fleet. The state-owned maritime company currently operates seven ships on international routes and reported record business of Tk 800 crore in the current fiscal year, with a net profit of Tk 306 crore. BSC officials confirmed that the expansion will strengthen Bangladesh’s presence in global maritime trade.

According to BSC sources, the corporation has begun purchasing five new ships, including two 63,500 DWT bulk carriers financed internally and three more under government loans. Future plans include acquiring four large vessels through government-to-government arrangements, six modern container ships, six LNG carriers, and several chemical and product oil tankers. The organization is also investing in infrastructure projects in Khulna and Chattogram and launching a maritime training center to develop skilled manpower.

Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek stated that BSC is experiencing its best period, with record profits boosting confidence. He said the corporation aims to deliver world-class maritime services and enhance its contribution to the national economy.

A recent US intelligence assessment indicates that nearly half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact despite more than a month of extensive US and Israeli airstrikes. The report, cited by three sources speaking to CNN, also states that Iran still possesses thousands of drones, representing about half of its drone capability. Some launchers may be buried under debris from attacks but are not fully destroyed, leaving them potentially operational.

According to the intelligence findings, a significant portion of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missiles also remains undamaged, as the United States has conducted limited airstrikes along Iran’s coastline. These missiles could pose a serious threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. One source told CNN that Iran retains the capacity to inflict widespread destruction across the region.

The intelligence assessment contrasts with President Trump’s claim of victory in the Iran conflict, suggesting that Iran’s military capabilities remain far from neutralized.

Bangladesh’s electronics and technology manufacturing sector, once advancing toward self-sufficiency through local investment and innovation, is now facing severe challenges due to recent tariff policies and regulatory inconsistencies. Industry stakeholders report that while import duties on certain finished components have been lifted, raw materials for local production are subject to high tariffs, making imports more profitable than domestic manufacturing. This shift threatens both local and foreign investment and risks undermining national export targets.

According to data, the domestic electronics and ICT market reached USD 9.44 billion in 2026, growing at an average of 15 percent annually, with local brands dominating major product segments. However, the National Board of Revenue’s revised SRO No. 274 has removed supplementary duties on imported parts already produced locally, while raw material imports face tariffs of 15–45 percent. Experts warn that this imbalance could close backward linkage industries and endanger millions of jobs tied to the sector.

Industry leaders and analysts urge the government to restore protective tariffs on locally produced parts, reduce raw material duties, and ensure fair treatment of local brands in public procurement to safeguard the sector’s sustainability.

India has not yet responded to Bangladesh’s request to return Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, the two main accused in the murder of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi. The National Central Bureau of Bangladesh Police sent a letter to the Indian Police Service on March 16, but no reply has been received. Authorities are now preparing to send a second letter and are also pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels. Police said the two countries have a prisoner exchange agreement under which the suspects could be repatriated.

The suspects were arrested by West Bengal’s Special Task Force on March 8 from the Bongaon border area after allegedly entering India illegally following Hadi’s killing. Indian media later reported that they were handed over to the National Investigation Agency and taken to Delhi under transit remand. Bangladeshi investigators have already arrested 12 people in connection with the case but have yet to capture five others, including the two in India.

Police fear that the delay in returning the suspects may slow progress in identifying the masterminds behind Hadi’s murder, which drew widespread attention at home and abroad.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that its air defense system shot down an enemy fighter jet south of Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. The report, carried by Iranian state media on April 3, 2026, stated that the aircraft was successfully targeted by the country’s integrated air defense network.

According to the IRGC statement, the aircraft was hit by a missile and crashed into the sea between Hengam and Qeshm islands. The statement did not specify which country the downed aircraft belonged to. The IRGC emphasized that the operation was conducted under the control of Iran’s coordinated air defense system in the region.

The report, citing Anadolu as its source, did not include any confirmation or reaction from other parties, leaving the nationality of the aircraft and further details of the incident unclear.

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal has admitted a mistake and expressed regret over the exclusion of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing IPL season. Mustafizur was initially signed for 92 million rupees in the mini auction but was dropped from the squad before the tournament began following a directive from the Indian cricket board citing security concerns.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Dhumal described the situation as unfortunate and said he had limited knowledge of the details. He added that government interference in cricket operations was unnecessary, though sometimes external circumstances influenced decisions. Dhumal expressed hope that reason and fairness would prevail in the future to prevent similar incidents.

Following the decision, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the government expressed concern over player safety, leading Bangladesh to withdraw from the subsequent World Cup. Mustafizur is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League for Lahore Qalandars under a direct contract worth 64.4 million rupees.

Twenty-one officials from Bangladesh Television (BTV) are set to travel to England, Belgium, and Germany to learn about digital broadcasting and inspect equipment under the contractor’s sponsorship. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued government orders for the trips, scheduled between April 4 and May 1, 2026. Thirteen officials will attend factory training in Germany and Belgium, while eight others will conduct pre-shipment inspections of digital transmitters and related equipment. The visits are part of the nationwide digital terrestrial broadcasting project for BTV.

The project, initially approved in 2018 under then Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, has faced allegations of corruption and conflict of interest. Originally budgeted at Tk 260 crore, the cost was later increased to Tk 329 crore. Reports indicate that several officials included in the trips are not BTV engineers but ministry staff or officers on deputation. The contractor will cover all travel expenses, though the ministry’s orders describe the funding source as the “inviting organization.”

Information Minister Yasser Khan Chowdhury stated that the government has no financial involvement in the trips and that the visits aim to enhance officials’ technical experience.

Health officials in Bangladesh have attributed the alarming rise in measles cases to the failure of Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim government to implement the national immunization program. They said the government failed to conduct the scheduled national vaccination campaign in 2024 and 2025, disrupted routine immunization due to health workers’ protests, and canceled 17 operational plans, all of which worsened the outbreak. According to the Directorate General of Health Services, between March 15 and April 2, 3,709 children were hospitalized with measles symptoms, 585 were confirmed cases, and at least 13 children died.

Officials explained that measles vaccines are usually administered through regular programs and national campaigns, but both systems broke down under the interim administration. Only 59 percent of children received vaccines, far below the 92 percent coverage needed to control the disease. Attempts to reach former health officials for comment were unsuccessful.

At a roundtable in Dhaka, participants demanded legal action against those responsible if procurement issues contributed to the outbreak. Experts and policymakers urged stronger oversight of vaccination programs and cautioned health workers to avoid public suffering during future protests.

Bangladesh’s government is set to regain control over the appointment of Supreme Court judges after a parliamentary special committee recommended the cancellation of several ordinances issued during the interim government. Among the 133 ordinances reviewed, 20 will not be approved this session, including three related to judicial independence. The Supreme Court Judge Appointment Ordinance 2025, which created an independent council led by the Chief Justice to recommend judicial appointments, is among those to be repealed. The committee argued that the ordinance conflicted with the constitution and limited the president’s role in appointments.

The committee’s report, presented by its chairman Zainul Abedin, also proposed repealing the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, citing concerns that it would disrupt coordination between the judiciary and the executive. Opposition members from Jamaat-e-Islami filed dissent notes on 20 ordinances, arguing that some reforms strengthened judicial independence and anti-corruption mechanisms. Legal experts and civic groups expressed deep concern that repealing these ordinances would undermine judicial independence and the rule of law.

The cancellation of these ordinances is expected to take effect after April 10, potentially reversing key reforms introduced by the interim government and reigniting political debate over constitutional and judicial reforms.