Software company Block, the parent of Square, Afterpay and Cash App, has laid off 40 percent of its workforce, amounting to about 4,000 employees. The company attributed the decision to advances in artificial intelligence that it said reduced the need for human staff. Similar moves have been reported across the tech industry, with Atlassian, Meta, Amazon and WiseTech also announcing significant job cuts while citing AI-related efficiencies.

Inside Block, reactions to the layoffs have been divided. Some former employees doubt that AI alone justified the cuts, arguing that current tools cannot replace thousands of engineers with deep institutional knowledge. Others, including those who helped develop the company’s AI systems, believe the technology’s accelerating capabilities are indeed reshaping the workforce. Research from Model Evaluation and Threat Research (METR) found that while programmers using AI felt more productive, they actually completed tasks more slowly, suggesting a perception gap about AI’s effectiveness.

Executives such as Block’s Jack Dorsey have described a major leap in AI sophistication since late 2025, while critics accuse companies of using AI as a convenient cover for cost-cutting. Despite skepticism, investors responded positively, with Block’s share price rising 22 percent on the day of the layoffs.

The Pentagon is reportedly considering sending an additional 10,000 troops to the Middle East for operations related to Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal published on Friday. The move aims to provide former President Donald Trump with more military options in the region. Approval of the deployment would also bring more explosives and armored vehicles to the area. The new troops would join 5,000 Marines and paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division already en route to the region.

Earlier, Trump warned Iran that failure to meet US demands—such as reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting its nuclear program—would turn the country into its “worst nightmare.” He also mentioned taking control of Iran’s oil resources. In response, an Iranian official said Tehran would activate Yemen’s Houthi rebels to attack ships in the Red Sea if Washington launched a ground invasion.

The Wall Street Journal noted that the exact deployment locations remain unclear, though the forces are expected to be near Iran’s mainland and the Kharg Island oil export hub.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has directed authorities to quickly recover nearly seven acres of encroached land belonging to the National Zoo in Mirpur, Dhaka. The instruction came during his unannounced visit to the zoo on Friday, where he entered as a regular visitor by purchasing a ticket. During the inspection, he also ordered immediate improvements in public facilities, including more toilets, expanded seating areas, road repairs, cleanliness, and an increase in the number of animals.

The minister stated that the visit aimed to assess the zoo’s management and environment firsthand. He spoke with zoo officials about animal nutrition, health management, and overall care, and also interacted with visitors to understand their concerns and expectations. He emphasized that visible development work must begin within the current budget.

Tuku noted that while food supply for animals was satisfactory, visitors expected a better environment. He said necessary steps would be taken to make the zoo more organized and visitor-friendly, highlighting its potential as a profitable and attractive public facility.

A long line of vehicles formed on the Dhaka-bound lane of the Jamuna Bridge connecting highway on March 27, 2026, as people from northern Bangladesh returned to their workplaces after the Eid holidays. Traffic moved slowly or stopped intermittently, causing significant suffering for passengers. Bridge authorities attributed the congestion to heavy vehicle pressure and multiple local bus breakdowns on the bridge.

Executive Engineer Syed Riaz Uddin of the Jamuna Bridge site office said that vehicles from 22 northern districts use the bridge, and traffic volume has doubled compared to normal days. The high influx of vehicles has exceeded the bridge’s capacity, and frequent bus breakdowns have worsened the situation. Even a five-minute halt can create a five-kilometer traffic jam, occasionally forcing toll collection to pause. Police and bridge authorities are working to keep traffic moving.

Officer-in-Charge Amirul Islam of Jamuna Bridge West Police Station confirmed that Dhaka-bound traffic pressure remains heavy, while northbound traffic is relatively light.

Police in Chattogram’s Halishahar area faced a prolonged standoff on Friday while attempting to arrest a known robbery suspect. The incident began around noon near the Skyview Tower in the Bashundhara Residential Area, where the suspect, identified as Md. Rubel, fled from police and jumped into a muddy ditch. Despite repeated efforts by police and the Fire Service, Rubel remained trapped for nearly five hours, brandishing a machete to deter arrest.

According to local residents, Rubel’s wife handed him the weapon under an umbrella while police were present. Witnesses said Rubel and his family are involved in drug trading and that he has multiple criminal cases, including robbery and theft. Police officials confirmed his criminal background and said he threatened to harm himself if approached.

Authorities indicated that further operations may be launched later to apprehend Rubel, as immediate arrest attempts were unsuccessful due to safety concerns and the unstable muddy terrain.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has initiated the process for disbursing Boishakhi allowances to MPO-listed teachers and employees across Bangladesh ahead of the Bengali New Year. The electronic fund transfer (EFT) bill submission option has been activated in the DSHE’s software, allowing institutions to submit bills online. This move is expected to ensure timely payments and remove uncertainty for several hundred thousand teachers and staff before the festival.

According to the DSHE’s EMIS Cell, the activation of the online submission system aims to prevent technical complications and guarantee that all eligible recipients receive their allowances on schedule. EMIS Cell programmer Md. Zahir Uddin urged teachers and employees to submit their bills as soon as possible to expedite the process.

While the Boishakhi allowance process is progressing, the proposal for March salaries has not yet reached the Ministry of Education. Bill submissions for March salaries began on Wednesday and will continue until Saturday, after which the verified bills are expected to be sent to the ministry by mid or late next week.

A fire broke out on the ferry ‘Keramat Ali’ anchored at Paturia Ghat No. 4 in Manikganj on Friday evening. The blaze reportedly started from the ferry’s silencer pipe while it was docked. Witnesses said sparks were seen coming from the pipe, causing panic among passengers and crew as smoke spread quickly. The ferry staff managed to bring the fire under control before it could spread further.

After receiving the report, the ghat authorities informed the fire service, whose members later extinguished the fire completely. No major damage or casualties were reported, but ferry operations were temporarily suspended for safety reasons.

Initial assessments suggest that excessive engine heat or a mechanical fault may have caused the fire. Authorities have launched an investigation and will inspect the ferry’s mechanical condition before resuming its operation.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said the government is working to stand beside the underprivileged and marginalized communities. He emphasized that it is the state's duty to ensure a favorable environment for all citizens so that no group is left behind. He made these remarks on Friday at a one-time check distribution event for distressed individuals organized by the National Social Welfare Council at the Jessore Deputy Commissioner's conference room.

The minister stated that under the BNP government’s election manifesto, initiatives such as the Family Card and honorariums for religious and social service figures have been implemented. So far, 37,567 beneficiaries have received Family Cards, with plans to expand the program in June. He added that despite global fuel price increases in 80 countries, Bangladesh has no plan to raise fuel prices and currently faces no fuel shortage. Iran has allowed five countries, including Bangladesh, to use the Hormuz Strait for shipping, which he described as a major success for the government.

The event was organized by the Department of Social Services with support from the Jessore district administration.

Public protests have intensified across West Bengal over the ongoing voter list revision process, with many citizens alleging wrongful exclusion of their names. The final list, published on February 28, 2026, marked around six million names as 'under consideration' under judicial supervision. The Election Commission has since released an additional list on Monday and plans to publish a second supplementary list on Friday.

In Kolkata’s Dharmatala area, several civic and human rights groups organized a public meeting on Friday to protest the exclusions. Among those affected is Afroza Khatun, a college professor whose name remains under review, raising concerns about her right to vote. Human rights activist Ranjit Shur warned that those whose names are omitted could face broader loss of citizenship rights.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed anger over the process, alleging that names are being selectively removed despite the adjudication continuing for an extended period.

A total of 5,000 metric tons of diesel arrived in Bangladesh from India’s Numaligarh Refinery in Assam through a cross-border pipeline, reaching the Parbatipur railhead depot in Dinajpur late Thursday night. The delivery was confirmed Friday by the depot’s assistant in-charge, who said the transfer took about 60 hours. The diesel was distributed Friday morning to the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna depots, with Padma receiving 18,500 metric tons.

According to official sources, the pipeline was established under a 15-year agreement signed on October 22, 2017, between Bangladesh and India to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for irrigation and transport in eight northern districts. The agreement allows Bangladesh to import up to 180,000 metric tons of diesel in 2026. So far, 5,000 metric tons arrived in February and another 5,000 on March 11.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has proposed importing an additional 50,000 tons of diesel through the same pipeline within the next four months to meet growing demand.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has announced that individuals providing specific information about illegal fuel stockpiling will receive rewards. The decision, disclosed on Friday, March 27, 2026, aims to prevent an artificial fuel crisis across the country. Vigilance teams have already been formed in all districts to monitor fuel supply and identify illegal storage activities.

According to the ministry, a formal reward announcement will be made soon to encourage citizens to share concrete complaints and suggestions. Field-level operations have begun to curb illegal hoarding, including a raid in Chattogram’s Patenga area where approximately 6,000 liters of diesel stored in 30 drums were seized.

Authorities stated that district administrations are now taking strict measures to maintain discipline in the energy sector and ensure normal supply. All fuel depots, petrol pumps, and traders are under close surveillance, and similar operations will continue regularly in the public interest.

Imran Hossain, a 23-year-old staff reporter of the newspaper Amar Desh, was seriously injured after being hit by an army bus in Gazipur’s Borobari area on Wednesday. Following the accident, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) but reportedly received minimal treatment before being sent home. His condition worsened on Thursday while resting at his sister’s residence in Shah Ali, prompting his family to take him back to DMCH.

Doctors at DMCH later confirmed that Imran’s shoulder bone was fractured and that he might require urgent surgery. However, hospital staff initially refused to admit him, insisting he return home. After repeated pleas from his family, he was eventually admitted. Family members expressed concern over his excessive bleeding and deteriorating condition. Attempts to contact the hospital director, Brigadier Asaduzzaman, were unsuccessful.

Earlier that morning, two members of the military police visited Imran’s sister’s home to inquire about the incident but left after family objections. Witnesses said the accident occurred when an army bus hit Imran as he was crossing the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir stated that all incidents of killings, including those involving police personnel, occurring before and after August 5 will be prosecuted according to law. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon during a press briefing at the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police headquarters in response to journalists’ questions.

The police chief urged citizens to obey the law to build a peaceful and civilized society. He criticized the tendency of young people to block roads and protest frequently, saying such actions harm everyone. Fakir also highlighted issues such as high youth unemployment, capital flight affecting banks, and the resulting rise in crimes like drug abuse and snatching. He reaffirmed the police’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against drugs.

Addressing a question on fuel shortages and black market sales, the IGP said that collecting fuel from a few petrol pumps and selling it at a slightly higher price brings little profit, emphasizing the need for moral awareness in society.

Iran fired two rounds of missiles at Israel within minutes on Friday afternoon, according to reports from Tehran. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that warning sirens were activated across southern and central Israel following the attacks.

The strikes mark a continuation of Iran’s retaliatory campaign that began after Israel and the United States jointly attacked Iranian targets on February 28. Since then, Iran has repeatedly launched missiles toward various parts of Israel. Recently, Tehran has increased its use of cluster missiles, each carrying around 20 smaller bombs that disperse over an eight-kilometer radius. These munitions are difficult for Israel’s air defense systems to intercept, resulting in significant infrastructure damage in recent days.

The Times of Israel reported that the latest attacks have intensified concerns about further escalation between the two countries, as both sides continue to exchange strikes across the region.

The Petrol Pump Owners Association has urged the public to remain calm amid recent fuel shortages across Bangladesh, assuring that the supply situation will return to normal from Saturday. The association issued a statement on Friday, requesting consumers not to panic and to collect fuel as usual.

According to the statement, the temporary fuel shortage occurred because the regular supply chain was disrupted during March due to an unusually high number of government holidays. This led to some petrol pumps running out of stock in several parts of the country. The association’s convener, Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, described the current rush at petrol stations as unprecedented in his 50 years of business and called for restraint from consumers.

The association reaffirmed that the supply process has already been restored and that full normalization is expected from Saturday, easing the temporary disruption experienced earlier in the week.