U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a national address on the ongoing war against Iran, according to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt. In a post on the microblogging platform X, Levitt said Trump will speak to the nation at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday to share important information about Iran.

Earlier, Trump told reporters at the White House Oval Office that U.S. attacks in Iran would conclude within two to three weeks and suggested a possible agreement with Iranian authorities. However, the conflict has continued beyond that timeframe, with the situation becoming increasingly complex.

The war began after a joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran on February 28, which prompted retaliatory attacks from Tehran. The upcoming address is expected to clarify Washington’s current stance and next steps in the conflict.

Yemeni Houthi rebels have launched a missile attack targeting Israel, marking their third such strike during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The group claimed the operation was conducted jointly with Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, according to a video statement by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sari. The statement said drones and ballistic missiles were fired at what were described as Israel’s sensitive and important military targets.

The Houthis’ announcement underscores their continued involvement in the regional conflict and their alignment with Iran and Hezbollah. The statement framed the attack as part of a broader joint effort among allied groups opposing Israel. No details were provided about the extent of the damage or Israel’s response.

The report, citing BSS, did not include independent confirmation of the attack or any official reaction from Israel. The incident adds to escalating tensions across the region amid multiple ongoing military confrontations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States will need to reconsider its relationship with NATO once the Iran war ends. Speaking on Fox News on Tuesday, Rubio questioned the value of decades of heavy spending and troop deployments if the US is denied access to allied bases when needed.

He argued that it is time to assess whether the alliance still serves American interests or has become one-sided. Rubio noted that while the US continues to defend Europe, some allies refuse to allow the use of their bases and airspace during critical moments. He described these as legitimate questions that Washington must now confront.

NATO, formed in 1949, currently has 32 member states and is tasked with ensuring the political and military security of its members, according to the report sourced from The Guardian.

The Australian government has cancelled the visa of Bangladeshi religious preacher Mizanur Rahman Azhari and ordered him to leave the country. According to a report published by the Daily Mail on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Azhari was touring Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra as part of his ‘Legacy of Faith’ series when the decision was made. His visa was revoked on Tuesday, and he is currently awaiting departure from Australia.

The report noted that Azhari had previously faced restrictions on entering the United Kingdom and delivering public sermons in Bangladesh. Australian Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam told the Senate that several groups, including the Australia-based Federation for Ethnic and Religious Minorities, had warned lawmakers about Azhari’s visit. The Daily Mail also cited a 2023 event in the United States where Azhari allegedly made antisemitic remarks, praising Hitler and describing Jews in derogatory terms.

Duniam stated in the Senate that Azhari has been accused of spreading ethnic hatred globally, referencing the UK’s 2021 decision to bar his entry over alleged anti-Hindu rhetoric.

Iran’s Security Council has granted permission for six Bangladeshi ships, previously stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, to pass through the waterway. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, Iran’s ambassador to Bangladesh, during a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka. He said that both Iran and Bangladesh are working together to facilitate the return of the vessels.

The ambassador expressed hope that Iran and Bangladesh would continue to support each other. He also noted that Bangladesh had expressed concern over the ongoing war situation and emphasized the need to condemn it. According to Jahanabadi, Bangladesh’s foreign minister has sent a letter to his Iranian counterpart thanking Iran for assisting in the repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals.

The development comes amid heightened regional tensions, and the cooperation between the two countries signals ongoing diplomatic engagement to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi maritime interests.

Iran has launched a series of missile attacks across Israel, injuring at least 14 people in the central city of Bnei Brak. According to Israel’s Channel 12, the injured, including an 11-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy, were taken to hospital after a ballistic missile struck a two-story apartment building. Fires also broke out in Holon and Petah Tikva following separate strikes.

The Israeli military reported detecting another wave of missiles launched from Iran toward the country, marking the third such attack within just over an hour. Israeli media outlet Wynet said several missiles landed in open areas. The attacks have caused widespread alarm across Israel’s central, northern, and southern regions.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that the ongoing missile strikes have heightened tension and fear nationwide as Israel continues to face repeated assaults from Iran.

A US female journalist has been kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq, according to the United States. The journalist, identified by media outlets as Shelly Kittleson, was reportedly abducted by a suspected Iran-backed Iraqi armed group. The US State Department said it is working urgently to secure her release. Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson wrote on social media platform X that an individual linked to the Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah has been detained by Iraqi authorities in connection with the kidnapping.

Iraq’s Interior Ministry confirmed that security forces arrested one suspect and seized a vehicle used in the abduction. However, the ministry did not disclose the identities of either the victim or the perpetrators. Kittleson, a freelance contributor for Al-Monitor, Foreign Policy, Politico, and the BBC, is based in Rome but frequently travels across the Middle East to report from conflict zones in Syria and Iraq.

Authorities in both countries continue to coordinate efforts to locate and rescue the journalist, though no timeline for her release has been provided.

Retail traders in Bangladesh have alleged that edible oil companies are deliberately creating an artificial shortage of bottled soybean oil to raise prices amid an ongoing fuel crisis. They claim that companies have sharply reduced supply over the past six weeks, citing international price increases and lower profit margins. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association recently requested the Ministry of Commerce and the Tariff Commission to adjust prices, but the government has not yet held any meeting or made a decision.

Visits to markets in Dhaka and surrounding areas revealed that one- and two-liter bottles of soybean oil are scarce, while five-liter bottles are available in limited quantities. Retailers report reduced commissions and declining profits, leading to lower sales interest. Some shops are selling oil above the maximum retail price. Wholesale prices of loose soybean and palm oil have also risen by about five taka per kilogram.

Consumer rights group CAB criticized the situation, blaming weak government oversight and syndicate activities for the artificial crisis. It warned that companies are using supply cuts and commission reductions to pressure the government into approving price hikes.

At least eight people were injured on Tuesday afternoon when two rival groups of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed over extortion from trucks in the Forest Office area of Korerhat Union, Mirsarai upazila, Chattogram. The confrontation involved chasing and counter-chasing between the groups, causing panic among locals. Witnesses reported that armed displays took place along the Baraiyarhat–Khagrachhari road, and the injured were admitted to various hospitals.

According to local sources, the conflict stemmed from disputes over collecting 1,000 taka per truck carrying wood and sand. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, extortion was reportedly managed by local BNP-affiliated leaders Mohammad Alamgir and Masud Kala. Following the February 12 national election, Nur Uddin’s group took over the collection, intensifying the rivalry. Residents said the groups had long been at odds over extortion, drug control, and other criminal activities.

Jorarganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Nazmul Haque confirmed the clash, stating it occurred over dominance in the area. Police later visited the scene, and the situation was reported to be under control.

After the appointment of a new Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General, discussions have intensified within the Bangladesh Police over who will become the next commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Following the resignation of Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali on February 25, Additional Commissioner Md. Sarwar has been serving as acting commissioner. He is expected to retire in about six weeks, prompting speculation about his successor.

According to police headquarters sources, two candidates are currently leading the race: Barrister Zillur Rahman, chief of Railway Police from the 15th batch, and Md. Faruk, Additional Director General of RAB and former DMP Additional Commissioner from the 17th batch. The current IGP, also from the 15th batch, reportedly prefers a junior officer for the post, while his batchmates want the position to remain within their group, creating internal friction. Some officers who felt sidelined under the previous government are also lobbying for influence.

Officials said the government seeks a capable and trusted officer to lead the DMP, which oversees about 32,000 personnel and plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order in Dhaka. The appointment may occur soon, though it could also be delayed until after Sarwar’s retirement.

Farmers in multiple districts of Bangladesh are facing severe difficulties due to an ongoing diesel shortage that has disrupted irrigation during the peak Boro cultivation season. Reports from Rajshahi, Kurigram, Sherpur, Khulna, and Manikganj show that many irrigation pumps and agricultural machines have stopped operating because of fuel scarcity. Farmers say they are unable to water their fields on time, leading to drying crops and fears of reduced yields. In some areas, diesel prices have risen sharply above government rates, while retail pumps report having no stock.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, large portions of farmland in Rajshahi and other regions depend on diesel-powered irrigation systems. In Rajshahi alone, over 21 percent of irrigated land relies on diesel pumps. The shortage has also affected transportation in riverine areas like Manikganj, where engine boats have stopped running, disrupting vegetable supply and driving up market prices.

Farmers and local officials warn that if diesel supply does not normalize soon, Boro rice and vegetable production could face significant setbacks this season.

Kuwait International Airport experienced another drone attack on April 1, 2026, which Kuwaiti authorities attributed to Iran. The strike caused a massive fire at the airport’s fuel depot, leading to extensive damage to fuel tanks. According to the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, no casualties were reported. On the same day, Bahrain also reported a drone attack on a company facility, which its Interior Ministry said was caused by Iranian drones.

Abdullah Al-Rajhi, spokesperson for Kuwait’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, stated that the attack specifically targeted the airport’s fuel tanks, resulting in a large blaze at the site. CNN cited Kuwaiti officials confirming that the fire was severe but under control. The incident marks a renewed escalation in drone-related hostilities in the Gulf region.

Authorities in both Kuwait and Bahrain were working to contain the fires and assess the extent of the damage. Further details on the motive or potential response from the affected countries were not immediately available.

After securing a sweeping victory in the 13th parliamentary election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders are now competing intensely for nominations to the reserved women’s seats. The party is struggling to manage hundreds of aspirants from both central and grassroots levels, including long-time activists, former MPs, and new faces. The Election Commission plans to announce the schedule for these seats between April 7 and 10, following a commission meeting on April 6.

According to party sources, priority is being given to women with long-standing political contributions, roles in past movements, and sacrifices for the party. Consideration is also being extended to families of senior leaders who were killed or injured in political struggles. Former MPs, wives and daughters of senior BNP leaders, and several cultural figures are among those under discussion. Three female candidates who contested but lost in the 13th election are also being considered.

BNP’s nomination board is preparing an initial list that will be shortened before final approval by the party’s chairman, Tarique Rahman. The final decision will be made after the Election Commission announces the official schedule.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington is beginning to see the 'final line' of the ongoing Iran war, which has entered its fifth week. Speaking on Fox News on Tuesday, Rubio said the end is approaching, though not immediately. When asked about the possibility of negotiations with Iran, he noted that direct talks could occur at some point but emphasized that former President Trump would not allow discussions to be used as a delaying tactic.

Rubio rejected claims that the United States lacks a clear strategy on Iran, asserting that the objectives are well-defined. He said the US has already destroyed Iran’s air force and largely neutralized its navy. He added that the US is targeting factories producing missiles and drones, as well as missile launchers, to prevent further attacks. Rubio also mentioned that after the war, the US would need to reconsider its relationship with NATO.

The remarks were reported by The Guardian and reflect Washington’s current stance on the conflict’s trajectory and its strategic goals.

A heated debate erupted in Bangladesh’s National Parliament over the opposition’s motion to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Reform Council. The discussion, held on Tuesday and lasting more than two hours, centered on the legality of the July Charter Implementation Order and the scope of the president’s authority to issue it. Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman defended the order’s legitimacy, while Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad and Law Minister Asaduzzaman called it unconstitutional and beyond presidential powers. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad described the debate as lively but reached no decision.

Government members proposed forming a special all-party parliamentary committee to draft constitutional amendments, while the opposition suggested a joint committee with equal representation from both sides. The dispute reflected deep divisions over whether the July Charter and related referendum were constitutionally valid. Several MPs from Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and BJP participated, presenting contrasting interpretations of the president’s authority, the referendum’s outcome, and the council’s legitimacy.

The session concluded without resolution, leaving the future of the Constitutional Reform Council uncertain as both sides maintained their positions and urged the Speaker to decide on next steps.