Kamal Uddin Haider, the coordinator of the Inter-Education Board Examination Control Committee, has ruled out any possibility of postponing the upcoming SSC exams. He stated that all necessary preparations have been completed. “Most students are in favor of taking the exams as scheduled,” he said, dismissing calls for a delay as a conspiracy by certain individuals on social media. Education board officials emphasized that the April 10 exam date was announced 8-9 months in advance, giving both students and institutions ample preparation time. They described last-minute calls for postponement as unreasonable and a deliberate attempt to disrupt the exams. Meanwhile, some students have requested a rescheduling, citing difficulties in preparing while fasting during Ramadan and demanding at least a three-day gap between each exam.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam has identified extortion as the primary cause of violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He stated that unless extortion is eradicated, peace in the region will remain elusive. “Well-dressed individuals make grand speeches while keeping extortion alive,” he remarked, vowing zero tolerance for extortion-related terrorism. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to crack down on these activities with an iron hand. He also revealed that on August 5, a large number of weapons were looted, many of which remain unrecovered. Efforts are underway to retrieve them. Additionally, he accused sections of the Indian media of spreading false propaganda against Bangladesh, urging Bangladeshi media outlets to counter such misinformation with the truth.

The White House has dismissed reports that Elon Musk is stepping down from his role in the Trump administration, calling them “completely baseless” and “nonsense.” White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt stated on X, “Both Musk and Trump have publicly confirmed that Musk will continue as a special government employee until he completes his ‘incredible work’ at the Department of Government Efficiency.” Earlier, Politico, citing discontent among party activists and sources close to the U.S. president, reported that Musk was expected to step down soon.

Just days after the Chief Adviser referred to maritime governance, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India has the longest coastline in the Bay of Bengal, spanning approximately 6,500 kilometers. He emphasized that India not only shares borders with five BIMSTEC member states but also serves as a crucial connectivity hub between the Indian subcontinent and ASEAN. Jaishankar further highlighted that India’s northeastern region is emerging as a “connectivity hub” for BIMSTEC, featuring extensive road, rail, waterway, power grid, and pipeline networks. He stressed that regional cooperation and facilitation are essential for the seamless movement of goods, services, and people. With this geostrategic vision in mind, India has dedicated increasing attention and energy to strengthening BIMSTEC over the past decade.

Police have arrested street vendor Monir Hossain after more than 200 people fell ill from consuming fuchka (pani puri) at an Eid fair in Abhoynagar, Jessore. The affected individuals, including men, women, and children, reported symptoms of severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. According to Officer-in-Charge Subhra Prakash Das, Monir had set up a temporary stall near the Bhairab Bridge. By the following night, over 200 people had been hospitalized, prompting authorities to take legal action under food safety laws.

Speaking at the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum in Bangkok, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need for young people to shift their mindset from seeking jobs to becoming entrepreneurs. “If we want to build a new civilization, we must change our approach. The youth must lead the way as entrepreneurs,” he stated. Earlier in the day, he arrived in Bangkok and later attended the signing of the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement.

Foreign ministers of BIMSTEC nations have signed a maritime transport cooperation agreement in Bangkok, aiming to enhance regional connectivity. The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry issued a statement highlighting the significance of this agreement in strengthening economic integration. During the meeting, Foreign Affairs Adviser Tawhid Hossain raised concerns about the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and urged Myanmar to create favorable conditions for their repatriation with full rights and security.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad, confirmed that the Chief Adviser is set to deliver a speech at the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum on “Future-Ready BIMSTEC: Role of the Young Generation Toward Pro-BIMSTEC.” He arrived in Bangkok on Thursday at noon and was welcomed by Thai Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai. The forum will focus on seven key pillars of regional cooperation: trade and investment, climate change, security, agriculture and food security, people-to-people connectivity, science and innovation, and infrastructure development. The Chief Adviser will also hold bilateral meetings with regional leaders.

Three individuals, including the main suspect, Shoaib Rahman Jishan (25), have been arrested for harassing and assaulting a female journalist in Dhaka’s Banasree area. The victim stated that while she and her younger brother were at a juice shop around 7:30-8:00 PM, a group of local youths started harassing her. When her brother protested, they attacked him. When she intervened, they physically assaulted her as well. The incident went viral on social media, leading to police action.

US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose high import tariffs has drawn criticism from world leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Meloni labeled the 20% tariff on EU products as a “mistake,” while Albanese called the 10% duty on Australian goods “unjustifiable.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez vowed to protect Spanish businesses and workers, reaffirming commitment to a free global market. Ireland’s Taoiseach Michael Martin called Trump’s move “deeply regrettable.” China, facing a 54% tariff on its exports, urged Washington to withdraw the tariffs immediately, warning of retaliatory measures if ignored. South Korea remarked that a full-scale global trade war is now a reality, while Japan and Thailand also expressed concerns over the economic impact.

The interim government of Bangladesh has shown little enthusiasm for implementing the IMF’s loan conditions, deeming them contrary to national interests. As a result, the IMF has delayed three installments of its loan disbursement. The key conditions set by the IMF include raising the exchange rate of the dollar, increasing electricity prices, and boosting tax revenue. However, with Bangladesh’s economic condition improving, the government feels less pressured to comply. Meanwhile, the IMF faces mounting resistance from multiple nations due to its stringent policies, forcing it to consider relaxing the conditions for Bangladesh.

In response to the recent tariff hikes imposed by the US—ranging from 15% to 37% on Bangladeshi products—the government is reviewing import duties on US goods. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, stated, “The National Board of Revenue is evaluating options for tariff rationalization.” Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Faiz Tayeb Ahmed, emphasized that while global economies brace for these new trade barriers, Bangladesh is positioning itself as an attractive destination for international investors by ensuring streamlined registration processes, export incentives, secure industrial zones, stable electricity, and reliable internet in its EPZs, Hi-Tech Parks, and Special Economic Zones. The US remains the largest market for Bangladesh’s garment industry, raising concerns over the long-term impact of these tariffs.

A tragic accident occurred in Begumganj, Noakhali, when a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw’s gas cylinder exploded, leaving six passengers, including five children, severely burned. The injured have been identified as Kahinur Hossain (55), Shahriar (9), Samiya Akter (14), Ruhi (11), Tawhid (5), and Shahana (10). The explosion took place in the evening when the passengers were traveling from Maijdee to Chowrasta. As the vehicle reached the Globe Factory area on the Maijdee-Chowrasta road, the cylinder suddenly burst, causing the injuries.

In 1552, Hurrem Sultan, wife of Ottoman Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent, established the Haseki Sultan Imaret, a charitable soup kitchen located just 100 meters from the Assembly Gate of Al-Aqsa Mosque. For over 450 years, it has been serving free meals to the underprivileged, Al-Aqsa Mosque staff, and visitors in Jerusalem. Until 1948, the Ottoman sultans directly managed its operations. Today, the Jordanian Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites oversees its administration. According to director Abu Lubdi, the kitchen distributes food throughout the year, with meal distributions increasing significantly during the holy month of Ramadan.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has left for Bangkok to attend the BIMSTEC Summit. His flight, operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:55 AM on Thursday. According to a briefing by High Representative Dr. Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday, the Chief Adviser will remain in Thailand from April 3-4 for the summit. Accompanying him are Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin. During the visit, the Chief Adviser is expected to hold bilateral meetings with BIMSTEC leaders and participate in the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).