Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) registration has officially begun on both ends of the Padma Bridge to ensure faster and more modern toll collection. Between April 3 and Wednesday, a total of 546 vehicles completed registration under the program. According to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, field-level registration started at a transport depot in Faridpur using a portable RFID scanner, while a designated booth at the Mawa end remains open daily for registration. Additional registration points will gradually open at Madaripur Terminal, Dhaka’s Rajarbagh, Saidabad, and Jatrabari.

The ETC system allows toll payments through digital wallets such as Tap, bKash, Nagad, and Upay. Vehicles using ETC can cross the Padma Bridge toll plaza without stopping, reducing congestion and saving time and fuel. Each transaction automatically deducts tolls and sends an SMS confirmation to the registered mobile number.

Bridge Division Secretary and Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf stated that the ETC system will enable faster vehicle movement across the bridge, contributing to greater national economic efficiency.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan announced that individuals who have taken money abroad can bring it back to Bangladesh without any penalty if they pay regular taxes. He made the statement on Wednesday during a pre-budget discussion with business and entrepreneur associations at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. The chairman clarified that taxpayers who did not declare foreign-held funds in their returns may submit a revised return within 180 days and pay applicable taxes to regularize the money.

During the meeting, the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) requested reinstatement of a provision allowing investment of undisclosed income, but the NBR chief rejected the idea of tax amnesty, stating that the authority aims to end the culture of tax evasion and low-rate amnesties. He also discussed simplifying money transfers through legal channels and proposed reforms to property registration taxes to ensure transparency and compliance.

Khan emphasized that increasing revenue is essential for stabilizing the economy and funding government welfare and development programs, as Bangladesh’s revenue-to-GDP ratio remains low.

Bangladesh’s stock market saw a sharp rebound on Wednesday following a dramatic turn in the Middle East conflict. US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire amid threats against Iran, easing global tension and triggering optimism among investors. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) responded strongly, with its main index, DSEX, rising by 161 points or 3.12 percent. Trading volume also surged by about 66 percent to Tk 991.59 crore, marking the highest turnover in one and a half months.

Former DSE Brokers Association president Ahmed Rashid Lali told Amader Desh that the ceasefire announcement had a positive impact on the market, as investors hoped it could lead to a lasting resolution. He also noted that despite a new government taking office, the lack of clarity regarding potential changes in the regulatory commission had created uncertainty among investors.

Market data showed that the DSEX climbed from 5,156 to nearly 5,318 points, while the DSE Shariah and DSE-30 indices rose by 2.88 percent and 2.77 percent respectively. Prices increased for 367 listed issues, fell for 15, and remained unchanged for 11.

Bangladesh Submarine Cables Company Limited (BSCCL) has announced that maintenance and fault repair work on the country’s second submarine cable, SEA-ME-WE 5, will begin at 10 p.m. on Thursday and continue until 6 a.m. on Monday. During this period, internet users across Bangladesh may experience slower speeds and partial disruptions. The state-owned company expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience.

According to BSCCL, the maintenance involves repairing a detected ‘shunt fault’ in the cable system located in Kuakata. Circuits connecting to Singapore through this cable will remain temporarily closed, potentially affecting services dependent on international bandwidth. However, the country’s first submarine cable, SEA-ME-WE 4, based in Cox’s Bazar, will remain operational to prevent a total internet outage.

BSCCL stated that the repair work is being carried out through an international consortium and is expected to be completed within the scheduled time, after which normal internet service will be restored.

A mobile court in Sirajganj conducted raids on several warehouses belonging to edible oil dealer Messrs Sanjay & Brothers and fined the company 90,000 taka under two sections of the Consumer Rights Protection Act. The operation took place on Wednesday from morning until 3 p.m. in the Kalibari area of Sirajganj town, jointly led by the district administration and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

Executive Magistrate Umme Naznin Nishat, who led the mobile court, stated that the dealer had initially claimed to own only two warehouses, but officials later discovered 11 warehouses containing various stored goods, including edible oil. The company was fined 50,000 taka under Section 43 for illegal marketing practices and 40,000 taka under Section 45 for failing to sell promised products properly.

Assistant Director Sohel Sheikh of the Consumer Rights Directorate said that more than ten warehouses were found storing food items without following proper regulations. He urged consumers to report any shortage of edible oil so that further inspections could be carried out.

A severe hailstorm struck Phulbari upazila in Dinajpur on Tuesday, April 7, causing extensive damage to around 4,000 houses and 1,528 hectares of cropland. The storm, which lasted from late afternoon to evening, hit several villages in Eluari Union, including Rudrani, Ushahar, Banahar, Panikata, Jalpaitli, and Damodarpur. Large hailstones pierced tin roofs and destroyed mango, litchi, and other fruit orchards. Local residents reported that their nearly mature paddy crops were completely ruined.

Following the storm, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ahmed Hasan, Project Implementation Officer Mizanur Rahman, and Agriculture Officer Saif Abdullah visited the affected areas. The administration has prepared a preliminary list of damages, and committees have been formed in each ward to assess actual losses. Officials confirmed that the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry will provide assistance to affected families.

According to the agriculture office, crop losses include 1,500 hectares of paddy, 10 hectares of maize, and smaller areas of vegetables and fruits. The local administration has informed higher authorities and expects special allocations for relief support.

Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCL) has announced that internet services across the country may face disruptions for three days due to maintenance and repair work on the nation’s second submarine cable, SEA-ME-WE-5. The company issued a press release on Wednesday stating that the repair work will begin at 10 p.m. on Thursday and continue until 6 a.m. on Monday, April 13, totaling three days and eight hours of maintenance.

The maintenance involves fixing a ‘shunt fault’ in the submarine cable system located in Kuakata. BSCCL expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience and assured users that efforts are underway through the consortium to complete the repair as quickly as possible. The company also confirmed that normal service will be restored within the scheduled timeframe once the repair is completed.

During the maintenance period, internet users across Bangladesh may experience slow connectivity or temporary service interruptions, according to the BSCCL statement.

The Actors’ Association of Bangladesh has announced a special memorial event titled “Bondhu Priyo Shams Sumon… Smritite Amlan” to honor late National Film Award-winning actor Shams Sumon. The event will take place on Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m. at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The association’s general secretary, Rashed Mamunur Rahman Apu, confirmed the arrangement.

According to the organizers, the gathering will feature a video documentary on Shams Sumon’s life and work, followed by recollections from his colleagues. Shams Sumon, who passed away on March 17, had a long and diverse career across stage, television, and film. He earned the National Film Award in 2008 for his supporting role in the film “Swapnopuron.” He also served as the station head of Radio Bhumi and as program director at Channel i.

Once a familiar face in television dramas, Shams Sumon was admired for his acting talent, personality, and sincerity toward his peers, which made him beloved across the entertainment community.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that 10,568 technical and madrasa educational institutions across Bangladesh will receive free Wi-Fi within the next six months. He made the statement on April 8 during the first parliamentary session’s question-and-answer segment, responding to a query from MP Md. Selim Reza of Sirajganj-1. The initiative aims to modernize technical and madrasa education nationwide.

Rahman said the government plans to establish technical schools and colleges in every upazila and polytechnic institutes in every district. Alongside free Wi-Fi, smart classrooms, teacher training, and inclusion of technical courses will be introduced to make madrasa education more modern and relevant. The Prime Minister also mentioned plans to expand school feeding programs and install multimedia classrooms in all primary and secondary institutions.

To reduce digital inequality, the government will provide free Wi-Fi to 1,500 additional institutions and introduce unique digital IDs for students and teachers. The Bangladesh Computer Council will also launch training programs in fields such as agriculture intelligence, cybersecurity, mobile app development, Python programming, and digital marketing within six months.

A retail shop in Crystal Lake, Illinois, known as the 'Trump Truth Store + Hangout,' has temporarily closed due to a sharp decline in customer traffic. Owner Lisa Fleischman announced the closure on Facebook, citing the ongoing Iran war as the main reason for the drop in sales. She said that since President Donald Trump launched 'Operation Epic Fury' against Iran on February 28, sales of political T-shirts, hats, and memorabilia have plummeted.

Fleischman told The Chicago Tribune that public interest in items such as red caps, flags, and shirts bearing slogans like 'God, Guns, and Trump' has fallen dramatically. She noted that customers appear uncertain and hesitant to wear such merchandise amid the current conflict. In recent days, she had hinted at the closure, mentioning health issues and considering shifting the business online.

Fleischman added that she could no longer cover even half of her rent and was unsure how long she could sustain the business. The store will remain closed until further notice.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called for greater involvement of young people in addressing the growing global environmental and climate crises. He made the appeal on Wednesday, April 8, at the inauguration of the two-day 'Green Energy Olympiad 2026' held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka.

The minister described environmental challenges as global issues that are often not fully realized until their impacts are felt. He emphasized the need to raise awareness and spread environmental consciousness across generations. Swapan highlighted that environmental crises differ from short-term development problems due to their long-term and far-reaching effects, stressing the importance of awareness and behavioral change for sustainable living, responsible urbanization, and nature-friendly development.

He further noted that global energy shortages and international political dynamics directly affect both the environment and the economy. The minister urged integrating education and research with environmental, political, and economic considerations to build practical knowledge, describing such initiatives as strategic investments for future generations.

Salaries for MPO-listed teachers working in private schools and colleges have not yet been disbursed for March, as processing in the government’s iBAS software remains incomplete. According to an official from the EMIS Cell of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, the delay has prevented the transfer of funds to teachers’ bank accounts. The disbursement process is expected to begin by Thursday.

The Ministry of Education approved the March salary proposal for MPO-listed teachers and staff on April 5. The approval covers 303,888 teachers and employees from 17,237 schools and 87,982 teachers and employees from 2,619 colleges. Although the ministry issued the necessary government order and banks began processing payments, the incomplete iBAS work has caused the delay.

Officials indicated that once the iBAS processing is finalized, the salary payments will proceed without further delay.

In Haimchar upazila of Chandpur, illegal sand extraction from the banks of the Meghna River has completely eroded a local playground and put a river protection embankment worth hundreds of millions of taka at serious risk. Police confirmed on Tuesday night, April 7, that five individuals were arrested in connection with the incident. The seized equipment includes a bulkhead named “MB Mim Enterprise” and an unloading vessel called “Ma-Babar Doa.”

Local residents reported that the playground in Gazinagar, where children regularly played football, disappeared overnight after sand was removed using dredgers. Community members expressed anger and fear that the erosion could destroy their homes if the embankment collapses. Haimchar BNP’s general secretary demanded strict punishment for those responsible, regardless of political affiliation.

Haimchar’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the site has been inspected and repair work ordered with the help of the Water Development Board. The board’s sub-divisional engineer stated that stored blocks are being used to prevent further erosion while awaiting higher authority decisions.

A severe fuel shortage has spread across Bangladesh, disrupting transportation, irrigation, and industrial operations. Farmers, vehicle drivers, and factory owners are crowding petrol stations daily, often leaving empty-handed. In Faridpur’s Sadarpur, diesel scarcity has halted irrigation, forcing both men and women to queue for hours in hopes of obtaining fuel. Similar shortages have been reported in Mymensingh’s Valuka, where many filling stations have suspended sales and posted “no fuel” signs.

Station owners attribute the crisis to supply shortfalls and global import disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Local administrations are attempting to control hoarding and manage distribution. In Shariatpur, authorities have launched two mobile apps to ensure fair fuel allocation for farmers and vehicles, which officials say is beginning to restore order. Meanwhile, in Boalmari, Faridpur, tensions arose during diesel distribution organized by local officials and lawmakers.

Officials warn that if the shortage persists, industrial production could face major setbacks, while farmers fear reduced crop yields due to lack of irrigation fuel.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast Kalbaishakhi storms and rain across eight divisions on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The affected regions include Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet, where temporary gusty winds, lightning, and scattered hail may occur. The department also noted that daytime temperatures could drop by one to two degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged.

According to the morning forecast, areas such as Jashore and Kushtia in the Khulna division may experience storms moving from the west or northwest at speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour, accompanied by rain or thunderstorms. River ports in these regions have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one. The recent rainfall and storms have reduced the intensity of heat across the country, including in Dhaka, where the morning temperature dropped to 21.6 degrees Celsius from 22.8 the previous day.

The forecast also indicated that skies over Dhaka may remain partly cloudy until noon, with chances of rain or thunderstorms during the day.