Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that collective practice of technology-based modern knowledge and creative thinking will become a strategic strength for future civilization. He made the remarks on Saturday in Dhaka at a discussion organized by the Bangladesh ICT Stakeholders Association (BISA) on the Telecom, Data and Cyber Security Bill 2026. The minister emphasized transforming the nation’s creative intellect, innovative ideas, and technological skills into assets for national development.

Addressing technology experts, Swapan said their gathering represented not only attendance but also a convergence of creative thinking, which could become a national resource. He expressed hope that BISA would build an effective platform for stakeholders in the technology sector to collectively invest their knowledge, skills, and ideas. He also noted that semiconductors, rare earth materials, and communication technologies have become key strategic elements in global politics, economics, and technology.

The minister added that expert knowledge and research are vital for formulating timely and realistic policies suited to the demands of a technology-driven civilization, helping the elected government fulfill its responsibilities effectively.

The government led by Prime Minister’s ICT adviser Rehan Asif Asad announced that it is focusing on four major areas to reform Bangladesh’s telecom sector. These include developing a new telecom policy through stakeholder consultation, implementing digital ID and digital wallet systems for all citizens, formulating an AI policy, and ensuring efficient revenue management. Asad made the remarks at a roundtable titled “New Telecom Policy and Entrepreneurs’ Expectations” held in Dhaka’s Moghbazar on Saturday.

He said the government aims to bring 90 percent of the population under 100 Mbps broadband and 5G mobile networks. The digital ID initiative is expected to integrate identity and financial transactions into one platform, improving access to public and private services. The rollout is planned within 12 to 18 months. Asad also highlighted the need for fair taxation and better interconnectivity among ISPs.

BTRC Chairman Emdadul Bari emphasized the importance of foreign investment and innovation in infrastructure development. Industry leaders and journalists attending the event urged collaboration to adapt to rapid technological changes and promote a win-win approach for all stakeholders.

Bangladesh’s Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant has received a commissioning license for fuel loading from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, marking the project’s final preparatory stage before power generation. Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will inaugurate the fuel loading by the end of this month, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to attend virtually. The government expects the plant to supply 1,000 megawatts to the national grid by December 2026.

Experts, however, caution that commercial power generation may take six to twelve months after fuel loading due to required testing and safety checks. The process involves inserting nuclear fuel into the reactor and conducting phased operational tests under strict safety protocols aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards. The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh has already completed grid capacity and transmission line work for the first unit.

The Ruppur project, launched in 2017 with Russian financial and technical assistance, has faced multiple delays due to safety and infrastructure challenges. Despite progress, experts emphasize that ensuring nuclear safety and emergency preparedness remains the state’s primary responsibility.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, announced that any person recording and sharing videos of others on social media without consent, under the guise of being a 'content creator', will face investigation and trial within 90 days under the Cyber Security Act 2026. He made the statement in a written reply during the parliamentary question session on Tuesday.

The minister explained that the Cyber Security Act 2026, passed on April 10, 2026, criminalizes intentional online blackmailing, sexual harassment, revenge porn, or extortion through digital content. Offenders may face up to five years in prison or fines up to 5 million taka, depending on the severity and victim’s age. The law empowers the National Cyber Security Agency to remove harmful content, authorize emergency searches, and collaborate internationally to identify cross-border crimes.

Future measures include strengthening the agency’s capacity, establishing a digital forensic lab, and using advanced cybersecurity tools for real-time detection. The law also mandates transparency in content blocking and international cooperation for crimes committed from abroad.

A new Air Traffic Management Center at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka was inaugurated on Monday by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom. The event was attended by State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, French Ambassador Jean-Marc Serre-Charlet, ministry officials, and senior members of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

In her speech, Minister Afroza Khanom said the state-of-the-art and automated air traffic management system will make Bangladesh’s airspace safer, more efficient, and aligned with international standards. She recalled the contribution of late President Ziaur Rahman, who inaugurated the airport in 1980, laying the foundation for the country’s aviation sector. The minister expressed her vision to transform the airport into a global aviation hub.

State Minister Millat added that the new system, covering a 350-nautical-mile range, will enhance regional cooperation through integrated airspace management and information sharing with neighboring countries, supporting Bangladesh’s goal of becoming a regional aviation hub.

Iran has remained largely disconnected from the global internet for nearly 50 consecutive days, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. The organization stated in a post on social media platform X that the country has been effectively cut off from international networks for about seven weeks, calling the prolonged digital blackout highly unusual in the modern world.

BBC Arabic reported that the Iranian government has begun gradually easing communication restrictions, with some media outlets noting that internet services are being partially restored. After nearly 50 days of disruption, access to various Google services has resumed, though users continue to experience significant connectivity issues.

Due to limited access, many Iranians have turned to satellite-based internet options such as Starlink, which reportedly costs around six dollars per gigabyte. With the country’s average monthly income estimated between 200 and 300 dollars, the expense has become a heavy burden for ordinary citizens.

The Ministry of Power and Energy announced that the pilot program for the 'Fuel Pass' mobile application has been expanded to six additional districts from Saturday, April 18, 2026. Initially tested at selected filling stations in Dhaka, the app aims to make the country’s fuel supply system more transparent and modern. The expansion now includes 18 petrol pumps in the capital as part of the pilot phase.

According to the ministry’s verified Facebook post, the registration process for motorcycles under the 'Fuel Pass BD' system has been opened for vehicles registered in Dhaka, Dhaka Metro, Chandpur, Chattogram, Chattogram Metro, Barishal, Barishal Metro, Khulna, Khulna Metro, Rajshahi, Rajshahi Metro, and Mymensingh. The post also mentioned that the initiative will gradually be extended to other districts across the country.

Users can install the Fuel Pass app from Google Play Store, verify their phone number, and complete registration by entering motorcycle details and setting a password.

YouTube has introduced a new update allowing users to completely turn off the Shorts feed on its mobile app. The platform now lets users set the 'Shorts Feed Limit' to zero minutes, effectively removing short-form videos from their feed. This change expands on a feature first launched in October of the previous year, when the minimum limit was 15 minutes and users were prompted to take breaks after reaching that duration.

According to YouTube, the feature was initially part of parental controls but is now available to all users. When the setting is changed, some users may still see individual Shorts even if scrolling is paused. To activate the feature, users must go to Settings > Time Management > Daily Limit > Shorts Feed Limit and select zero minutes. The update also allows users to set a maximum viewing limit of up to two hours.

The new option aims to give users more control over their viewing habits and time management within the YouTube app.

A new survey titled “Measurement of ICT Access and Use” released on Thursday at the BBS office in Agargaon, Dhaka, shows that while over half of Bangladesh’s population now uses the internet, significant disparities and skill limitations persist. The survey found that 53.4 percent of people use the internet, but most users’ digital abilities are limited to basic tasks such as copy-paste. A sharp divide remains between urban and rural areas, with 75.7 percent of city residents online compared to only 43.6 percent in villages, a gap of 32.1 percentage points.

The survey also revealed that Dhaka Division has the highest internet access, while Panchagarh lags behind. Only 11.3 percent of people use computers, though 88.4 percent use mobile phones and 64.4 percent own one. In the past three months, 64.4 percent of users searched for government job information, 49.8 percent for sports, and only 11.6 percent shopped online. While 78.5 percent said they could respond to cyberattacks, half identified viruses and malware as major threats.

High internet costs remain a key barrier to digital inclusion, with 43.6 percent of respondents citing price as the main reason for not using the internet.

A new survey released on Thursday at the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics office in Agargaon revealed that internet usage in Bangladesh has grown significantly, with 53.4 percent of the population now online. However, the study found major disparities in both access and digital skills. While most users can perform basic tasks like copy-paste, advanced digital literacy remains limited. The gap between urban and rural internet use stands at 32.1 percent, with 75.7 percent of city residents online compared to only 43.6 percent in villages.

Regionally, Dhaka Division recorded the highest internet penetration, while Panchagarh ranked lowest. In terms of computer use, Dhaka households lead, whereas Thakurgaon lags behind. The survey also found that 88.4 percent of people use mobile phones, but only 11.3 percent use computers. Among internet users, 64.4 percent searched for government job information, 49.8 percent for sports, and 11.6 percent shopped online.

High internet costs remain a major barrier to digital inclusion, with 43.6 percent of respondents citing price as a reason for not using the internet.

A workshop titled “Use of Innovative Automated Technology for Rapid Breeding and Year-Round Sustainable Crop Production through Controlled Environment Agricultural Research” was held at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) on Thursday morning. The event marked the formal launch of an initiative aimed at integrating advanced automation technologies with controlled-environment agriculture to accelerate crop breeding cycles and ensure sustainable production throughout the year. The workshop was organized under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project and took place at the university’s old auditorium.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman attended as chief guest, with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. M. Moynul Haque and Treasurer Professor Dr. Md. Safiul Islam Afrad as special guests. Representatives from major agricultural research institutions and seed companies, along with university faculty, researchers, and students, participated. The keynote presentation by Dr. Mohammad Sharif Raihan outlined the project’s objectives, activities, and future plans.

An open discussion session followed, focusing on the project’s potential, challenges, and ways to enhance GAKRUBI’s research impact nationally and internationally. The workshop concluded with a collective commitment to collaboration and innovation in agricultural research.

The United States Air Force operates a fleet of four Boeing E-4B aircraft, known as 'Doomsday Planes', designed to function as airborne command centers during nuclear attacks or other extreme emergencies. These aircraft can fly continuously for seven days and are equipped to maintain national command and control if ground-based systems are destroyed. The E-4B serves as a secure operations hub for the US President, Defense Secretary, and Joint Chiefs of Staff during crises.

To modernize its capabilities, the Air Force is converting five Boeing 747–8 aircraft, previously used by Korean Air, into replacements for the E-4B fleet. The upgrades include radiation and electromagnetic pulse protection, advanced communication antennas, mission systems, and in-flight refueling capability. The total cost of the five aircraft is estimated at 13 billion US dollars.

The E-4B’s unique features include 67 antennas for global communication, missile-launch capability, and protection against nuclear, cyber, and electromagnetic threats. The aircraft can take off within minutes of an emergency and remains on standby 24 hours a day, ensuring uninterrupted command continuity for the United States.

The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has expressed hope that the newly formed government will fulfill the telecom sector’s logical demands. The organization noted that the previous interim government did not consult all stakeholders while formulating telecom guidelines and policies. ISPAB expects the current administration to engage with all relevant parties in shaping future telecom policies.

ISPAB President Aminul Hakim made the remarks at a press conference held on Saturday morning at the association’s office in Banani, Dhaka. The event was organized ahead of the country’s first Broadband Expo 2026, scheduled for April 13–15 at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center. Hakim said the expo aims to highlight the development, innovation, and future potential of the broadband sector.

The expo’s theme, “Linking People, Linking Future,” will feature around 25 innovative projects from university students focusing on robotics and IoT. Various ICT organizations will showcase their services, software, hardware, and network products across 10 pavilions, 35 mini pavilions, and 20 stalls.

Bangladesh has launched a pilot version of a mobile app-based 'Fuel Pass' system to bring discipline and transparency to fuel distribution. The initiative, developed under the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, began on April 10, 2026, at two filling stations in Dhaka—Trust Filling Station in Tejgaon and Sonar Bangla Fuel Station in Asadgate. Initially, the service is open to motorcycle users, allowing them to collect fuel by scanning a unique QR code.

According to the Energy Division, each registered user will receive a QR code linked to their vehicle information. Fuel station operators will record allocations digitally, while drivers can view their fuel quota and transaction history. The system enables real-time monitoring of national fuel supply. Users without smartphones can register at fuelpass.gov.bd and use a printed QR code. The system is integrated with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority’s central database.

Officials believe the new system will simplify vehicle data verification and enhance transparency in fuel distribution. If the pilot succeeds, the program will gradually expand to all vehicle types nationwide.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, has launched a pilot program for a new QR code-based mobile application called 'Fuel Pass' to make the country's fuel distribution system more transparent and organized. The pilot phase began in Dhaka at two filling stations—Trust in Tejgaon and Sonar Bangla in Asad Gate—targeting motorcycle owners and drivers. Following successful testing, the app will gradually be expanded nationwide for all vehicles.

According to the source, the current manual fuel distribution process causes delays and inefficiencies, including long queues and artificial shortages created by individuals collecting excess fuel. The new digital system aims to automate distribution and enable real-time monitoring by linking with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority’s central database. Citizens without smartphones can register via a website and print their QR codes.

Authorities expect that the initiative will enhance transparency, reduce irregularities and wastage, and strengthen fuel management during supply crises, contributing to improved national energy security.