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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Aspire to Innovate (a2i) has launched the second version (Framework 2.0) of the National Information Portal, Bangladesh.gov.bd, to make government information management more modern, dynamic, and secure. The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, through a press release. Implementation of the new version began on December 21, 2025, across ministries under the supervision of the Cabinet Division and the ICT Division. Currently, around 52,000 government offices are connected to the system, with over 35,500 websites already hosted on the new platform.

The new version has been verified and certified by the Software and Hardware Quality Testing and Certification Center for its functionality and security. According to project officials, the upgraded portal will strengthen Bangladesh’s digital service system, ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and easier access to public information. Citizens can now access government service details, application processes, required documents, and office addresses from home, along with tenders, job circulars, and citizen charters.

Technically, the platform now includes a cloud- and microservice-based architecture, making it faster, more stable, and scalable. Enhanced security features such as single sign-on, two-factor authentication, and SSL encryption have also been added.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) has launched an affordable electric vehicle (EV) service for female students to ease campus transportation amid the ongoing energy crisis. The service officially began on Monday, funded by the university’s research sector. The EV was developed by the Department of Mechanical Engineering under a University Grants Commission–funded research project led by Professor Dr. Shahjada Mahmudul Hasan and inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. S. M. Abdur Razzak.

The initiative follows reduced diesel bus trips that had caused travel difficulties for students. Each vehicle costs about 500,000 to 600,000 taka to produce, significantly less than similar EVs used at other universities, which cost up to 1.8 million taka. Initially, the service will operate every 20 minutes for female students traveling between hostels and key campus points.

RUET officials stated that the project promotes research-based learning and practical experience. They plan to expand the service for all students if additional funding becomes available, aiming to establish a sustainable and modern campus transport system.

The article highlights ninth-century scholar Al-Kindi as the originator of systematic code-breaking technology. His work laid the foundation for cryptanalysis, the process of decoding encrypted messages to reveal their original content. Al-Kindi’s treatise, titled 'A Manuscript on Deciphering Cryptographic Messages,' introduced a method later known as frequency analysis, which remains a fundamental approach in deciphering classical ciphers.

The text explains that encryption, the conversion of information into cipher text using algorithms and secret keys, has long been used to secure communication, especially in warfare. During the Second World War, code-breaking played a decisive role when Allied cryptanalysts deciphered German Enigma messages. However, the conceptual groundwork for such breakthroughs traces back to Al-Kindi’s early insights.

Al-Kindi developed his method through a deep study of Arabic script and the statistical frequency of letters. His discovery marked the beginning of a long evolution in cryptography, later advanced during the European Renaissance. Frequency analysis continues to serve as a basic analytical tool for understanding and breaking simple substitution ciphers.

Rajshahi University’s electric car (e-car) transport service, launched to ease student commuting, has been shut down after only four months of operation. The service, introduced by the Rajshahi University Alumni Association (RUAA) on October 26 last year, faced losses, fare disputes, and mechanical failures. By the last week of March, all e-cars were withdrawn from service.

Initially, five e-cars were deployed, but two soon became inoperative due to mechanical faults. Drivers paid the company a daily fee of Tk 1,500 and kept the remaining income as wages. Passenger numbers declined over time, and disagreements arose over fare rates. The university administration attempted to set fixed stops and fares, but confusion persisted after the student union’s general secretary promised a Tk 5 fare within the campus.

E-car service manager Enayet Kabir Likhon said repeated discussions with RUAA failed to resolve the issues, and the operating company lost interest in continuing. RUAA’s general secretary, Professor Nizam Uddin, cited technical problems and road conditions as key causes but said new vehicles might be purchased soon for free campus transport if the university approves.

Rajshahi University (RU) has initiated a plan to launch free and high-speed internet service across its campus within the next two months. The announcement was made by newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Faridul Islam after visiting the university’s ICT Center on Tuesday afternoon. He stated that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed universities nationwide to introduce such services within two months, but RU aims to complete the project earlier, ensuring connectivity in academic buildings and key areas.

The Vice-Chancellor added that since assuming office, he has been visiting various service departments to ensure that students, teachers, and staff receive expected services. He acknowledged student dissatisfaction with internet quality in residential halls and said discussions with the ICT Center administration are underway to resolve the issue quickly.

During the visit, the Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by the Pro-Vice-Chancellors for Administration and Education, as well as the ICT Center Director and other officials. He also inspected earthquake-prone residential halls and the university’s medical center to review safety and healthcare services.

A report published on March 30, 2026, highlights the rising threat of webcam hacking in Bangladesh, where cybercriminals secretly gain access to laptop cameras through phishing links, fake software, or malware. Once inside, they can record videos, capture screens, or steal personal data without the user’s knowledge. The article warns that this invisible surveillance is becoming increasingly common, particularly among young users who rely on free or cracked software and often ignore basic cybersecurity practices.

The report explains that signs of hacking—such as sudden webcam light activation or slow device performance—may not always be visible, as skilled hackers can conceal their activities. To stay protected, users are advised to cover webcams when not in use, keep operating systems and antivirus software updated, avoid suspicious links, and refrain from using pirated software. Regularly checking app permissions and using strong, unique passwords are also recommended.

Experts cited in the article emphasize that awareness, not fear, is the key to safety. They stress that technology itself is not dangerous, but careless use can make it risky.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new policy titled “Cybersecurity Framework, Version 1.0 (2026)” to address growing cyber risks in the country’s financial sector. The framework, issued on Sunday, requires all scheduled banks, financial institutions, mobile financial service providers, payment service providers, and payment system operators to fully implement the guidelines by December 31, 2026. The central bank stated that the expansion of online services, digital platforms, and interconnected networks has increased both efficiency and cyber threats.

According to the circular, cyberattacks such as hacking, phishing, malware, ransomware, and data theft pose significant risks of financial loss, reputational damage, and service disruption. The framework emphasizes safeguarding customer data, ensuring system integrity, and maintaining technological resilience. It includes provisions on governance, risk management, data protection, network security, access control, incident management, third-party risk, compliance, and staff training.

The framework sets minimum cybersecurity standards for financial institutions, aiming to strengthen resilience and protect sensitive information. Institutions are instructed to adopt effective risk management strategies, conduct regular monitoring, and promote awareness through training programs.

A Los Angeles jury has found Meta and Alphabet’s Google liable for $3 million in damages in a landmark social media addiction case. The verdict, delivered after more than 40 hours of deliberation, held the companies responsible for the addictive design of their platforms. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old identified as Kaley, said she became addicted to YouTube and Instagram at a young age, worsening her mental health. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified during the trial, while YouTube’s chief executive did not.

Kaley’s legal team argued that features such as notifications and autoplay were intentionally designed to hook young users. Jurors were instructed not to consider user-generated content due to Section 230 protections. Meta maintained that Kaley’s mental health issues stemmed from other causes, while Google argued YouTube is a video platform, not social media. Google said it disagreed with the verdict and planned to appeal. Snap and TikTok had previously settled with the plaintiff before the trial.

Legal experts said the decision could shape future litigation against social media companies, with additional bellwether trials and a federal case scheduled later this year.

Iranian hackers have breached the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel, according to a statement confirmed by FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson. The hackers reportedly accessed and released photos and information dating from 2011 to 2022, including personal, business, and travel-related materials. Williamson stated that the FBI has taken all necessary steps to mitigate potential risks and confirmed that no government information was compromised.

The cyberattack has been attributed to a group known as the Handala Hack Team, which claimed responsibility for the breach. The group said Patel would now find his own name among the list of hacking victims. Earlier this month, the same group allegedly carried out a cyberattack that disrupted operations at a major U.S. medical equipment manufacturer.

The incident underscores ongoing cybersecurity threats targeting high-profile U.S. officials and institutions, though the FBI emphasized that the breach involved only personal data and posed no direct threat to government systems.

A new digital platform called the 'Live Fuel Monitoring System' has been launched in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, to reduce public inconvenience caused by fuel supply shortages. Through this system, users can check via smartphone which fuel stations currently have supplies, where deliveries are ongoing, and the latest stock status. The initiative aims to save time and effort for residents who previously had to wait in long lines or return empty-handed.

According to the Fatikchhari Upazila administration, the system will enhance transparency and discipline in fuel management while improving public service efficiency. The platform was voluntarily developed by local technology entrepreneur Injamam Apu (Space Kahaf) with technical support from Fatikchhari Dot Com. Upazila Executive Officer Said Mohammad Ibrahim described the system as an easy and effective service that strengthens accountability and modernizes local service delivery.

Users can access the platform through a designated website on their smartphones to view real-time information on fuel availability, delivery schedules, and stock conditions across different pumps in Fatikchhari.