Faiz Ahmad Tayyab, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, has requested that the ‘March for Gaza’ rally scheduled for April 12 be postponed by a week. He cited the Bangladesh Investment Summit taking place from April 9, with over 600 investors from 50 countries visiting various companies, EPZs, high-tech parks, and startups. He urged organizers to consider the international presence and adjust the program accordingly. He also reiterated the Chief Adviser’s condemnation of Israeli aggression.

At least 26 Palestinians were killed and over 50 injured in fresh Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip. Among the dead were six members of the same family. In a separate development, Israel has closed six schools for Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem. Since the onset of renewed Israeli air raids on March 18, nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed and over 3,600 injured. The total death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 50,810, with more than 115,688 reported injured as the humanitarian crisis deepens.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus stated that Bangladesh possesses groundbreaking ideas capable of transforming the world. “There are immense business opportunities here,” he said. “These ventures are not just beneficial for Bangladesh but can create global impact.” He cited microcredit as an example, which started in a small Bangladeshi village and eventually became a major financial industry in the United States. Dr. Yunus became emotional while recalling the Liberation War. Awards were presented to Walton (domestic investor), bKash (foreign investor), Square Pharmaceuticals, and Square Fabrics for their contributions. Korean Export Processing Zone Chairman Ki-Hak Sung received honorary citizenship under a special category.

A senior Hezbollah official has told Reuters that the group is open to discussing disarmament with Lebanon’s President, but only if Israel fully withdraws its forces from southern Lebanon and halts all attacks. The statement comes amid rising pressure following the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah war, which severely destabilized the region. The conflict led to the deaths of numerous senior Hezbollah leaders and thousands of its fighters, as well as the destruction of a significant portion of its rocket stockpile. Lebanon’s U.S.-backed President Joseph Aoun, who took office in January, previously announced that all arms must fall under state control — a position that adds urgency to the unfolding negotiations.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced plans to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the Bengali New Year, on a grand scale, envisioning a future free from fascism and autocracy. The party plans to host cultural fairs, Baishakhi parades, folk music concerts, traditional village games like ha-du-du, and panta ilish feasts across cities, districts, and upazilas. The BNP will also seek another meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to discuss a concrete election roadmap and is considering organizing a solidarity rally for Palestine.

Starlink is launching its pilot internet service in Bangladesh today during the Bangladesh Investment Summit at Hotel InterContinental. Attendees will experience Starlink’s satellite-based internet services firsthand, with the event being livestreamed using the technology. Starlink received investment registration from BIDA on March 29, and the process for acquiring a commercial NGSO license from BTRC is underway. The technology was first tested in Bangladesh in July 2023, and Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus recently discussed the service with Elon Musk in a virtual meeting.

Starting Wednesday, the United States is enforcing a 104% tariff on a range of Chinese goods, following an announcement by former President Donald Trump. Earlier, on April 2, a 34% tariff was imposed, adding to a previous 20% duty. In retaliation, China announced a 34% tariff on U.S. goods last Friday. Trump warned of an additional 50% tariff if China does not retract its decision. China’s response measures take effect from Thursday.

Yemen’s Houthi forces reported that a suspected U.S. airstrike near Hodeidah late Tuesday killed at least two people and injured 13. The strike targeted a residential building and is believed to be part of the U.S.’s “decapitation campaign” against rebel leaders. Additional strikes were also reported in Amran province, targeting telecommunications infrastructure. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict, at least 75 people have been killed in U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.

The death toll from a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic has risen to 66, including a professional baseball player. At least 155 people have been hospitalized. The incident occurred during a live concert, and a video shows a performer pointing toward the rear of the club moments before the roof began to cave in. Rescue operations continue as several individuals remain missing.

At the 58th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development (CPD), Bangladesh urged the international community to invest more in universal health and wellbeing, especially for youth. Professor Dr. Sayedur Rahman outlined Bangladesh’s focus on expanding healthcare access through social business models and community empowerment. He highlighted progress in maternal and newborn health through midwife training and education. Later, he spoke at a high-level side event organized by UNFPA on the role of midwives in improving maternal and neonatal care.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the country’s GDP growth rate rose to 4.48% in the October–December quarter, up from 1.81% in the previous quarter (July–September). In compliance with IMF guidelines, Bangladesh now releases quarterly GDP figures. The report notes modest growth in agriculture and services sectors, while industrial growth also saw improvement, albeit at a slower pace.

At a ceremony held at the IMO Delegates Lounge in London, Advisor Sakhawat Hossain formally announced Bangladesh’s candidacy for Category ‘C’ membership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. The event was attended by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. The advisor highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to environmental protection, climate action, digitization, and women’s participation in the maritime sector. A replica model of a Bangladeshi ship was also presented to the IMO Secretariat, marking the first installation of such a model at the IMO headquarters.

Tamanna Sharmin, wife of Sajjad Hossain alias “Chhoto Sajjad,” an accused in a double murder case, voiced her outrage during a Facebook Live after police publicly paraded her husband as part of an anti-terror drill. “Is my husband a sacrificial cow that he must be tied up and paraded through the streets with a microphone? Couldn’t OC Arif have just shot him if he wanted to?” she exclaimed. Sajjad, a suspect in over a dozen cases, was arrested last month at Bashundhara City. Prior to his arrest, he had threatened OC Arif in a Facebook Live. Tamanna had previously claimed she would spend lavishly to get him out of jail and is now accused of plotting to kill rival gangster Sarwar Hossain Babla for tipping off police.

Local activists staged a protest demanding an end to Israeli war crimes in Gaza and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Starting from Gabtola Mosque, protesters marched through local markets distributing awareness leaflets, stickers, and posters. They urged shopkeepers to stop selling Israeli products and prioritize domestic alternatives. Several store owners voluntarily removed Israeli goods and destroyed them in public. Holding placards that read, “Don’t let your money fund bombs in Gaza,” protesters declared their intent to continue the resistance until Palestine gains freedom.

In Natore’s Lalpur upazila, BNP activists forcefully freed detained Chhatra Dal leader Rubel Uddin from police custody. According to reports, Rubel was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at a BNP leader’s house in Bagatipara on December 16. At around 3:30 PM on Tuesday, police brought him to the station. Soon after, more than 50 members of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal gathered, demanding his release. When police refused, chaos ensued, and the activists stormed the station, forcibly taking Rubel with them. The Superintendent of Police stated that a manhunt has been launched to apprehend all those involved.