An Iranian attack reportedly damaged a US CH-47 Chinook helicopter stationed in Kuwait on April 3, according to Iranian state-affiliated media Tasnim, which released images of the incident as visual evidence. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated on Friday night that its air defense units shot down one warplane and five drones or cruise missiles in a single day, describing the event as a 'dark day' for US and Israeli air forces. The confrontation follows a large-scale military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, senior military officials, and civilians on February 28. The attacks reportedly caused significant casualties and extensive infrastructure damage across Iran. In retaliation, Iranian forces have been conducting missile and drone strikes targeting US and Israeli positions and regional bases, according to the same source.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has called on former chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to join street protests to preserve the reforms introduced during the interim government. Speaking to reporters at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday after returning from performing Umrah, Nahid said those who once held interim government responsibilities must now speak out against the repeal of their ordinances. He accused the current BNP government of ignoring reform commitments and acting autocratically after gaining a two-thirds majority. Nahid alleged that the BNP is refusing to turn key ordinances—such as those on enforced disappearance prevention, the Human Rights Commission, and judicial appointments—into law, thereby undermining democratic accountability. He also reminded the BNP that many of its leaders had been victims of disappearances and warned that repealing such measures would tarnish the party’s image. Nahid stated that since parliamentary solutions have failed, his party will take to the streets to demand a constitutional reform council and legal recognition of the ordinances. He warned that without public trust, the BNP government would struggle to govern amid looming economic challenges.

Researchers at Gazipur Agricultural University have developed a new high-yielding, short-duration, slender Aus rice variety named GAU Dhan-4. After nearly a decade of research and field trials, the variety received official approval at the 115th meeting of the National Seed Board on February 5, 2026. The university announced the development in a press statement on Saturday, noting that the innovation aims to boost farmers’ income and strengthen national food security. The research team, led by Professors M. Moynul Haque and Mosiul Islam from the Department of Agronomy, created the variety by crossing the traditional Aus rice Parija with the high-yielding fine-grain BU Dhan-2. GAU Dhan-4 matures within 90 to 100 days, allowing farmers to cultivate up to four crops annually. It yields 5 to 5.5 tons per hectare under favorable conditions, requires less water, and shows resistance to diseases. The grain contains about 24.58% amylose and 8.38% protein, making it nutritious and easily digestible. University Vice-Chancellor GKM Mostafizur Rahman praised the innovation as a reflection of researchers’ dedication and said it would significantly contribute to increasing agricultural productivity in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque has accused the BNP of disregarding the people’s clear verdict in a recent referendum and attempting to consolidate authoritarian power through constitutional amendments. He made the remarks on Saturday during the party’s central executive council meeting at its Purana Paltan headquarters in Dhaka, chaired by Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmed. Mamunul Haque alleged that the BNP, using its parliamentary majority, was ignoring the referendum outcome and revising ordinances issued during the previous interim government, despite having supported some of them earlier. He warned that such actions signaled a dangerous political crisis. The meeting announced nationwide protests on April 10 and a mass rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on April 24 to demand implementation of the referendum verdict. The meeting also criticized recent comments by the culture minister, expressed concern over fuel shortages and vaccine scarcity, and condemned ongoing attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States, urging global leaders to act for peace in the Middle East.

The Bangladesh government has taken a major initiative to modernize and expand the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The process of purchasing 14 new Boeing aircraft is in its final stage, with policy approval already granted and only the signing of the agreement remaining. Due to the long delivery timeline, the government is also planning to lease Airbus aircraft as an interim solution. According to the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, the proposed Boeing deal, worth about 3.7 billion dollars, may include Dreamliner models such as the Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 MAX for regional routes. Delivery of these aircraft could take up to five years, prompting the government to consider dry leasing Airbus planes for the next five years. Discussions with the European manufacturer are ongoing. Currently, Biman operates around 14 aircraft on international routes, though at least 30 to 35 are needed to meet demand. The government has also initiated reforms to address operational inefficiencies and staff shortages, aiming to transform Biman into an internationally competitive airline.

Pediatric specialist Dr. Abid Hossain Molla advised that children who have already received two doses of the measles vaccine do not need to be vaccinated again. He explained that the first dose should be administered at nine months of age and the second at fifteen months. According to him, these two doses provide sufficient immunity against measles, eliminating the need for additional vaccination. Parents were urged to follow the recommended schedule and seek medical advice when necessary. Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bokul announced that starting Sunday at 9 a.m., measles vaccinations will be administered to children aged six months to under five years in 30 upazilas across 18 districts. Alongside the vaccine, vitamin A capsules will be provided to sick children. The minister assured that no child will be left out of the vaccination program and that there is no risk of side effects for those previously vaccinated. He added that the situation remains under control and urged the public not to panic.

Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury announced that development projects in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, will be adopted and implemented after carefully reviewing public opinion. He made the statement on Saturday at a consultation meeting focused on setting strategies for the 2026–27 fiscal year and the next five-year work plan. The meeting was organized by the upazila administration and chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Islam Uddin. Expressing gratitude to voters for electing him, Mujibur Rahman said that under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the current BNP government is working for public welfare. He added that the government has various plans to improve the living standards of disadvantaged ethnic communities and tea workers, which will be implemented gradually. The five-year plan will also identify local problems, opportunities, and potentials for Sreemangal’s development. During the meeting, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer informed that residents can submit written opinions within seven days to contribute to the upcoming fiscal and five-year development plans. Officials, politicians, and representatives from various professional groups attended the event.

Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the Jatiya Nagorik Party and Member of Parliament for Rangpur-4, stated that the government will not be able to survive if it disregards the people’s verdict delivered through a referendum. He made the remarks on Saturday at a rally held in the courtyard of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram. Hossain explained that the call for a reform council was not new and that all political parties had previously agreed through the Consensus Commission to pursue constitutional reforms aimed at sustainable change. He accused the ruling side of ignoring the people’s mandate in pursuit of a two-thirds majority and insisted that the constitution should represent the people rather than follow the 1972 Mujibist model. Addressing the government, he alleged that authorities oppose reforms and referendums to maintain control under a single individual. He warned that no government could remain in power by disregarding public opinion.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has denied involvement in the March 3 drone attack on the United States embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The organization claimed that Israel was responsible for carrying out the operation. The statement followed a Wall Street Journal report suggesting that the damage from the attack was far greater than Saudi authorities had initially disclosed. According to that report, while Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry described the incident as a limited fire causing minor damage, the blaze reportedly lasted for several hours and caused extensive destruction. The IRGC condemned the report, asserting that Iran’s armed forces had no connection to the attack and labeling it as an act by “Zionists” consistent with Israel’s regional strategy. The IRGC further urged Muslim nations to remain alert to what it described as “American-Zionist plots” aimed at destabilizing and destroying the region, calling for vigilance among neighboring countries.

Cumilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah posted a Facebook status on Saturday afternoon referring to an old statement by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The post was made after 4 p.m. and discussed remarks Rahman made on November 29 about his longing for his mother’s affection and the limited control he had over decisions regarding his return to the country. Hasnat’s post questioned whether those who influenced Rahman’s return on December 25, despite internal party disagreements, also had any role in decisions such as the repeal of the enforced disappearance and human rights ordinance. He further raised the issue of whether Rahman’s governance might similarly be influenced by others. The article also mentioned other political updates, including statements of condolence from party leaders following a fire incident in Keraniganj and a scheduled meeting of the BNP Standing Committee.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has emphasized the need for a final and permanent solution to end what he described as an imposed and illegal war on his country. In a post on social media platform X, Aragchi stated that ensuring the conditions for a lasting end to the conflict remains Iran’s main objective, according to Al Jazeera. Aragchi criticized U.S. media outlets for misrepresenting Iran’s position, particularly regarding his recent visit to Pakistan. He dismissed reports suggesting that Iran had rejected the Islamabad trip, asserting that Iran holds deep gratitude toward Pakistan. His remarks indicate that while Iran remains open to diplomatic solutions, it insists on its own terms for ending the war. The statement underscores Tehran’s focus on achieving a negotiated but definitive resolution to the conflict, while countering what it views as misinformation about its diplomatic stance.

Starting Sunday, trading hours on Bangladesh’s stock exchanges will end at 1:55 PM, according to a notice issued by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Saturday. A five-minute closing session will follow, ending all trading activities by 2:00 PM. Previously, trading continued until 2:30 PM, while the opening time will remain unchanged at 10:00 AM. The new schedule will take effect on April 5 and remain in place until further notice. The DSE also announced that its office hours will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in line with government directives. The government recently reduced working hours for both public and private offices by one hour to conserve fuel and electricity, a measure that will also take effect from Sunday. The adjustment means that daily trading time will be shortened by 30 minutes compared to the previous schedule, aligning the stock market’s operations with the nationwide energy-saving initiative.

Iran’s embassy in Vienna has sharply criticized European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas for her comments on the Hormuz Strait crisis. The embassy accused Kallas of hypocrisy after she called for restoring freedom of navigation in the strait during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, blaming Iran for attacks on civilian vessels that disrupted maritime traffic. In two social media posts, the Iranian embassy said Kallas ignored aggressive actions by the United States and Israel while condemning what it described as Iran’s defensive measures. The embassy also challenged her on legal grounds, noting that although Kallas urged Iran to comply with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Iran is not a signatory to that treaty. It further questioned the quality of her advisers, comparing them to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s loyalists. The embassy reiterated that Iran remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) despite attacks on its peaceful nuclear facilities, which it said endangered regional safety.

Bangladesh’s Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that installing CCTV cameras will be mandatory in every educational institution to ensure teachers’ timely presence in classrooms. He also declared that all coaching centers must be shut down and that unregistered kindergartens operating under various banners will be brought under government registration. The minister made these remarks on Saturday at a meeting with examination center secretaries in Comilla ahead of the 2026 SSC and equivalent exams. Milan stated that even if the pass rate is zero this year, no institution’s MPO status will be canceled, but leniency will not continue from next year. He warned that if any cheating occurs during exams, the center secretary and institution head will be held accountable, including for materials found in restrooms. Teachers manipulating exam scripts will face legal action under new laws applicable to all exams, including job interviews. The minister emphasized that the Ministry of Education is a place of devotion and urged teachers to fulfill their duties sincerely, describing their role in shaping students as a continuous act of virtue.

Iran’s Joint National Air Defense Headquarters has claimed that its forces have shot down more than 160 drones and several advanced fighter jets and cruise missiles. Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, quoted by the state news agency IRNA, said the operations were carried out using modern domestic technology capable of detecting and destroying fifth-generation aircraft and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. Elhami stated that the success in downing these aircraft, including Hermes and Lucas-type drones, was achieved through new tactics, modern equipment, and innovations in defense systems. He added that these advancements have confused enemy forces attempting to penetrate Iranian airspace. The report highlights Iran’s emphasis on self-reliant defense capabilities and technological innovation in response to aerial threats, though no independent verification of the claims was mentioned in the source.