Iran has claimed that around seven million civilians are prepared to fight against any potential US ground invasion. The announcement was made on April 2 by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf through a post on social media platform X. He stated that these civilians have undergone training to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ghalibaf, considered an influential figure in potential US-Iran discussions, said the mobilization reflects a strong national movement across the country.

The claim comes amid ongoing discussions in Iran about national defense readiness. Ghalibaf is the first senior official to publicly mention this figure, though no specific source for the number was provided. Analysts cited in the report said Iran has called for volunteer participation in anticipation of possible conflict with the United States and Israel, including appeals to retired soldiers. Reports also indicate that younger recruits are joining the Basij, the volunteer wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, signaling increased military preparedness.

A spokesperson for Iran’s military warned that any aggression would be met with a response, asserting that the US and Israel lack full knowledge of Iran’s military capabilities.

The ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel has revealed a widening structural divide within NATO, raising concerns about the alliance’s unity and long-term strategic coherence. U.S. President Donald Trump urged European NATO members to join the Iran conflict, but they refused, calling it a U.S.-Israel war. In response, Trump warned that if Europe would not stand by America, the U.S. would not stand by Europe. Analysts say this disagreement could prove more serious than any external threat NATO currently faces.

The dispute highlights differing strategic priorities between Washington and its European allies. While the U.S. views the Middle East as central to global competition, many European governments remain focused on defending Eastern Europe against Russia. European leaders fear that joining the Iran war would stretch their resources and repeat past mistakes from Iraq and Afghanistan. This divergence has created a growing duality within NATO—between those favoring global engagement and those emphasizing territorial defense.

Observers warn that if NATO fails to reconcile these conflicting visions, the alliance could transform from a unified defense organization into a fragmented system of competing priorities, undermining its credibility and cohesion.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for shooting down another US F-35 fighter jet. According to a Telegram post by the IRGC-controlled Fars News Agency, the aircraft was flying over Iranian territory when it was targeted and destroyed. The IRGC stated that the jet was completely destroyed and crashed, with no information available about the pilot.

Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that a powerful explosion occurred when the aircraft went down, suggesting that the pilot may not have been able to eject. The report did not provide further details about the location or timing of the incident. The US Central Command has not issued any immediate response to Iran’s claim.

The claim, reported by Al Jazeera and Iranian media outlets, adds to ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, though independent verification of the incident has not yet been provided.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that as global power competition intensifies, water will become the most strategic and valuable resource of the future, overtaking oil and carbon-based fuels. He made the remarks on Thursday during a public event, emphasizing that climate change, drought, population growth, urbanization, and industrialization are putting increasing pressure on global water resources.

Erdogan highlighted that 2.2 billion people currently lack access to safe drinking water, and according to the World Water Development Report, nearly 6 billion people may face shortages of clean water by 2050. He noted that only 2.5 percent of the world’s total water supply is fresh water, while the global population has risen from 3 billion in 1960 to over 8 billion today, with rainfall levels remaining unchanged.

He warned that as demand for clean water rises, rapid consumption and pollution are accelerating the depletion of water resources, making water a visible factor in regional armed conflicts.

Bangladesh is witnessing sharply contrasting weather conditions, with a heatwave intensifying across five divisions including Dhaka, while the northern district of Panchagarh remains shrouded in dense fog and cold air. On April 2 and 3, residents in Panchagarh experienced misty mornings, dew-covered fields, and a noticeable chill, unusual for the late spring season. The Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT) reported that temperatures in parts of Dhaka, Barishal, Rangpur, Khulna, and Rajshahi divisions could rise to between 36 and 39 degrees Celsius.

Local residents in Panchagarh expressed surprise at the return of cold weather, while doctors reported a rise in cold-related illnesses among children and the elderly. According to the Tetulia weather office, increased humidity and lower temperatures have caused steam fog formation, driven by active monsoon winds and sudden rainfall.

BWOT forecasts that the current heatwave may persist until April 6, with scattered thunderstorms offering brief relief. The national weather office also warned that a cyclone could form in the Bay of Bengal later in April, alongside severe nor’westers and hailstorms that may push temperatures up to 41 degrees Celsius.

A severe traffic jam spanning about 10 kilometers developed early Thursday on the Dhaka-Chattogram-Sylhet highway, causing significant suffering for commuters. Witnesses reported that vehicle movement slowed across several sections of the highway from morning, eventually turning into a long tailback that affected both office-goers and long-distance travelers.

According to Md. Julhas Uddin, in-charge of the Highway Police’s Shimrail Camp, two separate road accidents and a vehicle breakdown occurred late at night on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. These incidents led to heavy congestion from Meghna to Signboard. Similarly, traffic on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway became gridlocked from Rupshi to Kanchpur Bridge, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

Highway police later reached the spots and removed the disabled vehicles, after which traffic movement gradually began to return to normal, officials said.

The admission test for the cluster-based 'B' unit of the 2025–2026 academic session began today at Islamic University (IU). The one-hour examination is being held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. across six academic buildings on the campus. A total of 9,133 candidates have been allocated seats at the IU center for the test under the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Many applicants arrived at the venue nearly two hours before the scheduled start time.

To assist examinees and guardians, several active student organizations have set up help desks at the university’s main gate, offering pens, water, chocolates, saline, and medicines. The university administration has strengthened a four-tier security system to ensure smooth conduct of the exam, with coordinated deployment of Ansar, RAB, and police personnel. Members of the BNCC and Rover Scouts are also on duty at key points under the supervision of the proctorial body.

According to the university’s proctor, Professor Dr. Shahinuzzaman, candidates are entering the centers normally, and all necessary security measures have been taken to maintain an orderly environment.

Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 coup against Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, is set to become the country’s next president after a parliament dominated by his loyalists convened on Friday. He resigned as commander-in-chief to assume the post, fulfilling a long-delayed promise of returning to civilian rule, though the process remains largely symbolic. The military’s party, the USDP, won nearly 80 percent of contested seats in an election widely seen as predetermined.

The new government is expected to remain heavily militarized, with General Ye Win Oo, a close ally of Min Aung Hlaing, confirmed as the new army chief. The incoming president has also formed a powerful advisory council with authority over both civilian and military affairs. Analysts and opposition groups say the shift will not alter Myanmar’s ongoing conflict, which has displaced millions and devastated the economy since the coup.

Opposition forces, including the National Unity Government, continue to reject the election as illegitimate and vow to fight for a federal constitution. Meanwhile, economic hardship, fuel shortages, and widespread displacement persist across the country.

Serious allegations have emerged that land worth hundreds of millions of taka under Bangladesh Railway’s East Zone in Chattogram was allocated without a tender, violating the Railway Land Allocation Policy. The allocation reportedly took place at SRV Station, involving a syndicate of officials from the commercial branch, land property office, and security forces allegedly linked to former Awami League MP Fazle Karim Chowdhury. The process bypassed mandatory steps such as open tender and joint approval from key departments, sparking anger among railway employees.

Documents show that the company receiving the allocation, Utsab Trading and Engineering, had no connection to railway transport or storage, failing to meet policy requirements. Despite this, it was granted 4,500 square feet of land in January 2025, and a license fee notice was later issued. Investigation reports and design documents lacked required signatures from senior officials, and the design was approved without authorization.

Railway Director General Md. Afzal Hossain stated that any irregularities in land allocation would be investigated and appropriate action taken.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed the formation of a strong task force to strictly enforce the national building code. The instruction came during a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief on Thursday. The meeting also approved several measures to enhance earthquake preparedness, including structural safety assessments, public awareness, curriculum inclusion, research funding, and improved rescue capacity.

Officials said the Prime Minister emphasized comprehensive readiness for potential earthquakes, with a proposal to classify buildings into green, yellow, and red categories based on safety. A detailed engineering assessment for major cities is under approval. The meeting also set a goal to train 100,000 volunteers within two months and to integrate disaster topics into examinations and teacher training. Universities will receive government funding for disaster research.

The meeting identified 445 safe shelters in Dhaka and reported 4,869 rescue tools across agencies. Each ministry was instructed to allocate a separate disaster management budget. The Prime Minister also gave policy approval to link the Fire Service with the Disaster Management Ministry to strengthen coordination.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened additional attacks on Iran’s critical infrastructure, according to a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday. He stated that the U.S. military, which he described as the world’s strongest, has not yet begun destroying what remains in Iran. Trump added that bridges and power plants could be next targets, urging Iran’s leadership to act quickly.

The post came a day after Trump’s national address about “Operation Epic Fury,” which began on February 28. In that address, he warned that the United States would deliver severe blows to Iran within the next two to three weeks, saying the country would be pushed back to the “stone age.” The remarks were reported by Anadolu Agency.

The statements mark an escalation in rhetoric following the launch of Operation Epic Fury, signaling potential intensification of U.S. military actions against Iran’s infrastructure in the coming weeks.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has initiated a mega project aimed at reducing dependence on foreign vessels by adding 25 new ships to its fleet. The state-owned maritime company currently operates seven ships on international routes and reported record business of Tk 800 crore in the current fiscal year, with a net profit of Tk 306 crore. BSC officials confirmed that the expansion will strengthen Bangladesh’s presence in global maritime trade.

According to BSC sources, the corporation has begun purchasing five new ships, including two 63,500 DWT bulk carriers financed internally and three more under government loans. Future plans include acquiring four large vessels through government-to-government arrangements, six modern container ships, six LNG carriers, and several chemical and product oil tankers. The organization is also investing in infrastructure projects in Khulna and Chattogram and launching a maritime training center to develop skilled manpower.

Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek stated that BSC is experiencing its best period, with record profits boosting confidence. He said the corporation aims to deliver world-class maritime services and enhance its contribution to the national economy.

A recent US intelligence assessment indicates that nearly half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact despite more than a month of extensive US and Israeli airstrikes. The report, cited by three sources speaking to CNN, also states that Iran still possesses thousands of drones, representing about half of its drone capability. Some launchers may be buried under debris from attacks but are not fully destroyed, leaving them potentially operational.

According to the intelligence findings, a significant portion of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missiles also remains undamaged, as the United States has conducted limited airstrikes along Iran’s coastline. These missiles could pose a serious threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. One source told CNN that Iran retains the capacity to inflict widespread destruction across the region.

The intelligence assessment contrasts with President Trump’s claim of victory in the Iran conflict, suggesting that Iran’s military capabilities remain far from neutralized.

Bangladesh’s electronics and technology manufacturing sector, once advancing toward self-sufficiency through local investment and innovation, is now facing severe challenges due to recent tariff policies and regulatory inconsistencies. Industry stakeholders report that while import duties on certain finished components have been lifted, raw materials for local production are subject to high tariffs, making imports more profitable than domestic manufacturing. This shift threatens both local and foreign investment and risks undermining national export targets.

According to data, the domestic electronics and ICT market reached USD 9.44 billion in 2026, growing at an average of 15 percent annually, with local brands dominating major product segments. However, the National Board of Revenue’s revised SRO No. 274 has removed supplementary duties on imported parts already produced locally, while raw material imports face tariffs of 15–45 percent. Experts warn that this imbalance could close backward linkage industries and endanger millions of jobs tied to the sector.

Industry leaders and analysts urge the government to restore protective tariffs on locally produced parts, reduce raw material duties, and ensure fair treatment of local brands in public procurement to safeguard the sector’s sustainability.

India has not yet responded to Bangladesh’s request to return Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, the two main accused in the murder of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi. The National Central Bureau of Bangladesh Police sent a letter to the Indian Police Service on March 16, but no reply has been received. Authorities are now preparing to send a second letter and are also pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels. Police said the two countries have a prisoner exchange agreement under which the suspects could be repatriated.

The suspects were arrested by West Bengal’s Special Task Force on March 8 from the Bongaon border area after allegedly entering India illegally following Hadi’s killing. Indian media later reported that they were handed over to the National Investigation Agency and taken to Delhi under transit remand. Bangladeshi investigators have already arrested 12 people in connection with the case but have yet to capture five others, including the two in India.

Police fear that the delay in returning the suspects may slow progress in identifying the masterminds behind Hadi’s murder, which drew widespread attention at home and abroad.