The United States has agreed to positively consider Bangladesh’s request for a special waiver to import refined diesel and other petroleum products from Russia. The assurance was given by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright to Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman during a meeting in Washington. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 1.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Rahman discussed Bangladesh’s energy supply challenges caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war. He requested a special exemption from the United States to allow direct imports of refined fuel from Russia. The report noted that Bangladesh had previously sent a similar request to Washington through an official letter.

The statement did not specify when a final decision might be made or what conditions could apply to the potential waiver.

A mobile court in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia fined businessman Mirajul Islam Miraj Tk 50,000 for illegally storing fuel. The operation took place on Wednesday around 5:30 p.m. at his fuel shop in the Center Mor area, where 214 liters of petrol were found stored without authorization. The fine was imposed under the Consumer Rights Protection Act of 2009.

The mobile court, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Aninda Guha, also searched the shops and houses of Mirajul Islam Miraj and another businessman named Majnu. Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Pradip Kumar Das, along with law enforcement officers, were present during the operation.

Officials involved in the drive stated that such operations will continue in the public interest and that strict measures will be taken against illegal fuel storage and other irregularities.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will host a virtual meeting on Thursday with representatives from around 35 countries to discuss diplomatic measures aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil transport routes. The meeting seeks to coordinate international efforts to restore safe passage through the strait, which has been effectively blocked since late February.

According to the report, Iran has maintained the blockade using drones, missiles, and possible mines following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. The disruption has led to a rise in global energy prices. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier stated that reducing tensions and reopening the strait are essential to addressing the growing cost of living.

The planned meeting underscores the UK’s diplomatic initiative to ease regional tensions and stabilize global energy markets through multilateral engagement.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on social media platform Truth Social that Iran’s new president had requested a ceasefire from the United States. Trump added that Washington would only consider a ceasefire once the Strait of Hormuz was open, free, and safe, declaring that until then, the U.S. was destroying Iran or, as he put it, sending it back to the Stone Age.

Iranian authorities firmly rejected Trump’s claim, calling it false and denying any direct talks or agreements. The Iranian foreign minister clarified that while some messages had been exchanged, they could not be considered negotiations or a ceasefire request. Tehran, he said, remained prepared to continue the war.

Following Trump’s remarks, global oil prices rose, reflecting market sensitivity to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

A line worker of Rangpur Palli Bidyut Samiti-1 was assaulted while collecting overdue electricity bills in Kandi Bazar, Pirgacha, Rangpur. The incident occurred on Monday morning when locals became agitated after power connections were disconnected without prior notice. The situation escalated following alleged provocation by a local shopkeeper named Lavlu, leading to a physical attack on lineman Rakibul Islam, who was later hospitalized with serious injuries.

Despite a written complaint naming seven individuals being submitted the same night, police had not registered a case three days later. Officials from the electricity office alleged that the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Debashish Basak called both parties for a mediation meeting instead. The UNO confirmed hearing both sides and said a final decision would be made the following Tuesday, adding that a case would proceed if no settlement was reached.

Local residents claimed that the main accused, Lavlu, has a history of involvement in criminal activities. Observers warned that delaying legal action and pursuing compromise in such cases could embolden offenders.

Iran’s emergency medical services chief has reported that 24 health workers have been killed since the start of the ongoing US-Israeli attacks on the country. The casualties include doctors, nurses, technicians, and other staff working in health and food service sectors. Additionally, at least 114 health workers have been injured, among them 74 EMS 115 emergency responders who were hurt while treating victims at attack sites.

According to the report, more than 330 healthcare facilities have been damaged in the strikes, and one rescue helicopter has been destroyed. Officials warned that the continued assaults on the health sector are worsening the humanitarian situation and straining emergency response capabilities.

The sustained damage to Iran’s medical infrastructure has raised concerns about the country’s ability to maintain essential health services amid the conflict.

Authorities in Jamalganj, Sunamganj, seized approximately 2,080 liters of illegally stored diesel during a joint operation on Wednesday afternoon. The drive was conducted by the district administration, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh at Sachna Bazar. The fuel was recovered from a warehouse adjacent to the mosque market, belonging to Nabi Hossain, son of the late Abdu Mia of Dhanuakhali village. Hossain was not present during the raid.

Officials found ten 200-liter drums and one open drum containing an additional 80 liters of diesel, along with three empty drums. The seized fuel and containers were placed under the custody of Md. Shahjalal, the officer in charge of the Jamuna Oil Company barge depot at Sachna Bazar. The operation was led by Executive Magistrate Sakibur Rahman of the Sunamganj district administration.

According to the magistrate, the operation was based on confidential information and aimed to maintain normal fuel supply by preventing illegal hoarding. No arrests were made at the scene.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that the government is committed to elevating farmers to the highest social status, describing the new Farmer Card as a recognition of their dignity. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the Ministry of Agriculture in Dhaka during an inter-ministerial meeting marking the launch of the pre-pilot distribution of the Farmer Card.

The minister stated that a strong agricultural economy ensures a strong national economy, noting that 70 percent of the population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture. Through the Farmer Card, all farmers will be brought under a unified system, helping to organize the agricultural sector. The initiative aims to address mismatches between production and demand and reduce crop wastage. The card will include data on land size, soil health, acidity, crop demand, and production, ensuring fair prices for farmers.

He instructed officials to complete the Farmer Card work properly in 11 blocks across 11 upazilas. Representatives from various ministries and field administration officials joined the meeting, some participating online.

A Dhaka court has ordered the release of Tahmina Akter, a mother of three, who was detained at the National Memorial in Savar while paying tribute on behalf of the banned Awami League. The order was issued on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, by Senior Judicial Magistrate Afroza Sultana Sweety after accepting a report submitted by the Detective Branch (DB) police.

According to the DB report filed on March 31 by Sub-Inspector Abdul Muktalib of Dhaka District (South), Tahmina Akter lives in a rented house in Dhaka, her husband is an expatriate, and she has limited contact with her family. The report stated that on March 26, unidentified individuals associated with Awami League politics persuaded her to visit the National Memorial to lay a wreath and chant slogans for social media promotion. The investigation found no evidence linking her to any political activity or criminal offense.

Following the hearing, the court ordered her release under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as no specific charges were substantiated against her.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that an additional 30,000 families will be brought under the Family Card program within the remaining three months of the current fiscal year. He made the statement during the question-and-answer session in the national parliament, marking his first appearance in that format as prime minister. The program, launched on March 10 across 15 wards in 13 districts, has already provided allowances to 37,814 women-headed families.

Rahman explained that the Family Card will be issued in the name of the female head of each household, aiming to strengthen women’s control over family assets. The initiative is designed to ensure that financial assistance is used directly for food, nutrition, healthcare, and education, while also enhancing women’s decision-making power and social status. The government plans to expand the program to cover 40 million families within the next four years.

During the session, the prime minister also stated that the government would take steps to recover laundered money, describing it as the people’s trust and a national responsibility to bring it back.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that opposition parties have the right to walk out of parliament, describing it as part of parliamentary culture. He made the remarks on Wednesday, April 1, during a parliamentary session after opposition leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman announced a walkout over the government’s lack of decision on a referendum reform proposal and the formation of a constitutional council.

In his response, the minister explained that while the opposition’s walkout is within their rights, it is important that the government’s position also be recorded. He elaborated on procedural rules, noting that certain motions cannot be discussed under parliamentary regulations and that decisions on adjournment motions rest with the Speaker. Ahmed emphasized that discussions on such motions do not require a vote once they have been debated.

He further clarified that the Speaker has discretion over whether to consider adjournment motions and that opposition members have the privilege to raise issues, but those must follow established parliamentary procedures.

Pakistan’s security forces conducted intelligence-based operations on two bases of Fitna al Khawarij, described as an ‘Indian proxy force,’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), at least 13 members of the group were killed in the raids carried out on Wednesday, April 1. The operations targeted militant hideouts in the Bara area of Khyber district and in Bannu district.

ISPR reported that ten militants were killed in Bara after intense gunfire, while three others were killed in Bannu during a separate operation. The raids were launched following intelligence reports about the presence of armed militants in those areas.

The ISPR stated that search operations are continuing to eliminate India-backed militants and that counterterrorism efforts under the Azm-e-Istehkam program will proceed at full pace.

The government has finalized a decision to bring all teachers and employees of MPO-listed educational institutions, including heads of institutions, under a unified transfer system through a dedicated software. The decision was made at a meeting of the Ministry of Education held on Wednesday, chaired by Additional Secretary (Private Secondary) Md. Mizanur Rahman. The meeting also emphasized the need to update the transfer software and to publish a revised transfer policy soon.

According to meeting sources, the inclusion of institution heads, assistant heads, and employees in the transfer process will require new contracts, as transfers without such agreements would be considered irregular. The vendor company responsible for the software has demanded additional payment of around 2 to 2.5 million taka for the necessary updates. Once the new contracts are completed, the software will be updated to include all relevant personnel.

Officials present at the meeting indicated that the revised policy and updated software will ensure that both senior officials and other employees are regularly included in the transfer process.

A severe nor’wester struck Nilphamari district late Tuesday night, causing extensive damage across four unions in Jaldhaka and Kishoreganj upazilas. More than 200 houses were destroyed and 38 hectares of maize fields were heavily affected. Power supply from the Kishoreganj NESCO office to Jaldhaka’s Tengonmari area remained cut off through Wednesday afternoon due to damaged electric lines and leaning poles.

In Kishoreganj’s Putimari Union, around 100 houses were destroyed and nearly 200 more tilted, while about 200 hectares of maize fields were flattened. Local officials reported that many tin roofs were blown away and trees fell on houses. The Upazila Agriculture Officer said 150 hectares of maize fields were affected, with 12 hectares at risk of total loss. In Jaldhaka, the storm hit Khutamara, Dharmapal, and Golna unions, damaging about 100 houses and 26 hectares of maize.

Officials from both upazilas said field assessments are underway to finalize damage reports, while power restoration efforts continue in affected areas.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic Division carried out coordinated eviction drives across several areas of the capital on Wednesday, April 1, imposing fines totaling Tk 1.92 lakh and sentencing 23 individuals to varying jail terms. The operations targeted illegal occupation of footpaths and roads, confiscated goods, and took legal action against violators, according to a press release signed by Assistant Police Commissioner Arifa Akhtar Preeti of the DMP Media and Public Relations Division.

Separate drives were conducted by multiple traffic zones, including Lalbagh, Wari, Ramna, Mirpur, Motijheel, Tejgaon, Gulshan, and Uttara. In Kotwali, 13 people were arrested under the Road Transport Act 2018, while in Wari, seven traders were fined Tk 15,000. The Ramna zone issued 49 video cases and 10 instant cases for illegal parking, seizing goods equivalent to three pickup trucks. Other zones imposed fines ranging from Tk 15,000 to Tk 70,000 and warned several business owners.

Police officials stated that such eviction operations will continue to ensure smooth pedestrian movement and maintain order on city roads.