Kuwait has decided to reduce oil production due to a security crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. The state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday, citing increased risks to maritime navigation. The company said production had already been reduced since the second week of March and would return to normal levels once the situation stabilizes. Under normal conditions, Kuwait produces more than three million barrels of oil per day.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy route, used daily by nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Security risks in the region have intensified since the start of the Middle East war, with several oil tankers reportedly attacked. In response, Iran has warned that vessels belonging to the United States, Israel, and their allies could face continued attacks as long as the conflict persists.

The production cut reflects Kuwait’s precautionary stance amid growing instability in the region, which has already disrupted energy supplies and affected daily life across parts of Asia.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police has formed an investigation committee following an incident at a shop in the Moghbazar Vishal Center involving a dispute over a Punjabi sales offer. The decision was confirmed on Wednesday, March 25, by DMP’s Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman. As part of the immediate administrative action, the officer-in-charge of Hatirjheel Police Station has been closed to DMP Headquarters, and an assistant sub-inspector has been attached to Rajarbagh Police Lines.

According to the DMP press release, the incident occurred on Friday, March 20, when an unexpected situation arose between the market committee and a showroom over a promotional offer. The investigation committee will look into whether any police personnel were involved in the matter.

Further measures will be taken based on the recommendations of the investigation committee once its findings are submitted.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) detained a Pakistani oil tanker named ‘Selen’ in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement posted on social media. The vessel, flying Pakistan’s flag, was traveling from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi when it was stopped for entering the area without prior authorization from Iranian maritime authorities. After initial questioning of the captain and crew, the ship was released but instructed to avoid the strait and take an alternative route.

The incident occurred as Pakistan has been acting as a mediator between the United States and Iran to ease ongoing tensions. The IRGC stated that the order to halt and redirect the vessel was due to “legal violations” and the failure to obtain necessary clearance. It emphasized that all ships must secure permission from Iranian maritime authorities before passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The episode highlights the sensitivity of navigation rules in the strategic waterway during a period of diplomatic engagement involving Pakistan, Iran, and the United States.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a food distribution program for poor and helpless people in Dhaka, reaffirming its commitment to stand by citizens in establishing a welfare state. The event took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Udyam Prochesta Cricket Ground near Tejkunipara Khelaghar field, under the initiative of the Tejgaon Thana branch. Mohammad Selim Uddin, central executive council member and Ameer of Dhaka North, attended as chief guest.

Selim Uddin said that standing beside the underprivileged amid economic disparity and hardship is not only a humanitarian duty but also part of an ideological struggle. He emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami has always been and will continue to be with the people to establish a just and welfare-oriented state. Around 500 low-income individuals received food items during the program.

Tejgaon Thana South Ameer Engineer Noman Ahmadi stated that many people are suffering due to the failure to meet basic needs, and as a socially conscious and faith-based organization, they consider it their duty to support them. Organizers expressed satisfaction at bringing smiles to disadvantaged people and hoped to expand such initiatives in the future.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his firm stance against what he called the 'aggressive Zionist regime.' Pezeshkian described Turkey’s position as commendable and said Ankara plays an important role in maintaining unity within the Muslim world.

Earlier, Harun Armagan, vice chairman for foreign affairs of Turkey’s ruling AK Party, told Reuters that Ankara has been facilitating message exchanges between Tehran and Washington. According to him, the main goal of these communications is to reduce tensions between the two countries and pave the way for direct talks.

Turkey maintains good relations with both the United States and Iran. Leveraging this position, Ankara is reportedly working with several other nations to present itself as a potential mediator in regional diplomacy.

Google has introduced Lyria 3 Pro, an advanced version of its AI music generation model, on March 25, 2026. The new model enables users to create tracks up to three minutes long with enhanced structural awareness and customization. Lyria 3 Pro can generate specific musical elements such as intros, verses, choruses, and bridges, offering creators greater control and flexibility. The rollout extends Lyria’s capabilities to more Google products, including Vertex AI, Google AI Studio, Gemini API, Google Vids, the Gemini app, and ProducerAI.

According to Google, Lyria 3 Pro is designed to make high-quality music generation accessible to developers, businesses, and creators. It is available in public preview on Vertex AI for scalable audio production and integrated into Google Vids for Workspace and AI Pro subscribers. ProducerAI users can now collaborate with the model to iterate on full-length songs. The company emphasized responsible development, using only materials it has rights to and embedding all outputs with SynthID watermarks to identify AI-generated content.

Google stated that Lyria 3 Pro was developed in collaboration with musicians through its Music AI Sandbox, ensuring the technology supports creative expression while protecting intellectual property rights.

Four trainee Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) from the 43rd batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Police) cadre have been dismissed from government service. The decision was made under the Bangladesh Civil Service Recruitment Rules, 1981. The Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on Wednesday, signed by Deputy Secretary Touhif Ahmed on behalf of the President.

The dismissed officers are Sajid Bin Kamal, Raton Bala, Md Abdul Aziz, and Tahmid Ahmed. According to the notification, the action was taken under Rule 6(2)(a) of the 1981 regulations with approval from the competent authority. The order took immediate effect in the public interest. Copies of the notification were sent to the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Inspector General of Police, and the Ministry of Public Administration for necessary action.

The notification did not specify the reasons behind the dismissal of the four trainee officers, leaving the cause undisclosed.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has made it clear that fuel prices will not increase, according to his Policy and Strategy Adviser Jahid Ur Rahman. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on March 25, the adviser warned that petrol pump owners would not benefit from hoarding fuel. He emphasized that the government is monitoring the situation and urged citizens to refrain from panic buying.

Jahid Ur Rahman explained that the current fuel supply strain is linked to global crises and public fear rather than government mismanagement. He compared the situation to a bank run, noting that excessive withdrawals—or in this case, hoarding—can disrupt normal supply chains. The adviser said the government deliberately avoided raising domestic fuel prices to prevent inflation, given the country’s limited purchasing power.

He added that fuel rationing before Eid was lifted to ensure smooth travel, and called for public awareness to prevent unnecessary shortages caused by fear-driven behavior.

Police in Jamalpur detained eleven individuals on Wednesday night for allegedly attempting to sell 3,000 liters of petrol illegally in Kendua Kalibari Bazar. Locals intercepted seven vehicles, including pickup vans and autorickshaws, carrying 15 drums of petrol reportedly being smuggled by local retailer Sohel Rana. The suspects and seized fuel were handed over to Jamalpur Sadar Police Station after being held at the Kendua Union Parishad office.

According to police and witnesses, the petrol was being transported to Bogura’s Sariakandi area for sale on the black market. Residents claimed that Sohel Rana and two other main suspects were released, sparking local frustration. Authorities confirmed that legal proceedings are underway and that the seized petrol and vehicles remain in police custody.

Officials stated that regular mobile court drives will continue against illegal fuel trading. The Jamalpur upazila administration assured citizens that there is no fuel shortage and urged the public not to panic.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal president Shamik Bhattacharya has threatened to annex Bangladesh’s Jessore and Khulna regions to India, calling on Bangladeshi Hindus for support. He made the remarks on Wednesday during a BJP press conference in Kolkata, where fellow BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, a former ally of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was also present.

During the event, Bhattacharya declared that his party would not allow West Bengal to become “West Bangladesh.” He accused Mamata Banerjee and her associates of attempting to change the state’s identity and stated that the BJP would not permit the construction of a Babri Masjid. He further urged Bangladeshi Hindus to “break Bangladesh” and bring land to India by including Jessore and Khulna.

The statements were made publicly in Kolkata and directly linked to regional political tensions between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran launched 100 missiles toward the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, describing the incident during a White House address. He claimed all 101 missiles were intercepted. The footage released reportedly showed multiple cruise missiles being fired from Iran’s coast toward the sea, where the carrier was deployed in the Arabian Sea under Operation Epic Fury.

Iran, meanwhile, issued a renewed warning that it would target the USS Abraham Lincoln if given the opportunity. The country also announced missile strikes on U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. These attacks occurred as the Trump administration sent a 15-point peace proposal to Tehran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

The developments highlight a sharp escalation in hostilities between Washington and Tehran, with regional security and energy stability increasingly at risk according to the report.

A passenger bus that plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia in Rajbari has been recovered, with fire service personnel pulling out bodies one after another late Wednesday night. The bus, which had sunk earlier in the evening, was lifted from the river around 11:30 p.m. According to the Fire Service, twelve bodies have been recovered so far, including three men, six women, and three children. Rescue workers also found school bags, shoes, and other belongings floating from the damaged vehicle, while three ambulances were kept ready to assist the operation.

Witnesses and relatives gathered at the riverbank searching for missing family members. One man said his friend’s sister and her husband were on the bus and remain missing. Another person reported that his wife, daughter, and niece survived by swimming ashore, but his young son and nephew are still unaccounted for. A grandfather waited in tears for news of his two grandchildren.

According to the ferry terminal supervisor, the bus carrying about 50 passengers was waiting for a ferry when a small utility ferry named “Hasna Hena” struck the pontoon, causing the bus to lose control and fall into the river.

Member of Parliament for Sunamganj-2, Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, emphasized the need to make Shalla Upazila free from corruption and crime. He called for an end to theft and false cases, urging that ordinary people should not face harassment. He made these remarks on Wednesday while addressing a views-exchange meeting organized by the Shalla Upazila BNP as the chief guest.

During his speech, Chowdhury said that the development of Dirai-Shalla requires eliminating crime and ensuring active participation from all party leaders and workers. He also stated that opportunists from the Awami League would not be allowed to join their party. The meeting, held at the public auditorium at 2 p.m., was presided over by Shalla Upazila BNP convener Md. Sirajul Islam Siraj and conducted by senior joint convener Md. Abdul Awal.

After the meeting, Nasir Uddin Chowdhury attended another event at the office of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, continuing his engagement with local administrative and political activities.

Iran issued a stern warning to the United States, urging Washington not to describe its defeat as an agreement. The statement came from Ebrahim Zulfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who said that the military power once boasted by the United States has now turned into a strategic failure. He added that if the self-proclaimed global superpower could have escaped this situation, it would have done so already.

The warning followed a claim by former U.S. President Donald Trump on social media platform Truth Social that constructive discussions had taken place between the United States and Iran over the past two days amid the ongoing war. Tehran, however, denied any formal communication with Washington. Zulfaqari further declared that the era of promises is over and that the world now stands divided between truth and falsehood, asserting that those who support freedom will not be misled by propaganda.

The exchange reflects heightened tensions between the two countries, with both sides issuing conflicting statements about diplomatic engagement and the broader conflict.

The Parents’ Unity Forum has called for the cancellation of Saturday weekly holidays in all educational institutions across Bangladesh to address existing learning gaps and ensure timely completion of syllabuses. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the organization’s president, Md. Ziaul Kabir Dulu, said the measure should apply not only to primary but also to secondary levels.

The statement expressed concern over the growing dependence on coaching centers and private tutoring at the secondary level, alleging that many teachers are involved in such activities, forcing students to rely on them. Complaints have also surfaced about harassment or threats of lower grades for those not attending specific teachers’ private sessions. The forum further noted that despite the nationalization of many secondary schools, politically appointed teachers remain in place, continuing syndicate activities that undermine the education system.

The forum highlighted that while ten Saturdays of classes have been introduced at the primary level, no clear directive has been issued for secondary schools. It urged authorities to ensure a transparent, accountable, and student-centered education system.