Retail traders in Bangladesh have alleged that edible oil companies are deliberately creating an artificial shortage of bottled soybean oil to raise prices amid an ongoing fuel crisis. They claim that companies have sharply reduced supply over the past six weeks, citing international price increases and lower profit margins. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association recently requested the Ministry of Commerce and the Tariff Commission to adjust prices, but the government has not yet held any meeting or made a decision.

Visits to markets in Dhaka and surrounding areas revealed that one- and two-liter bottles of soybean oil are scarce, while five-liter bottles are available in limited quantities. Retailers report reduced commissions and declining profits, leading to lower sales interest. Some shops are selling oil above the maximum retail price. Wholesale prices of loose soybean and palm oil have also risen by about five taka per kilogram.

Consumer rights group CAB criticized the situation, blaming weak government oversight and syndicate activities for the artificial crisis. It warned that companies are using supply cuts and commission reductions to pressure the government into approving price hikes.

At least eight people were injured on Tuesday afternoon when two rival groups of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed over extortion from trucks in the Forest Office area of Korerhat Union, Mirsarai upazila, Chattogram. The confrontation involved chasing and counter-chasing between the groups, causing panic among locals. Witnesses reported that armed displays took place along the Baraiyarhat–Khagrachhari road, and the injured were admitted to various hospitals.

According to local sources, the conflict stemmed from disputes over collecting 1,000 taka per truck carrying wood and sand. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, extortion was reportedly managed by local BNP-affiliated leaders Mohammad Alamgir and Masud Kala. Following the February 12 national election, Nur Uddin’s group took over the collection, intensifying the rivalry. Residents said the groups had long been at odds over extortion, drug control, and other criminal activities.

Jorarganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Nazmul Haque confirmed the clash, stating it occurred over dominance in the area. Police later visited the scene, and the situation was reported to be under control.

After the appointment of a new Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General, discussions have intensified within the Bangladesh Police over who will become the next commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Following the resignation of Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali on February 25, Additional Commissioner Md. Sarwar has been serving as acting commissioner. He is expected to retire in about six weeks, prompting speculation about his successor.

According to police headquarters sources, two candidates are currently leading the race: Barrister Zillur Rahman, chief of Railway Police from the 15th batch, and Md. Faruk, Additional Director General of RAB and former DMP Additional Commissioner from the 17th batch. The current IGP, also from the 15th batch, reportedly prefers a junior officer for the post, while his batchmates want the position to remain within their group, creating internal friction. Some officers who felt sidelined under the previous government are also lobbying for influence.

Officials said the government seeks a capable and trusted officer to lead the DMP, which oversees about 32,000 personnel and plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order in Dhaka. The appointment may occur soon, though it could also be delayed until after Sarwar’s retirement.

Farmers in multiple districts of Bangladesh are facing severe difficulties due to an ongoing diesel shortage that has disrupted irrigation during the peak Boro cultivation season. Reports from Rajshahi, Kurigram, Sherpur, Khulna, and Manikganj show that many irrigation pumps and agricultural machines have stopped operating because of fuel scarcity. Farmers say they are unable to water their fields on time, leading to drying crops and fears of reduced yields. In some areas, diesel prices have risen sharply above government rates, while retail pumps report having no stock.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, large portions of farmland in Rajshahi and other regions depend on diesel-powered irrigation systems. In Rajshahi alone, over 21 percent of irrigated land relies on diesel pumps. The shortage has also affected transportation in riverine areas like Manikganj, where engine boats have stopped running, disrupting vegetable supply and driving up market prices.

Farmers and local officials warn that if diesel supply does not normalize soon, Boro rice and vegetable production could face significant setbacks this season.

Kuwait International Airport experienced another drone attack on April 1, 2026, which Kuwaiti authorities attributed to Iran. The strike caused a massive fire at the airport’s fuel depot, leading to extensive damage to fuel tanks. According to the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, no casualties were reported. On the same day, Bahrain also reported a drone attack on a company facility, which its Interior Ministry said was caused by Iranian drones.

Abdullah Al-Rajhi, spokesperson for Kuwait’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, stated that the attack specifically targeted the airport’s fuel tanks, resulting in a large blaze at the site. CNN cited Kuwaiti officials confirming that the fire was severe but under control. The incident marks a renewed escalation in drone-related hostilities in the Gulf region.

Authorities in both Kuwait and Bahrain were working to contain the fires and assess the extent of the damage. Further details on the motive or potential response from the affected countries were not immediately available.

After securing a sweeping victory in the 13th parliamentary election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders are now competing intensely for nominations to the reserved women’s seats. The party is struggling to manage hundreds of aspirants from both central and grassroots levels, including long-time activists, former MPs, and new faces. The Election Commission plans to announce the schedule for these seats between April 7 and 10, following a commission meeting on April 6.

According to party sources, priority is being given to women with long-standing political contributions, roles in past movements, and sacrifices for the party. Consideration is also being extended to families of senior leaders who were killed or injured in political struggles. Former MPs, wives and daughters of senior BNP leaders, and several cultural figures are among those under discussion. Three female candidates who contested but lost in the 13th election are also being considered.

BNP’s nomination board is preparing an initial list that will be shortened before final approval by the party’s chairman, Tarique Rahman. The final decision will be made after the Election Commission announces the official schedule.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington is beginning to see the 'final line' of the ongoing Iran war, which has entered its fifth week. Speaking on Fox News on Tuesday, Rubio said the end is approaching, though not immediately. When asked about the possibility of negotiations with Iran, he noted that direct talks could occur at some point but emphasized that former President Trump would not allow discussions to be used as a delaying tactic.

Rubio rejected claims that the United States lacks a clear strategy on Iran, asserting that the objectives are well-defined. He said the US has already destroyed Iran’s air force and largely neutralized its navy. He added that the US is targeting factories producing missiles and drones, as well as missile launchers, to prevent further attacks. Rubio also mentioned that after the war, the US would need to reconsider its relationship with NATO.

The remarks were reported by The Guardian and reflect Washington’s current stance on the conflict’s trajectory and its strategic goals.

A heated debate erupted in Bangladesh’s National Parliament over the opposition’s motion to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Reform Council. The discussion, held on Tuesday and lasting more than two hours, centered on the legality of the July Charter Implementation Order and the scope of the president’s authority to issue it. Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman defended the order’s legitimacy, while Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad and Law Minister Asaduzzaman called it unconstitutional and beyond presidential powers. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad described the debate as lively but reached no decision.

Government members proposed forming a special all-party parliamentary committee to draft constitutional amendments, while the opposition suggested a joint committee with equal representation from both sides. The dispute reflected deep divisions over whether the July Charter and related referendum were constitutionally valid. Several MPs from Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and BJP participated, presenting contrasting interpretations of the president’s authority, the referendum’s outcome, and the council’s legitimacy.

The session concluded without resolution, leaving the future of the Constitutional Reform Council uncertain as both sides maintained their positions and urged the Speaker to decide on next steps.

Bangladesh is experiencing a severe fuel shortage with no sign of improvement, leaving vehicle owners and drivers struggling to obtain petrol and diesel. Many filling stations in Dhaka and across the country remain closed most of the day, causing a sharp decline in road traffic. Despite this, the government insists that it has 192,919 tons of fuel in reserve and has approved the import of an additional 150,000 tons. Officials claim the supply is stable and that 25 percent more fuel is being imported compared to last year.

The government attributes the crisis to illegal hoarding, black market trading, and panic buying following regional tensions. Authorities have conducted 3,559 raids, recovering nearly 296,000 liters of fuel and imposing fines and jail terms. However, petrol pump owners dispute the government’s claims, saying they receive less than half their required supply and face unrest and security threats at stations.

To ease the shortage, the government has approved emergency purchases of 260,000 tons of fuel and is seeking U.S. approval to import six lakh tons from Russia, while maintaining domestic prices through subsidies.

Bangladesh and Nepal meet today in the first semifinal of the SAFF Under-20 Championship at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives. The match kicks off at 4:45 pm Bangladesh time. Bangladesh, the defending champions, are focused on defeating Nepal to secure a place in the final and retain their title.

Bangladesh won the tournament for the first time in 2024, defeating Nepal 4-1 in the final. This year, the two teams meet again, but in the semifinal stage. The team’s hopes are centered on US-based brothers Declan Sullivan and Ronan Sullivan, who are representing Bangladesh for the first time. Ronan has already scored twice in one match, while Declan, an 18-year-old defender, is expected to strengthen the defense after errors in the group stage against India.

Bangladesh reached the semifinal as group runners-up with four points, after beating Pakistan 2-0 and drawing 1-1 with India. The tournament final is scheduled for April 3.

Mahmudur Rahman, writing in the newspaper Amar Desh on April 1, 2026, expressed surprise and satisfaction at the arrests of retired Lieutenant Generals Masud and Mamun Khaled, whom he described as key figures behind the 1/11 political events. He viewed the arrests as a sign that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had not forgotten the injustices of that period. Rahman reflected on his own opposition to the 1/11 regime and its long-term effects on Bangladesh’s institutions.

He argued that the 1/11 government had caused lasting damage to the judiciary, election system, military, and media, and accused its architects of undermining national sovereignty through foreign influence. Rahman called for legal accountability for those involved, asserting that the crimes committed against the state could not be forgiven. He also reiterated his newspaper’s support for the government’s efforts to protect national sovereignty.

In a separate section, Rahman responded to comments by government adviser Dr. Zahedur Rahman, defending Amar Desh against allegations of bias and emphasizing its independence from political or oligarchic control.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed his country’s willingness to end the ongoing war with the United States and Israel, provided certain conditions are fulfilled. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Pezeshkian made the statement during a telephone conversation with European Council President Antonio Costa on Tuesday. He emphasized that Iran seeks no escalation or conflict and that the cessation of aggressive attacks by opposing forces is essential for restoring normalcy.

Pezeshkian stated that Iran’s readiness to end the war depends on guarantees preventing future aggression. He reiterated that Iran did not initiate the hostilities and views halting enemy offensives as the only path to stability. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that the ongoing Iran war could soon conclude and remarked that the Strait of Hormuz would automatically reopen once U.S. forces withdraw.

The exchange of statements suggests a possible diplomatic opening, though the specific conditions Iran requires and the timeline for any resolution remain unclear.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since assuming office, prompting speculation about his health and whereabouts. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Khamenei was seriously injured in a February 28 attack and placed in intensive care, a claim echoed by some Western media. Tehran denied these reports but did not clarify his exact location.

Amid growing rumors, several outlets reported that Khamenei was receiving treatment in Moscow under Russian President Vladimir Putin’s supervision and had sent messages to the Iraqi people and during Nowruz from an undisclosed location. Both statements were read on state media by another person.

In a recent interview with RTVI, Russian Ambassador to Tehran Alexey Dedov stated that Khamenei remains in Iran. He said the leader’s absence from public view is due to security reasons and that Iranian authorities have repeatedly affirmed his presence in the country. Dedov emphasized that Khamenei is staying in a secure location away from hostile threats.

Israel will not take part in any potential US ground operation in Iran, according to reports from Israeli media. Channel 12 stated on Sunday that if the United States launches a ground assault, Israeli forces will not participate on the ground. This stance indicates that Tel Aviv intends to leave full responsibility for such an operation to US forces.

The report comes as discussions and criticism grow in Washington over possible US ground action in Iran. The Pentagon is reportedly preparing several options, including limited operations, though the White House has not confirmed whether President Donald Trump has approved any such move. Iran has publicly warned that any US incursion would face fierce resistance, while military analysts have cautioned that a ground war could repeat the strategic mistakes of Vietnam.

The Channel 12 report has sparked strong reactions in the United States. Supporters of the “America First” policy argue that Washington is being pushed toward an expensive ground conflict while Israel avoids sending its troops into Iran.

US President Donald Trump stated that Iran will require 15 to 20 years to rebuild following intense attacks by the United States and Israel. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday local time, Trump said that the US aimed to destroy everything Iran possessed and that the country had been pushed back significantly. He claimed that Iran now lacked a navy, military, air force, telecommunications system, air defense, and leadership.

Trump added that negotiations with Iran would be welcome but insisted it made no difference whether Iran agreed to talks or not. His remarks came amid reports of continued hostilities in the region, including Israeli strikes and missile attacks linked to the ongoing conflict.

The comments, reported by Al Jazeera, reflect the US administration’s stance following the escalation of military actions against Iran and its allies.