US President Donald Trump has signaled that American forces may move to take control of Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub in the northern Persian Gulf. The island handles about 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports and lies in deep waters suitable for large crude carriers. The United States reportedly struck nearly 90 military targets on the island on March 13 but avoided oil infrastructure. Analysts suggest any US operation would likely be temporary, aimed at pressuring Tehran to ease its control over the Strait of Hormuz and meet Washington’s demands.

Iran has reinforced its defenses on Kharg Island, deploying surface-to-air missile batteries and warning of severe retaliation if US troops attempt to land. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf vowed that any invading force would face “a rain of fire.” The US has positioned about 5,000 naval personnel and 2,000 paratroopers in the region, fueling speculation about a potential assault.

Despite military readiness, the report notes that a prolonged occupation would be difficult for the US to sustain and unpopular domestically. Trump also indicated that ongoing talks with Iran could still avert a military confrontation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that more than half of Israel’s objectives in the war against Iran have been achieved, though he gave no timeline for its end. The conflict has spread across the region, with Israeli forces striking Tehran’s Imam Hossein University, reportedly linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and a separate airstrike near Beirut killing three Hezbollah members. Meanwhile, two UN peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon, and a drone attack targeting the US embassy in Baghdad was intercepted.

Iran’s parliament commission approved a plan to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy transport now largely closed due to the fighting. The G7 finance ministers pledged to take all necessary measures to stabilize energy markets. NATO intercepted a missile launched from Iran toward Turkey, marking the fourth such attempt since the war began.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged US President Donald Trump to help end the war, while Washington expressed cautious optimism about secret contacts with elements inside Iran. Trump warned that if no peace deal is reached soon, the US could destroy Iran’s key oil and power infrastructure.

Bangladeshi expatriates and members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Malaysia have submitted a memorandum demanding a fair and impartial investigation into the mysterious death of Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The memorandum was handed over to the head of chancery at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur under the supervision of Nasir Uddin Nasir and Mohammad Minhaj Mondol.

Participants at the event stated that questions and doubts still persist among the public regarding Koko’s death. They called for the formation of an independent and internationally credible investigation committee. The memorandum also included eight demands, such as identifying and prosecuting those responsible, withdrawing allegedly corrupt officials from the High Commission, ensuring transparency in administrative activities, and taking action against corruption and human trafficking.

The submission program was conducted peacefully, with several BNP activists and expatriates present during the event.

Justice Md. Rezaul Hasan of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court has resigned following corruption allegations. His resignation letter, submitted to the Supreme Court, was forwarded to the President on Monday. The allegations were filed earlier with the Supreme Judicial Council by K.M. Mojibul Haque, chairman of Shah Group, accusing the judge of corruption, misconduct, and abuse of power.

The complaint requested the Supreme Judicial Council to investigate the matter and to recommend appropriate constitutional measures if the allegations were proven. It claimed that Justice Hasan acted with bias in two company cases from 2010 and 2011. In one case, arguments were attributed to a senior lawyer who was not present, and the ruling was later overturned by the Appellate Division. In another, 1.3 million shares belonging to an applicant’s wife were canceled without her being made a party to the case, which the complainant described as contrary to principles of justice.

The resignation follows the formal submission of these allegations, and the matter now awaits further constitutional procedures.

South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce (SBAC) Bank, established on April 3, 2013, will mark its 13th anniversary this April. Managing Director S M Moinul Kabir said the bank currently operates 90 branches, 32 sub-branches, agent outlets, and 77 ATMs, with both conventional and Islamic banking services. Its total deposits stand at about Tk 11,000 crore, loans and advances at Tk 9,265 crore, and total assets at Tk 13,360 crore. The bank’s capital adequacy ratio is 14.22 percent, exceeding regulatory requirements.

Kabir noted that non-performing loans rose slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the political unrest of August 2024 but remain manageable. SBAC is prioritizing SME and agro-based lending, aiming to raise SME loans from 38 to 50 percent of total disbursement. The bank is also investing in digitalization aligned with the government’s cashless vision and strengthening cybersecurity.

Kabir emphasized that the board allows management to work independently and that customer deposits have increased by about 30 percent since August 5. The bank’s goal is to become one of Bangladesh’s top 20–25 banks within three years.

The government of Bangladesh is considering introducing a blended education system combining online and offline classes in response to the global energy crisis. Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon said the proposal will be presented at the upcoming cabinet meeting on Thursday. He made the remarks after a meeting with Prime Minister Tareq Rahman at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

The minister noted that recent holidays, protests, and other disruptions have affected class schedules. To recover lost time, the government is considering six-day school weeks instead of five and expanding virtual classes. A survey found that about 55 percent of students and parents support partial online learning, though concerns remain about social isolation if education becomes fully online. The blended approach is being prioritized for schools, with possible extension to colleges, while universities may adopt separate arrangements.

Milon added that alternative transport options such as electric and solar-powered buses and metro systems are being explored to address traffic congestion and energy challenges in major cities.

At least 70 people were killed and 30 others injured in a series of gang attacks in Haiti’s Artibonite region, according to a human rights organization cited by Al Jazeera. The violence erupted near the Petit-Rivière area, known as the country’s breadbasket, and continued from early Sunday through Monday morning. The group’s figures far exceed the government’s official death toll of 16. Witnesses reported that gang members set homes on fire and caused widespread destruction.

The rights group Défenseurs Plus said around 6,000 people were displaced by the attacks, while the United Nations estimated that over 2,000 had already fled earlier violence. A UN spokesperson stated that the organization is closely monitoring the situation and believes the death toll could range between 10 and 80. In a joint statement with the Collective to Save the Artibonite, Défenseurs Plus accused authorities of failing to maintain security and effectively abandoning the region to armed groups.

An audio message circulating on social media featured gang leader Lackson Elan claiming the assault was retaliation for an attack by a rival faction. The Artibonite region, a key agricultural zone, has recently become one of Haiti’s most violent areas despite government pledges to strengthen security.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon reported that two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed and several others injured on Monday in southern Lebanon amid ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. The deaths occurred when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed a UN vehicle, marking the second fatal incident within 24 hours. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has launched an investigation into the incident, while Israel’s military said it is also probing whether the explosions were caused by Hezbollah attacks or Israeli operations.

The Lebanese army confirmed that one of its soldiers was killed in an Israeli strike in the south, while security sources said three Hezbollah members died in another Israeli attack near Beirut. The conflict intensified after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on March 2, drawing Lebanon deeper into the regional war. Since then, Israeli forces have carried out extensive air and ground operations, with Lebanese authorities reporting over 1,200 deaths.

UN Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix condemned the attacks as unacceptable, while France and Spain called for Security Council action. Lebanon’s president and the UN’s special coordinator urged an immediate ceasefire to halt the destruction.

Bangladesh’s Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan, known for his past anti-cheating stance, is preparing to conduct the upcoming Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations from April 21, 2026, in a fully cheat- and leak-free environment. Within two months of assuming office, he has declared a zero-tolerance policy against exam malpractice and held multiple meetings with education boards and administrators to ensure strict compliance.

The Ministry of Education and the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) have issued 11-point directives to all exam centers, mandating CCTV installation, strict mobile phone restrictions, and enhanced security measures. Each exam room must have functioning cameras and clocks, and female teachers will conduct body searches for female students. Education boards have also formed inspection teams to visit centers between March 29 and April 13 and submit detailed reports.

Officials emphasize that any negligence in implementing these measures will result in legal action. The initiative aims to restore integrity in public examinations and strengthen public confidence in the education system.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to transfer the Fire Service and Civil Defence from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Officials confirmed that the move aims to improve coordination in disaster response and ensure unified command during emergencies. The Fire Service has agreed to the separation, and the process is currently underway under the Prime Minister’s directive.

According to ministry sources, the current structure often causes coordination gaps during major disasters, as multiple agencies operate separately. The restructuring seeks to establish single-point leadership for faster decision-making and more effective action. Plans are also being developed to integrate volunteer groups such as CPP, Rover Scouts, BNCC, and Red Crescent under one coordinated framework.

The Disaster Management Ministry is preparing to keep 100,000 volunteers ready in Dhaka and surrounding areas for earthquake and large-scale disaster response. Officials expect that bringing the Fire Service under the ministry will enhance efficiency and ensure quicker, more organized emergency services.

Local BNP leaders in Fatullah, Narayanganj, have been accused of illegally extracting soil from the Dhaleshwari and Buriganga rivers and selling it to nearby brick kilns. The activity reportedly takes place openly using grab dredgers, with around 150,000 cubic feet of soil removed daily from the Dharmaganj and Baktabali areas. Despite the absence of official permission for dredging, the report alleges that some BIWTA officials and river police have been influenced to allow the operations.

The unplanned soil extraction has put surrounding farmland, roads, and villages at risk of erosion. Residents say the illegal dredging is damaging the rivers’ navigability and environmental balance, threatening homes and businesses. The syndicate allegedly includes both BNP and Awami League figures, with specific local leaders named as participants.

Narayanganj-4 MP Abdullah Al Amin condemned the illegal activity, warning that it endangers riverside communities. BIWTA’s director declined to comment, while the local river police officer-in-charge said he had recently joined and would investigate the matter and take strict action.

A Kuwaiti crude oil tanker anchored at Dubai port caught fire following an Iranian attack, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The incident occurred while the vessel was moored in the port area of the United Arab Emirates. No casualties were reported in the attack.

Kuwait’s state-owned oil company, cited by the official KUNA news agency, stated that the large crude carrier was deliberately targeted by Iran. The report was also confirmed by AFP from Kuwait City. In response, Kuwait’s military announced on social media platform X that it had activated its air defense systems to counter hostile missile and drone attacks.

The reports did not specify the extent of the damage or whether operations at Dubai port were affected by the incident.

A series of frequent transfers of officer-in-charge (OC) positions across police stations in Chattogram Metropolitan Police has raised questions about transparency and possible hidden influences. Over the past 20 months, at least ten transfer orders have repeatedly placed the same group of officers in key and economically significant stations. Civil society representatives, including Akhtar Kabir Chowdhury of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN), described the trend as alarming for administrative stability, arguing that frequent reshuffles hinder effective policing and erode public trust.

The reshuffle pattern intensified after the political transition of August 2024, when large-scale reassignments began within the Chattogram police. Analysts observed that the process often involved rotating existing officers among influential stations rather than introducing new leadership. Police sources indicated that competition for “preferred postings” in high-profile stations is linked to lobbying and unofficial influence. Former adviser Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury, however, defended the practice as a normal administrative measure to restore stability after political change.

Observers warned that if the transfer process remains opaque and policy-deficient, it could undermine long-term law enforcement effectiveness and public confidence in the police system.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that four Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. According to a report citing AFP, the IDF released a statement naming three soldiers from the same battalion who died during the fighting. In a separate statement, the military confirmed the death of another soldier whose identity has not yet been disclosed.

The IDF also reported that one soldier was seriously injured and a member of the reserve forces sustained moderate injuries in the same confrontation. The incident marks another escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah along the Lebanon-Israel border.

The report, sourced from The Guardian, did not provide further details about the circumstances of the clash or the broader military situation in the area.

Global maritime trade is facing renewed instability as the Middle East war and a severe fuel crisis disrupt shipping routes. Main line operators are preparing to raise freight charges again from April 1, potentially increasing Bangladesh’s import and export costs. Container rates to Europe have already risen sharply, while connections on Middle East routes have nearly collapsed, with limited vessels charging several times higher rates. Freight for a 40-foot container from Chattogram to Europe has climbed from about $1,600–$1,700 in February to around $2,400 in March.

Shipping companies cite rising global fuel prices and war risks as reasons for the new rate adjustments, with expectations of a further 25–30 percent increase in April. Industry leaders warn that the surge will directly affect Bangladesh’s export sector, particularly the ready-made garment industry, as existing orders were priced under earlier freight structures. Freight forwarders also report a 20 percent rise in bulk cargo rates and growing risks in the Red Sea and Hormuz Strait.

Experts urge the government to closely monitor shipping line pricing and take measures to mitigate the impact on trade and the broader economy.