A protest meeting organized by Young Women for Development Rights and Climate (YWDRC) and five other organizations expressed deep concern over the recent deterioration of Bangladesh’s child immunization program. The meeting, held on Thursday, highlighted that nearly 400,000 children missed full vaccination and about 70,000 received none due to government negligence, vaccine supply disruptions, shortage of field health workers, reduced international support, and limited access for marginalized communities.

Speakers warned of the resurgence of preventable diseases such as measles and a rising risk of child mortality. Research cited at the meeting indicated that a functioning immunization program could save around 94,000 children annually, a goal now under threat. The keynote was presented by YWDRC Executive Chairman Sultana Nusrat Afroze, with representatives from several partner organizations also addressing the event.

The participants issued six demands to the government, including increased budget allocation, improved vaccine supply and cold chain systems, recruitment and training of health workers, special vaccination campaigns in remote areas, awareness drives to counter misinformation, and stronger coordination with international partners.

Iraq has opened a new overland energy route to export oil to Europe through Syria, marking a significant shift in regional energy logistics. The Iraqi State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) Director General Ali Nazar said a deal has been reached to export 50,000 barrels per day of Basra Medium crude via Syria, with plans to increase the volume later. The oil will reach European markets through Syria’s Baniyas port.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, convoys of fuel trucks have already begun entering Syria through the Al-Tanf border crossing, signaling the country’s reemergence as a key transit hub. The Syrian Petroleum Company stated that the imported oil will first be stored and then transported to Baniyas for export. Communications Director Safwan Sheikh Ahmad said the first convoy includes 299 tankers and described the initiative as an important step in restoring Syria’s role in the regional energy corridor.

The development comes amid ongoing Middle East tensions, potentially reshaping trade and energy supply routes across the region.

A high-level meeting will be held on April 3 at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finalize the operation and maintenance agreement for the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The process advanced after a Japanese consortium submitted a revised, lower-cost proposal addressing Bangladesh’s concerns over service charges, operational control, and revenue sharing. Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) confirmed that the agreement is now in its final stage.

The Japanese consortium—comprising Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz Corporation, and Narita International Airport Corporation—submitted the new proposal following government instructions to restart talks. The terminal, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at a cost of about Tk 21,398 crore, is 99 percent complete but has remained idle due to unresolved management issues. The new government prioritized resolving these delays after taking office.

If consensus is reached at the April 3 meeting, officials expect the long-delayed terminal to begin operations soon, easing congestion and inefficiencies at the airport and marking a major step in Bangladesh’s aviation expansion.

Russia has announced its readiness to assist in resolving the ongoing conflict involving Iran, following aggressive attacks by the United States and Israel and Iran’s retaliatory strikes. The situation has heightened tensions across the Middle East, prompting several countries, including Pakistan and Turkey, to seek ways to de-escalate the crisis.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday that Russia is prepared to contribute to resolving the Iran conflict. He said President Vladimir Putin continues discussions with regional leaders and emphasized that Moscow stands ready to help restore peace as quickly as possible if its assistance is needed.

The statement underscores Russia’s intention to play a diplomatic role in stabilizing the region as multiple nations engage in mediation efforts.

Dr. Md. Shakirul Islam Khan (Shakil), an international researcher, has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Foreign Employment in the Asia-Pacific region with the rank of secretary. The appointment was announced through a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration’s Contract and Foreign Recruitment Division on Thursday. His appointment will remain effective during the Prime Minister’s tenure or until her satisfaction, whichever comes first.

According to the notification, Dr. Khan must resign from any other professional, business, or institutional affiliations before assuming his new role. A former student and teacher of Bangladesh Agricultural University, he has published over 150 scientific papers and articles in peer-reviewed international journals. He previously held key positions at Oita University and Ehime University in Japan, as well as in various international organizations.

As Special Assistant, Dr. Khan will assist in implementing the Prime Minister’s programs and policies and oversee projects and initiatives as directed by the Prime Minister.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, told Parliament that the government is considering revising the power purchase agreement signed with India’s Adani Power Limited. The minister said the previous Awami League government had signed the deal at an abnormally high price. He made the statement on Thursday in response to a question from a member of Parliament during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

According to Tuku, the 2017 agreement with Adani Power (Jharkhand) Limited was reviewed by a national committee formed during the interim government, led by a retired Supreme Court judge. The committee included power and energy experts, legal specialists, economists, and chartered accountants, and also sought opinions from an international law firm specializing in international agreements. The committee’s report concluded that the deal was signed at an unusually high rate compared to domestic and international markets.

Based on the committee’s findings, the government is actively considering options such as seeking arbitration in an international court or renegotiating the contract with Adani Power.

The Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has issued an urgent set of 31 directives to all exam center secretaries ahead of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations beginning on April 21, 2026. The instructions, signed by Exam Controller Professor S M Kamal Uddin Haydar, outline detailed procedures for handling question papers, maintaining exam security, and ensuring proper conduct during the tests.

According to the directives, irregular and improvement candidates will sit for exams based on the 2025 syllabus, while regular candidates will follow the 2026 syllabus. The guidelines emphasize strict verification of question paper packets, secure transportation with police presence, and prohibition of mobile phones except for the center secretary’s non-camera device. Each exam hall must have at least two invigilators, and seating arrangements must adhere to specific spacing rules. The board also mandated the use of approved calculators only and required that all classes remain closed during exam hours.

The instructions aim to prevent question leaks, ensure fairness, and maintain discipline across all centers under the Dhaka Education Board’s jurisdiction.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Aminul Islam, stated that no official letter had been received by the tribunal or prosecution via email in support of death row convict Sheikh Hasina. He said a copy of such a letter was circulated among journalists through WhatsApp, but it appeared to have been sent from a fake organization. He made these remarks on Thursday in response to questions from reporters.

Aminul Islam explained that the letter was poorly written, addressed to “Dear ICT,” and claimed to act on behalf of Sheikh Hasina, which he described as immature and unprofessional. He said a genuine British law firm would not make such basic errors, suggesting the letter might have originated from a local fake firm. He emphasized that no tribunal proceedings would be affected by such an unofficial letter.

The Chief Prosecutor added that if any official letter were to arrive, its language and content could be considered contemptuous, and legal action would be taken against the firm responsible.

Bangladesh currently holds a total of 255,018 tons of fuel oil in reserve, according to information released by the Energy Division on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The division’s latest data details the breakdown of the reserves across several fuel types, including diesel, kerosene, octane, petrol, furnace oil, jet fuel, and marine fuel.

According to the Energy Division, the reserves include 122,660 tons of diesel, 9,378 tons of kerosene, 9,021 tons of octane, 12,194 tons of petrol, 58,736 tons of furnace oil, 41,876 tons of jet fuel, and 1,153 tons of marine fuel. The figures reflect the current national stock levels of key petroleum products.

The report provides an updated snapshot of the country’s fuel inventory, offering insight into the distribution of different fuel types managed under the national energy system.

Former secretary and chairman of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front, Bijon Kanti Sarkar, is set to be appointed as a special assistant to the Prime Minister. The announcement was made after a meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday between community representatives and the Prime Minister, according to Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad General Secretary Santosh Sharma.

Sharma told reporters that the community had earlier requested greater representation in national life, and the Prime Minister responded positively by appointing a member from their community as a special assistant. He added that Bijon Kanti Sarkar was present at the meeting and that the Prime Minister was giving him the appointment that very day.

The development marks a step toward increased representation of minority communities in government roles, as reflected in the Prime Minister’s engagement with religious community leaders.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced that the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key oil transport routes, will remain open to ships that are not linked to aggressor nations. In an interview with Newsroom Africa, spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said vessels will be permitted to pass through the strait after necessary coordination with Iranian authorities.

Baghaei commented on the broader regional conflict, stating that Iran would not tolerate what he described as a recurring cycle of war, negotiation, ceasefire, and renewed conflict. He referred to a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, during which the United States targeted several Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

The statement underscores Iran’s attempt to balance its strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz with assurances of continued maritime access for neutral nations, while signaling frustration over repeated escalations involving Israel and the United States.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed responsibility for killing at least 40 Hezbollah fighters in the past 24 hours during coordinated air, land, and sea operations in southern Lebanon. According to a report cited by Al Jazeera, the IDF said it carried out extensive airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s military installations and infrastructure.

The IDF stated that the attacks destroyed several key sites, including weapons depots and rocket launch facilities. Ground forces reportedly identified and neutralized a Hezbollah cell in the region, while the Israeli navy struck a weapons warehouse in southern Lebanon. The operations were described as part of a comprehensive campaign against Hezbollah’s military presence.

As of the report’s publication, Hezbollah had not issued any official response to Israel’s claims, leaving the extent of the casualties and damage unverified.

A delegation led by NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan arrived early Thursday at the Charmonai Pir’s Darbar in Barishal. After the Fajr prayer, Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim delivered a sermon, followed by a brief informal exchange with NCP leaders. The visit marks an engagement between the NCP and the religious leadership at Charmonai.

Among those present were Islami Andolan’s joint secretary general and spokesperson Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, joint secretary general Engineer Ashraful Alam, NCP joint convener Sarowar Tushar, joint member secretary Faisal Mahmud Shanto, central organizer and National Ulama Alliance member secretary Maulana Sanaullah Khan, central member Hamza Mahbub, and several student leaders including Rifat Rashid and Abdul Kader.

According to Charmonai Mahfil’s media coordinator KM Shariyatullah, Asif Mahmud is scheduled to deliver a speech on the Charmonai Mahfil stage after the Zuhr prayer. The NCP delegation will remain in Charmonai throughout the day.

Leaders of Khelafat Majlis, in a central executive meeting held at the party’s Paltan headquarters, expressed deep concern that the government has not presented the July National Charter Implementation Order in parliament, despite previously supporting the charter and campaigning for a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum. They emphasized that the government bears a moral responsibility to implement the referendum’s verdict, which favored constitutional reform.

The leaders stated that the 48 proposals under the July National Charter, which were the subject of the referendum, must be discussed and reviewed by the elected parliament. They called for effective steps to amend the constitution in accordance with the referendum outcome. The meeting also highlighted severe disarray in the health sector, shortages of medicines and equipment in public hospitals, and rising measles cases and mosquito infestations.

Additionally, the party criticized the government’s decision to hold online classes three days a week as harmful to students and urged reconsideration. They suggested banning air conditioners and decorative lighting to address the energy crisis and improving public transport as alternative measures.

Rajshahi University’s electric car (e-car) transport service, launched to ease student commuting, has been shut down after only four months of operation. The service, introduced by the Rajshahi University Alumni Association (RUAA) on October 26 last year, faced losses, fare disputes, and mechanical failures. By the last week of March, all e-cars were withdrawn from service.

Initially, five e-cars were deployed, but two soon became inoperative due to mechanical faults. Drivers paid the company a daily fee of Tk 1,500 and kept the remaining income as wages. Passenger numbers declined over time, and disagreements arose over fare rates. The university administration attempted to set fixed stops and fares, but confusion persisted after the student union’s general secretary promised a Tk 5 fare within the campus.

E-car service manager Enayet Kabir Likhon said repeated discussions with RUAA failed to resolve the issues, and the operating company lost interest in continuing. RUAA’s general secretary, Professor Nizam Uddin, cited technical problems and road conditions as key causes but said new vehicles might be purchased soon for free campus transport if the university approves.