A parliamentary committee has directed officials to remain vigilant in all procurement activities of the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat to prevent irregularities similar to past scandals. The directive was issued during a committee meeting held at the National Parliament Building, chaired by Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam Moni. The meeting also reviewed the malfunction of the Parliament’s sound system, with an investigation committee already working on the issue and expected to submit its report by April 2.

The committee emphasized ensuring high quality and reasonable pricing in the purchase of furniture and other items. It also discussed problems with the supply of safe drinking water and noted that steps have been taken to resolve them. The Chief Whip expressed hope that all members of parliament would soon be able to move into their residences.

Two sub-committees were formed to identify the causes of the sound system malfunction and to assess the quality of canteen food, water supply, and furniture used in the parliament members’ residences.

U.S. President Donald Trump has told his aides he is willing to conclude the American military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing U.S. officials. The report notes that such a move could prolong Tehran’s control over the vital waterway and complicate future efforts to reopen it.

Officials said Trump and his team recently reviewed the situation and believe that forcing the strait open could extend the conflict beyond the president’s preferred four-to-six-week timeframe. The president’s main objective, according to the report, is to destroy Iran’s naval and missile stockpiles, then de-escalate the conflict while applying diplomatic pressure on Tehran to allow free trade.

Washington may also press its European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening the strait if necessary. Although military options remain available, Trump is reportedly not prioritizing them at this stage.

A college student named Saidul Islam Sajib, aged 25, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital following an attack in Lochanabad village of Rangasree Union, Bakerganj upazila, Barishal. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, March 28, 2026, when a group allegedly led by Milan Khan attacked Sajib’s family over a land dispute. Sajib, who had recently completed his honors final-year exams at Barishal Government College, suffered a brain hemorrhage and succumbed to his injuries early Tuesday.

Four other family members—Abul Hossain Khan, Piyara Begum, Hasan Ali Khan, and Ayesha Begum—were also injured and received primary treatment at the upazila health complex. Abul Hossain Khan later filed a case against eight individuals under case number GR 88/26.

Despite four days passing since the attack, none of the accused have been arrested, and locals expressed anger as the suspects reportedly remain at large. Allegations have also surfaced that police recorded a false case in favor of the accused, fueling public dissatisfaction in the area.

In Chandpur district, 23 children have been hospitalized after contracting measles, and three have died from the disease, according to Civil Surgeon Nure Alam Din. Hospitals across the district have been instructed to take additional measures to handle the growing number of cases. The affected children are being treated at Chandpur Sadar General Hospital, Hajiganj Upazila Health Complex, and Matlab North Upazila Health Complex.

At Chandpur Sadar General Hospital, children are arriving with fever, cough, and cold symptoms. Due to limited bed capacity, some patients are being treated on the floor, while isolation wards have been arranged for those infected. Physicians have advised parents not to panic and to seek immediate medical attention for children showing symptoms.

Hospital authorities reported that the number of measles cases is gradually increasing, and several children have been referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread of the infection.

Former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Abdul Jalil Mondol was presented before the International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday in connection with the case filed over the 2013 Shapla Chattar killings during Hefazat-e-Islam’s mass gathering in Motijheel, Dhaka. He had been arrested the previous evening from the capital’s Sabujbagh area.

According to the report, Mondol, a resident of Pabna, previously held several key positions in the police force. He served as Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) during the Hefazat movement, and Additional Director General (Administration) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The tribunal appearance marks a new development in the long-running investigation into the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident, which remains a significant event in Bangladesh’s recent political and law enforcement history.

Sheikh Ahmadullah, chairman of the As-Sunnah Foundation and a noted Islamic scholar, has issued an urgent warning to parents across Bangladesh regarding the ongoing measles outbreak. In a Facebook post on March 30, 2026, he advised parents not to panic if measles symptoms appear in children but to seek medical attention immediately. He highlighted the shortage of neonatal intensive care units and critical treatment facilities in government hospitals, describing it as a reflection of the country’s strained healthcare system.

Ahmadullah expressed concern that children are increasingly exposed to artificial lifestyles and deprived of natural environments, leading to weakened immunity. He also noted that many children are growing up under the care of domestic workers or in day-care centers, which, along with cultural influences, is affecting their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. He urged parents to ensure nutritious diets and closer contact with nature to strengthen their children’s health.

He concluded his message with a prayer for divine protection of all children from diseases, emphasizing the need for parental vigilance and faith-based patience during the crisis.

A devastating fire broke out late Tuesday night at the east side of Dhamura Bazar in Sholak Union under Uzirpur upazila of Barishal, destroying eight shops and causing losses estimated at over one crore taka. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m., and the fire spread rapidly before being brought under control after about an hour and fifteen minutes by a unit of the Uzirpur Fire Service.

According to fire service and local sources, the blaze completely gutted shops belonging to several traders, including sanitary, poultry feed, furniture, steel, and boat businesses. Fire Service and Civil Defense officer Abdur Rashid said the damage could amount to several crores of taka. Affected traders reported losing both cash and goods, with individual losses ranging from several lakhs to over half a crore taka.

Uzirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ali Suza visited the site and said that initiatives would be taken to provide necessary assistance to the affected business owners. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.

Two Chinese container ships have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on their second attempt after initially turning back mid-journey last Friday. According to vessel tracking data, the ships passed through the critical waterway on Monday, sailing close to each other as they exited the Persian Gulf toward open waters. The ships are now moving rapidly toward the Gulf of Oman, Reuters reported.

Marine Traffic data confirmed the crossing, and Kepler analyst Rebecca Gardes noted that these are the first non-Iranian container ships to leave the region since the start of the ongoing conflict. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz but continues to allow passage for vessels from countries it considers friendly or non-hostile.

The successful passage of the two large COSCO Shipping-operated vessels is seen as a sign of diplomatic coordination between China and Iran, suggesting that Tehran may be expanding its list of friendly nations.

The Dhaka Metropolitan West unit of the Chhatra Dal has announced the dissolution of its Cantonment Thana committee. The decision was made to make organizational activities more dynamic and effective, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday by the unit’s office secretary, Md. Shahidul Islam. He stated that the existing committee had been dissolved due to the expiration of its tenure.

The press release further noted that the decision was approved by Dhaka Metropolitan West Chhatra Dal president Md. Robin Khan and general secretary Akram Ahmed. The organization also confirmed that a new committee will be formed soon to continue its activities under renewed leadership.

The announcement reflects an internal restructuring effort within the student organization aimed at strengthening its local operations and ensuring continuity in leadership.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has assured that the value-added tax (VAT) on imported newsprint, used as raw material for newspapers, will be reduced in the next fiscal year’s budget. He made the remarks during a pre-budget discussion held on Tuesday at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon, following proposals from the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB).

NOAB President and Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury urged the government to withdraw the existing 15 percent VAT on newsprint imports, reduce the 5 percent withholding tax on advertising income, and lower the 5 percent advance income tax on raw material imports. He highlighted that newsprint accounts for 50 to 60 percent of total production costs, creating a dual financial burden on the industry. NOAB also proposed reducing the corporate tax rate from 27.5 percent to 10 percent and exempting institutions from employees’ income tax liabilities.

In response, the NBR chairman confirmed that corporate tax would not increase and said employee income tax must be borne individually unless the ninth wage board is implemented by newspaper owners.

A Kuwaiti oil tanker named Al-Salmi caught fire after a drone attack near Dubai’s outer anchorage on Monday, according to local authorities who blamed Iran for the strike. The vessel, owned by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), suffered structural damage, and officials warned of possible oil leakage into the sea. Firefighting teams managed to control the blaze after several hours, and all 24 crew members were reported safe with no casualties.

The incident occurred just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that the United States could destroy its power plants and oil wells if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed. The Guardian reported that since February 28, commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have faced repeated attacks following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The Al-Salmi attack marks the latest escalation in the ongoing regional conflict that has disrupted oil supplies and strained the global economy.

KPC said damage assessment is underway while monitoring continues. Crude oil prices briefly rose after the attack before stabilizing later in the day.

A 19-year-old Bangladeshi woman named Nishat Jannat was killed after being struck by a garbage truck while crossing the road near Jackson Heights in New York’s Woodside area around midnight on Sunday local time. Police said the truck, traveling west on Roosevelt Avenue, hit her while turning right onto 62nd Street. Emergency medical personnel declared her dead at the scene. Nishat was a student at City College of New York and worked as a receptionist at a parking garage on Parsons Boulevard in Jamaica.

Her father, Helal Uddin, an imam at Baitul Jannah Mosque in Woodside, said the family moved to New York eight years ago seeking a better future. Nishat was the second of four daughters. Her funeral prayer will be held Tuesday after noon at Baitul Jannah Mosque, followed by burial in New York.

Police confirmed that the 38-year-old female truck driver remained at the scene and received minor treatment. No arrests have been made, and the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The truck’s owner, Royal Waste Services, said it is cooperating with police, while its parent company, Waste Connections, expressed deep condolences to the victim’s family.

A college student named Saidul Islam Sajib, aged 25, died early Tuesday after being seriously injured in an attack linked to a land dispute in Bakerganj, Barishal. He passed away around 2 a.m. while receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Sajib, a master's student at Government Barishal College, was attacked along with his relatives last Saturday when they began constructing a shop on disputed land near their home in Lochanabad village.

According to his father, Abul Hossain Khan, a group led by local resident Md. Milon Khan allegedly attacked them with sharp weapons and sticks, injuring several family members. Sajib was first treated locally and later transferred to Dhaka after his condition worsened due to brain hemorrhage. His parents and other relatives also sustained injuries and received treatment at Bakerganj Upazila Health Complex.

Police confirmed that both parties involved in the land dispute have filed separate cases. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are underway to arrest the accused.

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.