U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning of devastating consequences if Tehran fails to comply. The warning was delivered through a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, where he reminded followers of his earlier demand for Iran to either reach an agreement or reopen the vital waterway within ten days. He stated that only 48 hours remain before Iran faces what he described as a catastrophic outcome.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies, handling a large share of the world’s daily oil shipments. Recent conflicts have heightened tensions in the area, leading to instability in global energy markets. Iran has defended its decision to restrict access, citing its right to self-defense, but said the waterway remains open to ships not linked to the United States, Israel, or their allies.

The situation has added pressure to international diplomatic efforts and raised concerns about potential disruptions to global oil flows.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam stated that the July Revolution was not intended to replace one political party with another in power. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a large protest rally and procession organized by the 11-party alliance at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict and protesting the ruling party’s stance against it.

ATM Azharul Islam, also an MP, said the current prime minister, home minister, cabinet members, and MPs were elected because of the July Revolution, which aimed to end fascist rule, not to establish one-party dominance. He called for constitutional reform to build a new Bangladesh and warned that Jamaat would take to the streets if the government acted against the people. Other alliance leaders, including those from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, National Citizen Party, and Liberal Democratic Party, criticized the BNP for rejecting the referendum results and accused the government of ignoring public will.

Speakers at the rally emphasized that implementing the July Charter and respecting the referendum outcome were essential to prevent authoritarianism and ensure accountability in governance.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain stated that 70 percent of beneficiaries selected under the previous government’s aid programs were fake and that the current administration is working to correct this. He made the remarks on Saturday at the Dinajpur Shishu Academy auditorium during a check distribution ceremony for private orphanages and ashrams organized by the Dinajpur District Administration and the Department of Social Services.

The minister urged those responsible for orphanages to care for children as their own and instructed officials at all levels to conduct regular field visits to ensure proper treatment of orphans. He emphasized that no mistreatment of orphaned children would be tolerated. Dr. Hossain also reaffirmed that the BNP government would faithfully implement its election manifesto and the national charter signed at the Parliament’s South Plaza, which he described as a national document.

He added that the government is working to rehabilitate orphaned children through proper care, education, and training so they can integrate into mainstream society.

Iran has announced that ships carrying essential goods will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Iranian state media cited by CNN. The decision comes after Tehran had previously restricted navigation in the vital waterway, disrupting global maritime transport.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, and its closure or restriction has significant global trade implications. World leaders have been making strong efforts to ensure the security of the strait, though some commercial vessels have continued limited passage under the earlier restrictions. Iran had previously stated that the waterway would remain open to ships not linked to the interests of the United States, Israel, or their allies.

The new permission for essential goods transport is expected to ease some of the pressure on international shipping and supply chains affected by the earlier restrictions.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman held a meeting with the newly appointed administrators of 14 district councils on Saturday evening at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The information was confirmed by Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the party’s media cell.

Earlier, on March 30, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had met with the newly appointed administrators of 42 districts. The latest meeting marks a continuation of his engagement with local administrative leadership following recent appointments.

The meeting reflects the Prime Minister’s ongoing efforts to coordinate with district-level administrators, though details of the discussions or decisions taken were not disclosed in the report.

Russia has removed additional personnel from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant as safety concerns intensify. The state nuclear corporation Rosatom confirmed that it had withdrawn more workers due to what it described as a worrying situation. According to Russian media, 198 employees were evacuated from the site on Saturday. Rosatom has been gradually pulling out staff since the outbreak of war in Iran in late February.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that a security worker at the Bushehr facility was killed during a recent attack, which also damaged one of the plant’s buildings due to shockwaves and debris. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev warned that conditions around the plant were moving toward the “worst possible scenario.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned that attacks by the United States and Israel near the Bushehr nuclear site pose serious risks not only to Iran but to the entire Gulf region.

Senior lawyer Shishir Monir said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) decision to repeal several important ordinances goes against the public interest. He expressed his remarks on Saturday at a roundtable discussion titled ‘Implementation of the July Charter’ organized by Nexus for Defense and Justice at the National Press Club.

Monir questioned why the BNP was withdrawing from the reform process, saying it was difficult to understand their reasoning. He emphasized that the people had already given their historic verdict through a referendum, and there was no scope for manipulation of that decision. He argued that if government or constitutional institutions publish their audit reports online for public access, there should be no objection from the authorities.

He further stated that citizens have the right to know how much money is spent in the Supreme Court and in elections. Monir warned that declaring all ordinances void while expecting the public to remain passive would not be acceptable in the country.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of disrespecting the nation by avoiding the oath of the Constitutional Reform Council and disregarding the referendum. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon during an eleven-party alliance protest rally held at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka.

At the same rally, National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain said all political parties had agreed on constitutional reform rather than amendment, alleging that BNP avoided the referendum to keep state power concentrated in one person’s hands. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Mamunul Haque added that BNP’s politics was opportunistic and warned that people would take to the streets if the party ignored public opinion.

Following the speeches, thousands of activists joined a procession led by eleven-party alliance leaders that started from Baitul Mukarram and proceeded through Paltan and Nightingale intersections.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that business leaders have demanded an uninterrupted energy supply and government support for renewable energy initiatives. He made the remarks on Saturday, April 4, after the first meeting of the Private Sector Development Advisory Council held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

According to the minister, the ongoing war in Iran has created an energy crisis that is putting pressure on Bangladesh’s economy. Business representatives also called for the introduction of e-visas for foreign travelers to facilitate easier entry for investors. They emphasized lowering bank interest rates, reforming the National Board of Revenue, and expanding the tax base instead of burdening specific business groups.

The minister added that entrepreneurs urged simplification of licensing procedures to encourage medium-sized exporters and called for the launch of a deep-sea port to accelerate trade and import-export activities.

The first meeting of the Private Sector Development Advisory Council was held in Dhaka under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. During the three-and-a-half-hour discussion, business leaders demanded assurance of uninterrupted energy supply to sustain industrial operations and investment growth. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury briefed reporters after the meeting, noting that the session aimed to strengthen the investment climate and address existing industrial challenges.

According to the finance minister, business representatives also sought government support for renewable energy initiatives, introduction of e-visas for foreign investors, lower bank interest rates, and reforms in the National Board of Revenue to expand the tax base without burdening specific sectors. They further called for easier licensing for medium entrepreneurs, faster trade processes, and the activation of a deep-sea port to boost exports.

Discussions also covered reopening closed factories and reviving dormant government projects. The prime minister listened to the business community’s concerns, and notes were taken for follow-up action to resolve pending issues through continued dialogue.

A delegation from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The meeting was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni. Discussions focused on how the government and AIIB would collaborate on future initiatives.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the talks covered cooperation on resolving the country’s energy crisis and advancing development investments. He added that the AIIB agreed to provide budgetary support to help Bangladesh address current economic pressures related to development and energy challenges. The meeting also included discussions on potential collaboration for infrastructure improvement.

The assurance of budget support from AIIB is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s fiscal capacity and facilitate progress in key infrastructure and energy sectors, according to the discussions reported from the meeting.

An oil tanker named 'Shan Gang Fa Jian' carrying more than 34,000 tons of diesel from Malaysia has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. The vessel anchored off Kutubdia coast on Saturday morning and is scheduled to unload its cargo at the Dolphin Jetty on Sunday, according to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) public relations officer Farzin Hasan Moumita.

Nazrul Islam, managing partner of the vessel’s local agent Pride Shipping Lines, said that about five to six thousand tons of diesel will be unloaded offshore through lightering using at least two smaller tankers in two phases. Another tanker from Singapore carrying 27,300 tons of diesel began unloading at Dolphin Jetty on Friday and is expected to leave the port on Sunday.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim stated that oil and gas vessels are being given priority berthing to address the ongoing fuel shortage. BPC sources added that new import initiatives from various countries are underway to maintain stable fuel supply.

Iran has expressed interest in enhancing bilateral diplomatic relations with its neighboring countries, according to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, Ghalibaf stated that Iran was prepared for ongoing conflicts and had already demonstrated its defense capabilities. He described the current war as Israel’s war, saying that the resulting security crisis and damage had affected the entire world.

Ghalibaf said Iran was compelled to target U.S. bases and interests to maintain its regional presence. He warned that any escalation against Iran would trigger a “widespread and severe” response against U.S. regional interests. He emphasized that ensuring regional security was in the interest of all countries involved and that sustainable security remained Iran’s priority.

The speaker added that regional nations could protect their interests through bilateral and multilateral security agreements without foreign interference. He identified the United States and Israel as the main sources of regional instability and said lasting security could only be achieved by eliminating their influence.

Bangladesh’s Cultural Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury announced that the parade celebrating the Bengali New Year will henceforth be known as 'Boishakhi Shovajatra'. He made the announcement on Saturday, April 4, in Mohammadpur, Magura district, during the foundation stone laying ceremony of a modern district rest house.

The minister explained that there is no difference between the previously used names 'Mangal Shovajatra' and 'Ananda Shovajatra', but the celebration will now officially take place under the new title. He emphasized that the Bengali New Year is a long-standing cultural heritage of the Bengali people, belonging to no political party, and enjoyed by everyone from farmers to ordinary citizens. He also stated that the government will continue to serve all citizens, including those who did not vote.

The event was chaired by District Council Administrator Alia Ahmed and attended by Magura-1 Member of Parliament Monowar Hossain Khan, District Commissioner Abdullah Al Mahmud, and Superintendent of Police Molla Azad. The minister inaugurated the foundation stone with prayers and blessings.

An Iranian attack reportedly damaged a US CH-47 Chinook helicopter stationed in Kuwait on April 3, according to Iranian state-affiliated media Tasnim, which released images of the incident as visual evidence. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated on Friday night that its air defense units shot down one warplane and five drones or cruise missiles in a single day, describing the event as a 'dark day' for US and Israeli air forces.

The confrontation follows a large-scale military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, senior military officials, and civilians on February 28. The attacks reportedly caused significant casualties and extensive infrastructure damage across Iran.

In retaliation, Iranian forces have been conducting missile and drone strikes targeting US and Israeli positions and regional bases, according to the same source.