Public health concerns have resurfaced in Bangladesh following discussions about a possible relaxation of the e-cigarette ban. In response, the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance on Saturday, April 4, 2026, called on the Ministry of Health to maintain a firm position on the prohibition of e-cigarettes.

The organization stated that a special parliamentary committee reviewing the Smoking and Tobacco Products Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 has recommended easing restrictions on the import, production, distribution, and use of e-cigarettes. It warned that such a move could increase e-cigarette use, especially among youth, contradicting the government’s tobacco control commitments. The alliance emphasized that e-cigarettes are not safe and that scientific studies link them to lung damage, heart disease, and stroke. It also noted that nicotine replacement therapy is already recognized as an essential medicine for smoking cessation.

The group urged the government to retain the ban and swiftly enact the ordinance into law to protect public health, citing a 2016 Supreme Court directive to phase out tobacco use and avoid approving new tobacco products.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam stated that local government elections will be announced once the election-related ordinances are passed into law. He confirmed that the upcoming local elections will not include party symbols. The announcement was made on Saturday afternoon after he paid tribute at the graves of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

The minister added that those appointed as district commissioners were leaders who did not receive nominations in the national elections but had shown dedication to the party. He said that although the appointments were made on a political basis, the appointees would act neutrally in the future elections to protect their own integrity. He emphasized that everyone, regardless of political consideration, would remain accountable under the system.

The statement outlines the government’s plan to proceed with local elections only after the necessary legal framework is completed, signaling a focus on administrative readiness and accountability.

Iran has rejected a United States proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, according to a report by Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency. The diplomatic offer was reportedly conveyed on Wednesday through an unnamed intermediary country. The United States has not yet issued any comment regarding the authenticity or details of the proposal.

The report comes at a time of heightened military tension. Citing sources, Fars News stated that Washington had intensified its diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire following an Iranian attack on a US military warehouse located on Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island. Instead of issuing a written response, Iran reportedly continued its military operations as a form of reply.

The report did not specify which country acted as the intermediary or provide further details on the ongoing conflict or diplomatic exchanges.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has strengthened monitoring and operations along the Lalmonirhat border to prevent fuel hoarding and smuggling. The Teesta Battalion (61 BGB) and Lalmonirhat Battalion (15 BGB) have launched extensive activities, particularly in the Hatibandha and Patgram border areas. Temporary checkpoints have been set up at key points to maintain normal fuel supply amid the current global situation, while filling stations and dealers near the border are under close observation.

BGB has also increased mobile patrols, random vehicle searches, and surveillance on major transport routes. Intelligence activities have been intensified to identify possible syndicate members involved in fuel smuggling. Awareness meetings are being held with local residents to highlight the harmful effects of illegal fuel storage and smuggling and to encourage community cooperation.

According to the commanding officer of Lalmonirhat Battalion (15 BGB), the force remains uncompromising in protecting borders, combating smuggling, and preventing human trafficking. Measures have also been taken to ensure the security of fuel depots and maintain uninterrupted fuel supply from depots to filling stations.

The historic Teliapara Day was observed on April 4 in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj with various programs commemorating the first major meeting of military and political leaders during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. The event began with a floral tribute organized by the District Muktijoddha Sangsad Unit Command, followed by a discussion meeting attended by senior political figures and government officials.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, speaking as chief guest, claimed that the Liberation War began from Teliapara under the planning of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and the leadership of Commander-in-Chief M A G Osmani. He asserted that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not direct the war as he was imprisoned in Pakistan at the time. Fakhrul further alleged that the Awami League has distorted the true history of the Liberation War.

The event was chaired by Golam Mostafa Rafiq, convener of the Habiganj District Muktijoddha Sangsad Unit Command, and attended by several ministers, members of parliament, and senior officials.

Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, the State Minister for Planning, has resigned from his position as chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon. The announcement was made on Saturday, April 4, 2026, during a press conference at the party’s central office in Hatirpool, Dhaka. Dewan Abdur Rashid Neelu has been appointed as the acting chief coordinator. Saki stated that he stepped down to maintain a separation between his governmental role and party leadership.

The press conference was attended by several central leaders, including executive coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel and political council members Dewan Abdur Rashid Neelu, Monir Uddin Pappu, Firoz Ahmed, Taslima Akhter, and Hasan Maruf Rumi. Ganosamhati Andolon began its journey on August 29, 2002, with the aim of building a people’s political force and received registration from the Election Commission on September 17, 2024.

Earlier this year, on February 12, Saki was elected as a Member of Parliament from Brahmanbaria-6 constituency under the BNP alliance, contesting with the party’s symbol, the “Mathal.”

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has appealed to the Prime Minister to reconsider the government’s recent decision requiring all shops and shopping malls to close by 6 p.m. The measure was introduced in response to a deepening global energy crisis caused by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The association argues that the early closing time could harm businesses and has proposed allowing shops to remain open until 8 p.m. instead. They also requested permission to open shops at 11 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.

The proposal was discussed during an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s standing committee. Leaders stated that adjusting the schedule is essential to protect the livelihoods of approximately 7 million shop owners and 25 million employees across the country. They believe the revised hours would help maintain normal economic activity while still supporting energy-saving goals.

Government authorities have not yet responded to the proposal, but association leaders expressed hope that a decision will be made soon.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over multiple attacks on healthcare facilities in Iran, including an airstrike on a major center in Tehran. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Pasteur Institute, a key public health and research facility in the capital, was heavily damaged and unable to operate normally. The organization confirmed at least 20 attacks on health institutions across Iran.

Iran’s state news agency ISNA reported that the Pasteur Institute has not completely halted operations, continuing vaccine and serum production. Photos shared by the Iranian Health Ministry showed extensive destruction of the building. Established in 1920, the institute is one of Iran’s oldest public health institutions and plays a vital role during emergencies, according to WHO.

Tedros also called for emergency assistance for health systems in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, citing widespread conflict that has displaced about four million people and caused thousands of deaths and injuries. WHO has appealed for $30.3 million in emergency funding to strengthen healthcare, trauma response, and preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

US special forces reportedly entered Iran on Friday night to search for a missing crew member from a downed F-15 fighter jet, according to a report by The Telegraph. The aircraft was shot down by Iranian forces after entering Iranian airspace. While one crew member was rescued during a separate operation involving two US military helicopters and a refueling aircraft, the second pilot remained missing as of Friday night.

The report noted that neither the US nor Iranian armed forces had officially confirmed the entry of US special forces into Iran at the time of publication. Iranian state media released footage showing local militias conducting searches for the missing airman and offering a $60,000 reward for his capture. Officials said both US helicopters were hit by Iranian fire during the rescue attempt, though one managed to return safely to Iraqi airspace.

The incident has intensified tensions between the two countries as both sides continue efforts to locate the missing pilot.

A severe diesel shortage in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal has disrupted irrigation activities, threatening the ongoing Irri-Boro rice cultivation season. Farmers and local officials warned that many diesel-powered irrigation pumps have stopped operating, preventing timely watering of fields and putting seedlings at risk of drying out. Farmers said continued shortages could cause extensive crop damage across the region.

Local farmers reported being forced to buy diesel at inflated prices from open markets, increasing production costs and reducing profit margins. Upazila agriculture officer Kapil Biswas said certification letters are being issued to ensure farmers can access diesel and prevent illegal hoarding. Agricultural extension officer Mahmudur Rahman noted that most of Uzirpur’s farmland is single-crop, making this irrigation season crucial for local food security.

Fuel station operators said they are receiving only one-third of their required supply, while weekend depot closures have worsened the crisis. The upazila administration has instructed priority fuel distribution to farmers, but tensions persist among fuel-dependent sectors. Farmers urged immediate action to avert large-scale crop losses.

An eleven-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest march in Dhaka on Saturday, April 4, demanding constitutional reform in line with the results of a recent referendum and the implementation of the July Charter. The demonstration took place after the Asr prayer at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The alliance announced the program following a liaison committee meeting held in Gulshan on April 2, chaired by coordinator and Jamaat assistant secretary general Hamidur Rahman Azad.

At a press briefing, Azad criticized the government, accusing it of failing to meet public expectations and adopting authoritarian tendencies. He stated that street movements were the only remaining option to protect citizens’ interests. The alliance warned that if the government did not act promptly to implement the referendum’s verdict, a meeting of top leaders on April 7 would outline a tougher, long-term movement.

Security measures around Baitul Mukarram were strengthened ahead of the protest. The decision followed Jamaat leader and opposition chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s walkout from parliament on April 1 in protest of government actions.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has issued an implicit warning regarding the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime passage linking the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The statement came on Saturday through a post on social media platform X, where Ghalibaf questioned how much of the world’s oil, LNG, wheat, rice, and fertilizer shipments pass through the strait and which countries and companies rely most on it. His remarks were interpreted as a clear caution to commercial vessels operating in the area.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, though less critical than the Strait of Hormuz, remains a vital route for global maritime trade, handling around 14 percent of commercial shipments, including about 5 percent of global oil supply. The strait’s security has been a growing concern for industries since Iran-backed Houthi forces, who control large parts of Yemen, became involved in regional conflicts. Iran has already maintained effective control over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts note that instability around Bab al-Mandeb could further strain global shipping and energy supply routes if tensions escalate.

Jamaat-e-Islami central Majlis-e-Shura member and Sylhet district Ameer Maulana Habibur Rahman said the party aims to build a justice-based society in Bangladesh and work for the welfare of humanity to attain divine satisfaction. He made the remarks on Friday, April 3, during a day-long educational camp for unit presidents and secretaries organized by Kotwali East Thana Jamaat in Sylhet city.

Habibur Rahman stated that the path of the Islamic movement has never been easy and urged party leaders to remain prepared for any situation. He emphasized that Jamaat leaders must act as vigilant guardians for the nation and remain steadfast in their principles despite past conspiracies and oppression. The event was presided over by Thana Ameer Rafiqul Islam Mojumdar and conducted by Secretary Muhib Ali, with participation from all unit presidents and secretaries under Kotwali East Thana.

Special guests included Sylhet city Jamaat Secretary Mohammad Shahjahan Ali and Baitul Mal Secretary Mufti Ali Haidar, who presented a Qur’anic lecture. Several local leaders and former student activists were also present at the program.

The White House has requested nearly $1.5 trillion for defense spending in the 2027 fiscal year budget proposal submitted to Congress. The proposed amount represents a 42 percent increase from the previous year and would mark the highest defense budget in modern US history. The proposal comes as the Iran war continues, underscoring the Trump administration’s focus on expanding military capabilities.

According to the proposal, the funds would strengthen ammunition reserves, expand the US Navy, and initiate construction of President Donald Trump’s planned ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system. It also includes a 5 to 7 percent pay raise for all military personnel to support recruitment and retention. Of the additional $445 billion requested, $350 billion would be passed through a new law allowing Senate Republicans to approve it by majority vote without Democratic support.

The budget also emphasizes defense-related priorities across other agencies. The Department of Energy proposed over $3.5 billion in additional funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration to develop new nuclear warheads, modernize existing ones, and advance technologies for future naval forces.

Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will begin an emergency nationwide measles vaccination campaign on Sunday, following a sharp rise in infections. Over the past 19 days, 5,792 people have been hospitalized with measles-like symptoms, including 771 confirmed cases and nine confirmed deaths. Another 94 deaths are suspected to be linked to the disease. The DGHS said high-risk districts such as Rajshahi will receive priority in the vaccination effort.

Officials reported that 947 new patients were admitted in the last 24 hours, with 42 confirmed measles cases. The DGHS has dispatched vaccines and arranged alternative syringe supplies, with half of the required funding already secured. The campaign will focus on children aged six months to five years, and areas with lower infection risk will receive vaccines through a rationing system.

According to DGHS data, Dhaka Division has the highest number of confirmed cases at 358, followed by Rajshahi with 194 and Chattogram with 102. Health authorities expect the emergency program to help bring the outbreak under control if implemented successfully.