Prime Minister’s Health Adviser Ziauddin Haider announced that the government has launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign to curb the rapid rise of infections among children. Speaking on Sunday morning at the Dudhlemou vaccination center in Bakerganj, Barishal, he said the government aims to bring every child under the vaccination program within the scheduled timeframe.

Haider emphasized that ensuring full vaccination coverage will keep the nation’s children healthy and safe. He assured that there will be no shortage of vaccines and noted that several international health organizations are assisting in the campaign. The event was attended by Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Jahan Shirin, Divisional Health Director Shyamal Chandra Mondal, District Commissioner Khairul Alam Suman, Upazila Executive Officer Rumana Afroze, and Upazila Health Officer Dr. Sumi Akter.

Local political and community representatives were also present at the inauguration, reflecting broad support for the nationwide immunization initiative.

State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that shops and shopping malls in Bangladesh may now remain open until 7 pm instead of 6 pm, considering the current electricity and energy situation. He made the statement on Sunday afternoon. Business representatives had earlier requested permission to keep shops open until 8 pm.

The decision follows recent government measures to address an energy crisis triggered by ongoing tensions and conflict in the Middle East. To conserve power, the government revised working hours for public and private offices, which will now operate from 9 am to 4 pm until further notice. Banking hours have been set from 10 am to 3 pm, and shops were previously required to close by 6 pm.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Saturday, April 4, implementing the new office schedule after cabinet approval on April 2. The updated shop closing time reflects a partial relaxation of earlier restrictions.

Israel has claimed responsibility for killing 90 Hezbollah members in a series of attacks in southern Lebanon. According to the Israeli military, the deaths occurred after renewed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. The military also reported killing two additional Hezbollah fighters within the past 24 hours and said its air force destroyed several of the group’s facilities during overnight raids.

The escalation follows a rocket attack launched by Hezbollah in early March in support of Tehran after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, Israel has intensified its operations across Lebanon, including in the capital Beirut, expanding its military presence and airstrikes.

The latest Israeli offensive has displaced about 1.2 million people from their homes in Lebanon, according to the report. The situation marks a significant deterioration in regional stability as both sides continue to exchange attacks.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah announced that it launched a missile attack on an Israeli military ship located 68 nautical miles off the Lebanese coast. The group stated that the strike targeted a warship that was allegedly preparing for aggression against Lebanese territory. According to Hezbollah’s statement, the attack followed several hours of surveillance and involved the use of a naval cruise missile.

Hezbollah claimed that the missile directly hit its intended target. The group’s announcement was reported by Al Jazeera and shared through local media. The incident adds to ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have seen repeated exchanges of fire and mutual accusations of aggression along the border region.

No immediate details were provided on the extent of the damage or any casualties resulting from the strike, and Israeli official responses were not included in the report.

Russian authorities reported that a Ukrainian drone strike damaged an oil pipeline near the Baltic port of Primorsk on April 5, 2026. According to Leningrad region governor Alexander Drozdenko, Russia’s air defense systems shot down 19 drones in the region. Debris from one of the drones struck part of the pipeline, which was later safely burned off. No casualties were reported in the incident.

The attack comes amid an increase in Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian infrastructure in recent months. Primorsk, located between the Finnish border and the major city of Saint Petersburg, was also attacked in March, when a fire broke out at an oil depot.

Authorities did not provide further details about the extent of the damage or potential disruptions to oil operations in the area.

Bangladesh is not yet prepared to graduate from the list of least developed countries due to current economic realities, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after a multilateral consultation at the NEC Conference Center in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, he cited internal and external economic pressures that have complicated the situation and made the graduation process uncertain. The meeting presented the results of a UN-OHRLLS-led ‘Graduation Readiness Assessment’ conducted at the request of the Bangladesh government.

The minister identified rising foreign debt, domestic liabilities, high interest rates, and weaknesses in financial management as key risks to the economy. He added that subsidies in the energy sector, global price increases, and import dependency have further intensified challenges. The government faces continuous fiscal pressure, making the situation more complex.

Amir Khasru noted that there is an opportunity to extend the graduation timeline. During this period, the government plans to strengthen economic indicators, enhance skills, and implement policy reforms to improve readiness. He emphasized that capacity building and sound policy implementation are essential to overcome current challenges.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon said no final decision has yet been made regarding the introduction of online classes in educational institutions due to the global energy crisis caused by the war situation in the Middle East. He made the remarks on Sunday, April 5, at the Secretariat while speaking to journalists.

The minister stated that a decision on implementing online and offline classes will be made within this week. Meetings with stakeholders are scheduled to take place in the next couple of days, followed by a final decision at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday. Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani had said that the final decision on the matter would be known on Sunday, April 5, in light of the ongoing global energy challenges.

The government’s consideration of mixed-mode classes reflects its response to the energy crisis affecting educational operations, with a final policy direction expected soon.

Iran launched an attack targeting Abu Dhabi’s Borouge petrochemical plant, according to local authorities on April 5, 2026. Officials reported that debris from a missile or drone, intercepted by the Emirati air defense system, fell onto the facility and caused a fire. Firefighting teams and multiple agencies are working to bring the blaze under control.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office stated that operations at the plant have been immediately suspended until damage assessments are completed. No casualties have been reported so far. Gulf News added that several fires broke out at the site as a result of falling debris after the successful interception of aerial threats.

Earlier that morning, the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority confirmed that its air defense system had countered a missile threat originating from Iran. Authorities urged residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for real-time updates.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abu Fazal Md. Sanaullah warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found negligent in performing their duties. He made the remarks on Sunday morning during a meeting in Bogura with law enforcement, vigilance and observation teams, and other related officials ahead of the Bogura-6 by-election.

Sanaullah stated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election had been conducted peacefully and without conflict, and the by-election should be treated with equal importance. He emphasized that previous controversies arose due to the carelessness of some presiding officers, which must not be repeated. He urged all concerned to remain alert to ensure a fair and orderly election process.

The commissioner also highlighted the issue of illegal and missing firearms, noting that more than four hundred pistols remain unaccounted for. He instructed law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant to prevent any misuse of such weapons. The meeting was chaired by District Commissioner Md. Toufiqur Rahman and attended by senior officials from the Election Commission, Ansar, BGB, and police.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Additional IGP Md Ahsan Habib Palash said that the tribunal handling cases related to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings involving RAB has not yet sought any assistance. He stated that if the tribunal requests help, RAB will provide full cooperation. The statement came during a media briefing held on Sunday afternoon at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.

During the briefing, the RAB chief emphasized that the force remains committed to ensuring public safety and will continue its operations to protect citizens. He reiterated RAB’s dedication to maintaining security and serving the people.

The remarks come amid ongoing tribunal proceedings concerning allegations of enforced disappearances and killings, highlighting RAB’s stated willingness to cooperate with judicial processes if formally approached.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury announced that the traditional Mongol Shobhajatra, organized annually by the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, will now be known as ‘Boishakhi Shobhajatra’. The decision was revealed on Sunday during a press conference on the upcoming Bengali New Year and related festivities of ethnic communities including Chakma, Marma, Tripura, and Garo. The minister said the government reached this decision to resolve long-standing debates over the procession’s name.

He explained that Pahela Baishakh represents joy and well-being, rooted in Bangladesh’s agrarian heritage. The new name aims to preserve cultural unity while avoiding confusion and division. The procession will continue to feature diverse regional traditions, folk art, and music. Chowdhury also assured that UNESCO’s recognition of the event would remain unaffected, as the government will simply notify the organization of the name change.

The minister added that daylong cultural programs will be held at Ramna Batamul and other venues, with maximum security measures in place. He urged citizens to celebrate responsibly and uphold national unity through cultural diversity.

Israel has continued its airstrikes on Gaza amid ongoing conflict with Iran, killing three people in the latest attacks. According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, one person was killed and several others injured when Israeli forces targeted a civilian vehicle at the entrance of the Maghazi refugee camp. The injured were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. In a separate strike east of Gaza City, two more people were reported killed.

Wafa reported that since the end of the previous ceasefire last year, Israeli attacks have killed 709 people and injured at least 1,928 others. The agency added that since October 2023, the total number of Palestinians killed has risen to 72,291, most of them women and children.

The report comes as Israel reportedly prepares for possible strikes on Iranian energy facilities while awaiting signals from the United States, and as tensions escalate with Hezbollah following claims of killing 90 of its members in Lebanon.

An investigation committee formed by the National Sports Council has submitted its report on alleged irregularities in the most recent Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election. The committee was instructed to deliver the report within 15 working days but submitted it earlier on Sunday. Most individuals involved in the election appeared before the committee, except former youth and sports adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, who did not respond to the summons.

Asif Mahmud, who served as youth and sports adviser during the last BCB election, faced allegations of interference in the electoral process. Despite being called to testify, he did not attend any session with the investigators. Consequently, the committee submitted its report without his statement. The report was officially handed over to the National Sports Council at noon.

Following the submission, the committee’s head, former Justice A.K.M. Asaduzzaman, confirmed that Asif Mahmud had not responded to their call, leaving his perspective absent from the final report.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has announced financial assistance for the victims of the recent fire at a gaslight factory in Kadamtali, Keraniganj. Each family of the deceased will receive 200,000 taka, while injured workers will get up to 100,000 taka for medical treatment. The minister visited the burnt factory site on Saturday, expressed condolences to the victims’ families, and later met with injured workers at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

During his visit, Chowdhury instructed hospital authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured and assured full government support. He also declared a special fund under the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation to provide the announced assistance. To determine the cause of the fire and identify those responsible, he ordered the formation of a five-member investigation committee led by a joint secretary of his ministry.

The committee has been directed to submit a detailed report within five working days, while the Dhaka district commissioner has been asked to provide a separate report on the incident.

Iran has executed two men accused of working for the United States and Israel. According to the country’s judiciary, the executions were carried out after the Supreme Court upheld the final verdict. The men, identified as Mohammad-Amin Biglari and Shahin Vahedparast, were alleged to have been involved with foreign powers during anti-government protests earlier this year.

A statement published on the judiciary’s website, Mizan Online, confirmed the executions and noted that the two were linked to demonstrations that intensified in January. The judiciary described their actions as collaboration with foreign entities during a period of unrest.

The report, citing Gulf News, did not provide further details about the nature of their alleged activities or the judicial process beyond the Supreme Court’s review and confirmation of the death sentences.