Leaders of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Dhaka Metropolitan Sarbojonin Puja Committee met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday at his office in the Secretariat. The meeting was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, who said the delegation discussed various problems faced by the Hindu community. Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with other senior officials, were also present.

During the meeting, the Hindu community leaders, including Basudev Dhar, Santosh Sharma, Jayanta Kumar Dev, and Tapas Chandra Pal, raised issues such as post-August 2024 persecution, job dismissals, and lack of justice. They also discussed the need for a minority commission, minority protection law, Hindu foundation, and reforms to the Debottar property law. Jayanta Kumar Dev said the Prime Minister listened to their concerns and assured gradual resolution.

According to Santosh Sharma, the Prime Minister gave assurances that the raised issues would be addressed in phases, signaling possible future policy attention to minority rights and legal protections.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has increased the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for April, raising the cost of a 12-kilogram cylinder by Tk 387. The new price, announced on Thursday, April 2, 2026, sets the 12kg cylinder at Tk 1,728, up from the previous Tk 1,341. The adjustment applies to all cylinder sizes, with corresponding new rates published by the regulator.

According to the BERC announcement, the revised prices include Tk 792 for a 5.5kg cylinder, Tk 1,801 for a 12.5kg cylinder, Tk 2,161 for a 15kg cylinder, Tk 2,305 for a 16kg cylinder, Tk 2,593 for an 18kg cylinder, and Tk 2,881 for a 20kg cylinder. Larger cylinders now range from Tk 3,169 for 22kg to Tk 6,428 for 45kg. Additionally, the consumer price of autogas has been set at Tk 79.77 per liter, inclusive of VAT.

The new rates take effect immediately for April, reflecting BERC’s monthly price adjustment mechanism for LPG products in the domestic market.

Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami has instructed the country’s operational headquarters to closely monitor every movement of the United States and Israel amid concerns of a potential ground attack. In a video shared by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Hatami was seen meeting with other senior military officials, emphasizing the need for constant surveillance and readiness.

According to IRNA’s summary of his remarks, Hatami directed the armed forces to ensure that if any enemy attempts a ground operation, none of them should return alive. The summary further stated that the military has been ordered to observe enemy movements with maximum precision and to implement plans to counter any form of attack.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, comes amid heightened regional tensions and warnings of possible assaults, including alerts around the US embassy in Baghdad.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that 445 shelters have been identified across Dhaka North and South City Corporations to prepare for potential earthquakes. He shared the information on Thursday afternoon after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat.

The minister stated that the government is considering including earthquake awareness in the national education curriculum as part of broader preparedness efforts. Teachers will also be brought under training programs to enhance their capacity in disaster response. In addition, a draft list of 145,000 volunteers from various organizations has been prepared to assist in managing post-earthquake situations.

These initiatives reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster readiness and community resilience in the capital city.

Malaysia will introduce a work-from-home policy for government agencies, government-linked organizations, and state-related companies starting April 15, as part of efforts to address the global energy crisis. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the decision during a briefing, noting that detailed implementation guidelines will be released soon. He emphasized that the measure is part of a broader strategy to safeguard national energy security and protect citizens from sudden price hikes.

The government decided to act preemptively rather than wait for the impact of ongoing Middle East conflicts on households and businesses. The initiative falls under the country’s “Public Support Initiative.” Anwar warned that the global situation may worsen before improving and that recovery could take time. Malaysia has already implemented several measures, including a monthly fuel quota of 200 liters under the “Budi Madani 95” program and full implementation of subsidized diesel in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.

According to the prime minister, these steps aim to reduce the impact of rising international oil prices and ensure subsidies reach intended beneficiaries. The government currently spends about 4 billion ringgit per month to manage fuel price pressures and protect consumers.

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of Bangladesh remained suspended for about 16 hours following a train accident in Madhabpur, Habiganj. Thousands of passengers faced severe disruption as six wagons, including a guard brake, of a Chattogram-bound oil train derailed and overturned shortly after leaving Montola station on Wednesday night. Railway authorities immediately began rescue operations and initiated repairs to the damaged track.

A five-member investigation committee led by transport officer Mehedi Hasan has been formed to determine the cause of the accident, with instructions to submit its report within three days. Local residents were seen collecting spilled oil from the overturned wagons, each of which reportedly carried around 40,000 liters of diesel. Security forces including police, army, BGB, and fire service personnel worked to secure the area and remove the public from the site.

According to railway sources, the findings of the investigation will guide measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, while efforts continue to restore normal train services on the route.

An 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a protest in Dhaka demanding the implementation of the referendum verdict. The demonstration and rally are scheduled for Saturday after Asr prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The announcement came on Thursday, April 2, following a meeting in Gulshan, where alliance coordinator and Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad briefed reporters.

Azad accused the government of suppressing reform efforts and pursuing only constitutional amendments, describing its approach as authoritarian. Earlier, on Wednesday evening, opposition leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep disappointment over the ruling party’s actions regarding the referendum outcome. The Jamaat-led opposition also staged a walkout from Parliament on the sixth day of its first session, protesting the government’s handling of related issues and alleged misrepresentation of the opposition leader.

Speaker of Parliament responded that walkout was the opposition’s right but urged them to stay for further discussions that might address their concerns.

The United States Embassy in Baghdad has issued an emergency alert warning that attacks could occur within the next 24 to 48 hours. According to the embassy statement released on Thursday, Iran-backed militia groups may be planning assaults in central Baghdad. Potential targets include US citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other sites linked to the United States. Iraqi government institutions and civilian areas were also cited as being at risk.

The statement noted that such militias have previously attempted to kidnap American citizens, referencing an incident two days earlier in which a US journalist was abducted in Baghdad. In light of the deteriorating security situation, the embassy urged all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

The alert underscores heightened security concerns in Baghdad as tensions involving Iran-backed groups continue to pose threats to US-linked entities and local institutions.

Honey collectors have started their seasonal honey harvesting in the Sundarbans after receiving 14-day government permits. Beginning on Wednesday, April 1, they entered the forest in groups through designated points under the supervision of the Forest Department. Despite following official procedures, collectors expressed concern over possible bandit activity, wildlife attacks, and natural disasters during their work.

According to local sources, banditry has long been a serious problem in the Sundarbans, with past incidents of fishermen and honey collectors being kidnapped for ransom. Although law enforcement operations have improved the situation, locals say fears of renewed bandit activity persist. Bagerhat District Forest Officer Rezaul Karim stated that necessary instructions have been issued to ensure the collectors’ safety, with forest guards maintaining constant monitoring and coordination with law enforcement agencies.

Local residents emphasized that as long as the threat of forest bandits remains, honey collectors continue to face significant risks and called for stronger protective measures.

An Iranian military spokesperson has warned of an impending 'extreme, widespread and destructive' attack against the United States and Israel. The statement, published by the Tasnim news agency linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accused both countries of targeting what he called 'trivial' objectives. The warning comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows recent military actions attributed to the US and Israel.

The spokesperson rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran’s weapons stockpile had been significantly depleted. He asserted that Washington and Tel Aviv possess incomplete information about Tehran’s military capabilities and equipment. The statement further cautioned that the US and Israel would have to pay a 'heavy price' for what was described as their ongoing aggression.

The remarks were reported by BBC and reflect a sharp escalation in rhetoric between Iran and its adversaries, signaling the potential for further confrontation if diplomatic efforts fail to ease tensions.

Iran’s armed forces have declared that the United States and Israel are unaware of the full extent of Iran’s military and strategic capabilities. The statement came from the headquarters of the Khatam al-Anbiya military command, which asserted that both countries hold incomplete information about Iran’s defense strength. The Iranian military also pledged to continue fighting until what it called the “final surrender” of its enemies.

According to a statement published by the Tasnim news agency, a spokesperson for the command said that Iran’s adversaries should not assume they have destroyed its missile production centers, long-range precision drones, modern air defense systems, or electronic warfare capabilities. The spokesperson added that Iran’s strategic military production takes place in undisclosed locations beyond the reach of its enemies.

The statement included a warning of harsher and more destructive actions against adversaries, reinforcing Iran’s commitment to sustained military resistance. The report was sourced from Al Jazeera.

Between March 14 and March 28, 2026, a total of 373 road accidents across Bangladesh caused 298 deaths and over 2,000 injuries, according to data compiled from hospitals and media reports. The Road Safety Foundation disclosed these figures in a press release issued on April 1. Among the victims were 46 women and 67 children. Motorcycle accidents accounted for nearly 39 percent of the fatalities, while 47 pedestrians and 36 drivers or assistants also lost their lives. Additionally, 11 waterway accidents killed nine people, and 29 railway accidents caused 41 deaths.

The report showed that the Chattogram Division recorded the highest number of accidents and deaths, with 93 incidents and 74 fatalities, while Barishal Division had the lowest with 12 deaths. More than 10 million people traveled from Dhaka and about 40 million moved within the country during the Eid period. Despite reduced congestion, passengers faced overcharging on roads, railways, and waterways.

The Foundation recommended restructuring the National Road Safety Council, enforcing vehicle safety technology, removing outdated vehicles, and improving driver training to ensure safer transport nationwide.

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking an order to close schools until the current measles outbreak subsides. The petition also calls for the formation of a high-level investigation committee to examine the deaths of 47 children reportedly caused by the disease. The petition was filed on Thursday, April 2, 2026, by lawyer Latif Jahan Purnima, naming the Family Welfare Division of the Ministry of Health and other relevant government authorities as respondents.

The petition requests the court to direct the authorities to submit a comprehensive report detailing the number of deaths, infection rates, vaccination coverage, vaccine availability, and measures taken to control the outbreak. It further seeks an order for a full, independent, and time-bound investigation to identify reasons behind failures in vaccination coverage, vaccine shortages, and delays in preventive actions.

If accepted, the court’s decision could lead to temporary school closures and a formal inquiry into the country’s public health response to the measles situation.

Transport drivers and workers blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway on Thursday morning after failing to obtain fuel despite waiting in line. The protest began around 10:30 a.m. when they felled trees to obstruct the road near several petrol pumps in Sunamganj, causing severe traffic congestion and passenger suffering. Police later intervened, assuring that the pumps would reopen within an hour, leading the protesters to withdraw the blockade and restore traffic flow.

At the Mallikpur Cynthia Filling Station, the counters were closed and no staff were present, forcing many drivers to wait or leave without fuel. Similar conditions were reported at Balaka and Shafeda filling stations. Although there was no gas shortage, the blockade disrupted gas supply to vehicles as well.

Drivers expressed frustration over the sudden closure of pumps without notice, saying it affected their daily income and ability to repay vehicle loans. Police officials confirmed discussions with pump owners, who promised to resume operations shortly.

Bangladesh’s Joint Secretary and spokesperson of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, announced that the country will face no fuel shortage in April. He made the statement at a press conference held at the Secretariat on April 2, where he said Bangladesh remains secure in its energy supply for the month.

Chowdhury explained that one of six ships recently released by Iran through the Strait of Hormuz carries crude oil, and its arrival will ensure uninterrupted operation at the Eastern Refinery. He also reported that from March 3 to the present, authorities have recovered 372,388 liters of fuel oil through nationwide drives, including 25,537 liters recovered on April 1.

The official’s assurance comes as part of the government’s ongoing monitoring and recovery efforts to maintain fuel stability across the country during April.