Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, told the national parliament on Monday that the country currently has no fuel shortage. He stated that fuel supply has been increased compared to the same period last year, ensuring greater availability across the country. The minister emphasized that the government is working tirelessly to maintain public comfort and stability in energy supply.

Mahmud noted that the world is going through a period of instability due to international conflicts and geopolitical tensions, which have created uncertainty in global energy transportation and supply. He said that despite these global challenges, Bangladesh has taken timely and appropriate measures under the Prime Minister’s supervision to safeguard domestic energy security.

According to the minister, when the current government took office on February 17, the diesel reserve stood at 206,000 tons, which has since risen to 218,000 tons. Between February 17 and March 29, 482,000 tons of diesel were sold, yet reserves still increased, indicating effective import planning and management.

NASA is set to send humans to the Moon for the first time in more than five decades through its Artemis-2 mission. Four astronauts selected for the mission have arrived in Florida and are completing final preparations for launch, which is scheduled to take place by April 1 from the Kennedy Space Center using NASA’s Space Launch System rocket.

The Artemis-2 crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The team will travel aboard the Orion crew capsule, designed for deep-space missions. The approximately 10-day journey will take them around the Moon at high speed before returning to Earth.

Among the crew, three astronauts have prior spaceflight experience, while Hansen will make his first trip to space. The mission marks a major step in NASA’s renewed lunar exploration efforts after more than fifty years.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to visit China tomorrow as part of efforts to facilitate direct talks between the United States and Iran. During his trip to Beijing, he is expected to meet with China’s foreign minister to discuss bilateral relations and various regional issues.

The visit comes as Islamabad intensifies diplomatic initiatives to bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiation table. Over the past week, Ishaq Dar has coordinated with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt in a four-party diplomatic effort aimed at organizing direct dialogue between US and Iranian representatives in Pakistan.

China has already expressed support for Pakistan’s initiative. Following recent discussions, Ishaq Dar confirmed that Beijing is offering full backing to Islamabad’s attempt to host potential US-Iran talks.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told the National Parliament on March 30, 2026, that the government had reached a consensus on the ordinance providing protection to those involved in the July uprising. He made the remarks while responding to a question from Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain during the first session of the 13th National Parliament, which was reconvened that afternoon.

Akhtar Hossain had asked whether the Home Ministry would take departmental action regarding alleged police involvement in killings and repression during the July movement, and whether the ministry planned to address confusion within the police over the term “police killings.” In reply, the minister said the issue was political in nature and linked to the government’s constitutional commitment to indemnify the July fighters. He explained that the “July Fighters Protection Ordinance” was among 133 ordinances presented before parliament, originally issued during the interim government.

Salahuddin Ahmed also referred to claims circulating on social media about prosecuting those involved in the killings, questioning whether similar logic would apply to prosecuting freedom fighters for actions during the 1971 war.

Bluesky’s newly launched AI feed-building tool, Attie, has faced a strong backlash from users since its debut over the weekend. According to analytics site ClearSky, Attie has been blocked more than 125,000 times, making it the second most-blocked account on the platform after U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The number of blocks surpasses those for the White House and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), both of which have over 100,000 user blocks.

Developed by The Atmosphere, a team led by former CEO Jay Graber, Attie uses Bluesky’s decentralized AT Protocol to let users generate personalized feeds through AI. The feature was introduced as a way to enhance user experience, but many users expressed concern about automation, AI training, and the platform’s direction. Some argued that Bluesky was losing its appeal as an alternative to Elon Musk’s X by incorporating AI-driven features.

Graber, now Bluesky’s chief innovation officer, acknowledged user concerns about large language models and their societal impact, stating that the company takes those concerns seriously.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Al Jazeera that it was “very disappointing” for the United States that NATO allies, including Spain, blocked the use of their airspace and bases for the US’s war on Iran. Rubio said the decision by Spain had raised serious concerns in Washington about alliance cooperation during the conflict.

He stated that the United States would re-examine the value of NATO once the war with Iran concludes. The remarks highlight growing tension within the alliance over differing national positions on the US-led military campaign. Rubio’s comments suggest that the US may reconsider its strategic commitments to NATO depending on how member states respond during the ongoing conflict.

The statement underscores potential strains in transatlantic relations as Washington evaluates the reliability of its European partners in future military operations.

Electricity, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud and State Minister Anindya Islam Amit held a meeting with officials and employees of the Rural Electrification Board (REB) on Monday at the Brigadier Sabihuddin Ahmed Auditorium of the organization. The meeting was chaired by REB Chairman Major General S M Zia-ul-Azim, with Power Division Secretary Farzana Momtaz also in attendance.

During the session, REB representatives presented ongoing activities and achievements in electricity distribution, noting the board’s establishment in 1977 to expand rural electrification. The minister directed the REB chairman to resolve existing issues between the board and rural electricity cooperatives promptly and emphasized that no initiative would be taken to weaken the institution. Instead, efforts would focus on ensuring reliable and quality electricity services.

Secretary Farzana Momtaz suggested measures to improve service quality, including installing fault locators for quick power restoration after storms, reducing distribution line length to minimize system loss, and promoting solar pumps to save fuel. She also instructed submission of new project proposals to develop a modern and sustainable distribution system.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament on March 30 that those who launched armed attacks against participants in the July mass uprising are criminals, regardless of the uniforms they wore. He assured that all related cases will be properly investigated and that the July fighters will be protected under existing legal provisions. The minister made these remarks while responding to supplementary questions from lawmakers Akhtar Hossain and Zainul Abedin Faruk during a parliamentary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

Ahmed said the government remains committed to the ‘July National Charter,’ which promises indemnity for July fighters. He noted that the ‘July Fighters Protection Ordinance,’ issued during the interim government, has been placed before Parliament along with 133 other ordinances for review by a special parliamentary committee. The committee is scheduled to discuss the matter on April 20, with consensus to present the ordinance as a bill for passage.

The minister added that investigations and trials of killings during the uprising are ongoing under both ICT and general laws, with some proceedings already broadcast live on television.

Allama Abu Taher Nadvi, central Nayeb-e-Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and president of its Chattogram South district unit, passed away on Monday afternoon at Chattogram National Hospital. He was also the director general of Jamia Islamia Patiya and president of Ittihadul Madarisil Qawmia Bangladesh. He was 63 years old and is survived by his wife, three sons, and one daughter.

Hefazat-e-Islam’s Ameer Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sheikh Sajidur Rahman expressed deep sorrow in a condolence message, describing Nadvi as a wise scholar, skilled organizer, and devoted religious leader. They said his scholarly contributions and dedication to Islamic education would be remembered with respect. They prayed for his forgiveness and for strength for his bereaved family.

Leaders of various Islamic parties and organizations also issued statements mourning his death. His funeral prayer was scheduled to be held at 11:30 p.m. at the Jamia Islamia Patiya madrasa ground.

Police in Dhunat upazila of Bogura have arrested Sultan Nasim, a 29-year-old Jubo League leader, in connection with a case over a cocktail attack and banner arson during a BNP rally. He was detained from his home on Sunday night and sent to Bogura District Jail through court on Monday afternoon. Nasim is the organizational secretary of the Choukibari Union Jubo League and a resident of Pechibari village.

According to the case, on December 21, 2018, BNP activists held a protest march and street rally in the town when Awami League members allegedly carried out a cocktail attack and set fire to banners. The case was filed on October 17, 2024, by Nurun-Nabi Talukdar, acting general secretary of the upazila unit of JASAS, a BNP-affiliated cultural organization.

Dhunat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikul Islam said efforts are underway to arrest the other accused in the case.

Chief Whip and Parliament Committee Chair Nurul Islam Moni said he fell ill after drinking turbid water amid a severe water shortage in the Parliament complex. Speaking to reporters on Monday after a committee meeting, he stated that the area needs 10 million liters of water daily but produces only 2.7 million liters. He added that the government would be urged to resolve the issue.

The meeting, chaired by Moni, discussed several operational matters including housing allocations for lawmakers by April 10, improvement of the Parliament hospital with an ICU ambulance and a refrigerated vehicle, and repair of the malfunctioning sound system. A probe committee was formed to report on the sound system issue by April 2. Two subcommittees were also created to assess water quality, canteen food standards, and furniture quality.

The committee instructed officials to ensure transparency and quality in furniture procurement for the 13th National Parliament members’ housing, warning against irregularities similar to past scandals.

Iran is preparing to implement a new parliamentary plan to regulate navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian parliament member Alaeddin Boroujerdi. He stated that the plan would be approved as soon as possible and would require all ships to obtain Iran’s permission before passing through the strait. The proposal also includes the introduction of a transit toll for vessels using the route.

Boroujerdi explained that maintaining security and providing services to ships in the area involve costs, which justify the creation of a toll collection framework. In addition to the maritime measures, he suggested that Iran should consider withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), arguing that the agreement has lost its relevance following attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities by Israel and the United States.

The proposed measures indicate a potential shift in Iran’s maritime and nuclear policies, reflecting heightened tensions in the region and Tehran’s intent to assert greater control over strategic waterways.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan announced that workers who play an active role in reducing mosquito infestations will receive rewards. He made the announcement on Monday, March 30, during the inauguration of a two-day training program on Integrated Vector Management (IVM) and basic pest control strategies organized by the DNCC Health Department at Gulshan Nagar Bhaban.

Shafiqul emphasized the need for sincerity and commitment in mosquito control efforts, urging field workers to focus more on practical knowledge than theoretical understanding. He noted that mosquito control is closely linked with waste management and that DNCC is strengthening its waste management operations. He added that effective performance by all responsible staff could bring relief to city residents.

DNCC’s Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury said the training aims to enhance participants’ practical skills in mosquito control techniques. Entomologist Kabirul Bashar highlighted that commitment, collaboration, and cooperation are key to effective mosquito management.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has stated that Rohingya repatriation cannot begin now due to ongoing conflict in Myanmar. Speaking in parliament on March 30, 2026, he said the government remains committed to ensuring safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees. Bangladesh continues diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian efforts to resolve the crisis with international cooperation.

Responding to questions from lawmakers, the minister said Bangladesh has sent data on 829,036 Rohingya to Myanmar in six phases. Of these, Myanmar has verified information for 354,751 individuals as of January 2026 and identified 253,964 as former residents of Myanmar. He also noted that Bangladesh supports international judicial processes to ensure accountability for crimes against the Rohingya.

Bangladesh has decided to provide financial assistance in the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where Gambia has filed a case against Myanmar over alleged genocide. The government is closely monitoring the proceedings and supporting global efforts to uphold justice.

Iran’s military has accused Israel of carrying out an attack on a desalination plant in Kuwait, according to a statement published by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The statement claimed that the assault was conducted by what it described as the “Zionist regime” as a pretext to blame the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Iranian military characterized the attack as evidence of Israel’s “malice and inferiority.” It further warned that U.S. bases, military personnel, and interests in the region, along with Israel’s military, security, and economic infrastructure, would be considered legitimate targets by Iran. The statement emphasized that this position would remain unchanged.

The report did not include any response from Israel or Kuwait, and no details were provided about the scale of the attack or possible casualties.