8:48 – Bangladesh reduces office hours due to oil shortage
The government of Bangladesh has implemented a reduction in office and business hours and will decrease its energy consumption due to the increase in oil prices caused by the Middle East war.
Following a cabinet meeting that ended late at night, the government announced a one-hour reduction in the opening hours of government offices and businesses, including banks. Stores, shopping malls, and markets in the country will now close at 6:00 p.m.
The country of 170 million people imports 95% of its oil and gas needs, much of it coming from Gulf countries. Supplies have been disrupted since the start of the conflict, forcing authorities to ration fuel distribution, raise prices, and seek $2 billion in emergency loans.
8:35 – US Army Chief of Staff Randy George dismissed
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has obtained the immediate departure of Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, according to a US official, amid the war against Iran.
The official stated, “General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately. The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.” – Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) April 2, 2026
CBS News, reporting the information, cited an anonymous US official stating Pete Hegseth wants to appoint someone who can implement Donald Trump and his minister’s vision for the army.
General Randy George, a graduate of the prestigious West Point military academy who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was appointed to the position in 2023 during President Joe Biden’s tenure.
7:44 – Iran warns UN Security Council
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against any “provocative action” before an expected UN Security Council vote on the use of force to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
“Abbas Araghchi stresses that any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including at the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only further complicate the situation,” according to a statement from the ministry.
7:06 – Fires at a refinery site in Kuwait
An attack by drones on the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait caused fires at several units of the site, according to the Kuwait National News Agency, quoting the Gulf country’s national oil company.
“The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) stated that the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was targeted by a drone attack this morning, causing fires in several operational units,” the agency said, noting no casualties were reported.
Overnight Headlines
– Kuwait reported being targeted by missile and drone attacks. “Kuwaiti air defenses are currently repelling hostile missile and drone attacks,” the army’s statement said, clarifying that “the explosions heard are the result of interception” of these attacks.
– The Israeli army activated its anti-aircraft defense system to counter missiles fired from Iran. “Recently, the army identified missiles fired from Iran towards the territory of the state of Israel. Defense systems are in action to intercept the threat,” the army said in a statement. Residents in the affected areas were instructed to take shelter.
– Iranian state television claims Tehran launched a series of attacks targeting American industrial and military sites in the Gulf, as well as Israeli facilities.
– President Donald Trump threatened further destruction of civilian infrastructure in Iran, citing bridges and power plants.
