The Pentagon is preparing for several weeks of ground operations in Iran, according to a Washington Post report citing US officials. As part of the preparations, thousands of US Navy and Marine troops have arrived in the Middle East. The USS Tripoli has reached its designated area of responsibility, the US Central Command confirmed. However, it remains uncertain whether President Donald Trump will approve the deployment of ground forces, and the exact locations of troop positions have not been disclosed. The report indicates that the planned operations would not constitute a full-scale invasion but rather a series of coordinated missions involving special operations units and conventional infantry forces. More than 4,000 US Marines are believed to be aboard ships heading toward the Gulf, and discussions are ongoing about sending additional troops. The White House and Pentagon have not commented on the matter despite inquiries from the BBC, leaving the timeline and scope of the potential operations unclear.

Bangladesh Bank has not recovered Tk 68,250 crore lent to 12 commercial banks, according to central bank sources. The loans, issued by printing money during the previous Awami League government and the subsequent interim administration, were meant to be repaid within three months but remain unpaid after more than a year. The funds were extended under the tenures of former governors Abdur Rouf Talukder and Ahsan H. Mansur. The banks include First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, ICB Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, National Bank, Padma Bank, AB Bank, BASIC Bank, and Premier Bank. Industry observers said the banks became financially weak due to large-scale irregularities and mismanagement, particularly under groups such as S. Alam. Despite repeated liquidity support, the sector shows little improvement. Former chief economist Mustafa K. Mujeri described the assistance as a temporary relief that fails to address structural problems like default loans and corruption. Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the central bank was compelled to provide liquidity support to prevent depositor panic but acknowledged that such measures cannot continue indefinitely. The new governor is expected to decide on the next steps for the troubled banks.

The Gazipur-Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has become a major burden for the government after years of delays, flawed planning, and alleged corruption. Initiated in 2012 under the Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project, the 20.5-kilometer scheme aimed to provide a fast, affordable, and eco-friendly transit system. However, after spending over Tk 4,000 crore, the project remains incomplete, with its operations suspended since December 2024 and the route now used as a regular road. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) rejected proposals to extend the project’s duration and budget following revelations of design weaknesses and mismanagement. Experts and former officials have described the project as one of the worst examples of corruption and poor planning, citing copied foreign designs unsuited to Bangladesh’s traffic system. A special committee is investigating financial irregularities and design flaws. Interim government adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud called for legal action against those responsible, while the current administration awaits the committee’s report before deciding future steps. Despite widespread criticism, some project officials remain optimistic, claiming that once completed, the BRT could still offer efficient urban transport if technical issues are resolved.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a second round of attacks on Israeli territory. According to Yahya Sari, spokesperson for the group’s military wing, the strikes targeted southern Israel on Saturday using cruise missiles and drones. He said several key military installations were hit during the operation. The Israeli military confirmed detecting a missile launched from Yemen toward its territory and stated that air defense systems were active in response. This marks the first official acknowledgment of an attack from Yemen since the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel entered its second month. The Houthis later said they had fired ballistic missiles at Israeli military sites in the occupied West Bank, describing the action as retaliation for Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Iran, and Palestine. Sari warned that if other parties join the war against Iran and its allies, the Houthis are prepared to expand their military operations.

Phulbaria upazila in Mymensingh, covering 399 square kilometers, is rich in natural and historical resources but remains underdeveloped as a full-fledged tourist destination due to insufficient government and private initiatives. The area features the country’s largest enclosed wetland, Barabila, and the mysterious Nabaikuri, which attract visitors with lotus blooms and migratory birds. Nearby stands the legendary site of King Anai’s palace, tied to a local folktale that continues to intrigue tourists. Santoshpur forest, with its dense sal and gazari trees, wildlife, and a large rubber plantation, offers another attraction. The area’s “social monkeys,” known for their friendly behavior with visitors, have become a highlight. Other notable sites include the privately owned Deepto Orchid Garden in Dulma village, the historic Tamaltala Guptabrindaban, and a privately developed park in Betbari. Visitors can reach Phulbaria from Mymensingh for a modest travel cost. Locals believe that with proper planning and investment, Phulbaria could emerge as one of Bangladesh’s most appealing tourism zones, generating significant annual revenue.

Sri Lanka has reinstated fuel rationing and raised fuel prices by about 33 percent following the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28. Iran’s decision to halt most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for 20 percent of global oil and gas, has severely disrupted supplies to the island nation, which imports 60 percent of its energy needs through the strait. The government has introduced a QR-based rationing system similar to that used during the 2022 economic crisis, limiting weekly fuel allocations for vehicles and implementing a no-work-on-Wednesday policy to conserve fuel. Officials say the government is absorbing part of the international price increase, resulting in monthly losses of $63 million. Bus fares have risen by more than 12 percent, while liquefied petroleum gas prices are up 8 percent. Negotiations are under way with Russia for fuel imports, and Sri Lanka has declined Iran’s offer due to lack of transport capacity. Experts warn that continued disruption could raise food prices by 15 percent and threaten food security, as fertiliser supplies are also affected. President Anura Dissanayake’s administration is expanding storage capacity and pursuing agreements with India and the UAE to renovate facilities, but economists caution that the crisis’s duration remains unpredictable.

Tens of thousands of people marched through central London on Saturday in what organisers described as the largest anti-far-right demonstration in British history. The Together Alliance, supported by around 500 groups including trade unions, antiracism organisations and Muslim representative bodies, led the rally that converged on Whitehall near the Houses of Parliament. Organisers claimed half a million participants, while police estimated about 50,000. The event was met by a much smaller group of counterprotesters waving Israeli and pre-1979 Iranian flags. Speakers and participants said the march aimed to counter the rise of racism and Islamophobia in mainstream politics, citing figures such as Reform leader Nigel Farage and far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Demonstrators described the atmosphere as inclusive and festive, comparing it to the Notting Hill Carnival. Several left-wing politicians, including Jeremy Corbyn, Zarah Sultana, Dianne Abbott, and Andy Burnham, joined the crowds, while Amnesty UK praised the event as a call for dignity, compassion and human rights. The protest took place amid warnings from the group Hope Not Hate that the British far right is becoming “bigger, bolder and more extreme than ever before.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Saturday that Iran has agreed to allow 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, with two ships scheduled to cross daily. Dar described the move as a “harbinger of peace” and a “welcome and constructive gesture,” suggesting it could help stabilize a region strained by conflict and energy shortages. His announcement, addressed to senior U.S. and Iranian officials, underscored Islamabad’s broader diplomatic role in efforts to end the ongoing war. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely closed since coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sparking a conflict that has severely disrupted global trade. With about 2,000 vessels stranded and oil prices surging above $100 a barrel, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has imposed strict passage controls, requiring ships to pay for escorted transit. Iran’s parliament is now considering legalizing these tolls as a revenue source. The deal follows a week of intense Pakistani diplomacy, including talks between Pakistan’s army chief and U.S. President Donald Trump. Islamabad has offered to host peace talks if all parties agree.

Malaysia has been detaining Israeli passport holders in increasing numbers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, according to a report published on March 28 by Wynet Global. In recent months, at least eight Israelis have been held, some while attempting to enter Malaysia and others while using the country as a transit point to other Asian destinations. The two nations do not maintain formal diplomatic relations. One incident involved four young Israelis detained during a transit stop on their way from Thailand to the Philippines. Two of them said they had consulted a chatbot about the safety of transiting through Kuala Lumpur and received a positive response before deciding to travel. In another case, two Israeli men traveling from Cambodia to the Philippines were detained and later sent back to Cambodia after two days. The report noted that detentions usually last 24 to 48 hours but can extend when other countries refuse entry to deported Israelis. The Israeli embassy in Singapore has intervened in several cases, and Ambassador Eliyahu Vered Hazan urged citizens to avoid travel or transit through Malaysia due to growing risks and complications.

A mobile court led by Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md. Fakhrul Islam conducted an operation in the Bhatiari area on Saturday amid a nationwide fuel supply crisis. The court fined Bhatiari Filling Station Tk 50,000 under the Mobile Court Act for concealing government information and discrepancies in oil stock records. Officials found that the station reported 1,100 liters of octane but actually stored 1,069 liters more than declared. To prevent illegal fuel hoarding or smuggling, the administration has appointed tag officers at every petrol pump for regular monitoring. While most stations maintained accurate records, irregularities were confirmed at Bhatiari Filling Station, prompting legal action. The same mobile court also fined three minibuses Tk 2,000 each for overcharging passengers on the Alangkar–Sitakunda route. Officials said the trend of overcharging has recently increased, causing financial distress to passengers. They pledged to continue regular drives and urged passengers to report any fare violations immediately. Local residents welcomed the initiative as timely and beneficial for restoring discipline in the fuel and transport sectors.

At least seven people were killed in an Israeli attack on the southern Lebanese city of Al-Haniyah, according to the Health Emergency Operations Center under Lebanon’s Ministry of Health. The agency reported that among the dead were six Syrians, including one child. In a separate incident, two police officers were killed in Iraq’s Mosul city following a U.S.-Israeli strike on a police facility, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said in a statement cited by Al Jazeera. The ministry confirmed that the attack directly targeted an Iraqi police installation. The incidents come amid heightened regional tensions, with both Lebanon and Iraq reporting casualties from strikes linked to Israel and its allies.

Millions of people across more than 3,100 cities in the United States joined the 'No Kings' protests on Saturday, denouncing President Donald Trump’s policies, rising living costs, and the war with Iran. The demonstrations also spread to several European countries, including Italy, France, Germany, and Spain, where large crowds gathered in solidarity. Major US cities such as Minneapolis, Boston, Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and Seattle saw significant turnouts, with Philadelphia hosting one of the largest gatherings. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who participated in the protests, said she and thousands of others were fighting to protect democracy, emphasizing that no one is above the law and that respect for due process forms the foundation of American democracy. Television host Padma Lakshmi also addressed the demonstrations, calling for accountability, transparency, and empathy from elected leaders. Organizers noted that this year’s protests follow previous 'No Kings' demonstrations and come amid economic strain and nationwide immigration crackdowns. The movement’s expansion into Europe underscores growing international concern over Trump’s leadership and policies.

Bangladeshi physician Dr. Ashrafun Nahar has achieved success in in-vitro maturation (IVM) research aimed at treating infertility among women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Her team conducted the study at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine in the United States, and the findings were presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s annual scientific congress and expo. The research identified the benefits of antioxidant supplementation in oocytes, showing particular promise for PCOS patients. According to the study, IVM is an advanced assisted reproductive technology that matures immature eggs outside the body, reducing the need for hormone injections compared to IVF. The research involved 15 patients with an average age of 30.5 years, average BMI of 28.5 kg/m², and average anti-Müllerian hormone level of 8.5 ng/mL. The process used minimal hormonal stimulation and avoided human chorionic gonadotropin triggers. Some oocytes were matured with mitoquinone to assess antioxidant effects. The study reported five live births from the current IVM research and a total of 14 IVM births at the Colorado center, highlighting the potential of this low-risk fertility treatment for PCOS patients.

The Babylon.js team has announced the release of Babylon.js 9.0, described as its most feature-rich and powerful update yet. The new version introduces a range of enhancements aimed at improving performance, visual fidelity, and creative flexibility for web-based 3D rendering. Key additions include a Clustered Lighting system for faster multi-light scenes, emission texture support for area lights, and a new Node Particle Editor that allows visual creation of complex particle systems. The update also debuts Flow Maps, gravity attractors, and a Volumetric Lighting system for realistic atmospheric effects. Further advancements include the full release of the Frame Graph system, which provides fine-grained control over the rendering pipeline and significant GPU memory savings. Babylon.js 9.0 also adds animation retargeting, enabling animations to be shared across characters with different skeletons, and extends Gaussian Splatting capabilities with new file formats, shadow support, and composable volumetric scenes. The developers expressed gratitude to the community and contributors for their ongoing support. The release marks a major step toward Babylon.js’s mission to deliver an open, high-performance web rendering engine that empowers developers to create immersive, next-generation experiences.

Mistral AI has released Voxtral TTS, its first text-to-speech model designed for multilingual, emotionally expressive voice generation. The 4-billion-parameter model delivers realistic speech in nine languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Hindi, and Arabic. It supports diverse dialects, low latency, and quick adaptation to new voices, making it suitable for enterprise-grade voice agent workflows. Voxtral TTS is available for testing in Mistral Studio and through an API priced at $0.016 per 1,000 characters. The model emphasizes contextual understanding and speaker modeling, capturing natural speech patterns such as rhythm, pauses, and emotional tone. Comparative human evaluations show Voxtral TTS achieves superior naturalness to ElevenLabs Flash v2.5 while maintaining similar latency. It can adapt to a custom voice using as little as three seconds of reference audio and demonstrates zero-shot cross-lingual voice adaptation, producing natural-sounding speech with accent transfer. Voxtral TTS integrates with Mistral’s broader audio intelligence ecosystem, including Voxtral Transcribe, and is also available as open weights on Hugging Face under a CC BY NC 4.0 license.