Fifteen-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. has recently trained with Real Madrid’s youth academy, raising speculation about his potential move to the Spanish club. The Athletic first reported the development, later confirmed by Spanish outlet Marca, which noted that the young player could soon join the club officially. He has been practicing with Real Madrid’s Cadet ‘A’ team, playing as a winger while coaches assess his performance over several days. Ronaldo Jr., currently part of Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr academy, began playing there after his father Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club in December 2022. Before that, he represented youth teams of Manchester United and Juventus. Born in the United States, he chose to represent Portugal internationally and made his debut for the country’s under-15 team against Japan last May. The teenager’s training stint at Real Madrid has reignited attention on his father’s legacy at the club, where Cristiano Ronaldo played from 2009 to 2018. Observers now await whether the younger Ronaldo will begin a new chapter at the same club that defined much of his father’s career.

Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger has stated that Iran is currently in a strategically advantageous position in its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. In an interview with The Economist podcast published on March 25, 2026, Younger said the United States failed to properly assess the complexity of the war and lost the initiative to Iran about two weeks earlier. He explained that Iran has shown greater resilience than expected, having taken early steps to disperse its military assets and decentralize decision-making on weapons use. These measures, according to Younger, have strengthened Iran’s defensive capacity even under heavy airstrikes. Younger also noted that some remarks by former US President Donald Trump reinforced Iran’s perception of the conflict as a “civilizational” or “existential” struggle. The comments were reported by Middle East Eye.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education is preparing a series of reforms aimed at completing the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations by December 31 each year. Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced the initiative during a meeting at the ministry, emphasizing that the current system causes students to lose nearly two years of academic time between class completion and examinations. The meeting also decided that the 2026 HSC examinations will use uniform question papers across all education boards. To ensure transparency, the ministry discussed installing closed-circuit cameras in every examination room. Board chairmen were instructed to inspect SSC centers and report on their conditions. A zero-tolerance policy against cheating and irregularities was reaffirmed, and a committee will assess the feasibility of reducing the number of exam subjects. The minister further directed an inquiry into administrative delays in a 2023 SSC exam case and reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining a fair, cheating-free examination environment nationwide.

President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar on Thursday, March 26, 2026, marking the Great Independence and National Day. The two leaders placed floral wreaths at dawn to honor the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. After laying the wreaths, the President and Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for a while, paying deep respect to the heroic martyrs of the Liberation War. The tribute ceremony was part of the national observance of Independence Day, which commemorates Bangladesh’s struggle and victory in 1971. The event at the National Memorial symbolizes the country’s collective remembrance of its freedom fighters and the enduring significance of Independence Day in national life.

The Israeli Defense Forces claimed on Tuesday that they carried out a large-scale attack on an underwater research center in the Iranian city of Isfahan. According to the Israeli statement, the facility is the country’s only site involved in submarine production and naval support operations. Iran has not yet issued any comment regarding the reported strike. Earlier, BBC Verify reported that an airstrike in Isfahan had damaged a multistory building and nearby shops, though it remained unclear whether that incident was linked to the same attack mentioned by Israel. The report did not confirm the extent of the damage or any casualties. The situation adds to regional tensions, but no immediate response or confirmation from Iranian authorities was available at the time of reporting.

Bangladesh is set to observe another three-day holiday starting today, coinciding with the national Independence Day. The official public holiday for Independence Day, combined with the regular Friday and Saturday weekend, has created a continuous three-day break across the country. Earlier, the nation had a seven-day holiday from March 17 to March 23 for Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. Following that, on March 24 and 25, government and private offices, courts, banks, and other institutions resumed normal operations. Now, with the Independence Day holiday on March 26, employees are again getting an extended weekend. According to the government holiday calendar, this sequence of holidays provides another opportunity for citizens and employees to enjoy consecutive days off shortly after the long Eid vacation.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, that more than 85,000 civilian structures in Iran have been damaged since the start of joint US-Israeli military operations at the end of February. According to the organization’s head, Pirhossein Kolivand, a total of 85,176 sites were affected, including 64,583 residential buildings and 19,690 commercial establishments. Kolivand stated that Tehran suffered the most severe damage, with 282 medical centers and 600 educational institutions hit during the attacks. He asserted that these strikes should be considered war crimes under the Geneva Conventions. The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran, prompting retaliatory drone and missile strikes by Iran on Israeli and US bases in the Middle East. The Red Crescent also reported that more than 1,340 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the joint military operation, highlighting the escalating humanitarian toll of the conflict.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a petition to show retired Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury arrested in a corruption case involving the alleged embezzlement of Tk 119 crore. The case accuses him and his associates of misusing government authority and breaching trust while recruiting workers for Malaysia. The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court has set April 9 for a hearing in the presence of the accused, according to ACC Assistant Director Aminul Islam. The petition, submitted by ACC Assistant Director Abul Kalam Azad, claims that Masud and his associates collected extra money beyond the government-fixed fee of Tk 78,990 per worker. They allegedly exploited political influence to collect illegal payments from 7,124 workers, totaling Tk 119.32 crore. The case was filed on March 11 under multiple sections of the Penal Code, the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012, and the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947. The ACC stated that Masud’s release on bail could obstruct the investigation, justifying the need to show him arrested in this case. He was earlier detained from his Baridhara DOHS residence and placed on a five-day remand.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has approved a Tk 500 crore zero-coupon bond proposed by Akij Food and Beverage Limited. The approval was granted during a commission meeting held on Wednesday, chaired by BSEC Chairman Khondkar Rashed Maksud, according to an official press release. The bond will be unsecured, non-convertible, and fully redeemable at face value upon maturity, with no interest payments. Its tenure will range from six months to a maximum of five years. Each unit of the bond will have a face value of Tk 10 lakh and will be issued through private placement to banks, non-bank financial institutions, insurance companies, institutional investors, and high-net-worth individuals. Sena Kalyan Insurance PLC will act as the trustee, while North Star Investments (BD) Limited will serve as the fund arranger. The approval marks a significant financing initiative for Akij Food and Beverage Limited, expanding its access to institutional capital through the domestic bond market.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) has issued new directives requiring motorcyclists to meet three conditions before obtaining fuel in Sylhet city. The announcement, signed by SMP Commissioner Abdul Kudduch Chowdhury and released on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, instructs all filling station authorities to comply with the order. According to the public notice, motorcyclists must possess a valid driving license, ensure the motorcycle is properly registered, and both the rider and passenger must wear helmets with clear visors. Filling stations have been asked not to supply fuel to any motorcycle failing to meet these criteria. The SMP stated that the directive was issued in the public interest and warned that legal action would be taken against those who violate the rules or create disorder.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that US troops may be deceived by what he described as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plot. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf said Tehran is closely monitoring all US movements in the region, particularly troop deployments, and cautioned against testing Iran’s resolve to defend its territory. According to the Associated Press, the United States is deploying more than 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, along with two Marine units, bringing the total presence to about 5,000 Marines and several thousand naval personnel. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28, Israel’s military has carried out over 15,000 bombings in Iran, four times more than during a 12-day conflict last June. Katz, speaking alongside Israel’s army chief Yaal Zamir, added that Tel Aviv has approved new targets for attacks in Iran and Lebanon, signaling a potential escalation in the conflict.

Two delegations from Japanese universities met with Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at his office. The meetings focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in education and research between Dhaka University and the visiting institutions. A four-member team from Hiroshima University, led by Professor Dr. Md. Moshior Rahman, discussed launching joint academic and research programs and initiating faculty, student, and researcher exchange activities. Both sides agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding soon. The vice-chancellor briefed the delegation on Dhaka University’s history and academic activities and expressed appreciation for their interest. On the same day, Professor Dr. Kawashima Hiroto from Japan’s Shibaura Institute of Technology met separately with the vice-chancellor, joined by the dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Dr. Abdus Salam. They discussed strengthening ongoing collaborative research on air pollution, environment, and climate change. The vice-chancellor emphasized the importance of expanding global academic partnerships to improve education and research quality.

A total of 775 international flights have been canceled from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka over the past 27 days due to airspace closures across several Middle Eastern countries. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirmed the cancellations in a statement on March 25, 2026, citing ongoing security concerns in the region that have led Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan to temporarily close or restrict their airspace. According to official data, flight cancellations began on February 28 and continued through the end of March, with 30 to 40 flights canceled daily at the start of the period. Although the number has slightly decreased, more than 20 flights per day were still being canceled as of March 25. An additional 22 flights scheduled after midnight on March 26 were also canceled, including services by Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Jazeera Airways. Authorities advised passengers to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates, as uncertainty is expected to persist until Middle Eastern air routes fully reopen.

Authorities in Kuakata, Patuakhali, launched a special operation on March 25, 2026, to control reckless motorcycle movement on the beach following a report in the daily Amar Desh highlighting tourist safety concerns and police inaction. The operation began around 4:30 p.m. and was led by Kuakata Municipality Administrator and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Yasin Sadek, with support from the Tourist Police. During the drive, several motorcycles were seized for operating in tourist walking areas, and their keys were confiscated. Considering the tourism season, no fines were imposed, but the riders were warned and later had their keys returned. The administration also designated a specific zone for motorcycle use, warning that any violations outside this area would result in legal action. Tourists and local residents expressed satisfaction with the initiative but urged that such monitoring be maintained permanently to ensure continued safety and order on the beach.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on all citizens to work together to move Bangladesh forward. In a message posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday marking the Great Independence Day, he said the day renews the spirit of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism. He emphasized that the goal of independence was to build a non-discriminatory, democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Bangladesh, and urged everyone to unite to achieve that vision. In his message, the Prime Minister extended heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all citizens of Bangladesh and expatriates on the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day. He paid deep respect to the martyrs and freedom fighters whose sacrifices brought independence and sovereignty to the nation, and prayed for the departed souls of all martyrs. Tarique Rahman further stated that national unity, mutual tolerance, and patriotism are essential to accelerate the country’s progress and development. He called on everyone to dedicate themselves to the welfare of the nation and work collectively to build a developed, prosperous, and dignified Bangladesh.