The Parents’ Unity Forum has called for the cancellation of Saturday weekly holidays in all educational institutions across Bangladesh to address existing learning gaps and ensure timely completion of syllabuses. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the organization’s president, Md. Ziaul Kabir Dulu, said the measure should apply not only to primary but also to secondary levels. The statement expressed concern over the growing dependence on coaching centers and private tutoring at the secondary level, alleging that many teachers are involved in such activities, forcing students to rely on them. Complaints have also surfaced about harassment or threats of lower grades for those not attending specific teachers’ private sessions. The forum further noted that despite the nationalization of many secondary schools, politically appointed teachers remain in place, continuing syndicate activities that undermine the education system. The forum highlighted that while ten Saturdays of classes have been introduced at the primary level, no clear directive has been issued for secondary schools. It urged authorities to ensure a transparent, accountable, and student-centered education system.

After a gap of one and a half decades, Bangladesh is bringing back the traditional Independence Day parade on March 26, 2026. The event will take place at the National Parade Ground, featuring displays of the country’s defense capabilities by the army, navy, and air force. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will receive the salute, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the ceremony. The parade will begin with the entry of the parade commander on horseback and will include participation from various law enforcement agencies. The parade will showcase armored, artillery, signals, East Bengal, air defense, services, para commando, naval, and modernized infantry contingents. Paratroopers will descend with the national flag, and the air force will perform aerial demonstrations, concluding with a salute from MiG-29 fighter jets. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) announced that the event will be open to the public, who can enter through gates 2, 3, 4, 10, and 11. The parade highlights the armed forces’ commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty and marks a major return of a national tradition to public participation.

Additional Inspector General Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has officially taken charge as the new head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police. The handover ceremony took place on Wednesday at the CID headquarters, where outgoing chief Additional IGP Md. Shibgat Ullah was given a farewell reception. In his address, Mosleh Uddin pledged to establish CID as an apex investigation unit and emphasized teamwork as the key to maintaining the department’s reputation. Mosleh Uddin joined the Bangladesh Police through the 15th BCS in 1995 and previously served as Additional IGP at the Police Headquarters’ Logistics and Asset Acquisition branch. He also held key positions in the Dhaka and Chattogram Metropolitan Police and served as Superintendent of Police in several districts, including Kushtia, Bhola, and Sherpur. He has international experience from his service in the UNAMID mission. The outgoing chief highlighted his tenure’s achievements, including reducing pending cases from about 600 to 50 and initiating projects such as regional forensic labs, a medical center, and a one-stop call center for CID operations.

According to Israel Army Radio, Iran launched four rounds of missile attacks on Israel within a 40-minute period. The strikes were accompanied by multiple explosions heard across the greater Tel Aviv area. The radio confirmed reports of blasts near Tel Aviv and surrounding regions. The Israel Electric Corporation reported that explosions were also heard near a major power station in Hadera, though no casualties or damage were recorded. Earlier, on the previous Tuesday, missiles were fired toward Tel Aviv, injuring several people. The latest attacks follow escalating tensions between the two countries, with Israel claiming responsibility for killing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ naval chief and Iran asserting it targeted Israel’s nuclear facilities. The repeated missile exchanges highlight a sharp rise in hostilities between Israel and Iran, raising concerns about further regional instability and potential disruptions to energy supplies already strained by the ongoing conflict.

The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has issued an urgent directive requiring all educational institutions to ensure cleanliness before reopening after the Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 holidays. The order, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Muhammad Helal Chowdhury, was announced through a notice from the Secondary and Higher Education Division. An inter-ministerial committee has been formed to oversee the implementation of the directive. According to the notice, institutions must confirm cleanliness before reopening, strengthen daily monitoring, and conduct weekly cleaning drives involving teachers and students. It also instructs schools and colleges to initiate tree-planting programs, maintain gardens, and promote awareness among students about cleanliness. The ministry emphasized that these activities should continue throughout the year to maintain a healthy and hygienic learning environment. The directive aims to ensure that educational institutions reopen in a clean and safe condition following the Eid holidays, reinforcing long-term hygiene practices across campuses nationwide.

A Dhaka court has summoned the officer-in-charge of Hatirjheel Police Station following dissatisfaction over police conduct in the closure of a Punjabi shop named 'Nabin Fashion' in the Moghbazar area. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman issued the order on Wednesday, acting on his own initiative. The court also directed the officer to reopen the shop within 24 hours in the presence of police at the site. According to the court order, a report published in a national daily’s online edition showed that a group of people, accompanied by police, ordered the closure of the 'Nabin' brand shop at Moghbazar’s Vishal Center Market. Some individuals were seen behaving disorderly while police officers stood by without intervening. The court observed that such inaction could create fear among the public and questioned why it should not be declared unlawful and unprofessional. The officer-in-charge has been instructed to appear before the court within three days with a written explanation and to submit the names and details of those involved in the incident.

Pakistan has conveyed a United States ceasefire proposal to Iran, according to senior sources in Islamabad cited by Al Jazeera. Reporter Osama Bin Javaid confirmed that Pakistani officials presented a document from the Trump administration to Iranian representatives and are now awaiting a response. Reports also suggest that officials from the United States and Iran may hold a meeting in Islamabad within the next few days. The development follows repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that discussions with Iran to end ongoing hostilities are underway. However, Iranian authorities have maintained that no such talks have taken place so far. The situation unfolds amid heightened regional tensions, including Israel’s claim of killing an IRGC naval commander and Iran’s assertion of striking an Israeli nuclear facility. The ongoing conflict has already disrupted energy supplies, severely affecting daily life across Asia, according to the source report.

A passenger bus of Souhardya Paribahan plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila on Wednesday evening after losing control. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. when a small ferry named ‘Hasna Hena’ hit the pontoon, causing the bus to fall into the river. By 11 p.m., six hours after the accident, the rescue ship Hamza had not yet been able to retrieve the submerged vehicle. Rajbari Superintendent of Police Mohammad Manjur Morshed said the bus had been located about 50 feet underwater, with ropes attached to one side and efforts underway to secure the other side before lifting it. He noted that bad weather was hampering the operation. Six to seven passengers reportedly swam to safety, while four others were rescued; two of them, all women, died at the hospital, one remains under treatment, and another left after primary care. According to the terminal supervisor, the bus was traveling from Kumarkhali to Dhaka with about 50 passengers, including women and children. Additional diving units from Faridpur, Aricha, and Dhaka were dispatched to assist the ongoing rescue.

Israel has claimed that more than 15,000 bombs have been dropped on Iran since the start of a joint US-Israel offensive. According to Al Jazeera, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the operation began on February 28 and that Israeli forces have now surpassed the use of 15,000 weapons. Katz said this figure is four times higher than during a 12-day conflict in June of the previous year. During a joint briefing with Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Katz added that new targets in Iran and Lebanon have been approved for further strikes. The statement underscores the scale and intensity of the ongoing military campaign against Iran. The report also mentioned that the conflict has contributed to a fuel crisis affecting daily life across Asia, highlighting the broader regional impact of the Iran war.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep sorrow, grief, and concern over the tragic bus accident at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari. In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday night, the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, conveyed condolences following the incident in which a passenger bus lost control and plunged into the Padma River around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. According to the statement, four bodies have been recovered so far, while at least 45 people remain missing. Porwar said the accident has deeply shaken the nation and described the anguish of the bereaved families as beyond words. He prayed for the departed souls, extended sympathy to the grieving families, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He urged authorities to conduct rescue operations swiftly using modern equipment and called for an impartial, high-level investigation to determine whether negligence or mismanagement contributed to the tragedy. The Jamaat leader also demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible and adequate compensation and rehabilitation for the affected families, emphasizing the need for accountability to prevent such incidents in the future.

A Dhaka court has ordered the arrest of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s central publicity secretary Tariqul Islam Tarek in a case filed over the shooting of students during an anti-discrimination movement in Mirpur. The order was issued on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Aminul Islam Junaid following a petition from the investigating officer. Sub-inspector Md Riazul Islam of Kafrul Police Station presented the accused before the court. The prosecution confirmed that the court rejected Tarek’s bail plea and directed that he be sent to jail. According to the case, during the anti-discrimination student movement in July 2024, Awami League and its affiliated organizations allegedly attacked and opened fire on protesting students in the Mirpur-10 area. Complainant Bashir Uddin was shot in the abdomen while passing near Shah Ali Plaza on July 19 and was later hospitalized at Kurmitola General Hospital. He filed the case at Kafrul Police Station on October 10, 2024. The investigation officer stated that Tarek had previously been detained in another anti-terrorism case and that his arrest in this case was necessary for proper investigation and justice.

Eight underprivileged families in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr in newly built tin-shed houses provided by the humanitarian organization Swapnopuron Foundation. The initiative, confirmed on Wednesday by the foundation’s founder Md. Mosharraf Hossain, aimed to bring joy to families from Bijoykara, Debipur, Maskara, Derkota, Chandkara, Dolba, Patanandi, and Kalikapur villages just before the festival. Established in 2019 with the slogan “Commitment to fulfilling dreams for humanity,” Swapnopuron Foundation has completed over 150 social welfare activities across Chauddagram municipality, 13 unions, and other parts of Bangladesh. The organization’s projects are supported by remittances from expatriates and contributions from educators, journalists, and young volunteers. Beneficiary Touhid Khan expressed gratitude after receiving his new home, saying he had applied after following the foundation’s activities on social media. Mosharraf Hossain stated that the foundation runs on donations from expatriates and local philanthropists and pledged to continue supporting truly needy families in the future.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly sent a 15-point peace proposal to Iran seeking to end ongoing hostilities. Although the full list has not been officially released, U.S. and Israeli media have disclosed several key conditions. According to Israel’s Channel 12, the plan’s main objective is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and reduce its regional influence. The conditions include closing and destroying nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, ensuring full IAEA oversight, halting support for armed proxy groups, and committing never to pursue nuclear weapons. Iran would also need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as a free maritime zone and limit its missile range to defensive purposes. In return, the United States would assist Iran in developing a civilian nuclear project in Bushehr for electricity generation, lift all economic sanctions, and guarantee no future sanctions. Reports suggest a one-month ceasefire could be implemented during negotiations. However, neither the White House nor the Iranian government has made any official comment on the proposal or the potential ceasefire. The report, citing BBC sources, indicates that discussions are ongoing, but the timeline and Iran’s response remain unclear.

Turkey has announced that it is acting as a mediator in message exchanges between Iran and the United States. Harun Armagan, the vice chairman for foreign affairs of Turkey’s ruling AK Party, confirmed the development, according to Al Jazeera. In an interview with Reuters, Armagan said Ankara is playing a role in delivering messages, with the main goal of reducing tensions and paving the way for direct talks between the two countries. Armagan added that Turkey maintains strong diplomatic relations with both Iran and the United States. Leveraging this position, Ankara is seeking to establish itself as a potential mediator in the ongoing standoff. The report also noted that several other countries have shown interest in similar mediation efforts. Analysts cited in the report believe that such initiatives could play a significant role in easing the current tensions between Tehran and Washington.

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Tehran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, stated that there have been no direct or indirect discussions between Iran and the United States. He added that friendly nations are attempting to create a platform for dialogue between Tehran and Washington, expressing hope that such efforts could help end the ongoing imposed war. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that his administration was in contact with the “appropriate authorities” in Iran and that Tehran was eager to reach an agreement. In response, a spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces said the United States was “talking to itself.” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also announced on social media that his country was ready to host talks aimed at resolving the conflict. The statements come amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of Israeli and Iranian military actions and growing concerns over the impact of the Iran war on energy supplies and daily life across Asia.