Dhaka residents witnessed a vibrant three-day Eid-ul-Fitr festival that brought traditional celebrations back to public spaces. The citizen-led event began on March 20 with a symbolic royal procession through city streets, followed by a mehendi festival and cultural evening at Rabindra Sarobar. The festivities continued with a colorful Eid parade on Eid morning and concluded on March 22 with a kite festival at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Organizers said the initiative aimed to revive Bangladesh’s lost Eid traditions and reconnect urban life with its cultural roots. The parade featured decorated elephants, horses, musicians, and performers, while participants chanted festive and social slogans. Citizens expressed joy at rediscovering communal celebrations once confined to Old Dhaka. Organizers, including writers and activists, emphasized that such events reclaim cultural sovereignty and promote unity beyond political divides.

Encouraged by the strong public response, organizers plan to expand the festival in future years, aiming to make it an annual platform for inclusive celebration and cultural revival across Bangladesh.

Hezbollah carried out 82 operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon within the past 24 hours, according to reports on March 28, 2026. The operations targeted areas where Israeli troops were attempting to advance, particularly around the city of Khiam, where intense fighting is ongoing as Israel seeks full control of the area.

The Lebanese armed group claimed to have destroyed two Israeli tanks during the clashes. Ground battles were also reported in the cities of Qantara and Miniara, indicating that the confrontation has spread across multiple fronts in southern Lebanon. The fighting has been continuing since the previous week.

In addition, Hezbollah fired a surface-to-air missile at an Israeli warplane flying at low altitude over Beirut, the Lebanese capital. The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights escalating hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces across Lebanon’s southern and central regions.

Police have arrested five individuals, including an associate of top criminal Yasin, in connection with the murder of a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officer in Sitakunda’s Jungle Salimpur area of Chattogram. The arrests were made during operations conducted on Thursday evening and night across Jungle Salimpur and other parts of the district. The arrests were confirmed by Faujdarhat Police Outpost In-Charge SI Mohammad Sohel Rana and Investigation Officer SI Mohammad Idris Ali.

According to police sources, three suspects—Delwar Hossain, Md. Sohel, and Md. Faruk—were detained on Friday evening, followed by three more arrests later that night. Among them, Sohel and Delwar are known associates of Yasin. Police later showed five as officially arrested and released one. All detainees are accused in the RAB officer murder case. Earlier, on January 26, two other suspects named Mizan and Mamun were arrested in the same case.

The case stems from the January 19 killing of RAB-7 Deputy Assistant Director Abdul Motaleb Bhuiyan, who was abducted and murdered by armed criminals during an operation in Alinagar and Jungle Salimpur. Despite a large joint operation on March 9 involving about 3,500 personnel, Yasin remains at large.

The government has decided to appoint one tag officer at every petrol pump across the country to enhance supervision and coordination of fuel management activities amid the current global context. The decision was made during an online meeting chaired by Mohammad Saiful Islam, Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, on Friday.

According to the meeting resolution, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will appoint tag officers for petrol pumps in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas. Outside these cities, district commissioners and upazila executive officers will assign government officials as tag officers for each petrol pump within their jurisdictions. These officers will operate under procedures set by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and BPC, submitting daily reports.

All relevant offices and agencies have been requested to appoint the designated officers and send the information to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division as per the directive.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah announced that it carried out 82 operations within Lebanon and across the border against Israeli forces over the past 24 hours. The group also claimed to have fired a surface-to-air missile targeting an Israeli warplane flying low over Beirut, marking a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Analysts cited in the report view the use of such weaponry over the Lebanese capital as a significant strategic shift in the confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah further claimed responsibility for destroying two Israeli tanks near the city of Tyre and reported intense fighting with Israeli troops attempting to take control of Khiam.

The developments highlight a sharp rise in hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border, with the conflict appearing to expand both geographically and in intensity, according to the report.

Authorities have launched the final phase of rescue operations at Rajbari’s Daulatdia Ferry Ghat No. 3, where a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River on March 25. On Saturday morning, teams from BIWTC, BIWTA, the district and upazila administrations, Fire Service, Navy, and Coast Guard began removing the pontoon to expand the search area. Officials said this marks the concluding stage of the multi-day rescue effort.

The accident occurred when a bus from Sohardya Paribahan, traveling from Kumarkhali in Kushtia, lost control while boarding a ferry and fell into the river, triggering panic and immediate rescue efforts. Local residents, river police, and five fire service units initially joined the operation, later reinforced by Navy and Coast Guard divers. Challenging water depth and conditions hampered progress.

So far, 26 bodies have been recovered and handed over to families, each receiving Tk 25,000 in financial aid from the district administration. Upazila Executive Officer Sathi Das said the operation may conclude after this final search, though further steps will depend on the situation. Security has been tightened at the ferry ghat, and officials have called for stricter oversight to prevent future accidents.

A violent clash erupted between two groups at the Panchchar roundabout bus stand in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district on Friday evening, March 27, 2026. The incident occurred after a dispute over car rental fare between BNP leader Azmal Huda Chowdhury Ithu and a private car driver. During the confrontation, gunfire was reportedly heard, injuring transport worker Arman Sardar and two others, Azizul Mia and Farid Ukil. The injured were taken for treatment, and Arman was sent to Dhaka.

Local sources said the area has seen ongoing tensions over transport operations and alleged extortion involving local transport offices. Following the clash, panic spread among passengers, and Dhaka-bound bus services were temporarily halted. Police and local administration officials, including the upazila executive officer and the officer-in-charge of Shibchar police station, visited the scene and collected CCTV footage.

Authorities have deployed additional police to prevent further unrest. The police stated that no formal complaints had been filed and that the reported gunfire remains unconfirmed pending investigation.

According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, the United States and Israel carried out an attack on the Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran early Saturday. The report did not provide further details about the nature or scale of the strike. The incident adds to a series of recent assaults across Iran.

Since February 28, the death toll in Iran has reportedly reached 1,900. At a United Nations press conference on Friday, Maria Martinez, head of the Iranian Red Crescent delegation, said medical teams were attempting to rescue survivors from collapsed buildings caused by US and Israeli attacks across the country. Many rescuers reportedly discovered the bodies of their own family members during the operations.

The report also mentioned other recent incidents, including repeated attacks on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility and missile strikes that ignited fires in the United Arab Emirates’ industrial zone, underscoring a period of heightened regional tension.

At least 27 people were killed and 106 injured in 37 road accidents on the Cumilla section of the Dhaka–Chattogram highway between March 16 and 26, according to Cumilla Highway Police. The incidents occurred along the 104-kilometer stretch from Daudkandi to Chauddagram, with most crashes linked to reckless driving, negligence, and lack of awareness. One of the deadliest accidents took place on Eid night at Padua Bazar rail crossing, where a train hit a passenger bus, killing 12 and injuring 18.

Experts said that investigation committees formed after such accidents rarely publish their reports, allowing negligent drivers to escape accountability. They emphasized the need for stronger laws and better driver training. The Road Safety Foundation reported 342 road accidents nationwide between March 17 and 26, resulting in 274 deaths, higher than last year’s Eid period.

Local residents accused police of negligence and alleged that excessive three-wheeler traffic and bribery contributed to the unsafe conditions. Officials warned that without stricter enforcement, fatalities on the highway could continue to rise.

Israel’s military reported on Saturday that a missile was launched from Yemen toward Israel, marking the first such attack since Israel and the United States began joint strikes against Iran. The army said its air defense systems were active to intercept the missile. The statement did not specify the extent of damage or casualties.

The report came as Iran and Hezbollah continued a series of attacks on Israel from Friday night into early Saturday. Sirens were heard for the third time around Beersheba and near Israel’s main nuclear research center. The Iran-backed Houthi group, which has controlled Yemen’s capital Sanaa since 2014, has not claimed responsibility for the launch and had not previously taken direct part in the current conflict.

The development signals a possible widening of the regional conflict, though the source did not indicate any immediate escalation beyond the reported missile launch.

A stretch of the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway passing through Gazipur’s Bhawal forest has become a visual attraction due to colorful flowers planted along its central divider. The four-lane road, one of the busiest in Bangladesh, now features white, pink, and red blossoms that delight travelers and pedestrians. Many visitors stop to take photos or videos, sharing them on social media, turning the highway into an emerging destination for nature lovers.

The beautification effort, led by the Gazipur Roads and Highways Department, includes thousands of saplings of various species such as krishnachura, radhachura, jarul, and raktokorobi. Officials say the project aims to make the highway both scenic and environmentally friendly. Environmentalists note that the greenery helps reduce air pollution, noise, and glare from vehicle headlights.

However, authorities and locals warn that uncontrolled crowds and risky behavior—such as standing on the divider for photos—pose safety hazards and threaten the plants. They urge stronger traffic enforcement and public awareness to preserve the beauty and safety of the area.

US President Donald Trump expressed anger toward NATO for not standing by the United States a month after the start of the Iran war. Speaking at an investment forum in Miami, Florida, Trump said that since NATO countries did not help the US against Iran, America might no longer need to stand by its allies. He questioned why the US should continue supporting partners who did not reciprocate during the conflict.

The United States, along with Israel, decided to launch attacks on Iran late last month without consulting European allies. Many NATO leaders opposed the strikes. According to a source, the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier is expected to be deployed near the conflict zone, though it remains unclear whether it will join or replace existing US carriers in the area. Additionally, more than a thousand troops are being deployed.

The remarks highlight growing tension between Washington and NATO members over military cooperation and strategic alignment following the Iran conflict.

Drug trafficking and abuse have reached alarming levels across Rangamati, a hilly border district of Bangladesh. The situation has spread from urban centers to remote villages, with reports suggesting that nearly every locality is affected. Local sources blame years of political patronage and weak administrative action for the worsening crisis. In response, district police have recently launched a special anti-narcotics operation under a zero-tolerance policy.

Investigations indicate that drug trade and use are active in all ten upazilas of Rangamati, with the town area identified as the most vulnerable. The networks reportedly expanded during the last two terms of the Awami League government and further intensified under the interim administration. Drugs are entering through largely unguarded borders with India and Myanmar, allegedly controlled by regional armed groups and local syndicates involving political figures.

Following public pressure and directives from the Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, police have intensified operations, arresting over fifty suspects since Eid. Authorities say plans are underway to target the key ringleaders behind the narcotics trade.

Bangladesh Police have prepared a preliminary list of 3,849 extortionists across all 64 districts, including 1,254 in the Dhaka Metropolitan area. The initiative aims to curb widespread extortion and bring offenders under legal action. According to police sources, these groups have long collected money from roads, markets, transport hubs, construction sites, and other business areas, often using threats or force against those who refuse to pay.

Police reports indicate that about 90 percent of those listed are affiliated with political parties, frequently changing allegiance with shifts in government. Some of the extorted funds reportedly reach corrupt political leaders and police officers, helping the networks maintain influence. Following directives from the Home Minister, senior police officials have intensified efforts to identify and act against extortionists and armed criminals.

The list is being finalized and will soon be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Verification of political links and the current status of listed individuals is ongoing, with separate lists also being prepared for armed and repeat offenders.

A disturbing recruitment trend has emerged in Chattogram’s underworld, where young men are being sworn into gangs by taking oaths on the Quran. Police say the recruits record short videos of the oath, which are then sent to Dubai for approval by gang leaders. Once approved, the individuals are considered full members. Three people—Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury Rimon, Monir, and Sayem—were recently arrested, and police recovered firearms, ammunition, and several oath videos.

Officials explained that the Quran oath is not religious but a psychological tool to instill fear and loyalty. Psychologists noted that the process exploits emotional vulnerability, family trauma, and addiction, making recruits mentally dependent on the gang. Former members confirmed that the oath made them feel bound to obey leader Sajjad’s orders without question.

The practice reportedly dates back to the 1990s, when similar methods were used under Nasir’s leadership to ensure loyalty. Sajjad later rose to dominance in the Chattogram underworld, and his group continues to operate with members who view their criminal acts as moral obligations.