The Iranian Red Crescent has reported that 234 students have been killed since the outbreak of the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The organization stated that 307 medical and health centers and 760 schools across the country have been directly or indirectly attacked. Additionally, more than 113,000 civilian structures have been damaged, including 90,063 residential buildings and 22,422 commercial establishments.

According to the Red Crescent, 44,391 of the damaged structures are located in Tehran. The report highlights the extensive human and infrastructural toll of the ongoing conflict, which has severely affected both educational and healthcare facilities across Iran.

The figures underscore the widespread impact of the war on civilian life and essential services, as reported by the Iranian Red Crescent.

Officials from the United Arab Emirates said the country is preparing to assist the United States and allied nations in using force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. If carried out, this would make the UAE the first Persian Gulf state to become directly involved in the ongoing war with Iran. Emirati officials have begun efforts to persuade the United States and other partners to remove Iran’s blockade of the strategic waterway by any means necessary.

According to the officials, the UAE is working to pass a resolution at the United Nations Security Council authorizing such action. Emirati diplomats have also called on the United States and military powers in Europe and Asia to form a coalition to forcibly reopen the strait. A UAE official stated that Iran’s leadership believes it is fighting for survival and is willing to drag the global economy down by tightening control over the strait.

Since the war began on February 28, Iran has launched extensive attacks on U.S. infrastructure located in the UAE. The Emirati foreign ministry did not deny the report, emphasizing instead that there is broad global consensus on maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Global energy prices have risen sharply following the outbreak of war involving Iran, with Brent crude oil climbing from 73 to nearly 117 dollars per barrel. The wholesale price surge has pushed up retail fuel costs worldwide, affecting both developed and developing economies.

In the United States, average petrol prices have increased by more than one dollar to exceed four dollars per gallon, marking the highest level in four years. The United Kingdom has seen petrol prices rise by 14 percent and diesel by 27 percent. South Asian nations such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have introduced fuel rationing systems, while Slovenia became the first European Union country to adopt similar measures last week.

Australia has halved its fuel tax for three months to ease the burden on consumers and introduced temporary free public transport in two states to reduce car usage.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita has announced that the government plans to reopen Bogura Stolport and Lalmonirhat Airport as domestic airports. She made the statement on Tuesday afternoon during a question-and-answer session in the National Parliament in response to a query from Jamalpur-2 lawmaker A. E. Sultan Mahmud Babu.

The minister also said that a feasibility study and planning have been completed to upgrade Saidpur Airport into a regional airport. The project includes the construction of an international-standard terminal building, runway expansion, and other necessary infrastructure improvements.

These initiatives are part of the government’s broader plan to enhance regional air connectivity and improve aviation infrastructure across Bangladesh, according to the minister’s parliamentary statement.

During the first session of the National Parliament, National Citizens Party (NCP) member-secretary and MP Akhtar Hossain stated that the people had given their verdict in favor of implementing the July National Charter. He argued that calling this verdict unconstitutional was audacious and dishonored Parliament. He added that whether or not the referendum ordinance was approved in Parliament, there was no scope to declare the referendum invalid.

Akhtar Hossain referred to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s earlier call in Rangpur urging citizens to vote “yes” in the referendum, questioning why those who supported it now refuse to accept its outcome. He also raised constitutional questions about the interim period between August 5 and 8, when, according to him, there was no functioning government in Bangladesh, and about the legality of appointments and parliamentary dissolution during that time.

He further recalled that the Consensus Commission, formed under the interim government to reform the state structure, had discussed the implementation of the July Charter with participation from several current ministers and MPs. Hossain criticized those who, despite attending those discussions, now appear to have forgotten their earlier positions.

Brazil secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Croatia in their final warm-up match before the World Cup, held at Camping World Stadium in Florida. Carlo Ancelotti’s team dominated possession and attacking play from the start, taking the lead in first-half stoppage time through Danilo Santos after a counterattack initiated by Vinícius Júnior. Croatia equalized in the 84th minute with a goal from Lovro Majer, but Brazil quickly regained control as substitute Igor Thiago converted a penalty. In the closing moments, Endrick set up Gabriel Martinelli to seal the win.

The result boosted confidence for the five-time world champions ahead of the upcoming tournament. Brazil will submit a preliminary 55-man squad to FIFA on May 11 and play a farewell match against Panama at the Maracanã on May 31 before departing for the United States. Their World Cup campaign is scheduled to begin on June 13 against Morocco.

Argentina delivered a commanding 5–0 victory over Zambia in their final World Cup preparation match held at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires. The world champions dominated throughout, with goals from Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolás Otamendi, an own goal by Zambia’s Dominic Chanda, and a late strike from young Valentín Barco. Coach Lionel Scaloni made several lineup changes after expressing dissatisfaction with the team’s earlier performance against Mauritania. Messi played the full match, while goalkeeper Juan Musso replaced Emiliano Martínez late in the game.

Argentina controlled 76 percent of possession and registered nine shots, five of which were on target, while Zambia managed only three attempts with one on target. The match showcased Argentina’s attacking rhythm and defensive stability, providing a morale boost ahead of the World Cup.

With this emphatic home win, Argentina concluded their pre-tournament schedule on a confident note, reinforcing their readiness for the upcoming global competition.

Jamaat-e-Islami has not been invited to the annual religious gathering organized by the Charmonai Darbar in Barishal. The three-day event will begin on Wednesday after the noon prayer, with Pir Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim delivering the opening sermon. The gathering will conclude on Saturday morning with the final prayer. According to organizers, central leaders from several political parties, including the BNP and the National Citizens Party (NCP), have been invited to attend.

The Mahfil committee confirmed that both BNP and NCP received official invitations, though it remains unclear which BNP leaders will attend. NCP representatives, including spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, chief organizer Sarjis Alam, and Sarowar Tushar, are expected to arrive Wednesday night and speak at Thursday’s clerics’ assembly. The organizing committee has completed all preparations, forming its own security and medical teams as worshippers begin to arrive.

The exclusion of Jamaat, once a political ally of Charmonai, marks a notable change in the invitation list for this year’s event.

Lebanon’s state news agency reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks over the past four weeks has risen to 1,268. Citing the country’s Health Ministry, the report added that a total of 3,750 people have been injured during this period. The strikes have targeted various parts of Beirut and southern Lebanon.

According to the report, Israel has continued regular assaults since the conflict began, claiming that its operations are aimed at infrastructure linked to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel confirmed that nine of its soldiers have been killed after ground forces entered Lebanese territory.

The escalation reflects the ongoing intensity of the conflict, with both sides reporting casualties and damage as fighting persists across multiple fronts.

Police in Dhanbari, Tangail, have arrested a 16-year-old boy named Asif on charges of slaughtering and selling dog meat. The arrest followed the recovery of a slaughtered dog’s head and other parts from beneath an abandoned bed at a meat seller’s stall in the town’s raw market area. The operation was conducted on Saturday by the Dhanbari Upazila Executive Officer Miz Nurjahan Akter Sathi and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sayem Imran.

Authorities said CCTV footage from the scene helped identify Asif as a suspect. He was detained on Monday, March 29, and later sent to Tangail District Jail. Police reported that during initial questioning, Asif admitted involvement in the slaughter and sale of dog meat.

Law enforcement officials stated that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest others connected to the incident. Another accused person with an existing arrest warrant was also sent to jail the same day. The case has caused significant public concern in the local area.

China and Pakistan have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks to end the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The announcement came on March 31, 2026, following a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The joint statement, reported by China’s Xinhua and Al Jazeera, emphasized the need to ensure the security of key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement described the current situation as alarming and stressed that dialogue and diplomacy, rather than military action, are the only effective means to restore long-term stability. It also highlighted the negative impact of disruptions to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on the global economy.

The five-point initiative includes an immediate halt to hostilities, protection of sovereignty and security of Iran and Gulf states, cessation of attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure, assurance of maritime safety, and the establishment of a sustainable peace framework based on the UN Charter and international law.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused France of closing its airspace to American military aircraft bound for Israel. According to an Al Jazeera report on March 31, Trump stated on social media that France acted in a 'very uncooperative' manner by denying access at a time when a U.S. operation targeting a senior Iranian official was underway.

Reuters earlier reported that France’s refusal occurred over the weekend, marking its first such action since the start of the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The report also noted that Spain had previously taken a similar stance. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced on March 30 that Spain would not allow its airspace or military bases to be used for any Iran-related military operations.

Reuters added that the Spanish decision means U.S. military aircraft heading to the Middle East must now avoid Spanish airspace, though exceptions may apply in emergencies. Spain’s finance minister said the move aligns with the government’s policy of not supporting or participating in a war deemed unilateral and contrary to international law.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a warning targeting US technology companies operating in the Middle East. According to a statement cited by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC has instructed employees of these firms and nearby residents to leave the areas immediately. The warning specifically names major US companies including Boeing, Tesla, Meta, Google, and Apple, among at least fifteen firms that could face attacks starting at 8 p.m. local time tomorrow.

The IRGC claims that American ICT and artificial intelligence companies are the main architects of target identification and surveillance operations, and therefore will now be considered legitimate targets. The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Iranian media emphasizing the potential for imminent strikes on US-linked assets.

Authorities have reportedly urged people in affected areas to evacuate urgently as a precaution against possible attacks, though no further operational details were disclosed.

The government has decided to open the Rajshahi Children’s Hospital, which has remained unused for three years since its construction was completed. Health Services Division Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury announced during a visit to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital that the facility will begin partial operations within three months. Initially, only outpatient services will start, with other departments expected to open in the next fiscal year.

Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, Professor Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas, also visited the site and mentioned plans to activate other completed but idle health infrastructures, including the district and chest hospitals. Construction of the 200-bed children’s hospital began about eight years ago at Bandhgate in Rajshahi at a cost of Tk 35 crore. Despite completion three years ago, it remained closed due to delays in government handover, leading to theft of equipment.

The hospital includes 12 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds. The decision to open it followed reports of child deaths while waiting for NICU care. Overcrowding at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital’s pediatric ward, which admits up to 700 patients against 200 beds, has intensified the need for the new facility.

Abidul Islam Khan, a young politician from Dhaka University and a key leader of the July uprising, met Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus at Yunus Centre on Tuesday afternoon. During the meeting, Abidul presented his authored book titled 'Sphulingo Theke Dabanal' to Dr. Yunus. According to a statement from Yunus Centre, the meeting was a courtesy visit, and Dr. Yunus expressed his appreciation and thanked the author for the gift.

Abidul Islam Khan said the book is based on his personal experiences and observations of the turbulent events of July, which he described as a relentless struggle against misrule, autocracy, and suppression of people's voices. He emphasized that July represents unity and is not the property of any single group, urging that all perspectives must be heard to preserve its true history.

The meeting lasted about half an hour, during which both discussed various aspects of the July uprising and the spirit of building a democratic new Bangladesh inspired by that movement.