Bangladesh has received official permission to export potatoes to Vietnam, marking a new opportunity for local farmers and exporters. The approval was granted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Hanoi. This authorization allows Bangladesh to begin formal potato exports to Vietnam for the first time.

Under Vietnam’s current regulations, any country wishing to export potatoes must register with the ministry by submitting required data and documentation. The Bangladesh Embassy, in coordination with the country’s commerce, agriculture, and food ministries, applied for registration in May of the previous year. After a detailed verification process, Vietnam granted final approval for Bangladeshi potato exports.

Bangladesh’s ambassador to Vietnam, Lutfor Rahman, described the decision as a milestone that could help reduce the trade deficit between the two nations. He noted that the move would benefit both exporters and marginal farmers, given Vietnam’s strong demand for potatoes. The embassy is also working to expand access for other agricultural products such as sesame.

Iran has remained largely cut off from the global internet for the past four weeks, according to NetBlocks, an organization that monitors internet connectivity. The group described the situation as a state of 'digital darkness' resulting from the ongoing war in the Middle East. The blackout has severely restricted Iranians’ access to information and communication, effectively isolating the country from the outside world.

The report noted that this is not the first internet disruption in Iran this year. In January, authorities also shut down internet services for several weeks during anti-government protests. Iran is currently operating a two-tier internet system, where senior government officials and individuals linked to the ruling establishment have uninterrupted access, while ordinary citizens face heavy restrictions.

Most citizens are now limited to using Iran’s National Information Network, a domestic and tightly controlled system that functions separately from the global internet, further curbing open communication and access to external information.

A drug dealer and mugger named Md. Rubel was arrested in Chattogram’s Halishahar area six hours after he jumped into a muddy pond to escape police. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when police attempted to arrest him in the Bashundhara residential area. Rubel, who was stuck in the mud up to his neck, threatened to harm himself and police officers with a machete that his wife secretly handed to him. After several hours of standoff, police in plain clothes managed to capture him when he tried to climb out of the mud.

According to Halishahar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Muhammad Sultan Ahsan Uddin, Rubel is the leader of a local mugging gang and faces 14 criminal cases including theft, robbery, and assault. He was sent to court on Saturday, which ordered his detention. Local sources said the fire service team also arrived at the scene but could not approach due to Rubel’s threats.

The arrest ended a tense six-hour operation that drew attention in the area and highlighted ongoing police efforts against organized crime in Chattogram.

Two farmers were killed and four others injured when lightning struck an onion field in Kharibaria village under Umedpur Union of Shailkupa upazila in Jhenaidah on Saturday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Apu Biswas, 20, son of Prokash Biswas of Kharibaria village, and Samir Biswas, 40, son of Sushil Biswas of Laxmipur village. The injured included Ranjit Biswas and Prokash Biswas among others.

According to Shailkupa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Molla, the farmers were working in the field when the lightning struck, killing two on the spot and injuring four others. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex, where two received primary treatment and were later released.

Duty doctor Ehtesham Shahid at the health complex said the victims suffered severe burns from the lightning strike.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington expects to hold talks with Iran within the week and hopes to receive a response to a proposed 15-point agreement. The statement comes as reports emerge that at least 12 American soldiers were injured in an Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base. Trump claimed the US military campaign against Iran is progressing successfully and that the country is being “crushed.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US and Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure, including steel plants, a power station, and a nuclear facility, vowing retaliation. Meanwhile, Gulf states such as the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian drones and missiles, while explosions were heard in Tehran overnight. Israel confirmed strikes on Iran’s Arak facility, though no casualties or radiation leaks were reported.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed with Araghchi the possibility of a diplomatic resolution to the crisis, emphasizing respect for international law and regional stability. The situation remains volatile as both military and diplomatic efforts unfold simultaneously.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that upcoming constitutional reforms will prioritize public expectations and the aspirations of those who participated in the student-led July uprising. He stated that all amendments will be completed through consensus among political parties based on the 'July National Charter'. The minister made these remarks on Saturday at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi, after attending the passing-out parade of the 43rd BCS (Police) batch.

In response to a question about whether Ziaur Rahman’s name would be included in the constitution as the declarer of independence, the minister said a constitutional reform committee would be formed to discuss such matters in detail. He emphasized that the committee will prepare a draft prioritizing the principles recognized in the July National Charter, followed by parliamentary discussions and decisions through the prescribed legislative process.

During the certificate distribution ceremony, the minister urged the new police officers to serve the nation with honesty, courage, and humanity, describing the police uniform as a symbol of duty, sacrifice, and service.

Bahrain’s military has claimed to have intercepted at least 550 missiles and drones launched from Iran over the past month. According to a statement posted on social media and reported by Al Jazeera, the Bahraini forces said they shot down 174 missiles and 385 drones aimed at the country. The attacks were described as part of Iran’s retaliatory strikes following joint U.S.-Israeli operations against it.

The Bahraini military stated that targeting civilian infrastructure and private property with drones and ballistic missiles constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, posing a direct threat to regional peace and security. Earlier on Friday, sirens were sounded twice in Bahrain as a precaution against possible attacks, and the Interior Ministry urged residents to seek shelter in safe locations.

The ministry also reported that a previous Iranian strike had caused a fire at an unidentified facility, which has since been brought under control.

The United States is sending its aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, capable of carrying more than 80 aircraft, to the Middle East under the command of US Central Command, according to multiple sources cited by CBS News. US officials told CBS that the carrier and its strike group completed pre-deployment training earlier this month and may join ongoing US operations related to Iran.

Two guided missile destroyers, USS Donald Cook and USS Mason, have already departed the United States this week to join the same operations involving Iran. Another destroyer, USS Ross, also left the US this week, though its destination has not been disclosed.

The deployment comes amid heightened regional activity, including reports of an attack on a US ship off the coast of Oman and ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran expected later this week.

At least nine Israeli soldiers were injured in two separate attacks during clashes in southern Lebanon, according to a statement from the Israeli military on social media platform X. The military said one soldier was seriously injured and another moderately wounded on Friday when an anti-tank missile struck during fighting in the area. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rocket attack left one soldier seriously injured and six others moderately hurt.

The incidents occurred as Israeli forces advanced deeper into Lebanese territory, reportedly moving up to seven kilometers inside in some areas. The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has mounted counter-resistance against the Israeli advance. Reports suggest that the attack on Israeli troops took place near the town of Taybeh, about six kilometers from the border.

The clashes highlight escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border as both sides engage in intensified military operations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his diplomatic efforts to promote peace amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Iran. During an hour-long phone conversation, Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of building mutual trust to halt conflict and facilitate dialogue. He thanked Pakistan for its cooperative role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, the Iranian leader commended Sharif’s sincere diplomatic initiatives following Israel’s strikes on Iranian territory. In response, Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue its constructive role in restoring regional peace and stability.

Earlier in the call, Sharif strongly condemned Israeli attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of more than 1,900 lives, underscoring Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran during the crisis.

Government Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni announced that members of the 13th National Parliament will receive their housing allocations by April 10. He shared the update with reporters after the first meeting of the parliamentary committee held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday. According to him, almost all MPs will be provided with accommodation, while ministers, state ministers, the Chief Whip, whips, and the Speaker already have separate residences. The committee aims to complete necessary purchases and finalize allocations by the deadline, with another meeting scheduled for March 30.

The Chief Whip also addressed the recent sound system malfunction that disrupted the first session of the 13th Parliament on March 12. He said a probe committee led by the Sergeant-at-Arms has been formed to investigate possible sabotage and identify technical issues. Experts from BUET have been invited to assist in resolving the problem.

The investigation will focus on determining whether sabotage occurred and how to permanently fix the sound system issues in the parliamentary chamber.

At least 15 American soldiers were wounded after Iran launched an attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, according to multiple news reports. The assault involved at least six ballistic missiles and 29 drones, with five of the injured troops in serious condition. The base, located about 96 kilometers from Riyadh, is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force but also hosts US forces. Satellite images released by Iranian media showed several destroyed aircraft, and Iran’s military confirmed that one refuelling plane was completely destroyed while three others were damaged.

The attack comes as the conflict initiated by Israel and the United States against Iran enters its second month. Iran has continued retaliatory strikes on Gulf nations it accuses of supporting US operations. Earlier in the week, the same base was hit twice, wounding 14 US soldiers. Meanwhile, a separate US-Israeli strike reportedly targeted Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant but caused no damage or casualties.

Al Jazeera reported limited transparency around the Iranian strikes but noted the scale of injuries underscored the seriousness of the incident. The Pentagon and US Central Command have not yet commented.

A photo card circulating on social media recently claimed that former Narayanganj lawmaker Shamim Osman had passed away, using a design resembling that of Jamuna TV. The image, which included Osman’s photo and the caption suggesting his death, was widely shared online.

According to a fact-check by the Rumor Scanner team, Jamuna TV did not publish any such photo card. The investigation found that the image was digitally fabricated using Jamuna TV’s design style. Review of Jamuna TV’s official Facebook page, website, and YouTube channel revealed no related content supporting the claim. Additionally, the font and design used in the viral image differed from Jamuna TV’s authentic materials.

No credible media outlet or verified source reported any news confirming Shamim Osman’s death. The fact-check concluded that the claim and the photo card circulating under Jamuna TV’s name were entirely false.

A viral social media post recently claimed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced a Tk 2,500 'Boishakhi bonus' for citizens, obtainable within two minutes through an online registration link. However, a Rumor Scanner investigation found the link and the payment claim to be entirely false, identifying the website as part of a fraudulent scheme designed to deceive users.

The investigation revealed that the site, titled 'Boishakhi Gift and Allowance 2026', asked users to submit personal details, including mobile numbers, and promised payment within 24 hours. In reality, the link redirected users to a betting site called 'luckydraw', which used fake offers to collect personal or financial data. The domain, incomebd.online, was registered only three days earlier and did not match any official government web structure.

No official government sources, including mainstream media or verified pages, confirmed any such financial assistance. Authorities warned that similar scams have previously led to identity theft and blackmail, urging the public to avoid such fraudulent links.

All educational institutions across Bangladesh are set to reopen on Sunday, March 29, after a 38-day closure that combined holidays for Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence Day. The extended break officially ended on March 26, but with the weekend following, classes will resume from Sunday. The information was confirmed by sources from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.

Officials from both ministries stated that classroom activities were limited during the first three months of the year due to the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Ramadan, and Eid. This has led to noticeable learning gaps, prompting directives for full-scale class operations once schools reopen. According to the revised holiday schedule, all primary, secondary, madrasa, college, and technical institutions remained closed from February 19 to March 26.

To address learning losses in primary schools, the Directorate of Primary Education has canceled the first ten Saturday holidays following Eid. However, the Ministry of Education has not yet issued similar instructions for secondary schools.