Economy and finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations have pledged to take all necessary measures to stabilize global energy markets as the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupts oil supplies. Following a teleconference organized by France, which currently holds the G7 presidency, the ministers and central bankers issued a joint statement emphasizing their readiness to act in coordination with partners to preserve energy market stability and security. The meeting came as Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf oil producers and its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude prices above $116 a barrel.

The G7, comprising the United States, Canada, Japan, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, urged countries to avoid unjustified export restrictions on oil and gas. They also noted the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) recommendation to manage demand and its earlier decision to release 400 million barrels from strategic reserves. Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama warned that prolonged supply disruptions could harm global growth, while British Chancellor Rachel Reeves called for a swift resolution to the Middle East conflict.

The G7 statement added that central banks remain committed to maintaining price stability as rising energy costs threaten to fuel inflation worldwide.

Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, passed a law on Monday approving the death penalty by hanging for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted of killing Israelis. The legislation, championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, passed by 62 votes to 48. Ben-Gvir celebrated the outcome and dismissed international pressure to withdraw the bill, calling it a historic moment. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has filed an appeal against the law with Israel’s Supreme Court.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the measure as a “dangerous escalation,” asserting that Israel has no sovereignty over Palestinian land. Hamas and other Palestinian groups condemned the law as discriminatory and a violation of international law, urging the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene. The UN Human Rights Office in Palestine and Amnesty International both said the law breaches international human rights standards, while the Council of Europe called it a “serious regression.”

European governments including Italy, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom had urged Israel to withdraw the bill, citing commitments to a global moratorium on the death penalty.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated in a press conference in Tehran on Monday that the country has never attempted to develop nuclear weapons and has no plans to do so in the future. He emphasized that Iran remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) but expressed concern about whether the nation is truly benefiting from its membership.

Baghaei noted that both Iran’s parliament and the public have growing doubts about the advantages of staying in the NPT. The treaty, which took effect in 1970, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while allowing member states to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Despite Iran’s repeated insistence that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, the United States has long disputed this claim and accused Tehran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons.

The remarks highlight Iran’s ongoing frustration over perceived inequities in the NPT framework and continued international scrutiny of its nuclear activities.

At the 356th Governing Body session of the International Labour Organization (ILO), representatives from 47 countries expressed full support for Bangladesh’s current democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The countries congratulated the government for assuming office through a free and fair election and pledged to work together based on mutual cooperation. The discussion took place in Geneva on Monday, where Bangladesh presented its ninth progress report on labor sector reforms.

The session also reviewed a case filed in 2019 by five worker representatives of the International Trade Union Confederation, alleging Bangladesh’s failure to comply with ILO Conventions 81, 87, and 98. Following that, the previous government submitted a five-year labor reform roadmap in 2021. During the latest discussion, 19 countries, two regional groups representing 28 nations, and employer representatives praised the new government’s legal and administrative reform commitments and called for the case’s swift resolution.

Bangladesh’s delegation highlighted its commitment to transparency, accountability, and alignment with the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. The government announced the formation of a parliamentary committee to convert the 2025 Labor Law Amendment Ordinance into law and pledged to accelerate the process.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a special auction of 91-day treasury bills to raise Tk 5,000 crore for the government. The auction is scheduled for April 1, according to a senior central bank official. The initiative comes amid increased liquidity in the banking sector, with banks recently depositing around Tk 11,500 crore through the Standing Deposit Facility.

Central bank sources said the government typically requires large sums of money toward the end of the fiscal year. As funds are currently available from banks at a cost lower than the policy rate, the government is taking advantage of this situation to borrow for 91 days. Officials clarified that the move is not due to debt pressure but rather an effort to manage excess liquidity in the banking system.

The banking sector is currently in a strong liquidity position, supported by rising remittance inflows and slower private investment due to the Middle East crisis. Sources added that upcoming grants expected by the end of June will help repay the borrowed funds easily, balancing both government financing needs and liquidity management.

NATO forces intercepted a ballistic missile that entered Turkish airspace, according to a report published on March 30, 2026. The missile was destroyed by NATO’s air defense systems deployed in the eastern Mediterranean. This marks the fourth missile attack since the outbreak of the United States-Israel war against Iran earlier in the month.

The Turkish government had previously lodged strong protests and warnings to Tehran after three earlier missile incidents. Iran has denied involvement in those attacks, stating that it did not authorize any such launches. Turkey’s Ministry of Defense reaffirmed that it is taking all necessary measures without hesitation against any threats directed toward its territory.

The repeated missile incidents highlight rising regional tensions and the potential for further escalation involving NATO and Middle Eastern powers.

Former interim government adviser on religious affairs Dr. A. F. M. Khalid Hossain said that proper recognition of students’ merit and achievements not only honors their success but also strengthens their confidence and determination. He made the remarks on March 30 at an event held at the BIAM Auditorium in Dhaka, organized by Maktabatul Fatah Bangladesh, a branch of Al Fatah Group, where scholarships and honors were awarded to outstanding students.

The event was presided over by Al Fatah Group Managing Director M. A. Saeed and attended by Islamic scholars including Mufti Hifzur Rahman, Mufti Rafiqul Islam Madani, Maulana Ashraf Ali Nizampuri, and Maulana Abdul Jalil Faruqi. Dr. Khalid urged meritorious students to gain proficiency in Arabic, English, and Bangla to showcase their talent globally, emphasizing that qualified individuals never remain unemployed.

During the ceremony, top three male and female students from the 2026 Dawra-e-Hadith examination under Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia were honored, while 33 top students from Befaq examinations received one-time merit scholarships. Winners of a quiz competition also received cash awards under the “Education Scholarship 2025” program.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has voiced deep concern over the deaths of 38 children from measles across the country. In a statement released to the media on Monday, the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, said that 32 children had died from the disease in March alone, bringing the total number of child deaths this year to 46. He criticized the government for failing to take visible and effective measures to control the outbreak.

Porwar attributed the situation to weaknesses and mismanagement within the national health service. He stated that widespread corruption and misappropriation in the health sector have led to the collapse of the overall healthcare system, depriving citizens of their basic right to proper medical treatment. He urged the Health Minister to take immediate and effective action to control the spread of measles.

The statement reflects growing political concern over public health management in Bangladesh amid rising measles cases and child fatalities.

Advocate Dr. Helal Uddin, Naib-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South, stated that there is no possibility of revoking the July Ordinance. Speaking at an Eid reunion organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Shahbagh East Thana on Monday afternoon, he said the ordinance was issued after political parties, including the BNP, signed the July Charter. He emphasized that implementing the July Charter is essential for building a new Bangladesh envisioned by the nation.

Dr. Helal expressed concern over a special government committee’s recommendation to repeal the ordinance, noting that the BNP had initially supported the charter and referendum. He recalled that BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had urged citizens to vote “yes” in the referendum held on election day. However, he accused the BNP of later turning against the people after coming to power.

He urged the government to implement the July Charter in line with the referendum’s verdict before public discontent escalates, asserting that the nation has pledged to rebuild Bangladesh based on the spirit of July.

CBS News, citing its sources, reported that hundreds of US special forces members, including Navy SEALs and Army Rangers, are currently stationed across the Middle East. The report added that thousands of US Marines and paratroopers have already been deployed to the region. The deployments are reportedly intended to give US President Donald Trump options for potential military actions concerning Iran.

According to the CBS sources, possible operations could include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, taking control of oil facilities on Kharg Island, or seizing Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to comment on the matter. Earlier, CENTCOM confirmed that the USS Tripoli had arrived in the Middle East carrying about 3,500 sailors and Marines.

The report did not specify whether any immediate military action was planned, leaving the scope and timeline of potential operations uncertain.

Journalist leader and former president of the National Press Club and BFUJ, Shawkat Mahmud, has been shown arrested in a Shahbagh police case as an unidentified accused. After being detained last December and later released on bail before Eid, he was rearrested at the jail gate. The case, in which Awami League figure Latif Siddiqui and others are already on bail, alleges a conspiracy to distort and erase the history of the Liberation War. Family members of Mahmud broke down in tears, claiming he had no connection to the incident and that his name was not in the original complaint.

According to the case documents, the charges stem from an event organized by a group called “Moncho 71” at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium on August 28 of the previous year. Authorities allege that participants delivered provocative speeches aimed at destabilizing the country and toppling the interim government. The court of Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana granted police permission to show Mahmud arrested in the case following an application by the investigating officer.

The prosecution stated that preliminary investigation found evidence linking Mahmud to the alleged anti-state activities. The case was filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act for actions deemed subversive during the “Moncho 71” event.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) have arrested a man named Md. Ripon, aged 23, for allegedly creating fake Facebook accounts using the names and photos of senior government, police, and administrative officials. The arrest took place on Monday, March 30, near the Cancer Building of PG Hospital under Shahbagh Police Station. Two mobile phones were seized during the operation.

According to DB sources, a fraud ring had been using the identities of high-ranking officials to open fake Facebook accounts, post misleading content, and deceive the public. Analysis of the recovered phones revealed a logged-in fake account named “Doctor. Ayesha Khatun,” which was used to post deceptive materials featuring the Inspector General of Police and other key figures.

Preliminary interrogation indicated that Ripon had been conducting these fraudulent activities for a long time with the help of accomplices. Legal proceedings against him are currently underway.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States’ primary goal in the ongoing war against Iran is to achieve its defined military objectives. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio emphasized that the US remains steadfast in pursuing these objectives.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump outlined several ultimate goals regarding the US-Israel alliance’s war efforts surrounding Iran. These include weakening Iran’s regional military capabilities, destroying its leadership and nuclear program, and bringing about a change in the country’s governing system.

The report also noted that hundreds of US special forces are currently stationed across the Middle East, according to CBS, underscoring the scale of American military involvement in the region.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Religious Affairs Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah at the King Salman International Convention Center in Medina on Monday at 11 a.m. local time. Both sides expressed consensus on enhancing cooperation and services related to Hajj and Umrah, with expectations that the meeting will bring new momentum to services for Bangladeshi pilgrims.

During the meeting, the Bangladeshi minister highlighted Saudi Arabia’s progress in Hajj management under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, noting the use of technology and modernization in pilgrimage management. He conveyed Bangladesh’s appreciation to the Saudi government and emphasized the historic, brotherly ties between the two nations. He also expressed optimism that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, bilateral cooperation in religious and development sectors would reach new heights.

The Bangladeshi minister handed a written proposal for the welfare of Bangladeshi pilgrims to the Saudi minister and exchanged courtesy gifts on behalf of both governments.

The Ministry of Education has finalized June 7 as the start date for this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations. The decision was approved on Monday following a proposal from the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee. Public relations officer Khalid Mahmud confirmed that Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan approved the date, and an official notice will be issued by the education boards.

Earlier, the preliminary decision to begin the exams on June 7 was taken during a meeting of education board chairmen at the ministry’s Secondary and Higher Education Division. The meeting was held on Sunday afternoon. Additionally, the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations are scheduled to start on April 21.

The announcement provides clarity for students and institutions preparing for the national examinations, aligning the academic calendar for the year.