The Comilla Education Board has suspended teaching and academic recognition for 13 educational institutions under its jurisdiction due to poor performance in the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination. The decision was confirmed through a letter signed by Exam Controller Professor Runa Nasrin on March 5, 2026. Board Chairman Professor Md. Shamsul Islam stated that the institutions failed to meet operational conditions and showed unsatisfactory results, prompting the suspension.

According to the board’s examination committee meeting held on January 7, 2026, institutions with pass rates between zero and five percent were deemed to have unsatisfactory outcomes. The suspended institutions include schools and colleges from Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, Comilla, and Chandpur districts. College Inspector Professor Md. Nurunnabi Alam said the suspension is temporary and that institutions may resume academic activities upon fulfilling required conditions.

The board emphasized that repeated poor performance and failure to improve despite prior warnings led to this action. Authorities also indicated that similar measures will be taken against other institutions if their results remain unsatisfactory.

Lionel Messi has come under criticism after meeting United States President Donald Trump and applauding his comments about the ongoing US and Israeli military attacks on Iran. The event, held at the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday, was organized to honor Messi and his Inter Miami teammates for winning the Major League Soccer title in December. Trump praised Messi’s achievements and welcomed him to the White House, but his remarks began with a boast about the Iran conflict, claiming US and Israeli forces were demolishing the enemy. Messi, standing beside Trump, joined others in applauding the president’s statements.

The applause drew swift backlash on social media, where users accused Messi of being drawn into politics and endorsing Trump’s military rhetoric. Palestinian-American writer Ali Abunimah called the participants “vacuous selfish people,” while Spanish journalist Leyla Hamed described the players’ actions as “bizarre” amid reports of civilian deaths in Iran. Other fans expressed shock at seeing Messi and teammate Luis Suarez present during Trump’s war-related comments.

Trump used the occasion to blend sports celebration with political messaging, while Messi, who did not speak publicly, presented a signed football to the president.

Heavy airstrikes struck Tehran and several Iranian cities on the seventh day of the US-Israel war on Iran, with explosions reported across the capital and other regions. Israel’s military said it had entered a new phase of operations targeting regime infrastructure, while the US confirmed its B-2 bombers dropped dozens of penetrator bombs on buried missile launchers. Al Jazeera correspondents in Tehran described the bombardment as the most intense so far, with strikes hitting military, political, and residential areas, including near Tehran University and Pasteur Street. Iran’s Foreign Ministry reported that an elementary school in Niloufar Square was hit, and UNICEF said at least 181 children were among more than 1,300 people killed.

Attacks were also reported in Shiraz, Qom, Isfahan, and Kermanshah, with the Iranian Red Crescent confirming at least 1,332 deaths since the conflict began. Israel claimed to have destroyed missile launchers and defense systems, while the US military said Iranian targets were being “decimated.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged mediation directed at Washington and Tel Aviv, asserting Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty. Iran’s military later announced it had attacked a US-owned oil tanker off Kuwait’s coast.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the bombardment would intensify, signaling a possible escalation in the coming days.

European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space Andreas Kubilius has warned that the United States is struggling to maintain adequate missile supplies amid the ongoing Middle East instability and the war in Ukraine. In a statement on Friday, he said the recent crisis centered on Iran has made it urgent for Europe to increase production of air defense and anti-ballistic missiles.

Kubilius explained that the U.S. is finding it difficult to meet the simultaneous demands of its own military, Gulf allies, and Ukraine, posing a major challenge for Europe. The warning comes as Ukraine continues to face Russian missile attacks and Gulf nations remain on high alert over possible Iranian strikes.

Reports indicate that Washington’s stockpiles of key weapons, including Tomahawk land-attack missiles and SM-3 interceptors, have fallen sharply. Pentagon sources say heavy use of Patriot missiles during the four-year Ukraine conflict has worsened the shortage. The EU commissioner called for urgent steps to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities and accelerate missile production.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has set daily fuel purchase limits for vehicles across the country following global energy supply disruptions caused by attacks in Iran. In a notice issued on March 6, 2026, BPC said the measure aims to prevent panic buying and ensure stable fuel distribution. Motorcycles can buy up to 2 liters of petrol or octane per day, private cars 10 liters, SUVs and microbuses 20–25 liters, pickups and local buses 70–80 liters, and long-distance buses and trucks 200–220 liters of diesel.

BPC explained that about 95 percent of Bangladesh’s fuel is imported, and recent global instability has delayed some shipments. Reports of hoarding and excessive withdrawals by dealers and consumers prompted the new restrictions. Filling stations must issue receipts showing quantity and price, and buyers must present previous bills for repeat purchases. Dealers are required to follow quotas and report depot stock and sales data.

BPC assured that fuel imports and nationwide distribution continue regularly and that sufficient buffer stocks will be built soon. It warned that selling fuel above government-fixed prices is a punishable offense.

An Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, sank in the Indian Ocean after being struck by a US submarine torpedo, triggering renewed regional tension and questions about India’s maritime security capacity. The vessel had departed from India’s Visakhapatnam port on February 26 after participating in the multinational naval exercise ‘Milan’ and was attacked in international waters about 44 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka on March 4. According to Al Jazeera, Sri Lanka’s navy recovered over 80 bodies and rescued 32 sailors, including the ship’s commander, while more than 100 remain missing.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine torpedoed the Iranian vessel, calling it a “silent death.” Tehran condemned the attack as a serious crime, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning that the United States would one day pay a heavy price. Iran emphasized that the Dena had been an invited guest of the Indian Navy returning home after the exercise.

India’s delayed official response drew criticism, and analysts said the incident undermined India’s image as a regional maritime security provider, exposing limits to its influence near its own waters.

Three young men were detained and handed over to police after being beaten by locals in Abhoynagar upazila of Jashore. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday night, March 5, in Gopinathpur village under Shubharara Union. Locals seized a foreign-made 9mm pistol, six rounds of ammunition, and an empty magazine from the suspects. Their motorcycle was also set on fire during the confrontation.

According to Abhoynagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge SM Nuruzzaman, the three detainees are Riaz Sardar alias Surjo Sardar (28), Shakil Sardar (25), and Robiul Molla (23), all residents of nearby villages. Locals said they were conducting a night patrol when they stopped the suspects’ motorcycle for a search. One of the men allegedly tried to flee after showing a pistol, prompting the mob to capture and beat them before handing them to police.

Police recovered the burned motorcycle from the scene and filed a case under the Arms Act against the three detainees.

A passenger bus carrying attendees to a Hindu wedding lost control and fell into a roadside ditch in Bagerhat on Friday afternoon. The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on the Barakpur–Polerhat road near Fakir Bari area, leaving several passengers injured.

According to local sources, the bus was traveling from Jashore to the Kalibari area when it veered off the road and plunged into the ditch. Worshippers from a nearby mosque and local residents rushed to the scene and rescued the trapped passengers. Locals said the quick response of the mosque-goers and residents prevented a potentially serious loss of life.

The incident caused brief panic in the area, but the situation was brought under control through prompt rescue efforts.

A missile strike on a girls’ school in the southern Iranian city of Minab has killed nearly a hundred students, according to early reports. US military investigators suspect that American forces may have been involved in the attack, though the investigation remains ongoing and no final conclusion has been reached. The incident occurred on Saturday at a primary school in Minab, and officials have said the strike could have originated from either US or Israeli missiles.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva stated that 165 students were killed in the attack. Large-scale funeral and burial ceremonies were later held across the country to honor the victims. The tragedy has drawn growing international concern as observers await the outcome of the investigation to determine responsibility for the strike.

The final findings of the US investigation are expected to clarify whether American forces were directly responsible, a determination that could have significant diplomatic repercussions if confirmed.

The Bangladesh government has issued new directives to regulate fuel purchases at filling stations as global energy markets face disruption due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The directives, released by the Energy Division on Friday, aim to control panic buying and manage limited supplies in Dhaka, where long queues and disputes have been reported at fuel stations.

According to the new rules, filling stations must provide receipts specifying fuel type, quantity, and price for each purchase, and consumers must present previous receipts when refueling again. Dealers are required to follow allocation limits and supply guidelines, while fuel marketing companies must verify stock and sales data before releasing new allocations. The directives also set limits on how much fuel stations can draw from depots and how much consumers can buy.

The measures are intended to stabilize domestic fuel distribution and prevent hoarding as Bangladesh experiences the ripple effects of the global energy shortage.

Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally in Dhaka on Friday after Juma prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, demanding interrogation of former advisers Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Dr. Khalilur Rahman over alleged election engineering. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar addressed the gathering as chief guest, calling for a judicial inquiry committee to identify those involved in manipulating the February 12 national election results.

Porwar alleged that while voting took place peacefully, irregularities occurred during vote counting and result announcements, altering the outcome against the Jamaat-led alliance. He cited remarks by Rizwana Hasan as self-admission of interference and accused Dr. Khalilur Rahman of conspiring with ruling party interests. He urged the government to analyze Rizwana’s statements and disclose others involved in the alleged manipulation.

Porwar emphasized that Jamaat rejects violence and seeks lawful protest. He called on the government to uphold the July reform referendum and warned against attempts to undermine it. The rally concluded with a procession through city streets.

Iran’s army has claimed responsibility for recent attacks targeting US military bases in Kuwait, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The Iranian state television, citing the army, stated that various types of destructive drones were used by the ground forces to strike the American installations. The statement added that these attacks would continue for several more hours.

The report comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran asserting that its military operations are directed at US positions in the Gulf region. The announcement follows a series of incidents involving Iran and Western powers, including reports of missile shortages in the United States and other regional disputes mentioned in local media.

The continuation of drone strikes, as indicated by Iranian officials, suggests a possible escalation in hostilities between Iran and the United States in the Persian Gulf area.

France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot has confirmed that 52 French ships are currently stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In an interview with French media outlet C-News/Europe-1, Tabarot stated that an additional eight French vessels are located in the Red Sea. He added that authorities are maintaining constant communication with the crews, as several French sailors are onboard these ships.

The disruption follows a series of military strikes in the region. The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran last Saturday, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran on Israeli targets and U.S. bases across several Middle Eastern countries. As a result, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas shipments, has been severely restricted. Approximately 20 percent of the world’s energy supply typically passes through this corridor.

The situation has raised concerns about the safety of maritime operations and the potential impact on global energy transport, though no resolution has yet been reported.

Iran has announced that it will gradually resume administrative operations following ongoing US-Israeli attacks. According to the announcement, starting Sunday, 20 percent of employees in all ministries, agencies, and executive offices in Tehran province will return to work in person. All female employees in the province will continue to work virtually, while some banks will reopen to provide limited services.

The directive excludes operational units of service providers, municipalities, medical centers, and military, law enforcement, and security institutions. Senior management officials in Tehran province will not be allowed to work from home and must be physically present at their workplaces.

The announcement comes as Iran faces missile-related challenges and regional tensions following recent attacks and incidents involving its naval and administrative sectors.

The Kremlin has reported a significant rise in global demand for Russian energy products due to the ongoing war in Iran, according to Al Jazeera. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the conflict has increased the need for Russian oil and gas in world markets. He emphasized that Russia remains a reliable supplier of both pipeline and liquefied energy resources.

The war has also disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, which is now nearly closed. This disruption has placed many countries at risk of losing access to about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. A day earlier, the U.S. Treasury granted a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea.

Analysts cited in the report noted that if tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, Russia’s role in the global energy market could become even more significant.