A religious gathering featuring Islamic speaker Gias Uddin Taheri was held in Shimulghar area of Madhabpur upazila, Habiganj, on Saturday afternoon, defying Section 144 imposed by the local administration. Villagers escorted Taheri to the event as the main speaker, while police and army personnel were present at the scene. The administration had earlier restricted public gatherings at the venue.

According to local sources, a powerful group allegedly tried to stop the event, prompting the administration to enforce Section 144. However, organizers and residents ignored the order and proceeded with the gathering. Several locals said they opposed what they viewed as an unjust attempt to halt a religious event, insisting that the program was peaceful and posed no threat of disorder. They also alleged that false posters were circulated to influence the authorities.

No official statement was available from the Madhabpur upazila administration, but reports indicated that the event concluded peacefully and the situation remained normal afterward.

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense reported intercepting 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones launched by Iran in the latest attack on Saturday. According to the ministry, all incoming projectiles were successfully neutralized. The report, carried by Al Jazeera, marks another episode in the continuing hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Data from the UAE authorities show that since the start of the Iran–US–Israel conflict, the Gulf nation has faced a total of 398 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,872 drones. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of two military personnel, one Moroccan defense contractor, and eight civilians from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Palestine, and India. At least 178 people have been injured so far.

The latest interception underscores the UAE’s ongoing vulnerability to regional tensions and the sustained threat posed by cross-border missile and drone attacks.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. M A Muhit, has issued a stern warning against irregularities in private medical colleges. During a recent visit to his ministry on a holiday afternoon, he reviewed several files and discovered serious violations. In a subsequent video message, he declared that institutions operating without proper authorization from the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) or lacking essential infrastructure such as hospitals, patients, and qualified staff would not be allowed to continue.

Dr. Muhit criticized colleges functioning like commercial enterprises rather than educational institutions, noting that some lacked their own land or deposit documents. He expressed concern that untrained graduates from such colleges could endanger public health and that parents were being deceived after investing their life savings. He emphasized that every private medical college must maintain a minimum standard of facilities, manpower, and patient availability.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to building a “Bangladesh of rules from irregularities,” the minister vowed to shut down what he described as “factories producing fake doctors.”

A single hilsa fish weighing 1.765 kilograms was sold for Tk 7,500 at the Patharghata BFDC fish port in Barguna on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The price per maund reached Tk 170,000, reflecting a sharp rise in demand ahead of Pahela Baishakh. The fish was auctioned at Munni Fish Arat, where several local traders competed before wholesaler and merchant fish trader Alhaj Zakir Hossain made the highest bid and purchased it.

Local trader Imran Hossain said the supply of hilsa in the market is currently very low as catches from the sea have almost stopped. The hilsa caught in the Baleshwar River that morning became a major attraction. He added that demand for large hilsa has increased several times before the festival, while smaller jatka hilsa are selling for about Tk 60,000 per maund.

Upazila Fisheries Officer Hasibul Haque stated that the government will impose a 58-day ban on deep-sea fishing next month to ensure fish breeding and growth, which could help increase future catches of large hilsa.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stern warning to neighboring countries following recent attacks on Iran’s critical infrastructure and economic centers. In a post on social media platform X, he stated that Iran would deliver a 'terrible' response to the assaults. Pezeshkian also cautioned Middle Eastern neighbors not to allow Iran’s enemies to use their territories for military operations if they wish to ensure their own security and development.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the joint forces of the United States and Israel. On Friday, both countries reportedly carried out strikes on several highly significant Iranian sites, including the Mobarakeh Steel Industries in Isfahan and Khuzestan provinces, as well as the Khondab heavy water production facility in Markazi province. In retaliation, Iran launched counterattacks that caused damage at Kuwait International Airport and targeted the Prince Sultan Air Base near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where several people were reported injured.

The escalation underscores the growing regional instability and the potential for further confrontation if diplomatic efforts fail to de-escalate the situation.

A specialized team from the Bangladesh Army successfully neutralized seven landmines discovered in a maize field at Makhaldanga Schoolpara in Chuadanga Sadar upazila. The disposal operation began at 11 a.m. on Saturday and concluded around 1:30 p.m. The landmines had been detected earlier on February 28 in the same agricultural area.

The bomb disposal team, consisting of 15 members from the 55 Regiment of Jessore Cantonment, was led by Captain Md. Selim and Captain Md. Rifat. They first defused four landmines and later three more, causing loud explosions that shook the surrounding area. Ash and dust from the explosives spread across the field during the operation.

Officials from the district administration, including Executive Magistrate Mirza Shahidul, Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Mostafizur Rahman, the Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station Mizanur Rahman, and teams from the Fire Service and Chuadanga District Police, were present at the site during the operation.

Additional Inspector General of Police Md. Ahsan Habib Palash formally assumed office as the 12th Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Saturday, March 28, 2026. He succeeded retired Additional IGP A.K.M. Shahidur Rahman. The appointment was confirmed by RAB Headquarters, marking a new leadership transition in the elite law enforcement agency.

According to RAB sources, Palash began his career in the 15th BCS (Police) batch in 1995 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police after completing basic training at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi. Over his career, he served in several key units including 4 APBn, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Chattogram Metropolitan Police, and Sylhet Metropolitan Police, as well as in Rangamati, Shariatpur, and Narayanganj districts. He also worked at the Police Bureau of Investigation headquarters and later as DIG of Chattogram Range.

Palash has extensive international experience through UN peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Liberia, Sudan, and South Sudan. He received the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM-Service) for his distinguished service and holds BSS (Honours) and MSc degrees from the University of Dhaka.

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington may reduce its financial contributions to NATO after European allies declined to assist in a potential conflict against Iran. Speaking on Friday, Trump criticized NATO’s absence as a “big mistake” and said the United States spends hundreds of billions of dollars annually to protect NATO countries. He suggested that the U.S. might no longer need to stand by its allies if they do not reciprocate support.

Trump previously urged other nations to send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open, calling the request a “test of loyalty.” He argued that countries relying on U.S. protection should contribute more to their own security, describing the deployment of naval forces as a “very small effort.”

The remarks underscore growing tension between the U.S. and its European allies over defense responsibilities and burden-sharing within NATO, as well as differing approaches to Iran.

A press conference was held in Sunamganj town on Saturday protesting the attack on BNP leader Mohammad Ali in Patharia Bazar of Shantiganj upazila. The event was organized by Md. Abdul Momin, former president of Patharia Union BNP, who described the incident as a brutal assault followed by vandalism and looting of homes and businesses.

According to Abdul Momin’s written statement, on the evening of March 22, local criminal Angur Mia and his associates attacked Mohammad Ali with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured and hospitalized. The attackers also vandalized and looted properties belonging to Mohammad Ali and Abdul Momin. The conflict reportedly stemmed from a dispute after Angur Mia’s nephew verbally abused villagers over the phone, which Momin had attempted to resolve through arbitration.

Momin alleged that Angur Mia, known locally as a close associate of former planning minister MA Mannan and his son, continues to dominate the area through illegal activities. He urged the authorities to take immediate action against Angur Mia’s alleged crimes and intimidation tactics.

According to a military source cited by AFP, an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon targeted a vehicle carrying journalists, killing three Lebanese reporters. In a separate incident, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that five health workers were killed early today in another Israeli attack in the same region.

The Islamic Message Scouts Association confirmed the deaths of its five members, identifying them as Adel Atef Kaddouh, Hussein Ali Darwish, Hassan Mousa Nour Al-Din, Ali Hassan Jaha, and Ibrahim Zaher Abu Zaid. The organization stated that the victims were performing humanitarian duties when they were killed during the Israeli assault on the city of Zawtar al-Gharbiya.

The reports highlight the growing toll on civilians and aid workers amid continued Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, as cited by Al Jazeera.

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 1,464 civilians, including 217 children, have been killed in Iran during the first month of the ongoing conflict that began on February 28. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported dropping more than 12,000 bombs across Iran, including 3,600 on Tehran alone. The US Central Command stated that it has carried out strikes on over 9,000 targets throughout the country.

Many of the attacks targeted police stations, Basij militia buildings, military and police universities, IRGC residences, and suspected ammunition depots, several of which were located in densely populated areas. Residents told BBC Eye that the strikes on residential zones have heightened anger, even among those previously critical of the Iranian government. The IDF confirmed the attacks but declined further comment, while the US Department of Defense did not respond.

Iran has also launched attacks on civilian infrastructure in neighboring countries, including airports and hotels in Gulf states allied with Washington. Tehran residents expressed frustration over the lack of visible safety measures or evacuation support, as internet disruptions and unclear guidance have left many feeling unsafe and uncertain.

Bambu Lab’s MakerWorld has integrated Meshy, a generative AI platform for 3D model creation, into its MakerLab hub. The new integration allows users to convert any photo into a print-ready 3D model within minutes, requiring no design software or technical expertise. Alongside this, Meshy has updated its Multi-Color Printing feature, which automatically assigns textures to filaments, eliminating the need for manual color configuration in slicing software.

Meshy’s Image-to-3D tool operates entirely in a web browser and is powered by the company’s Meshy-6 generation engine. Users can upload a photo at makerworld.com and quickly export a 3D mesh as STL or 3MF files for direct use in Bambu Studio. The Multi-Color Printing feature further streamlines the process by analyzing textures and mapping them to filament zones compatible with Bambu Lab’s AMS system, ensuring accurate color reproduction without extra setup.

This collaboration reflects a broader industry trend toward making 3D modeling more accessible. Similar initiatives by companies like Womp and NVIDIA aim to bridge the gap between 3D printer ownership and design capability, promoting AI-driven tools that simplify model generation for non-experts.

Bangladesh is experiencing continued unrest over fuel supply despite repeated government assurances of sufficient reserves. The disruption follows a U.S.-Israel joint attack on Iran on February 28, which triggered a wider Middle East conflict and severely affected global energy supply chains. As a result, fuel prices have surged worldwide, and panic buying has spread across Bangladesh. The government introduced and later withdrew a rationing system, but long queues at petrol stations persist.

Officials claim there is no shortage, citing ongoing subsidies of 16.7 billion taka per day and approval to import 300,000 metric tons of diesel. However, conflicting statements from distributors and petrol pump owners have fueled confusion. Reports of illegal hoarding and black-market sales have led to several raids and fines. Experts blame poor coordination among government agencies and weak monitoring for the crisis and urge integrated action to stabilize supply.

The Energy Ministry has vowed strict measures against fuel theft and hoarding, while the Petrol Pump Owners Association has urged the public to remain calm, expecting supply normalization soon.

Bangladesh Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain expressed outrage over the deaths of 33 children at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital within 11 days, reportedly due to a lack of ICU ventilators. Speaking at an event on medical ethics in Dhaka’s Shahbagh on Saturday, he said the hospital director failed to inform authorities about the shortage and declared that such negligence was unacceptable.

The minister said the director initially dismissed media reports as exaggerated but later admitted their accuracy after an official report confirmed the situation. Citing bureaucratic delays in government procurement, Hossain said he personally arranged to buy three ventilators through private support and was working to secure two more. He also urged doctors to uphold professional ethics, avoid negligence during surgeries, and maintain responsible behavior toward patients.

Hossain further criticized instances of sexual misconduct by physicians and emphasized the need for continuous learning and training to keep up with global medical advancements.

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.