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.

A discussion has been held on the possibility of reducing the duration of the diploma engineering course at the country’s polytechnic institutes from four years to three. The issue was raised during the Annual Development Programme (ADP) review meeting of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division under the Ministry of Education on Monday, according to the state news agency BSS. Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan attended the meeting as the chief guest, the ministry said in a press release.

The meeting noted that students currently enroll in the four-year diploma engineering program after passing the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or equivalent examination. The course was previously three years long but was extended to four years without major changes to the curriculum. As a result, students now spend an additional year before entering the workforce.

Discussions suggested that if the course duration is reduced to three years, students would be able to join employment one year earlier than at present.

Former Chief Justice A B M Khairul Haque has been shown arrested in two separate murder cases filed over incidents during the July anti-discrimination movement in Dhaka’s Jatrabari and Adabor areas. On March 30, 2026, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jamshed Alam issued the order following hearings in both cases. The hearings were held in Haque’s presence after he was brought to court from prison.

The Jatrabari case involves the killing of madrasa student Arif, for which Sub-Inspector Mahmudul Hasan had sought Haque’s arrest on March 10. The Adabor case concerns the death of garment worker Rubel, with Sub-Inspector Mohammad Tipu Sultan submitting a similar request on March 29. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki represented the state, while Haque’s lawyer opposed the arrest orders. The court ultimately granted both requests.

Haque had earlier secured bail in five other cases filed during the interim government period, including one related to the killing of a Jubo Dal activist and others concerning alleged forgery in the caretaker government verdict. He was first detained on July 24 of the previous year from his Dhanmondi residence.

Indian broadcaster GeoStar has terminated its agreement with Bangladeshi partner T-Sports, creating uncertainty over the Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcast in Bangladesh. According to Reuters sources, the decision was made after T-Sports failed to make scheduled payments. GeoStar formally notified T-Sports of the cancellation in a letter dated February 17, making the termination effective immediately.

Earlier in January, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had banned IPL broadcasts after the Kolkata Knight Riders dropped Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman following instructions from the Indian cricket board. The government is currently reviewing that ban. However, GeoStar’s cancellation means that even if the restriction is lifted, Bangladesh will still lack a valid broadcaster for the IPL.

GeoStar also canceled its agreement with T-Sports for the Women’s Premier League broadcast due to similar payment failures. The IPL, valued at about 18.5 billion dollars, remains one of the most popular cricket tournaments across South Asia, including Bangladesh, where the latest season began on March 28 and is ongoing.

A mobile court in Singra upazila of Natore fined a trader one lakh taka and sentenced him to two months in jail for illegally storing 11,000 liters of fuel. The operation took place around 3 p.m. on Monday at Asha Traders in Sherkol Bazar, owned by Altaf Sheikh. The court, led by Executive Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah Al Rifat, found the trader guilty of hoarding fuel without valid documentation.

During the raid, officials recovered 49 barrels of diesel, 5 barrels of octane, 2 barrels of petrol, and 2 barrels of lubricants, totaling 11,000 liters. The magistrate stated that the action was part of efforts to address the ongoing fuel shortage in the area. The trader failed to produce legal papers for the stored fuel, leading to the fine and jail sentence.

Authorities ordered that the seized fuel be sold within seven days, aiming to prevent further disruption in local fuel supply.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, told Parliament on Monday that certain groups are smuggling fuel through border areas. In a statement under Rule 300, he said that the tendency to purchase fuel beyond actual need has artificially created a sense of crisis. The minister assured that the government has taken timely measures to maintain normal supply and that there is currently no shortage of fuel.

According to Mahmud, the country has a stock of 218,000 metric tons of diesel, with supply systems operating normally. The government plans to import 50,000 metric tons of octane in April and expects an additional 30,000 tons from domestic sources, enough to meet demand for two more months. He noted that hoarding behavior, rather than actual scarcity, has become a major issue.

The minister emphasized that despite global challenges, the government has not raised fuel prices and continues to provide subsidies for public benefit. He urged citizens to avoid unnecessary fuel purchases and wastage, stressing that collective effort is essential to overcome any global crisis.

The European Union has extended its sanctions on Iran for another year over alleged human rights violations. According to a statement from the EU Council, the sanctions will now remain in effect until April 13, 2027. The measures include travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on exporting equipment that could be used for internal repression or telecommunications surveillance.

The EU Council further stated that EU citizens and entities are prohibited from providing funds or economic resources to the individuals and organizations listed under the sanctions. The current list includes 262 individuals and 53 entities, with one deceased person recently removed from it.

The EU first imposed these sanctions in 2011 in response to serious human rights abuses in Iran and has renewed them annually since then.