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.

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.