Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon declared that examinations in Bangladesh will no longer be conducted in the manner seen during the Awami League era. Speaking on Friday, March 27, 2026, at a meeting with education board officials and heads of institutions at the Cumilla Education Board conference room, he said that cheating in public exams had once been initiated and later stopped by teachers, but under the Hasina government, it had become widespread. He emphasized that teachers now have a crucial role in ensuring fair examinations.

Milon stated that teachers are the builders of future Bangladesh and described the Ministry of Education as a sacred responsibility entrusted to him by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He urged teachers to view their work as a form of devotion and moral duty. The minister announced that upcoming examinations, including the SSC, will be entirely free of cheating.

He further directed that all examination centers and educational institutions be brought under continuous CCTV surveillance, not only during exams but at all times, to ensure transparency and accountability.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Lalbagh unit arrested five individuals in connection with a gold theft case and recovered a large portion of the stolen ornaments. The arrests were made on Friday, March 27, 2026, following raids in Hazaribagh, Khilkhet, and Tongi East areas. The detainees were identified as Rozina Akter, Mim Akter, Al-Amin, Kashem Ahmed, and Nahid. Police recovered about eight bhori and twelve ana of gold ornaments from their possession.

According to Lalbagh police, the theft occurred on March 23 at a government officers’ residential area in Azimpur. Domestic worker Rozina Akter allegedly entered the victim’s flat for household work and later disappeared, after which the residents discovered that a box containing gold ornaments weighing nine bhori and eight ana, valued at around Tk 25 lakh, was missing. A case was filed at Lalbagh Police Station, leading to the subsequent investigation and arrests.

Police said the arrested individuals are active members of a theft ring, and legal proceedings are underway. Efforts continue to recover the remaining stolen ornaments.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu has alleged that the so-called 'Helmet Force', known for attacking BNP activists during the Awami League government, has resurfaced under a new name as the 'Secret Force'. He claimed that this group is attempting to create unrest and instability across the country through mob activities. Minu made the remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing a discussion meeting organized by the Rajshahi district BNP at a community center to mark Independence and National Day.

The minister said that after the fall of what he described as the autocratic Sheikh Hasina government, members of the former 'Helmet Force' have become active again and are working behind the current instability. He emphasized that BNP prioritizes national interest above all and believes in mutual friendship rather than dominance. He also stated that BNP is a party of workers, not individuals, and that its strength lies in its grassroots activists.

Minu further mentioned that although there are many government-owned lands under his ministry, the BNP will not occupy them for party offices. Instead, the party plans to legally purchase land in the name of its secretary general to build a permanent office.

Iran has claimed to have destroyed 17 United States military bases located in West Asia. Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, senior spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, disclosed the information to Mehr News on Friday. He stated that following the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict that began on June 13, 2025, Iran adopted a more aggressive approach within its defensive policy.

Shekarchi emphasized that Iran has not attacked any country in the past 47 years and will not do so in the future unless attacked first. He said Iran would continue its defense strategy until all threats are removed and criticized the United States for maintaining a long-term military presence in regional countries. He also issued a warning regarding the Strait of Hormuz, saying the situation would not remain the same and that even after the war, Iran’s conditions must be respected.

The Iranian official urged Muslim countries in the region not to host US forces and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to strengthening its military capabilities to safeguard national sovereignty.

Dr. Mohammad Rashed Anwar has been appointed as the new director of the National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology (NIKDU) in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Health issued an official notification assigning him the roles of director and professor of nephrology. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Anwar served as an associate professor in the same institution and was promoted to professor based on his professional expertise and long experience.

Born on January 1, 1968, Dr. Anwar earned his MBBS degree from Chittagong Medical College and later completed an MD in nephrology from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Since joining government health service in 2001, he has held several key positions and made significant contributions to kidney disease treatment, dialysis services, and kidney transplantation programs.

He is also active in research, co-authoring several scientific papers on kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation, and is recognized as a dedicated educator in medical training.

German Foreign Minister Johann Vadipul has alleged that Russia is helping Iran identify potential attack targets. Speaking at a G7 meeting in France on March 27, 2026, Vadipul claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to divert global attention from the war in Ukraine by exploiting the conflict in the Middle East.

Vadipul told reporters that he discussed Germany’s position with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the meeting. He added that Germany is willing to play a role in the Strait of Hormuz once the current tensions subside. According to Vadipul, Russia is clearly providing Iran with information on possible targets, linking the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, highlight Germany’s concern that Moscow’s actions could deepen instability across regions while undermining international focus on the war in Ukraine.

The first meeting of the 13th National Parliament Committee will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Cabinet Room, Level-2, of the National Parliament Secretariat. The announcement was made in a notice issued by the Parliament Secretariat on Friday.

In addition to the committee meeting, a parliamentary meeting of the ruling party is also scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. This meeting will take place in the ruling party’s conference room within the Parliament complex, according to the Secretariat.

Both meetings mark the beginning of formal parliamentary activities under the 13th National Parliament, as outlined in the Secretariat’s official communication.

BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the party’s central office in Naya Paltan on Saturday. The information was confirmed by BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, who informed the media about the planned visit.

On Friday, March 27, Tarique Rahman announced his plan to go to the central office while speaking at a discussion meeting organized by the BNP at the Engineers Institution auditorium in Ramna, Dhaka. The event was held to mark the occasion of the country’s Independence and National Day. Following the meeting, he told party leaders and activists that he would visit the Paltan office the next day.

The visit marks a notable move by the BNP chairperson to engage directly with the party’s central operations, as indicated by his public statement during the commemorative event.

State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Helal described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a simple, humane, and honest leader whose political legacy is rare worldwide. He made the remarks on Friday at the S Rahman Hall of Chittagong Press Club during a program organized by ‘Amra BNP Poribar’. The event included the presentation of financial gifts from the Prime Minister for the wedding of martyr Jamal’s daughter Tania Akter Rumi and for the education of Dhaka University student Jopel Chakma.

Mir Helal said Tarique Rahman, despite being the successor of former President Ziaur Rahman and three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, leads a modest life and believes in action over words. He emphasized Rahman’s compassion for people and animals and his dedication to humanitarian service even on public holidays.

During the event, the State Minister also announced a monthly scholarship for Jopel Chakma and provided medical assistance for Marzia Akter Maisha, a blood cancer patient. Several officials and members of ‘Amra BNP Poribar’ attended the ceremony.

A vessel named MV Ubon Naree carrying 62,150 tons of wheat from the United States has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram port, marking the second phase of wheat imports under a government-to-government arrangement. The Food Ministry announced the arrival in a press release on Friday, noting that sample testing of the wheat has already begun and unloading preparations are underway.

Of the total shipment, 37,290 tons will be unloaded at Chattogram port and the remaining 24,860 tons at Mongla port. The ministry confirmed that all wheat contracted under the agreements has now reached Bangladesh. Earlier, the first shipment brought in 58,457 metric tons of wheat.

According to the ministry, Bangladesh’s annual wheat demand stands at around 7 million tons, while domestic production is about 1 million tons. The remaining demand is met through imports by both government and private sectors.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for a prompt and transparent investigation into a bombing at a girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran. The attack killed 168 people, including 110 children, according to local authorities. Türk made the appeal during a UN Human Rights Council discussion on protecting children in conflict situations.

Reports from U.S. media indicated that American military investigators suspect U.S. forces may have unintentionally struck the school, though no final conclusion has been reached. Türk emphasized that those responsible for the attack must face a thorough, impartial, and accountable investigation to uncover the truth.

The call underscores growing international concern over civilian casualties in conflict zones and the need for accountability in incidents involving potential military error.

A Dhaka-bound passenger bus caught fire on the Jessore-Dhaka highway near Fatepur Daitola in Jessore Sadar upazila on Friday afternoon. Although all passengers escaped safely, their belongings were completely destroyed in the blaze. The incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. when the Narail Express bus departed from Jessore city’s Monihar counter. Witnesses said the driver stopped the bus immediately after flames erupted from the engine, allowing passengers to evacuate.

Police and fire service personnel arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire, according to Masud Khan, officer-in-charge of Jessore Kotwali Police Station. However, passengers reported that the bus was already fully burned before firefighters arrived. Fire service officials confirmed that a sub-officer was present at the site, but further details were unavailable as he could not be reached by phone.

Some passengers alleged that the bus had mechanical issues before departure and that the driver was reluctant to operate it. The incident caused heavy traffic congestion on both sides of the highway as vehicles were halted following the fire.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, focusing on Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States. The meeting took place in Islamabad, where China expressed support for Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative and praised its role in promoting dialogue. The discussions centered on efforts to ease tensions and encourage negotiations amid ongoing conflict.

According to the report, Pakistan had earlier conveyed a 15-point proposal from the United States to Iran aimed at ending the current war, but Iran rejected the proposal and presented its own demands. Following the meeting, Ishaq Dar stated on social media that both sides reaffirmed the need to restore peace and stability across the Middle East and the wider region. They agreed to continue supporting efforts to de-escalate tensions, resume peace talks, protect civilians, ensure maritime safety, and uphold the UN Charter.

The talks highlight China’s backing of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and both countries’ shared interest in regional stability and multilateral cooperation.

Bangladesh is facing a growing public health challenge as one in four adults, or 23.5 percent, suffers from hypertension, according to the Bangladesh NCD STEPS Survey 2022. The condition is now the country’s leading disease, responsible for a large share of heart-related deaths. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics’ 2025 survey found hypertension at the top of the ten most common diseases, while WHO data show that over half of affected adults are unaware of their condition and only 16 percent manage it effectively through regular medication.

The World Health Organization’s 2025 report indicates that 1.4 billion people aged 30–79 worldwide live with hypertension, with most residing in low- and middle-income countries. In Bangladesh, inadequate funding—only 4.2 percent of the health budget goes to noncommunicable disease control—has hindered consistent medicine supply to community clinics. The government has introduced several initiatives, including adding amlodipine to the community clinic medicine list and expanding NCD corners across the country.

Health officials say ensuring uninterrupted drug supply and inter-ministerial cooperation will be crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases by one-third by 2030.

French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that France’s position in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is entirely defensive. In an interview with C-News, she emphasized that France’s strategy in the Middle East is centered on diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation in the region.

Vautrin highlighted that France’s primary goal is to pursue diplomatic initiatives as the only way to ensure peace, particularly in response to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. She noted that many countries are concerned about the situation and that finding a resolution is of utmost importance.

The minister’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, including reports of deadly attacks in Iran’s Qom city and continued threats of intensified military action by Israel.