Police have arrested Dr. A.K.M. Jamal Uddin, a sociology teacher at Dhaka University, from a rally in the Gulistan area of the capital. The arrest took place on Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026, during a procession linked to the Awami League that had been declared prohibited. Law enforcement officials stated that Jamal Uddin was detained and later formally arrested under an existing case filed against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed the arrest, saying it was made in connection with the ongoing investigation of the case. Police sources said security forces were on alert around the rally site and detained him based on the situation at the scene.

Earlier, on February 15, Jamal Uddin had faced public assault near Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence in Dhanmondi while attempting to join another announced program. Police rescued him at that time. Authorities have stated that further legal steps will follow depending on the progress of the investigation.

Israel’s Justice Ministry’s Pardon Department has reportedly declined to recommend granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption case. The ministry confirmed on Wednesday that the department had prepared its legal opinion and sent it to Heritage Minister Eliyahu, who was assigned by Justice Minister Yariv Levin to oversee the administrative process. The report will next be forwarded to President Isaac Herzog, who will make the final decision on whether to grant the pardon.

According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu’s application did not meet the legal requirements for a pardon because his trial is still ongoing and no conviction has been reached. He also did not admit guilt or express remorse in his application. Israel’s Supreme Court had previously ruled that pardons could be granted before conviction only if the accused admitted to the charges.

The report also noted that U.S. President Donald Trump was pressuring President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, but Herzog stated he would decide independently. Netanyahu’s trial, involving charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, has been underway since 2020.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it has launched the 38th phase of its ongoing attacks, targeting multiple US-linked military installations in the Gulf region. According to an official statement, two powerful and simultaneous missile strikes hit Kuwait’s Adiri helicopter base, injuring about one hundred people who were taken to Al Jaber and Al Mubarak hospitals. The IRGC also said it carried out missile and drone attacks on the American base located at Bahrain’s Mina Salman port.

The statement further claimed that additional strikes were conducted on two Kuwaiti naval bases, Mohammad Al Ahmad and Ali Al Salem, specifically targeting Camp Patriot and facilities housing US troops and equipment. The IRGC concluded its message by declaring that it seeks only the enemy’s complete defeat and will continue fighting until the shadow of war is removed from the country.

The announcement marks an escalation in regional tensions, though the statement did not specify the timing or independent verification of the attacks.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has approved the release of 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to address supply shortages caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol announced that all 32 member countries unanimously voted to release what he described as the largest amount of emergency oil ever authorized by the agency.

Birol stated that the oil market is facing unprecedented challenges, and he welcomed the collective emergency action taken by member nations. According to the IEA, each member country will release its share of reserves within an appropriate timeframe based on national circumstances.

The agency noted that this marks the sixth coordinated release in its history, following similar actions in 1991, 2005, 2011, and twice in 2022. IEA members currently hold over 1.02 billion barrels of emergency reserves, with an additional 600 million barrels held by industry under government obligations.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that rain or thunderstorms may continue across various parts of the country for the next five days. In its Wednesday evening bulletin, the agency reported that an extension of a low-pressure area lies over West Bengal and adjoining regions, while the seasonal low remains over the South Bay of Bengal. As a result, temporary gusty or stormy winds with rain or thundershowers are likely in several divisions including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet.

Meteorologists noted that this period marks the seasonal onset of nor'wester storms, and while brief rain and gusty winds are expected, continuous rainfall is unlikely. Day temperatures may drop by one to two degrees Celsius, while night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged. The forecast indicates that the trend of rain or thunderstorms may persist through the extended five-day outlook.

The department also mentioned that some regions may experience temporary heat and humidity between spells of rain, but severe heat conditions are not anticipated.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has submitted an investigation report to the court in the embezzlement case involving Far East Islami Life Insurance Company Limited. The report, filed on February 15, 2026, by investigating officer Shah Minhaj Uddin, accuses 24 individuals of misappropriating company funds. The case was originally filed on September 13, 2022, by the company’s legal officer Md. Jasim Uddin at Shahbagh Police Station against 14 people. Following a court directive, DB Police conducted the investigation.

During the investigation, one accused died in custody, and two others were cleared of charges due to lack of evidence. However, 13 new individuals were added as accused, bringing the total to 24. The report alleges that the accused embezzled Tk 644.28 crore from the company’s bank deposits and misappropriated additional funds through land purchases and development projects.

The report also notes that the Anti-Corruption Commission has filed seven other cases against the group led by Nazrul and Hemayet, indicating broader financial irregularities under investigation.

Both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) will remain closed from March 17 to March 23, 2026, in observance of Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr. The exchanges confirmed that no trading or official activities will take place during this seven-day holiday period.

According to the exchanges, the government has declared March 18 as an additional public holiday by executive order, extending the closure period. After the Eid and Ramadan holidays, both exchanges will resume normal operations on March 24. Regular office hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with trading scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:20 p.m., followed by a post-closing session until 2:30 p.m.

The extended closure is part of the national holiday schedule, and trading activities are expected to return to normal immediately after the break.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has demanded the removal of the President, describing it as the demand of a new Bangladesh. He made the statement on Wednesday at the NCP’s Rangpur divisional iftar and prayer gathering held at Shaheed Abu Sayeed Stadium in Rangpur. Nahid Islam urged everyone to raise their voices if the demand is not met.

He said he wants to see an effective parliament in the coming term, where ruling party members will take oath under the Constitutional Reform Council. He expressed hope that the opposition will be allowed to speak and that all commitments will be honored. Remembering Shaheed Abu Sayeed, who initiated a national rebellion, he pledged that Rangpur Division would not face discrimination in the future.

During the event, a clash broke out between two NCP factions, leaving five people injured, three of whom were hospitalized. Many attendees reportedly did not receive food due to the incident.

Bangladesh has formally requested additional fuel supplies from India to address an energy shortage caused by instability in the Middle East. The country currently receives 15,000 tons of diesel per month under an existing agreement. Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Nasrul Hamid announced that a letter has been sent to the Indian government seeking extra fuel as part of emergency measures.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma confirmed receipt of the letter and said it would be forwarded to the Indian government for consideration. He noted that India and Bangladesh maintain strong cooperation in the power and energy sectors, supported by cross-border electricity transmission lines and the operational Maitree pipeline.

The Maitree pipeline, stretching about 131 kilometers from India’s Siliguri Marketing Terminal to Parbatipur Depot in Dinajpur, is a key channel for diesel transport to Bangladesh. Under the current arrangement, it delivers around 15,000 tons of diesel monthly, but Bangladesh has now requested additional volumes to meet rising demand.

A dispute has emerged over a letter reportedly sent by opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, recommending the appointment of his foreign affairs adviser, Professor Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, to the ministry. Jamaat claims the opposition leader was unaware of the letter, while the Foreign Ministry insists it bears his signature and was written on official parliamentary letterhead. The ministry stated it will publish the letter publicly once the opposition leader provides written consent.

According to a ministry statement issued Wednesday, Dr. Hasan first sent the letter electronically on February 22 and later delivered a printed copy directly to the minister. The letter praised Dr. Hasan’s professionalism and recommended his appointment as an adviser or minister-level official in the Foreign Ministry to strengthen foreign policy coordination. The ministry also denied reports that Jamaat representatives had contacted the minister by phone about the issue.

The ministry emphasized its readiness to release the full text of the letter if the opposition leader confirms his approval in writing.

Bangladesh’s Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq stated that the country’s human rights indicators have improved, with extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances now reduced to nearly zero. He also said that false and fabricated cases have significantly declined. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday while addressing an iftar event organized by the Dhaka University LLM Lawyers Association (DULA) at the Dhaka Club.

Discussing Section 173(A) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the minister explained that it serves as an effective safeguard for protecting citizens’ rights. He noted that in many instances, hundreds of people faced false charges and had to wait years for police reports, which hindered their business, travel, and medical opportunities. To address this, an interim police reporting system through higher authorities has been introduced.

The minister urged lawyers to uphold human values, integrity, and dedication to ensure rule of law, justice, and human rights in Bangladesh, emphasizing that all professionals ultimately serve the people of the country.

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz following attacks by the United States and Israel but continues to export large volumes of crude oil to China, according to a CNBC report published Wednesday. Satellite data from TankerTrackers shows that since the war began on February 28, Iran has shipped at least 11.7 million barrels of crude through the strait, all bound for China. Kepler, another shipping intelligence firm, estimated the figure at around 12 million barrels. The International Maritime Organization reported that at least ten vessels have been attacked in the strait since the conflict began, leaving seven sailors dead.

Despite threats to attack any vessel attempting passage, Iran has maintained exports mainly through its Kharg Island terminal, which handles 90 percent of its shipments. Tehran has also resumed loading at the Jask terminal on the Gulf of Oman, seen as a potential alternative route. Analysts noted that China remains Iran’s main crude buyer, with February exports reaching 2.16 million barrels per day, the highest since 2018. China’s crude imports rose 15.8 percent year-on-year in the first two months of the year as it built up reserves.

Global oil prices surged to record levels amid fears of supply disruption, while U.S. President Donald Trump urged ships near the strait to proceed despite Iranian threats.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh has issued the 'Primary Scholarship Examination Policy 2026' to evaluate meritorious students in primary education. Signed by Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, the policy was published on the Directorate of Primary Education’s website. Under the new rules, the scholarship exam will now carry a total of 400 marks, and all related activities from 2026 will follow this policy. The 2025 exam will also be held under this framework as a special arrangement.

According to the policy, up to 40 percent of fifth-grade students from each school, based on their fourth-grade cumulative results, can participate. Participation is mandatory for all government primary schools, while private schools must follow the NCTB curriculum and be active in the IPEMIS system. The exam will cover Bangla, English, Mathematics, Bangladesh and Global Studies, and Primary Science, each worth 100 marks. Two types of scholarships—Talent Pool and General—will be awarded, maintaining equal gender representation and separate quotas for government and private institutions.

A national steering committee and local-level committees will oversee the exams, with strict disciplinary measures for irregularities. All previous scholarship policies, including that of 2008, have been repealed.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has protested what it described as increasing political interference in educational institutions. In a statement issued on March 11, 2026, by NCP’s Joint Member Secretary for Education and Research, Faisal Mahmud Shanto, the party criticized a preliminary decision made on March 10 during a meeting at the Secretariat attended by Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and education board chairmen. The meeting reportedly decided to relax the educational qualification requirements for the position of chairperson of educational institution management committees.

The NCP statement condemned the move, arguing that it would enable unqualified individuals to exert undue authority over teachers and expand political influence in education. It recalled past instances where politically influential but underqualified persons served as chairpersons, leading to corruption, favoritism, and even harassment of teachers. The party noted that a previous interim government had made minimum educational qualifications mandatory for chairpersons, a reform welcomed by teachers, students, and parents.

The NCP urged the newly elected government and the Ministry of Education to cancel the preliminary decision and take effective measures to prevent political interference in educational institutions.

Iran has announced it will not participate in the upcoming World Cup due to ongoing conflicts and heightened tensions in the Middle East. Sports Minister Ahmad Doniyamal stated in a television interview that the current situation makes it impossible for Iran to take part, citing two wars within months and thousands of casualties. He said the government decided not to send the national team to the tournament scheduled in the United States.

The unrest intensified after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in a joint U.S.-Israel attack on February 28, leading to retaliatory strikes by Iran and widespread regional instability. Doniyamal described the situation as untenable for international sporting participation, particularly in the U.S.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino had expressed that Iran would be welcome to compete without restrictions. The World Cup is set to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Iran originally scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in group-stage matches.