Bangladesh Bank has declared that selling new currency notes as commercial products is entirely illegal. The bank’s Executive Director and spokesperson, Arif Hossain Khan, made the statement to journalists on Thursday, warning that any officials from Bangladesh Bank or commercial banks found involved in such activities will face disciplinary measures. Law enforcement agencies will also take action against individuals engaged in the illegal sale of new notes.

Khan explained that while there is always demand for new notes during festivals, people should move away from this practice as the country advances toward a cashless economy. He emphasized that new notes are not commodities to be traded and reiterated that any supply of new notes for sale from banking institutions would result in administrative action against those responsible.

The announcement underscores Bangladesh Bank’s effort to curb illegal currency trading and promote digital financial practices in line with its broader cashless Bangladesh initiative.

Meta announced that it is expanding its custom silicon program with four new generations of Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA) chips to be developed and deployed within the next two years. The new chips will support ranking, recommendations, and generative AI (GenAI) workloads, marking a faster release cycle than typical industry standards. MTIA 300 is already in production for ranking and recommendations training, while MTIA 400, 450, and 500 will focus primarily on GenAI inference production through 2027.

The company’s AI infrastructure strategy centers on a portfolio approach that combines its own MTIA chips with silicon sourced from other industry leaders. Meta has deployed hundreds of thousands of MTIA chips for inference workloads across organic content and ads, achieving higher compute efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to general-purpose chips. The modular design of MTIA allows new chips to integrate seamlessly into existing rack systems, reducing time-to-production.

Meta’s roadmap emphasizes rapid, iterative development, an inference-first design philosophy, and alignment with industry standards such as PyTorch, vLLM, Triton, and the Open Compute Project. This approach aims to sustain innovation speed and scalability as the company advances toward its goal of enabling personal superintelligence.

A new debate has emerged over whether Iran is using China’s advanced Beidou satellite navigation system to target military installations in the Middle East belonging to Israel and the United States. According to a French intelligence expert, Iran may be receiving assistance from Beidou to improve its targeting accuracy.

Alain Juillet, former director of France’s foreign intelligence, stated on the independent French podcast ‘Tocsin’ that Iran’s targeting precision has significantly improved since a 12-day conflict with Israel in June. He suggested that this improvement could be linked to Iran gaining access to China’s Beidou satellite navigation network.

Experts cited in the report noted that if Iran is indeed using Beidou, it could challenge the long-standing U.S. dominance in real-time satellite intelligence on the battlefield.

NVIDIA has launched Nemotron 3 Super, a 120‑billion‑parameter open model with 12 billion active parameters designed to power complex agentic AI systems at scale. The model, available immediately, integrates advanced reasoning capabilities to complete tasks efficiently and accurately for autonomous agents. It features a 1‑million‑token context window to maintain full workflow memory and prevent goal drift in multi‑agent applications.

Nemotron 3 Super employs a hybrid mixture‑of‑experts architecture that delivers up to five times higher throughput and twice the accuracy of its predecessor. Running in NVFP4 precision on the NVIDIA Blackwell platform, it achieves up to four times faster inference than FP8 on NVIDIA Hopper without accuracy loss. The model has achieved top rankings on Artificial Analysis and DeepResearch Bench leaderboards for efficiency and reasoning coherence. NVIDIA is releasing it with open weights under a permissive license, enabling deployment across workstations, data centers, and cloud environments.

Industry partners including Perplexity, Amdocs, Palantir, Siemens, and Dell Technologies are integrating Nemotron 3 Super into their AI ecosystems to enhance search, software development, cybersecurity, and manufacturing automation. The model is accessible through build.nvidia.com, OpenRouter, and Hugging Face.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Iran’s ambassador following an attack on a Thai-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Thai News Agency, the meeting was called to discuss details of the incident involving the vessel Mayuri Naree, which came under attack on Wednesday. The ship’s operator reported that three crew members were believed to be trapped in the engine room.

Reports from India Today and AFP indicated that the vessel, en route from Thailand to Gujarat, India, was struck by an unidentified projectile resembling a missile, causing a fire onboard. The Omani Navy conducted a rapid rescue operation, evacuating 20 crew members, while three remained on the ship.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, with recent reports of multiple attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait. The Thai government’s move to summon the Iranian envoy signals concern over maritime security and the safety of its nationals.

US intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran’s government remains largely intact and is not at risk of collapse, according to a Reuters report citing three sources familiar with the matter. The latest assessment was completed in recent days and indicates that Tehran continues to maintain control over its population despite ongoing regional tensions.

The report highlights that multiple intelligence analyses reached similar conclusions about the resilience of Iran’s ruling system. It also notes that the evaluation underscores the stability of Iran’s political leadership even after threats against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and following the US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

A senior Israeli official acknowledged in the same report that Israeli authorities also recognize there is no guarantee the ongoing conflict will lead to the fall of Iran’s government.

The Bangladesh Navy has intensified security measures across the country’s maritime boundaries and sea routes to ensure the safety of fuel-carrying vessels. According to a statement issued on Thursday, naval patrols and surveillance have been reinforced in areas near Chattogram port, deep-sea zones, and key maritime routes used for energy transport. The initiative aims to safeguard vessels carrying LNG, LPG, petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and crude oil, thereby maintaining uninterrupted import and export operations.

As part of the enhanced security, warships and high-speed boats have been deployed, while maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters continue aerial surveillance. These platforms are being used for continuous monitoring, enabling safe anchoring, navigation, and port operations for fuel carriers. The Navy clarified that no specific sabotage threats have been identified, describing the move as a precautionary measure to strengthen national energy transport security.

Special operational teams have also been kept ready to counter potential sabotage, piracy, smuggling, or other illegal activities. The Navy is coordinating with port authorities, the Coast Guard, law enforcement agencies, and energy companies to ensure comprehensive maritime security.

A Dhaka court has rejected the bail petition of Dhaka University sociology professor A K M Jamal Uddin in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The order was issued on Thursday, March 12, 2026, by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam. Defense lawyer Golam Rabbani confirmed the decision. Jamal Uddin was arrested on Wednesday morning from Gulistan Zero Point while participating in a program called 'Bangabandhu Peace March 2026'. He was later shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sent to jail.

During the hearing, lawyers Khair Uddin Shikder and Golam Rabbani represented Jamal Uddin, while Additional Public Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman opposed the bail. The court denied the bail and instructed prison authorities to take necessary measures if the accused sought division facilities in jail.

Jamal Uddin, known as a pro-Awami League teacher of Dhaka University’s Blue Panel, had previously faced harassment incidents on campus and during political events earlier this year.

The Bangladesh National Parliament formed five committees, including the Business Advisory Committee, on the opening day of the 13th Parliament session held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The committees were approved by voice vote of the members. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed announced the Business Advisory and Parliamentary Committees, while Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni proposed the names for the Special Committee, Privilege Committee, and Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions Committee.

The Business Advisory Committee includes Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed as chair, with members such as Leader of the House Tareq Rahman and Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman. A 14-member Special Committee, headed by Zainal Abedin, was formed to review 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period. The Privilege Committee is chaired by the Speaker, and the Private Members’ Bills Committee is led by Md. Shahjahan.

The ordinances under review include amendments to laws governing Bangladesh Bank, local government bodies, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, and the International Crimes Tribunals, among others. Two ordinances related to the July Uprising were also listed for consideration.

A total of 423 international flights have been canceled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka over the past 12 days due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirmed the cancellations in a statement on Thursday, March 12, 2026. On that day alone, 28 flights were canceled, including services by Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Jazeera Airways, Flydubai, and US-Bangla Airlines.

According to the authority, flight disruptions began on February 28, when 23 flights were canceled, followed by 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, and 39 on March 3. The cancellations continued daily through March 12, affecting routes mainly to Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and other Middle Eastern destinations. Despite the disruptions, 51 flights were scheduled to operate on March 12, including nine to Muscat, 23 to Kuwait, and 19 to the UAE.

The cancellations have significantly affected international air connectivity from Dhaka, with limited operations continuing under constrained conditions.

During the recent years of conflict in Gaza, thousands of women and girls have been killed, countless families displaced, and many have lost their homes. Yet amid destruction and uncertainty, Gaza’s women have continued to resist in their own ways—as doctors, teachers, aid workers, and especially journalists. Female reporters have shown remarkable courage, documenting the war with cameras, notebooks, and phones instead of weapons, revealing the human cost of survival under bombardment.

Among them was journalist Mariam Abu Dakka, who chronicled Gaza’s struggles until she was killed during an attack on reporters in Khan Younis. Another, photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, died with six family members when her home was bombed shortly before a documentary about her was to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival. Despite immense danger, these women continued reporting from the frontlines, often without electricity, internet, or safety.

Their perseverance has inspired younger journalists in Gaza, symbolizing that journalism is not only about news but also about preserving memory, recording history, and bearing witness to humanity amid destruction.

A Jhenaidah court has granted one-day remand for two leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement in a case related to a bus arson incident. The order was issued by Senior Judicial Magistrate Mokhlesur Rahman on Thursday morning. The two leaders are Humayun Kabir, former joint convener of the district committee, and Abu Hasnat Tanaim, convener of 'The Red July'. Police had sought a 10-day remand for interrogation, but the court approved one day. The case was filed over a bus set on fire at the Jhenaidah central bus terminal on the night of March 7.

On the same day, the court denied bail to five other leaders of the same movement and ordered them sent to jail in connection with vandalism at a filling station owned by Awami League leader Harunur Rashid. The accused include district convener Saidur Rahman, member secretary Ashiqur Rahman Jibon, senior joint convener Tashdid Hasan, joint convener Ejaz Hossain Antor, and Russell Hossain.

The incidents followed the death of student leader Fardin Ahmed Nirab, who was beaten by filling station workers after a dispute on March 7. Two separate cases were filed the next day, leading to police raids and arrests of movement activists.

Iran carried out extensive attacks on Israel over the past 24 hours, injuring 179 people, according to Israel’s Health Ministry. The ministry said most of the injured were not in serious condition and were receiving initial treatment at medical facilities. Since the start of the ongoing conflict, a total of 2,745 people have been injured in Israel. Authorities attributed the casualties to missile strikes and the deteriorating security situation, adding that emergency medical services have been reinforced.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that this marks the 40th phase of its new wave of attacks in the Middle East. The IRGC stated that the strikes targeted Israeli and U.S. military sites in the region. Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command said drones and various missiles, including Qadr, Emad, Kheibar Shekan, and Fattah, were used in the operation.

According to Iranian claims, missiles were launched toward Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, as well as U.S. military bases in Jordan’s Al-Azraq and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kharj.

Casualty figures from the ongoing Middle East conflict have risen sharply, according to the latest report published on March 12, 2026. The report indicates that at least 2,008 people have been killed and more than 13,500 injured across several countries. Iran has suffered the highest losses, with at least 1,255 dead and over 12,000 injured. Lebanon reported 634 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries, while Israel recorded 14 deaths. The United States confirmed the deaths of seven military personnel.

Additional casualties were reported in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq. Kuwait recorded six deaths, including two soldiers and an 11-year-old girl. Iraq reported 26 deaths, mostly among pro-Iran fighters. The data was sourced from Al Jazeera and reflects the widespread human toll of the conflict.

The report also mentioned related developments, including Israel’s claim of striking Iran’s nuclear facilities and multiple attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the regional escalation.

The United States has been seen loading powerful bombs onto B-1 bombers at a Royal Air Force base in the United Kingdom, suggesting preparations for potential strikes on Iran’s underground missile and drone storage sites. Video footage reportedly shows a missile launcher being removed from one of the bombers at RAF Fairford, indicating a shift in armament configuration.

Reports state that the aircraft are being equipped with Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) bombs, which require the bomber to fly within about 25 miles of its target. This implies that US aircraft may need to enter or approach Iranian airspace to carry out such operations. Analysts interpret this as a sign that the Pentagon believes much of Iran’s air defense capability has already been neutralized.

Observers note that the bombers have been positioned visibly outside hangars, apparently to signal that the United States’ most powerful weapons are ready and that Iran’s ability to counter them is limited.