Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor A.J.M. Zahid Hossain said that the canal excavation initiative, emphasized by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman before the election, will help maintain environmental balance and increase agricultural production. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon after inspecting a canal at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur district.

The minister noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Faridpur area in Dinajpur on March 16 to pay respects at the graves of his grandparents and aunt. He also highlighted that northern Bangladesh has fewer trees compared to other regions, with only about 8 to 9 percent of land covered by greenery, whereas at least 25 percent coverage is needed for a balanced environment.

As part of the government’s ongoing green revolution efforts, the minister announced that the formal inauguration of the canal excavation program will take place on March 16 in Kaharol, marking the beginning of this environmental and agricultural development initiative.

The BNP government will begin a pilot program to provide monthly honorariums to imams, muezzins, and khadems at 4,908 mosques across Bangladesh before Eid-ul-Fitr. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the initiative on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the program on March 12.

The initiative also includes 990 Hindu temples, 144 Buddhist monasteries, and 396 Christian churches. Under the pilot phase, each mosque will receive Tk 10,000 per month, distributed as Tk 5,000 for the imam, Tk 3,000 for the muezzin, and Tk 2,000 for the khadem. Temples, monasteries, and churches will each receive Tk 8,000, divided among their respective religious leaders and assistants. Annual festival bonuses are also planned, with Tk 1,000 twice yearly for mosque staff and Tk 2,000 for other major religious festivals.

The government plans to implement the program in four phases, requiring Tk 1,100 crore in 2026–27 and rising to Tk 4,400 crore by 2029–30 for full implementation.

Kenyan authorities have arrested a Chinese citizen, Zhang Kekun, at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 2,000 queen ants out of the country. The insects, identified as Messor cephalotes, are protected under international biodiversity conservation agreements, and their trade is strictly regulated. Security officers discovered the ants packed in specialized test tubes and tissue paper rolls inside Zhang’s luggage, which was bound for China.

Prosecutor Allen Mulama told the court that 1,948 ants were found in test tubes and another 300 hidden in tissue rolls. Investigators requested permission to conduct forensic examinations of Zhang’s electronic devices. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) stated that investigations are ongoing in other cities where ant collection is suspected, and more arrests may follow.

KWS had previously warned of rising demand for these garden ants in Europe and Asia, where collectors keep them as pets. In May of the previous year, a Kenyan court sentenced four individuals for a similar smuggling attempt, marking the country’s first such case.

Road Transport, Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that from March 15, adequate fuel supply will be ensured for public transport across Bangladesh. He confirmed that fuel prices will not increase, eliminating the risk of fare hikes or transport disruptions due to fuel shortages. The assurance came from the energy minister, according to Sheikh Robiul Alam, who made the remarks on March 13 while inspecting Dhaka’s main railway station on the first day of Eid train operations.

The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed authorities to modernize and make rail communication more people-friendly, enabling faster and more comfortable long-distance travel. He noted that around 12.5 to 15 million people leave Dhaka within two to three days during Eid, posing a major logistical challenge that the government is working to manage efficiently.

To strengthen the transport system, new coaches, buses, and vessels will be added, and discipline in bus operations will be improved. The minister also mentioned enhanced security measures involving multiple law enforcement agencies and volunteers to ensure smooth Eid travel.

The Indian rupee fell to its lowest level in history on Friday, trading at 92.39 per US dollar, surpassing the previous record of 92.3575. The decline followed growing concerns over energy supply disruptions and surging oil prices triggered by the ongoing war centered on Iran. Analysts cautioned that if the Middle East conflict continues, inflationary pressures in India could intensify further.

According to Reuters, the rupee has lost more than one percent of its value since the start of the Iran conflict. However, the Reserve Bank of India’s market interventions have helped keep the currency relatively stable compared with other emerging economies. Official data showed India’s consumer price index inflation rose to 3.21 percent in February, up from a revised 2.74 percent in January, marking a ten‑month high.

Food inflation also increased to 3.47 percent in February from 2.13 percent the previous month. The revised CPI now uses 2024 as the base year and expands the basket of goods from 299 to 358 items.

A wave of mourning has swept through Mongla in Bagerhat after nine members of the same family were found dead on Friday, March 13, 2026. The bodies were placed side by side in the courtyard of their home on Sattar Lane, where only days earlier the family had celebrated a wedding. Relatives, neighbors, and people from distant areas gathered at the house, many weeping or standing silently in shock as the atmosphere turned heavy with grief.

According to family members, the tragedy struck while the family was returning home with the newlywed bride after the wedding festivities. The bodies were brought from Khulna and Rampal in Bagerhat late Thursday night and kept at the family home in Mongla. The courtyard, once filled with joy, has now become a place of deep sorrow.

Residents described the incident as one of the most heartbreaking events Mongla has ever witnessed, leaving the entire community in mourning.

The United States has initiated a trade investigation against several countries, including Bangladesh, India, and China, following a court decision that invalidated a key part of Donald Trump’s tariff policy. The U.S. Trade Representative announced the probe under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, aiming to examine alleged unfair trade practices and structural overcapacity in manufacturing sectors. The investigation could provide a legal basis for imposing new import tariffs, with results expected by next summer.

The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that limited Trump’s authority to impose tariffs under emergency powers, requiring congressional approval for such actions. In response, Trump announced a new 10 percent global tariff, with the possibility of raising it to 15 percent. The investigation covers 14 countries and the European Union, excluding Canada.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the inclusion of Bangladesh is uncomfortable but not alarming, citing improvements in labor rights and limited U.S. market exposure. Industry leaders urged the government to prepare strategically to avoid potential tariff hikes exceeding 19 percent.

Thirteen young men from Jamalganj upazila in Sunamganj, Bangladesh, have been taken hostage by a mafia group in Libya while attempting to reach Italy through human traffickers. The victims, who left home on January 28 and arrived in Libya via the UAE, Kuwait, and Egypt, were captured on February 25 in Tripoli. Their families report receiving video calls from the captors showing scenes of torture and demanding ransom payments. Initially, the mafia demanded 2.6 million taka per person but later agreed to release them for 1.2 million taka each.

Relatives identified three local traffickers—Diloara Begum, her son Humayun, and son-in-law Nazrul Islam—as those who arranged the trip for 1.3 million taka per person. These traffickers have since gone into hiding. Families have been selling property and borrowing money to pay ransoms, while one victim, Yasin Mia, reportedly escaped but was detained by Libyan police. Local police in Jamalganj confirmed awareness of the case but said no formal complaint has yet been filed.

Families remain in distress, fearing further harm to their sons if they speak publicly, as the mafia has threatened retaliation following earlier media reports.

The United States has temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, allowing their sale until April 11. The US Treasury Department announced that shipments already loaded on vessels by March 12 can be traded freely on global markets. The decision follows a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran, after which Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a global energy shortage.

According to the US Commerce Ministry, the move is part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to stabilize global energy markets while addressing potential threats from Iran. The ministry emphasized that the temporary measure applies only to Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded before the deadline.

The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, serving as a key route for exports from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iraq. The temporary easing of sanctions aims to mitigate disruptions in global energy supply caused by the regional conflict and trade restrictions.

Rising oil prices following US-Israel strikes on Iran are intensifying economic pressure on American consumers, even as President Donald Trump declared the war a swift victory. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, halting Gulf oil shipments and pushing prices above $100 per barrel, with warnings that they could reach $200. Experts say the economic impact will depend on how long the conflict lasts and how quickly shipping resumes. The International Energy Agency called the situation the largest supply disruption in global oil market history.

Analysts warn that a prolonged conflict could trigger 1970s-style stagflation or recession. Gasoline prices in the US have risen to $3.59 per gallon, up 65 cents since February, with further increases expected if the war continues. Supply chain disruptions are already causing port congestion and could soon raise prices for goods, plastics, and fertilizers. Economists note that higher oil costs could keep inflation elevated, complicating Federal Reserve policy and keeping mortgage rates high.

Experts also highlight long-term consequences, including higher debt costs, reduced job creation from military spending, and a global realignment as countries seek to reduce reliance on the US.

Fuel shortages have led to long queues and protests in multiple countries as the global energy market faces severe disruption. The shortages are linked to rising fuel prices that have intensified public frustration and logistical challenges worldwide.

According to the source, the continuing US-Israeli war on Iran has disrupted global energy supplies, contributing to the surge in fuel prices. The resulting scarcity has affected transportation and daily life in many regions, prompting widespread demonstrations and long waiting lines at fuel stations.

The situation underscores the vulnerability of global energy markets to geopolitical conflicts and suggests potential for further unrest if supply disruptions persist.

A Dhaka court has ordered the arrest of former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque in connection with the Abdul Kaiyum murder case under Jatrabari Police Station. The order was issued on Thursday by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Jamshed Alam after a hearing. Earlier, Inspector Khaled Hasan of Jatrabari Police Station filed a petition seeking to show Haque as arrested in the case, citing concerns that his release on bail could influence the investigation and cause public unrest.

The petition described Haque as an influential figure whose release might disrupt law and order. The court granted the petition after considering these factors. Haque also faces separate cases in Fatullah and Shahbagh police stations, including allegations of forgery and delivering unlawful verdicts. Preliminary evidence reportedly links him to these incidents.

According to the case statement, the July 18, 2024, protest in Kajla, Jatrabari, demanding quota reform and equality, turned violent after alleged incitement by Haque, leading to the shooting death of Abdul Kaiyum. A murder case was later filed at Jatrabari Police Station.

The government of Bangladesh is set to resume discussions with a Japanese consortium to expedite the launch of the long-delayed third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The meeting will take place tomorrow at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, and representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh are expected to attend.

According to official sources, this will be the first formal discussion on the matter since the new BNP-led government assumed office. The initiative aims to resolve long-standing contractual and operational complications that have delayed the terminal’s opening. The discussions will focus on terminal management, operational control, and revenue sharing with the Japanese consortium.

The outcome of the meeting will be presented to the Prime Minister on Saturday, after which a policy decision regarding the terminal’s launch is expected.

Police in Tongi, Gazipur, arrested 16 individuals on Thursday morning during a special operation targeting alleged involvement in robbery and drug trafficking. The arrests took place in the Ershadnagar and Bank Math slum areas, where officers also seized locally made weapons from several houses.

According to police, the operation was launched following long-standing complaints of robbery and drug dealing in the area. The detainees include individuals identified as Shakil, Joy, Zahid, Hridoy, Shanto, Sohag, Mamun, Nasir, Khalid Hasan, Shiba, Parvez, Masum, Kiran, Muktar, Mainuddin Rabbi, and Joy alias Moto Joy.

Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan stated that legal action has been initiated against the arrested persons, who have been sent to the Gazipur court for further proceedings.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon stated that protecting all types of business ventures is a responsibility of the government. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing an iftar gathering organized by the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB).

Highlighting the difficulties faced by cable operators, the minister noted that the rise of internet-based platforms such as IPTV and online streaming services has posed significant challenges to the traditional cable television business worldwide. He emphasized that if the government can establish a proper technological framework, it would be possible to ensure protection for business operators.

Swapon urged COAB leaders to present the technical aspects of the cable TV industry through experts and affirmed his commitment to understanding and addressing the sector’s issues from multiple perspectives. He also announced plans to continue consultations with COAB to find solutions to the operators’ problems.