The government has decided to ensure that all outstanding wages, festival bonuses, and other dues for workers are paid by the 20th day of Ramadan, according to an official statement. Additionally, factory owners have been advised to pay at least 15 days’ wages for March based on their financial capacity. This decision was made at the 85th meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC) on Thursday. Law enforcement agencies will closely monitor the situation to ensure compliance. To facilitate transactions, banks in industrial areas will remain open on March 28 and 29 (Friday and Saturday). Furthermore, no worker can be dismissed before Eid, and factory management and worker representatives will mutually decide the holiday schedule for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a court has imposed a travel ban on former Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) chief Major General (retired) Md. Safinul Islam and his wife, Soma Islam. The couple is under investigation for allegations of financial misconduct and amassing illegal assets through corruption. The ACC expressed concerns that they might flee the country to avoid investigation, prompting the court to restrict their international travel to ensure a fair investigation.

Russia has presented a list of conditions to the United States for ending the Ukraine war and rebuilding relations with Washington. The specifics of these conditions remain unclear, but Russia has previously demanded assurances that Ukraine will not join NATO, a ban on foreign military deployments in Ukraine, and international recognition of its annexation of Crimea and four other regions. Russia has long claimed that NATO’s eastward expansion is the “main cause” of the conflict and that the U.S. and Western alliances must address this. Meanwhile, the United States awaits Russia’s response on a 30-day ceasefire agreement.

In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, at least 1,015 individuals were detained as a preventive measure during Holi celebrations, and nearly a dozen mosques were covered with tarps. This included the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, among others that are the subject of Hindu nationalist group campaigns. Opposition parties and Muslim organizations have criticized these actions as a manifestation of the government’s biased policies. They allege that top administration officials and BJP leaders are inciting communal tensions by advising Muslims to stay indoors on Holi.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has arrived in Dhaka on a four-day visit at the invitation of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. He was welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday evening by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Tauhid Hossain. This marks his second visit to Bangladesh. Discussions during the visit will primarily focus on the Rohingya refugee crisis, with human rights issues also expected to be a key topic. On Friday morning, he will first meet Foreign Affairs Adviser and Special Representative Khalilur Rahman. Later, he will hold a meeting with the Chief Adviser at his office. The Secretary-General is also scheduled to visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and join an iftar gathering.

IGP Baharul Alam raised a critical question, asking, “Why should police officers have political loyalty as government employees?” He emphasized that the police force should not be aligned with any political party, whether it is Awami League or BNP. He pointed out that the excessive zeal and political loyalty of certain senior officers and members have tarnished the reputation of the police force. “Many of our brothers lost their lives while following orders from senior officers. The responsibility lies with the one who issued the orders, not with those who had to follow them,” he said. He insisted that those in positions of responsibility must face punishment, while those who were compelled to obey should receive justice from the courts.

The interim government has decided to move forward with Bangladesh’s transition from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a developing nation by 2026, reversing earlier considerations of delaying the process. The Chief Adviser has directed authorities to begin preparations to tackle the challenges associated with this transition. Bangladesh is officially set to graduate from the LDC category on November 24, 2026.

Following the recent political shift, the interim government had previously expressed concerns over alleged statistical manipulation during the League’s tenure, raising doubts about whether Bangladesh would achieve developing country status as planned. However, with the latest decision, preparations for the transition are now a priority.

The government has decided to recruit 2,000 doctors through a special BCS exam to address the shortage of doctors in hospitals, announced Professor Syedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Ministry of Health. He mentioned that doctors, who had long been deprived under the previous government, went on strike on Wednesday demanding better salaries and allowances due to accumulated frustration. A proposal has been made to raise the age limit for the BCS exam from 32 to 34 years. Efforts will be made soon to fulfill their demands through decisions. The Health Protection Law will be brought to the advisory council’s meeting in the next two to three weeks for the safety of doctors and patients, he added.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s adviser, Rana Sanaullah, has accused India of orchestrating the Balochistan train attack, claiming the attacks are being carried out from Afghanistan. He also stated that India supports both the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The rescue operation to free hostages ended successfully, with 33 militants killed. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry further claimed that India supports the terrorists involved in the attack. The militants had already killed 21 passengers before the operation began.

Bangladesh feels deeply ashamed and apologizes to Sister Aciya after the tragic death of a child sexual assault victim in Magura. Hasnat Abdullah, spokesperson of the National Citizen Party, called for the rapists’ death penalty to set an example in the country’s judicial history. The child, who suffered abuse while visiting her sister’s house, passed away on March 13, 2025, despite medical efforts. The Bangladesh Army extended condolences to the grieving family and pledged support.

The Indian government has introduced the Immigration Control and Foreigners Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha to curb illegal immigration. The proposed law stipulates a five-year prison sentence and a fine of ₹500,000 for unauthorized entry into India.

The bill explicitly states that no foreigner posing a threat to India’s sovereignty will be permitted entry or residence. Immigration officers will have the authority to arrest suspects without a warrant for violations of immigration laws. Additionally, educational institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes will be required to report foreign nationals residing on their premises.

Forgery of documents will carry a prison term of two to seven years and a fine ranging from ₹100,000 to ₹1,000,000.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, expressed deep sorrow over the death of child Afsia, a victim of rape in Magura. In a post on his verified Facebook page, he called for the swift punishment of the perpetrators within 90 days and urged the nation to unite in denouncing rapists. Dr. Rahman also prayed for strength for Afsia’s family and all those grieving her loss. He emphasized the need for both individual and institutional efforts to combat such heinous crimes.

The trial for the rape and murder of 8-year-old Asia from Magura will begin within the next seven days, according to legal adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul. He stated, “We have already arranged to receive the post-mortem report today. Asia’s body will be flown by helicopter to Magura for burial, where government adviser Farida Akhter will be present with the family until the burial.” Dr. Nazrul also confirmed that DNA samples have been collected and expressed hope of receiving the report within five days. Furthermore, statements from 12-13 individuals have been recorded under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

A tragic accident in Chattogram’s Dohazari area on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway has claimed the lives of three people, including two school-going siblings. Another student, Kazi Fahmida Washima Tushin (15), a ninth grader, was critically injured.

The accident occurred around 8:30 AM when a Chattogram-bound Purabi bus rammed into a battery-powered auto-rickshaw from behind. One student and the rickshaw driver died on the spot, while another student succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital.

The deceased have been identified as:
• Ruhul Amin (45), the auto-rickshaw driver
• Umme Habiba Rizvi (15), a school student
• Wakar Uddin Adil (12), a school student

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Islam has urged workers not to block highways in protest over unpaid wages and bonuses ahead of Eid. Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged that every worker has the right to timely wages and bonuses. He emphasized that while factories delaying payments would be held accountable, workers should not resort to road blockades that disrupt public movement. He assured that any grievances could be addressed through appropriate channels and that the police were committed to ensuring public safety during the holiday period. The IGP also noted that during Eid, when Dhaka and surrounding districts become relatively empty, law enforcement would take special measures to prevent theft and other crimes.