Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested three members of the banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir while they were allegedly planning a pre-announced program at Baitul Mukarram. DMP spokesperson Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed the arrests on Friday morning. The detainees were identified as Monirul Islam (40), Mohtasin Billah (40), and Mahmudul Hasan (21). The DMP had earlier warned that any attempt by banned organizations to hold gatherings would face strict action. The arrests were made during a late-night raid in Uttara’s Sector 11 and Sector 12.

In a special operation on Thursday evening, the Bangladesh Navy recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition in Kutubdia Upazila. While no suspects were arrested, officials revealed that the raid was conducted based on intelligence reports. The recovered items included a single-barrel shotgun, a shotgun, and six rounds of live ammunition, all found abandoned in the Manoharkhali area of Baraghop Union. The seized weapons have been handed over to Kutubdia police for further legal proceedings. The navy has assured continued efforts to prevent illegal arms trafficking in the region.

In a case related to the 2016 police operation at a so-called militant hideout in Kalayanpur, the International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the arrest of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque, former DMP Commissioner Md. Asaduzzaman Mia, and former Mirpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Jasim Uddin. The operation, which was later deemed controversial, resulted in the fatal shooting of nine young men with Islamic leanings, allegedly under a fabricated narrative. The tribunal has directed authorities to present the three accused before the court on March 24 in connection with charges of crimes against humanity.

China has vowed to retaliate against U.S. tariffs, declaring its readiness to engage in any trade war. The Chinese Embassy in Washington issued a statement condemning the latest tariff hikes imposed by the U.S. government. Former President Donald Trump, in his first speech after securing a second term, announced additional tariffs, set to take effect on April 2. In response, China, along with Canada and Mexico, has threatened countermeasures. Analysts warn that the situation is escalating into a full-scale global trade war. On Tuesday night, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, while Chinese goods were hit with an additional 10% tariff.

At least 48 people have been killed in violent clashes between Syrian government forces and loyalist fighters of former president Bashar al-Assad. Among the dead are 16 security personnel. The violence erupted in the Latakia province, prompting the authorities to impose a curfew in the region. Syrian state media agency SANA reported that government troops are now advancing toward the city of Jableh with “significant military reinforcements.” The Syrian-based Step News Agency stated that government forces had killed around 70 former pro-Assad fighters and detained over 25. The country’s defense ministry has called for the surrender of weapons to restore order.

Danish beauty queen and Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, is set to visit Bangladesh in May for humanitarian work, announced Bangladeshi Ambassador to Mexico, Mushfiqur Fazal Ansari. In a Facebook post, he expressed his delight at welcoming Theilvig and her team to the Bangladeshi Embassy. Theilvig made history by becoming the first Miss Universe from Denmark. Her upcoming visit aims to engage in philanthropic activities in Bangladesh.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, revealed that he had warned the Bangladesh Army against participating in the crackdown during the mass uprising. “Their main concern was what we would say and do. We cautioned the army that if they got involved, they might no longer be able to send peacekeepers. As a result, we saw changes,” Türk stated. He also mentioned that when Professor Yunus took over as the chief advisor of the interim government, he immediately requested an investigative team to look into the incidents, which the UN complied with. Türk noted that Bangladeshi students expressed gratitude for their efforts.

Fugitive Awami League leaders are reportedly taking refuge in various Indian cities, primarily Kolkata, and conspiring to destabilize Bangladesh. They are allegedly in contact with criminals, smugglers, and armed groups to incite unrest. Around 45,000 party members have fled to India, using digital platforms to coordinate activities. Reports suggest they aim to undermine the interim government and disrupt upcoming elections. Key leaders, including former ministers, are said to be stationed in Kolkata and Delhi, strategizing to regain power and obstruct ongoing legal proceedings.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has affirmed that the Abu Sayeed murder case is receiving top priority, with every possible effort being made to ensure justice. Addressing concerns over cases where autopsies were not conducted, he acknowledged that many incidents, especially those after August 5, were not properly registered as cases. Some incidents led to multiple cases being filed, while in others, even burials were not possible, making hospital autopsies unimaginable. The IGP emphasized that if justice is to be served for these deaths, mere legal technicalities should not stand in the way. He stressed the importance of ensuring fair trials for the victims, the movement, and the martyrs.

Abdur Rahman Khan, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), has stated that Bangladesh lags behind the global average in VAT and tax collection, making the country increasingly dependent on foreign aid. He emphasized that boosting revenue is essential for national development. To build an equitable Bangladesh, everyone must pay taxes according to their financial capacity, he added. Khan also pointed out that while developed nations such as European countries collect 45% in taxes, the US collects 35%, and Japan collects 24%, Bangladesh’s tax collection remains slightly above 7%. He assured that efforts are underway to simplify online tax return submissions and encouraged citizens to utilize the digital platform for filing complaints if they face issues.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has strongly criticized Donald Trump’s support for Russia regarding Ukraine, calling him a “thug.” Speaking on Thursday, De Wever said, “What Trump is doing is completely against Europe’s interests. He is a real thug.” Despite this, he reaffirmed Belgium’s unwavering support for Ukraine while maintaining diplomatic ties with the US. He emphasized that NATO remains a crucial alliance, and no single president can alter that.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to European allies at the EU Summit on Thursday. “We are deeply thankful that we are not alone,” he said. He also accused former US President Donald Trump of aiding Russia in dismantling the global order, adding that Trump’s stance on Ukraine has left all of Europe anxious. EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen warned that Europe is facing an unprecedented threat and convened a special meeting of 27 EU countries in Brussels to discuss defense spending and the possibility of forming a military alliance.

Seven individuals, including two women, were arrested for involvement in robbery and mugging in Savar, police announced at a press conference on Thursday. The operation led to the recovery of 13 stolen mobile phones. On March 1, a victim named Lutfor Rahman was mugged by a group of 7-8 individuals, including two women, on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway while heading home.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that UN Secretary-General António Guterres will visit Dhaka from March 13 for a four-day trip, titled “Ramadan Solidarity Visit.” As a gesture of solidarity with the Muslim community, he will observe one day of fasting during his stay. Last year, Guterres visited Egypt and Jordan, where he also fasted in respect for Muslim traditions. This will be his second visit to Bangladesh, following his 2023 trip focused on the Rohingya crisis and climate change.

Railways Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam announced that advance train ticket sales for Eid-ul-Fitr will begin on March 14 and continue until March 20. This year, five special Eid trains will operate, with the Eid travel period starting from March 24. The number of additional trains is yet to be finalized, but routes will be determined based on passenger demand. Each day, 35,315 advance tickets will be available from Dhaka.