According to the latest update from Bangladesh Bank on Sunday, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to $21.40 billion, driven by a positive inflow of remittances. As of March 6, the gross reserves stood at $26.60 billion. Based on the IMF’s BPM6 accounting system, the current usable reserves are $21.40 billion. In February alone, remittances amounted to $2.5 billion, equivalent to over Tk 308.29 billion.

The Election Commission (EC) will issue a public notice on Monday inviting applications for new political parties seeking registration ahead of the upcoming national election, confirmed Additional Secretary KM Ali. The commission has already approved the decision, and new parties can apply for registration until April 20. After the application deadline, the EC will review and verify submissions before granting registrations to eligible parties. Currently, 54 political parties are registered with the EC.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed astonishment over the decade-long delay in implementing the Saydabad Water Treatment Plant Phase-3 and the Meghna River conservation project. He criticized the lack of progress, stating that excessive groundwater extraction is posing severe environmental risks. Officials reported that nearly 70% of Dhaka’s water supply relies on groundwater, causing an annual drop of 2-3 meters in water levels. The Chief Adviser urged authorities to remove obstacles and minimize costs to expedite project completion.

Bangladeshi students gathered at the historic Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo for Iftar as part of its 1,085-year anniversary celebrations. The event attracted hundreds of Bangladeshi students alongside visitors from Bangladesh. SM Fakhrul Islam, president of the Bangladeshi student association 'Ittehad' in Egypt, attended the event with his family. He shared his experience of observing Ramadan abroad for the first time, missing the festive atmosphere of home but appreciating the opportunity to break fast with nearly 7,000 students from diverse backgrounds.

The High Court has instructed the Women and Child Repression Tribunal to conclude the trial of an 8-year-old child’s rape case in Magura within 180 days. The directive followed a petition presented by Barrister Mahsib Hossain, who highlighted concerns over the child's well-being. Additionally, the court ordered the removal of all social media images of the victim, warning that posting such content is a legal violation, and failure to comply would result in further legal action.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has warned that a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would cause an environmental catastrophe, leading to a severe water crisis in the Persian Gulf region within three days. He emphasized that water contamination levels would rise dramatically, affecting not just Qatar but also Kuwait, the UAE, and all Gulf nations. He cautioned that such an escalation would inevitably lead to a broader conflict that neither the region nor the world desires.

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory urging citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and security risks. The advisory specifically mentions Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as high-risk regions where militant groups remain active. It warns of potential attacks on transport hubs, shopping malls, military sites, airports, universities, and places of worship. Additionally, U.S. officials in Pakistan have been restricted from attending large public gatherings.

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Khurram Shehzad confirmed that China has extended a $2 billion loan to Pakistan to help stabilize its economy. According to a World Bank report published last December, China remains Pakistan's largest creditor, holding nearly $29 billion in loans. Reuters reported that after securing a $7 billion IMF bailout in September 2024, Pakistan has been striving to strengthen its financial position. If the initial phase of the loan review is successful, Pakistan is expected to receive an additional $1 billion.

Legal expert and advisor Asif Nazrul has proposed amendments to the Prevention of Women and Child Repression Act, emphasizing that rape cases should be investigated within 15 days and trials concluded within 90 days. He noted that frequent changes in investigation officers have delayed cases in the past. Under the proposed amendment, designated officers must complete investigations within the stipulated time, and failure to conclude a trial within 90 days will not be grounds for bail, unlike the current provision allowing bail after 180 days.

Following the brutal murder of three brothers inside a mosque over a dispute regarding illegal sand extraction in Madaripur, the victims' mother, Sufia Begum, has filed a case against 49 individuals, along with 70 to 80 unidentified suspects. According to police sources, a longstanding conflict between groups led by Md. Shahjahan Khan and Matin Molla on one side and Saiful Sardar on the other escalated into a violent clash. Saiful Sardar and Atabur Sardar died on the spot, while Palash Sardar succumbed to his injuries en route to Dhaka.

A gunfight between two rival groups over territorial dominance in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya Rohingya camp resulted in the death of a 33-year-old Rohingya youth, Mohammad Rafique. According to Acting Battalion Commander Mohammad Fazle Rabbi of the APBN, the youth, who had an intellectual disability, was caught in the crossfire and succumbed to gunshot wounds. Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Arif Hossain stated that the armed groups ARSA and RSO engaged in a sudden clash near Balukhali Camp 8-W and 8-East, during which the youth was fatally shot.

Visiting the eight-year-old rape victim at CMH, Home Adviser Jahangir Alam vowed strict legal action against all involved in the crime. He assured that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual violence. Four suspects have been arrested so far. The adviser also directed authorities to expedite investigations and submit reports to the court as soon as possible.

Islamic scholar Mizanur Rahman Azhari has criticized the country’s legal and judicial system, stating that its leniency emboldens rapists. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "A silenced Bangladesh! The entire nation is in shock! Where is the safety of our daughters? Who will ensure their protection?" He called for the establishment of special tribunals to ensure strict enforcement of laws against sexual violence. According to Azhari, failure to deliver exemplary punishment will only lead to repeated incidents of such crimes.

Protests erupted in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Saturday, leading to violent clashes with security forces. One protester, identified as Lalgauthang Singsit (30), was shot and killed in Kithelmanbi, succumbing to his injuries en route to the hospital. The protests were triggered by opposition to Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive for unrestricted movement across the state. As security forces attempted to disperse the crowds using tear gas, tensions escalated into full-blown confrontations.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared that Tehran will never succumb to US pressure to engage in negotiations. This response follows former US President Donald Trump’s claim that he sent a letter to Iran’s leadership proposing talks on the nuclear deal. Trump had stated, "There are two ways to handle Iran: military action or an agreement preventing them from acquiring nuclear weapons." Khamenei dismissed this, saying Washington’s true intent is to impose its own terms on Iran, which will never be accepted.