Veteran journalist Shafik Rehman has regained the declaration for the daily newspaper Jaijaidin after 17 years. Previously, the government revoked the paper’s declaration citing violations of publication laws. According to officials, Jaijaidin was in breach of Section 10 of the Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration and Registration) Act, 1973. As a result, the declaration held by publisher and printer Saeed Hossain Chowdhury was nullified.

A court has ordered the freezing of 163 bank accounts belonging to Sheikh Hasina’s Press Secretary Naeemul Islam Khan, his wife Nasima Khan Monty, and their three children. These accounts hold a total of BDT 62.5 million. The investigation revealed that BDT 3.86 billion was deposited into these accounts, of which BDT 3.79 billion has already been withdrawn. Authorities have launched a probe into allegations of money laundering and acquiring assets beyond known sources of income. The court ruled that the accounts must be frozen to prevent the transfer of these funds.

Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has stated that Tulsi Gabbard’s comments will not impact economic relations between Bangladesh and the United States. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s economy is no longer on the brink of collapse; instead, it is making a strong recovery. “Many are now looking at Bangladesh with interest. While some issues remain, the overall situation is satisfactory,” he said. The government is progressing towards the goal of LDC graduation by 2026, and logistical bottlenecks in goods clearance have been resolved. “Businesses often attempt to manipulate systems, but we are working to maintain control,” he added.

The Ministry of Information has issued a directive prohibiting the publication of any identifying details—such as names or photographs—of rape victims in news reports or media broadcasts.

Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain has confirmed that Umrah visas for Bangladeshis have not been suspended. He clarified that after reports surfaced about halted visa issuance, the ministry promptly engaged with the Saudi embassy to ensure continued visa processing. On March 13, the Secretary of the Ministry sent a formal letter to the Saudi ambassador in Dhaka. An audio message from the Saudi envoy also reaffirmed that there was no suspension. The adviser urged Bangladeshi Hajj and Umrah agencies to ensure proper bookings and airline tickets for pilgrims through authorized Saudi agents.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has reported the detection of 59 Chinese military aircraft near its airspace. This is the highest number recorded since last October when President Lai Ching-te referred to China as a ‘foreign adversary.’ Additionally, Taiwan detected nine Chinese warships and two surveillance balloons within a 24-hour period.

Muslim organizations in India have staged large-scale protests in Delhi against the contentious Waqf Bill. Opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party, also participated. Protesters demanded the bill’s withdrawal. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has announced another protest in Patna on March 20. The bill mandates that at least two non-Muslim members be included in the Waqf Board, alongside representatives from Shia, Sunni, and backward Muslim communities. It also transfers survey responsibilities from the Survey Commissioner to district collectors and revokes Waqf status from government properties. The opposition has strongly criticized the bill.

A tribunal has sentenced Ziaur Rahman to death for the 2017 rape and murder of 14-year-old Tanzila Akter in Banaghata, Dohar. In addition to capital punishment, he has been fined 200,000 BDT, which will be provided to the victim’s family by selling his assets. Ziaur Rahman is currently absconding, and the court has issued an arrest warrant against him. The crime occurred on October 21, 2018, when Rahman abducted Tanzila from a vegetable field, raped her, and slit her throat.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Managing Director of Titas Gas have been served with a contempt of court notice. The High Court had previously ruled that the gas connection of Capital Board Mills Limited should not be disconnected. However, on March 5, Titas Gas severed the factory’s gas supply, violating the court order. As a result, production halted, leaving 700 workers unemployed and disrupting paper supplies for the National Curriculum and Textbook Board. The notice demands the gas connection be restored within 24 hours, failing which contempt proceedings will be initiated.

The High Court has suspended the Election Commission’s (EC) public notice regarding the registration of new political parties. Additionally, the court issued a ruling questioning the legality of the notice. The petition was filed by Hasnat Kaiyum, who argued that EC rules require a political party to have committees in at least 100 upazilas and 22 districts. However, in three hilly districts, there are only 20 upazilas combined, effectively barring indigenous groups from forming regional political parties.

Hindu nationalist groups launched attacks on Muslims in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Monday night. Rioters threw stones, set shops and vehicles on fire, prompting police to use tear gas. Authorities later imposed a curfew. At least six civilians and three police officers were injured. By early Tuesday morning, police had arrested 20 individuals. The violence erupted following false rumors that Muslims burned the Quran in retaliation for the vandalization of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

The tenure of the commission investigating enforced disappearances under the ruling League government has been extended until June 30. Formed on August 27, the commission was tasked with investigating disappearances between January 6, 2009, and August 5, 2023, under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956. The initial deadline for submitting the report was March 14, but it has now been extended. The five-member commission is chaired by Moinul Islam Chowdhury.

One of Bangladesh's largest rail bridges, the Jamuna Rail Bridge, has been inaugurated. The opening ceremony took place at 11:40 AM on Tuesday at Ibrahimabad Railway Station in Tangail. The event was attended by Bangladesh Railway Secretary Fahimul Islam as the chief guest, alongside special guests—Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinchi and JICA South Asia Division Director Mr. Ito Teruyaki. Following the inauguration ceremony, the dignitaries will travel by train to Saydabad Railway Station in Sirajganj, where the Jamuna Rail Bridge authorities are scheduled to hold a press conference.

Garment workers in Gazipur staged a two-and-a-half-hour blockade on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway after one of their colleagues, Sabina Yasmin (29), was fatally struck by a speeding private car.

The protest escalated when police attempted to disperse the demonstrators, leading to clashes between law enforcement and the workers. At least 10 people, including six police officers, were injured in the altercation.

According to witnesses, Sabina, an employee of Refitt Garments Limited, was returning to the factory after the iftar break. Around 7 PM, while crossing the highway near the factory, a fast-moving Dhaka-bound private car hit her, leaving her critically injured. She succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital.

In Jessore, a known criminal, Mir Sadi Ahmed (32), was shot dead by another notorious gangster, Tattoo Suman. Both Suman and the deceased Sadi were operatives of top crime boss Mehboob Rahman Mansel. Initial reports suggest that the murder was a result of an internal conflict over money distribution.

The attack occurred on Monday night when Sadi, accompanied by his cousin Rakib, arrived in front of their house on a motorcycle. Suman and Mehedi ambushed them, stabbing Sadi. As Rakib tried to restrain Tattoo Suman, the attackers fired multiple rounds, hitting both Sadi and Rakib before fleeing the scene. Sadi sustained gunshot wounds to the neck and chest and later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.