The National Citizen Party (NCP) is set to launch its women's organization, 'Nari Shakti', on Sunday in Dhaka. The inauguration event will take place at 10 a.m. at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha. The program will mark the official beginning of the new wing under the NCP’s structure.

According to the NCP, the event will also include a discussion on the growing violence against women and the need for justice in rape cases. NCP Convener Nahid Islam will attend the program as the chief guest. The initiative aims to highlight women’s issues and strengthen the party’s engagement with gender-related social concerns.

The launch of 'Nari Shakti' signals the NCP’s effort to expand its organizational presence and address pressing issues affecting women in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s women’s affairs secretary, Nurunnisa Siddika, extended greetings and congratulations to all women in Bangladesh and around the world on the occasion of International Women’s Day. In a statement issued on Saturday, March 7, she said that true empowerment of women is possible only when their safety and dignity are ensured both at home and in society.

Siddika emphasized that March 8 is a day to reaffirm commitments to women’s rights, security, and human dignity. She noted that the theme of this year’s observance, “Today’s steps for tomorrow’s justice—protecting the rights of women and girls,” should be implemented in real life rather than remain symbolic. She expressed concern over recent incidents of violence and insecurity affecting women and girls in Bangladesh.

She added that Islam grants women the highest honor and that ensuring their God-given rights can help build a just and humane society. Siddika called on families, communities, and the state to play responsible roles in creating an environment where women can live safely and contribute fully to national development.

Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has intensified her campaign ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. Speaking from a protest stage, she warned that if the central government and the BJP continue their actions, she would bring down the Delhi government. Banerjee demanded free and peaceful elections in West Bengal and condemned the alleged large-scale exclusion of names from the voter list.

On the second day of her sit-in protest at Dharmatala, which began on Friday, Banerjee declared that the movement would continue until the full bench of the Election Commission visits the state. She reportedly spent the previous night at the protest site. In a separate announcement, Banerjee said that beneficiaries of the state’s 'Yubasathi' (Yubashree) project would start receiving their 1,500-rupee allowance directly in their bank accounts from Saturday, March 7, instead of waiting until April 1.

She also called on the public to take to the streets on Sunday with kitchen utensils to protest the recent rise in cooking gas prices.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all women around the world on the occasion of International Women’s Day, observed on Saturday, March 7, 2026. In his message, he emphasized that sustainable national development is only possible when women’s rights, education, health, safety, and participation are ensured. He described this year’s theme, “Today’s steps, tomorrow’s justice—protect the rights of women and girls,” as highly significant, noting that women make up nearly half of the global population.

The Prime Minister highlighted the historical contributions of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia to women’s political and economic empowerment, including the establishment of the Women’s Affairs Department in 1976 and the creation of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in 1994. He also mentioned initiatives such as free education for girls up to grade twelve and the current government’s “Family Card” program to strengthen women’s economic empowerment.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring women’s participation in education, economy, health, and politics, and stressed strict measures against cyberbullying and online harassment to guarantee women’s safety.

A week after the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran, instability has spread across the Middle East. Despite the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and heavy attacks on Iranian forces, the conflict has escalated into a regional war. President Donald Trump now faces growing challenges in turning military gains into a clear geopolitical victory, with analysts warning of prolonged U.S. involvement.

Experts describe the campaign, named Operation Epic Fury, as the largest U.S. military action since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Trump’s administration says its goals are to destroy Iran’s missile and naval capabilities and prevent nuclear weapons development, but critics note the lack of a defined endgame. Rising oil prices due to halted tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and growing voter opposition ahead of midterm elections have added pressure. Some Gulf allies and U.S. strategists have also questioned the political wisdom of the war.

Analysts warn that the economic shock and regional backlash could undermine U.S. influence and Trump’s domestic standing if the conflict continues without a clear resolution.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman hosted an iftar gathering with orphans and Islamic scholars at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Saturday. During the event, he announced a government plan to make zakat management more effective and targeted to combat poverty. Rahman said that with structured and goal-oriented distribution, zakat could play a decisive role in eradicating poverty within 10 to 15 years.

He explained that while many wealthy individuals in Bangladesh already pay zakat privately or through the government’s Zakat Board, the lack of organized distribution limits its impact. Citing research estimates of annual zakat amounts exceeding Tk 20,000–25,000 crore, he emphasized that better planning could transform zakat into a powerful poverty alleviation tool. Rahman proposed identifying poor families and providing targeted zakat support to help them become self-reliant.

Rahman also urged Islamic scholars to raise awareness among the wealthy about responsible zakat distribution and suggested reorganizing the national Zakat Board under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. He expressed hope that Bangladesh could become a model for zakat-based poverty reduction in the Islamic world.

Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, chief coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said that no leader or activist of the organization will engage in unethical activities, nor will they allow such acts. He warned that any allegation of misconduct would result in immediate organizational action. He made these remarks on Saturday evening at a joint meeting of the party’s central, Dhaka North-South, and basic trade union units at the central office in Naya Paltan.

Shimul Biswas stated that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure smooth Eid travel, emphasizing that passenger harassment, extortion, and overcharging in the transport sector will be strictly curbed. He also noted that recruitment in industries and factories has been stagnant for a long time and urged that vacancies be filled to create employment opportunities. According to him, the current democratic government is committed to merit-based recruitment.

The meeting, chaired by Anwar Hossain and conducted by publicity secretary Manjurul Islam Manju, discussed ongoing organizational tours aimed at strengthening the Workers’ Party.

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami attended an iftar gathering organized by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. The event took place on Saturday evening at the Ruposhi Hall of Hotel InterContinental. It was attended by prominent politicians, diplomats from various foreign missions in Dhaka, and distinguished citizens. The information was confirmed through a press release issued by Jamaat’s central publicity department.

Representing Jamaat-e-Islami, central executive council members Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP and Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand were present at the event. The iftar was part of the Indian High Commission’s annual Ramadan engagement with political and diplomatic circles in Bangladesh, according to the press release.

The participation of Jamaat leaders in the Indian High Commission’s event highlights ongoing diplomatic and political interactions among diverse political groups and foreign missions in Dhaka during the Ramadan season.

Iranian presidential spokesperson stated that President Masoud Pezeshkian’s message was clear: if regional countries do not assist the United States in any attack against Iran, Tehran will not target them. The statement, broadcast on Iran’s state television, emphasized that the Islamic Republic will never bow to aggression and will respond appropriately to any hostile action in line with its armed forces’ directives.

Earlier, President Pezeshkian had expressed regret to neighboring states and reiterated that Iran would not initiate attacks unless first provoked. Despite these assurances, reports on Friday indicated that missile and drone strikes had been intercepted from neighboring territories.

The comments come amid heightened regional tensions, with Iranian officials seeking to clarify their defensive stance while maintaining readiness to respond to any external aggression.

A violent clash broke out between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the Baitipara area of Gazipur on Saturday around 11:30 a.m. The confrontation, reportedly over disputes involving jhoot (garment waste) trading, led to attacks and the explosion of several crude bombs. A motorcycle was also set on fire during the incident, prompting authorities to deploy additional police forces in the area.

According to local residents, the conflict stemmed from a long-standing dispute between two BNP groups over jhoot materials from Manol Fashion Garments. The clash began when supporters of Kaushik Khan attempted to collect the materials and were obstructed by a group led by Jubo Dal leader Nazmul. Locals reported hearing multiple explosions during the altercation.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police’s Basan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Harunur Rashid stated that police visited the scene after receiving reports of unrest. He confirmed the existence of a dispute over jhoot materials but said no evidence of gunfire or crude bombs was found. Police remain deployed to maintain order in the industrial area.

Police arrested four members of the Awami League under an anti-terrorism case after they attempted to gather at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka on Saturday morning. The group, consisting of about 15 to 20 people, was marching from Dhanmondi-27 toward Dhanmondi-32 to place flowers when police intervened. The procession dispersed following police obstruction, and officers detained one man and three women from the scene.

Kolabagan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Fazle Ashiq confirmed that the four detainees were charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sent to court. The arrests followed a ban on the Awami League’s planned flower-laying activity at Dhanmondi-32. No further details about the charges or subsequent legal proceedings were provided in the report.

The incident highlights ongoing restrictions on political gatherings in Dhaka, though the report does not specify the broader context or official reasoning behind the prohibition.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that Bangladesh is facing an intensified energy crisis due to the ongoing global war situation. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Saturday night, he warned that if the global situation continues, it could have negative effects on the country’s social and economic life.

He urged the government to identify alternative energy sources and take realistic measures on an urgent basis to address the crisis. He also called for strict action to prevent the formation of new syndicates during this period and emphasized the need for strong security to stop any possible smuggling of fuel from the country.

The statement reflects growing concern over the impact of international instability on Bangladesh’s energy supply and the need for immediate policy responses to safeguard the economy and public welfare.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that more could be done to create conditions for dialogue with Iran, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. The conversation took place on Saturday, during which Erdogan said Turkey’s diplomatic efforts were continuing and that Ankara was closely monitoring developments following recent attacks on Iran.

Erdogan warned that prolonged intervention could cause serious harm to regional and global stability. Turkey emphasized that diplomatic dialogue remains the most effective way to reduce tensions and resolve the crisis. The statement reflects Ankara’s consistent position favoring negotiation over escalation in regional conflicts.

The call underscores Turkey’s ongoing engagement in regional diplomacy as tensions rise following attacks on Iranian targets. Ankara’s focus on dialogue suggests it seeks to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.

Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Raksu) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar stated that the leaders who led Nepal’s recent mass uprising have now formed the government. He attributed this to the absence of what he called the Dhaka University or 'brotherhood' culture. Ammar made the remarks on Friday in a verified Facebook post.

In his post, Ammar reflected on his involvement in campus movements during the period when the 'pet quota' protest was active. He alleged that many national-level leaders were so preoccupied with internal matters that they failed to raise a strong voice from Dhaka University demanding the abolition of the quota. He also mentioned that while large cultural programs were held at Dhaka University, his efforts to organize similar events at Rajshahi University were ignored.

Wishing success to Nepal’s 'Gen-Z government', Ammar said any party formed by the uprising leaders would be his 'beloved organization'. He criticized the culture of favoritism and fan-based evaluation in politics, saying it had driven many activists away from their organizations.

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has issued a warning that individuals who share photos or videos of sites damaged by recent US and Israeli attacks will face severe consequences. In a statement released on March 7, 2026, the ministry said that taking pictures of affected areas and sending them to what it described as “terrorist satellite networks, virtual pages, or enemy media channels” would be treated as collaboration with hostile forces.

The ministry labeled those involved in such activities as “mercenaries” working for Israel and stated that it would monitor these “Israeli soldiers” and take legal action against them. It also urged the public to report any information about such activities to the authorities.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions following attacks that damaged Iranian facilities, with the government seeking to control information flow and prevent the dissemination of images from affected areas.