The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended sanctions on India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), citing serious violations of religious freedom. In its 2026 annual report, the commission proposed designating India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), noting a significant deterioration in religious freedom conditions during 2025.

According to the report, India’s government introduced and enforced new laws targeting religious minorities and their places of worship, while several states strengthened anti-conversion laws with harsher penalties. The report also alleged widespread detention and deportation of religious refugees, and insufficient action against extremist groups involved in attacks on minorities. Specific incidents in Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, and other states were cited as examples of escalating violence and official inaction.

USCIRF urged the US government to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and organizations responsible for these violations, including asset freezes and travel bans on groups such as the RSS.

Thirty-five defeated candidates from the 13th National Parliamentary Election have filed separate petitions in the High Court, alleging irregularities in the voting process. The petitions were accepted by the single bench of Justice Md Zakir Hossain, who ordered the Election Commission to preserve ballots, CCTV footage, and other relevant materials. Notices were also issued to the winning candidates.

Among the petitioners are 21 candidates from the BNP, 12 from Jamaat-e-Islami, and one each from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and the Liberal Democratic Party. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Ruhul Quddus Kajol represented two of the BNP candidates in hearings concerning Dhaka-16 and Dhaka-4 constituencies. The petitions include allegations that law enforcement officials aided winning candidates and that presiding officers themselves stamped ballots, with some polling centers reportedly canceling unusually high numbers of ballots.

Under Section 49 of the Representation of the People Order, the Chief Justice designated Justice Md Zakir Hossain’s bench to hear these election-related petitions.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the country never trusted the United States during their discussions, according to a report by Al Jazeera. In a statement released on March 16, 2026, Baghaei said the negotiations were conducted with “complete caution and deep distrust.” He emphasized that Iran approached the talks with open eyes and full awareness of the opposing side’s intentions.

Baghaei further claimed that the actions of the United States would remain “a stain in history.” Despite this, he noted that Iran did not hesitate to participate in the discussions. The remarks reflect Tehran’s continued skepticism toward Washington, even while maintaining diplomatic engagement.

The statement underscores Iran’s cautious diplomatic stance and signals that mutual distrust continues to shape its approach to negotiations with the United States.

Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam, currently serving as Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University. The appointment was confirmed on Monday, March 16, 2026, during a meeting at the Ministry of Education, where Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan officially announced the decision.

According to related sources, Professor Islam previously served as a faculty member in the Department of Physics at Dhaka University before joining Bangladesh Open University. He is expected to assume his new responsibilities at Dhaka University soon. The appointment follows the resignation of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, who formally submitted his resignation to the Education Minister on February 22.

The leadership change marks a transition period for Dhaka University as it prepares for new administrative direction under Professor Islam’s guidance.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma stated that efforts are ongoing to resume the issuance of Indian tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens. He made the remarks on Monday, March 16, after a meeting with the Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser, Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, in Dhaka. Verma said that the process to reopen the visa service is continuing and that the timing of its resumption will be announced once it is finalized.

Earlier this month, the Indian High Commissioner had indicated that visa operations between India and Bangladesh would return to normal soon. During his meeting with the Prime Minister’s adviser, Verma also discussed cross-border power and energy connectivity between the two countries. He mentioned that both sides talked about strengthening these areas and reviewed ongoing joint projects.

The discussions reflect continuing bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh, focusing on easing travel restrictions and enhancing energy cooperation across the border.

The government has appointed new police superintendents in three districts—Khagrachhari, Magura, and Madaripur. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ Police-1 Branch issued a notification on Monday announcing the changes. According to the order, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Molla Azad Hossain has been appointed as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Magura, Magura SP Habibur Rahman has been transferred to Madaripur, and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) SP Mortoza Ali Khan has been assigned as the new SP of Khagrachhari.

In separate notifications, the government also made several senior-level police appointments. Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ahsan Habib Palash has been appointed as the Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), while Additional Inspector General (AIG) Sardar Nurul Amin from Police Headquarters has been made the head of the Special Branch (SB). Additionally, Additional IGP Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has been appointed as the new chief of the CID.

These appointments reflect a broader reshuffle within the Bangladesh Police leadership structure, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Nine international human rights organizations have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, urging the abolition of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The letter, dated March 16, 2026, was also addressed to Law Minister Asaduzzaman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. The groups include Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Fortify Rights, Article Nineteen, CPJ, and Civicus.

In the letter, the organizations acknowledged that the new BNP-led government faces major challenges but viewed this period as an opportunity for long-term human rights reforms. They noted that during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, serious violations such as enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings were reported. Although such incidents have declined since her fall, the groups said arbitrary detentions and attacks on journalists, religious minorities, and cultural institutions have not fully stopped.

The letter also called for effective measures to protect the rights of more than one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and recommended establishing a strong, independent National Human Rights Commission. Several policy and legal reform suggestions were included to strengthen human rights protections.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiquur Rahman, has praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s canal excavation program. In a Facebook post on Monday, March 16, he commended the initiative, describing it as a positive step toward restoring the country’s waterways and addressing long-standing environmental challenges.

Dr. Rahman noted that Bangladesh was once known as a riverine nation where rivers played a vital role in transport, agriculture, and fisheries. However, he said that after independence, many rivers, canals, and wetlands were filled up, leading to reduced water flow and increased flooding. He cited the impact of the Farakka Barrage and unplanned development as major causes of the current water management crisis.

He emphasized that effective dredging and transparency in development projects are essential to restore navigability and ensure lasting benefits. According to him, canal excavation will only yield real results if the rivers regain their natural flow and vitality.

The High Court has ordered the preservation of ballot papers and result sheets for the Mymensingh-6 (Fulbaria) constituency. The directive was issued by a single bench of Justice Mohammad Ali on Monday, March 16, 2026, after accepting a petition filed by BNP candidate Md. Akhtarul Alam challenging the election results. The court also issued notices to the respondents in the case.

Advocates Laxman Biswas and Md. Shamim Darji represented the petitioner during the hearing. The Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the same constituency is Kamrul Hasan Milon. The petition was filed under Section 49 of the Representation of the People Order, which allows for election petitions to be heard by an election tribunal formed under the High Court.

The court’s order ensures that the election materials remain secured while the petition is under judicial consideration, marking an early procedural step in the legal review of the constituency’s election outcome.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Cuba is very interested in making a deal with the United States and suggested it could happen soon. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, noting that discussions with Cuba are underway but that his administration will first focus on resolving issues with Iran before turning full attention to Havana.

Trump’s comments come as Washington has been increasing pressure on Cuba’s communist government for several months. In January, the U.S. placed the island under an oil blockade, cutting off its fuel supply, and Trump previously labeled Cuba an “extraordinary threat” to the United States. The decades-long economic embargo remains in place.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed last Friday that his government has held talks with the United States over bilateral differences, though he did not disclose details. The developments follow Washington’s recent actions in the Caribbean, including the ouster of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, whose government had relied on Cuba for cheap oil.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman visited the graves of his grandparents during his visit to Dinajpur on Monday. After inaugurating a canal re-excavation program in Sahapara area of Kaharol upazila, he paid respects at the graves of his grandmother Begum Taiyeba Majumdar, grandfather Iskandar Majumdar, and Begum Khaleda Zia’s cousin Meem. He stood silently for a while, offering prayers for the departed souls. Local BNP leaders, activists, and several administrative officials were present during the visit.

Earlier the same day, Tarique Rahman inaugurated the Sahapara canal re-excavation program and planted trees along the canal bank. He also attended a rally organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and the Dinajpur District BNP. The government has launched a nationwide initiative to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals, and water bodies as part of its election pledges. The Dinajpur event marked the simultaneous inauguration of excavation work on 54 canals across the country.

The program aims to improve water management and restore natural waterways, aligning with the government’s broader environmental and development goals.

The government of Bangladesh has announced significant changes in the leadership of three key law enforcement agencies. According to separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, new chiefs have been appointed for the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Special Branch (SB) of police.

As per the ministry’s order signed by Deputy Secretary Tawsif Ahmed of Police Branch-1, Chattogram Range DIG Ahsan Habib Palash has been appointed as the new Director General of RAB. Sardar Nurul Amin, Additional IGP (HRM) at Police Headquarters, has been made the head of the Special Branch. Additionally, Additional IGP Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has been assigned as the new chief of the CID.

The reshuffle marks a coordinated move by the government to reorganize top positions within the police force, as reflected in the official notifications issued on March 16, 2026.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh over the next five years. He made the announcement on March 16, 2026, at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharol, Dinajpur, while inaugurating the re-excavation of a 12-kilometer canal under a nationwide program. The initiative, titled 'Nationwide River, Canal, and Reservoir Excavation and Re-excavation,' aims to improve water access and agricultural productivity.

Rahman stated that despite economic challenges caused by war in the Middle East, the BNP government continues to fulfill its electoral promises. He said that once the Sahapara canal project is completed, 31,000 farmers will gain access to irrigation water for 1,200 hectares of land, directly benefiting about 350,000 people. The program simultaneously launched excavation work on 54 canals across the country.

The opposition leader welcomed the canal excavation initiative, marking a rare instance of bipartisan support for a major government development project.

A protest rally was held in Chunarughat, Habiganj, demanding the withdrawal of Deputy Ranger Syed Ashik Ahmed, the acting officer of the Habiganj Forest Department’s special team. The rally took place at noon on Monday at the South Bus Stand, organized by the Chunarughat Timber Traders Welfare Association.

Speakers at the rally accused Syed Ashik Ahmed of harassing timber traders through extortion, false cases, and intimidation. One trader alleged that a disabled man named Shanu Mia was falsely implicated in a case following the seizure of a tractor on March 5 in Bagiyargaon, Gazipur Union, and that the tractor and driver were released after a payment of 25,000 taka. The protesters claimed that traders who refused to pay regular bribes faced threats and obstacles to their business operations.

The rally was presided over by association president Abul Hossain Mahalder and conducted by Mir Saheb Ali of Jamaat-e-Islami. Several local political leaders attended and demanded that the deputy ranger be withdrawn within 48 hours, warning of a larger movement if the demand was not met.

Professor Dr. S.M.A. Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, has submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Education, citing health issues that prevent him from fulfilling his administrative duties. The resignation letter was submitted on Monday, March 16, 2026, to the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division. In his letter, Dr. Faiz requested to be relieved from his position on humanitarian and health grounds.

Dr. Faiz had assumed office as UGC Chairman on September 5, 2024. His resignation comes less than six months into his tenure. The Ministry of Education is currently processing the next steps regarding his resignation. Before joining the UGC, Dr. Faiz had a long academic career, beginning in 1973 as a faculty member in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Dhaka. He also served as the 26th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka (2002–2009) and as the sixth Chairman of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (1993–1998).