Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam has announced that an internal investigation will be conducted into an alleged bribery incident involving a former prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal. The allegation surfaced after an audio recording was leaked, claiming that the prosecutor demanded one crore taka from the family of an imprisoned Awami League leader in exchange for securing bail. The accused prosecutor, Md. Saimum Reza Talukder, resigned three days before the government accepted his resignation and issued a formal notification on Monday.

Talukder denied the allegation and told BBC Bangla that he would face any legal process initiated by the government. The case in question involves former Awami League MP ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury from Chattogram-6, whose war crimes case investigation has been completed and is awaiting submission to the tribunal. The case has not yet reached the charge-framing stage.

The report also recalls a previous incident where former prosecutor Turin Afroz was removed from her position for allegedly meeting secretly with an accused during the trial of 1971 war crimes cases.

Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC, a state-owned company under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, has announced two special incentive packages to make international bandwidth use more affordable. The initiative, effective from March 10, 2026, aims to support the government’s election pledge of ensuring fast and reliable internet for all. Internet service providers (ISPs), international internet gateways (IIGs), and telecom operators will benefit from reduced costs when purchasing new bandwidth capacity.

Under the first package, customers purchasing new IPLC capacity on the SEA-ME-WE-4 Cox’s Bazar–Singapore route will receive bonus capacity—such as 100G free for every 200G purchased or an additional 10G for each 10G bought. Customers with outstanding dues can also qualify if they submit post-dated checks with a repayment schedule within 2026. The offer applies only to new capacity purchases on a first-come, first-served basis.

The second package, effective April 1, 2026, offers up to 70% free limited destination bandwidth for prepaid customers with zero dues under the company’s IP transit service. The company expects these incentives to lower bandwidth prices below Tk 90 per megabit and support the growth of a knowledge-based digital economy.

A total of 367 international flights have been canceled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka since February 28, 2026, due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirmed that 32 flights were canceled on Tuesday alone. Countries including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan have closed their airspace, disrupting air connectivity from Bangladesh.

According to official data, 335 flights were canceled in the first ten days, with daily cancellations ranging from 23 to 46 flights. Airlines affected include Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Jazeera, Flydubai, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and US-Bangla Airlines. The cancellations have caused uncertainty for expatriate Bangladeshis facing visa complications and travel disruptions.

US-Bangla Airlines announced plans to resume flights on the Sharjah route from March 13 and the Abu Dhabi route from March 14, operating multiple weekly flights using Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline continues to operate flights to Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Muscat and plans to restart services to Doha soon.

Police in Lakshmipur have arrested a man named Shahid, also known as Shipon, aged 30, for possession of a foreign-made revolver, 46 rounds of ammunition, and four empty shells. The arrest was made early Tuesday morning, March 10, during a raid in Radhapur area of Bangakha Union under Sadar upazila. The operation was conducted based on secret information, according to Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Hossain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi, who confirmed the incident later that afternoon.

Authorities stated that the seized firearm and ammunition were recovered from the suspect’s possession. Following the arrest, legal proceedings were initiated, and the accused was sent to court. The police did not disclose further details about the motive or possible links to other criminal activities.

The arrest highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts in Lakshmipur to curb illegal arms possession and related crimes, though no additional suspects or networks were mentioned in the report.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman sent a letter to Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman recommending his foreign affairs adviser, Professor Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, for appointment to the ministry with the rank of minister. The letter, dated February 22, stated that such an appointment would help present opposition foreign policy views to the government and maintain balance in international relations. The unusual recommendation sparked widespread debate across the country.

Jamaat-e-Islami later acknowledged sending the letter but claimed that the portion referring to ministerial rank was not authorized by the party leader. According to a statement from Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Professor Hasan had added content beyond his instructions. The party said that upon learning of the issue, Dr. Rahman relieved Hasan of his duties on March 2 and appointed MP Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman as the new foreign affairs adviser.

Jamaat emphasized its commitment to responsible and transparent political conduct and stated that corrective measures had already been taken to prevent further misunderstanding.

Thirteen young men from Nazimnagar village in Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj were taken hostage in Libya by a mafia group after leaving home on January 28 to travel to Italy through human traffickers. The victims’ families said the traffickers had promised to send them to Italy for 1.3 million taka each. The group reached Libya via Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Egypt, but on February 25 they were captured by a Libyan gang that demanded 2.6 million taka per person in ransom, later reducing it to 1.2 million.

Families reported receiving distressing video calls showing the captives being tortured, with the kidnappers demanding money through mobile transfers. Some families have already sent money, selling land or borrowing from local lenders. One victim, Yasin Mia, managed to escape but was later arrested by Libyan police. Local brokers involved in the trafficking have gone into hiding.

Jamalganj police confirmed awareness of the incident but said no formal complaint had been filed yet. They stated that legal action would follow once an official complaint is received.

Iran has assured Bangladesh that oil and LNG tankers bound for the country will not face obstruction while passing through the Hormuz Strait, despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The assurance came after Bangladesh contacted Iran over concerns about energy supply disruptions through one of the world’s most critical maritime routes. Energy ministry officials said the move has eased immediate concerns about fuel supply stability.

A tanker carrying 27,000 tons of diesel from Singapore arrived at Chattogram port on Monday, with four more vessels carrying about 120,000 tons expected this week. To meet April’s demand, the government has initiated direct purchases of around 300,000 tons of diesel from alternative sources, as long-term contracts face uncertainty due to the war. Bangladesh currently supplies about 9,000 tons of diesel daily against a normal demand of 12,000 tons.

China and India have expressed willingness to support Bangladesh in addressing potential fuel shortages. The government has strengthened market monitoring and directed local administrations to prevent hoarding and irregularities.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman stated that the country will no longer operate under the influence of others and will act according to its own will. He made the remarks on Monday at an iftar event organized by the BNP at the Atrium Hall in East London, United Kingdom.

Rahman said that during a previous authoritarian period, Bangladesh’s foreign policy had been mortgaged to another country. He emphasized that the core commitment of the nation’s foreign policy is independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of Bangladesh’s interests and dignity. He also mentioned that Tarique Rahman has clearly stated Bangladesh’s position of maintaining relations with all countries.

The minister recalled that these principles were the hallmark of Bangladesh’s foreign policy during the tenure of late President Ziaur Rahman, describing that era as a golden period. He added that Bangladesh is returning to that position. Rahman also informed that four Bangladeshi nationals have been killed amid ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

An elderly man named Kala Mia, aged 70, died after being beaten by his two sons over a land dispute in Teknaf’s Nayapara area of Cox’s Bazar early Monday night. According to police and medical sources, he was taken to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. The accused sons were identified as Shaker Alam and Monir Alam.

Local residents said the dispute arose when Kala Mia’s wife became involved in selling ancestral property, leading to ongoing conflicts with their sons. The sons reportedly pressured their father to transfer the land to their names, but he insisted on dividing it among all heirs before any sale. The disagreement escalated into a violent assault that caused his death.

Local union council member Abul Fayez stated that the sons had been arguing with their father for days and allegedly hid him before he was found unconscious. Police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway and the body has been sent for autopsy at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern and demanded strict punishment for those responsible for the death of Mofizur Rahman, the Ameer of Jamaat’s Banka Union unit in Chuadanga’s Jibannagar upazila. Rahman died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment after being seriously injured in an attack allegedly carried out by BNP activists on February 28 at Hasadah Bazar.

In a statement sent to the media, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar condemned the attack, describing it as premeditated and brutal. He said BNP and its allied groups had attacked Jamaat members with local weapons, killing activist Hafizur Rahman and critically injuring Mofizur Rahman, who later succumbed to his injuries. Porwar called the incident unacceptable and a grave threat to democratic politics and public safety.

Jamaat urged the government to ensure the rule of law and bring the perpetrators to justice, warning that failure to act could encourage further violence and lawlessness. The party also offered condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the deceased leader.

The Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) has declared a five-day holiday for newspaper industry employees during Eid-ul-Fitr. The announcement was made on Tuesday through a notice signed by NOAB President A K Azad. According to the notice, the holiday will run from March 19 to March 23, 2026.

As a result of this schedule, no newspapers will be published from March 20 to March 24, 2026. The decision applies across the newspaper sector and is intended to allow workers to observe the Eid festival with their families.

The announcement provides clarity for newspaper employees and readers regarding publication schedules during the upcoming Eid period.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally distributed Family Cards to citizens in Dhaka’s Korail slum on Tuesday, fulfilling a key election promise. The launch event took place at Mohakhali T&T Field, where Rahman pressed a button to transfer funds to 37,567 recipients, each receiving 2,500 taka. He described the day as emotional and announced that a Farmer Card program would be introduced within the next month.

Rahman said the initiative aims to empower women who benefited from free education policies introduced under former leader Khaleda Zia. Initially, 15,000 women from Korail, Saat Tola, and Bhashantek areas have been included, with a goal to reach 40 million people nationwide within four years. He also urged patience, noting that global conditions might delay some commitments.

Social Welfare Minister Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain stated that the Family Card was a long-cherished dream of the Prime Minister and emphasized that only the ultra-poor would receive cash benefits. Other attendees included the Prime Minister’s wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, DNCC administrator Shafiqul Islam Milton, and foreign ambassadors.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has started selling advance tickets for its Eid-ul-Fitr special bus service from Tuesday, March 10. The initiative aims to ensure safe, comfortable, and affordable travel for homebound passengers during the upcoming Eid holidays. The information was announced in a press release signed by BRTC’s Public Relations Officer, Mostakim Bhuiyan.

According to the release, passengers can purchase advance tickets for various routes from the respective BRTC depots. The special Eid bus service will officially begin on March 16. BRTC stated that the program is designed to reduce passenger suffering and provide cost-effective travel options during the busy holiday period.

The corporation has also urged the public to take advantage of the Eid special service to ensure a smoother travel experience during the festive season.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that his government aims to distribute farmer cards to farmers across Bangladesh by next month. He made the statement on Tuesday morning while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Family Card program at the T&T playground in Banani, near the Korail slum area of Dhaka. During the event, 37,000 women received family cards. The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and the ceremony was chaired by Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain.

Rahman said that the farmer card initiative was among the government’s priority commitments. He also highlighted that the government had already waived up to 10,000 taka in agricultural loans, including interest, for farmers as part of its election promises. He emphasized that fulfilling such commitments would bring positive changes to the lives of citizens and contribute to national development.

The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s determination to gradually fulfill all promises made to the people, regardless of challenges, to ensure progress and prosperity.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has cancelled Eid-ul-Fitr holidays for customs houses, directing that import and export activities continue on a limited scale during the holiday period. Only on the day of Eid will customs stations remain closed. The directive, signed by NBR’s Second Secretary (Customs Policy) Rezaul Karim, was issued on Monday.

According to the circular, the decision aims to ensure uninterrupted import and export trade across the country. Customs houses in Dhaka, Chattogram, Benapole, ICD Kamalapur, Mongla, and Pangaon have been instructed to maintain limited operations from March 17 to 23, excluding the Eid day. Similar instructions were also sent to excise and VAT commissionerates in Dhaka (North, West, East, and South), Chattogram, Rajshahi, Jashore, Khulna, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Cumilla.

The NBR’s move seeks to balance the need for continuous trade flow with the observance of Eid festivities, ensuring that essential import-export processes are not disrupted during the holiday period.