President Md. Shahabuddin announced that the government has introduced a 'Family Card' program aimed at empowering economically disadvantaged women and promoting family self-reliance. The initiative will officially begin on March 10, 2026. He made the announcement on Sunday at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka during the International Women’s Day 2026 event organized by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

The president emphasized that women contribute about 16 percent to the country’s GDP and play vital roles across sectors including household work, healthcare, education, agriculture, industry, literature, and construction. He stressed that ensuring women’s safety both at home and in public is essential for achieving the benefits of development plans. Shahabuddin also noted that the government is taking strict measures to ensure swift justice and exemplary punishment for violence against women.

He further highlighted emerging challenges such as online harassment, cyberbullying, and child marriage, urging collective efforts through law enforcement and social awareness to address these issues effectively.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road Transport, Bridges, Railways, and Shipping, Sheikh Robiul Alam, met with Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations based on mutual interests and cooperation.

During the meeting, Ambassador Renggli congratulated the current government of Bangladesh and expressed Switzerland’s interest in enhancing collaboration in infrastructure development, technology, port management, and other development projects. He reaffirmed Switzerland’s willingness to continue supporting Bangladesh in these areas through partnership and assistance.

Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam welcomed the ambassador’s remarks and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in Bangladesh’s rapid development journey. He expressed hope that both countries would work together to expand foreign investment, technology transfer, and infrastructure growth. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintain communication and cooperation to further strengthen Bangladesh–Switzerland relations.

The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has announced that all English medium schools operating under foreign curricula will suspend classes from March 9 until the end of the government-declared Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. However, mandatory examinations may proceed according to previously set schedules. The decision was made during a key meeting on policies for English medium schools and coaching centers held at the Secretariat.

The meeting was chaired by Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and attended by senior officials, including the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Abdul Khaleque. Discussions focused on easing public inconvenience during Ramadan and considering the current global situation. Representatives of English medium schools participated in the talks, which led to unanimous decisions on school closures and related matters.

According to the meeting’s resolution, all coaching centers, including those for both Bangla and English medium students, will also remain closed during this period. The ministry’s public relations department later confirmed the decisions through an official press release.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new guideline to implement the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model in the country's banking sector, aligning loan risk management and financial reporting with international standards. The central bank announced that the new system, based on the International Financial Reporting Standard IFRS-9, will take effect in 2028. Under this framework, banks must set aside provisions for potential loan losses before loans actually turn bad, replacing the current practice of provisioning after losses occur.

According to the guideline, loans will be classified into three stages depending on risk level, with provisions calculated for 12-month or lifetime expected losses. The new approach will also adjust interest income recognition based on loan risk, providing a more accurate reflection of banks’ income and exposure. Bangladesh Bank has allowed an additional five years for capital adjustment to ease the transition.

The guideline marks the first comprehensive step by Bangladesh Bank to implement IFRS-9, following a 2020 directive from the Financial Reporting Council. Several South Asian countries have already adopted similar standards.

The government of Bangladesh has introduced a monthly honorarium program for imams, muezzins, priests, monks, pastors, and other religious service workers across the country. The pilot phase, to begin before Eid-ul-Fitr, will cover 6,438 mosques, temples, Buddhist monasteries, and churches. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration, Md. Ismail Jabiuallah, at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Dhaka.

Under the plan, imams will receive Tk 5,000 per month, muezzins Tk 3,000, and mosque caretakers Tk 2,000. Priests, monks, and pastors will receive similar amounts according to their roles. Additionally, religious workers will get festival bonuses of Tk 1,000 for Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha, and Tk 2,000 for Durga Puja, Buddha Purnima, and Christmas. The pilot phase will cost about Tk 27.13 crore, to be disbursed through Sonali Bank by March 15.

The government plans to expand the scheme nationwide over four fiscal years, with an estimated annual cost of Tk 4,400 crore by 2029–30. A six-member committee has been formed to draft policy guidelines and recommend measures for skill development and job security of religious workers.

Bangladesh’s Food, Fisheries and Livestock, and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that the government will take initiatives to export food items to Japan. He made the statement on Sunday after a meeting at the Secretariat with a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), led by Chief Representative Ichiguchi Tomohide. The meeting discussed the JICA-funded Food Safety Testing Capacity Development Project and the possibility of introducing a unified food business licensing system similar to those in Japan and ASEAN countries.

The project, worth Tk 2,409.70 crore over ten years, aims to strengthen food safety testing capacity in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna through the establishment of a Food Safety Reference Laboratory, two regional testing labs, and a training facility. The minister emphasized that achieving international food safety standards would make food exports easier and called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure safe food from production to consumption.

He thanked JICA for its financial support and expressed optimism that the project’s successful implementation would bring discipline to the country’s food management system.

A Dhaka court has sentenced three men to two and a half years in prison each for killing 20 dogs in the Lichu Bagan area of Dhaka’s Dhalpur in 2021. The verdict was delivered on Sunday by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain. The convicted individuals are Md. Abul Khayer, Md. Apu, and Md. Manik. Manik was present in court and sent to jail after the verdict, while arrest warrants were issued for the two absconding convicts.

According to court officials, each convict received two years of imprisonment and a fine of Tk 1,000 under Section 16(b), with an additional 15 days if unpaid. They were also sentenced to six months under Section 16(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2019, along with another Tk 1,000 fine and 15 days in default. Both sentences will run concurrently, resulting in two years of imprisonment.

The case was filed on January 25, 2021, by Maruful Haque of Animal Lovers of Bangladesh after the accused were identified from video footage. The investigation concluded in September 2021, and the trial began in May 2024, leading to Sunday’s judgment.

A Dhaka court has rejected the bail petition of journalist Anis Alamgir in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The decision was delivered on Sunday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez after a hearing. Defense lawyer Taslima Jahan Popy confirmed the court’s decision.

The ACC filed the case on January 15, accusing Alamgir of acquiring wealth beyond known income sources and money laundering. Investigators alleged that he possessed immovable assets worth Tk 2.5 million and movable assets worth Tk 38.46 million, totaling Tk 40.9 million. His legitimate income was reported as Tk 9.9 million, leaving an unexplained difference of Tk 32.6 million, or about 77 percent of his total assets. Alamgir had earlier been arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act in December and later received bail from the High Court in that case on March 5.

The court’s latest decision means Alamgir will remain in custody as the ACC continues its investigation into the alleged illicit assets.

A man named Ridoy, aged 26, was killed in a mob beating early Sunday morning in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj. According to police and eyewitnesses, Ridoy, originally from Rajshahi and residing in the Sanarpar area, was part of a three-member group attempting a robbery in the Jalakuri Koraitola area around 6 a.m. The group arrived on a motorcycle and tried to rob a pedestrian at knifepoint.

Local residents intervened, managing to capture Ridoy while the other two suspects escaped on foot. The crowd then beat Ridoy, resulting in his death at the scene before police arrived. Enraged locals also set fire to the motorcycle used in the attempted robbery. Police later recovered a knife and a machete from the scene.

Siddhirganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdul Barik confirmed that the suspect died before officers reached the location. The two fleeing suspects remain at large, and further investigation is underway.

Bangladeshi musician Haider Hossain has dismissed rumors of his death that spread on social media last Saturday evening. Several Facebook groups and pages circulated fake photo cards, some even using the names of news outlets. The artist spoke to the media, saying he was embarrassed by the situation and had been receiving nonstop phone calls. He confirmed that he is healthy and described the rumors as undesirable and inappropriate.

The false reports caused widespread concern among his fans, prompting Haider Hossain to clarify the matter himself. A few years earlier, he had made headlines due to health complications. In June 2022, he was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack and had a stent placed in his heart. Haider Hossain is a significant figure in Bangladesh’s band music history, co-founding the band Winning and later collaborating with pop icon Azam Khan.

The incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread online, especially regarding public figures, and underscores the need for responsible social media behavior.

Six sound grenades were recovered from a bag near the main gate of the Supreme Court in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. Police were alerted after suspicious objects were spotted near the Chief Justice’s entrance. The area was quickly cordoned off, and security was heightened. The grenades were later defused at Suhrawardy Udyan by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police bomb disposal unit after examination.

According to court and eyewitness sources, the bomb disposal team arrived around 2 p.m., safely removed the grenades, and collected evidence for investigation. The devices have been taken into police custody for further analysis. Authorities have not yet identified who placed the grenades or their motive.

Following the incident, law enforcement agencies have reinforced security around the Supreme Court premises. Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify those responsible for the attempted security breach.

An iftar gathering in Brahmanpara, Cumilla, has sparked controversy after Assistant Commissioner (Land) Tarek Rahman was seen attending the event alongside a banned Chhatra League leader. The iftar, organized by the Brahmanpara Press Club at the Upazila Model Mosque conference room on Saturday, drew attention when photos circulated on social media, prompting widespread criticism.

The viral image showed several local political figures, including Awami League and Jubo League leaders, as well as a former Chhatra League president and a former joint secretary of the Cumilla South District Chhatra League, sitting beside the government official. Press Club General Secretary Ismail Nayon stated that all were invited, including Sharif Khan Akash, who is involved in journalism despite his links to the banned organization.

Local residents and opposition representatives condemned the official’s participation, calling it inappropriate for a government officer to associate with banned political figures. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Cumilla, Md. Saiful Islam, said he would discuss the matter with the Assistant Commissioner and noted that those who invited the political leaders also bear responsibility.

Bangladesh Police has transferred 53 officers holding the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police. The transfers were made through two separate circulars signed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir on Sunday, March 8, 2026. One circular covered the transfer of 40 officers, while another reassigned 13 officers to different district circles.

According to the official notifications, the officers, ranging from Assistant Superintendent to Additional Superintendent ranks, have been transferred to the positions mentioned beside their names in the orders. The circulars stated that these transfers are made in the public interest and will remain effective until further instructions are issued.

The announcement reflects an administrative reshuffle within the Bangladesh Police aimed at organizational adjustments across various districts and operational units.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government and Rural Development Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that he will write to the Prime Minister proposing government allowances for families of disappeared persons. He made the statement on Sunday at the Bangladesh Film Archive auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, during the inauguration of the documentary film 'Mayer Dak' marking International Women’s Day.

Fakhrul said families of disappeared individuals have long been living in hardship, citing the example of Munna’s mother who struggles to support her children. He noted that while various government allowances exist, no initiative has yet been taken for these families. He emphasized that helping them would give meaning to the government’s achievements and ensure a better future for the children of those who disappeared.

He also mentioned a new film project aimed at portraying the nation’s history accurately and expressed hope that current struggles would inspire high-quality creative works representing Bangladesh globally.

President Md. Sahabuddin stated that the late President Ziaur Rahman, who declared Bangladesh’s independence, laid the foundation for women’s political and economic empowerment. He said this on Sunday, March 8, at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka during the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs’ International Women’s Day 2026 program. The president added that Begum Khaleda Zia strengthened and modernized this foundation through her leadership.

He highlighted Khaleda Zia’s initiatives to expand women’s education, which earned national and international recognition. The president also mentioned various programs of the BNP government, including the Family Card initiative, aimed at protecting women’s rights and promoting empowerment. He urged all to work together to continue these efforts.

President Sahabuddin announced that the government’s Family Card program, designed to empower economically disadvantaged women and promote household self-reliance, will begin on March 10. He emphasized that women contribute about 16 percent to the country’s GDP and play vital roles across all sectors. Ensuring women’s safety at home and in public, he said, is essential for sustainable development.