Mirza Abbas, political adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Member of Parliament for Dhaka-8, has been taken to Singapore for advanced medical care. The air ambulance carrying him arrived in Singapore around 4 p.m. Bangladesh time on Sunday, and he was admitted to Singapore General Hospital. Dr. Rafiqul Islam, BNP’s health affairs secretary, confirmed the development and said that Abbas’s condition remained stable during the journey. Earlier, the ailing BNP Standing Committee member had been flown out of Dhaka at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, accompanied by his wife Afroza Abbas and their eldest son Mirza Yasir Abbas. Abbas had fallen unconscious last Wednesday night and was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area, where a medical board was formed for his treatment. He underwent two brain surgeries and was kept under intensive observation. A CT scan conducted on Saturday morning showed satisfactory results, according to Dr. Rafiqul Islam, who added that doctors in Singapore received Abbas upon arrival for continued treatment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has extended heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims around the world on the occasion of the holy Lailatul Qadr. In a message issued on Sunday, March 15, ahead of the observance on the night of Monday, March 16, he conveyed his best wishes to all. In his message, the Prime Minister described Lailatul Qadr as a night of divine blessings and mercy, marking the revelation of the Holy Quran during Ramadan. He said the night brings messages of welfare, forgiveness, and compassion for humanity. He emphasized that through worship, repentance, and prayer, believers can attain closeness to Almighty Allah. He also highlighted Ramadan as a month of restraint, self-purification, tolerance, and awakening of human virtues. The Prime Minister urged everyone to understand the significance of this sacred night, engage in worship, and dedicate themselves to the welfare of humanity. He prayed for Allah’s boundless mercy and blessings upon all, and for the nation’s progress, peace, harmony, and prosperity.

Dr. Helal Uddin, Naib-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South, stated that commodity prices would drop by half if extortion could be eliminated. He urged the government to either stop extortion or provide subsidies to ease public suffering, suggesting that such subsidies should come from party funds or commissions rather than loans. He made these remarks on Sunday morning while addressing a program in Shantinagar, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Paltan Thana, where Eid gifts were distributed among the poor and underprivileged. Helal Uddin blamed the rising prices of essential goods on syndicates of ruling party businessmen and extortion by party activists. He argued that controlling these practices would bring prices within people’s purchasing capacity. According to him, the continuous price hikes have increased public hardship and contributed to a rise in poverty. The event was presided over by Advocate Maruful Islam, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Paltan Thana, and conducted by Secretary Manjurul Islam. Several other party leaders also spoke at the event.

NCP convener and opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has accused Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed of disregarding the July Charter. He made the allegation on Sunday, March 15, 2026, after the second day of discussions in the first session of the 13th National Parliament. Nahid Islam said that attempts were being made to avoid discussion on the Constitutional Reform Council issue, even though the opposition leader had raised it in Parliament. He stated that the Home Minister could not label the July Charter as unconstitutional and must respect the referendum outcome. Nahid Islam added that the ruling party had not given a clear answer on whether it accepted the referendum results. He also criticized the government for allegedly ignoring the people's mandate and warned that the opposition would continue its street programs. The NCP leader further said that if the ruling party tried to undermine the referendum, the people and the opposition would resist. He recalled that similar actions in 1991 had led to the BNP’s loss of public trust.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to slow down the implementation of the new national pay scale due to financial constraints. As a result, uncertainty has arisen over when the long-awaited pay scale for government employees will take effect. The issue may be discussed in the upcoming session of the national parliament. According to the Finance Division, nearly all of the Tk 40,000 crore reserved in the 2025–26 budget for the pay scale has already been spent on other sectors. Of this, Tk 24,000 crore went to fuel subsidies, Tk 15,000 crore to agricultural loans and social safety programs, and Tk 38.07 crore to the Family Card project. Only Tk 961.93 crore remains available for the pay scale. Officials said implementing such a large-scale financial reform is unrealistic under current conditions, as global energy market volatility and import costs have heavily impacted fiscal planning. Government employees have expressed disappointment but hope for at least partial adjustments. The proposed scale suggests a minimum salary of Tk 20,000 and a maximum of Tk 160,000, with 20 grades and a reduced ratio of 1:8 between the lowest and highest pay levels.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has announced a mass rally to be held on April 24 at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka after Friday prayers, calling for the implementation of the referendum verdict. The announcement was made at a meeting of the party’s central implementation committee held at its Purana Paltan headquarters, where leaders urged all members and citizens to ensure the success of the event. Party leaders stated that the people’s opinion expressed through the referendum is the only legitimate path to determine the nation’s future. They criticized the government for delaying the implementation of the verdict, claiming it shows disregard for public aspirations. According to them, the delay is an attempt to weaken the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising and ignoring the people’s clear mandate amounts to deceiving the nation. The meeting was presided over by the party’s Secretary General and rally implementation committee convener Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, with several senior leaders including Maulana Yusuf Ashraf and Maulana Ataullah Amin in attendance.

The Israeli government has approved an emergency allocation of approximately $827 million, or about 2.6 billion shekels, for urgent military purchases amid its ongoing war with Iran, according to Al Jazeera. The decision was made through a telephone meeting of cabinet members at the end of the week. The funds will be used for security-related acquisitions and to meet the military’s immediate needs, though specific spending areas were not disclosed. A document from the Finance Ministry, distributed among cabinet members and cited by multiple media outlets, stated that the additional budget was required due to the intensity of the war. It emphasized the need to procure ammunition, advanced weapons systems, and replenish critical combat equipment to sustain operations. The measure was described as an exceptional emergency step taken solely to address wartime necessities. The report added that the funds will come from Israel’s $222 billion national budget, which was approved by the government on March 12 and is expected to pass the Knesset by March 31.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is in good health and has full control of the situation. He made the remarks in an interview with Qatar-based media outlet Al-Arabi Al-Jadid. Khamenei, who assumed office on March 8, has not been seen in public since taking charge. His first address on March 12 was read by a news presenter instead of being delivered directly, sparking speculation about his health and whereabouts. In the same interview, Araghchi discussed regional tensions and ongoing conflicts, saying Iran would welcome any regional initiative that could bring about a just end to the war. However, he clarified that no concrete proposal or initiative for ending the conflict has yet been presented to Iran. He also issued a stern warning regarding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, stating that it would remain open to all ships except those belonging to the United States and its allies. The minister’s comments appear aimed at dispelling rumors about the new leader’s condition while reaffirming Iran’s firm stance on regional security and foreign intervention.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to invite new applications for the inclusion of educational institutions under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme. Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced the decision in the National Parliament on Sunday, March 15, 2026. He stated that previously submitted applications will be re-evaluated as part of the process. The minister also said that the ministry is considering the recruitment of 9,000 religious teachers across the country to prevent moral degradation. He clarified that teachers from all religions, not only Islamic studies, will be appointed. Additionally, a committee has been formed to bring English medium schools under regulatory oversight. In response to another parliamentary question, the minister mentioned that the government would decide on establishing new public universities based on necessity. He noted that Bangladesh currently has 57 public universities and that the government is committed to improving their quality.

Bangladesh Bank has increased the maximum loan limit against credit cards to Tk 4 million, up from the previous Tk 2.5 million. The central bank also raised the unsecured loan ceiling to Tk 2 million from Tk 1 million. The Banking Regulation and Policy Department issued a guideline on Sunday outlining these changes. According to the guideline, the use of credit cards in Bangladesh is steadily rising due to convenience, improved security, more electronic point-of-sale terminals, and various incentives from issuers. Bangladesh Bank stated that the updated framework aims to ensure safe, secure, and efficient credit card operations while promoting digital payments. The new directives are designed to strengthen risk management, encourage responsible lending, and enhance financial discipline among cardholders. Bank officials noted that the higher limits could increase lending volumes and profitability for banks, though they also acknowledged a potential rise in credit risk.

A vessel of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), named MV Banglar Joyjatra, has been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz due to escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The ship, carrying 31 Bangladeshi sailors, was only 66 nautical miles from the strait’s entrance on March 12 when reports of missile attacks emerged. Following security instructions from the UAE Coast Guard, the vessel retreated to a safer position in the Persian Gulf and is now anchored in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The ship had earlier crossed the Hormuz Strait from India on February 2 and reached the UAE after loading steel coils from Qatar on February 27. The conflict began the next day when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, spreading instability across the region. BSC had planned to load new cargo in Kuwait after unloading at Jebel Ali Port on March 11 but decided to return the ship safely due to the war situation. BSC has requested the Ministry of Shipping to seek diplomatic assistance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the vessel’s safe passage through the Hormuz Strait.

Commerce, Industry, Textile and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the Ministry of Commerce will form a fact-finding committee to investigate the causes of unreasonable price differences between wholesale and retail markets. He made the statement on Sunday after inspecting the price situation at Chattogram’s Khatunganj wholesale market and attending a discussion titled “Middle East Conflict: Review of Consumer Goods Supply and Price Situation.” The committee will include business representatives, administration officials, and other professionals if necessary, and will provide recommendations after a detailed review. The minister said Bangladesh remains import-dependent, and global price hikes, dollar appreciation, or higher transport costs naturally affect domestic markets. However, the government is alert to prevent unjustified price increases due to internal mismanagement. He also mentioned that the government may consider policy measures to keep essential imported fruits like apples, grapes, and oranges affordable, while luxury fruits will not receive tariff reductions. Muktadir urged traders to prioritize fairness during Ramadan and commended the relatively stable edible oil market. He warned against overpricing despite adequate supply and held discussions with local officials and business leaders in Chattogram.

A senior US official has warned that Israel might consider using nuclear weapons if its ongoing conflict with Iran continues. David Sacks, an adviser to former US President Donald Trump on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, made the remarks on his All-In podcast, saying Israel is facing one of the most severe attacks in its history. He cautioned that prolonged warfare could weaken Israel’s air defense systems, posing a serious threat to its national security. Sacks compared the current situation to the 12-day war in June 2025, noting that although Iran launched more missiles and drones then, the present conflict has caused greater humanitarian losses, infrastructure destruction, and displacement. He urged a swift end to the hostilities, arguing that the United States has already achieved its main objective by significantly weakening Iran’s military capabilities. Sacks suggested that now is the right time to declare victory and de-escalate tensions through a ceasefire or negotiations with Tehran.

Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) has announced special arrangements to ensure uninterrupted medical services during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. According to an official notice signed by Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, the university hospital’s outpatient department will remain open on March 19 (Thursday) and March 22 (Sunday). On these two days, patients can receive medical consultations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The notice further stated that except for March 19 and 22, the outpatient department will remain closed from March 17 to 23. However, the hospital’s indoor and emergency departments will continue operating as usual during the holiday period. The university administration has instructed the hospital director to take necessary measures to implement the plan. All classes, offices, evening specialized consultation services, super-specialized hospital consultations, and the PCR lab will remain closed during the Eid holidays. Regular academic and hospital activities will resume on March 24 (Tuesday), with an “Eid Reunion 2026” scheduled at the university premises between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has claimed that a group he described as the remaining members of the ‘Epstein gang’ might plan an attack similar to the September 11 attacks in the United States and attempt to blame Iran for it. He stated that Iran strongly opposes any such terrorist plan and emphasized that the Iranian people have no conflict with the American public. The remarks came amid the ongoing war involving Iran and the recent release of a large number of US government documents. Those documents reportedly reveal connections between the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and several influential and wealthy individuals. Former US President Donald Trump, who once called Epstein a “pervert,” had been photographed with him on multiple occasions. Tehran has recently highlighted Epstein’s links with American political, business, and social elites to portray Washington’s adversaries as morally corrupt, according to the report.