The United States military carried out a strike on a boat suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Sunday, resulting in six deaths, according to US forces. The report, cited by AFP from Washington, said the boat was believed to be operated by drug traffickers, though no evidence was released to support the claim. Since similar operations began in September, more than 150 people have reportedly been killed. General Francis Donovan, head of the US Southern Command, stated on social media that intelligence indicated the vessel was traveling along a known drug trafficking route in the eastern Pacific. However, the operations have drawn criticism, with some describing them as extrajudicial killings. Families and some governments have claimed that certain victims were fishermen. The Trump administration has described its campaign as a war against what it calls “narco-terrorists” active in Latin America. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last Thursday that the missions to detect drug-carrying boats from South America have been so effective that finding new targets has become increasingly difficult.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has sharply criticized the United States' attack on Iran, calling it illegal and a betrayal of the American people. In a video message shared on social media, she accused President Donald Trump of dragging the country into war without congressional approval. Warren questioned the motives behind the attack, asking what interest justified risking American lives and citing top military advisers who described such a war as extremely dangerous. She emphasized that the United States once had an agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, but instead of pursuing diplomacy, Trump chose to start a new war in the Middle East. Warren described the decision as reckless and dangerous, arguing that it would not make the country safer. She reiterated that initiating war with Iran amounted to a betrayal of the American public. Her remarks reflect growing concern among some lawmakers about the legality and consequences of unilateral military actions without congressional consent.

Nearly three months after the killing of Inquilab Moncho convener Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, his family has expressed frustration that no acceptable charge sheet has yet been submitted to court. At a press conference at Nalchity Press Club in Jhalokathi, Hadi’s sister Masuma Hadi demanded that the shooters—Faisal Karim Masud and his associate Alamgir Hossain, recently arrested in India—be brought back to Bangladesh quickly and that the entire network behind the murder be prosecuted. Masuma Hadi recounted that on December 12, Hadi was shot in broad daylight and later died while under treatment at Singapore General Hospital. She criticized the investigation agency for failing to file a charge sheet even after 87 days and questioned how the suspects managed to flee to India. The family urged the government to use the prisoner exchange treaty with India to repatriate the accused and to identify those who financed or ordered the killing. The family also called for an internationally transparent investigation, possibly under UN supervision, and warned that any superficial charge sheet would be rejected by the public.

Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) Chairman Abdul Hai Sarker has warned that a prolonged conflict between Iran and Israel could negatively affect Bangladesh’s remittance inflows. He made the remark on Monday after a meeting between the BAB and the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, which was attended by other BAB members. According to Sarker, the meeting was primarily introductory and focused on banking sector development, policy coordination, and future cooperation. Both sides emphasized the need for stronger communication between private banks and the central bank for the country’s benefit. Discussions also covered revitalizing weak banks and strengthening the overall banking system. Sarker noted that the governor’s attitude toward private banks was positive and supportive of sectoral growth. He added that the impact of the Iran-Israel conflict on remittances would depend on how long the situation lasts, as disruptions in the Middle East could affect Bangladeshi workers’ employment conditions. The meeting also highlighted the banking sector’s role in supporting the government’s goal of creating ten million jobs within 18 months through financing sustainable projects.

An attack struck Bahrain’s main oil refinery operated by Bahrain Petroleum Company, causing thick smoke to rise over the area on Monday, according to eyewitnesses cited by Reuters. The refinery, a key facility in the country’s energy sector, suffered damage following what was initially described by government sources as an Iranian drone strike that left several people injured. Following the incident, the company announced that the situation had gone out of control, preventing it from meeting its contractual oil supply obligations. The attack has raised immediate concerns about operational stability and the potential impact on Bahrain’s energy output. The full extent of the damage and the status of recovery efforts were not detailed in the initial reports, leaving uncertainty about when normal operations might resume.

Two students of Barishal University have been accused of demanding Tk 30,000 in extortion by using a Facebook page named after the university’s Master Coaching Center. The accused are former Management Studies student Mukhtadir Rizvi and current Marketing student Imran Munna, who serve as admin and moderator of the ‘Linkers in Barishal University’ page. The victim, Riaz Hossain, alleged that he was blackmailed with threats of defamation when he refused to pay. An audio recording reportedly contains a conversation suggesting financial negotiation and references to a Tk 60,000 settlement discussion. Riaz claimed that on March 5, Munna and an associate visited his office and demanded Tk 30,000, threatening further defamatory posts if he refused. Under pressure, he allegedly paid Tk 5,000 immediately. Munna denied the allegation, saying no money was exchanged and that false propaganda was being spread. Page admin Rizvi stated that the page had posted about unpaid teacher salaries and that Riaz later sought a settlement, but he denied knowledge of any extortion. Students have demanded action against the page, which has previously been accused of spreading misinformation and misusing the university’s name.

Five people were injured in a rush to evacuate Shibchar Upazila Health Complex in Madaripur after a fire scare on Sunday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on March 8, 2026, when patients, relatives, and staff hurriedly fled the six-story hospital building fearing a fire. Fire service personnel arrived shortly after and found no evidence of an actual fire. Patients returned to their wards about two hours later. According to hospital officials, the panic began when an oxygen cylinder on the sixth floor leaked, producing a loud noise and causing the women’s ward to go dark. The sudden sound led patients and attendants to believe a fire had broken out. Resident Medical Officer Dr. Ibrahim confirmed that the noise came from a leaking oxygen valve and that no fatalities occurred. Fire Station Officer Tapan Kumar Ghosh said the situation was brought under control without major damage. Authorities reported that the hospital resumed normal operations later that night after confirming there was no fire hazard.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 445 bank accounts belonging to former City Bank officer Sheikh Md. Wajih Uddin, 61 other individuals, and their associated entities. The order was issued on Monday, March 9, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Sabbir Fayez. The court acted on a petition filed by the Criminal Investigation Department’s Cyber Investigations and Operations Center, represented by Additional Special Superintendent Suman Kumar Saha. According to the petition, Wajih Uddin allegedly deposited about Tk 51.12 crore across five accounts. Investigators found that 61 related individuals, including SM Junaidul Haque, Omar Hit Hitlu, and Mehedi Hasan Talukder, collectively deposited Tk 1,212 crore and withdrew Tk 1,207 crore through 595 accounts in various scheduled banks. The transactions were reportedly linked to online gaming, betting, cyber fraud, hundi, currency smuggling, cryptocurrency trading, and customs evasion. The court deemed the account freeze necessary to prevent further movement of funds suspected to be tied to these illegal activities.

A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft made an emergency landing on the runway in Jashore on Monday, March 9, 2026. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed the incident in a message released around 1 p.m. that day. According to the ISPR statement, the emergency landing occurred after the aircraft experienced a mechanical fault during flight. The pilot landed the plane safely, and no damage was reported to the aircraft. The statement also confirmed that the aviator remained unharmed. The report did not mention any disruption to airport operations or further investigation into the cause of the mechanical issue.

Iran’s military reported that 104 crew members were killed and 32 others injured when the Iranian warship IRIS Dinar was sunk by a U.S. Navy attack near Sri Lanka’s coast on March 4. The Turkish-based Anadolu Agency cited the Iranian army’s statement, while Iran’s state news agency IRNA confirmed the incident and the casualty figures. According to the IRNA report, the warship was returning home after participating in a naval exercise held in India when it came under attack. Washington confirmed that a U.S. submarine launched a torpedo strike that caused the vessel to sink. Sri Lankan authorities said they began a rescue operation immediately after receiving a distress signal from the ship, rescuing 32 crew members who were later hospitalized. The incident marks a severe escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, though no further official responses or diplomatic actions were detailed in the reports.

Beijing announced on Monday that China’s special envoy has called for reducing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The envoy made the appeal during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, urging all sides to stop military operations immediately and to avoid further escalation that could harm regional populations. He also condemned attacks on civilians and non-military targets, emphasizing the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Gulf nations. The conflict began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, posing threats to global energy security and trade, and putting China’s oil supply at risk. Although Beijing maintains close ties with Tehran and condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it also criticized Iran’s attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. In a separate meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Secretary-General Jassem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, the envoy urged a return to dialogue. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated the call to end the fighting, stating that the war should never have happened.

Saudi Arabia has sharply condemned Iran’s recent attacks, warning that continued aggression will heighten regional tensions and ultimately harm Iran itself. In a statement from Riyadh, the Saudi Foreign Ministry denounced assaults targeting Gulf countries and other Arab, Muslim, and friendly nations, calling them unacceptable and unjustifiable. The ministry affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty, citizens, and residents against any aggression. The statement said that attacks on airports, oil facilities, and other civilian sites clearly aim to undermine security and stability, violating international law and conventions. Saudi Arabia also rejected Iran’s claim that Saudi territory had been used to launch or support military operations, labeling the allegation false. According to Riyadh, the aircraft in question were patrolling to protect Saudi and Gulf Cooperation Council airspace from Iranian missile and drone threats. The ministry further cautioned that continued Iranian attacks would deepen tensions and negatively affect current and future relations, stressing that Iran’s actions show no wisdom or intent to prevent escalation.

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday, March 8, 2026, at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat. The meeting took place amid a significant political and economic context for Bangladesh. During the meeting, the BEPZA chairman briefed the Prime Minister on the overall operations of the country’s eight export processing zones, ongoing development projects, and strategies to attract new investments. The discussion was described as important for advancing the government’s economic vision and promoting industrial growth. The meeting underscored BEPZA’s role in supporting the government’s broader economic goals, particularly in enhancing industrialization and foreign investment opportunities across Bangladesh.

Mojtaba Khamenei has assumed the role of Iran’s new Supreme Leader amid a joint attack by the United States and Israel. Iran’s president, parliament speaker, foreign minister, and all major political and military institutions have expressed strong support for him. However, he faces a series of serious challenges as he takes office. According to Al Jazeera’s Tehran correspondent Tohid Asadi, the new leader inherits a crippled economy weakened by years of international sanctions and internal mismanagement. Domestically, he must also contend with social divisions and opposition groups. Following his appointment, supporters gathered in several parts of Tehran, including the politically significant Enqelab Square, where some were attacked. Asadi described Iran as a polarized society, noting that widespread protests erupted in late December over economic issues that later expanded to include political and social demands. It remains uncertain whether the new Supreme Leader will bring change or effectively address these complex challenges.

The government has formed a new central committee headed by the Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to oversee the withdrawal of politically motivated harassment cases. The six-member committee was established through a gazette notification signed by Md. Humayun Kabir, Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division’s Committee and Economic Branch, issued on Sunday under the order of the President. According to the notification, the committee will be responsible for implementing the process of withdrawing cases filed at different times for political reasons. The officer in charge of the Law-1 Branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs will serve as the member secretary of the committee. The formation of this committee marks a formal step by the government to address cases considered politically motivated, with the law minister leading the initiative.