The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police arrested two main suspects in the murder of Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi. The arrests took place early Sunday, March 8, in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas, near the India-Bangladesh border. The detainees, identified as Faisal Karim Masud and his associate Alamgir Hossain, were accused of killing Hadi and fleeing to India through the Meghalaya border. They were reportedly planning to return to Bangladesh when captured. According to the STF, both suspects had entered India illegally after committing serious crimes, including extortion and murder, in Bangladesh. Acting on confidential information, police conducted a late-night operation in Bongaon and detained them. A case has been filed, and the suspects were presented before court and placed in police custody. Hadi, spokesperson for the ‘Inquilab Moncho’ and a key figure in the July Movement, was shot in Dhaka’s Paltan area on December 12 of the previous year. Authorities had earlier frozen the bank accounts of Masud, his company, and family members as part of the investigation.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an inquiry against the removed Managing Director of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA), Md. Abdus Salam Bapari, on allegations of laundering money abroad. CID Special Police Superintendent (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed the development on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Preliminary findings indicate that Abdus Salam Bapari, who joined Dhaka WASA as an assistant engineer in 1991, allegedly transferred illicitly acquired funds overseas. He is accused of purchasing substantial immovable and movable assets in Canada, the United States, and other countries under his own name, his wife’s name, and those of associates. Investigators found that in 2018, he and his wife, Mahbubunnecha, bought a house in Toronto, Canada, valued at approximately 200 million Bangladeshi taka. CID stated that the investigation is being conducted under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, and the Money Laundering Prevention Rules, 2019, to determine legal action based on the findings.

The Ministry of Education has announced that all universities across Bangladesh will remain closed from Monday, March 9, following a directive from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The decision aims to conserve electricity by advancing the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. The announcement was made on Sunday, March 8, according to the ministry. This move marks an unusual initiative by the government to address power-saving concerns nationwide. By bringing forward the holiday period, the authorities expect to reduce electricity consumption during a time of increased demand. The closure applies to all universities in the country, both public and private, as part of the broader energy conservation effort. Further details about the duration of the closure and related academic adjustments were not provided in the initial announcement.

A Dhaka court has ordered the publication of a gazette directing British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and former RAJUK assistant legal adviser Sardar Mosharraf Hossain to appear before the court in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over allegedly obtaining a flat illegally in Gulshan. The order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz on March 8, with March 29 set for submission of a report on the matter. Earlier, on February 18, the court accepted the charge sheet against Siddiq and Hossain and issued arrest warrants. On February 26, the court also directed Interpol to issue a red notice for Siddiq’s arrest. The ACC filed the case on April 15 of the previous year, accusing Siddiq and two former RAJUK officials of misusing power to occupy and register a flat in Eastern Housing Limited’s Gulshan-2 project without payment. The ACC later submitted the charge sheet on December 11 under multiple sections of the Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. Siddiq had previously been sentenced to six years in prison in three separate cases related to plot allocation fraud.

Three Indonesian sailors remain missing after the UAE-flagged tugboat Musaffah 2 sank in the Strait of Hormuz, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday. One Indonesian crew member was rescued and is receiving treatment for burn injuries at a hospital in Khasab, Oman. According to the ministry’s statement, the vessel caught fire following an explosion before it went down. Local authorities have launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing sailors. The cause of the explosion and subsequent sinking is under investigation by local officials. The incident highlights ongoing maritime safety challenges in the busy Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the tugboat’s loss.

Iranian media reported that a new Supreme Leader has been selected following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, confirmed that the selection process has been completed, though the name of the chosen leader has not yet been officially announced. The formal declaration will depend on Hosseini Bushehri, head of the Assembly’s secretariat, who is responsible for making the announcement. The semi-official Mehr News Agency carried the report. The development comes after Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike last Saturday, according to the report. Prior to the selection, Israel had warned that whoever becomes Iran’s next Supreme Leader would be targeted. The situation has drawn attention across the region, with reports of concern among Gulf countries over Iran’s conflicting messages. An official announcement from the Assembly of Experts is expected soon, which may clarify the leadership transition and its implications for Iran’s political direction.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has alleged that a culture of harassment through false cases, similar to that of the Awami League, has re-emerged. Speaking at the NCP’s Barishal divisional iftar and prayer gathering on Sunday at Halima Khatun Government Girls’ High School field, he claimed that a false case had been filed against Nasiruddin Patwari and warned that such actions would not silence party members. Nahid Islam stated that the BNP should not emulate the Awami League, describing the BNP as an anti-fascist party that had stood on the streets during mass uprisings. He cautioned that if the BNP compromised with the Awami League or India and sheltered corrupt individuals, the NCP would resist on the streets. He also urged local leaders to prepare for upcoming local government elections, saying that while the party accepted alleged manipulation in national polls for the sake of stability, it would not tolerate irregularities in local elections. The event was attended by NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib, and National Youth Power convener Tarikul Islam.

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.

Two firefighters were killed in Kuwait while performing their duties, according to a statement from the Kuwait Fire Service. The announcement came amid ongoing Iranian retaliatory attacks on US installations in Gulf countries following joint US-Israeli strikes. The fire service disclosed the incident on social media platform X but did not provide details on the exact circumstances of the deaths. Al Jazeera, citing Kuwaiti authorities, reported that the two officers were engaged in extinguishing a blaze at a fuel tank at the country’s airport when they lost their lives. The victims were identified as Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Emad Al-Sharah and Major Fahad Abdul Aziz Al-Mujammad. The deaths occurred during heightened regional tensions, as Gulf states remain on alert over Iran’s continuing strikes and conflicting messages from Tehran.

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.

Indian police have arrested two Bangladeshi nationals, including Faisal Karim Masud, the main suspect in the murder of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha. The arrests took place near the Bongaon border area of West Bengal between March 7 and 8, 2026. According to the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF), the two men had illegally entered India after committing serious crimes in Bangladesh and were hiding near the border while planning to return. The arrested individuals were identified as Rahul alias Faisal Karim Masud, aged 37 from Patuakhali, and Alamgir Hossain, aged 34 from Dhaka. Preliminary interrogation revealed that both were directly involved in the killing of political activist Osman Hadi in Dhaka. They reportedly entered India through the Meghalaya border and moved across several locations before being detained. A case has been filed against them under specific legal provisions, and a local court has ordered their police custody. Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12, 2025, and later died in Singapore on December 18 after being transferred for advanced treatment.

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.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has strongly responded to former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s criticism of Britain’s position on Iran. In an interview with Sky News, Cooper said it was vital to learn from the experience of the Iraq war. She rejected Blair’s view that the UK should have supported the United States’ stance on Iran from the outset. Cooper stated that some in politics believe Britain should always align with the United States, while others think it should never do so again. She argued that neither extreme serves the UK’s national interest. Cooper emphasized that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s responsibility is to make decisions prioritizing British citizens’ interests. When asked if she was implying that Blair had been a “poodle” of the United States, Cooper replied that the key issue was learning from the mistakes made during the Iraq war, adding that Starmer was trying to do exactly that.