The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Asiya, a child from Magura who was a victim of sexual assault and abuse at her sister’s home. She succumbed to her injuries on Thursday at 1 PM while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka. In a statement, the NCP prayed for Asiya’s departed soul and extended its deepest sympathies to her grieving family. The party condemned the abuse Asiya endured, calling it a disgrace to both the state and society. At such a critical juncture for the nation, this tragic incident is deeply disheartening. The NCP reiterated its strong demand for exemplary punishment for the perpetrators and reaffirmed its commitment to fighting against such heinous crimes.

Research organizations PROGGA and ATMA have proposed tobacco tax reforms that could generate an additional Tk 20,000 crore in revenue. The plan suggests merging the lower and mid-tier cigarette categories, setting a retail price of Tk 90 per 10 sticks, while premium-tier cigarettes would be priced at Tk 190 per 10 sticks. A 67% supplementary duty, 15% VAT, and a 1% health development surcharge would be imposed. Additionally, the proposal recommends a retail price of Tk 55 per 10 grams of zarda (chewing tobacco) and Tk 30 per 10 grams of gul, with a 60% supplementary duty.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique, passed away on Thursday night after being on life support for several days. He was receiving treatment at Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital under the care of neurosurgeon Professor Nazrul Islam. A renowned academic, Arefin Siddique served as the 27th Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University from 2009 to 2017. Following his tenure, he resumed teaching at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism until retiring in June 2020. His death marks the end of a distinguished career in education and media studies.

A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft made an emergency landing in Jashore on Thursday. According to an ISPR press release, a high-level investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the incident. The aircraft took off from the Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Air Base for a training mission. Both pilots—Group Captain Molla Mohammad Tahidul Hasan and Squadron Leader Ahmad Musa—are safe and unharmed.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has emphasized that the National Identity (NID) registration system should remain under the EC. “We have built this system since 2007 and have the necessary technical expertise. It would be more logical to expand the existing structure rather than create a new one,” he said. Currently, 182 government agencies and institutions rely on data from the EC’s NID system, highlighting its security and efficiency.

At a press conference held at the Foreign Service Auditorium, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam revealed that significant irregularities occurred in the construction of 560 model mosques across the country. Despite the $1 billion project lacking Saudi Arabian funding, each mosque was built at a cost of Tk 17-18 crore, whereas, according to him, the cost could have been reduced to Tk 7-8 crore without corruption. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has formed a committee to investigate the matter.

The government has decided to ensure that all outstanding wages, festival bonuses, and other dues for workers are paid by the 20th day of Ramadan, according to an official statement. Additionally, factory owners have been advised to pay at least 15 days’ wages for March based on their financial capacity. This decision was made at the 85th meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC) on Thursday. Law enforcement agencies will closely monitor the situation to ensure compliance. To facilitate transactions, banks in industrial areas will remain open on March 28 and 29 (Friday and Saturday). Furthermore, no worker can be dismissed before Eid, and factory management and worker representatives will mutually decide the holiday schedule for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a court has ordered the freezing of 21 bank accounts belonging to former Member of Parliament Sadek Khan, his wife Mrs. Ferdousi Khan, and their son Fahim Sadek Khan. These accounts contain a total of 42,007,686 BDT. The application states that the investigation is ongoing, and during the probe, significant information was uncovered regarding the acquisition of substantial movable assets by the accused. Concerns were raised about potential attempts to transfer these assets, prompting the court to take immediate action.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Rafiqul Alam responded to India’s Foreign Ministry’s remarks on March 7 regarding Bangladesh’s elections, law and order, and minority issues, calling it an unwarranted intervention in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. Bangladesh believes that these matters are strictly internal, and it has urged the Indian government to take necessary steps to prevent such comments in the future. The spokesperson emphasized that Bangladesh firmly supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of all countries.

Following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a court has imposed a travel ban on former Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) chief Major General (retired) Md. Safinul Islam and his wife, Soma Islam. The couple is under investigation for allegations of financial misconduct and amassing illegal assets through corruption. The ACC expressed concerns that they might flee the country to avoid investigation, prompting the court to restrict their international travel to ensure a fair investigation.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense systems had downed 77 Ukrainian drones. The statement mentioned that six drones were shot down in the Kursk region, where Russian forces are in the final phase of expelling Ukrainian troops. Drones were also destroyed in Belgorod, Rostov, and Bryansk regions. The Kremlin claims that Russia’s operation in Kursk is nearing its conclusion, and U.S. negotiators are heading to Moscow.

Russia has presented a list of conditions to the United States for ending the Ukraine war and rebuilding relations with Washington. The specifics of these conditions remain unclear, but Russia has previously demanded assurances that Ukraine will not join NATO, a ban on foreign military deployments in Ukraine, and international recognition of its annexation of Crimea and four other regions. Russia has long claimed that NATO’s eastward expansion is the “main cause” of the conflict and that the U.S. and Western alliances must address this. Meanwhile, the United States awaits Russia’s response on a 30-day ceasefire agreement.

The body of Asiya, a child who was brutally assaulted and killed while visiting her sister’s home, has been taken to Magura. Her funeral was completed on Thursday evening. A military helicopter transported her remains to Magura before iftar, and her janaza (funeral prayer) was held at Nomani Maidan at 7 PM. Following the prayer, her coffin was carried by Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer (Southern Region) of the National Citizens’ Party, and Sarjis Alam, Chief Organizer (Northern Region).

In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, at least 1,015 individuals were detained as a preventive measure during Holi celebrations, and nearly a dozen mosques were covered with tarps. This included the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, among others that are the subject of Hindu nationalist group campaigns. Opposition parties and Muslim organizations have criticized these actions as a manifestation of the government’s biased policies. They allege that top administration officials and BJP leaders are inciting communal tensions by advising Muslims to stay indoors on Holi.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has arrived in Dhaka on a four-day visit at the invitation of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. He was welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday evening by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Tauhid Hossain. This marks his second visit to Bangladesh. Discussions during the visit will primarily focus on the Rohingya refugee crisis, with human rights issues also expected to be a key topic. On Friday morning, he will first meet Foreign Affairs Adviser and Special Representative Khalilur Rahman. Later, he will hold a meeting with the Chief Adviser at his office. The Secretary-General is also scheduled to visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and join an iftar gathering.