More than a dozen human rights experts have accused Israel of weaponizing starvation in Gaza by deliberately obstructing humanitarian aid and disrupting ceasefire efforts. In a statement, UN independent experts denounced Israel’s actions as a blatant violation of international law and a threat to peace. They emphasized that as an occupying force, Israel has a legal obligation to ensure adequate food, medical supplies, and essential humanitarian aid for Gaza’s population. Instead, Israel is intentionally blocking these supplies, effectively turning aid into a tool of war.

Brigadier General Syed Md. Motaher Hossain, Inspector General of Prisons, has reported significant disciplinary actions within the prison department over the past seven months. A total of 12 officials were dismissed, six were forced into retirement, 84 were temporarily suspended, 270 faced varying degrees of punishment, and departmental cases were filed against 260 others. The actions were taken due to allegations of irregularities, financial misconduct, and other unethical practices. To address overcrowding, the authorities have already operationalized Sylhet Central Jail-2, and plans are underway to establish another high-security prison in Keraniganj.

Additional secretaries from various batches who were denied retroactive promotions are now intensifying their demands. Unlike some who received promotions without financial benefits, those who officially applied for redress under former Finance Secretary Md. Zakir Ahmed Khan’s committee found their applications disregarded. Out of 572 applicants, only 51 additional secretaries received retroactive promotions, while the remaining 461 were ignored. They argue that under the previous authoritarian regime, 90% of additional secretaries faced promotion-related discrimination and were forced into retirement. The Secretary of Public Administration has now forwarded a summary to the Chief Adviser’s office, recommending a review of the denied applications and an extension of the relevant committee’s tenure.

Bangladesh received $810 million in remittances in the first eight days of March, according to a report by Bangladesh Bank. In comparison, remittance inflows for the same period in February and January were $671 million and $535 million, respectively. This indicates a rising trend in remittance flow. Bangladesh Bank also reported that from March 2-8, the country received $784 million, while on March 1 alone, remittances amounted to $38 million. In 2024, total remittance inflows have reached $26.89 billion.

Addressing Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus, opposition leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu criticized the government, citing rising incidents of child abuse and street violence. He questioned, “Was a mass uprising carried out for this? If you can’t handle it, step down.” Dudu alleged that since taking office, Dr. Yunus has swiftly withdrawn legal cases against himself. “No mass movement led to his cases; I won’t go into why they were filed. But they were withdrawn quickly,” he claimed. Regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he argued, “Her trial could have been completed within six months. Young people are saying there will be no election before justice is served. If trials don’t happen, does that mean elections won’t happen either?” He asserted that a one-year trial process could be concluded in just three months.

During a discussion in Cox’s Bazar on March 9, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar announced that new appointments and promotions will be made to fill vacancies in primary schools to ensure uninterrupted educational activities. He highlighted the introduction of the Midday Meal program, aimed at encouraging students to stay in school and continue their education. Additionally, he mentioned that special programs under the Bureau of Non-Formal Education are in place to support economically disadvantaged children at risk of dropping out. Dr. Poddar also revealed that a project named SkillFo is currently running in the Chittagong region, providing primary education alongside vocational training to equip children with life skills.

On Monday, the Election Commission (EC) issued a public notice inviting new political parties to apply for registration to participate in the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections. According to the notice, parties seeking registration must submit their applications by April 20. Currently, Bangladesh has 54 registered political parties. With the completion of the new registration process, this number is expected to increase. Since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, several new parties have been granted registration, including AB Party, Nurul Haque Nur’s Gono Odhikar Parishad, Mahmudur Rahman’s Nagorik Oikya, and the Gono Songhoti Andolon. Meanwhile, the newly formed Jatiyo Nagorik Party is reportedly preparing to apply for registration as well.

A Jashore court on Monday acquitted BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, in a treason case. The case accused him of making derogatory and defamatory remarks against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which were deemed seditious. Following a court order, Jashore Kotwali police investigated the matter and later filed a charge sheet against Tarique Rahman. However, after a nine-year-long legal battle, the court found no substantial evidence to prove the allegations, leading to his acquittal.

The Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, has announced that a new law to recover smuggled money will be passed next week. He stated that the interim government has been actively working on retrieving illicit funds. Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasized that this issue is of utmost priority, as it concerns the money of the Bangladeshi people. A task force comprising 11 members was formed in September to investigate financial crimes, including money laundering linked to Sheikh Hasina and her family. According to the task force, evidence has been found of 500 crore BDT ($50 million) being smuggled abroad in a single semester as tuition fees for an individual’s son. Meanwhile, 97% of textbooks have already been printed, and the remaining ones will be completed and distributed within a week.

For the second consecutive day, students of Rajshahi University (RU) have blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway, protesting against sexual violence and demanding the death penalty for rapists. The protest began at 11:30 AM on Paris Road inside the university and later moved to the main gate at around 12:15 PM. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Death for rapists,” “No place for rapists in our golden Bangladesh,” and “Catch every rapist, execute them one by one.” The demonstration reflects growing outrage over gender-based violence in the country.

A gold smuggler, Sohel Uddin (55), was apprehended by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) while attempting to smuggle gold into India through the Satkhira border. BGB recovered 15 gold bars from his possession. Lieutenant Colonel Ashraful Haque, the commanding officer, stated that acting on a tip-off, BGB conducted an operation at Abaderhat in Satkhira Sadar Upazila around 7 PM on Sunday. The seized gold bars have an estimated market value of 2.35 crore BDT.

In an interview with British media outlet The Guardian, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated that the upcoming election will be the freest and fairest in decades. He mentioned that the election could take place anytime between December this year and March next year. Meanwhile, Nahid Islam, convenor of the newly formed National Citizens’ Party, expressed skepticism, saying that given the current law and order situation, a truly free and fair election is not possible. BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury also told The Guardian that the government is in no hurry to hold elections, arguing that they lack a mandate for reforms and should be seen only as an interim government. Dr. Yunus further revealed in the interview that he agreed to lead the interim government at the request of students.

After more than a decade, Syria has regained its membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The decision was approved at the 20th emergency session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha welcomed Syria’s reinstatement, calling it a “historic” moment that will support the Syrian people during this critical period in their history. Syria’s membership was suspended in 2012 due to the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters, mass killings, and human rights violations.

Qatar has urged the international community to bring all of Israel’s nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Qatari Foreign Ministry called on Israel to place its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards and join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This appeal was made following a meeting of IAEA governors in Vienna, where discussions focused on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel’s nuclear capabilities. The meeting emphasized that all Middle Eastern countries, except Israel, are signatories to the NPT and have corresponding safeguard agreements.

Qatar has called on the international community to place all of Israel’s nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Qatari Foreign Ministry urged Israel to bring its nuclear sites under IAEA safeguards and join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The call was made following a meeting of IAEA governors in Vienna, where discussions were held on "Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel’s Nuclear Capabilities." Qatar emphasized that all Middle Eastern nations, except Israel, are NPT signatories with associated safeguard agreements.