On Saturday, Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that Israeli forces have killed 24 female Palestinian journalists during 15 months of ongoing aggression. In a statement marking International Women’s Day, media chief Salama Maarouf condemned these killings as violations of international humanitarian law. He emphasized that their status as women and journalists did not shield them from Israel’s actions. He also criticized the international community’s silence on the issue.

Home Adviser Jahangir Alam declared that rapists will find no refuge in Bangladesh. Referring to a recent case in Magura, he confirmed that all suspects have been arrested and will face maximum legal punishment. The government has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy on sexual violence, instructing law enforcement to take swift action against offenders. He also reaffirmed that banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir will not be allowed to operate politically under any circumstances.

Mozammel Haque Manik, a schoolteacher accused of raping a fifth-grade student, was physically assaulted by an enraged crowd while being taken to court in Thakurgaon on Sunday. He was later sent to jail. Meanwhile, students and locals staged a human chain protest in front of the District Commissioner’s office, demanding the harshest punishment. District Commissioner Ishrat Farzana assured that no loophole in the law would allow the perpetrator to escape justice.

In a statement on Sunday, Hefazat-e-Islam emphasized that Islam mandates public punishment for rapists. Quoting the Quran, they stated: “Let no pity deter you from carrying out the punishment in accordance with Allah’s command, and let a group of believers witness it” (Surah An-Nur, Ayah 2). They also referenced Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who sentenced a rapist to death. The statement called for the public execution of former RAB officer Alep Uddin, accused of raping a woman after threatening to kill her husband in a staged ‘crossfire’ incident. Hefazat blamed the rise in rape cases on a culture of impunity.

Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam has announced that the government will take a firm stance against all forms of mob justice. “The law is blind; it does not consider race, religion, gender, or status. Anyone involved in mob justice will be brought under legal action,” he stated following a meeting with the Chief Adviser. He also warned that any attempts to incite chaos, including surrounding police stations or triggering unrest, will be met with strict action.

According to the latest update from Bangladesh Bank on Sunday, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to $21.40 billion, driven by a positive inflow of remittances. As of March 6, the gross reserves stood at $26.60 billion. Based on the IMF’s BPM6 accounting system, the current usable reserves are $21.40 billion. In February alone, remittances amounted to $2.5 billion, equivalent to over Tk 308.29 billion.

The Election Commission (EC) will issue a public notice on Monday inviting applications for new political parties seeking registration ahead of the upcoming national election, confirmed Additional Secretary KM Ali. The commission has already approved the decision, and new parties can apply for registration until April 20. After the application deadline, the EC will review and verify submissions before granting registrations to eligible parties. Currently, 54 political parties are registered with the EC.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed astonishment over the decade-long delay in implementing the Saydabad Water Treatment Plant Phase-3 and the Meghna River conservation project. He criticized the lack of progress, stating that excessive groundwater extraction is posing severe environmental risks. Officials reported that nearly 70% of Dhaka’s water supply relies on groundwater, causing an annual drop of 2-3 meters in water levels. The Chief Adviser urged authorities to remove obstacles and minimize costs to expedite project completion.

The International Crimes Tribunal has directed investigators to submit a report by May 12 on the alleged massacre in Uttara during the recent mass uprising. The case involves nine accused individuals, including former mayor Atiqul Islam. Others named in the case include Shahinur Mia, Monowar Islam Chowdhury Robin, Abdullah Al Mamun Mondol, Bashir Uddin, and Delwar Hossain Rubel. Video footage has been used to identify the suspects and support allegations of direct involvement.

BNP leader Abdus Salam Pinto has accused allies of the fascist government of conspiring to dismantle the nation. He stated that remnants of the oppressive regime still exist in every corner of the country. Pinto urged people to pray during Ramadan for the eradication of fascist rule and called for a unified effort to resist conspiracies, restore democracy, and protect voting rights.

During a meeting with Kuwait’s newly appointed ambassador, Ali Tunian Abdul Wahab Hamadah, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus invited Kuwait to invest in Bangladesh’s oil refinery sector and special economic zones. He emphasized the potential of halal food industries and urged Kuwaiti investors to explore opportunities in this field. He also encouraged participation in the upcoming Bangladesh Investment Summit in Dhaka, scheduled for April 7-9.

Bangladeshi students gathered at the historic Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo for Iftar as part of its 1,085-year anniversary celebrations. The event attracted hundreds of Bangladeshi students alongside visitors from Bangladesh. SM Fakhrul Islam, president of the Bangladeshi student association 'Ittehad' in Egypt, attended the event with his family. He shared his experience of observing Ramadan abroad for the first time, missing the festive atmosphere of home but appreciating the opportunity to break fast with nearly 7,000 students from diverse backgrounds.

The High Court has instructed the Women and Child Repression Tribunal to conclude the trial of an 8-year-old child’s rape case in Magura within 180 days. The directive followed a petition presented by Barrister Mahsib Hossain, who highlighted concerns over the child's well-being. Additionally, the court ordered the removal of all social media images of the victim, warning that posting such content is a legal violation, and failure to comply would result in further legal action.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has warned that a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would cause an environmental catastrophe, leading to a severe water crisis in the Persian Gulf region within three days. He emphasized that water contamination levels would rise dramatically, affecting not just Qatar but also Kuwait, the UAE, and all Gulf nations. He cautioned that such an escalation would inevitably lead to a broader conflict that neither the region nor the world desires.

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory urging citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and security risks. The advisory specifically mentions Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as high-risk regions where militant groups remain active. It warns of potential attacks on transport hubs, shopping malls, military sites, airports, universities, and places of worship. Additionally, U.S. officials in Pakistan have been restricted from attending large public gatherings.