A military helicopter crashed in the United Arab Emirates, killing two soldiers, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The UAE Ministry of Defence stated that the incident occurred while the aircraft was on duty and that a technical malfunction caused the crash. The ministry confirmed that both members of the armed forces on board lost their lives. In its statement, the Ministry of Defence described the deceased soldiers as martyrs, emphasizing that they died while performing their national duty. No further details about the location of the crash, the type of helicopter, or the specific mission were provided in the report. Authorities have not released additional information about the investigation or possible safety measures following the accident.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has called on BNP lawmakers to take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council at the very beginning of the general session of the National Parliament on March 12. Speaking at an iftar event organized by the Khulna district unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, he said that two oaths were mandatory for the elected MPs to fully implement the July Charter, but the beneficiary party of the July uprising did not take the second oath. He stated that Jamaat would play the role of a responsible opposition party in parliament. Porwar questioned whether the BNP had forgotten the sacrifices made during the July uprising and warned against authoritarian tendencies. He claimed that there had been a wave of public support for Jamaat’s electoral symbol and alleged post-vote manipulation in ballot sorting and result announcements. He said Jamaat would file a petition in the tribunal against the irregularities. The event was presided over by Khulna district Ameer Maulana Emran Hossain, with several central leaders of Jamaat and allied organizations attending as special guests.

Two main suspects in the murder of Inquilab Manch convener Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, Faisal Karim Masud and his associate Alamgir Hossain, were arrested in West Bengal on Sunday. Following the arrests, the ruling Trinamool Congress questioned how the accused managed to enter India despite the Border Security Force (BSF) being under the authority of Home Minister Amit Shah. Trinamool spokesperson Arup Chakraborty told BBC Bangla that the accused entered India through the Meghalaya border, where a BJP-allied government is in power. He accused Amit Shah of failing to protect the border and claimed that the suspects traveled through Assam and Tripura, both ruled by BJP governments, before being caught by West Bengal police. BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar countered that West Bengal has become a safe haven for criminals from Bangladesh and other countries. He cited the porous 400-kilometer border and alleged that the state’s land policies have weakened BSF’s ability to secure the frontier.

Qatar has arrested 313 individuals, including foreign nationals, for allegedly sharing images and misleading information related to Iran’s recent attacks. The country’s Ministry of Interior announced the arrests on Monday, stating that those detained had recorded and distributed videos and rumors that could incite public unrest. The arrests were carried out by the Economic and Cyber Crime Department under the Criminal Investigation Division. The crackdown comes as Iran continues drone and missile strikes across several Middle Eastern countries, targeting airports, military bases, energy facilities, and residential areas in retaliation for Israeli and U.S. attacks. Other Gulf nations have also taken similar actions. Bahrain reported four arrests on March 6 for spreading false information about Iranian attacks, while Kuwait detained three people on March 7 for mocking the situation in videos. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have issued warnings against sharing sensitive images or unverified information, emphasizing legal consequences for such actions. Despite these warnings, visuals of missile strikes and war damage continue to circulate on social media.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has accused the United States of attempting to divide Iran with the aim of seizing its oil resources. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Baghaei said Iran remains committed to maintaining good and friendly relations with other countries but reserves the right to defend itself if any attack is launched using another nation’s territory. He emphasized that such defensive actions should not be interpreted as hostility. Addressing recent allegations that Iranian drones or missiles struck targets in Turkey, Cyprus, and Azerbaijan, Baghaei denied any attacks originating from Iranian territory. He suggested that these claims might be a staged act by hostile forces to create rifts between Iran and its neighbors. When asked about possible mediation or ceasefire efforts, Baghaei stated that such discussions were not relevant at this time, as Iran’s focus remains solely on defending its homeland. Baghaei further asserted that Iran did not initiate the current conflict and that the war, though imposed, has now become unavoidable.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has warned that the government’s legitimacy will be questioned if it fails to implement the July Charter, citing the old constitution as an excuse. He made the remarks on Monday at the NCP’s Khulna divisional iftar and prayer gathering held at Khulna District Stadium. Nahid Islam stated that the current government did not come to power through a regular process and that its legitimacy, as well as that of the interim government, stemmed from the July uprising. He emphasized that ignoring the July Charter would undermine the government’s authority. Referring to the joint presence of leaders from BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and other parties at the event, he said the July uprising made such unity possible and called for the implementation of all ordinances issued by the interim government. The event was attended by Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Khulna City Corporation administrator Nazrul Islam Manju, and several senior NCP organizers.

Inqilab Mancha has alleged that the masterminds and financiers behind the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi remain at large despite the arrest of the main shooter. At an emergency press conference held in Dhaka’s Shahbagh on March 9, the group’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber said they had confirmed the arrest of the prime accused, Faisal Karim Masud, in India. He described the arrest, which came 87 days after the murder, as a significant step forward but insisted that those who planned and financed the attack must also be exposed. Jaber claimed that an earlier investigation by the Detective Branch attempted to suppress the case, but the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has since taken over. He said the CID confirmed efforts to bring the shooter back to Bangladesh and identify others involved. While thanking investigators for progress, he warned against political bargaining over the arrest and urged swift completion of international legal processes. Reiterating the call for a UN-supervised investigation, Jaber said the government should update the public on whether the UN has agreed to take charge and what cooperation will be provided to ensure impartial justice.

The ongoing conflict surrounding Iran has sparked fears of a new wave of inflation in the United Kingdom, according to a report citing Al Jazeera. The impact is already visible in European stock markets, with the UK's FTSE 100 index dropping by about 200 points, or roughly 2 percent, and Germany's DAX index falling by around 2.3 percent. Market analysts suggest that investors are now factoring in the possibility of interest rate hikes due to inflation concerns. The Bank of England is expected to make decisions on this matter in the coming weeks or months. Higher interest rates would make borrowing more expensive for both businesses and homeowners. Since the crisis began, yields on UK government bonds have also risen significantly, raising concerns that the government’s day-to-day financial management could become more difficult.

West Bengal Police have filed a case against two Bangladeshi nationals, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, for illegal entry into India after their arrest in connection with the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inquilab Manch. The two were detained near Bongaon, close to the India-Bangladesh border, and were found without Indian identification documents. They have been remanded to 14 days of police custody following their court appearance. A police officer told BBC Bangla that the decision to hand over the suspects to Bangladesh does not fall under the jurisdiction of the state police. The Bangladeshi Deputy High Commission in Kolkata has requested consular access to meet the detainees through the Indian government. The officer added that, given the sensitive and serious nature of the case, the process could be completed swiftly through administrative cooperation between the two countries. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects fled Bangladesh after Hadi’s killing and entered India illegally through the Meghalaya border. Police are investigating whether others were involved in the illegal entry.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed concern that rising energy prices caused by the ongoing war could affect Germany’s economy. Speaking at a press conference, Merz said his government is worried about the current energy price situation and acknowledged the potential economic consequences for the country. During his visit to the White House last week, Merz had expressed support for the joint U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran. At the same time, he expressed hope that the conflict would end soon, noting that the war is having a negative impact on the global economy. The statement reflects Germany’s growing anxiety over the broader economic fallout of the conflict and its potential to disrupt energy markets and economic stability.

Noor Banu Kabir from Dinajpur has been honored with the 'Best Indomitable Woman' award by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. The award was presented by President Md. Shahabuddin at a ceremony held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on the occasion of International Women’s Day. She received the award in the 'Successful Mother' category, having earlier been recognized at the Rangpur divisional level. Eighty-six-year-old Noor Banu Kabir, wife of freedom fighter Alhaj Mohammad Humayun Kabir of Balubari, Dinajpur, was born in Lalpur village of the then undivided Dinajpur district. Despite studying only up to the sixth grade, she dedicated her life to ensuring her ten children received higher education and became established in their careers. Among them, seven earned postgraduate degrees, one completed graduation, and two studied up to the intermediate level. Her children now serve in various professions, including teaching, journalism, government service, and agriculture, reflecting her lifelong commitment to education and perseverance.

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that modern journalism cannot thrive under outdated structures and emphasized the government's goal to establish an international standard of journalism in Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at the Dhaka Sub-Editors Council’s iftar event at the National Press Club on March 9, he said that the government will ensure full media freedom and formulate necessary policies through discussions with journalists. Swapan noted that while the government envisions complete media freedom, it must not lead to chaos. He added that the government will not tolerate media owners who fail to pay journalists’ salaries. He also stressed that only thoughtful individuals should remain in the journalism profession and announced that a comprehensive policy will be introduced soon. The event was presided over by Dhaka Sub-Editors Council President Muktadir Anik and conducted by General Secretary Jawhar Iqbal, with additional remarks from leaders of the Dhaka Journalists Union.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all banks to ensure adequate cash availability in ATM booths across the country ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The central bank’s Payment Systems Department issued a circular on Monday instructing scheduled banks, mobile financial service providers, and payment service institutions to maintain uninterrupted operations of all digital transaction systems, including point of sale (POS), e-payment gateways, and mobile financial services. The circular emphasized that ATMs must remain operational at all times, with technical issues resolved promptly and security guards kept on alert. Banks were also instructed to ensure continuous POS services for customer convenience and to raise awareness among merchants and clients to prevent fraud. For e-payment gateways, the use of two-factor authentication in both card-based and account-based transactions was mandated. Mobile financial service providers such as bKash, Rocket, and Nagad were asked to guarantee uninterrupted transactions and to notify customers via SMS for every transaction, regardless of amount.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has sharply criticized India’s growing dominance in world cricket following their one-sided victory over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final. Despite India’s commanding performance in both batting and bowling that secured a 96-run win and their record third title, Akhtar argued that such dominance is detrimental to the sport. Speaking on the Pakistani streaming show ‘Game On Hai’ after the match, he compared India’s control over cricket to a wealthy child dictating the outcome of a neighborhood game. Akhtar claimed that India’s influence allows it to shape tournaments to its advantage, suggesting that this imbalance undermines fair competition. His remarks quickly spread across social media, sparking widespread debate among cricket fans. Many observers interpreted his comments as a reaction of frustration or disappointment following India’s triumph. The discussion reflects ongoing tensions in international cricket over power distribution and competitive equity, issues that continue to draw attention after India’s latest global success.

Myanmar’s military junta secretly imported jet fuel from Iran in three separate shipments before the outbreak of war involving the United States and Israel, according to a report by Japan-based Nikkei Asia citing internal sources. The shipments were delivered to the Myan Oil terminal near Yangon’s Thilawa Port, previously known as Puma, which serves as a jet fuel storage facility. Documents reviewed by Nikkei showed that the supplier vessel, MV Reef, falsely declared Iraq as the fuel’s origin. The ship, capable of carrying 18,376 tons or about 146,000 barrels of fuel, was suited for Yangon’s shallow waterways. Sources told Nikkei that the junta imported an unusually large volume of jet fuel to sustain its military operations amid the ongoing civil conflict. Former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s ex-adviser, Australian economist Sean Turnell, confirmed the Iranian fuel supply as genuine and significant. He noted that Myanmar’s foreign reserves remain strained, and rising global fuel prices following the Iran war could deplete the junta’s surplus used for purchasing weapons from Russia, leaving it without a key supplier. The report suggests Myanmar may now need to seek alternative fuel sources as sanctions and price surges intensify.