Indian police have arrested Faisal Karim Masud, the main accused in the murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, along with his associate Alamgir Hossain. The arrests were made by the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force from the Bongaon border area late Saturday night, and an Indian court has granted 14 days of remand for both suspects. Discussions are now underway on how to bring them back to Bangladesh. According to Bangladesh Police Headquarters, the extradition of Faisal and Alamgir could be achieved through high-level cooperation between the two countries, as the Hadi murder case has drawn significant attention. Senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials said they have not yet received official confirmation from India but are monitoring the situation. Analysts noted that the suspects could be returned under the existing prisoner exchange agreement between Bangladesh and India. The 2013 extradition treaty between the two nations, amended in 2016, allows for the return of individuals accused or convicted of crimes punishable by at least one year in prison, excluding politically motivated offenses. Murder and related crimes are not considered political under the treaty.

Defense lawyer Aminul Gani Tito claimed that Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman had been in hiding for eight years and was not abducted by any law enforcement agency. The statement came during cross-examination in the International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, in a case concerning alleged crimes against humanity linked to the TFI Cell. During questioning, Tito told Arman that his book describing his disappearance was false, which Arman denied. Arman also said that he could not provide certain clothing items requested by the investigating officer because they were not preserved. A documentary about Arman’s disappearance was shown in court, featuring CCTV footage of him wearing a lungi, T-shirt, and towel around his neck. Tito suggested the footage was staged for the documentary, but Arman rejected that claim. The tribunal scheduled the next cross-examination for March 10 after defense lawyer Tabarak Hossain sought time on behalf of seven accused, including Lt. Col. Sarwar Bin Kashem. The prosecution was represented by Mizanul Islam and others.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has released a Google Form seeking information from honest and patriotic teachers to identify problems in the education sector and develop long-term solutions. The announcement was made on Sunday through a Facebook statement signed by the party’s joint member secretary and education and research secretary, Faisal Mahmud Shanto. According to the statement, the July 2024 student–public uprising was not merely a government change but the beginning of a moral, social, political, and cultural renaissance. As a party formed in the aftermath of that movement, NCP has been vocal about the rights of teachers and students and the irregularities in the education system. Its leaders and activists have also participated in street movements to demand those rights. The statement added that despite long struggles, progress in the education sector remains limited. NCP said it will continue working for sustainable development and rights in education by coordinating with teachers to identify issues and find practical, long-term solutions.

Explosions were reported in Tel Aviv on March 8, 2026, following an Iranian missile strike on Israel. Smoke was seen rising from one location in the city after the Israeli military had earlier warned of a new wave of missiles launched from Iran. The military stated that its defense systems were operating to counter the threat, and air raid sirens were heard across several Israeli cities. This was the second round of missile attacks on Israel that day. About an hour before the explosions, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had announced plans to target Beersheba and Tel Aviv. Israel’s emergency medical service later confirmed that three people were injured by metal fragments resulting from the attacks, though it did not specify the exact area where the incident occurred. The situation underscored escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, with both sides exchanging missile fire and warnings throughout the day, according to the report sourced from the BBC.

Indian police have arrested two Bangladeshi nationals, including Faisal Karim Masud, the main accused in the murder of former Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi. The arrests were made by the Special Task Force of West Bengal Police from the Bongaon border area on Sunday, according to Indian news agency ANI. The detainees, identified as Faisal Karim Masud and Alomgir Hossain, were accused of illegal entry and residence in India. Police said the two suspects fled Bangladesh after committing serious crimes, including extortion and murder, and had been hiding in India. They were captured during a late-night operation between March 7 and 8 based on specific intelligence. Preliminary interrogation indicated their direct involvement in Hadi’s killing, after which they entered India through the Meghalaya border and later gathered in Bongaon to return to Bangladesh. A case has been filed against the two under specific legal provisions, and a local court has ordered them into police custody for further investigation.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate a nationwide canal excavation program from Dinajpur on March 16. The minister made the statement after inspecting a canal at Balrampur Saha Para in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur. According to him, the initiative marks the beginning of a countrywide effort to excavate rivers, canals, and water bodies. He said that the program fulfills a key election pledge by Prime Minister Rahman, who had promised to excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies within five years of forming the government. The Dinajpur site was chosen as the first location for the inauguration. The Water Resources Ministry has planned a 12.20-kilometer canal excavation at Balrampur Saha Para, which will be launched simultaneously across the country. The minister also stated that after the nationwide canal excavation, 250 million trees will be planted. Several local officials, including the Member of Parliament for Dinajpur-1 and senior police and administrative officers, were present during the inspection.

Israeli airstrikes on fuel depots in Tehran have caused widespread fires after leaked fuel entered the city’s sewage system, creating what residents described as a “river of fire.” Videos circulating on social media showed flames running through drainage channels along major roads. Iran’s Oil Ministry confirmed that three fuel depots, including one in Karaj city in Alborz province west of Tehran, were hit in the attacks. Following the explosions, the Iranian Red Crescent Society issued an emergency warning over possible toxic rainfall caused by airborne chemicals released from the blasts. The agency advised residents to stay indoors during rain, avoid sheltering under trees, and wash any exposed skin with cold water if contact occurs. It also instructed people to seal contaminated clothing in bags to prevent further exposure. In response to fuel supply disruptions, Tehran’s governor reduced the daily fuel quota from 30 to 20 liters per personal card but assured citizens that the restriction would last only a few days until the situation stabilizes.

Oman Air has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Gulf countries between March 9 and March 15, citing the closure of regional airspace. The airline confirmed that services to destinations including Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Baghdad, and Khasab will remain halted during this period. According to the announcement, the decision follows disruptions in regional airspace that have affected flight operations across the Gulf. The airline did not specify when normal services would resume beyond the stated suspension period. The temporary halt is expected to impact travel connectivity within the Gulf region, though Oman Air has not provided further details on passenger arrangements or alternative routes.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has reported that at least 394 people have been killed in ongoing Israeli attacks across the country. The ministry’s Health Emergency Operations Center stated that among the dead are 83 children. The report also confirmed that around 1,130 people have been injured as a result of the strikes. The updated figures were released as Israeli assaults continued in different parts of Lebanon, according to information cited by Al Jazeera. The ministry’s statement reflects the growing human toll of the conflict, which has intensified in recent days. No further details were provided about the specific locations or circumstances of the attacks. The situation underscores the escalating humanitarian impact of the violence, with a significant number of civilian casualties reported by Lebanese authorities.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has expressed concern that the ongoing war in the Middle East could impact Bangladesh’s remittance inflow. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, March 8, after a law and order committee meeting at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner’s office, he said the government has taken several initiatives to support remittance earners, which will soon become visible. The minister emphasized that ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the conflict zone is the government’s top priority. A joint monitoring cell comprising the foreign, civil aviation, and expatriates’ welfare ministries has been formed to observe the situation daily. He confirmed that three Bangladeshi nationals have died in the conflict, and efforts are underway to repatriate their bodies while maintaining contact with their families. Chowdhury added that efforts to reopen closed overseas labor markets are ongoing, though the Middle East situation has slowed progress. The government is now focusing on East Asian markets, expecting improvement after Ramadan and as the war situation stabilizes.

Former interim government legal adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has described three political traits of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon through a Facebook post, noting that although Hasina has been absent from Bangladesh for a long time, her political influence remains present in the country. In his post, Nazrul identified three key aspects of Hasina’s politics. The first, which he called the politics of ownership, involved claiming exclusive guardianship over the Liberation War, equating support for Hasina with support for the war itself. The second was the politics of labeling, where opponents were branded with terms such as “anti-Liberation” or “pro-Pakistan,” a trend he said continues today with new labels. The third was the politics of victimhood, where a sense of being wronged justified aggressive political behavior. Nazrul concluded that while movements have ended Hasina’s rule, elements of her political style persist among those who opposed her.

Bangladesh Bank has paid $1.37 billion to settle the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) bill for the January–February period, according to Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The payment was made on Sunday, and as a result, the country’s foreign exchange reserves are expected to drop below $35 billion. As of March 5, Bangladesh’s gross reserves stood at $35.49 billion, while the BPM6-based reserve was $30.76 billion. The central bank typically settles ACU obligations from its reserves, leading to a temporary decline after each payment. In previous cycles, Bangladesh paid $1.53 billion for November–December, $1.61 billion for September–October, and $1.50 billion for the preceding two months. The Asian Clearing Union is a regional payment arrangement among nine central banks in Asia, including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, and the Maldives. It facilitates settlement of import and export transactions among member countries every two months.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has sharply rejected former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s call for the United Kingdom to support the United States in a potential military conflict with Iran. In an interview with Sky News, Cooper said that blindly siding with any country would go against Britain’s national interest and emphasized learning from the mistakes of the 2003 Iraq war. Blair had recently stated that Britain should have supported the US military action against Iran from the outset. Cooper disagreed, saying that neither unconditional support for the US nor total opposition to joint military action serves the UK’s interests. She added that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s responsibility is to protect British citizens and national security, which he is fulfilling. The exchange highlights a continuing debate within the Labour Party over foreign policy and military alignment with the US. Analysts note that the current Labour government seeks a more cautious and independent stance in Middle East crises, drawing lessons from the controversial Iraq war.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka has scheduled April 6 for the hearing on charge framing against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and four others in a case over the 2016 killing of nine youths in Mirpur’s Jahaj Bari area. The tribunal, chaired by Golam Mortuza Mojumdar with two other members, issued the order after the accused failed to appear despite prior summons. Two of the eight accused, former IGP AKM Shahidul Haque and former DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, are in custody, while the others remain absconding. According to the case details, the victims—mostly madrasa students—were allegedly abducted and detained in secret facilities before being killed in a staged anti-terror operation at the so-called “Jahaj Building” on July 25, 2016. The prosecution claims the accused conspired to fabricate the militant raid and later falsified evidence to justify the killings. The charges include crimes against humanity, with allegations that senior officials, including Hasina and Kamal, failed to act against subordinates and instead rewarded them with state honors.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for missile attacks targeting military sites in Israel and Jordan. According to a statement published by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the strikes hit military targets in Tel Aviv and Beersheba in Israel, as well as the Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base near Azraq in Jordan. The IRGC described the Jordanian base as a major hub for U.S. combat aircraft operations. The IRGC warned that the scale and intensity of Iran’s military operations against its adversaries would increase in the coming hours and days. The statement did not specify the extent of damage or casualties resulting from the attacks. The report was carried by Al Jazeera and Iranian state-linked media. The development follows heightened regional tensions, with Gulf countries reportedly expressing concern over Iran’s conflicting messages and the potential for escalation.