Bangladesh has sought significant investment and technical assistance from China to modernize and develop its sports infrastructure. The request was made by State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque during a courtesy meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen at the Secretariat on Tuesday. The minister emphasized Chinese investment in a proposed sports institute and the need for skilled Chinese coaches and advanced training in volleyball, archery, and shooting.

During the meeting, the minister highlighted that the government is promoting all sports equally alongside cricket and football. He mentioned the introduction of special sports allowances and a digital sports card program for athletes. He also formally invited China’s national men’s football team to play a friendly match in Bangladesh and encouraged Chinese participation in the country’s growing sports industry.

Ambassador Yao Wen praised Bangladesh’s digital sports initiatives and athlete allowance program, expressing strong interest in investing in youth training centers and the proposed sports institute. He assured that China would consider the friendly match proposal and emphasized continued cooperation through regular exchange of sports equipment and expertise.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has alleged that its secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, has been receiving continuous threats from various transport owners, workers, and organizations. The threats reportedly began after the association published reports on excessive fares during Eid travel and subsequent road accidents. In response, an online general diary (GD) was filed on Tuesday at the Demra Police Station in Dhaka.

According to the GD, Chowdhury has been advocating for passenger rights and safety for two decades. The association claimed that during the previous Awami League government, he faced multiple legal cases and imprisonment under pressure from transport groups. Following the latest reports, unidentified individuals were seen monitoring his movements and inquiring about his and his family’s whereabouts.

Chowdhury has also released an online video message seeking the prime minister’s intervention to ensure his personal safety amid the ongoing threats.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan announced that from the next fiscal year, taxpayers will be able to file their income tax returns online throughout the year. He made the statement on Tuesday while presiding over a pre-budget discussion organized by the NBR. Currently, November 30 is observed as Income Tax Day, and taxpayers are required to submit their returns by that date.

The NBR chairman explained that the new system will replace the single deadline with four quarterly filing periods. Taxpayers who submit returns in the first quarter will receive tax rebates, while those filing in later quarters will face progressively higher tax rates. The aim is to give taxpayers flexibility in choosing their filing period. He also mentioned that 4.2 million people have submitted returns this year, and around 20,000 have applied for deadline extensions.

According to the chairman, online applications for time extensions are available, and tax officials can approve up to 90 additional days. He emphasized that improved governance and reduced revenue leakage will help increase overall tax collection.

Several members of Mir Jafar’s family in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, have reportedly been removed from India’s voter list. The issue emerged during the special summary revision process ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, sparking widespread attention across the state. According to reports, the names of more than a hundred members of the Nawab family were deleted, raising uncertainty over their right to vote.

Family members said they received hearing notices from the Election Commission and submitted the required documents. However, they claimed that most names were permanently excluded even after the hearings. The affected individuals live in the Killa Nizamat area of Murshidabad, where Mir Jafar’s descendants have resided for generations.

The incident has drawn attention because of the family’s historical significance. Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal after the Battle of Plassey in 1757 with British support, and his 15th-generation descendant, Reza Ali Mirza, currently lives in the same area.

A Barishal court has sent Jihadul Islam Khan, joint general secretary of the district Chhatra Dal, to jail on charges of motorcycle theft in Mehendiganj. He was produced before the court on Sunday after being detained by police the previous night. According to police and local sources, Khan allegedly attempted to steal a rented motorcycle locked at a house in the Badarpur area around 1 a.m. Saturday. Police on patrol stopped him for questioning and detained him after inconsistencies appeared in his statements.

The motorcycle’s owner, Tanvir Islam, confirmed that the lock had been broken and filed a case with the local police station on Sunday. Police then showed Khan arrested in the case and sent him to jail through the court. Tanvir said he had bought the motorcycle with a loan and depended on it for his family’s livelihood, expressing gratitude for the police’s quick action.

Local BNP leader Asaduzzaman Mukta stated that although Khan holds a Chhatra Dal position, there had been prior complaints against him, and the party would take internal action if necessary.

A parliamentary committee has directed officials to remain vigilant in all procurement activities of the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat to prevent irregularities similar to past scandals. The directive was issued during a committee meeting held at the National Parliament Building, chaired by Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam Moni. The meeting also reviewed the malfunction of the Parliament’s sound system, with an investigation committee already working on the issue and expected to submit its report by April 2.

The committee emphasized ensuring high quality and reasonable pricing in the purchase of furniture and other items. It also discussed problems with the supply of safe drinking water and noted that steps have been taken to resolve them. The Chief Whip expressed hope that all members of parliament would soon be able to move into their residences.

Two sub-committees were formed to identify the causes of the sound system malfunction and to assess the quality of canteen food, water supply, and furniture used in the parliament members’ residences.

U.S. President Donald Trump has told his aides he is willing to conclude the American military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing U.S. officials. The report notes that such a move could prolong Tehran’s control over the vital waterway and complicate future efforts to reopen it.

Officials said Trump and his team recently reviewed the situation and believe that forcing the strait open could extend the conflict beyond the president’s preferred four-to-six-week timeframe. The president’s main objective, according to the report, is to destroy Iran’s naval and missile stockpiles, then de-escalate the conflict while applying diplomatic pressure on Tehran to allow free trade.

Washington may also press its European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening the strait if necessary. Although military options remain available, Trump is reportedly not prioritizing them at this stage.

A college student named Saidul Islam Sajib, aged 25, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital following an attack in Lochanabad village of Rangasree Union, Bakerganj upazila, Barishal. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, March 28, 2026, when a group allegedly led by Milan Khan attacked Sajib’s family over a land dispute. Sajib, who had recently completed his honors final-year exams at Barishal Government College, suffered a brain hemorrhage and succumbed to his injuries early Tuesday.

Four other family members—Abul Hossain Khan, Piyara Begum, Hasan Ali Khan, and Ayesha Begum—were also injured and received primary treatment at the upazila health complex. Abul Hossain Khan later filed a case against eight individuals under case number GR 88/26.

Despite four days passing since the attack, none of the accused have been arrested, and locals expressed anger as the suspects reportedly remain at large. Allegations have also surfaced that police recorded a false case in favor of the accused, fueling public dissatisfaction in the area.

In Chandpur district, 23 children have been hospitalized after contracting measles, and three have died from the disease, according to Civil Surgeon Nure Alam Din. Hospitals across the district have been instructed to take additional measures to handle the growing number of cases. The affected children are being treated at Chandpur Sadar General Hospital, Hajiganj Upazila Health Complex, and Matlab North Upazila Health Complex.

At Chandpur Sadar General Hospital, children are arriving with fever, cough, and cold symptoms. Due to limited bed capacity, some patients are being treated on the floor, while isolation wards have been arranged for those infected. Physicians have advised parents not to panic and to seek immediate medical attention for children showing symptoms.

Hospital authorities reported that the number of measles cases is gradually increasing, and several children have been referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread of the infection.

Former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Abdul Jalil Mondol was presented before the International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday in connection with the case filed over the 2013 Shapla Chattar killings during Hefazat-e-Islam’s mass gathering in Motijheel, Dhaka. He had been arrested the previous evening from the capital’s Sabujbagh area.

According to the report, Mondol, a resident of Pabna, previously held several key positions in the police force. He served as Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) during the Hefazat movement, and Additional Director General (Administration) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The tribunal appearance marks a new development in the long-running investigation into the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident, which remains a significant event in Bangladesh’s recent political and law enforcement history.

Sheikh Ahmadullah, chairman of the As-Sunnah Foundation and a noted Islamic scholar, has issued an urgent warning to parents across Bangladesh regarding the ongoing measles outbreak. In a Facebook post on March 30, 2026, he advised parents not to panic if measles symptoms appear in children but to seek medical attention immediately. He highlighted the shortage of neonatal intensive care units and critical treatment facilities in government hospitals, describing it as a reflection of the country’s strained healthcare system.

Ahmadullah expressed concern that children are increasingly exposed to artificial lifestyles and deprived of natural environments, leading to weakened immunity. He also noted that many children are growing up under the care of domestic workers or in day-care centers, which, along with cultural influences, is affecting their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. He urged parents to ensure nutritious diets and closer contact with nature to strengthen their children’s health.

He concluded his message with a prayer for divine protection of all children from diseases, emphasizing the need for parental vigilance and faith-based patience during the crisis.

A devastating fire broke out late Tuesday night at the east side of Dhamura Bazar in Sholak Union under Uzirpur upazila of Barishal, destroying eight shops and causing losses estimated at over one crore taka. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m., and the fire spread rapidly before being brought under control after about an hour and fifteen minutes by a unit of the Uzirpur Fire Service.

According to fire service and local sources, the blaze completely gutted shops belonging to several traders, including sanitary, poultry feed, furniture, steel, and boat businesses. Fire Service and Civil Defense officer Abdur Rashid said the damage could amount to several crores of taka. Affected traders reported losing both cash and goods, with individual losses ranging from several lakhs to over half a crore taka.

Uzirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ali Suza visited the site and said that initiatives would be taken to provide necessary assistance to the affected business owners. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.

Two Chinese container ships have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on their second attempt after initially turning back mid-journey last Friday. According to vessel tracking data, the ships passed through the critical waterway on Monday, sailing close to each other as they exited the Persian Gulf toward open waters. The ships are now moving rapidly toward the Gulf of Oman, Reuters reported.

Marine Traffic data confirmed the crossing, and Kepler analyst Rebecca Gardes noted that these are the first non-Iranian container ships to leave the region since the start of the ongoing conflict. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz but continues to allow passage for vessels from countries it considers friendly or non-hostile.

The successful passage of the two large COSCO Shipping-operated vessels is seen as a sign of diplomatic coordination between China and Iran, suggesting that Tehran may be expanding its list of friendly nations.

The Dhaka Metropolitan West unit of the Chhatra Dal has announced the dissolution of its Cantonment Thana committee. The decision was made to make organizational activities more dynamic and effective, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday by the unit’s office secretary, Md. Shahidul Islam. He stated that the existing committee had been dissolved due to the expiration of its tenure.

The press release further noted that the decision was approved by Dhaka Metropolitan West Chhatra Dal president Md. Robin Khan and general secretary Akram Ahmed. The organization also confirmed that a new committee will be formed soon to continue its activities under renewed leadership.

The announcement reflects an internal restructuring effort within the student organization aimed at strengthening its local operations and ensuring continuity in leadership.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has assured that the value-added tax (VAT) on imported newsprint, used as raw material for newspapers, will be reduced in the next fiscal year’s budget. He made the remarks during a pre-budget discussion held on Tuesday at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon, following proposals from the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB).

NOAB President and Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury urged the government to withdraw the existing 15 percent VAT on newsprint imports, reduce the 5 percent withholding tax on advertising income, and lower the 5 percent advance income tax on raw material imports. He highlighted that newsprint accounts for 50 to 60 percent of total production costs, creating a dual financial burden on the industry. NOAB also proposed reducing the corporate tax rate from 27.5 percent to 10 percent and exempting institutions from employees’ income tax liabilities.

In response, the NBR chairman confirmed that corporate tax would not increase and said employee income tax must be borne individually unless the ninth wage board is implemented by newspaper owners.