A mobile court in Nalchity, Jhalokathi, fined Hawladar Bricks BDT 2 lakh on Thursday for illegally using agricultural soil in brick production. Another kiln, SRB Bricks, had its drum chimney demolished, and bricks were destroyed by the fire department before shutting down operations. The drive was led by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, with officials from the Department of Environment in attendance.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that Bangladeshi expatriates can now apply for new passports, reissues, or corrections using their birth certificates. A directive has been sent to the Director General of the Department of Passports. The Security Services Division stated that applicants can request age corrections of up to eight years based on their birth certificates.

The Central Committee of the Bangladesh Democratic Student Council has suspended Kazi Mazharul Islam’s membership for spreading false information and inciting mob unrest. In an urgent notice on Thursday, the council directed him to provide a valid explanation within one working day as to why he should not be permanently expelled. Recently, Mazharul had posted in support of an accused individual involved in the harassment of a Dhaka University student.

Participating in the ‘People’s Iftar’ event on Thursday, Nahid Islam expressed concerns over rising social unrest and law enforcement challenges. “We must let the police do their job. No one should take the law into their own hands,” he said. Nahid emphasized unity, stating, “We stood together on the streets, and we will shape the future together. Through collective struggle, we will build a better Bangladesh.” He also urged the government to ensure stable commodity prices, a hassle-free Eid shopping experience, safe travels, and secure roads during the festive season.

During a courtesy meeting with former U.S. ambassadors William B. Milam and Danilovich at Jamuna on Thursday, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated that if political parties demand extensive reforms, elections will be held by June next year. However, if fewer reforms are requested, the election will take place in December.

Professor Yunus informed diplomats that after the reform discussions conclude, political parties will sign the “July Charter,” which will serve as a guiding framework. The interim government will implement certain recommendations from the charter, while the remaining ones will be carried out by future elected governments.

Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that no one other than law enforcement agencies has the authority to conduct raids. Addressing concerns about mob justice in the country, he acknowledged its existence, saying, “Mob incidents are happening, and we cannot deny it. The public must be aware. Chaos among the people cannot be allowed.”

He further assured that necessary measures are being taken to prevent robbery and mugging ahead of Ramadan and Eid. Law enforcement agencies are strengthening security in areas along highways where robberies have been reported.

Renowned writer, researcher, and politician Badruddin Umar has announced that he will not accept the Independence Award. In a statement sent to the media on Thursday, he said, “Since 1973, I have been offered awards from various government and non-government organizations, but I have never accepted them. Now, the interim government has announced that they will present me with the Independence Award. I thank them for this, but I cannot accept it.”

It is worth noting that the Independence Award is the highest state honor in Bangladesh, presented annually on March 26, Independence Day, since 1977.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Md. Tajul Islam, announced on Thursday that those responsible for crimes against humanity in July-August will face justice.

“The brutal attacks on our brave sons will not go unpunished. We will hold accountable the masterminds and key perpetrators behind these atrocities,” he said.

Tajul Islam clarified that the entire police force is not under scrutiny, but over 50 officers have been named as suspects. “While more than 2,000 people were killed in Bangladesh, our focus is on those who orchestrated this massacre—Sheikh Hasina and her inner circle—not lower-ranking officials like constables,” he added.

Bangladesh will soon decide whether to refer the July genocide case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, according to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. During a meeting with international legal expert Toby Cadman, discussions covered collaboration with the ICC, ensuring accountability for crimes committed during the 2024 student-led uprising, and recovering stolen assets. The UN Fact-Finding Mission previously reported crimes against humanity. The meeting also emphasized the need for international cooperation to bring fugitive perpetrators to justice.

Advisor Asif Mahmud stated, “Abrar Fahad is not just a name; he is a symbol—a chain linking generations in the fight against aggression.”

To honor his legacy, the Kushtia Stadium has been renamed after him. During the event, Abrar’s father, Barkat Ullah, was also present.

Mahmud further added, “Abrar Fahad’s sacrifice inspired the youth during the July Uprising. It was his unwavering spirit that led the nation’s young generation to take to the streets, ultimately forcing Sheikh Hasina—the strongest pillar of aggression in Bangladesh—to flee.”

In recognition of their contributions at the national level, eight prominent figures have been selected for the Independence Award 2025. A government source confirmed on Thursday that an official announcement regarding the recipients will be made soon.

This year’s honorees include:
• M.A.G. Osmani – Chief Commander of the Liberation War
• Prof. Jamal Nazrul Islam – Renowned scientist
• Sir Fazle Hasan Abed – Founder of BRAC
• Badruddin Umar – Writer and intellectual
• Al Mahmud – Eminent poet
• Novera Ahmed – Co-designer of the Central Shaheed Minar
• Azam Khan – The ‘Pop Emperor’ of Bangladesh
• Abrar Fahad – Symbol of resistance against aggression

Cracking down on illegal brick kilns, Adviser Rizwana Hasan stated that there is no room for leniency in environmental crimes. She called on the police and district administrations to take strict action, highlighting that soil is being illegally extracted from agricultural land in Rangpur for brick production. Rizwana emphasized that environmental law (Article 4) mandates government agencies to assist in enforcement efforts. She also urged authorities to launch a weekly crackdown on polythene over the next three months, as it remains a banned product.

Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Consensus Party (NCP), told Reuters in an interview that holding elections this year is not possible due to inadequate security measures. He stated, “Over the past seven months, we had hoped for political, legal, and governance reforms, but expectations have not been met.” While the Chief Adviser has suggested elections could take place by year-end, Nahid stressed that before any election, a unanimous agreement among all political parties based on the July Declaration is essential.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is set to embark on his first bilateral visit to China, the Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday. He will travel on a special flight arranged by Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the visit, Dr. Yunus will meet with Xi Jinping on March 28. He has also been invited to attend the Boao Forum for Asia, scheduled to take place in Hainan Province from March 25-28. The visit was finalized after Bangladesh gave the green signal following China’s invitation.

In a major crackdown on patient exploitation, law enforcement agencies arrested more than 50 fraudulent agents from Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday. The joint operation, supported by the National Security Intelligence (NSI), targeted various hospital wards, the pathology department, and surrounding areas. The mobile court caught over 70 agents red-handed, sentencing them to up to three months in jail. The move has brought relief to ordinary patients, particularly low-income individuals, who expressed gratitude for the action against these exploitative intermediaries.