The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has submitted an investigation report to the court in the embezzlement case involving Far East Islami Life Insurance Company Limited. The report, filed on February 15, 2026, by investigating officer Shah Minhaj Uddin, accuses 24 individuals of misappropriating company funds. The case was originally filed on September 13, 2022, by the company’s legal officer Md. Jasim Uddin at Shahbagh Police Station against 14 people. Following a court directive, DB Police conducted the investigation.

During the investigation, one accused died in custody, and two others were cleared of charges due to lack of evidence. However, 13 new individuals were added as accused, bringing the total to 24. The report alleges that the accused embezzled Tk 644.28 crore from the company’s bank deposits and misappropriated additional funds through land purchases and development projects.

The report also notes that the Anti-Corruption Commission has filed seven other cases against the group led by Nazrul and Hemayet, indicating broader financial irregularities under investigation.

Both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) will remain closed from March 17 to March 23, 2026, in observance of Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr. The exchanges confirmed that no trading or official activities will take place during this seven-day holiday period.

According to the exchanges, the government has declared March 18 as an additional public holiday by executive order, extending the closure period. After the Eid and Ramadan holidays, both exchanges will resume normal operations on March 24. Regular office hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with trading scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:20 p.m., followed by a post-closing session until 2:30 p.m.

The extended closure is part of the national holiday schedule, and trading activities are expected to return to normal immediately after the break.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has demanded the removal of the President, describing it as the demand of a new Bangladesh. He made the statement on Wednesday at the NCP’s Rangpur divisional iftar and prayer gathering held at Shaheed Abu Sayeed Stadium in Rangpur. Nahid Islam urged everyone to raise their voices if the demand is not met.

He said he wants to see an effective parliament in the coming term, where ruling party members will take oath under the Constitutional Reform Council. He expressed hope that the opposition will be allowed to speak and that all commitments will be honored. Remembering Shaheed Abu Sayeed, who initiated a national rebellion, he pledged that Rangpur Division would not face discrimination in the future.

During the event, a clash broke out between two NCP factions, leaving five people injured, three of whom were hospitalized. Many attendees reportedly did not receive food due to the incident.

Bangladesh has formally requested additional fuel supplies from India to address an energy shortage caused by instability in the Middle East. The country currently receives 15,000 tons of diesel per month under an existing agreement. Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Nasrul Hamid announced that a letter has been sent to the Indian government seeking extra fuel as part of emergency measures.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma confirmed receipt of the letter and said it would be forwarded to the Indian government for consideration. He noted that India and Bangladesh maintain strong cooperation in the power and energy sectors, supported by cross-border electricity transmission lines and the operational Maitree pipeline.

The Maitree pipeline, stretching about 131 kilometers from India’s Siliguri Marketing Terminal to Parbatipur Depot in Dinajpur, is a key channel for diesel transport to Bangladesh. Under the current arrangement, it delivers around 15,000 tons of diesel monthly, but Bangladesh has now requested additional volumes to meet rising demand.

A dispute has emerged over a letter reportedly sent by opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, recommending the appointment of his foreign affairs adviser, Professor Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, to the ministry. Jamaat claims the opposition leader was unaware of the letter, while the Foreign Ministry insists it bears his signature and was written on official parliamentary letterhead. The ministry stated it will publish the letter publicly once the opposition leader provides written consent.

According to a ministry statement issued Wednesday, Dr. Hasan first sent the letter electronically on February 22 and later delivered a printed copy directly to the minister. The letter praised Dr. Hasan’s professionalism and recommended his appointment as an adviser or minister-level official in the Foreign Ministry to strengthen foreign policy coordination. The ministry also denied reports that Jamaat representatives had contacted the minister by phone about the issue.

The ministry emphasized its readiness to release the full text of the letter if the opposition leader confirms his approval in writing.

Bangladesh’s Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq stated that the country’s human rights indicators have improved, with extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances now reduced to nearly zero. He also said that false and fabricated cases have significantly declined. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday while addressing an iftar event organized by the Dhaka University LLM Lawyers Association (DULA) at the Dhaka Club.

Discussing Section 173(A) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the minister explained that it serves as an effective safeguard for protecting citizens’ rights. He noted that in many instances, hundreds of people faced false charges and had to wait years for police reports, which hindered their business, travel, and medical opportunities. To address this, an interim police reporting system through higher authorities has been introduced.

The minister urged lawyers to uphold human values, integrity, and dedication to ensure rule of law, justice, and human rights in Bangladesh, emphasizing that all professionals ultimately serve the people of the country.

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz following attacks by the United States and Israel but continues to export large volumes of crude oil to China, according to a CNBC report published Wednesday. Satellite data from TankerTrackers shows that since the war began on February 28, Iran has shipped at least 11.7 million barrels of crude through the strait, all bound for China. Kepler, another shipping intelligence firm, estimated the figure at around 12 million barrels. The International Maritime Organization reported that at least ten vessels have been attacked in the strait since the conflict began, leaving seven sailors dead.

Despite threats to attack any vessel attempting passage, Iran has maintained exports mainly through its Kharg Island terminal, which handles 90 percent of its shipments. Tehran has also resumed loading at the Jask terminal on the Gulf of Oman, seen as a potential alternative route. Analysts noted that China remains Iran’s main crude buyer, with February exports reaching 2.16 million barrels per day, the highest since 2018. China’s crude imports rose 15.8 percent year-on-year in the first two months of the year as it built up reserves.

Global oil prices surged to record levels amid fears of supply disruption, while U.S. President Donald Trump urged ships near the strait to proceed despite Iranian threats.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh has issued the 'Primary Scholarship Examination Policy 2026' to evaluate meritorious students in primary education. Signed by Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, the policy was published on the Directorate of Primary Education’s website. Under the new rules, the scholarship exam will now carry a total of 400 marks, and all related activities from 2026 will follow this policy. The 2025 exam will also be held under this framework as a special arrangement.

According to the policy, up to 40 percent of fifth-grade students from each school, based on their fourth-grade cumulative results, can participate. Participation is mandatory for all government primary schools, while private schools must follow the NCTB curriculum and be active in the IPEMIS system. The exam will cover Bangla, English, Mathematics, Bangladesh and Global Studies, and Primary Science, each worth 100 marks. Two types of scholarships—Talent Pool and General—will be awarded, maintaining equal gender representation and separate quotas for government and private institutions.

A national steering committee and local-level committees will oversee the exams, with strict disciplinary measures for irregularities. All previous scholarship policies, including that of 2008, have been repealed.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has protested what it described as increasing political interference in educational institutions. In a statement issued on March 11, 2026, by NCP’s Joint Member Secretary for Education and Research, Faisal Mahmud Shanto, the party criticized a preliminary decision made on March 10 during a meeting at the Secretariat attended by Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and education board chairmen. The meeting reportedly decided to relax the educational qualification requirements for the position of chairperson of educational institution management committees.

The NCP statement condemned the move, arguing that it would enable unqualified individuals to exert undue authority over teachers and expand political influence in education. It recalled past instances where politically influential but underqualified persons served as chairpersons, leading to corruption, favoritism, and even harassment of teachers. The party noted that a previous interim government had made minimum educational qualifications mandatory for chairpersons, a reform welcomed by teachers, students, and parents.

The NCP urged the newly elected government and the Ministry of Education to cancel the preliminary decision and take effective measures to prevent political interference in educational institutions.

Iran has announced it will not participate in the upcoming World Cup due to ongoing conflicts and heightened tensions in the Middle East. Sports Minister Ahmad Doniyamal stated in a television interview that the current situation makes it impossible for Iran to take part, citing two wars within months and thousands of casualties. He said the government decided not to send the national team to the tournament scheduled in the United States.

The unrest intensified after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in a joint U.S.-Israel attack on February 28, leading to retaliatory strikes by Iran and widespread regional instability. Doniyamal described the situation as untenable for international sporting participation, particularly in the U.S.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino had expressed that Iran would be welcome to compete without restrictions. The World Cup is set to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Iran originally scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in group-stage matches.

Iran announced a major shift in its military stance, declaring that its previous policy of retaliatory attacks has ended. In a statement from Tehran’s Khatam al-Anbia military command headquarters, spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari said the country will now follow a 'strike for strike' approach. He warned that Iran will not allow even a single liter of oil to pass through the Hormuz Strait to the United States, Israel, or their partners.

Zolfaghari further stated that any ship or tanker loyal to those nations would be considered a legitimate target. He cautioned that oil prices could reach 200 dollars per barrel, linking the potential surge to regional security conditions that he claimed have been undermined by those countries. The remarks underscore heightened tensions surrounding the strategic waterway, a vital route for global energy shipments.

The statement comes amid reports of rising oil prices in 85 countries since the start of the Iran conflict and a recent attack on a Thailand-bound Indian vessel in the Hormuz Strait.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir emphasized that media freedom is essential for the growth of democracy in Bangladesh. Speaking at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Wednesday before an iftar with journalists, he said that no pressure or control should be imposed on journalists and that establishing a free and independent media should be a shared goal.

He recalled the long-standing relationship between the BNP and journalists, noting that the party values the support it has received from the media. Remembering BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul said she always maintained good relations with journalists and prayed for her departed soul. He added that a new political opportunity has emerged to institutionalize democracy through a government based on public trust and support.

Fakhrul expressed hope that by making the parliament the center of all activities, democratic institutions could be further strengthened, calling on all who believe in democracy, liberal values, and media freedom to work together to build a truly democratic and liberal Bangladesh.

Spain has permanently withdrawn its ambassador from Israel, marking a severe downturn in bilateral relations. The decision, announced in Spain’s official gazette on Tuesday, follows months of escalating tension after Madrid opposed U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Spain’s foreign ministry said its embassy in Tel Aviv will now be managed by a chargé d’affaires.

The dispute began last September when Spain recalled its ambassador in protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Madrid also banned the use of its airspace and ports by arms shipments bound for Israel, further straining ties. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar had labeled Spain’s stance as antisemitic. Relations deteriorated further after Spain recognized the State of Palestine, prompting Israel to withdraw its own ambassador.

Tensions intensified again after February 28, when U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began. The diplomatic downgrade underscores the deepening divide between the two nations over Middle East policy and the Gaza conflict.

A joint operation led by the Bangladesh Army, supported by police, RAB, and BGB, has ended three decades of militant and land-grabber dominance in Jungle Salimpur, Chattogram. The operation, conducted on March 9, lasted ten hours and brought the area fully under state control. The Defense Intelligence Directorate (DGFI) provided detailed intelligence, mapping secret hideouts, weapon factories, and tunnels across 3,000 acres of hilly terrain. Using drones and dog squads, forces recovered 27 pipe guns, two pistols, 11 cocktails, over a thousand rounds of ammunition, and modern lathe machines used for illegal arms production.

Authorities described the operation as a restoration of state sovereignty after years of lawlessness. The area had long been outside administrative control due to extortion, illegal occupation, and armed activity. The operation freed 3,000 acres of land from illegal possession without major casualties.

Post-operation, mobile patrols and surveillance have been intensified. The government plans to establish public infrastructure and land offices on the reclaimed land. Security agencies confirmed that further operations will continue under the government’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and illegal occupation.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has increased petrol and octane supply to filling stations by 10 percent, effective from Wednesday. Officials confirmed the decision, saying it follows a reduction in rationing from 25 percent to 15 percent, allowing 85 percent of normal fuel supply to resume. The government said fuel imports are continuing as scheduled, with shipments arriving regularly and distributed through depots and marketing companies to maintain supply stability.

At a press conference in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association demanded enhanced security at depots and filling stations, citing incidents of attacks and chaos amid public confusion over rationing. Association president Mohammad Nazmul Haque said many stations are not receiving regular deliveries and that actual shortages exceed official figures. Owners also opposed mobile court operations, claiming these actions socially humiliate them and disrupt business.

The association presented eight demands, including deployment of police and army personnel for security, equal fuel distribution to all pumps, and strict punishment for illegal hoarding. They also urged authorities to stop unauthorized entry into fuel depots and to ensure fair monitoring practices.