Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will distribute Family Cards to 40 million households across Bangladesh within the next five years. He made the statement on Tuesday morning at the Family Card inauguration ceremony held at the T&T playground near Karail slum in Banani, Dhaka. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, was present, and the event was chaired by Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain.

Rahman said the initiative has already started in 14 locations nationwide, with about 37,000 women currently participating. In the Karail, Vashantek, and Saat Tola areas, around 15,000 women have already received the benefits of the Family Card. He emphasized that empowering women-headed households is essential for national development, as half of the country’s population is female.

The Prime Minister added that the Family Card program fulfills an election promise, achieved within a month of taking office, and reflects the government’s commitment to accountability to the people.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Secretary General, Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad, has accused the ruling BNP of destroying the political understanding that had developed among anti-fascist forces during previous regimes. Speaking at the party’s central committee meeting in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan on Tuesday, he alleged that since the BNP came to power, its activists have attacked Islami Andolan members, including incidents of murder and violence in different areas.

He cited the killing of an Islami Andolan worker in Patuakhali’s Kalapara, allegedly by local BNP leaders, and a recent attack on Niamati Union Parishad Chairman Humayun Kabir in Bakerganj, Barishal. The party expressed strong condemnation and anger over these incidents. Yunus Ahmad urged BNP’s top leadership to control their activists, ensure accountability, and take organizational action against those involved.

He warned that if BNP members continue old-style politics similar to the previous fascist regime, the public will resist again, and the BNP will have to bear responsibility for damaging political harmony.

A Jamaat-e-Islami leader who was injured in an attack allegedly carried out by BNP activists in Chuadanga’s Jibannagar upazila has died while undergoing treatment in Dhaka. The incident occurred on February 28 at Hasadah Bazar, where four people, including the Jamaat leader, were seriously injured. The deceased, identified as Mofizur Rahman, 32, Amir of Banka Union Jamaat and son of Wahed Mia of Sutia village, had been receiving treatment in the ICU of Evercare Aurora Hospital in Dhaka for ten days before succumbing to his injuries on Tuesday around 1 p.m.

Earlier, Mofizur’s brother Hafizur Rahman, 46, who was also injured in the same attack, died on March 1 at the same hospital. Jibannagar Upazila Jamaat Amir Maulana Sajedur Rahman confirmed Mofizur Rahman’s death. Jibannagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Solaiman Sheikh also acknowledged hearing of the death. Chuadanga-1 MP Masud Parvez Russell and Chuadanga-2 MP Ruhul Amin expressed condolences in a joint statement, describing the deceased as a talented and responsible individual.

The death has added to tensions following the February 28 violence, which left multiple Jamaat members injured in the reported BNP attack.

A Dhaka court has accepted the charge sheet against 28 accused in the case over the fatal beating of Tofazzal Hossain, a mentally unstable man, at Dhaka University’s Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall. On March 10, 2026, Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana issued arrest warrants for 22 fugitives while taking cognizance of the charges. Among the accused, four are in jail, two are on bail, and the rest remain absconding.

The incident occurred on September 18, 2024, when Tofazzal was beaten to death by students who suspected him of theft. The following day, a case was filed at Shahbagh Police Station by a university estate office supervisor. After initial investigation and dissatisfaction from the university administration, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was ordered to reinvestigate. PBI later submitted a new charge sheet on December 15, 2025, naming 28 individuals, including seven new suspects.

The court’s latest order advances the legal process against those accused in the killing, with further proceedings expected following the execution of the arrest warrants.

Azerbaijan has sent several tons of food and medicine to Iran as humanitarian assistance. The aid shipment followed a phone conversation between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Iran on March 8, according to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations. The move comes amid fears that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East could spread to the Caucasus region.

Tensions between the two countries had recently escalated following allegations of an Iranian drone attack. The humanitarian gesture is seen as a possible sign of reconciliation from Azerbaijan. Iran has long accused Israel of using Azerbaijani territory for intelligence operations and potential attacks, while Israel remains one of Azerbaijan’s main arms suppliers.

The delivery of aid may help ease recent strains between Tehran and Baku, though the broader regional situation remains uncertain.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has declared that Iran does not seek a ceasefire. In a message posted on social media platform X, he said Iran believes the aggressor must be taught a lesson so that it never contemplates attacking Iran again. He accused the Zionist regime of maintaining dominance through a cycle of war, negotiation, ceasefire, and renewed conflict, which Iran intends to break.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters also issued a statement asserting that Iran will not agree to a ceasefire until the United States and Israel express remorse for their actions. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed this stance in an interview with PBS, saying he does not foresee new talks with the United States due to Iran’s bitter past experiences. He noted that previous rounds of negotiations were followed by attacks on Iran.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister added that any ceasefire would require guarantees that Iran will not be attacked again in the future.

The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) has requested the formation of a Tk 3,000 crore special fund to protect the country’s housing sector from the impact of ongoing global conflicts. REHAB leaders formally presented the proposal during a meeting with the new Bangladesh Bank Governor, Md. Mostakur Rahman, at the central bank’s headquarters on Tuesday. The delegation included REHAB President Md. Wahiduzzaman, Senior Vice President Liaquat Ali Bhuiyan, Vice President-1 Lion M.A. Awal, and directors Md. Kamrul Islam and Miraj Muktadir.

During the meeting, REHAB representatives described the current challenges facing the housing industry, citing rising construction material costs, financing difficulties, and market uncertainty caused by global instability. They emphasized that the housing sector is vital to the national economy, linking more than 250 related industries. REHAB also urged the introduction of low-interest, long-term housing loans for middle- and lower-middle-income groups and the simplification of bank loan approval processes.

Governor Rahman listened to the proposal and assured that the central bank would consider appropriate measures. REHAB leaders expressed optimism that the proposed fund would boost investment and make home ownership more accessible.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gave an extensive interview to PBS News on Monday night, discussing the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. During the interview, he presented his perspective on the war and stated that the United States and Israel have no realistic objectives in their current approach.

The interview, reported by BBC and published by Amar Desh Online, highlighted Araghchi’s assessment of the situation and his criticism of the opposing parties’ strategies. The discussion comes amid heightened regional tensions and international attention on the conflict’s developments.

The report also referenced related regional updates, including Australia’s deployment of surveillance aircraft and missiles to the Gulf region and the United States’ first deployment of the “Dark Eagle” system, indicating a broader military buildup in the area.

The Dhaka Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing has made nine recommendations to the government to ensure safer travel during the upcoming Eid holidays. The proposals, announced on March 10, 2026, by coordinator Marjana Muntaha through a press release, include banning unfit vehicles from roads, enforcing speed limits, and mandating quality helmets for motorcyclists and passengers. The forum also urged authorities to ensure drivers’ rest periods and to prevent the operation of unauthorized vehicles such as battery-run transports on major highways.

The statement noted that road accidents in Bangladesh rise sharply during Eid due to reckless driving, poor regulation, and increased traffic. Citing Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) data, it reported 132 deaths and 208 injuries in 110 road accidents during the last Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, with fatalities rising by about 19 percent compared to 2023.

The organization emphasized that effective laws, strict enforcement, and institutional accountability are essential to reduce fatalities and allow citizens to celebrate Eid safely with their families.

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced that 193 children have been killed in recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The youngest victim was an eight-month-old girl, and a four-month-old child was reported injured. Mohajerani presented the figures during a press briefing in front of a board displaying photos of the deceased children, according to Iran’s state news agency Mehr News.

She also reported that 11 healthcare workers were killed in the attacks, while four ambulances and one rescue helicopter were completely destroyed. The Iranian government described the strikes as serious violations of international human rights and the laws of war.

The statement underscores Tehran’s position that the assaults have targeted civilian and medical infrastructure, intensifying its accusations against Washington and Tel Aviv for breaching humanitarian norms.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Iran that the violation of Turkish airspace cannot be justified under any circumstances. During a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Erdogan said that attacks on regional countries are helping no one and emphasized that Turkey is working to open diplomatic channels to end ongoing conflicts.

Erdogan reiterated his position during a cabinet meeting, stating that despite Turkey’s sincere warnings, provocative actions are being taken that endanger the friendship between the two nations. His comments followed an incident in which NATO’s air defense system shot down a second Iranian ballistic missile that entered Turkish airspace on Monday night.

Turkey, which has the second-largest army in NATO and a 500-year stable border with Iran, maintains unusually close contact with Tehran compared to other NATO members. Erdogan has also sought to position himself as a mediator in crises such as those in Ukraine and Gaza.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has announced that motorcycle ride-share drivers in metropolitan areas will be allowed to purchase up to five liters of octane or petrol per day. The decision was detailed in a press release signed by BPC Secretary Shahina Sultana on March 10, 2026.

According to the announcement, the fuel distribution will follow three specific conditions. Drivers must receive a purchase receipt specifying the fuel type, quantity, and price each time they buy fuel. They must also submit the original copy of the previous purchase receipt when refueling again. Additionally, the motorcycle’s registration number and driver information must be verified with the ride-sharing app before fuel is supplied.

BPC stated that only those who comply with these conditions will be eligible to collect up to five liters of fuel daily from filling stations within metropolitan areas.

A massive traffic jam stretching about 30 to 35 kilometers has paralyzed the Comilla section of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway since Tuesday morning. The congestion, mainly on the Chattogram-bound lane from Daudkandi to Comilla Cantonment, caused severe suffering for thousands of passengers. Highway police officials said the jam resulted from slow road repair work and a blockade by garment workers demanding unpaid wages.

Workers from Chandina Denim Garments blocked the highway near Harikhola Mazar area after not receiving three months of salaries and bonuses. The protest quickly expanded, halting traffic across Daudkandi, Gauripur, Chandina, Nimsar, and Cantonment areas. Passengers, including women, children, and the elderly, were seen walking to their destinations under intense heat during Ramadan.

Police later intervened to clear the blockade and restore movement. The factory’s CEO, Jahangir Alam, said workers would receive January salaries by Thursday and February wages with Eid bonuses by March 16, blaming an unnamed group for inciting the protest.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Textiles, Jute, Industry and Commerce, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, stated that there is currently no concern about rising commodity prices, even though the Iran-Israel war may affect trade. He noted that if sea routes remain closed for a long time, transportation costs could increase. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday afternoon after distributing family cards at a program held at M A Rup Junior School field in Kulanj Union of Dirai upazila, Sunamganj.

He explained that the family card distribution fulfills a promise made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to build a poverty-free Bangladesh, launched just a month after the election. The initiative was designed to avoid any political bias. Muktadir added that the government is working to create an investment-friendly environment to boost employment and purchasing power, addressing past stagnation in investment.

At the event, 697 women from three villages in Kulanj Union received family cards. Several members of parliament and local officials attended the program, and beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the prime minister.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has reported that thousands of Afghan nationals are returning to Afghanistan from Iran each day as the country faces ongoing US-Israel attacks. In an interview with Al Jazeera from the Afghanistan-Iran border, UNHCR’s Afghanistan representative Arafat Jamal said approximately 2,000 Afghans are crossing the border daily to return home.

Jamal explained that many of those leaving cited the war situation in Iran as their main reason for departure, though no targeted problems against Afghans have been reported so far. Since the beginning of the year, around 110,000 Afghans have left Iran, including long-term residents and migrant workers. He added that fear of potential bombings, economic weakness, and job shortages are also driving factors behind the mass return.

Jamal cautioned that many of these returnees are “fleeing one war only to return to another,” as Afghanistan currently faces heightened tensions with neighboring Pakistan. He noted that for many, there are no good options available.