An Awami League leader named Shafiqul Rahman has been sentenced to six months of imprisonment and fined two lakh taka for illegally extracting soil and obstructing the natural flow of a canal in Chechuria area of Banshkhali upazila, Chattogram. The mobile court, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md Omar Sani Akon, conducted the operation late on Monday, March 29, with assistance from Banshkhali police.

According to the report, the convicted leader used an excavator to remove soil from the canal, originally dug by former President Ziaur Rahman, and created an unauthorized fish farming project. The punishment was imposed under relevant sections of the Balumahal and Soil Management Act, 2010. Shafiqul Rahman, aged 50, is a resident of Ward 8, Chechuria, under Bailchhari Union Parishad.

The executive magistrate stated that such drives will continue to protect public interest and the environment from illegal activities of this nature.

The Bangladesh Fertilizer Association (BFA) has warned that all fertilizer dealers and retailers across the country will indefinitely suspend fertilizer sales and related activities if the government does not immediately withdraw Policy 2025, which the association has labeled as against public interest. The announcement was made through a press release issued on Sunday.

According to the statement, BFA leaders had repeatedly urged Agriculture Minister Aminur Rashid in writing to suspend the implementation of Policy 2025 and to retain the existing 2009 policy until a new, inclusive, and updated policy could be developed with input from all stakeholders. After the minister failed to take action, around 20,000 fertilizer dealers held a human chain protest in front of the National Press Club on March 11, warning of tougher nationwide movements if their demands were not met within two working days.

The association claims that enforcing Policy 2025 would leave 46,000 retail fertilizer sellers financially ruined and unemployed, potentially causing severe disruption in the agricultural sector. It also warned that fertilizer shortages, combined with ongoing fuel supply issues due to Middle East conflicts, could trigger widespread instability in the country.

Iran has officially confirmed the death of its naval commander Alireza Tangsiri, four days after Israel claimed responsibility for his killing. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement through the Tasnim news agency acknowledging that Tangsiri died from the severity of an attack while organizing his forces and strengthening coastal defenses.

The IRGC statement added that despite Tangsiri’s absence, its naval units continue to deliver strong blows and maintain full control over the Strait of Hormuz. The force vowed not to rest until its enemies are completely destroyed. Tangsiri had been overseeing vessel movements through the strategic waterway and had previously declared that ships linked to aggressors against Iran had no right to pass through it.

Known for his outspoken stance against the United States and Israel, Tangsiri was among senior IRGC commanders sanctioned by Washington in 2019 after Iran shot down a U.S. surveillance drone near the strait.

A severe diesel shortage in Nesarabad upazila of Pirojpur has disrupted irrigation for Boro and Irri rice cultivation, putting around 30,000 hectares of farmland at risk. Farmers report that without diesel, they cannot operate irrigation pumps, causing fields to crack and seedlings to wither. Many accuse local fuel hoarders of creating an artificial crisis by limiting market supply, while officials have yet to take visible action to resolve the issue.

Local farmers and civic groups warn that if the shortage persists, it could lead to a major decline in seasonal rice production and threaten national food security, as Boro rice is a key contributor to the country’s grain supply. Farmers have urged authorities to restore normal diesel and petrol distribution immediately.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahfuzur Rahman cautioned that irregular irrigation at this stage could severely reduce yields. Upazila Executive Officer Amit Dutta stated that the administration has launched operations against illegal hoarding and is maintaining strict market monitoring to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for farmers.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday called on athletes not to join any political party, urging them instead to represent Bangladesh through their sporting excellence. He made the remarks at the inauguration of the sports card and allowance distribution program held at Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon. During the event, Rahman launched the initiative by transferring one lakh taka to each athlete’s mobile account through Sonali Bank’s online system and distributed sports cards to 129 athletes.

Rahman said the government has begun implementing a structured salary framework for athletes to help them pursue sports as a profession without financial insecurity. He emphasized that sports are now recognized globally as a profession and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to professionalize sports in Bangladesh, as promised in the party’s election manifesto. The prime minister also announced that a “Farmers Card” program will begin on April 14 and that physically challenged athletes will be included in the sports card scheme.

He further revealed plans to make sports compulsory from grade four and to relaunch “Natun Kuri Sports” nationwide from April 30 to discover young sporting talent.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to former Air Chief Marshal Sheikh Abdul Hannan and his wife Tahmida Begum. The order was issued on Monday, March 30, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision.

The Anti-Corruption Commission’s assistant director Mahmudul Hasan had earlier submitted two separate petitions seeking to seize the couple’s tax documents. The petitions stated that both Hannan and Tahmida are registered taxpayers. According to the filings, the seizure of their primary and miscellaneous income tax records from the opening date up to the 2024–25 tax year was necessary for a fair investigation.

After the hearing, the court approved the petitions and issued the order. The report also notes that on May 6 of a previous year, the court had ordered the seizure of Sheikh Abdul Hannan’s assets.

An Iranian missile attack has caused a fire at an oil refinery in the Israeli port city of Haifa, according to Israeli media reports. The incident occurred as Iran’s confrontation with the United States and Israel entered its second month. The refinery, identified as the Bazan facility in northern Israel, caught fire following the strike.

Reports also noted that the same location had been targeted earlier on March 19. The renewed attack underscores the continuing cycle of strikes and counterstrikes between Iran and Israel, which have intensified in recent weeks. The reports did not mention any casualties or the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

The ongoing hostilities reflect a deepening regional conflict, with both sides engaging in repeated military actions. Further developments are expected as the situation remains volatile and unresolved.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tareque Rahman met with the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Shafiqul Rahman, on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s office in the Parliament Secretariat. The meeting took place after both leaders attended the funeral prayer of Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed’s wife, Dilar Hafiz, at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The Prime Minister welcomed the opposition leader to his office, where they spoke for about 20 minutes.

According to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary, Atikur Rahman Ruman, the discussion was brief and cordial. After the meeting, the Prime Minister accompanied the opposition leader part of the way as he left the office, a gesture that drew appreciation from those present. The official noted that such courtesy reflects the Prime Minister’s consistent respect and politeness toward others, which has been observed both before and after the national election.

The meeting was described as a display of mutual respect and political civility within the national leadership.

Chief Whip and Parliament Committee Chair Nurul Islam Moni said a severe water shortage has hit the Parliament complex, with only 2.7 million liters produced daily against a demand of 10 million liters. Speaking to reporters after a committee meeting on Monday, he noted that poor water quality had caused health problems and that the government would be asked to resolve the issue.

The meeting, chaired by Moni, discussed multiple facility concerns including housing allocations for members by April 10, the need for an ICU ambulance and a refrigerated vehicle for the Parliament hospital, and persistent problems with the chamber’s sound system. A report on the sound system malfunction is expected by April 2. Two subcommittees were formed to investigate water quality, food standards, and furniture quality within the complex.

The committee also instructed officials to ensure transparency and quality in furniture procurement, warning against irregularities similar to past scandals. Opposition members’ speaking time distribution was also addressed, with Moni asserting that their participation in debates is being ensured.

Six Israeli soldiers were injured in southern Lebanon following Hezbollah attacks and an operational accident, according to the Israeli military. The incidents occurred in three separate events, leaving three soldiers in serious condition. Two soldiers were wounded by anti-tank fire, three by a drone strike, and one in an operational mishap.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered an expansion of military operations in southern Lebanon. In a video statement from the Northern Command, he said the decision was made in response to Hezbollah’s continued rocket attacks and the growing security risks along the border.

The developments mark an escalation in cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides citing security concerns as justification for their actions.

Iran has denied holding any direct talks with the United States, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. Speaking to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Baghaei said Tehran has so far not engaged in direct negotiations with Washington but has received messages through intermediaries indicating that the U.S. is interested in dialogue.

Baghaei questioned the consistency of U.S. diplomatic positions, saying Iran’s stance remains clear while the other side keeps changing its position. He described the messages from Washington as containing excessive and unreasonable demands. The spokesperson also clarified that Iran did not participate in meetings organized under Pakistan’s initiative, describing them as part of an independent framework.

The statement comes amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, with observers noting that such remarks could further widen the diplomatic gap between the two nations.

Hundreds of Israeli passengers were stranded at King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, Jordan, after Jordanian authorities suspended flights operated by Israel’s Arkia Airlines on Sunday. Israeli Channel 12 reported that the suspension left many travelers unable to depart. Jordan has not issued any official comment on the matter.

The disruption follows escalating regional tensions after Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Tel Aviv in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on February 28. In response, Israel closed its Ben Gurion Airport. Arkia, Israel’s second-largest airline, had announced plans last week to shift most of its operations to airports in Jordan and Egypt.

However, according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Jordanian authorities have blocked Arkia’s relocation plan. Israeli aviation officials said the airline may have to cancel all flights operating through Jordan. Arkia stated that part of its operations would be moved to Egypt’s Taba Airport, depending on operational capacity and necessary permissions.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has recovered a significant portion of funds laundered abroad through the online Ponzi scheme MTFE. Using international cooperation and advanced technology, the agency brought back approximately 3.62 million US dollars, equivalent to over Tk 440 million. The recovery was announced at a press briefing at CID headquarters, where officials described it as a major success in combating cyber fraud.

Investigations revealed that MTFE began operating in Bangladesh in June 2022, luring investors through social media advertisements promising high returns from cryptocurrency and forex trading. The platform fabricated virtual trading profits to gain trust and later shut down abruptly in mid-2023, leaving thousands of investors defrauded. Funds were transferred abroad through various cryptocurrency wallets.

CID’s Cyber Police Centre traced part of the laundered assets using blockchain analysis tools and coordinated with international exchanges and Asset Reality Ltd in the UK to convert and repatriate the funds. The recovered money has been deposited in a government account at Sonali Bank. The investigation continues to identify victims and recover remaining assets.

In Raiganj of Sirajganj, the once-familiar sight of tall palm trees is rapidly disappearing, raising concerns about increasing lightning strikes and other natural disasters. The decline has been attributed to agricultural expansion, unplanned tree cutting, and insufficient replanting. Local residents have reported more frequent lightning-related deaths of farmers and livestock during recent monsoon seasons, heightening fear and frustration in the community.

Environmental activists from the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) in Sirajganj warn that palm trees not only enhance natural beauty but also act as protection against lightning. Their loss threatens biodiversity, particularly the habitat of the baya weaver bird, and disrupts the ecological balance. Palm trees also hold economic and cultural value, providing nutritious fruit and raw materials for rural crafts such as mats, fans, and other cottage products.

Experts caution that the disappearance of palm trees could erode both environmental stability and rural heritage, diminishing the aesthetic and ecological identity of traditional Bangladeshi villages.

A modernization project costing about Tk 21 crore at Dhaka University’s Mall Chattar has drawn criticism after the area turned hazardous for students and pedestrians. Following recent rainfall, an electric shock incident killed a dog near Surya Sen Hall around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, raising alarm among witnesses who narrowly avoided a larger accident.

Students alleged that the square’s electrical wiring and lighting were installed without proper planning, creating electrocution risks whenever rainwater accumulates. Poor drainage and inadequate maintenance have worsened the danger. Some lamp posts have reportedly been stolen, leaving exposed wires temporarily patched with tape. The project, launched for the university’s centenary celebration, included lighting, drainage, seating, and aesthetic structures but has faced criticism over design flaws and safety lapses.

Acting Chief Engineer Kazi Md. Akram Hossain said some lights had been disconnected after thefts, and the sudden rain caused the incident. Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam called the situation alarming and instructed the engineering department to take immediate safety measures.