Journalist Shawkat Mahmud has been shown arrested in an anti-terrorism case filed at Shahbagh Police Station in connection with the launch of the organization 'Manch 71'. The order was issued on Monday, March 30, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana following a police petition. State lawyer Shamsuddoha Suman confirmed the court’s decision. Before the order, Mahmud was produced before the court, and the investigating officer, Inspector Md Akhtar Morshed, requested that he be shown arrested as an accused identified during the investigation.

According to the case statement, 'Manch 71' was formed on August 5 of the previous year to prevent distortion of Bangladesh’s Liberation War history. As part of its activities, a roundtable discussion was held on August 28 at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. During the event, a group of individuals entered the venue, created chaos, and confined some participants, including Abdul Latif Siddique and Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman. Police later detained 16 people and a case was filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act by Sub-Inspector Amirul Islam.

The case petition stated that showing Mahmud arrested was necessary for proper investigation and justice.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan has directed mosquito control workers to perform their duties with maximum sincerity and commitment to strengthen mosquito control activities in the city. Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day training on Integrated Vector Management (IVM) and basic pest control strategies at Gulshan Nagar Bhaban on Monday, he emphasized that citizens should not have grounds to blame the authorities when walking on the streets.

He highlighted the importance of practical knowledge over theoretical understanding and said that strong commitment and continuous effort could bring the city closer to its mosquito control goals. The administrator noted that effective mosquito control depends largely on field-level workers and is closely linked to waste management, which DNCC is also intensifying. He announced that workers showing good performance would be rewarded by the corporation.

The event was chaired by DNCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, who said the training would enhance participants’ practical skills. Entomologist Dr. Kabirul Bashar added that commitment, collaboration, and cooperation are key to effective mosquito control.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen expressed optimism about strengthening mutual cooperation between China and Bangladesh in the social protection sector. During a courtesy meeting on Monday at the Secretariat with Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain and State Minister Farzana Sharmin, Yao Wen said China aims to support Bangladesh’s local communities through initiatives in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation to promote sustainable self-reliance.

The ambassador praised Bangladesh’s Family Card program, noting its popularity among low-income citizens, and said China is interested in deepening friendship and collaboration in social protection alongside infrastructure development. Minister Zahid Hossain described China as a long-standing friend and highlighted its technological advancement, especially in smart card systems. He explained that the Family Card is a database-based digital social protection platform designed to ensure family-centered welfare.

Both sides expressed hope for further strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation. The minister emphasized that China’s experience could help make Bangladesh’s Family Card program more transparent and technology-driven, supporting education, health, nutrition, and women’s empowerment.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom Rita said the government aims to transform Biman Bangladesh Airlines into a profitable and passenger-friendly organization through collective efforts. She made the remarks on Monday at a views-exchange meeting with the airline’s officials and employees at Balaka in Kurmitola, where State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat was also present.

Addressing the staff, the minister emphasized that their salaries come from passengers’ payments, urging them to treat passengers with due respect. She mentioned plans to link promotions with performance monitoring, fill vacant posts quickly, and improve salary and benefits to satisfactory levels. The state minister added that the current government is people-oriented and democratic, aiming to make Biman a model institution.

The meeting discussed short- and long-term plans for the airline’s development, including adding new aircraft, increasing wheelchairs for elderly and special-needs passengers, and strengthening connections between domestic and international flights. After the meeting, the ministers inspected the Biman Flight Catering Centre to check cleanliness standards.

Iran has sharply criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for what it described as an indifferent stance toward recent attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the assaults should be considered crimes and accused the IAEA of failing to respond appropriately.

Baghaei told Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had taken a very wrong position. He claimed that instead of condemning the attackers, Grossi used language in interviews that further complicated the issue. Baghaei also questioned Grossi’s neutrality, saying the IAEA chief lacked firmness and impartiality.

The criticism reflects Tehran’s growing frustration with international institutions over what it perceives as bias in handling incidents involving its nuclear program.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain and State Minister Farzana Sharmin at the minister’s office in Dhaka on March 30, 2026. The meeting was attended by the ministry’s secretary, Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, and a three-member Chinese delegation. Both sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in social welfare and digital technology.

Minister Zahid Hossain described China as a long-standing friend of Bangladesh and highlighted the government’s Family Card initiative, a database-based digital social protection platform aimed at improving education, health, nutrition, poverty reduction, and women’s empowerment. He noted that China’s experience in smart card technology could be valuable in making the program more transparent and technology-driven.

Ambassador Yao Wen praised the Family Card program’s popularity among low-income groups and expressed China’s willingness to deepen cooperation in social protection, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. Both parties expressed optimism about further strengthening Bangladesh-China bilateral relations through mutual collaboration.

RAB-12 members arrested two individuals in Sirajganj’s Salonga area with counterfeit currency worth 1,269,700 taka. The detainees were identified as Robiul Islam, 20, and Abul Hasan, 29, both residents of Berabajua village in Raiganj upazila. The arrests were announced by RAB-12 Commander Additional DIG Md. Atikur Rahman Mia during a press briefing at the Sirajganj headquarters on Monday afternoon.

According to RAB-12, the operation was conducted on Sunday afternoon near the New Mayer Anchol Hotel in Hatikumrul following a tip-off about illegal trading of fake notes. The suspects were initially caught with 5,000 taka in counterfeit bills and two mobile phones. Based on their information, RAB later recovered an additional 1,264,700 taka in fake notes from a rented house in Dhopakandi area.

During preliminary questioning, the detainees reportedly admitted to running a counterfeit currency business across Sirajganj and nearby areas for an extended period. A case has been filed against them at Salonga Police Station.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has carried out attacks on nearly 13,000 targets in Iran, with several thousand more still remaining. He made the remarks in an interview with the British daily Financial Times, according to a report published on March 30, 2026.

During the interview, Trump reiterated his threat to seize Iran’s oil production centers but also said that indirect discussions between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistani envoys, were progressing positively. When asked whether a ceasefire agreement might soon be reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump declined to provide specific details.

He added that about 3,000 targets were still left and suggested that a deal could be reached fairly quickly. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

US lawmakers have voiced strong reactions after reports emerged that the Pentagon is planning a multi-week ground operation in Iran. Republican Senator James Lankford, speaking on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ said it is essential to understand why troops are being deployed. He added that whether President Donald Trump needs congressional approval depends on how the forces would be used.

Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey warned that Trump is pushing the country into a conflict without congressional authorization and without a clear exit strategy. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen told ABC News’ ‘This Week’ that the war is costing American lives and billions of dollars daily, while also driving up oil and gas prices.

The debate underscores growing concern in Washington about the potential escalation of the Iran conflict and the constitutional limits on presidential war powers.

Police in Fatullah, Narayanganj recovered a foreign-made pistol, a magazine, and seven rounds of live ammunition from an abandoned spot in front of the Ria Gop International Cricket Stadium on Monday morning. The operation was conducted around 10:30 a.m. by Sub-Inspector Ferdousur Rahman Imon and his team from Fatullah Model Police Station following a tip-off. No arrests have been made so far.

According to the Officer-in-Charge Abdul Mannan, the incident occurred amid a dispute between two local groups over unloading waste materials from the nearby Super Star factory. When one group gathered near a garment factory, locals chased them, prompting the suspects to flee and leave behind the weapon. Police have launched an investigation to trace the source of the firearm and identify those involved. Legal proceedings are underway.

Local residents reported that the conflict began when a man named Hamza was loading waste materials onto a truck and a rival group arrived, sparking the altercation that led to the recovery of the weapon.

More than 1,200 people have been killed in Lebanon over the past four weeks as a result of ongoing Israeli attacks, according to a statement from Lebanon’s health ministry cited by Al Jazeera. The ministry also reported that more than 3,500 people have been injured, including 124 children. Attacks last Saturday and Sunday alone left 49 people dead, among them 10 rescue workers and three journalists.

Lebanon’s government earlier described the Israeli strikes as extremely dangerous, saying they posed a direct threat to the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens’ rights. The government had also announced plans to file a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council once the death toll surpassed one thousand.

The continued escalation underscores rising tensions in the region, with Lebanon seeking international attention to address the humanitarian and security crisis caused by the attacks.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s chief geopolitical analyst has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict is likely to continue at least until June. According to the analyst, former U.S. President Donald Trump cannot unilaterally withdraw from the war against Iran, even if he wishes to do so.

Analyst Madison Cartwright explained that while tariff policy falls under the president’s special authority, the timeline for ending a war with Iran cannot be determined by one person alone. He cautioned against expecting Trump to back down at the last moment, as he sometimes did with trade policies.

The comments, reported by The Guardian, highlight the complexity of U.S. involvement in the Middle East and the constraints on unilateral decision-making in wartime situations.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has declared that no one will be spared if irregularities or corruption are found in development projects. He made the statement while presiding over a meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture in the Secretariat to review the Annual Development Programme (ADP) on March 30, 2026. The minister emphasized that all projects must be designed and implemented with the genuine welfare of the people in mind.

During the meeting, the minister directed officials to identify reasons behind underperforming projects and ensure accountability for those responsible. He also urged that future projects prioritize public welfare through long-term planning. Stressing the importance of sustainable agricultural production, he highlighted the need to restore soil fertility and protect soil health, noting that excessive fertilizer use has increased soil acidity and production costs.

The meeting was informed that the ADP implementation progress for the current fiscal year stands at 42.18 percent. Senior officials, including Agriculture Secretary Rafiqul E. Mohamed, and heads of subordinate agencies attended the session.

A mobile court in Amtali upazila of Barguna fined the owner of Rahman Filling Station ten thousand taka for delivering less fuel than the paid amount. The operation was conducted on Sunday afternoon by Md. Ashraful Alam, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate of Amtali. The owner, Abdur Rahman Talal, was penalized after the inspection confirmed the irregularity.

According to the magistrate, the fine was imposed following a complaint that the station sold only 800 grams of fuel instead of one liter. He stated that such drives would continue to ensure fairness in fuel distribution and protect consumer rights.

The incident highlights ongoing monitoring efforts by local administration to prevent fraudulent practices in fuel sales and maintain transparency in commercial transactions.

The Israeli military has reported that 261 of its soldiers have been injured since the war with Iran began on February 28. However, the number of soldiers killed has not been disclosed. According to Israel’s Ministry of Health, a total of 6,008 people have been hospitalized since the conflict started, with 121 still receiving treatment. Authorities added that at least 232 injured individuals were admitted to hospitals within the past 24 hours.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, comes one month into the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. The conflict has led to widespread casualties and hospitalizations, though official figures on fatalities remain unavailable. The health and military updates reflect the continuing intensity of the fighting and its toll on Israeli forces and civilians.

The absence of official death figures leaves uncertainty about the full human cost of the conflict, as the situation continues to evolve amid ongoing hostilities.