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.

In Cumilla Sadar Dakshin upazila, Akhtaruzzaman Ripon, a former influential Jubo League leader from Dhaka, has stirred controversy by declaring himself a dedicated BNP supporter. His claim has triggered widespread discussion and criticism, particularly among local BNP activists who reject his assertion. Ripon, a resident of Galiara Union, has no official position in the BNP but is known for his past closeness with senior Awami League figures. In the 2024 upazila election, he sought the Awami League nomination, later ran as an independent with the ‘pineapple’ symbol, and lost.

Ripon alleges that he actually won the election but was denied victory by former Awami League MP AKM Bahauddin Bahar. He now insists he is not affiliated with any political party, describing himself as a businessman who previously interacted with Awami League and Jubo League leaders for work. Local BNP leaders, including Mahabub Alam Chowdhury, have questioned his political credibility, saying those absent from party activities for years should not claim BNP identity.

Grassroots BNP workers have also voiced opposition, labeling Ripon a “hybrid leader” attempting to exploit money and influence. The debate has intensified uncertainty over his true political allegiance in Cumilla’s local politics.

A wave of public anger has erupted across Bangladesh after multiple child deaths at Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital due to shortages of ICU beds and ventilators. Despite Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain’s harsh criticism, hospital director Brigadier General P.K.M. Masudul Islam remains in his position. The minister had condemned the director for failing to inform authorities about the lack of neonatal ventilators, saying he deserved severe punishment. The issue has sparked nationwide debate over weaknesses in the country’s healthcare management.

The minister stated that after learning of the incident, he personally spoke with the director but received no satisfactory explanation. The director initially dismissed the matter as media exaggeration but later could not deny the reported facts in his official report. On Sunday, the director was seen performing his regular duties and holding meetings with department heads, though no details of the discussions were disclosed.

Local residents and health professionals have long complained about inadequate ICU facilities at RMC, particularly for newborns. Analysts warn that without swift administrative action, public trust in the health sector could erode further.

Republican Representative Nancy Mace has called for Congress to have a formal vote before any decision to deploy US troops to Iran, highlighting growing divisions within President Donald Trump’s party. Her remarks on Sunday followed a classified House briefing on the ongoing war, which she said raised concerns about the administration’s plans. The comments coincided with a Washington Post report that the Pentagon is preparing for limited ground operations in Iran, including potential raids on Kharg Island and near the Strait of Hormuz.

Mace told CNN that any conventional ground operation involving Marines or the 82nd Airborne Division would constitute a ground war requiring congressional authorization. She emphasized that “we don’t want troops on the ground” and urged the administration to seek proper authority if such action is pursued. The White House did not deny the Pentagon’s preparations but said they were part of routine planning to provide the president with options.

The debate comes as the US expands its military presence in the Middle East, with thousands of additional troops arriving. Some Republican lawmakers and Trump allies, including Matt Gaetz, have warned that a ground invasion could lead to higher costs and prolonged conflict.

After administrators were appointed to all city corporations and district councils, speculation has intensified over when Bangladesh’s remaining local government elections will be held. The government’s apparent lack of urgency has fueled public debate, as no elected representatives currently serve in upazila, municipal, or union councils. Conflicting statements from ministers have added to confusion about whether upazila or union council elections will come first.

According to sources in the Local Government Division, informal discussions have taken place about holding upazila elections between Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha, but later statements suggested union council polls might precede them. Officials said no political decision has yet been made on appointing administrators to upazila councils, and the government is still considering whether to proceed with elections or continue with interim arrangements. The Election Commission has not received any formal directive to begin preparations.

Experts and election officials warned that prolonged reliance on administrators could weaken grassroots democracy and accountability. They emphasized that elected representatives are essential for effective local governance and citizen participation.

Police in Palashbari, Gaibandha have arrested Harun, the husband of slain housewife Kabita Begum, in connection with her murder. Kabita’s mother, Hasna Begum, filed a case naming her son-in-law and three others as accused after Kabita’s throat-slit body was recovered from a rented house in Betkapa Union’s Paramlagaachi village on the night of March 28. Harun was detained from Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment.

According to police and local sources, the body was found in a house rented from retired army member Mostafizar Rahman. Harun, a resident of Chakbhagbanpur village in Eidilpur Union of Sadullapur upazila, was identified as the prime suspect. Police stated that a severed male organ recovered at the scene belonged to Harun.

Officer-in-Charge Sarwar Alam Khan said the investigation has been intensified to uncover the full circumstances of the killing, and efforts are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects.