Police in Cumilla’s Brahmanpara upazila arrested Akter Hossain, chairman of the BRDB and former president of the upazila Chhatra League, on Sunday, March 8, for allegedly demanding Tk 1 crore in extortion related to a house construction project. He was detained from the Brahmanpara Sadar Bazar area following a case filed at the local police station.

According to police and local sources, former police officer Abdus Salam was constructing a house in the Brahmanpara Sadar area when Akter Hossain allegedly demanded Tk 1 crore and issued threats to halt the work if the demand was not met. Project engineer Md. Rajib Khan filed the case that led to the arrest. The operation was led by Officer-in-Charge Sabbir Mohammad Selim and OC (Investigation) Tomas Barua.

Police said they are investigating whether others were involved. The accused is being sent to court, and legal proceedings are ongoing.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that a comprehensive plan has been adopted to bring a major transformation to Bangladesh’s communication system under the leadership of the Prime Minister. Speaking on Sunday after inspecting the Diabari Metro Rail Depot following a ride from the Secretariat Station, he said visible improvements in the transport sector would soon be achieved with the cooperation of all stakeholders, ensuring safe and comfortable travel for citizens.

The minister noted that the metro rail has already gained public trust as a successful and commuter-friendly project. He added that the government is considering introducing monorail services in densely populated areas, viewing metro rail as the backbone of the transport network. The government aims to build an integrated modern public transport system combining monorail, metro rail, and bus services in the capital.

At a separate coordination meeting, State Minister for Bridges and Shipping Rajib Ahsan instructed agencies to prepare for safe and smooth Eid travel, emphasizing early identification and resolution of potential challenges at bridges.

Oman's foreign minister has condemned the recent military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, describing them as unethical and illegal. He stated that the measures taken against Iran violated international law and risked escalating tensions across the region.

In his remarks, the Omani foreign minister also expressed regret over Iran’s retaliatory attacks on neighboring countries, calling them unacceptable. He urged all parties involved to exercise restraint to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

The statement reflects Oman's consistent diplomatic stance of promoting regional stability and adherence to international law, as reported by Roya News.

Reports from various official sources indicate rising casualties as hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran continue. According to Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, 1,332 civilians have been killed in US-Israeli strikes since the conflict began. Lebanon’s health ministry reported 394 deaths, including 83 children and 42 women. Israel’s emergency service MDA said 10 people have been killed since its operations against Iran started, while 1,929 have been hospitalized, though not all due to missile attacks. The Pentagon confirmed six US soldiers were killed in a drone strike on a base in Kuwait.

The United Arab Emirates’ defense ministry reported four deaths, while Kuwait’s interior ministry said two soldiers and two border guards were killed, along with a girl struck by metal fragments. Bahrain’s interior ministry reported one worker killed by debris last week. The figures have not been independently verified by the BBC, which compiled the data from official statements.

The ongoing conflict has drawn regional concern, with Oman calling attacks on Iran unethical and illegal, and another European country opposing US strikes on Iran.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for destroying four radar units connected to the United States’ THAAD anti-missile defense system within the past 24 hours, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The Iranian state news agency IRNA stated that the radars were struck using precision-guided missiles during an operation targeting U.S. missile defense infrastructure.

The THAAD system is a key component of the U.S. missile defense network, designed to detect and intercept ballistic missiles in midair. The IRGC described the strikes as part of an ongoing military campaign, though no further operational details were provided in the report.

The report did not specify the location of the attack or provide independent verification of the IRGC’s claim.

A mobile court in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj fined a trader for selling LPG gas cylinders at inflated prices. The court, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Sanjoy Ghosh, imposed a fine of 20,000 taka on trader Kabir Hossain, 42, after finding evidence of overpricing. The operation took place on Sunday afternoon in the Purbo Bazar area of the upazila.

According to the magistrate, the drive was part of ongoing efforts to keep essential commodity prices stable and protect consumer interests. The mobile court action reflects the local administration’s monitoring of market practices to prevent unfair pricing and ensure compliance with government-set rates.

Authorities indicated that similar drives would continue to maintain price discipline in local markets and safeguard consumers from exploitation.

Tamim Iqbal visited the National Sports Council (NSC) in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon along with several well-known cricket organizers to file a written complaint regarding alleged irregularities in last year’s Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election. He claimed that the BCB had manipulated the councilor selection process by appointing preferred individuals outside the board’s constitution. The election, which Tamim initially intended to contest but later boycotted, resulted in Aminul Islam’s single panel winning unopposed.

Nearly four and a half months after the election, Tamim and other boycotting organizers formally lodged their complaint with the government. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tamim said they had requested the NSC to form an independent investigation committee. According to him, 50 out of 76 cricket clubs in Dhaka supported the allegation that the election was not conducted properly, which he said substantiates their claim.

Cricket organizers Rafiqul Islam Babu, Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, Masuduzzaman, and Fahim Sinha accompanied Tamim during the submission of the complaint.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that a nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation program will begin on March 16. The initiative includes fish farming in the excavated canals and planting forest, fruit, and medicinal trees along the canal banks. He made the announcement on Sunday during a meeting with ministry officials at the Secretariat.

The minister said the program aims to make local areas more visually appealing while helping meet nutritional and protein needs of communities. He urged ministry employees to implement the initiative with sincerity and dedication. The plan is part of the BNP government’s five-year mandate to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals and conduct extensive tree planting across the country.

The meeting was also attended by Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan, who delivered remarks during the session.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) has called on people to pray for an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He made the appeal on Sunday evening while addressing an iftar gathering at Gulshan Central Mosque in Dhaka, hosted by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman.

During his speech, the minister urged everyone to pray for the protection of Bangladesh and for divine help in resolving the nation’s problems. He also requested prayers for protection from conspiracies by adversaries. Additionally, he sought prayers for the souls of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, as well as for the well-being of Prime Minister Tareq Rahman.

The event concluded with a special prayer for peace, prosperity, and progress of the country, the nation, and the Muslim Ummah. The Director General of the Islamic Foundation, A. Salam Khan, mosque committee leaders, and around 10,000 fasting participants attended the gathering.

Bangladesh’s national emergency service 999 delivered immediate assistance to 32,386 callers in 2025, according to its chief and Additional DIG Mahiul Islam. The announcement, made on Sunday, highlighted that the service prioritizes incidents involving violence against women and children, ensuring swift coordination with local police stations to provide timely help.

Under the National Emergency Service 999 Policy 2020, cases of violence, harassment, defamation, and eve-teasing against women and children are treated as emergencies. The service connects victims directly with police and ensures prompt intervention. Officials noted that growing public trust in 999 has led to an increase in calls related to gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

Data from the service show a rising trend in emergency responses: 26,798 callers received assistance in 2023, 23,033 in 2024, and 32,386 in 2025, reflecting expanding reliance on the national helpline for urgent protection and support.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the lack of transparency in state decision-making and the continued ineffectiveness of the Information Commission. At a press conference organized by the Right to Information Forum in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi on Sunday, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that even during the interim government, there was a lack of goodwill in ensuring the right to information, and many government decisions were made in secrecy.

He stated that despite the existence of the Right to Information Act, the commission had been rendered ineffective during the 16 years of the Awami League government, and the same situation persisted under the interim administration. He added that the failure to form the commission for one and a half years, despite legal obligations, was embarrassing and reflected a disregard for public trust.

The Right to Information Forum presented several demands to improve access to information, including forming a politically neutral commission, incorporating proposed amendments before presenting the ordinance to parliament, and ensuring public consultation before finalizing any legal changes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that military cooperation between Iran and Russia remains ongoing and is not a new development. In an interview with NBC, he described the relationship as a long-standing strategic partnership, emphasizing that it has existed for many years and continues to this day.

When asked whether Iran is receiving assistance from Russia, Araghchi said the two countries have maintained military ties for a long time. He added that while he does not have detailed military information about whether Russia is helping Iran identify U.S. targets, the relationship between the two nations is very strong.

Araghchi reiterated that the cooperation is not secret and will continue into the future, underscoring the enduring nature of Iran-Russia strategic relations.

National Citizens Party (NCP) member secretary and parliamentarian Akhtar Hossain has accused BNP lawmakers of violating the July Charter implementation order on the day of their oath-taking. Speaking at a discussion titled “Constitutional Recognition of July: Citizen Expectations from the Government and New Parliament” at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, he urged BNP MPs not to fall into conspiracies and instead participate in the nation-building process.

Hossain stated that under Article 8 of the July Charter order, MPs were required to take an oath both as members of parliament and as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, which BNP MPs failed to do. He said this omission disrespected the people’s sovereign will. He also criticized BNP for shifting its stance on the referendum and attempting to challenge its outcome in court.

Hossain called on BNP MPs to take the Constitutional Reform Council oath before the next parliamentary session on March 12. He emphasized that NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami members had already taken their oaths and were committed to fulfilling their public responsibilities.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to condemn Iran’s recent attacks, according to a statement from the Emir’s office. During the call, Macron expressed France’s full solidarity with Qatar and praised the effective role of Qatar’s armed forces in protecting residents, including French nationals, within the country.

The statement added that both leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring the stability of energy supplies and freedom of navigation through key maritime routes. They also called for prioritizing dialogue and diplomatic initiatives to de-escalate tensions and resolve the situation peacefully.

The conversation reflects ongoing international concern over regional security and the need for cooperative measures to maintain stability in the Gulf area.

Allegations of irregularities and obstruction in nomination paper distribution have surfaced surrounding the Barishal District Lawyers Association executive council election. Former secretary and senior lawyer Kazi Munirul Hasan raised the complaints at a press conference held on Sunday afternoon at the Barishal Press Club. He claimed that despite approaching the chief election officer twice on March 5 to collect nomination papers for the president post, he was denied the forms both times, prompting anger among attending lawyers.

In his written statement, Hasan described the 146-year-old Barishal District Lawyers Association as a non-political professional organization representing lawyers from diverse backgrounds. He expressed concern that attempts were being made to turn the upcoming election into a one-sided process, contrasting it with the recently held national election, which he said was conducted in a free and democratic environment.

Hasan urged the authorities to announce a new election schedule to ensure a fair and acceptable process. Several pro-Awami League lawyers, including Delwar Hossain Dilu and Anwar Hossain Mizan, were present at the press conference.