A defamation case worth Tk 100 crore has been filed against Islamic speaker Mufti Amir Hamza. The case was lodged on Monday at 12 noon in the Sirajganj Sadar Amli Court by Advocate Nazmul Islam, former general secretary of the BNP’s Sadar upazila unit. Judge Suman Kumar Karmakar heard the case and kept it pending for an order. The information was confirmed by Additional Public Prosecutors Advocate Hamidul Islam Dulal, Humayun Kabir Colonel, and Indrajit Saha.

According to APP Hamidul Islam Dulal, Amir Hamza, an opposition Member of Parliament and influential Islamic speaker, allegedly made defamatory remarks against State Minister for Power and Energy Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. On March 27, during a pre-sermon discussion before the Friday prayer at Hafsai Haripur Boro Mosque in Kushtia, Hamza reportedly called the minister an atheist and anti-Islamic. The statement spread widely on social media, allegedly damaging the minister’s reputation and family heritage both domestically and abroad.

The case accuses Amir Hamza of committing a punishable offense under Section 500 and includes a request for a warrant and arrest order.

British officials have warned that global food prices could rise due to the economic impact of the ongoing war involving Iran. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet business leaders at Downing Street on Monday to discuss the issue. The warning follows Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has already driven up oil prices and raised concerns about fertilizer costs, according to a maritime analyst.

Lars Jensen, founder and CEO of shipping consultancy Vespucci Maritime, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that 20 to 30 percent of the world’s seaborne fertilizer originates from the Persian Gulf region. He cautioned that this disruption could cause food prices to increase rapidly, particularly in poorer countries. The UK’s National Farmers Union also warned that higher fuel and fertilizer costs would inevitably push up domestic food prices.

The discussions at Downing Street are expected to focus on mitigating the potential economic fallout and ensuring stability in the UK’s food supply chain.

The Israeli military announced that it carried out airstrikes on several Iranian weapons manufacturing facilities on Sunday night. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), more than 80 bombs were dropped on the targeted sites. The attacks reportedly included a long-range anti-aircraft missile factory, a facility producing components for tank and anti-aircraft missiles, and a complex involved in ballistic missile engine production, research, and development.

The IDF stated that it has intensified its operations against Iran’s weapons production industries. Over the past two days, approximately 40 factories have been attacked as part of this campaign. The report, sourced from the Times of Israel, did not provide details on casualties or damage assessments.

The escalation underscores Israel’s continued focus on disrupting Iran’s defense manufacturing capabilities, though the immediate impact of the strikes remains unclear.

Farmers in Amtali upazila of Barguna district are facing financial losses despite a bumper watermelon harvest this year. The cultivated area exceeded the target of 4,249 hectares, reaching over 4,309 hectares, according to the local agriculture office. However, low market prices have left many growers disappointed, with watermelons weighing 5 to 7 kilograms selling for only 120 to 150 taka each. Only those who managed to bring their produce to market early have seen some profit.

Local farmers, including Mamun Molla of Patakata village, reported that despite excellent yields, they are unable to recover production and land lease costs due to weak demand from wholesalers. Agricultural officer Md. Russel stated that favorable weather conditions had raised expectations of earning up to 2.5 billion taka from watermelon cultivation in Amtali alone, but the lack of fair prices now threatens that projection.

Upazila Executive Officer Muhammad Zafar Arif Chowdhury urged wholesalers from across the country to visit Amtali and purchase watermelons, emphasizing the region’s suitability for large-scale commercial cultivation and the administration’s continued support for local farmers.

Middle East researcher Mohammad Elmasry has said that Israel is preparing for long-term wars across several countries despite becoming increasingly isolated in the region. In an interview with Al Jazeera, the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies professor noted that Israel’s latest national budget stands at 271 billion dollars, the highest in its history, reflecting an intention to sustain multiple military campaigns.

Elmasry explained that the United States historically provides Israel with 3.8 billion dollars in annual military aid, which increases during wartime. However, he observed that political dynamics in the U.S. are shifting, with more Americans criticizing both Israel and Washington’s support for it. He suggested that Israel’s new budget signals it does not see itself near the end of any conflict but rather in the middle or early stages.

According to Elmasry, Israel appears to be preparing for a series of prolonged or sequential wars aimed at realizing its vision of a “Greater Israel,” potentially involving Syria, Lebanon, Palestinian territories, and Iran.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer and Jamaat-e-Islami executive council member Shishir Monir has alleged that the government is opposing major reforms introduced by the interim administration. Speaking at a press briefing in front of the Supreme Court annex building on Monday, he said that despite claims of accepting many ordinances, initiatives have been taken to repeal several key reform ordinances.

Monir listed the referendum ordinance, judges’ appointment ordinance, separate judicial secretariat ordinance, enforced disappearance commission ordinance, human rights commission ordinance, and banking reform ordinance among those facing repeal. He argued that such actions amount to denying the 18-month achievements of the government formed after the July uprising. According to him, of the 133 ordinances placed before the national parliament, 12 are proposed to lapse, three to be repealed, 13 to be reformulated, 74 to be passed as they are, and 31 to be amended later. A special committee has been formed to review these ordinances and is expected to submit its report by the second of the month.

Monir warned that repealing the referendum ordinance would undermine the July Charter Implementation Order and related electoral provisions, calling the move an “aborted step.”

A special team of RAB-5 recovered nine kilograms and 150 grams of gunpowder along with bomb-making materials during a raid in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj. The operation took place on Sunday night in an orchard at Kathanipara area under Ghorapakhia Union, following a tip-off. The information was confirmed in a press release issued by the RAB-5 Chapainawabganj camp on Monday afternoon.

According to the RAB statement, the raid was led by company commander Fahaduzzaman Akand. No suspects were detained during the operation. The seized explosives were later handed over to Shibganj Police Station. Sub-inspector Abdul Alim of Shibganj police confirmed that the materials were deposited under a general diary entry and that legal action would follow.

Authorities have not yet identified those responsible for storing the explosives, and further investigation is expected to determine their source and intended use.

An Iranian attack destroyed a US Air Force E-3 Sentry radar aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about Washington’s ability to monitor threats from Iran. Analysts said the loss could weaken the United States’ long-range detection and control capabilities in the Middle East. CNN’s analysis of satellite images showed the aircraft’s tail broken and its distinctive radar dome collapsed on the ground.

Former US Colonel Cedric Leighton described the incident as a major blow to American surveillance operations, warning that it could complicate the control of combat aircraft and their defense against enemy missiles. The E-3 Sentry, part of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), has long been a key component of US military intelligence, capable of monitoring up to 120,000 square miles of airspace. The US operates 17 such aircraft.

CNN confirmed the strike location through satellite imagery and reported that at least ten US service members were injured, though no fatalities occurred.

A severe fuel shortage has hit Rupsa upazila in Khulna, causing major disruptions for residents and transport workers. Two local fuel stations, Monir Uddin Fuel Station and Kazi Sobhan Pump, are struggling to maintain adequate supply. Long queues of motorcycles, private cars, and other vehicles have formed, with many drivers waiting two to three hours only to receive limited amounts of fuel worth 100 to 200 taka. In some cases, supplies run out after serving a few hundred vehicles, leaving others without fuel.

The manager of Kazi Sobhan Pump said they are receiving very small quantities of fuel from the company, far below local demand, forcing them to ration distribution. Frustrated customers reported losing valuable time and income due to the shortage. Some locals suspect that a syndicate might be behind the crisis, though no clear information has emerged. Meanwhile, fuel is reportedly available at retail shops for 200 to 220 taka per liter after bargaining.

The situation has raised concerns about supply chain irregularities and the lack of transparency in fuel distribution in the area.

Myanmar’s military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has resigned to contest in the country’s upcoming presidential election. The announcement came on Monday in Naypyidaw, where Hlaing formally handed over his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to General Ye Win Oo, an experienced officer. Ye Win Oo, who was appointed intelligence chief in 2020, was promoted earlier this month to lead the military.

On the same day, Myanmar’s newly elected lower house of parliament nominated two vice-presidential candidates, including Hlaing. The upper house will nominate another candidate, and the combined parliament will later vote to elect one of the three as president. The date for the vote has not yet been announced.

The election, held under military control, was the first since the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government and triggered civil war. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party won a majority, though the United Nations and several Western countries have dismissed the polls as a sham.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Jahangir Alam testified as the second witness in the murder case of Imam Hasan Taim, son of a police officer, at the International Crimes Tribunal-2 in Dhaka. He stated that Taim’s body was brought to the Rajarbagh Jame Mosque on July 21, 2024, after the July uprising. During the ritual washing, he observed multiple bullet wounds on the body, which appeared to have been caused by shotgun fire. The body was later handed over to Taim’s father, Moinal Hossain.

Two more witnesses also gave statements. Sub-Inspector Delwar Hossain said he was assigned to handle cases involving injured or deceased police personnel during the July movement. He recounted finding Taim’s body at a morgue near the new building of Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being informed that the victim had been shot. Inspector Nizam Uddin confirmed that the inquest report was prepared on July 21 in their presence.

The testimonies detailed the condition of the body and the official procedures followed after the incident.

Cumilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah made a remark directed at Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed during a supplementary question in the fourth sitting of the first session of the 13th National Parliament on Monday, March 30, 2026. Hasnat said he often feels hesitant to ask questions because the minister tends to issue notices afterward. The Home Minister responded by wishing Hasnat Abdullah a bright future.

During the exchange, Hasnat Abdullah did not initially use the customary honorific term while addressing the minister, later acknowledging the mistake and admitting it was an oversight. He also noted that he is 27 and a half years old, while the minister has been in parliament since 1991, adding that he was born in 1998 and is willing to correct conventional errors.

The first session of the 13th National Parliament began on March 12, 2026, marking the context for this exchange between the two lawmakers.

A Jamalpur court has ordered 31 Awami League leaders and activists from Madarganj and Bakshiganj upazilas to be sent to jail after rejecting their bail petitions. The group, including Madarganj Upazila Awami League General Secretary and former Upazila Chairman Obaidur Rahman Belal, surrendered before the court on Monday and sought bail. Chief Judicial Magistrate Rumana Akter of the Jamalpur District Judge Court issued the order following a hearing.

According to court sources, 27 of the accused are from Madarganj and four from Bakshiganj. The Madarganj group faced four cases, including two filed by local BNP leaders Hafizur Rahman Saku and Abdullah Al Mamun, and one under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The prosecution opposed the bail petitions, and after hearing both sides, the court denied bail and ordered imprisonment.

Court Inspector Md. Abul Hossain confirmed that all 31 individuals were sent to jail following the court’s decision.

Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro and Pakistani High Commissioner Imran Haider met with Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam at his office in the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment. The meeting took place on Monday, according to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During the courtesy meeting, the envoys and the adviser discussed various issues of mutual interest. They expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral military relations and strategic cooperation between Bangladesh and their respective countries.

The ISPR statement highlighted that the discussions reflected a shared interest in enhancing defense and strategic ties, though no further details were provided about specific agreements or future initiatives.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has returned to Dhaka after a six-day visit to Japan. During the trip, he attended the ‘Harmony by Design: Asia Dialogue’ organized by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo, where he exchanged views with regional leaders including former Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai. He also presented a keynote at the ‘Next Generation Asia Peacebuilding’ forum, urging youth to link economic opportunities with peace through social business.

Professor Yunus met with former First Lady Akie Abe and senior foundation members, and held discussions with Japanese investors on expanding zero-cost migration opportunities for Bangladeshi workers. He joined a roundtable on ethical migration under the GEMS-Net initiative and participated in a social business discussion at the United Nations University. At the Yunus Global Forum 2026, he spoke on building a “Three Zero World” — zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions.

He also visited Sakai city in Ibaraki Prefecture, where he discussed the “Three Zero Smart City” concept and met local officials and students. Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama hosted a dinner expressing interest in stronger bilateral cooperation.