Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen met with Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at the latter’s office in the Ministry of Industries. Photo: PIDDHAKA, March 9, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Norway today expressed their mutual commitment to bolstering industrial ties and expanding trade cooperation to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries. During the meeting, both parties discussed a wide range of issues concerning bilateral interests, with a specific focus on scaling up cooperation in the trade and industrial sectors. Describing Norway as a long-term friend and a trusted development partner of Bangladesh, Muktadir underscored the government’s firm commitment to fostering industrialization and ensuring sustainable economic growth. The envoy expressed his optimism that investment and trade between the two nations would witness a substantial increase in the future.

DHAKA, Mar 9, 2026 (BSS) – A Dhaka court today sent to jail Sheikh Md Jahangir Alam, acting president of Bangladesh Krishak League, in a case lodged over an alleged attempt to murder one Jubayer Razib during the July Mass Uprising. A team of Adabor Police Station arrested Sheikh Md Jahangir Alam on March 8. At that time, local leaders of the Awami League and Jubo League allegedly opened fire on the procession. Victim Jubayer Razib was injured by gunshots. In this connection, the victim, Jubayer Razib, filed a case with Adabor Police Station on October 27 of the same year.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Mar 9, 2026 (BSS) - Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir today said maintaining law and order and curbing drugs, terrorism and extortion are the main challenges facing the police. The IGP said the country cannot progress without an improved law and order situation, adding that police are working from the centre to the district level to prevent crimes. He said police services would be expanded to the grassroots level to ensure better support for the people. He said honest, skilled and talented police officers would be properly evaluated, while any form of irregularity or corruption would not be tolerated.

The government has sent five Additional Inspectors General of Police (Additional IGPs) into compulsory retirement. The information was announced through five separate notifications signed by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Manzur Morshed Chowdhury. The officials who have been sent to retirement are - Abu Hasan Muhammad Tariq, Mohammad Abdul Aleem Mahmud, Md Masudur Rahman Bhuiyan, Kusum Dewan and Md Towfiq Mahbub Chowdhury. According to the notifications, they have been sent to retirement from government service in the public interest under Section 45 of the Government Service Act, 2018 (Act No. The notifications also stated that they will receive all retirement benefits in accordance with the rules.

The government has reinstated Md Kohinoor Mian, former deputy commissioner (west) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), cancelling a previous order that had dismissed him from service. According to the notification, Kohinoor Mian had been dismissed from service following two departmental cases filed against him. However, he was later acquitted by the court in two criminal cases filed over the same allegations. Subsequently, the President approved a petition seeking reconsideration of the major punishment, leading to the cancellation of his dismissal order. As a result, the notification regarding his dismissal issued on February 22, 2011 has been revoked, and the period of his dismissal will now be considered part of his official service.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has congratulated the government and people of Nepal on the successful and peaceful parliamentary elections held on March 5. In a post on his official Facebook page on Monday, the prime minister said the elections reflect the aspirations and resilience of the Nepali people and the strength of their democratic institutions. “Congratulations to the Government and the people of Nepal on the successful and peaceful parliamentary elections held on March 5, 2026,” he wrote. He described the polls as an important democratic exercise that demonstrated the people’s commitment to democracy. Tarique Rahman also said Bangladesh looks forward to working closely with the new government and the people of Nepal to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Bangladesh has a prisoner exchange arrangement with India, and the suspects are expected to be returned under that framework, according to the home ministry. “We have requested the foreign minister to ask India to return them under the extradition agreement. On the same day at the Police Headquarters media centre, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir said diplomatic efforts were underway to bring Faisal and Alamgir back to Bangladesh. Meanwhile, sources in the West Bengal police administration said diplomatic communication has also begun over the matter. The information was confirmed in a statement issued Sunday by the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police.

The guidelines also recommend reducing unnecessary lighting in corridors, staircases, washrooms and other common areas, while encouraging the use of energy-efficient appliances wherever possible. He explained that the decision was taken as part of austerity measures aimed at conserving energy and preventing a potential fuel crisis. In Pakistan, the government is considering several energy conservation measures across public institutions, educational establishments and official operations. Authorities in South Korea and Thailand have also announced measures to control fuel prices. He added that leaders of the G7 could meet this week to coordinate a response to rising energy prices.

Three people were killed and two others injured when a CNG-run auto-rickshaw hit a human hauler on Bagha-Lalpur road in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi district on Monday. The deceased were identified as Shariful Islam, 42, driver of the CNG-run auto-rickshaw, Bidhan Mistri, 45, son of Nirapad Das and Rokena Begum, 90, wife of Nazim Uddin of the upazila. The accident occurred around 7:30 am at Chandipur when the CNG-run auto-rickshaw, carrying four passengers, collided head-on with the human hauler locally known as Bhotbhoti due to poor visibility caused by the dense fog, leaving two killed on the spot and three others injured, said Serajul Haque, officer-in-charge of Bagha Police Station. One of the injured died on way to the Bagha Upazila Health Complex while the others were shifted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital. Police seized the two vehicles.

The government has appointed two new prosecutorsto the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The newly-appointed prosecutors are Marjina Raihan (Madina) and MohammadJahurul Amin. They have been appointed with the status of Deputy AttorneyGeneral. The solicitor wing of the Law and Justice Division issued a gazettenotification in this regard on Monday, saying the order will come into effectimmediately. Meanwhile, through a separate gazette notification, the ministry said it hasaccepted the resignation of ICT prosecutor Saimum Reza Talukder.

RUPANTAR Director Shahadat Hossain Bacchu presented an overview of their project titled ‘Strengthening the Capacity of Civil Society Organizations to Promote Social Cohesion and Peacebuilding Efforts in Communities’. He said the Social Cohesion Network has been designed to foster trust, solidarity, and inclusion within communities. Shahadat Hossain added that the project aims to enhance the capacity of local actors to promote peace, trust, and resilience. It also seeks to build a sustainable foundation for peace and social cohesion by empowering local CSOs, community groups, and volunteer networks to proactively manage conflicts and strengthen community resilience. She also emphasised the importance of increasing the active participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community resilience initiatives.

Due to the sandy terrain, vessels are unable to operate in many char areas, leaving farmers with limited transport options. Horse carts are now the only viable means to move agricultural produce and farming inputs across the vast sandbanks. During a recent visit to the char areas, rows of horse carts carrying agricultural goods were seen moving across the sandbars. Fertilizers and pesticides are also being transported to farmlands using horse carts, further increasing farming costs. However, farmers must rely entirely on horse carts to transport these crops, as no alternative transport system exists.

A total of 37,567 female-headed households have been selected to receive benefits under the government’s “Family Card” program during its pilot phase. Each beneficiary family will receive a monthly allowance of Tk2,500. Authorities collected and verified household data through committees formed at ward, union, upazila and district levels, comprising representatives from various government offices. Using the collected data, households were assessed through an automated system applying the proxy means test to determine poverty levels. Under the pilot phase, families will receive Tk2,500 per month, while the government is also considering providing food support of equivalent value in the future.

It's people being able to turn them into “real” money -- uttering -- which makes the money. So, the deal was that young lads would buy these fake £20 notes off the printers, or their compadres. It's when people lose money -- pay £19 change on a fake £20 -- that the trust in that fiat money is destroyed. Fake money isn't, in fact, all that much of a problem in the grand scheme of things. If we stop believing the pieces of paper are real money then all of it's worth nothing, not just the fakes.

Local energy mixBangladesh spends nearly $10 billion on energy imports including coal, which accounts for about 15-17% of total import expenditure. Most oil imports in Bangladesh are financed by the Islamic Development Bank, few international banks, and the government treasury. This conflict in the Middle East -- an area crucial for global energy supply and shipping routes -- could severely disrupt the world economy, potentially weakening global GDP growth. The Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Finance, along with international commodity suppliers such as Cargill, should work together to ensure smoother energy imports. Mamun Rashid is an economic analyst with extensive experience in energy import and financing in the state sector.