Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today spoke after attending a Law and Order Committee meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Cox's Bazar. Photo : BSSCOX’S BAZAR, March 9, 2026 (BSS) – Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the government is making strong efforts to bring back the main accused in the Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Osman Hadi murder case and his accomplice, who were recently arrested in West Bengal, India. He said that in order to promote Cox’s Bazar beach nationally and internationally, garbage and unauthorized structures on the beach must be removed immediately. The meeting was chaired by Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan and attended by officials from various government departments and political leaders, including Cox’s Bazar Police Superintendent NM Sajedur Rahman. Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the Home Minister arrived in his hometown Cox’s Bazar on a two-day visit.

DHAKA, March 9, 2026 (BSS)- Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson expressedconfidence about ending the upcoming three-match ODI series againstBangladesh on a winning note, despite arriving with a relativelyinexperienced squad. The ODI series will be the first between the two sides on Bangladesh soilsince 2015. However, Pakistan toured Bangladesh last year for a three-matchT20 series, which they lost 2-1. Bangladesh also whitewashed Pakistan in a two-match Test series on Pakistanisoil. Pakistan defeated South Africa 2-1 in an ODIseries and also whitewashed Sri Lanka in a three-match series.

DHAKA, Mar 9, 2026 (BSS) - The European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) has expressed thanks and gratitude to the Election Commission (EC) for cooperating in observing the 13th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh. In a letter sent by the EU EOM today, the commission’s overall support, professionalism and effective coordination were praised. The EU EOM specifically acknowledged the contributions of several officials and expressed gratitude to them. In the letter, the EU EOM expressed gratitude to the entire Election Commission team and hoped that mutual cooperation and communication would continue in the future. It may be noted that, in line with international standards for evaluating election processes, the EU EOM, like other international organizations, participated in this year’s national election and observed election activities in different parts of the country.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday sought greater Turkish investment in Bangladesh and expressed readiness to facilitate such engagement. The issues were discussed when Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Şen paid a courtesy call on the state minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He congratulated the state minister on her recent appointment and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to further deepening the longstanding friendship and partnership between the two countries. The state minister expressed appreciation to the Turkish government for its humanitarian support to the forcibly displaced Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh and for its consistent support to Bangladesh in international forums. He proposed the establishment of a full-fledged cultural institute in Bangladesh to further promote Turkish heritage.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman -File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 9, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the government’s landmark “Family Card” programme tomorrow aimed at strengthening women’s empowerment, ensuring their rights, dignity and economic independence. Under the programme, each eligible household will receive a modern “Family Card” equipped with a contactless chip, QR code and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, ensuring security, durability and ease of use. The Family Card Pilot Implementation Guideline-2026 has already been prepared and uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Social Welfare. The Social Welfare Minister said the government’s new “Family Card” programme will be provided completely free of cost and will not involve any financial transaction. Zahid Hossain said the Family Card programme will initially be launched on a pilot basis.

The Bangladesh government has changed the rules regarding the Independence Awards after debate surrounding Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury receiving the honour for a second time. An order from the Cabinet Division on Sunday amended Article 7.11 of the Independence Awards guidelines to add the provision. The amended article states, "No person/institution who has received the Independence Award will be considered for the Independence Award or any other national-level award again. According to the list of Independence Award recipients published on the website of the Cabinet Division, Zafrullah received the award in the first year of the introduction of the Swadhinata Award in 1977 for his contributions to population control. This sparked discussion of whether the same person can receive the Independence Award twice.

DHAKA, March 9, 2026 (BSS) - The match officials for the upcoming three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and Pakistan were confirmed today. On-field duties will be shared by elite umpire Kumar Dharmasena along with his local and international counterparts. The first match of the series is on March 11, while the second and third game is on March 13 and 15 respectively. Kumar Dharmasena and Gazi Sohel will stand in the as umpire in the first match, while Adrian Holdstock takes the TV umpire role. Adrian Holdstock and Tanvir Ahmed will on-field umpires in the second match, with Kumar Dharmasena on TV duties and Masudur Rahman Mukul as fourth umpire.

HANOI, Vietnam, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Vietnam is considering a plan to scrap tariffs on fuel imports, the government said, as the US-Israeli war with Iran disrupts oil supplies and pushes prices to their highest level since 2022. Since the war began more than a week ago with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, prices of fuel in Vietnam have risen sharply and the government has implemented emergency pricing protocols. The cost of the most widely used grade of gasoline has risen 21 percent to 27,040 Vietnamese dong ($1.03) per litre -- the highest since July 2022, state media reported. According to the finance ministry's proposal, which must be approved by the government, the tariff decree would be effective until the end of April. The crisis in the Middle East has seen crude prices soar to nearly $120 a barrel, the highest since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

IFAD Country Director Dr Valantine Achancho met with Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today at his office at the Secretariat. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Mar 9, 2026 (BSS) – Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today sought effective cooperation from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the development of the rural population of Bangladesh. He particularly emphasized the need for the agency’s support in improving safe water management in rural areas. In this regard, IFAD’s cooperation in ensuring and improving the management of safe water supply can play an important role, he added. During the meeting, the IFAD Country Director reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to working jointly with the Bangladesh government to address the impacts of climate change and support communities affected by natural disasters.

The four-day annual conference of deputy commissioners (DCs) will begin in Dhaka from May 3. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the conference at 10:30am on May 3 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. On Monday, the Field Administration Coordination Wing of the Cabinet Division sent letters to all secretaries as well as the private secretaries of ministers and state ministers, asking them to take preparatory steps ahead of the conference. According to the letter, ministers, state ministers, senior secretaries and secretaries from various ministries and divisions will attend different sessions to provide guidance and directives to deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners. The conference is usually organised annually to facilitate face-to-face discussions between government policymakers and deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners, and to provide necessary policy directions.

RAJSHAHI, March 9, 2026 (BSS)- Three people were killed and two othersinjured in a head-on collision between an unauthorized vehicle [locally knownas "Bhutbhuti"] and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Bagha upazila of the districttoday. Among the deceased are the CNG driver and another passenger who died on thespot, while a woman died on the way to hospital. Locals rushed the remaining three passengers-- Rukena Begum, Sajahan Ali, andSeema Begum-- to the emergency department of Bagha Health Complex. However, Rukena Begum died on theway to RMCH. The Bhutbhuti driver fled the scene, and police are trying to arrest him.

File PhotoDHAKA, March 9, 2026 (BSS)- SSPL Int'l FIDE Rating Chess tournament begins atthe hall-room of the Bangladesh Chess Federation tomorrow (Tuesday). The tournament, which will be held under the patronage of Swapno ShohorProperties Limited in association with the Bangladesh Chess Federation, isopen to all chess players. The tournament will feature a total prize fund of Taka four lakh. Thechampion will receive Taka one lakh, the runner-up will have Taka 60 thousandand the Third-place winner will get Taka 40 thousand. This event has 16 main prizes as well as eight different category prizes forthe eligible participants.

IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir spoke at a press briefing at the Police Headquarters Media Centre today. “Measures will be taken against terrorists, extortionists, criminals and teenage gangs after conducting block raids,” he said. The IGP identified maintaining law and order, combating drugs, terrorism, and extortion as the major challenges for Bangladesh Police. The IGP also stressed that effective measures will be taken against all forms of violence against women, including rape. Among those present at the briefing were Additional IGP AKM Awlad Hossain, Additional IGP Md Akram Hossain, Additional IGP Khondoker Rafiqul Islam, Additional IGP Moslehuddin Ahmed, and Additional IGP Sarder Nurul Amin.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Mar 09, 2026 (BSS) – Four Bangladeshis have been killed since the outbreak of the Iran–Israel conflict, State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque told media here today. Of the four, one each was killed in Bahrain and Dubai and two in Saudi Arabia. “We have contacted the families of the Bangladeshis killed in Saudi Arabia and conveyed condolences and assurances of support on behalf of the honorable prime minister,” he said. According to available information, several injured Bangladeshis are receiving necessary support and assistance from Bangladeshi missions in the respective countries. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, Director General of the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan and other officials were present.

Gold prices have declined again in the domestic market, with the price of the highest quality 22-carat gold reduced by Tk3,266 per bhori. The revised price list was later announced in a notification signed by the committee’s chairman, Dr Dewan Aminul Islam Shaheen. Bajus said the adjustment was made following a decrease in the price of pure (acid) gold in the local market. Earlier, on March 4, Bajus cut the price of 22-carat gold by Tk9,214 per bhori to Tk268,214. The revised prices came into effect at jewellery shops across the country from 10am on Monday.