Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Sunday predicted that rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind would take place at different parts of the country in next 24 hours commencing 9am. "Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country," a Met Office bulletin said. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country, it added. The highest temperature on Saturday was recorded 34.2°C at Sylhet under Sylhet division and Sunday's minimum temperature is 17.3°C at Sylhet under Sylhet division.

Today is International Women's Day. For women who are pregnant, or recovering, or simply unwell, every delay carries real risk -- for Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host community women alike. Over 80% of Rohingya women surveyed show symptoms of depression. Bangladeshi women in Cox’s Bazar are feeling it too -- overcrowded facilities, shrinking income opportunities, rising prices, and shared services buckling under pressure. International Women's Day has been with us for over a century -- over 100 years of resistance and the demand for rights.

A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed after taking cognizance of a charge sheet filed in a case over alleged illegal assets worth more than Tk11 crore. Md Riaz Hossain, bench assistant of the court, confirmed the development and said police had been asked to submit a report by March 30 on whether Benazir Ahmed had been arrested. According to the charge sheet, Benazir declared movable assets worth Tk6.45 crore and immovable assets worth Tk5.74 crore in her asset statement. However, the investigation found evidence of movable assets worth Tk7.52 crore and immovable assets worth Tk8.15 crore in her name, bringing the total value of assets identified to about Tk15.68 crore. As a result, assets worth Tk11.04 crore were identified as being acquired beyond known sources of income.

Aminul Haque, a candidate from the Dhaka-16 constituency, has filed an application with the High Court challenging the results of the 13th national parliamentary election. A single High Court bench led by Justice Md Zakir Hossain is likely to hear the application on Sunday. Earlier, more than 15 candidates filed petitions with the High Court contesting the election results in different constituencies. The court accepted the petitions for hearing and ordered the preservation of relevant materials, including ballot papers, from those constituencies. Under Section 49 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, an Election Tribunal has been formed within the High Court to hear petitions related to alleged electoral irregularities.

State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki said the main objective of the present government is to provide relief to people. He made the remarks while addressing an iftar gathering organised by the district and city units of Ganosamhati Andolan at a convention hall in Narayanganj city on Saturday evening. He also stressed the need for unity and cooperation among all to overcome current global challenges and advance the country through democratic processes. Referring to the last national election, he said the country has crossed an important milestone in its democratic journey. Lawmaker Advocate Abul Kalam of Narayanganj-5 and Advocate Abdullah Al Amin of Narayanganj-4, Administrator of Narayanganj City Corporation Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan and local BNP leaders were present at the program.

“Gender equality” has become a familiar slogan in corporate mission statements and annual reports across Bangladesh. While representation is important, a pressing question remains: Does increasing the number of women in an office automatically ensure gender equality? The male employee’s reason for leaving is linked to income generation or professional development and is therefore seen as legitimate. Women employees also need to engage critically with workplace structures and advocate for change. It is now urgent to incorporate certain feminine values that can provide a proper place for female employees in organizations and bring constructive change.

Manchester City shrugged off 10 changes to their starting line-up to crush Newcastle 3-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday as Chelsea battled past 10-man Wrexham. - Chelsea scare -Chelsea are also into the last eight after a 4-2 win but only after a mighty scare against second-tier Wrexham, who twice took the lead at the Racecourse Ground. "That's the reason why the FA Cup is what it is," he said. In the first FA Cup match of the day, Eberechi Eze smashed home the winner as a much-changed Arsenal toughed out a win against Mansfield. Noni Madueke put the 14-time FA Cup winners ahead against the League One strugglers shortly before half-time, only for substitute Will Evans to level soon after the break.

Concerns intensified after news of escalating tensions in the Middle East raised fears of potential disruptions to global fuel supply chains. As a result, many motorists rushed to fill their tanks and even store additional fuel, quickly draining filling stations’ regular reserves. In Dhaka, lines of private cars and motorcycles were seen stretching far beyond fuel stations from Saturday morning through the evening. Pumps running out of daily reservesDespite the adequate national supply, filling stations are struggling to keep up with the sudden surge in demand. To prevent irregularities, the government plans to deploy mobile courts from Sunday to monitor fuel distribution at filling stations.

A case has been filed against Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), for allegedly intimidating and defaming the Prime Minister’s political adviser Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed. According to the complaint, Patwary contested against Mirza Abbas in the 13th parliamentary election but lost by a large margin. The plaintiff alleged that since the election, the accused has repeatedly made false and defamatory statements against Mirza Abbas on social media platforms and in various online news outlets. It further claimed that millions of people in Bangladesh had seen the remarks and that the statements were intentionally made to harm the reputation and political career of Mirza Abbas. The plaintiff has also sought the issuance of an arrest warrant against Nasiruddin Patwary in connection with the case.

The Bangladesh Constitution’s guarantees of equality (Article 27) and non-discrimination (Article 28) explicitly obligate duty-bearers to uphold menstrual justice. To achieve "rights, justice, action," we must move beyond these paper promises. Give up silence to gain voice: We must move menstrual hygiene management (MHM) from a "women's issue" to a collective social responsibility. To sustain and expand these efforts, dedicated funding and resource allocation for menstrual justice within climate budgets are essential to ensure these initiatives are scalable and impactful. However, the path forward requires us to ensure that all climate-resilient infrastructure explicitly incorporates menstrual justice.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan’s call for a respectable wage board for journalists is a welcome recognition of the vital role the media plays in our democracy. Journalists who dedicate themselves to informing the public and holding power accountable have earned financial security and dignity in their profession. A respectable wage board is a necessity, but so is having the environment for a free and fearless press. A fair wage without freedom is hollow as it sustains livelihoods but not the integrity of the profession. Ensuring both fair wages and media freedom is about safeguarding our democratic ideals and not just the profession.

For Bangladesh, however, such a theme could not be more urgent. The recently concluded general elections revealed once again how far we remain from genuine empowerment for women, with every political party failing tremendously in assuring capable women candidates to represent them. It must also enforce workplace protections, ensure fair pay, and dismantle systemic barriers that keep women from thriving. Bangladesh has continued to struggle as a nation, and it is time to realize that when women are empowered, economies grow, communities strengthen, and nations thrive. Our future prosperity depends on whether we can move beyond token gestures and deliver real opportunities for women to lead, work, and live free from fear.

New Zealand cricketer sets record with five wickets in five ballsWELLINGTON, March 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An unheralded New Zealand domestic bowler on Sunday became the first player in the 254-year history of first class cricket to take five wickets in five successive deliveries. Ireland international Curtis Campher took five wickets in five balls in a domestic Twenty20 match last year, becoming the first player to do so in a professional game. Three more wickets fell from successive balls, including the record-breaking delivery, when international all-rounder Kristian Clarke was bowled. Randell took two further wickets in his following over as ND were skittled for 82 in response to CD's 373. Randell claimed 7-25, his best figures in a 38-match first class career that spans nine years.

India face New Zealand on Sunday in Ahmedabad looking to become the first side to lift the T20 World Cup for a third time but under huge pressure with the weight of a nation on their shoulders. New Zealand believe, after Finn Allen's record 33-ball century in the semi-final in Kolkata, that they are capable of taking down the hosts to win their maiden T20 World Cup title. The world's top-ranked T20 team are attempting to become the first to win back-to-back T20 World Cups and the first to lift the trophy on home soil. Mitchell Santner's New Zealand have blown hot and cold, having been beaten by South Africa and England earlier in the tournament. "He's in incredible form, he's an incredible player and I think he's just showing the world what he can do.

Lionel Messi moved to the brink of another goalscoring milestone as Inter Miami bagged their second win of the Major League Soccer season with a 2-1 victory over DC United on Saturday. The Argentine superstar's 80th goal for Miami takes his career tally to 899, leaving him just one away from reaching the 900-goal milestone. Saturday's win moved the reigning MLS champions up the Eastern Conference standings into third place with six points from three games. United rallied after half-time, and were given hope when Israeli forward Tai Baribo pulled a goal back in the 75th minute. Miami though were able to hold off United in the closing stages to seal victory.