A Supreme Court (SC) lawyer has sent a legal notice to Aarong, seeking an end to the practice of charging customers extra for shopping bags, describing the act as "illegal" and "deceptive". Saddam Hossain Abhi sent the notice via registered post on Sunday, also naming the commerce secretary and the director general of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) as respondents. The legal notice claims that since Sep 1, 2025, the prominent lifestyle brand has been charging additional fees for shopping bags, a move that contradicts existing consumer protection laws. He argued that providing necessary service to a customer is a duty of the organisation, and charging extra for a basic necessity like a bag constitutes "deceptive and unfair trade practices". It urged the commerce secretary and the DNCRP chief to immediately deploy executive magistrates and conduct mobile courts to take legal action against Aarong.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan addressed a view-sharing meeting at Dhaka Reporters Unity as the chief guest on Sunday. Photo: BSSDHAKA, March 15, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said the government is preparing a time-befitting roadmap to ensure professional dignity, proper pay structure and overall security of journalists. Seeking proposals and cooperation from journalist leaders to address professional problems, the minister said, "Through an effective roadmap, we want to untie the mountain of problems faced by journalists." Speaking about digital rights, Swapan said that in the present era digital services have become part of people's fundamental rights alongside food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and education. Therefore, digital empowerment is necessary to ensure information reaches everyone at every moment," he said.

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Buyers are paying an extra Tk 400 for Tk 1,000 worth of Tk 10 notes, effectively raising the price of each note to Tk 14. Under former Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, the long-standing practice of direct exchange at the central bank was shifted to commercial banks. The central bank began preparing new designs featuring July Uprising motifs. In Motijheel, vendors are demanding an extra Tk 500 for a Tk 2,000 bundle of Tk 20 notes, and Tk 300 extra for the same amount in Tk 50 or Tk 100 notes. I’m just taking ten pieces of Tk 20 notes so I can at least say I brought something."

The government will form a fact-finding committee to examine the “illogical” gap between wholesale and retail market prices, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said on Sunday. He inspected prices at different wholesale shops at Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association in Chattogram on Sunday. The committee will comprise officials from the administration, representatives from the business community, and other professionals as needed. “It is natural for domestic prices to be affected by international market trends, the dollar’s value, or transportation costs,” Muktadir said. “The government, however, remains vigilant to ensure that goods do not experience unreasonable spikes due to internal mismanagement or market manipulation.”The commerce minister emphasised that traders should not face “unnecessary harassment” amid the ongoing market monitoring.

Photo: CollectedSANGSAD BHABAN, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS) - Lawmakers today began discussions on the motion of thanks on the President’s address in parliament highlighting various issues including infrastructural needs in their respective areas alongside the July National Charter and the constitutional reform process. The first session of the 13th parliament began on 12 March with President Mohammed Shahabuddin delivering his address. Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam moved the motion of thanks on the president’s address, which was seconded by Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu. Pirojpur-3 member Ruhul Amin Dulal said the president’s address had acknowledged the July fighters and criticised past authoritarian rule, which he said was a positive aspect of the speech. Meanwhile, Patuakhali-4 member BM Mosharraf Hossain said the president’s address had countered allegations of corruption levelled against BNP during the previous government’s tenure.

Dr Zahed given additional charge of Information and Culture ministriesDr Zahed Ur Rahman- File PhotoDHAKA, March 15, 2026 (BSS) – The government has issued a gazette notification reassigning the portfolios of Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman. He has been given the additional charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs alongside his existing responsibilities. The information was disclosed in a notification issued by the Cabinet Division. According to the notification, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman is currently serving as the adviser for Policy and Strategy. From now on, he will also serve as the adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

In a bid to save power, the government has ordered all stores and shopping malls to turn off external decorative lighting ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr amid fuel supply crisis with the conflict in the Middle East raging. The decision came during a meeting at the Power Division, presided over by State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, bdnews24.com reports. The meeting decided that all ornamental or decorative lighting outside business establishments must remain switched off. Air conditioning systems in malls and shops must be set to a minimum temperature of 25°C or higher. The meeting saw participation from top leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), and different shop owners' associations.

DHAKA, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS)- The government has issued several guidelines for shopping malls and business establishments aimed at saving electricity. Presidents, general secretaries and representatives of Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samiti, Bangladesh Dokan Byabosayee Malik Samiti, Dhaka Mahanagar Dokan Byabosayee Malik Samiti, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) attended the meeting. According to the decisions taken at the meeting, decorative lighting outside all shopping malls and business establishments must remain switched off. The temperature of air-conditioning systems used in shopping malls and business establishments must be set at 25 degrees Celsius or higher. In addition, lights on signboards of shops and business establishments must be turned off immediately after closing the shops.

The US-Israeli war with Iran has sparked renewed interest in Ukrainian drone interceptors, with the United States and its Middle Eastern allies looking for ways to counter Iranian drone attacks. "Even in some free countries, we do not initially receive contracts from the private sector. Only then does the private sector start negotiating with us," he added. And that is unacceptable: for a private sector entity to practically take away warriors or drone operators from our defence." Kyiv uses a mix of cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools and anti-aircraft guns to neutralise them.

Dr Titumir characterised ensuring energy security as a non-negotiable imperative for the nation at this critical juncture. To achieve this without compromising the broader economy, the administration is utilising a strategic borrowing framework designed to engage with global lenders and ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel oil, he added. This involves a disciplined tightening of fiscal outlays and trimming budgets in various other sectors to prioritise the continuous procurement of fuel oil, he added. Dr Titumir explained that this internal restructuring is essential to ensure that the energy sector remains stable while the government manages its broader financial obligations. Dr Titumir emphasised a definitive shift toward the depoliticisation of social safety nets, asserting that state assistance must reach the most vulnerable citizens without partisan interference.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has advised residents leaving the capital for Eid not to leave cash, gold jewellery or important documents unattended at home, and instead to keep them with relatives or at a police station if necessary. The DMP has taken “adequate security measures” so city residents can celebrate Eid “safely and without worry”, according to him. Addressing residents, Sarwar said: “Do not leave cash, gold ornaments or important documents in an unprotected condition. Alongside uniformed police, detective police will also be deployed to prevent passenger harassment and overcharging of fares, he said. He added that DMP magistrates, with support from the traffic division, were conducting mobile court drives to prevent unfit vehicles from getting onto the roads.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS) - Begum Laila Alam Int’l FIDE Rating Women’s Chess Tournament inaugurated at the hall-room of the Bangladesh Chess Federation here today. Veteran chess player Begum Laila Alam formally inaugurated the tournament as the chief guest. Bangladesh Chess Federation president Syed Sujauddin Ahmed presided over the opening ceremony. Haroon or Rashid and Bangladesh Chess Federation Ad-hoc committee member Aminul Islam were present. Interested participants were requested to enrol their names at Bangladesh Chess Federation office by March 24 along with an entry fee of Taka 200.

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