Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain and State Minister Farzana Sharmin at the minister’s office in Dhaka on March 30, 2026. The meeting was attended by the ministry’s secretary, Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, and a three-member Chinese delegation. Both sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in social welfare and digital technology.

Minister Zahid Hossain described China as a long-standing friend of Bangladesh and highlighted the government’s Family Card initiative, a database-based digital social protection platform aimed at improving education, health, nutrition, poverty reduction, and women’s empowerment. He noted that China’s experience in smart card technology could be valuable in making the program more transparent and technology-driven.

Ambassador Yao Wen praised the Family Card program’s popularity among low-income groups and expressed China’s willingness to deepen cooperation in social protection, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. Both parties expressed optimism about further strengthening Bangladesh-China bilateral relations through mutual collaboration.

RAB-12 members arrested two individuals in Sirajganj’s Salonga area with counterfeit currency worth 1,269,700 taka. The detainees were identified as Robiul Islam, 20, and Abul Hasan, 29, both residents of Berabajua village in Raiganj upazila. The arrests were announced by RAB-12 Commander Additional DIG Md. Atikur Rahman Mia during a press briefing at the Sirajganj headquarters on Monday afternoon.

According to RAB-12, the operation was conducted on Sunday afternoon near the New Mayer Anchol Hotel in Hatikumrul following a tip-off about illegal trading of fake notes. The suspects were initially caught with 5,000 taka in counterfeit bills and two mobile phones. Based on their information, RAB later recovered an additional 1,264,700 taka in fake notes from a rented house in Dhopakandi area.

During preliminary questioning, the detainees reportedly admitted to running a counterfeit currency business across Sirajganj and nearby areas for an extended period. A case has been filed against them at Salonga Police Station.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has carried out attacks on nearly 13,000 targets in Iran, with several thousand more still remaining. He made the remarks in an interview with the British daily Financial Times, according to a report published on March 30, 2026.

During the interview, Trump reiterated his threat to seize Iran’s oil production centers but also said that indirect discussions between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistani envoys, were progressing positively. When asked whether a ceasefire agreement might soon be reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump declined to provide specific details.

He added that about 3,000 targets were still left and suggested that a deal could be reached fairly quickly. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

US lawmakers have voiced strong reactions after reports emerged that the Pentagon is planning a multi-week ground operation in Iran. Republican Senator James Lankford, speaking on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ said it is essential to understand why troops are being deployed. He added that whether President Donald Trump needs congressional approval depends on how the forces would be used.

Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey warned that Trump is pushing the country into a conflict without congressional authorization and without a clear exit strategy. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen told ABC News’ ‘This Week’ that the war is costing American lives and billions of dollars daily, while also driving up oil and gas prices.

The debate underscores growing concern in Washington about the potential escalation of the Iran conflict and the constitutional limits on presidential war powers.

Police in Fatullah, Narayanganj recovered a foreign-made pistol, a magazine, and seven rounds of live ammunition from an abandoned spot in front of the Ria Gop International Cricket Stadium on Monday morning. The operation was conducted around 10:30 a.m. by Sub-Inspector Ferdousur Rahman Imon and his team from Fatullah Model Police Station following a tip-off. No arrests have been made so far.

According to the Officer-in-Charge Abdul Mannan, the incident occurred amid a dispute between two local groups over unloading waste materials from the nearby Super Star factory. When one group gathered near a garment factory, locals chased them, prompting the suspects to flee and leave behind the weapon. Police have launched an investigation to trace the source of the firearm and identify those involved. Legal proceedings are underway.

Local residents reported that the conflict began when a man named Hamza was loading waste materials onto a truck and a rival group arrived, sparking the altercation that led to the recovery of the weapon.

More than 1,200 people have been killed in Lebanon over the past four weeks as a result of ongoing Israeli attacks, according to a statement from Lebanon’s health ministry cited by Al Jazeera. The ministry also reported that more than 3,500 people have been injured, including 124 children. Attacks last Saturday and Sunday alone left 49 people dead, among them 10 rescue workers and three journalists.

Lebanon’s government earlier described the Israeli strikes as extremely dangerous, saying they posed a direct threat to the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens’ rights. The government had also announced plans to file a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council once the death toll surpassed one thousand.

The continued escalation underscores rising tensions in the region, with Lebanon seeking international attention to address the humanitarian and security crisis caused by the attacks.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s chief geopolitical analyst has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict is likely to continue at least until June. According to the analyst, former U.S. President Donald Trump cannot unilaterally withdraw from the war against Iran, even if he wishes to do so.

Analyst Madison Cartwright explained that while tariff policy falls under the president’s special authority, the timeline for ending a war with Iran cannot be determined by one person alone. He cautioned against expecting Trump to back down at the last moment, as he sometimes did with trade policies.

The comments, reported by The Guardian, highlight the complexity of U.S. involvement in the Middle East and the constraints on unilateral decision-making in wartime situations.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has declared that no one will be spared if irregularities or corruption are found in development projects. He made the statement while presiding over a meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture in the Secretariat to review the Annual Development Programme (ADP) on March 30, 2026. The minister emphasized that all projects must be designed and implemented with the genuine welfare of the people in mind.

During the meeting, the minister directed officials to identify reasons behind underperforming projects and ensure accountability for those responsible. He also urged that future projects prioritize public welfare through long-term planning. Stressing the importance of sustainable agricultural production, he highlighted the need to restore soil fertility and protect soil health, noting that excessive fertilizer use has increased soil acidity and production costs.

The meeting was informed that the ADP implementation progress for the current fiscal year stands at 42.18 percent. Senior officials, including Agriculture Secretary Rafiqul E. Mohamed, and heads of subordinate agencies attended the session.

A mobile court in Amtali upazila of Barguna fined the owner of Rahman Filling Station ten thousand taka for delivering less fuel than the paid amount. The operation was conducted on Sunday afternoon by Md. Ashraful Alam, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate of Amtali. The owner, Abdur Rahman Talal, was penalized after the inspection confirmed the irregularity.

According to the magistrate, the fine was imposed following a complaint that the station sold only 800 grams of fuel instead of one liter. He stated that such drives would continue to ensure fairness in fuel distribution and protect consumer rights.

The incident highlights ongoing monitoring efforts by local administration to prevent fraudulent practices in fuel sales and maintain transparency in commercial transactions.

The Israeli military has reported that 261 of its soldiers have been injured since the war with Iran began on February 28. However, the number of soldiers killed has not been disclosed. According to Israel’s Ministry of Health, a total of 6,008 people have been hospitalized since the conflict started, with 121 still receiving treatment. Authorities added that at least 232 injured individuals were admitted to hospitals within the past 24 hours.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, comes one month into the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. The conflict has led to widespread casualties and hospitalizations, though official figures on fatalities remain unavailable. The health and military updates reflect the continuing intensity of the fighting and its toll on Israeli forces and civilians.

The absence of official death figures leaves uncertainty about the full human cost of the conflict, as the situation continues to evolve amid ongoing hostilities.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to address domestic unrest instead of continuing the war against Iran alongside Israel. In a post on social media platform X on Sunday evening, Pezeshkian referred to the recent 'No Kings' protests held across the United States, saying they reflect growing anger over Trump’s pro-Israel policies.

Pezeshkian described the demonstrations as a sign of deep dissatisfaction within American society and urged U.S. artificial intelligence experts to inform Trump about the public’s frustration. He said many Americans are tired of what he called the 'Israeli kings' dominating U.S. democracy and are increasingly opposed to policies that prioritize Israel.

The remarks come as the U.S. and Israel have been engaged in a month-long conflict with Iran, which began on February 28 with joint attacks that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials. Despite mediation efforts by Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, Iran has expressed distrust toward the United States regarding peace talks.

The government has issued a notification forming an executive committee for Hajj management, with Minister of Religious Affairs Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad as its chairman. The announcement was made through a notification signed by Additional Secretary Md. Humayun Kabir of the Cabinet Division, issued on Sunday under the order of the President.

According to the notification, the committee includes secretaries from the ministries of Home, Public Administration, and Finance, along with heads of various government agencies. The committee will prepare necessary work plans to ensure proper Hajj management, approve Hajj packages, and implement decisions of the national committee. The chairman will preside over all meetings, but may nominate another member to do so if necessary.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs will provide secretarial support to the committee. The notification also states that the previous order issued by the Cabinet Division on October 2, 2024, has been declared void.

Iraq reported that a rocket attack on a Baghdad air base destroyed one of its Air Force’s Antonov AN-132 military transport aircraft. The incident occurred at the Martyr Muhammad Ala Air Base, part of Baghdad Airport, around 1:55 a.m. local time. The Iraqi Defense Ministry condemned the strike as a “criminal and cowardly act” aimed at undermining the country’s military institutions and defense capabilities. No casualties were reported.

According to the ministry, the rocket was launched from the outskirts of Baghdad using a 122-millimeter projectile. Security agencies have begun investigating the damage and tracing the source of the attack. BBC Persian’s Middle East correspondent Nafisa Kohanavard noted that this was the first time any part of the Iraqi Air Force at Baghdad Airport had been targeted. It remains unclear whether the strike was deliberate or accidental.

Earlier, media outlets linked to Iran-backed groups had reported rocket attacks on the nearby Nasr Base, also known as Victoria, which has frequently been targeted since the start of the ongoing conflict.

A joint team of the district administration, BSTI, and police conducted a raid at Anwar Zakaria Filling Station Limited on Portlink Road in Chattogram’s Halishahar area on Monday afternoon. The operation, led by an executive magistrate, began at 2 p.m. and uncovered 1,250 liters of octane and 14,000 liters of diesel, despite the station claiming to have suspended fuel sales.

Officials at the site said the fuel station had declared it was out of stock, but nearly 15,000 liters of fuel were found in storage tanks and a hidden storeroom. The team cross-checked the stock register and storage records to verify whether the fuel exceeded permitted limits. Station owner Md. Belal stated that his business was cooperating fully with the authorities and denied any wrongdoing, suggesting any discrepancies might be due to misunderstanding.

Fuel sales at the station were partially halted during the operation, causing traffic congestion on Portlink Road and nearby areas. Some customers alleged that the station had long been accused of short-measuring fuel.

Bangladesh and New Zealand have agreed to explore a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to expand trade and investment ties. The proposal came during a meeting between Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay on the sidelines of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A press release from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed the discussion, which emphasized enhancing trade relations and sending a positive signal to investors.

During the meeting, Minister Muktadir highlighted Bangladesh’s goal of deeper integration into the global value chain and its efforts to foster a business-friendly environment. He reiterated Bangladesh’s interest in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and sought New Zealand’s support. McClay praised Bangladesh’s geopolitical importance and economic potential, assuring cooperation with other RCEP members to facilitate Bangladesh’s inclusion.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening friendly relations and exploring new areas of economic collaboration. McClay accepted an invitation to visit Bangladesh later this year to continue discussions on trade and investment opportunities.