The United States has temporarily eased sanctions on the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products to mitigate the global economic impact caused by the ongoing war in Iran, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He stated that the 30-day relaxation would not provide significant financial benefits to the Russian government.

In contrast, UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks told the BBC that the United Kingdom would 'in no way' relax its restrictions on Russian oil, warning that such a move could allow Vladimir Putin to further invest in the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin, however, described the US decision as an attempt to stabilize the energy market, suggesting that the move serves the interests of both countries.

The announcement came as oil prices surged above 100 dollars per barrel on Thursday amid threats to halt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil transport routes.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the United States would again launch the highest number of attacks on Iran. He made the statement during a Pentagon press conference on Friday, held to brief on the latest developments in the Iran war. Hegseth said Iran’s leadership was in hiding and that US capabilities were continuing to grow. He added that President Trump would determine the pace and timing of the conflict.

During the same briefing, General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, remarked that the day would be the busiest for US forces. The announcement came as tensions between Washington and Tehran remained high, with both sides engaged in ongoing military operations.

The statements suggest that the United States is preparing for intensified military action in Iran, though no specific timeline or operational details were disclosed during the briefing.

Member of Parliament Abdul Hannan Masud has explained why opposition lawmakers remained seated during the national anthem at the first session of the 13th National Parliament. In a Facebook post on Friday morning, he said that when the Speaker announced the President’s speech, opposition members stood with placards and chanted slogans in protest. As the President entered the chamber, ruling party members stood to show respect, while opposition members continued their protest and remained seated.

Masud stated that the national anthem began playing at the same time, but opposition members did not realize it due to their protest and sound issues with the speaker system. When MP Hasnat Abdullah noticed the anthem was playing, he informed the others, and they immediately stood to show respect until the anthem ended. Masud expressed hope that the misunderstanding would be resolved and that accurate information would help build a united Bangladesh.

Foreign and economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have jointly called on world leaders to immediately halt the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to Al Jazeera. They warned that the conflict has already begun to affect Southeast Asia’s economy through rising oil prices and disruptions to trade.

Several ASEAN member states have started implementing measures to counter these economic impacts, including energy conservation, stabilizing domestic markets, and protecting vulnerable sectors such as tourism. The ministers also urged that global energy supply chains remain open and that regional mechanisms be activated to minimize economic losses.

Economic ministers cautioned that Southeast Asia faces heightened risks due to its dependence on global oil and LNG supply routes. They emphasized the need to strengthen supply chain stability, accelerate the transition to renewable energy, and enhance regional cooperation to mitigate future shocks.

A total of 447 international flights have been canceled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka over the past 14 days due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. According to a press release issued on Friday, March 13, 2026, by Muhammad Kawsar Mahmud, public relations officer of the Civil Aviation Authority, 24 flights were canceled on that day alone.

Flight cancellations began on February 28, when 23 flights were grounded, followed by 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, and 39 on March 3. The trend continued with varying numbers of cancellations each day through March 13. On Friday, the canceled flights included services from Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Jazeera Airways, and Flydubai.

Despite the disruptions, limited operations continued on Friday, with 37 flights scheduled to operate from Dhaka to destinations including Muscat, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.

U.S. President Donald Trump is struggling to claim victory in the ongoing war with Iran, which has entered its second week. The conflict has escalated after Iran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil transport and driving up fuel prices. Despite Trump’s early declaration of success, military analysts and events on the ground suggest the situation is far from under control. A U.S. tanker aircraft crash in Iraq and domestic unrest in Virginia and Michigan have further complicated the picture, while seven American soldiers have already been reported dead.

Experts warn that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would be extremely difficult due to Iranian drone and missile threats. Analysts argue that the crisis underscores the limits of military power and the need for political solutions. The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the succession of his son have weakened Trump’s narrative of strategic victory. Meanwhile, differing U.S. and Israeli goals, rising oil prices, and growing domestic unease are eroding public support.

The article concludes that Trump faces diminishing strategic options and may be forced to declare victory prematurely to avoid a prolonged and costly conflict.

July Oikya has called for the impeachment of President Md. Shahabuddin, accusing him of involvement in fascist activities during the July uprising and of spreading false information. The demand was made at an emergency press conference held on Friday afternoon at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen. The group also urged the implementation of the July Charter and sought to bring the president under trial as an accomplice to genocide.

At the event, organizer Fahim Faruqi alleged that after the 2024 July–August uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government, more than 1,400 people were killed and thousands injured. He accused the president of violating his oath and misleading the public through media interviews, including a claim that July Oikya attempted to surround Bangabhaban in October 2024, though the group was formed in May 2025. Leaders further criticized the BNP for allowing the president to address parliament, calling it a betrayal of the July movement’s spirit.

The organization demanded immediate impeachment under Article 52 of the Constitution and warned of a mass movement if the July Charter is not implemented during the current parliamentary session.

The government has announced a five-year plan to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies across Bangladesh. As part of this initiative, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the program on March 16 in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur district by launching a canal excavation project. Simultaneously, ministers, advisers, the Chief Whip of the National Parliament, state ministers, whips, and members of parliament will inaugurate similar projects in 53 other districts.

According to information from the Planning-3 branch of the Ministry of Water Resources, the program is expected to have a positive impact on agriculture and irrigation, increase agricultural production, and create employment opportunities in rural areas. It will also help raise surface water levels, reducing dependence on groundwater and mitigating drought, floods, and waterlogging.

The initiative aligns with the government’s election manifesto and aims to strengthen water resource management and rural development over the next five years.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road, Bridge, Rail and Shipping Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr travel period, Bangladesh Railway will carry around 42,000 passengers daily. He made the statement on Friday after inspecting Kamalapur Railway Station on the first day of Eid travel. To ensure smooth journeys, the railway has added 124 additional coaches, 14 more for meter-gauge lines, and five pairs of special trains on broad-gauge routes.

The minister said advance ticket sales began on March 3 and continued until March 20, with all 36,000 daily tickets sold online. Despite the system’s capacity, about 3.7 million people attempted to buy tickets each day. Passengers were given five to fifteen minutes to complete payments after booking. The minister assured that all genuine buyers received tickets fairly.

He also warned against passengers traveling on train roofs, a recurring issue during Eid rushes, and stated that strict measures are being taken to prevent it, though occasional incidents may still occur due to heavy crowds.

Public entry to the National Memorial in Savar will remain closed from March 23 to 25, 2026, as part of preparations for the celebration of the Great Independence and National Day. The closure aims to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of the memorial premises ahead of the national observance.

According to an official information release issued on Friday, entry will also remain restricted on March 26 until invited guests leave the memorial after the early morning ceremony. Authorities have requested public cooperation to preserve the sanctity and overall beauty of the National Memorial during this period.

The announcement underscores the importance of maintaining the memorial’s environment in advance of the national commemoration events.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas will not be taken to Singapore for advanced medical treatment at this time. The decision was made because his current physical condition does not allow him to travel abroad. BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rafiqul Islam confirmed that Abbas’s family has confidence in local medical care and that any future decision to move him abroad will depend on the recommendation of his medical board.

According to Dr. Islam, a virtual medical board met earlier in the day and decided to perform surgery on Abbas after consulting with his family. The surgery was carried out on his brain, and he is now under intensive observation in the ICU. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Abbas at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara after Friday prayers and was briefed by the medical team on his condition.

Abbas was admitted to Evercare Hospital on Wednesday after losing consciousness during iftar. His family has requested prayers from the public for his speedy recovery.

The Bangladesh government has resumed formal discussions with a Japanese consortium to operationalize the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The high-level meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the directive of Prime Minister Tareq Rahman, was attended by senior officials from both countries. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said the government is optimistic about reaching a mutually beneficial agreement with Japan to launch the terminal as soon as possible.

The meeting focused on key financial and operational issues, including embarkation fees, revenue sharing, and upfront fees for terminal management. State Minister for Civil Aviation M. Rashiduzzaman Millat described the talks as positive, noting that both sides presented their proposals and agreed to continue discussions. The Japanese delegation, led by Takahashi Naoki and Rieko Nakayama, will review Bangladesh’s proposals and submit revised ones soon.

The terminal, 99 percent complete, has faced delays due to disagreements over management and revenue-sharing terms during the interim government. Funded by JICA and involving several Japanese corporations, the project aims to handle up to 16 million passengers annually once operational.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Israel and Hezbollah to stop the ongoing fighting and agree to an immediate ceasefire. According to Al Jazeera, Guterres made the appeal at the start of his visit to Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, during a speech at the presidential palace.

He emphasized that the war must end to allow Lebanon to develop as an independent state where only the legitimate authorities hold the right to use force. Guterres stated that it is no longer the time for armed groups but for a strong state. His remarks came as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah entered its eleventh day.

The Secretary-General’s visit to Beirut highlights the UN’s concern over the escalating violence and its potential impact on Lebanon’s stability, as he seeks to encourage both sides toward de-escalation and national sovereignty.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has refrained from commenting on whether two suspects in the murder of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi will be extradited to Bangladesh. The suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, were arrested by West Bengal’s Special Task Force on March 7 near the Bongaon border and have been placed on 14-day remand by an Indian court. During a weekly briefing in New Delhi, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said he had nothing to add beyond the statement issued by the West Bengal government.

Jaiswal also confirmed that Bangladesh’s DGFI chief had visited India and might have met Indian officials during the Raisina Dialogue. On energy cooperation, he said Bangladesh has requested additional diesel supplies amid the Middle East conflict, and India is considering the request after assessing refinery capacity and domestic demand. Similar requests have come from Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

He noted that India has been exporting refined petroleum products to neighboring countries and that diesel supply to Bangladesh from the Numaligarh refinery has continued since 2007 under a 2017 bilateral agreement.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has undergone brain surgery at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The operation was completed on Friday, March 13, under the supervision of a medical board formed with specialist doctors. BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rafiqul Islam confirmed the procedure, stating that the decision for surgery was made after reviewing all medical reports.

Earlier in the morning, a CT scan revealed a deterioration in Abbas’s condition, prompting the formation of a virtual medical board. The board, which included several prominent neurology professors, decided to proceed with the operation after consulting his family members. The surgery took place shortly before 4 p.m.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Evercare Hospital after Friday prayers and was briefed by the medical board about Mirza Abbas’s condition and treatment progress.