A tanker named ‘PVT Solana’ carrying 30,000 tons of refined diesel from Malaysia arrived at Chattogram Port’s outer anchorage on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The Panama-flagged vessel’s arrival was confirmed by the port’s secretary, Syed Refayet Karim, who said the fuel will be unloaded through lighters after completing formalities. The port authority is also considering docking the ship at the Dolphin Jetty if necessary to complete the unloading process.

According to port sources, another ship carrying the same amount of diesel is expected to arrive on April 3, followed by a vessel with 70,000 tons of LNG on April 4. In March alone, 33 fuel-carrying ships have arrived at Chattogram Port, including 15 oil tankers—eight of which carried diesel—alongside eight LNG and nine LPG carriers. Officials noted that the latest diesel shipment offers some relief amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The continued arrival of fuel shipments indicates stable supply operations at Chattogram Port despite global disruptions.

Iran’s military announced that its air defense forces shot down a US-made MQ-9 drone over the central city of Isfahan. The incident was reported on Tuesday by Press TV, according to Iranian military sources cited in the report.

In addition to the MQ-9, Iran’s forces also downed a Lucas drone over Qasem Island in the Persian Gulf. The report did not specify when the interceptions occurred or provide further details about the drones’ missions or any resulting damage. The announcement underscores ongoing tensions involving Iranian airspace and foreign surveillance activity.

No official response from the United States or other parties was mentioned in the report, leaving the broader implications of the incident unclear.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md. Aminul Islam stated that no one, regardless of rank, will be exempted in the Shapla Chattar killings case. He said the investigation into the 2013 incident during Hefazat-e-Islam’s mass gathering is in its final stage. On Tuesday, the tribunal ordered the imprisonment of former Deputy Inspector General of Police Abdul Jalil Mondol in connection with the case. Following the order, the Chief Prosecutor told reporters that the investigation report would be submitted soon.

Aminul Islam added that all past incidents of crossfire are being reviewed to bring them under trial. He also mentioned that information on all cases filed after August 5, 2024, has been collected, and the prosecution will examine whether irregularities occurred. Those linked to crimes against humanity during the “One-Eleven” period will also face trial.

The statements underscore the tribunal’s intent to ensure accountability across all levels of involvement in serious crimes and irregularities.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the ongoing war will end only when Iran’s national interests and conditions are fully protected. He made the remarks while presiding over a cabinet meeting on Monday, which reviewed the country’s wartime situation and evaluated the performance of various ministries in maintaining essential services.

During the meeting, cabinet members discussed the supply of essential goods, the functioning of service institutions, and measures taken to ensure public stability. Pezeshkian praised all sectors for their efforts to provide uninterrupted services during the crisis and emphasized that coordination among state institutions is a key pillar of national strength. He urged that this effort continue until final victory over the aggressors.

The president also commended the armed forces for their bravery in defending Iran’s sovereignty, describing their resistance as a “golden chapter” in the nation’s proud history. He highlighted the unprecedented unity and mass gatherings of the Iranian people over the past month as a reflection of national solidarity and a major force in overcoming the current situation.

A U.S. Department of Defense official told The Wall Street Journal that American forces carried out an airstrike using a 2,000-pound bunker-buster bomb on a large ammunition depot in Isfahan, Iran. The report said multiple penetrator munitions designed to destroy underground facilities were used in the attack. The strike followed the online circulation of a video showing a massive explosion in Isfahan, which former U.S. President Donald Trump shared on social media without any caption.

The report cited footage from the Baluch human rights group Halvash, showing similar explosions recorded outside Isfahan. NASA satellite data indicated that the blasts occurred near Sofeh Mountain, an area believed to host military installations. The videos showed large fireballs and repeated smaller detonations, consistent with explosions at an ammunition depot.

The incident has drawn attention due to the scale of the explosions and the use of specialized bunker-buster weapons, though official Iranian responses were not mentioned in the report.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to find effective alternative measures to ease the severe traffic congestion in Dhaka during school hours. The instruction came on Tuesday morning at the Secretariat when Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon and State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj met with the Prime Minister. According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the gridlock, particularly during school opening and closing times.

The meeting identified the excessive use of private cars for student transport as a major cause of congestion. An example cited showed that in some schools with 150 students, as many as 100 private cars gather in front, creating heavy traffic and delays for both students and the public. The Prime Minister advised the Education Ministry to address the issue seriously and prepare a detailed proposal outlining possible alternative systems to ensure smoother student commutes and reduce vehicle pressure on roads.

Later, the Prime Minister also met with the Energy Minister, the State Minister for Energy, and the Chief of Naval Staff to discuss ministry activities and development matters.

Lieutenant Colonel Md. Mahmudul Hasan has assumed the role of Director (Operation and Maintenance) at the Fire Service and Civil Defence. He officially took charge on March 29, succeeding the outgoing director, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury.

According to the report, Lt. Col. Mahmudul Hasan was commissioned in the Infantry Corps of the Bangladesh Army. He holds a master’s degree in Defense Studies from the Bangladesh University of Professionals and is a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Mirpur.

The appointment marks a leadership transition within the Fire Service and Civil Defence, ensuring continuity in operational and maintenance management responsibilities.

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a bill authorizing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks while imprisoned in Israeli facilities. The vote took place on Monday evening, marking the potential return of capital punishment in Israel after more than six decades.

Human rights organizations and Palestinian leaders have strongly condemned the law, calling it discriminatory and a violation of international law. The UN Human Rights Office urged Israel to immediately revoke the legislation, warning that its implementation would breach international prohibitions against cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment. The office also said the law deepens racial discrimination and undermines global norms against state-sanctioned inequality.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described the law as a dangerous escalation and evidence of Israel’s colonial system that legitimizes extrajudicial killings. Hamas called it a dangerous precedent threatening Palestinian prisoners’ lives. Amnesty International, the Council of Europe, Ireland, and Italy also joined in condemning the move.

The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association announced plans to close fuel stations from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily, citing supply shortages and logistical challenges. The decision was discussed at a meeting in Dhaka’s Moghbazar on Tuesday, where members said filling stations were not receiving adequate fuel from depots.

Owners identified supply and transportation management as their biggest challenges. They explained that partial tanker loads increase transport costs and cause financial losses, urging that tankers be fully loaded to ensure efficient distribution. They also called for better coordination when supplying multiple stations within the same district to reduce inefficiencies.

The association acknowledged that some unauthorized fuel sales or hoarding might occur but stressed that such actions do not represent the entire sector. They stated that any station withholding sales despite having fuel should face strict action, including possible cancellation of dealership rights, with cooperation from both the government and the association.

The Bangladesh government is set to announce new fuel prices today, Tuesday, aligning domestic rates with global market trends. The Energy and Mineral Resources Division spokesperson, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, confirmed the decision would be finalized based on current conditions. He spoke to reporters at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government is trying to provide some relief to citizens despite rising global prices and assured that all development activities remain ongoing.

According to the Energy Ministry, as of March 30, the country holds 192,919 tons of fuel oil in reserve, including 128,939 tons of diesel, 7,940 tons of octane, 11,431 tons of petrol, and 44,609 tons of jet fuel. This stock can meet national demand for 15 to 16 days. An additional 150,000 metric tons of diesel are expected to arrive in April, eliminating concerns about shortages.

The ministry also noted that diesel accounts for about 63 percent of national fuel consumption, mainly used in irrigation and public transport. The government is considering energy-saving measures such as extended weekends, reduced office hours, and online classes.

Several thousand paratroopers from the US Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the Middle East, according to two US officials cited by Reuters. The deployment started on Monday as discussions continue over President Donald Trump’s possible next steps in the conflict with Iran. The troops departed from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, joining additional US naval, marine, and special operations forces already stationed in the region.

Reuters previously reported on March 18 that the Trump administration was considering sending thousands more troops to the Middle East, potentially including deployments inside Iran. The latest movement follows the arrival of about 2,500 US Marines over the past weekend, signaling a significant buildup of American military presence in the area.

The expanded deployment underscores Washington’s growing military posture in the Middle East as tensions with Tehran remain high, though no official statement has clarified the ultimate scope or duration of the mission.

Bangladesh’s National Parliament resumed its first session on Tuesday, March 31, following a one-day adjournment. The session began at 3:30 p.m. and focused on a two-hour scheduled discussion regarding the implementation of the 'July Charter' and constitutional reform. The debate was initiated under a motion brought by the leader of the opposition and placed as the final agenda item for the day.

According to the Parliament Secretariat, the discussion follows a verbal exchange between the Home Minister and the Deputy Speaker during Sunday’s session, which has raised expectations of a heated debate. Attendance among members was reported to be higher than usual, reflecting the significance of the day’s agenda.

Both the Home and Law Ministries were reportedly prepared to respond to the opposition’s motion, while opposition members readied strong arguments in support of their proposal. The discussion is expected to highlight differing political positions on the July Charter and constitutional amendments.

The Lebanese government has formally banned the military wing of Hezbollah, according to a report by the news outlet Al Hadath citing a diplomatic official. The report states that Lebanese authorities informed the United Nations through an official letter that the country now considers Hezbollah’s military activities to be criminal offenses.

In the letter, Beirut clarified that the decision to prohibit all forms of Hezbollah’s military operations was made on March 2. The move marks a significant policy step by the Lebanese government regarding the group’s armed activities, which have long been a sensitive issue in the country’s political and security landscape.

The report, sourced from Middle East Eye, did not provide further details on the implementation process or potential domestic and regional reactions to the ban.

Syrian President Ahmed Al Shara met British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the official residence on Downing Street. The meeting took place as part of Al Shara’s visit to the United Kingdom, following his earlier stop in Berlin where he met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The report indicates that Al Shara’s European engagements include discussions with key leaders in Germany and the United Kingdom. However, no details were provided about the agenda, topics discussed, or outcomes of the meetings. The sequence of visits suggests an ongoing diplomatic outreach by the Syrian leadership in Europe.

Further information about the content or results of the talks has not been disclosed in the source.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh announced on 31 March 2026 that the country currently holds 192,919 tons of fuel oil in reserve. The disclosure came during a press briefing at the Secretariat, where ministry spokesperson and Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury said that 87,700 liters of illegally stored fuel were recovered across the country on 30 March as part of an ongoing government operation.

According to the ministry, the reserves include 128,939 tons of diesel, 7,940 tons of octane, 11,431 tons of petrol, and 44,609 tons of jet fuel. Officials stated that fuel supply remains stable through regular imports, and special attention is being given to maintaining adequate jet fuel stocks ahead of the upcoming Hajj season.

To strengthen oversight, the government has appointed “tag officers” at filling stations nationwide. In Dhaka Division alone, 479 officers are deployed across 13 districts and 116 in the metropolitan area, with similar arrangements in other divisions. The ministry expects this initiative to improve transparency and discipline in fuel management.