Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is continuing urgent government work from his residence on Gulshan Avenue during the official Eid holidays. According to his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, the prime minister has been monitoring various city corporations and national programs, including canal excavation projects, to ensure ongoing supervision and progress. He has also been in contact with relevant ministers to gather updates on these initiatives.

Rumman stated that the prime minister has spoken with mayors and administrators of city corporations to maintain cleanliness during the holiday period. He has also communicated with ministers and state ministers to check on the situation of people traveling home for Eid. Despite the start of the official holiday, which runs until March 23, the prime minister worked at the Secretariat on March 17, attending a cabinet meeting and a session of the Agricultural Card Implementation Committee.

The report highlights the prime minister’s continued engagement in administrative oversight even during the national holiday period.

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at making Venezuela the 51st state of the United States. The remark came after Venezuela defeated Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Trump made the comment in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he praised Venezuela’s performance and jokingly suggested the idea of statehood.

According to the report, Trump, during his second term in office, has previously threatened to take control of several countries and regions, including Greenland and Canada. His latest comment followed Venezuela’s 4–2 win over Italy, which advanced the team to the semifinals of the tournament.

The post, which appeared celebratory in tone, drew attention for its political undertone, as Trump questioned what was behind Venezuela’s recent success before suggesting it could become the 51st state.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the assassination of National Security Council chief Ali Larijani will not destabilize Iran’s governing system. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi said the United States and Israel have failed to understand that Iran’s government does not depend on any single individual.

He emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure supported by established political, economic, and social institutions. According to Araghchi, the presence or absence of one person does not affect this framework, as each official plays their own role within a robust system.

Referring to the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Araghchi said that despite that major national loss, the system continued functioning and immediately appointed a successor. He added that the same process would occur if any other official, including the foreign minister, were to be killed.

The government has issued a notification outlining the delegation of responsibilities for parliamentary activities in the absence of the Prime Minister. The decision, announced on Tuesday, specifies that the arrangement will remain effective until further orders to ensure uninterrupted handling of parliamentary affairs related to various ministries and divisions.

According to the notification, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, will act on behalf of the Prime Minister in matters related to the Prime Minister’s Office when the Prime Minister, Tareq Rahman, is absent. Additionally, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed will oversee responsibilities of the Defence Ministry, Cabinet Division, and Armed Forces Division during such periods.

The initiative aims to maintain continuity in parliamentary functions, including question-answer sessions and other proceedings, in which the Prime Minister and cabinet members regularly participate. The arrangement ensures that senior ministers handle relevant duties when the Prime Minister is unavailable.

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has claimed that if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins the upcoming election again, he will imprison all opposition political leaders. In an interview with India Today, Kejriwal said such actions would be harmful to both democracy and the country.

Kejriwal compared the situation to other nations, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin jailed or killed opponents before elections, Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina imprisoned political rivals before winning, and Pakistan held elections after jailing Imran Khan. He alleged that after India’s election announcement, he and three AAP leaders were detained, and that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena were divided. According to him, if Modi returns to power, India will be left with only one party and one leader.

Kejriwal concluded that such developments would be extremely damaging to India’s democratic system and national well-being.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expanded its public engagement and welfare initiatives across the country, focusing on Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. Party MPs, defeated candidates, and local leaders have been distributing iftar meals, food items, and Eid gifts to underprivileged communities. Special attention has been given to bringing joy to children through various support programs.

The party’s potential candidates for upcoming local government elections are conducting extensive service-oriented activities at city, upazila, and union levels. They are identifying local issues, demanding solutions, and implementing assistance programs where possible. In Dhaka, leaders such as Dr. Abdul Mannan and Ataur Rahman Sarkar have continued outreach efforts through food distribution and community engagement. North Dhaka Jamaat leader Mohammad Selim Uddin has launched an “Ichchha Puran” initiative to support disadvantaged children and families.

Jamaat’s newly elected MPs, including party chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, have also distributed food and Eid gifts in their constituencies. Party sources indicate that most MPs and defeated candidates plan to celebrate Eid with local residents and continue welfare activities.

The BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has completed its first month in office after taking power on February 17, 2026. During this period, the administration launched several populist programs, including family cards for low-income families, stipends for religious leaders, debt waivers for small farmers, and nationwide canal excavation projects. The government also reduced bureaucratic protocols, stabilized commodity prices despite global fuel hikes, and introduced free Wi-Fi at airports. These initiatives have drawn public and media praise for their quick implementation and focus on welfare.

However, the government has also faced criticism for failing to form the reform council mandated by a national referendum, appointing party administrators instead of holding local elections, and controversial reshuffles in key institutions such as the central bank and universities. Allegations of favoritism, internal conflicts, and a minister’s remarks on extortion have sparked debate. Additionally, multiple election results have been challenged in court, raising questions about the political climate.

Observers note that while the government’s early actions reflect energy and intent, unresolved reform commitments and administrative controversies could test its credibility in the coming months.

The BNP-led government has replaced vice-chancellors of eight public universities and the chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) within a month of taking office. Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced the appointments at an emergency press briefing, stating that academic performance, research, and qualifications were considered in the selection process. The official gazettes were issued on March 16, confirming the new appointments and relieving the previous officeholders.

The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami sharply criticized the mass replacements, alleging that the government appointed politically loyal individuals rather than merit-based candidates. Jamaat leaders argued that the interim government had previously made careful selections and accused the BNP administration of undermining academic neutrality. National Citizen Party leader Dr. Mahmuda Mitu also expressed outrage on social media over the appointment of Dhaka University’s new vice-chancellor.

Former UGC chairman Dr. S M A Faiez resigned citing health reasons, and Dhaka University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mamun Ahmed was appointed as his successor. Some academics described the rapid changes as alarming and inconsistent with expectations for a new Bangladesh.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s Iran policy has become increasingly chaotic and controversial, with the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz turning into a prolonged and complex confrontation. Analysts say the situation is evolving into Trump’s own version of the Vietnam War, marked by confusion, shifting narratives, and a lack of clear objectives. Initial expectations of a quick victory and minimal market disruption have collapsed, leading to energy market instability and global concern.

Inside the administration, confusion persists over the war’s purpose. Trump alternates between calling it a short-term operation and acknowledging it as a full-scale war. His secretary of state, Marco Rubio, cited potential Iranian threats, which Trump later denied, while the Pentagon confirmed no immediate threat intelligence. Trump’s inconsistent statements about regime change and negotiations have added to policy uncertainty.

Domestically, political pressure is rising as Congress demands hearings on the war’s rationale and management. Analysts warn that prolonged conflict, economic strain, and international criticism could weaken Trump’s political standing and push the situation beyond his control.

The Election Commission (EC) has announced expenditure limits for candidates contesting the upcoming by-elections in Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 constituencies, scheduled for April 9. According to EC officials, candidates in Bogura-6 may spend up to 4.5 million taka, while those in Sherpur-3 may spend up to 4.1 million taka. The commission has also fixed the maximum expenditure per voter at 10 taka.

EC sources reported that Bogura-6 has 454,043 registered voters, including 222,796 men, 231,237 women, and 10 third-gender voters. Based on the per-voter limit, the maximum allowable expenditure for candidates in this constituency is 4,540,430 taka. Sherpur-3 has 413,377 voters, allowing a maximum spending limit of 4,133,770 taka per candidate.

The Bogura-6 by-election will feature candidates from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, and Bangladesh Development Party. The seat became vacant after BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who won it in the February 12 election, chose to retain his Dhaka-17 seat. The Sherpur-3 election was postponed earlier due to a candidate’s death and is now being held under a new schedule.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam Rinku said the government is actively working to ensure the safety of a large number of Bangladeshi expatriate workers in the Middle East who are facing difficulties due to the ongoing war situation. Speaking on Tuesday, March 17, at an iftar and prayer event in Singhpratap village of Gatti Union, Saltha upazila, Faridpur, she stated that diplomatic efforts and foreign policy measures are being used to protect expatriates, and if necessary, arrangements will be made to bring them home safely. She also expressed hope for a quick end to the conflict.

The state minister added that the government has already begun implementing its promises to the people, including launching the family card program, waiving up to 10,000 taka in loans for farmers, and initiating canal excavation projects. She said farmer cards will be distributed after Eid. Shama Obaid emphasized unity beyond political divisions and urged everyone to work together for public welfare, announcing plans to establish a girls’ school in Saltha.

Local BNP leaders and community representatives attended the event, which was chaired by former union chairman Imamul Hossain Tara Mia.

The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday announced its candidate list for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, with party chief Mamata Banerjee set to contest from Bhabanipur. The announcement was made at her Kalighat office in the presence of party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The Bharatiya Janata Party had released its list a day earlier, naming Suvendu Adhikari as its candidate for the same constituency. The Bhabanipur contest is expected to be a high-profile rematch between Banerjee and Adhikari, who defeated her in Nandigram in 2021.

The list includes senior leaders such as Debashis Kumar (Rashbehari), Firhad Hakim (Kolkata Port), Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay (Ballygunge), and Shashi Panja (Shyampukur). Former Rajya Sabha member Kunal Ghosh will contest from Beleghata, while younger leaders like Trinankur Bhattacharya, Debanshu Bhattacharya, and Shirshannyo Banerjee have also been nominated. Abhishek Banerjee stated that the party has fielded 52 women candidates, more SC-ST representatives than reserved seats, and around 47 minority candidates.

Former minister Jyotipriya Mallick, accused in a ration corruption case, will contest from Habra, while Partha Chatterjee, jailed in a teacher recruitment scam, was excluded. Paresh Adhikari will contest from Mekhliganj.

Joe Kent, Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), has resigned, declaring his opposition to the ongoing war against Iran. Kent, appointed to the position in July of the previous year, announced his decision on social media platform X, stating that his conscience prevents him from supporting the conflict.

In his resignation letter to President Trump, Kent wrote that Iran poses no imminent threat to the United States and claimed the war began under pressure from Israel and its American lobby. He reaffirmed his support for Trump’s earlier foreign policy principles, emphasizing that Middle Eastern wars have drained American lives and resources. Drawing from his military background, Kent noted that he had served in 11 wars and lost his wife, Shannon, in a conflict he described as driven by Israeli interests.

Kent concluded that he could not support sending future generations to fight and die in a war that brings no benefit to the American people and cannot be justified even by sacrifice.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, chief executive of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), stated that the BNP had agreed to accept the referendum verdict during discussions in the interim government’s consensus commission. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a press conference held at Kamal Hossain’s chamber in Motijheel, Dhaka.

Majumdar said that BNP representatives in the commission had expressed commitment to respect the referendum outcome. He added that the public had voted in favor of all 48 issues presented in the referendum and urged both the ruling and opposition parties to uphold the people’s decision through dialogue and constitutional amendments. He also noted that the formation of the constitutional reform council was still pending and expressed hope that political leaders would act wisely and avoid repeating past mistakes.

Majumdar further explained that the final decision on the caretaker government system would depend on the verdict of the 15th Amendment case and the implementation of the July Charter, which was approved in the referendum.

Joe Kent, director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), has resigned from his post, refusing to support the ongoing war with Iran. In his resignation letter to President Donald Trump, Kent stated that he could not accept the war and did not view Iran as a threat to the United States. He argued that the conflict was initiated under pressure from Israel and its American lobby.

Kent wrote that Iran posed no imminent danger to the nation and that the war was not justified. He also reflected on his personal experiences in war and the loss of his wife, saying his conscience no longer allowed him to support a conflict that brought no benefit to the American people. He emphasized that sending future generations to fight and die in such a war could not be morally defended.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights Kent’s moral stance and his criticism of the political motivations behind the war decision.