The banned Awami League has announced programs under the banner of 'Sheikh Hasina Oikya Parishad' demanding withdrawal of restrictions on its activities. The group plans a human chain in front of the National Press Club and a tribute at the National Memorial in Savar on March 26, coinciding with Bangladesh’s Independence Day. Law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert as intelligence reports suggest the events may serve to signal the party’s political presence.

Authorities report that several former leaders, including Shahriar Suman, Hanif Khan, Saiful Alam Babul, and Farida Ilyas, are involved in organizing the activities. Intelligence sources also claim that a group of journalists and intellectuals are covertly aiding the banned organization’s revival efforts. Across multiple districts, attempts have been made to reopen sealed party offices and stage flash processions.

Police, RAB, and intelligence units have intensified nationwide security measures from March 25 to 26 to prevent unrest. Cyber monitoring teams are tracking online propaganda, while checkpoints and patrols have been reinforced in Dhaka and other key areas.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s system of governance has changed following recent attacks in the country. He stated that Iran has agreed to a condition under which it will never produce nuclear weapons. Trump made these remarks while commenting on the aftermath of the attacks and their impact on Iran’s internal situation.

According to Trump, Iran’s naval, air, and communication systems have been completely destroyed, leaving the country unable to maintain internal coordination. He described this breakdown in communication as Iran’s biggest problem at present. The statement was reported by the BBC and reflects Trump’s assessment of Iran’s current military and political state.

Trump also said that Iran is now very eager to reach an agreement, though no details of such a deal were provided in the report.

Former joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Member of Parliament for Chittagong-4, Professor Aslam Chowdhury, has called on party leaders and activists to stay united. He made the appeal during a five-day Eid-ul-Fitr gathering at his residence in Sitakunda, where BNP, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and Jubo Dal members from various unions, municipalities, and wards visited to exchange greetings.

During the event, Aslam Chowdhury interacted with attendees, listened to their concerns, and provided guidance on strengthening organizational activities. He emphasized that unity among members at all levels is essential to increase the party’s strength and urged everyone to work collectively for public welfare. He also expressed optimism about Sitakunda’s development, employment generation, and infrastructure progress, reaffirming his commitment to serve the people.

According to participants, the five-day Eid gathering fostered enthusiasm and solidarity among BNP members in Sitakunda, serving as an effective platform for reinforcing party unity and organizational capacity.

Sylhet-2 Member of Parliament Tahsina Rushdir Luna has declared that no irregularities or corruption will be tolerated in development activities under her constituency. She made the remarks on Tuesday during an Eid reunion event at the residence of UK expatriate BNP leader Ira Mia in Usmanpur Union, Osmaninagar, Sylhet. The event was chaired by Ira Mia and conducted by Union BNP General Secretary Abdul Matin.

Luna said the new government, formed after the fall of the previous one through a mass uprising, is prioritizing economic recovery and comprehensive development. Expressing gratitude to voters for electing her by a large margin out of respect for missing leader Ilias Ali, she pledged to follow his ideals and remain close to the people. She also recalled the challenges she faced after Ilias Ali’s disappearance and expressed satisfaction that her children are now established.

Several local BNP leaders, including former upazila chairman Moynul Haque Chowdhury and upazila BNP president S.T.M. Fakhr Uddin, attended the event.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s popularity has fallen to 36 percent, the lowest since his return to power, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday. The four-day survey found that growing dissatisfaction with the Iran war and rising fuel prices have driven down his approval rating from 40 percent the previous week.

The poll also revealed declining public support for U.S. military action against Iran, with only 35 percent in favor and 61 percent opposed. Public sentiment on living costs has worsened as fuel prices surged following the U.S.-led coordinated attack on Iran, which disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. Only 25 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of the situation.

The online survey included 1,272 adult Americans and carried a margin of error of three percentage points, according to Al Jazeera, which cited the poll results.

Iran has declared that it does not trust mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, both linked to the United States, and does not want them involved in future negotiations. The statement came during ceasefire mediation talks held in Ankara, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and other officials. According to a diplomatic source cited by Middle East Monitor, Iran described past discussions with the two envoys as unconstructive and signaled a preference for indirect communication through trusted third parties.

The talks are part of a broader Turkey-Egypt mediation initiative supported by Saudi Arabia and other regional actors. The effort aims to prevent further escalation of conflict and to protect energy security and regional stability. The proposed plan includes an immediate temporary ceasefire followed by unconditional negotiations, potentially hosted in Istanbul or Muscat.

Sources indicated that the discussions may also explore security guarantees for Iran, expanded oil exports, and the release of frozen Iranian assets as part of possible compensation measures.

U.S. President Donald Trump has attempted to shift responsibility for the Iran war onto his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth. Speaking at a roundtable meeting of the Safe Task Force in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, Trump said Hegseth was the first among his administration members to advise him to launch an attack on Iran. During the discussion, Trump recalled consulting several senior officials about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities.

At the meeting, Trump, seated beside Hegseth, said he had called in military leaders to discuss Iran’s alleged terrorism over the past 47 years and its proximity to obtaining nuclear weapons. He quoted Hegseth as having urged immediate action to prevent Iran from acquiring such weapons. While assigning blame, Trump also praised Hegseth’s role and leadership.

Trump further claimed that the United States was engaged in positive discussions with Tehran. However, Iranian authorities dismissed his statement as “fake news,” calling it a delaying tactic. The remarks were reported by The Hill.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that his country is prepared to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran if both sides agree. In a post on X on Tuesday evening, he said Pakistan would feel honored to organize meaningful and conclusive discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Sharif emphasized that Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to end war in the Middle East in the interest of peace and stability. His statement highlights Islamabad’s willingness to play a constructive role in regional diplomacy if Washington and Tehran consent to direct talks.

The offer reflects Pakistan’s positioning as a potential mediator in regional conflicts, though the source does not specify any response from the United States or Iran to this proposal.

The symbolic one-minute blackout planned for the night of March 25 to mark Genocide Day will not take place. Earlier on March 24 morning, a government information release had announced that the blackout would be observed across Bangladesh from 10:30 p.m. to 10:31 p.m. to commemorate the dark night of March 25, 1971. Key Point Installations, emergency facilities, and foreign missions in Bangladesh were to remain exempt from the program.

Later that night, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, M A Khayer, informed journalists that the blackout would not be held. He did not provide any explanation for the cancellation. The symbolic blackout was introduced during a previous Awami League government to honor the victims of the 1971 atrocities.

Last year, the symbolic blackout was observed from 10:00 p.m. to 10:01 p.m. nationwide. The reason for this year’s cancellation remains undisclosed.

Amid reports of mediation between the United States and Iran, Tehran has taken a notably harder stance in its negotiations. Three senior Iranian sources told Reuters that since the outbreak of war, Iran’s tone has shifted significantly, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) now exerting greater influence over policy decisions. Tehran has made it clear that any meaningful talks would require major concessions from Washington.

According to the sources, Iran’s conditions include guarantees against future military action, compensation for wartime damages, and formal control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also refused to discuss any restrictions on its ballistic missile program, calling it a non-negotiable red line. While U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that intense talks have been ongoing for three weeks, Iran publicly denied this, saying only preliminary contacts occurred with Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt.

A potential direct meeting in Islamabad could take place this week if finalized, with Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi expected to attend. However, sources emphasized that the IRGC will ultimately determine any final decision.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly pressuring U.S. President Donald Trump to continue military attacks on Iran. According to a report by The New York Times, the crown prince argued that the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign presents a historic opportunity to reshape the Middle East. The report stated that the two leaders held several discussions over the past week regarding the situation.

The crown prince reportedly told Trump that Iran poses a long-term threat to Gulf countries and that this threat could be eliminated by removing the Iranian government. However, Saudi officials have denied that the crown prince took such a position, according to the same report.

The report did not specify any official U.S. response or potential next steps following these discussions.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that Dhaka’s traffic congestion is expected to ease significantly by the end of April if short-term plans are implemented as scheduled. He made the statement on Tuesday, March 24, after a meeting at the Secretariat chaired by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman on resolving traffic congestion and modernizing traffic management in the capital.

The minister said the meeting discussed short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for improving the traffic system. Representatives from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, both city corporations, the Home Ministry, RAJUK, BUET experts, DTCA, and other relevant agencies attended. He noted that resolutions from the meeting would be shared later but expressed optimism that short-term measures would be completed by April, leading to noticeable improvement in traffic conditions.

Ahmed added that medium- and long-term plans would further enhance the traffic system. He also mentioned that traffic signals are being automated using local technology, with seven intersections already upgraded and six more to follow within a week, eventually covering around 120 signals across Dhaka.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Cultural Affairs, Advocate Nitae Roy Chowdhury, has alleged that the Awami League government attempted to erase the historical legacy of late President Ziaur Rahman. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after visiting the Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram’s Kazi Deuri area, he said that despite various efforts, the true history of Ziaur Rahman could not be erased. The minister emphasized that the nation’s identity depends on preserving its history and announced plans to restore and modernize the museum.

He stated that during the Awami League’s tenure, items such as the transmitter, table, and chair used by Ziaur Rahman to declare independence from Kalurghat Radio Centre were removed from the museum, but initiatives are now underway to return them. The government plans to preserve the room where Zia was killed, improve the museum’s landscape, and appoint an architect for modernization. Additional staff will be recruited, and earthquake safety measures will be implemented.

Chowdhury added that the government has a broader plan to integrate the Kalurghat Radio Centre and the Zia Memorial Museum under a unified heritage framework to honor Ziaur Rahman’s contributions.

Former interim government religious affairs adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain has warned that disregarding the July Revolution would lead to national disaster. Speaking on Tuesday at a memorial and reunion event in Satkania, Chattogram, organized by the group 'Alor Feri' to honor the martyrs of the 2024 mass uprising, he described the revolution as a crucial turning point in the nation’s history.

Dr. Hossain said the sacrifices made during the July Revolution are an invaluable asset for the nation. He emphasized that the blood and labor of the July fighters would never go in vain, noting that their sacrifices enabled many to regain political power, return from exile, and secure the release of unjustly imprisoned individuals. He urged that the revolution’s legacy must be upheld to build a just state for future generations.

Addressing the political culture, he stated that citizens expect a healthy democratic environment and warned that reliance on unconstitutional or unethical means to retain power could again provoke mass uprisings.

Bangladesh National Parliament Whip and Natore-2 MP Advocate M Ruhul Kudddus Talukder Dulu said the current BNP government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is determined to fulfill every promise made to the people. He stated that within a month of taking office, the government began distributing family cards and initiated allowances for imams, muezzins, and other religious leaders. Dulu made these remarks on March 24, 2026, at a reception for newly appointed Natore District Council Administrator Rahim Newaz.

He further announced that the government will start distributing farmer cards from the first day of the Bengali New Year, enabling marginal farmers to receive seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides free of cost. The government has also decided to waive agricultural loans up to 10,000 taka with interest and has launched the canal excavation program promised earlier. Dulu emphasized unity under Tarique Rahman’s leadership and warned that drugs, terrorism, and extortion would not be tolerated in Natore.

He added that gas connections will soon reach Natore, which will help establish new industries and reduce unemployment in the region.