Information and Communication Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam Swapon emphasized that sports are essential alongside education for developing conscious and responsible citizens. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon while inaugurating a football tournament at Kendua High School field in Biratara Union of Dhanbari upazila, Tangail. The minister said that sports help protect society from criminal activities and encourage students to live healthy, disciplined lives.

He noted that students engaged in both study and sports remain free from unethical behavior, terrorism, and drugs. According to him, sports uplift the human spirit and contribute to higher educational performance. Swapon added that the government aims to keep the country free from terrorism, extortion, and misuse of power, focusing on public service as its main goal.

Local leaders from the Dhanbari upazila BNP and its affiliated organizations were present at the event, showing community participation in the initiative.

Lion Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury, Member of Parliament for Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda), announced a firm stance against corruption and extortion. Speaking on Monday at an Eid reunion event in Muradpur Union’s coastal area, organized by Italy expatriate Jubo Dal leader Nur Mohammad, he warned that illegal activities such as forced sale of construction materials, soil extraction from farmland, drug trade, and extortion would not be tolerated. He also cautioned that those involved would face organizational action for tarnishing the party’s image.

Aslam Chowdhury emphasized that proper implementation of ongoing development projects in Sitakunda would accelerate local infrastructure growth. He highlighted the importance of environmental conservation, planned industrialization, and sustainable development to transform Sitakunda into a modern, investment-friendly industrial zone.

Special guest Nurul Amin, MP for Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai), said such reunions strengthen fraternity, harmony, and mutual relations among people, expressing satisfaction at sharing Eid joy with Sitakunda residents.

A parliamentary special committee has begun its first meeting to review 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period. The meeting, held on Tuesday morning, marks the start of the committee’s formal work under the 13th National Parliament. The committee will examine the ordinances and prepare a report for submission to Parliament by April 2, as directed earlier.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the committee, told reporters before the meeting that the special committee was formed under procedural rules because standing committees have not yet been established. He said the discussion would focus on which ordinances could be accepted, which might need amendments, and which require further changes. Some ordinances are reportedly seen as conflicting with the constitution, while others reflect the aspirations of the July uprising, including recognition and indemnity for those involved.

According to parliamentary rules, ordinances issued when Parliament is not in session must be presented on the first sitting day and passed within 30 days to remain valid. The next parliamentary session is scheduled for March 29 and will continue until April 30.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom is not involved in any attacks on Iran. He acknowledged that U.S. forces are using some British bases, but only for defensive and limited purposes. Starmer emphasized that Britain is not participating in any military operations against Iran and will not take offensive actions in the future.

Referring to the Iraq war, Starmer said that the government has learned from past mistakes and shaped its current policy accordingly. He noted that British warplanes are deployed in West Asia for defensive missions and have already helped intercept some attacks. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which prompted Iranian counterattacks targeting American and allied bases in the region.

Starmer stressed that ensuring the safety of British citizens in West Asia remains the government’s top priority. He warned that Iran’s escalating attacks are destabilizing the region and reiterated that lasting solutions should come through dialogue rather than military force.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir has called on police members to perform their duties more effectively in maintaining law and order. He made the call on Tuesday morning at the police headquarters in Dhaka during an Eid reunion event held on the first working day after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

The IGP praised the efforts of highway, traffic, and district police units for their dedication in ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for homebound travelers during the Eid period. He also exchanged Eid greetings with officers, members, and civil staff working at the police headquarters, extending his post-Eid well wishes to them.

Senior police officials, including additional IGPs, heads of various Dhaka-based units, and other officers and employees of the police headquarters, were present at the event.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government will adopt the indemnity ordinance for the July fighters, reflecting public expectations and the aspirations of July. He stated that decisions regarding 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period will be made swiftly. The announcement came on Tuesday morning before he joined the first meeting of the special parliamentary committee at the National Parliament Building.

The meeting, chaired by Speaker (Retd.) Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, marked the beginning of the committee’s work to review the 133 ordinances. The committee has been tasked with determining which ordinances will remain in effect and which will be repealed. After the review, discussions will be held within the committee before final decisions are taken.

On March 12, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman presented the 133 ordinances in Parliament. The legislature must decide on them within 30 working days, as stipulated in the parliamentary schedule.

Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to appear before a New York court on Thursday to face drug trafficking charges. His lawyers are expected to strongly request dismissal of the case. The Manhattan hearing comes as Washington gradually moves toward improving relations with Caracas. A key issue in the hearing will be who will cover Maduro’s legal expenses.

The Venezuelan government intends to pay his legal costs, but U.S. sanctions require Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, to obtain a government license to receive funds. Pollack argued in court filings that this licensing condition violates Maduro’s constitutional right to legal assistance and that the case should be dismissed on procedural grounds. Maduro, who ruled Venezuela since March 2013, was ousted in a U.S. operation on January 3 and is now held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

Pollack said the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control initially granted but later revoked a license allowing him to accept payment. He has filed an objection and warned he will formally complain if no action is taken, noting Maduro cannot otherwise afford legal representation.

Former adviser to the interim government Mostofa Sarwar Farooki described the arrest of Masud Chowdhury, identified as a key figure behind the 1/11 political events, as a positive beginning for the current administration. He made the remarks on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, through a verified Facebook post, urging a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the 1/11 episode and even the 2008 election.

In his post, Farooki argued that the 1/11 events were the root of subsequent national crises, including enforced disappearances, repression of opposition activists, and major violent incidents. He emphasized that justice and preservation of collective memory are essential for national healing, suggesting that historical documentation through museums and reports could help the nation move forward.

Farooki warned that moving ahead without justice and memory preservation risks encouraging future wrongdoing and leaving unresolved resentment in the public consciousness, which he said is not conducive to true healing.

The government has issued instructions to strictly follow the National Flag Rules during the observance of the Great Independence and National Day, as well as other government-designated days. The directive emphasizes that raising and using the national flag in accordance with the 1972 National Flag Rules, amended in 2010, is a duty of every citizen. According to Article 4(1) of the Constitution, the national flag of the Republic consists of a red circle on a green field.

The flag rules specify that the flag must be dark green with a red circle in the center, maintaining a length-to-width ratio of 10:6. The circle should have a radius equal to one-fifth of the flag’s length. Depending on the building size, three standard flag dimensions are prescribed: 10:6, 5:3, and 2.5:1.5. The rules prohibit covering vehicles, trains, or vessels with the flag and forbid hoisting any other flag above it.

The guidelines also detail proper display methods in auditoriums, roads, and ceremonies, emphasizing respect during hoisting and lowering, and requiring the national anthem to be sung when the flag is formally raised.

The United States and Iran have issued conflicting statements regarding possible talks aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East, leaving the situation uncertain. On Saturday, Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform giving Iran a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz without threats, warning of strikes on Iranian power plants if it failed to comply. On Monday, he extended the deadline by five days, claiming that discussions had taken place between the two countries to achieve a complete resolution of the conflict.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf denied any such talks, writing on social media platform X that no discussions had occurred and accusing the US of spreading false news to influence financial and oil markets. However, a senior Iranian official told CBS News that Iran had received some US proposals through intermediaries and was reviewing them. CBS News reported that this could be seen as a preparatory step toward potential talks, though no formal negotiations had begun.

The White House urged caution, describing the situation as fluid and advising against assuming any meeting until an official announcement is made.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returned to the Secretariat on Tuesday morning, marking the first working day after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. He began official duties as government offices, banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions reopened across the country following a seven-day closure.

The nationwide Eid-ul-Fitr holiday lasted from March 17 to March 23, declared by the government to allow citizens to celebrate the major Islamic festival peacefully. The festival itself was observed on March 21 with religious solemnity and festive spirit throughout Bangladesh.

As employees returned to their workplaces, they exchanged greetings and embraced each other, sharing the joy and spirit of Eid after the extended break.

The first meeting of the Bangladesh Parliament’s special committee is being held today, March 24, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Cabinet Room of the National Parliament Building. The meeting is chaired by Speaker (Retd.) Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. This marks the committee’s first session following its formation on March 15 under the Speaker’s leadership.

The special committee has been tasked with reviewing 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period. It will examine which ordinances should remain in force and which should be repealed. After the review, the committee will discuss the findings and make final decisions accordingly.

On March 12, during the first sitting of the current parliamentary session, the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman presented the 133 ordinances before Parliament. The legislature must reach a decision on these ordinances within 30 working days.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to prohibit all decorative lighting across the country on March 25 and 26 as part of its policy to conserve energy and reduce public expenditure. The decision was announced in light of the ongoing energy crisis following the war in the Middle East. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, no lighting will be allowed on the night of March 25 at any government, semi-government, autonomous, or private buildings and establishments, as the day is observed as Genocide Day.

The announcement was made after a preparatory meeting held on March 8 at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Bangladesh Secretariat, where officials discussed arrangements for celebrating Independence and National Day. The ministry emphasized that the restriction aims to prevent energy shortages and align with the government’s cost-saving measures.

The directive underscores the government’s focus on maintaining energy stability during national observances while balancing symbolic commemorations with practical resource management.

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has directly blamed President Donald Trump for a steep rise in fuel prices across the United States. In a post on social media platform X, Schumer said the average price of gasoline had jumped from $2.93 to $3.94 per gallon in less than a month, calling Trump solely responsible for the surge.

The senior Democratic leader has consistently opposed the Trump administration’s decision to attack Iran and urged an immediate end to the conflict. In an earlier post, Schumer accused the administration of wasting vast public funds on what he described as an unnecessary war. According to related sources cited in the report, ongoing military tensions in the Middle East have contributed to instability in global oil markets.

The statement underscores growing political criticism of the administration’s foreign policy and its domestic economic consequences, particularly rising energy costs for American consumers.

Former Member of Parliament and retired Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury, described as a key figure during the One-Eleven political period, was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) in Dhaka. The arrest took place on the night of March 23, 2026, in the Baridhara DOHS area. A DB team led by Chief Shafiqul Islam conducted the operation and detained Chowdhury from a residence on Lane 2, House 153.

Masud Uddin Chowdhury, a former army officer and controversial political figure, had previously sought nomination from the Awami League for the Feni-3 constituency during the 11th National Election. Reports suggest he later obtained a nomination from the Jatiya Party after consultations with senior political figures. He subsequently became a presidium member of the Jatiya Party.

The report did not specify the charges or reasons behind the arrest, and no official statement from law enforcement or political parties was included in the source.