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.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi held several phone conversations with foreign ministers from various countries to discuss regional security and the evolving situation, according to Al Jazeera citing Iran’s state news agency IRNA. During talks with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, Aragchi addressed recent U.S.-Israeli attacks near Caspian Sea provinces, warning that such actions could pose security and environmental risks.

Earlier, Aragchi spoke with Pakistan’s foreign minister about ensuring the country’s “sustainable security” and also contacted counterparts in Oman, South Korea, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. In his discussion with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, both sides expressed concern over the potential economic impact if the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed.

Aragchi stated that the instability in this vital maritime route was a direct result of what he described as “illegal attacks” by the United States and Israel.

A grand parade and fly-past will be held at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka on March 26, 2026, at 9 a.m. to mark the country's Independence and National Day. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed the event in a statement issued on March 23, 2026. President Md. Sahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman are scheduled to attend the state ceremony, which will be open to the public.

According to the ISPR announcement, interested citizens will be able to enter the venue through gates 2, 3, 4, 10, and 11 of the parade ground. The event is part of the national observance of Independence Day, which is celebrated annually to honor the country's liberation.

The announcement underscores the government’s preparations to celebrate the day with due dignity and public participation, reflecting the significance of the national occasion.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has summoned Iran’s ambassador to London, Seyed Ali Mousavi, following allegations that Tehran was involved in reckless and destabilizing activities internationally. The move came after reports that an Iranian national and a British-Iranian dual citizen were accused of conducting hostile surveillance on London’s Jewish community.

According to the British Foreign Office, the ambassador was called in after the two suspects, identified as 40-year-old Nematollah Shahsavani and 22-year-old Alireza Farasati, were detained earlier this month as part of an Iran-related investigation. They allegedly carried out reconnaissance operations at key sites, including Britain’s oldest synagogue.

In an official statement, the UK government said it takes threats from Iran and its affiliated groups very seriously and will not tolerate such activities. Authorities added that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure national security and protect citizens.

Following the fall of the previously banned Awami League government, Bangladesh’s local government administration has faced stagnation due to the prolonged absence of elected representatives. With a newly elected national government now in place, public and political attention has turned toward the long-awaited local government elections.

Opposition parties have questioned the government’s sincerity about holding these elections, citing recent administrative appointments as cause for concern. The appointment of party-affiliated leaders as administrators in city corporations and district councils has fueled suspicion that the ruling party may be consolidating control over local administrations before the polls. Critics argue that such actions undermine the fairness of the upcoming elections.

Political analysts suggest that local government elections will dominate the national political scene after the Eid holidays. Some analysts also note that appointing administrators was a temporary necessity to keep local governance functional until elections are held.

The United States has temporarily suspended the issuance of immigrant visas for Bangladeshi citizens. The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka announced the decision on Monday, March 23, stating that the move aims to protect the interests of American taxpayers and ensure that immigrants do not unlawfully access public welfare benefits or impose additional financial burdens on the country.

According to the embassy’s statement, the suspension will allow U.S. authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of screening policies and procedures to ensure they prioritize the interests of U.S. citizens. The decision was made in light of data showing higher rates of welfare benefit usage among nationals of certain countries, including Bangladesh.

The embassy clarified that the suspension applies only to immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourism and study, remain unaffected by this measure.

A motion congratulating Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was introduced in the New South Wales Parliament of Australia. The motion, raised by Member of Parliament Abigail Boyd, highlighted Bangladesh’s recent 13th general election held on 12 February 2026, describing it as one of the most peaceful, democratic, and credible elections in decades. The motion was confirmed by BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Md. Rashedul Haque.

Abigail Boyd’s proposal noted that the election followed the July 2024 student-led uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year authoritarian rule. Under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a historic two-thirds majority. Citing the Election Commission, Boyd mentioned a record 59 percent voter turnout, calling it evidence of the nation’s democratic resurgence. The motion also referenced the success of the constitutional referendum on the July National Charter, which received 60 percent approval and includes over 80 reform proposals.

The motion concluded by congratulating the BNP and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and commending the people of Bangladesh for their courage and activism in advancing freedom and justice.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a two-day program to commemorate the country's Independence and National Day. According to a statement from the party’s central publicity department on Monday, the program will begin on March 25 with a discussion meeting at the National Press Club at 3 p.m. The event will feature Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP, the Leader of the Opposition and Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, as the chief guest, along with speeches from central and metropolitan leaders.

On March 26, the party will hold a flag-raising ceremony at its central office, followed by discussions and prayer sessions across all organizational levels. In the morning of the same day, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar as part of the state program to pay tribute and offer prayers.

The announcement reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s participation in national observances while maintaining its organizational activities during the Independence Day celebrations.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, central executive council member of Jamaat-e-Islami and Ameer of Dhaka North, has called on the government and relevant authorities to take effective measures for the full implementation of the July Charter. Speaking on Monday at a meeting with families of martyrs and injured participants of the 24th uprising in Dhaka, he described the July fighters as the nation’s greatest sons and national heroes deserving proper state recognition.

During the event, Selim Uddin listened to the concerns of the families and assured them of efforts to address their problems. He criticized past governments for authoritarian practices and claimed that the July fighters had rescued the nation from prolonged misrule at the cost of around two thousand lives. He also said Jamaat-e-Islami had provided financial and medical support to affected families and published books highlighting the sacrifices of the July fighters.

Selim Uddin reaffirmed that Jamaat’s initiatives to honor and assist the July fighters and their families would continue in the future.

Former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin has died at the age of 88, his family announced on Monday. The news was reported by AFP from Paris, stating that Jospin passed away on Sunday. He served as France’s prime minister from 1997 to 2002 and was a prominent leader of the Socialist Party.

According to his family, Jospin underwent a serious surgical operation in January, though no further details were provided about his health condition or the cause of death. His tenure as prime minister was marked by his leadership within France’s socialist movement and his role in national politics during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Further information about funeral arrangements or official tributes has not yet been released.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced allegations of concealing information after the government delayed confirming an Iranian missile attack on the Diego Garcia military base for more than 30 hours. The acknowledgment came only after US officials verified the incident. The attack occurred between Thursday night and early Friday, when Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK base in the Chagos Islands. Neither missile hit its target; one was intercepted by a US warship, and the other fell into the sea.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour government of maintaining a “culture of cover-up” and urged an explanation for the delay in informing the public. She argued that while genuine national security matters should remain confidential, significant events must be disclosed to Parliament and citizens. Badenoch, who succeeded Rishi Sunak as party leader in November 2024, made her remarks in an article for the Daily Mail.

A government source dismissed the criticism as a desperate move by the opposition leader, claiming she had repeatedly mishandled the crisis. The government confirmed the attack attempt on Saturday morning, more than 30 hours after it occurred.

Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced an alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Am Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) ahead of the upcoming West Bengal assembly election. The announcement was made on Sunday, with both parties confirming their joint participation in the polls. Kabir, a former Trinamool Congress leader, stated that his party would field 154 candidates across the state, including his own candidacy from Rejinagar and Naoda constituencies.

Kabir also mentioned that Poonam Begum would contest from Bhabanipur against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari. He told news agency ANI that the alliance with AIMIM might contest in eight constituencies. Owaisi, confirming the partnership, criticized Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year tenure, claiming that West Bengal’s Muslim community had not seen adequate development and had faced injustice.

AIMIM had previously contested the 2021 West Bengal election but failed to achieve significant results. The new alliance signals a renewed attempt to expand its political presence in the state.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has directed government officials to remain alert against any irregularities in canal excavation projects aimed at improving agriculture, protecting the environment, and boosting fish and duck farming. He made the remarks on Monday, March 23, at the inauguration of the Neha River re-excavation work in Raipur Union of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.

Addressing officials of the Water Development Board and the local administration, the minister emphasized that the work must be completed properly so that ordinary people benefit from it. He warned that the project should not be left unfinished after the inauguration and called for ensuring real progress. He also urged everyone to act honestly and responsibly, avoid misuse of religion, and contribute to positive social change.

Mirza Fakhrul added that the government has begun implementing its election pledges, including family cards, canal excavation, and agricultural cards for farmers. Referring to the global situation, he noted that ongoing wars are affecting various sectors, including agriculture, and called for preparedness to face these challenges.

A new CBS News and YouGov survey shows that 92 percent of Americans want the ongoing war with Iran to end as soon as possible. The poll, conducted online from March 17 to 20 among 3,335 adults, follows the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and other senior figures. Since then, retaliatory strikes have continued between the two sides.

According to the survey, 80 percent of respondents emphasized the safety of Iranian civilians, 73 percent supported halting Iran’s nuclear program, and 68 percent prioritized stopping Iran’s threats against other countries. Public opinion remains split on regime change in Iran, with 49 percent favoring Iran-aligned leadership and 51 percent opposing it. Two-thirds of Americans believe the war was more intentional than necessary.

The poll also found that 60 percent of Americans now oppose military action against Iran, up from 56 percent earlier in the month. About 68 percent said the Trump administration has failed to clearly explain the war’s objectives, and 57 percent think the conflict is going badly for the United States.

Foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan held a key meeting in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss forming a regional security alliance. The discussion took place on the sidelines of an Islamic nations’ conference, focusing on how to strengthen cooperation in defense and security matters.

According to diplomatic sources, Turkey initiated the idea last year, seeking to include Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with Egypt later joining the process. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the proposed alliance would serve as a security platform to enhance defense and military collaboration, though it would not be a formal defense pact like NATO.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing war in the Middle East, U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes. Participants discussed possible joint measures to manage the region’s security challenges. Observers noted that such cooperation could reshape strategic dynamics amid continuing instability and conflict in the Middle East.