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.

A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS shows that 59 percent of Americans oppose the Trump administration’s decision to launch a military strike on Iran, while 41 percent support it. The survey indicates widespread public unease and fear over the conflict, with 56 percent of respondents believing the confrontation could lead to a prolonged war. President Donald Trump, however, stated that he planned to end the conflict within four weeks and claimed progress was ahead of schedule.

According to the poll, 62 percent of Americans think Trump should seek congressional approval before taking further military action, and 60 percent believe he lacks a clear plan to handle the situation. Only 12 percent support sending ground troops to Iran, while 60 percent strongly oppose it. The data also reveal partisan divides: 77 percent of Republicans back the strike compared to just 18 percent of Democrats. Even within the Republican Party, “MAGA” supporters show near-total confidence in Trump, while others express concern about a long-term war.

Analysts suggest the negative public sentiment could pose a significant challenge for Trump’s party in the upcoming November congressional elections.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that he and his colleagues are committed to working diligently, describing their work as a form of worship. He stated that despite their age, they continue to serve daily without rest, aiming to reach heaven through honest labor rather than empty promises. He made these remarks on Monday morning while inaugurating the Neha River re-excavation project in Raipur Union of Pirganj, Thakurgaon.

During the event, the minister called for the proper and transparent implementation of the canal excavation program. He warned his party members that any form of mob activity would be dealt with firmly. Fakhrul emphasized that the project must not stall after the inauguration and should be completed smoothly and efficiently.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, Deputy Commissioner Israt Farzana, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board Zakaria Mondal, and Executive Engineer of LGED Mamun Biswas, among others.

Bangladesh’s opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the constitution is meant for the people, not the other way around. Speaking as chief guest at an Eid reunion organized by Sylhet Metropolitan Jamaat on March 22, 2026, he said the July uprising made possible the current political structure where one party governs and another serves as the main opposition. He emphasized that fulfilling the expectations of that uprising requires implementing the July Charter.

Rahman criticized the government for alleged political favoritism in appointments, including the replacement of the Bangladesh Bank governor and university vice-chancellors. He said such actions contradict the spirit of the July uprising. He also expressed disappointment over mismanagement and excessive fares during Eid travel. Addressing the ruling party, he urged avoidance of conspiracies against reform proposals and pledged that the opposition would act responsibly while prioritizing public expectations.

He further asserted that fascist politics would no longer prevail in Bangladesh, citing the people’s verdict in a referendum for change. Rahman vowed to continue Jamaat’s political struggle toward building a humane Bangladesh.

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for an immediate halt to the ongoing US military campaign against Iran. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Schumer wrote that the war must stop, emphasizing that even Republican senators have admitted uncertainty about the administration’s objectives in the Middle East.

Earlier, Schumer had criticized the war’s financial burden, saying billions of dollars were being wasted and that fuel prices had risen to an average of $3.94 per gallon. The conflict, initiated under the Republican president with US and Israeli leadership, has become a major test for Congress, which remains under Republican control. While most Republicans continue to back the president, they are expected to face further critical decisions regarding the war soon.

The situation has also contributed to growing concerns about a global energy crisis, as reports indicate rising fuel prices and escalating regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sent a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveying Eid greetings and expressing a message of strengthening bilateral relations. According to the Times of India, the letter was sent last Friday and emphasized the hope that the festival would reinforce the long-standing friendship between the two nations and deepen people-to-people connections.

In the letter, Rahman described Eid-ul-Fitr as a cherished festival that reminds people of eternal values such as compassion, solidarity, and harmony. He added that the occasion brings together diverse communities through sharing and generosity, wishing peace, prosperity, and happiness for all people in Bangladesh and around the world.

The report noted that Modi had earlier extended Eid greetings to Rahman and the people of Bangladesh. Following that message, Rahman sent his letter, which also reflected optimism about moving beyond past issues to advance Bangladesh-India relations.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman MP said that political criminalization and extortion by politicians must stop. He made the remarks on Sunday night at a views-exchange meeting titled ‘Thoughts of Jhenaidah residents on socio-economic development’ held at Johan Dream Valley Park Auditorium in Jhenaidah town.

Addressing political leaders, the minister stated that politicians should not expect tax-free cars or plots, citing the Prime Minister’s directive that members of parliament should not receive such privileges. He emphasized that politics should be transparent and aligned with the ideals of Shaheed Zia, urging leaders to abandon corrupt practices and work toward building a dream Bangladesh based on those principles.

Asaduzzaman added that the government’s first cabinet decision was to waive agricultural loans, which has been implemented. He also mentioned that the Prime Minister fulfilled the promise to provide allowances for imams, muezzins, priests, and temple attendants. The meeting was presided over by Jhenaidah Chamber of Commerce President Md Moazzem Hossain and attended by local officials and political leaders.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited army camps in Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts, on Sunday ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. During the visit, he exchanged Eid greetings with soldiers stationed in the remote hill areas and commended their professionalism, dedication, and tireless efforts in maintaining national peace and order. He also instructed them to continue performing their duties with the same commitment in the future.

Senior military officials, including the Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, the General Officer Commanding of the 24th Infantry Division and Area Commander of Chittagong Area, as well as officers from Army Headquarters and other local commands, were present during the visit.

The visit underscored the army leadership’s engagement with troops deployed in challenging terrains during major national occasions, reinforcing morale and operational readiness in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has threatened to target financial institutions investing in US Treasury bonds. His warning came after US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions between the two countries. Ghalibaf posted on social media that institutions financing the US military budget are legitimate targets and claimed that US Treasury bonds are stained with Iranian blood.

He further stated that Iran is monitoring the activities of such investors and described his message as a final warning. Earlier, Ghalibaf had cautioned that if the United States attacked Iran’s power plants, Tehran would retaliate by striking regional infrastructure and energy facilities.

The threats follow Trump’s warning that the US could strike Iranian power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a series of strong responses from Iranian officials.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that any threats against Iran will be confronted directly on the battlefield. His remarks were directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently warned of possible attacks on Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not fully reopened. Pezeshkian made his response in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Pezeshkian stated that attempts to spread fear and intimidation against Iran were only strengthening national unity. Addressing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, he clarified that the waterway remains open to all except those who violate Iran’s territorial integrity.

The exchange underscores rising tensions between Tehran and Washington over control and access to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments.

Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament and Netrokona-1 (Durgapur-Kalmakanda) MP Barrister Kaiser Kamal has pledged to turn Durgapur upazila into a humane and prosperous tourism area. Speaking as the chief guest at the silver jubilee celebration of the Durgapur Press Club on Sunday afternoon, he said that he believes in action rather than words and does not make false promises for applause.

He emphasized the vital role of journalists as the mirror of society and the voice of the oppressed, urging young reporters to practice truthful and responsible journalism. Criticizing illegal land grabs under political protection, he warned that encroachment on public or religious property would not be tolerated. He outlined development plans including a new railway line, bridges over the Someshwari and Mahadeo rivers, and a tourism center around several unions.

Kamal also highlighted the need for scientific and controlled sand extraction to protect the environment. He said the proposed tourism center would create local employment and accelerate regional development.

US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has sharply criticized President Donald Trump for his handling of the ongoing war against Iran, saying the president has lost control amid widespread instability. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Murphy described Trump as being in a state of panic as the conflict, now in its fourth week, continues to escalate across the Middle East.

Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been leading criticism of the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. He warned that the war’s impact is already being felt in global energy markets, with rising oil prices putting direct pressure on the US economy and slowing overall growth. The senator also noted growing concern within US political circles about the trajectory and potential consequences of the conflict.

The tensions intensified after Iran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, prompting Trump to threaten destruction of Iranian power plants if the passage remained blocked. Murphy argued that the conflict’s effects extend beyond the Middle East, harming both the global economy and domestic stability in the United States.

Former Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit has made a controversial statement suggesting that if Pakistan were attacked by any foreign power, the country would retaliate by striking India. His remarks, made during a discussion on a hypothetical war scenario, have sparked widespread debate and criticism. Basit specifically mentioned Mumbai and New Delhi as potential targets, saying Pakistan would not hesitate to respond in such a situation.

Although Basit described his comments as reflecting an extreme and unlikely situation, he maintained that Pakistan would have no choice but to attack India if threatened. His remarks have quickly spread among Indian citizens, particularly because of his past role as Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi from 2014 to 2017, a period marked by tense bilateral relations.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, especially between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghan authorities have accused Pakistani forces of conducting recent airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika, claims that have further strained Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors.