A two-day referendum on judicial reform began in Italy on Sunday, marking a crucial political test for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She has endorsed the proposed changes, arguing they will make the judicial system more independent and efficient. The government’s plan includes separating the roles of judges and prosecutors and revising oversight mechanisms through constitutional amendments.

According to AFP, the referendum is not only part of the reform process but also a measure of Meloni’s leadership and popularity ahead of upcoming elections. Meloni stated in a video message that the reform would modernize the judiciary, ensure merit-based advancement, and strengthen accountability while keeping it free from political influence. Critics, however, argue that the proposal could undermine judicial independence.

Opinion polls show the “yes” and “no” camps are nearly tied, leaving the outcome uncertain. A defeat would be a political setback for Meloni, though she has said she does not plan to resign regardless of the result. Voting is set to conclude Monday at 14:00 GMT, with preliminary results expected the same day.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the casualties in a train-bus collision at a rail crossing in Comilla. Following a recent train accident in Bogura, he directed authorities to immediately identify the causes behind the latest incident, which occurred late Saturday night. The Prime Minister has spoken multiple times with the relevant minister and local administration, instructing them to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and financial assistance for the families of the deceased.

According to his press secretary, Rahman emphasized that exemplary legal action will be taken against those responsible for negligence in such accidents. He also instructed officials to provide necessary support to victims of recent road and bridge accidents in Feni, Habiganj, and Jamalpur. In a Sunday statement, he described the incidents as tragic and alarming during the festive period of Eid, praying for the departed souls and wishing quick recovery for the injured.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring safe public transport and directed ministries to urgently address weaknesses in rail crossing management, bridge safety, and overall transport security.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has died at the age of 81, according to a family statement cited by US media. Reports said he passed away late Friday night, though the location and cause of death were not disclosed. Former President Donald Trump reacted on his social media platform, writing that Mueller’s death meant he could no longer harm innocent people, AFP reported from Washington.

Mueller served as FBI Director for 12 years, beginning just days before the September 11, 2001, attacks. He strengthened the agency’s counterterrorism operations and later became special counsel for the US Department of Justice to investigate possible Russian interference in Trump’s 2016 campaign. His two-year investigation led to charges against 34 individuals and three entities, including six of Trump’s associates.

Before the politically sensitive Russia probe, Mueller had a strong reputation in Washington, having served under both Democratic and Republican presidents. A decorated Vietnam War veteran and former Marine, he was known for his professionalism and strict work ethic, earning respect across party lines.

US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has claimed that President Donald Trump has lost control of the ongoing war against Iran and is now deeply anxious. Murphy, a key member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the joint US-Israel military operation has entered its fourth week, drawing increasing criticism from lawmakers.

He alleged that Trump’s war strategy is failing and that the situation is becoming increasingly complex. Earlier, Trump had threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants if the Iranian government did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Murphy had previously described the campaign as “Trump’s mad war,” warning that the sharp rise in fuel prices was beginning to affect the entire US economy.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights growing political tension in Washington as the conflict continues without clear resolution or congressional consensus.

U.S. Democratic lawmaker Yasamin Ansari from Arizona sharply criticized President Donald Trump for his recent threats against Iran. Ansari accused the White House of being led by a 'mad dictator' determined to push the country and the world toward destruction. Her comments came after Trump warned that Iran’s power plants would be destroyed if the country failed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

In a statement, Ansari described Trump’s stance as extremely dangerous, citing his shift from promising help to Iranian protesters to threatening war crimes against an entire population. The lawmaker, whose parents immigrated from Iran, has previously condemned Trump’s military actions toward Iran as reckless and illegal, warning that such decisions could lead to severe consequences, including the loss of American soldiers’ lives.

The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and critics within the U.S. over its handling of Iran policy and military threats in the region.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a series of programs to commemorate the country's Independence and National Day. According to a press release signed by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday, March 22, the programs will begin on March 26 with the hoisting of national and party flags at 6 a.m. at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan and all party offices across the country. Following tributes by the President and Prime Minister at the Savar National Memorial at 5 a.m., BNP leaders will pay their respects there as well.

After the floral tributes at the memorial, party leaders and activists will visit the mausoleums of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka to offer prayers and floral wreaths. A special prayer session organized by the BNP’s Ulama team will also be held at the site. On March 25 at 2:30 p.m., a discussion meeting will take place at the Institution of Engineers, Dhaka, featuring national leaders and distinguished guests.

The press release added that posters have already been distributed and a commemorative publication will be released. BNP’s district, metropolitan, and local units, along with affiliated organizations, will hold similar events nationwide to mark the occasion.

Rail Minister Habibur Rashid announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the introduction of automatic rail gates across the country. The decision aims to ensure that gates close automatically when trains approach, with guards remaining on duty. The minister made the statement on Sunday afternoon while visiting the site of a train-bus collision at Padua Bazar rail crossing in Comilla.

He added that underpasses or flyovers will be constructed where rail gates exist. Responding to questions about the investigation, the state minister said the station master and gateman had already been suspended for negligence and would face disciplinary action. Two railway investigation committees and one by the local administration have been formed to probe the incident. The district administration announced Tk 25,000 in aid per victim’s family, while the railway will provide Tk 100,000 to each bereaved family. The health minister has been contacted to ensure treatment for the injured.

The accident occurred on Saturday night when a mail train from Chattogram to Dhaka hit a passenger bus at the crossing, killing 12 people and injuring at least 24.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the sooner the government understands the need for constitutional reform, the sooner the ongoing crisis will be resolved. He made the remarks on Sunday, March 22, during a post-Eid visit to Sylhet, speaking with journalists at the VIP Circuit House. Dr. Rahman received a guard of honor upon arrival, accompanied by District Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam.

He emphasized that the opposition remains committed to the people, recalling that they sought two votes—one for a referendum and another for the parliamentary election—and that both were granted. He argued that both votes should be equally legitimate and urged respect for the people’s mandate. Dr. Rahman also criticized the poor condition of the Sylhet-Dhaka highway and the lack of development in various sectors, calling for fair allocation of resources and concrete government planning.

He further stressed the need for prompt local government elections to strengthen grassroots democracy and ensure accountability through elected representatives.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of 12 people in a train-bus collision in Cumilla and three others in a separate road accident in Feni. He conveyed his condolences through a Facebook post on Sunday, March 22, 2026, praying for the departed souls and wishing quick recovery for the injured.

In his message, Dr. Rahman said the incidents highlight serious shortcomings in the country’s transport system, road and rail safety, and the accountability of relevant authorities. He emphasized that such tragedies demonstrate the urgent need for effective and long-term measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Calling on the authorities, he urged a thorough investigation into the causes of the accidents, swift legal action against those responsible, and visible, strict steps to ensure such fatal incidents do not recur.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged Eid-ul-Fitr greetings with three senior journalists over the phone on Friday, March 21, 2026. The journalists were Ekushey Padak recipient Shafik Rehman, The New Nation editor Md. Mokarram Hossain, and journalist Anis Alamgir. The Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary, Mostafa Zulfiqar Hasan (Hasan Shiplu), confirmed the calls, saying the Prime Minister conveyed Eid greetings and inquired about their health.

Md. Mokarram Hossain, a former managing director of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, said the call from the Prime Minister was completely unexpected and that he was pleased by the gesture. He expressed happiness at the Prime Minister’s courtesy during the festive occasion. Anis Alamgir also said that the Prime Minister called him around 7 p.m. to ask about his health and extended Eid greetings to him and his wife.

The calls reflected a gesture of goodwill from the head of government toward senior members of the media community during the Eid festival.

Three weeks after the US-Israel war against Iran began, the conflict has entered an uncertain phase marked by contradictory statements from President Donald Trump. While Trump has claimed the war is nearly over and the situation is calming, US and Israeli airstrikes continue across Iran, and American Marine units are reportedly moving into the region. In a Truth Social post, Trump warned that if Iran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, US forces will begin targeting Iranian power plants, starting with the largest one.

Trump earlier published a list of US military objectives in Iran, including destroying Iran’s defense infrastructure and nuclear program, but notably excluded securing the Strait of Hormuz, saying that responsibility should fall to other oil-dependent nations. Despite his insistence that the US is not reliant on Middle Eastern oil, analysts note that global oil price fluctuations still affect American fuel costs.

Reports indicate the Trump administration is preparing a $200 billion emergency funding request to Congress for the ongoing operation, suggesting a prolonged and costly conflict. Congressional reactions have been cautious, with lawmakers seeking clarity on strategy and financial implications.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called journalist Anis Alamgir on Saturday evening, March 21, to convey Eid greetings. Alamgir confirmed the conversation, saying the call came around 7 p.m. and that he was surprised by it. The Prime Minister extended greetings to both Alamgir and his wife and mentioned hearing about his time in prison.

Anis Alamgir expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, praising his demonstration of harmony and goodwill during the Eid prayers. He also thanked Rahman for refraining from making comments about past negative politics since August 5, 2024. Earlier, Alamgir had exchanged Eid greetings with President Md. Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban.

Alamgir had been detained by the Detective Branch on December 14 of the previous year for questioning and was later shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The Anti-Corruption Commission also filed a case against him. After three months in jail, he was released on bail on March 14.

A researcher at the Centre for International Studies at Sciences Po has warned that Israel’s expanding role in the Middle East’s gas infrastructure is granting it increasing leverage over neighboring Arab states. The analysis highlights that during the US-Israeli war on Iran, Jordan and Egypt halted gas supplies to Syria, exposing how dependent regional energy flows have become on Israeli gas. Egypt’s declining production and Jordan’s limited output have led both countries to rely heavily on imports from Israel, which now forms the backbone of the Arab Gas Pipeline network linking Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

The report explains that even when gas is imported as liquefied natural gas through Jordan’s Aqaba terminal, it mixes with Israeli gas within the shared pipeline system. This structural dependence was underscored when shutdowns at Israel’s Leviathan field twice disrupted supplies to Jordan and Egypt, forcing emergency measures. The researcher argues that such reliance allows Israel to wield political and economic influence, using energy as a tool of coercion and control.

The article concludes that Syria and Lebanon could reduce vulnerability by developing their own gas reserves, though doing so would require significant investment and political resolve to resist external pressure favoring continued dependence on Israeli energy.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the 'biggest intruder' during an Eid gathering in Kolkata. She made the remark on Saturday while attending the main Eid congregation at Red Road, where she also delivered a message of communal harmony alongside her political comments.

Banerjee criticized what she described as divisive politics, saying that while relations are built with foreign countries abroad, people at home are being divided. Her statement came as thousands of worshippers offered Eid prayers across Kolkata and other Indian cities amid festive enthusiasm. Some areas faced difficulties due to bad weather, but security measures were tightened nationwide.

The President, Prime Minister, and other political leaders extended Eid greetings to citizens across the country, marking the occasion with official messages of goodwill.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has pledged to resist any effort to bring back a culture of fear in the country. He made the statement on Saturday, March 21, in Dhaka’s Minto Road area while exchanging Eid greetings with people from different walks of life and speaking to the media.

Dr. Rahman said that no one in Bangladesh wants the return of fear-based politics, and his party will stand united against any such attempt. He urged for a Bangladesh built on equality, harmony, humanity, and justice. During his remarks, he also noted that people faced significant suffering during this year’s Eid travel due to various reasons and expressed hope that corruption, extortion, and disorder would not recur in the future.

The opposition leader extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to the nation, emphasizing unity and collective resolve to prevent the reemergence of fear in society.