U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he plans to postpone his scheduled visit to China, originally set for late March, by about one month due to the ongoing war involving Iran. Speaking on Monday, Trump said the reason was straightforward, emphasizing that his presence in the United States was important during the conflict. He added that there was no strategic motive behind the delay and expressed anticipation for his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A day earlier, Trump told the Financial Times that he might postpone the meeting if China did not help ensure normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for energy transport in the Gulf region. The conflict with Iran has heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies. China, a major buyer of Iranian energy exports, has criticized U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to BBC Bangla.

The delay underscores how the Iran conflict is influencing global diplomatic schedules and energy-related geopolitical relations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the two Dhaka city corporations to become more active in mosquito control. The instruction came on Tuesday morning during a meeting at the Secretariat with BUET experts and administrators from the two city corporations, focusing on waste management and transportation in the capital.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister also advised exploring the possibility of producing necessary waste management equipment domestically with the help of BUET instead of importing them. Dhaka South City administrator Abdus Salam noted that for the first time, workers involved in waste management received Eid bonuses from the Prime Minister’s personal fund. BUET’s Professor Dr. Md. Ehsan stated that the Prime Minister emphasized the use of electronic three-wheelers to improve automation and transportation systems in waste management.

The directives highlight a push for local innovation and self-reliance in urban management, aiming to strengthen both mosquito control and waste handling efficiency in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman attended office at the Secretariat on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, despite the official public holiday for the holy Shab-e-Qadr. According to his additional press secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, the Prime Minister arrived at his office at 11 a.m. and continued his regular duties, including presiding over a cabinet meeting.

Upon his arrival at Building No. 1 of the Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani and Principal Secretary A.B.M. Abdus Sattar welcomed him. The Ministry of Public Administration had earlier set a five-day holiday from March 19 to 23, with March 21 designated as Eid-ul-Fitr day. The days before and after Eid were declared holidays by executive order.

The Prime Minister’s decision to work during the holiday underscores his continued engagement in official duties even as the Eid vacation period begins for most government offices.

BNP Standing Committee member and Narsingdi-2 MP Dr. Abdul Moin Khan inaugurated a canal excavation program at Mirzapur village in Kachikata Union, Monohardi upazila, on Monday, March 16. He said that late President Ziaur Rahman had personally initiated canal digging to advance Bangladesh’s agriculture, and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also believes in action over words. Moin Khan emphasized that maintaining natural water flow is vital for human civilization and that the Prime Minister launched the program within a month of his promise.

The inauguration was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister and local MP Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bakul, along with five other MPs from Narsingdi. District Commissioner Mohammad Anwar Hossain presided over the event, which was also attended by MPs Khairul Kabir Khokon, Monjur Elahi, and Ashraf Uddin, as well as local officials and community representatives. Bakul stated that the canal excavation, following the legacy of President Ziaur Rahman, aims to benefit farmers by improving irrigation and productivity.

According to the organizers, farmers are expected to gain full benefits from the canal before the upcoming monsoon season.

Bangladesh’s opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman praised China for maintaining a policy of non-interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs and for its continued friendship. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a food distribution event held at Adarsha School field in Mirpur, Dhaka, organized with Chinese assistance. Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen attended as special guest, and over a thousand low-income residents of Dhaka-15 constituency received food packs.

Dr. Rahman thanked the Chinese envoy for supporting underprivileged communities and highlighted China’s long-standing partnership with Bangladesh, noting major development projects such as the China-funded Bangabandhu International Conference Center, hospital construction, and a new dormitory at Dhaka University. He also expressed hope for progress on the Teesta project and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s independent foreign policy.

Ambassador Yao Wen extended Eid greetings and said the initiative aimed to share joy with Mirpur residents. He congratulated Dr. Rahman on his election as a member of parliament and opposition leader, emphasizing China’s ongoing humanitarian cooperation with Bangladesh.

Public Administration Ministry adviser Md Ismail Jabiullah said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has already begun implementing the promises made in his election manifesto. He remarked that the prime minister started working on these commitments even before the ink of the ballot had dried. Jabiullah described this as an extraordinary effort by the new leader.

He made these comments on Monday, March 16, during the inauguration of the re-excavation of Petkata Canal at the Noa Technology Housing field near Noakhali Science and Technology University. The event was presided over by Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam, with Noakhali-4 MP Md Shahjahan attending as a special guest. Several local officials and BNP leaders were also present.

Jabiullah added that Tarique Rahman has moved beyond rhetoric to demonstrate that the BNP not only makes plans but also implements them. He said the manifesto has become a national program dedicated to public welfare, inspiring citizens to give the BNP a decisive victory.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that his planned visit to China may be postponed after Beijing did not respond positively to his request for cooperation in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. The meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for the end of March, is now uncertain. Trump told the Financial Times that China should assist in ensuring safe passage through the strait, given its reliance on Middle Eastern oil, and suggested that the trip could be delayed if Beijing’s stance remains unclear.

China has not issued an official response, but state-run Global Times dismissed Trump’s proposal as an attempt to share the risks of a war initiated by Washington. The editorial argued that deploying multiple warships in the strait would heighten tensions rather than improve security. Meanwhile, trade officials from both countries have gathered in Paris to continue preparatory talks for the summit.

Analysts noted that a delay could benefit Beijing, which had earlier proposed an April visit to allow more time for discussions on security and Taiwan-related issues.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated that wars are determined on the battlefield rather than on social media. His remarks came in response to comments made by US President Donald Trump. Zolfaghari also mocked the name of the US campaign “Epic Fury,” suggesting it would be more accurately called “Epic Fear.”

The statement reflects Iran’s dismissal of US messaging efforts and its emphasis on traditional military strength over online narratives. The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with both sides using public statements to assert their positions.

The comments highlight Iran’s attempt to project confidence in its military capabilities while downplaying the influence of social media in shaping wartime outcomes.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has implemented 28 initiatives within his first 28 days in office, described by his adviser Mahdi Amin as an unprecedented governance effort. Amin shared the details in a Facebook post on March 17, noting that the BNP government, elected a month earlier, has been working relentlessly to fulfill its electoral pledges. The initiatives span social protection, economy, administration, education, health, and national values.

According to the post, the measures include family cards for 37,567 families, stipends for religious service providers, debt relief for small farmers, canal excavation across 54 districts, and reforms in administrative discipline and public service. Other actions cover foreign investment facilitation, industrial revival, education reform, e-health cards, dengue prevention, and women’s safety programs. Infrastructure and digital connectivity projects, such as free Wi-Fi at airports and the third terminal of Dhaka airport, were also highlighted.

Mahdi Amin said these steps reflect the prime minister’s strong leadership and accountability to the people, aiming to align national governance with citizens’ aspirations and prepare the new generation for the country’s future.

An opinion piece by Ali Osman Shefayet, published on March 17, 2026, argues that the world is facing a dual crisis of Zionist imperialism and regional dominance, accompanied by a deep moral decline in corporate media. The author claims that certain global and Bangladeshi media outlets prioritize power and propaganda over truth, contributing to the spread of Islamophobia and undermining journalistic integrity.

The article describes Zionism as a dominant political ideology backed by Western powers, particularly the United States, and accuses it of controlling global politics, economics, and information. It also alleges that India’s regional dominance threatens Bangladesh’s sovereignty through political interference, resource control, and cultural influence. The author criticizes Bangladeshi media for serving ruling interests, suppressing dissent, and promoting anti-Islamic narratives.

As a remedy, the piece calls for strengthening patriotic and ethical journalism, raising awareness against imperialism, and protecting Islamic values. It urges citizens to boycott media that serve power rather than truth and to defend national sovereignty through intellectual resistance and truthful reporting.

Pro-Israel groups are pouring millions of dollars into Illinois primary elections, marking an early test of their influence as US and Israeli forces wage war on Iran. In the Chicago-area Democratic contests, organizations linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have become major spenders, despite Israel’s declining popularity among US voters. According to Chicago’s WBEZ, AIPAC and its donors have spent $13.7 million, often through shadow political action committees that conceal their funders until after the vote.

Progressive groups accuse AIPAC of using covert tactics to disguise its involvement, citing the lobby’s rebranding under generic names like the United Democracy Project. Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi described AIPAC as a “toxic” force within the Democratic Party, arguing that voters increasingly reject candidates tied to the lobby. Several key races, including those involving Kat Abughazaleh, Daniel Biss, and Laura Fine, have become flashpoints for the debate over Israel and US foreign policy.

Polls suggest AIPAC’s influence is waning, with only 17 percent of Democratic voters expressing more sympathy for Israelis than Palestinians. Tuesday’s primaries are also seen as a measure of Democratic opposition to the ongoing war on Iran and its domestic repercussions.

The government has withdrawn its 2007 decision that canceled the recruitment of police sergeants and sub-inspectors on political grounds. As a result, 123 police sergeants and 207 unarmed sub-inspectors selected in the 2006 recruitment process will now be allowed to join their positions. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ Police Branch-2 issued the order on Monday, confirming the reinstatement.

According to the order, the selected candidates’ seniority will be determined from the date they would have joined had the recruitment not been canceled in 2007. However, they will not receive any financial benefits for the intervening period. The newly appointed officers will undergo six months of basic training and a probationary period of up to two years.

The order further states that the grading list for the batch will be prepared based on written and oral exam results and the regulations issued by the Ministry of Public Administration. The Inspector General of Police has been instructed to take necessary measures to implement the decision.

Bangladesh’s left-wing alliance, the Democratic United Front, suffered a severe defeat in the 13th national election held on February 12, 2026. The coalition, comprising ten leftist parties including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), the Socialist Party (BASAD), and Bangladesh JASAD, fielded candidates in 147 constituencies but failed to secure significant voter support. Collectively, the alliance received around 117,000 votes nationwide, accounting for only 0.17 percent of total valid votes. Every candidate lost their deposit, as none reached the required one-eighth of votes in their constituencies.

Analysts cited ideological divisions, leadership conflicts, and dependence on major political alliances as key reasons for the left’s decline. Once influential in labor politics, leftist groups now struggle with organizational weakness, outdated political messaging, and limited grassroots connection. The CPB’s vote share fell to 0.08 percent, continuing a long-term downward trend since 1991.

CPB leader Ruhin Hossain Prince acknowledged the poor results, attributing them partly to an unbalanced electoral system and the dominance of two major parties. He emphasized the need for self-criticism and rebuilding trust among voters through sustained grassroots engagement.

US President Donald Trump said he was very surprised by the United Kingdom’s attitude toward the ongoing war, arguing that the country should have participated with greater enthusiasm. Speaking about his recent discussions, Trump stated that two weeks earlier he had suggested to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to send ships, but Starmer was reluctant to do so. Trump added that he reminded Starmer of the long-standing alliance between the two nations and expressed support for Britain’s assistance to Ukraine.

Trump further alleged that the UK refused to send a mine ship despite having two aircraft carriers available. He said the US had requested the carriers, but Starmer did not agree. According to Trump, the British leader later proposed sending aircraft carriers to the Middle East, but by then the war had already ended.

Concluding his remarks, Trump said he was not satisfied with the UK’s response, emphasizing that Britain should have joined the conflict with more enthusiasm.

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has instructed officials appointed by his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to remain in their posts. In a message broadcast on March 12 by state television, he stated that no reappointments are necessary and that all current officials should continue their duties according to the directives issued during his father’s lifetime.

Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as his father’s successor on March 8 but has not yet appeared publicly, and no photos or videos of him have been released. The message aired on state TV marked his first public communication since assuming the role. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed on March 13, without evidence, that Khamenei had been injured in an airstrike on Tehran. In contrast, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s son, Yousef Pezeshkian, confirmed on March 11 that the supreme leader was safe and unharmed.

The contrasting statements highlight uncertainty surrounding Khamenei’s condition and visibility as he begins his leadership amid regional tensions.