The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has issued a notification allocating portfolios to one full minister and one state minister. According to the order released on Thursday night, newly sworn-in minister Ahmed Azam Khan has been assigned to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, while State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin has been given additional responsibility for the Ministry of Land. The directive takes immediate effect.

Ahmed Azam Khan, a Member of Parliament from Tangail-8 (Basail-Sakhipur) and vice chairman of the BNP central committee, took oath as a minister earlier on Thursday. President Md. Shahabuddin administered the oath during the recess of the first session of the 13th National Parliament. On the same day, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed was sworn in as Speaker and Kaiser Kamal as Deputy Speaker.

Following their new appointments, Hafiz Uddin and Kaiser Kamal vacated their previous ministerial and state ministerial positions, prompting the new cabinet appointments announced by the Cabinet Division.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei publicly thanked the country’s armed forces in his first televised address to the nation on March 12, 2026. In his remarks, he expressed gratitude to the military for protecting Iran from subjugation and division despite facing attacks. Khamenei praised the bravery and dedication of soldiers who, according to him, performed admirably under pressure.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera and local outlet Amar Desh, marks Khamenei’s first major public message since assuming leadership. His comments emphasized national unity and resilience during a period of external pressure and conflict. The address also highlighted the military’s role as a stabilizing force in safeguarding Iran’s sovereignty.

The speech signals that the new leadership intends to maintain strong ties with the armed forces and reinforce their importance in national defense and internal cohesion.

Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, Member of Parliament from Bhola-3 and a senior BNP leader, has been elected Speaker of the National Parliament, marking the first time in Bangladesh’s history that someone from Bhola has held this position. The announcement on March 12, 2026, sparked widespread celebration among residents of Bhola, who expressed pride and joy at the historic achievement. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman was also congratulated by local BNP leaders for appointing him.

Political leaders from across parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and BJP, extended congratulations, describing Hafiz Uddin as a transparent and capable politician. Local BNP leaders said his leadership would benefit both Bhola and the country, while Jamaat leaders hoped his neutrality would strengthen political harmony. Businesspeople and workers in Bhola expressed optimism that his leadership would bring peace and stability.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has been elected to Parliament seven times from Bhola-3 (Lalmohan-Tajumuddin) and previously served twice as a minister, including as Commerce Minister.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered his first televised address to the nation on March 12, 2026, focusing on national unity, regional politics, and ongoing conflicts. He called for internal solidarity and reaffirmed Iran’s firm stance on protecting its security and sovereignty. Khamenei warned that all U.S. military bases in the Middle East should be closed immediately, otherwise they would continue to face attacks.

He stated that Iran seeks good relations with neighboring countries but emphasized that nations hosting U.S. military bases would remain targets under Iran’s current policy. Khamenei also announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as part of Tehran’s strategy to pressure its adversaries. He vowed to continue fighting to avenge the deaths of Iran’s former Supreme Leader and children killed in recent attacks.

Khamenei praised Iran’s armed forces for their sacrifices in defending the country from domination and division, promising financial and other support for war victims. He concluded by urging Iranians to overcome differences and work together for the nation’s interests.

Turkey has expressed its support for Bangladesh to assume the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The announcement came during a courtesy meeting between Turkish Ambassador to Dhaka Ramis Sen and Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir. The meeting took place on Thursday afternoon, March 12, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

During the discussion, both sides reviewed the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and Turkey and explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. They exchanged views on expanding collaboration in trade and investment, defense, education, cultural exchange, technology, and infrastructure development. Regional and global issues, including challenges facing the Muslim world, humanitarian cooperation, and mutual support in international forums, were also discussed.

Both parties expressed optimism about deepening the historic friendship and reaffirmed their commitment to work together for the welfare of their peoples based on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation.

Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has offered prayers for the recovery of Mirza Abbas, a member of parliament, BNP Standing Committee member, and political adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Patwari expressed his wishes in a Facebook post on Thursday night, praying for Abbas’s good health and long life.

According to family sources, Mirza Abbas lost consciousness during iftar on Wednesday and was admitted to a hospital later that night when his condition did not improve. His wife, Afroza Abbas, who is also the president of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, has requested prayers from the public for her husband’s recovery.

The incident has drawn attention within political circles, as Abbas holds key positions in the BNP and serves as a senior political figure in the party.

A college student named Juhamul Islam testified as the fifth witness before International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Thursday in the case concerning crimes against humanity during the July uprising. The case involves death row convicts Salman F Rahman, former adviser on industry and investment to Sheikh Hasina, and former law minister Anisul Huq. Juhamul described being shot during the protests at Mirpur 10 Circle on July 19, 2024, when security forces and political activists allegedly opened fire on demonstrators.

According to his statement, a bullet entered his left chest and exited through the right side, fracturing bone. He showed his injury marks to the tribunal. He recounted being taken by rickshaw pullers and others to several hospitals, including Shaheed Suhrawardy and Mahakhali Chest Hospital, where he underwent surgery. He also alleged that members of the student wing of the ruling party later harassed injured protesters at the hospital.

Juhamul held former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Anisul Huq, and Salman F Rahman responsible for the incident and demanded justice.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, according to his son and current Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The incident occurred on Wednesday at a wedding ceremony in the Royal Park area of Greater Kailash, Jammu, where Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhury was also present.

A video circulating on social media shows a man approaching Farooq Abdullah with a pistol before being subdued by his security personnel. Police later arrested the suspect, identified as a resident of Jammu. During interrogation, the man reportedly claimed he had been attempting to kill Abdullah for the past 20 years, though his exact motive remains unclear.

Omar Abdullah questioned how an armed individual managed to get so close to his father despite the presence of Z-plus and NSG security cover. The police investigation into the security breach and the suspect’s motives is ongoing.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman has disclosed his total expenditure for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, amounting to Tk 3,258,238. The information was revealed in the election expense statement submitted to the Election Commission on Thursday, March 12, 2026. According to the report, Tk 1,555,550 was spent on campaign activities, Tk 88,096 on transport, Tk 545,000 on public meetings, and Tk 417,642 on election camp operations.

Additional expenses included Tk 293,890 for agents and staff, Tk 287,000 for accommodation and administrative costs, and Tk 71,060 for social media campaigning. In total, the spending remained within the legally permitted limit. Shafiqur Rahman won the election from the Dhaka-15 constituency, which has 351,718 registered voters. Under election law, candidates may spend up to Tk 10 per voter, setting his maximum allowable expenditure at Tk 3,517,180.

The submitted figures confirm that Rahman’s campaign spending complied with the Election Commission’s prescribed ceiling for candidates.

The Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate (FSCD) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance aviation safety and emergency response coordination. The signing took place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at CAAB’s headquarters in Kurmitola, Dhaka. The event was attended by CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq as chief guest and FSCD Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal as special guest. The MoU was signed by CAAB Director (ATM) Md Shamsul Haque and FSCD Deputy Director (Operation and Maintenance) Md Mamunur Rashid on behalf of their respective organizations.

According to the MoU, both institutions will cooperate in search and rescue operations, firefighting, joint training, information sharing, and technical assistance to ensure rapid and coordinated responses to emergencies at airports and surrounding areas. The agreement aims to strengthen the country’s aviation safety framework and improve the capacity to manage accidents, fires, and other critical incidents effectively.

Officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and both agencies were present at the signing ceremony.

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Sen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Turkey and explored ways to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Discussions covered a wide range of areas including trade and investment, defense collaboration, education and cultural exchange, as well as technology and infrastructure development. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues, particularly challenges facing the Muslim world, humanitarian cooperation, and strengthening mutual support in international forums.

The two parties expressed optimism about further consolidating the historic friendship between Bangladesh and Turkey. Ambassador Ramis Sen reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Acting Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md. Sarwar announced that additional police forces will be deployed to ensure a smooth and safe Eid travel experience. Speaking on March 12, 2026, at the DMP headquarters during the monthly crime review meeting for February, he emphasized the importance of vigilance to prevent crimes such as mugging and fraud during the holiday period when most residents leave Dhaka.

Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S.N. Md. Nazrul Islam highlighted the need for special monitoring at major transport hubs including Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Sayedabad, Kamalapur, and Sadarghat. He instructed increased patrol duties across city beats and regular checks of CCTV systems in markets and shopping malls to ensure functionality. The DMP leadership reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy toward any deterioration in law and order.

During the meeting, officers of various ranks were recognized for their performance in maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety in February 2026.

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned that the country will take revenge for the blood of its citizens. According to Iranian state television, cited by the BBC, Khamenei made the statement in his first message after being chosen as the nation’s top religious leader. He referred specifically to the attack on a girls’ school in Minab, which Iran attributes to Israel, saying 168 people were killed, including about 110 children.

Khamenei also declared that Iran would continue targeting the Hormuz Strait and advised neighboring countries to close U.S. military bases on their soil, warning that such bases could be attacked. Despite emphasizing a policy of friendship with neighboring states, his remarks underscored a hardline stance toward foreign military presence in the region.

Mojtaba Khamenei was selected by Iran’s 88-member Assembly of Experts as the third Supreme Leader following the death of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike on February 28 after leading Iran for 37 years.

President Md. Shahabuddin Chuppu delivered his constitutionally mandated address at the opening of the 13th National Parliament session on Thursday, where he strongly criticized the former Sheikh Hasina government. In his 16-page speech, he described the previous administration as fascist and accused it of corruption, killings, and enforced disappearances. He also recounted the July 2024 mass uprising that he said ended Hasina’s rule and marked Bangladesh’s liberation from fascism. The session was presided over by Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

During his address, the president honored the country’s martyrs, including former President Ziaur Rahman, whom he called the proclaimer of independence, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for her role in establishing parliamentary democracy. Government members, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, applauded his remarks, while opposition lawmakers protested, labeling him an accomplice of the former regime and briefly walking out before returning.

The president also discussed the interim government’s initiatives following the 2024 uprising, the current administration’s welfare programs, and economic challenges such as inflation and foreign currency reserves. He expressed hope for progress in agriculture and the economy despite global instability.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed commented on the opposition’s walkout and protest during President Md. Shahabuddin’s address at the first session of the 13th National Parliament on March 12, 2026. Speaking to reporters after the session was adjourned, he questioned the rationale behind the opposition’s stance, noting that the same president had previously held discussions with them on August 5 and 6, and that advisers to the interim government had taken oaths before him. He pointed out that some opposition members who protested are also current members of parliament.

Responding to remarks by Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the minister said it was contradictory for the opposition to now reject the president they had earlier engaged with. However, he described walkouts as a normal part of parliamentary democracy and said such actions are permissible within democratic culture.

Ahmed added that the parliament would remain meaningful and serve as a center for national dialogue, emphasizing unity against fascism and cooperation on national issues.