Iran has denied holding any direct talks with the United States, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. Speaking to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Baghaei said Tehran has so far not engaged in direct negotiations with Washington but has received messages through intermediaries indicating that the U.S. is interested in dialogue.

Baghaei questioned the consistency of U.S. diplomatic positions, saying Iran’s stance remains clear while the other side keeps changing its position. He described the messages from Washington as containing excessive and unreasonable demands. The spokesperson also clarified that Iran did not participate in meetings organized under Pakistan’s initiative, describing them as part of an independent framework.

The statement comes amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, with observers noting that such remarks could further widen the diplomatic gap between the two nations.

In Cumilla Sadar Dakshin upazila, Akhtaruzzaman Ripon, a former influential Jubo League leader from Dhaka, has stirred controversy by declaring himself a dedicated BNP supporter. His claim has triggered widespread discussion and criticism, particularly among local BNP activists who reject his assertion. Ripon, a resident of Galiara Union, has no official position in the BNP but is known for his past closeness with senior Awami League figures. In the 2024 upazila election, he sought the Awami League nomination, later ran as an independent with the ‘pineapple’ symbol, and lost.

Ripon alleges that he actually won the election but was denied victory by former Awami League MP AKM Bahauddin Bahar. He now insists he is not affiliated with any political party, describing himself as a businessman who previously interacted with Awami League and Jubo League leaders for work. Local BNP leaders, including Mahabub Alam Chowdhury, have questioned his political credibility, saying those absent from party activities for years should not claim BNP identity.

Grassroots BNP workers have also voiced opposition, labeling Ripon a “hybrid leader” attempting to exploit money and influence. The debate has intensified uncertainty over his true political allegiance in Cumilla’s local politics.

Republican Representative Nancy Mace has called for Congress to have a formal vote before any decision to deploy US troops to Iran, highlighting growing divisions within President Donald Trump’s party. Her remarks on Sunday followed a classified House briefing on the ongoing war, which she said raised concerns about the administration’s plans. The comments coincided with a Washington Post report that the Pentagon is preparing for limited ground operations in Iran, including potential raids on Kharg Island and near the Strait of Hormuz.

Mace told CNN that any conventional ground operation involving Marines or the 82nd Airborne Division would constitute a ground war requiring congressional authorization. She emphasized that “we don’t want troops on the ground” and urged the administration to seek proper authority if such action is pursued. The White House did not deny the Pentagon’s preparations but said they were part of routine planning to provide the president with options.

The debate comes as the US expands its military presence in the Middle East, with thousands of additional troops arriving. Some Republican lawmakers and Trump allies, including Matt Gaetz, have warned that a ground invasion could lead to higher costs and prolonged conflict.

After administrators were appointed to all city corporations and district councils, speculation has intensified over when Bangladesh’s remaining local government elections will be held. The government’s apparent lack of urgency has fueled public debate, as no elected representatives currently serve in upazila, municipal, or union councils. Conflicting statements from ministers have added to confusion about whether upazila or union council elections will come first.

According to sources in the Local Government Division, informal discussions have taken place about holding upazila elections between Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha, but later statements suggested union council polls might precede them. Officials said no political decision has yet been made on appointing administrators to upazila councils, and the government is still considering whether to proceed with elections or continue with interim arrangements. The Election Commission has not received any formal directive to begin preparations.

Experts and election officials warned that prolonged reliance on administrators could weaken grassroots democracy and accountability. They emphasized that elected representatives are essential for effective local governance and citizen participation.

Chattogram-10 Member of Parliament Saeed Al Noman responded to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s remark ‘Rakh tor family card’ during a parliamentary session on Sunday. Speaking one minute beyond his allotted time, Noman said he did not misunderstand the opposition leader’s words and interpreted them as a positive comment about Tarique Rahman’s contributions. He emphasized that all members represent the entire nation and expressed respect for his electoral opponent.

During his speech, Noman highlighted long-standing problems in Chattogram, including water shortages and inadequate hospital facilities. He noted that Chattogram Medical College Hospital, though officially a 2,000-bed facility, can effectively treat only about 500 patients, while the General Hospital is much smaller. He urged the government to establish at least one modern 500-bed hospital in every constituency.

Addressing education, Noman called for a values-based curriculum and recalled the political ideals of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. He also paid tribute to BNP activists who were killed, disappeared, or persecuted over the past 17 years and those who protested against authoritarian rule in 2024.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered an expansion of military operations in southern Lebanon. In a video statement from the Northern Command, he said the decision was made in response to continuous rocket attacks by Hezbollah and increasing security risks along the border. Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the expansion of the existing security buffer zone and expressed determination to fundamentally change the situation in the north.

According to the report, this move aligns with Israel’s declared effort to replicate the so-called “Gaza model” of control. However, it remains unclear whether the new directive will involve advancing beyond the current boundary or merely strengthening positions within the existing area.

The announcement underscores escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon frontier, with uncertainty over the scope and impact of the planned military expansion.

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on former law minister Anisul Huq, former Kasba upazila chairman Rashedul Kawser Bhuiyan alias Jibon, and Taufika Aftab alias Taufika Karim, a close associate of Huq. The order was given on Monday, March 30, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez following a petition from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The bench assistant of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, Md Riaz Hossain, confirmed the decision.

CID inspector Ashraful Islam filed the petition, stating that the three individuals were allegedly involved in laundering Tk 24.53 crore obtained through extortion. The agency argued that restricting their foreign travel was necessary to ensure a fair and uninterrupted investigation into the money laundering case.

The court’s order marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation, as authorities seek to prevent the suspects from leaving the country while inquiries continue.

Hundreds of thousands of people marched in central London on Saturday to protest against Islamophobia and far-right extremism. The demonstration, organized by the group Together Alliance, began at Park Lane after participants gathered near Whitehall by the Parliament building. Around 500 organizations, including trade unions, anti-racism campaigners, and Muslim representative bodies, joined what was described as the largest multicultural gathering in British history. Organizers estimated attendance at about 500,000, while London’s Metropolitan Police put the figure closer to 50,000, citing difficulty in determining the exact number due to the large turnout.

Together Alliance chair Kevin Courtney said the march aimed to build confidence in confronting Islamophobia and far-right movements. Trade unionist Adam Mouss told Al Jazeera that racism and Islamophobia had moved from the fringes into mainstream politics. Several left-wing politicians, including independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, Green Party leader Zack Polanski, MP Diane Abbott, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, joined the rally.

A counter-demonstration featuring Israeli and pre-1979 Iranian royalist flags took place nearby. Police arrested 18 people outside New Scotland Yard during a separate protest supporting Palestine Action.

The BNP-backed Nationalist Lawyers Forum panel won all 14 positions, including president and general secretary, in the Khulna District Lawyers Association election. The results were announced on Sunday night, March 29, 2026, after vote counting concluded. Molla Mohammad Masum Rashid was elected president, and Molla Moshiur Rahman Nannu became general secretary. Voting took place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the association auditorium.

Election Conduct Committee Chairman Sheikh Abdul Aziz reported that out of 1,202 registered voters, 1,056 cast their ballots. Other elected members include vice presidents Mohsin Chowdhury and Mosharaf Hossain, joint secretary M.M. Touhiduzzaman, library secretary Jaydeb Kumar Sarkar, and cultural secretary Nurun Nahar Najmun Nesa Zeba.

The seven elected executive members are Sheikh Sohan Islam, Shajahan Thakur, Narayan Kumar Mondal, A.F.M. Mustakuzzaman Mukta, Shakira Ferdous Rimi, Mohammad Ashikuzzaman, and Swarnali Das.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that indirect talks with Iran, conducted through Pakistan, are progressing well and could soon lead to an agreement. He made the remarks in an interview with The Financial Times, according to a report published on March 30, 2026.

The report states that despite previously threatening to seize Iran’s oil production centers, Trump confirmed that discussions through Pakistani intermediaries are moving forward positively. When asked whether a ceasefire deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days, he declined to provide specific details. Trump also mentioned that Iran had allowed twenty Pakistan-flagged oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture to the White House, a move reportedly approved by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The developments suggest cautious diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, with Pakistan playing a mediating role, though the outcome and timeline of any potential agreement remain uncertain.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has warned the government not to reject the recent referendum result, which he said reflected nearly 70 percent support for the 'yes' side. In a verified Facebook post on Monday, he accused the ruling BNP government of attempting to overturn the public mandate, calling it a deception against the nation. He demanded immediate passage of several ordinances, including those on referendum, enforced disappearance prevention, human rights commission, and judicial appointments.

Kayem cautioned that the government, formed through the sacrifices of the people, must not ignore their aspirations or attempt to reestablish a fascist system. His remarks came amid a statement from Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who said the ordinance under which the referendum was held had expired and therefore did not need to be passed as a bill in Parliament.

Following a special committee meeting, the minister added that out of 133 ordinances under review, some would be passed as they are, while others would be amended and presented as bills. The committee’s report is scheduled to be submitted to Parliament on April 2.

The ordinance under which the recent referendum was held has expired, and therefore it does not need to be presented in Parliament as a bill. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced this on Sunday night after a special committee meeting at the Parliament complex. He explained that since the ordinance has already been used and no further referendums will be held under it, there is no reason to reapprove it as a law.

Salahuddin Ahmed added that the special committee discussed 133 ordinances, deciding to pass many as they are while bringing some in amended form as bills. The committee’s report is scheduled to be presented in Parliament on April 2. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami expressed dissent on 15 key issues, including the referendum, the Human Rights Commission, and the separation of the judiciary, according to the party’s Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan.

The developments indicate that while most ordinances are moving toward parliamentary approval, certain contentious issues remain unresolved within the special committee.

Two former senior military officers, Lt Gen (retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Lt Gen (retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled, are under renewed police remand in Dhaka over allegations linked to the controversial 1/11 caretaker government period. According to court proceedings on March 30, Masud was placed on a six-day remand in a human trafficking case after completing a previous five-day term, while Mamun Khaled’s five-day remand in a separate murder case was set to end the same day. Investigators allege both were involved in secret late-night meetings with Sheikh Hasina before her release from detention during the 1/11 period.

The report cites interrogation details claiming that the 1/11 government was planned with alleged coordination between certain DGFI officials and Indian intelligence, aiming to sideline major political parties. Both officers are also accused of large-scale corruption, including embezzlement and extortion through recruitment syndicates that exploited migrant workers. Prosecutors told the court that the syndicate collected billions of taka through illegal fees and coercion.

Investigators said further remand was necessary to recover embezzled funds and clarify operational details of the agencies involved in overseas labor recruitment.

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has approved the 2026 national budget while the country remains engaged in war with Iran. The total budget amounts to about 245 billion dollars, with more than 45 billion dollars allocated to the military sector. This represents an increase of over 10 billion dollars compared to the previous year.

The new defense allocation is more than double that of the 2023 budget, which had been passed in February before the outbreak of the Gaza war that year. Ahead of the vote, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the moment as a “historic turning point” for the country.

The expanded military funding underscores Israel’s heightened defense priorities amid ongoing regional conflict, reflecting a significant shift in national spending priorities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s governing system has already changed. In an interview with The Financial Times, he said that the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials during the early days of the war resulted in a ‘regime change’ in Iran. Trump described the current Iranian leadership as a completely different and highly professional group.

He reiterated his claim that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, who had succeeded his father as Iran’s Supreme Leader, is either dead or critically injured. Trump stated that there has been no information about Mojtaba’s condition and asserted that he believes Mojtaba is dead.

Trump further expressed his belief that Iran may eventually reach an agreement with the United States. The interview was reported by BBC and published by Amar Desh Online on March 30, 2026.