Sarjis Alam, the northern organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has questioned the use of Tk 1 million allocated for the poor in the Panchagarh-1 constituency. The allocation came from a government fund distributed to every Member of Parliament ahead of Eid. Sarjis raised the issue on Wednesday through a Facebook post, asking where the money for Panchagarh-1 had gone.

In his post, Sarjis referred to Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the NCP and an 11-party alliance candidate from Comilla-4, noting that Abdullah had publicly accounted for his constituency’s allocation. Sarjis contrasted this with the lack of transparency in Panchagarh-1. The NCP leader previously contested the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 from Panchagarh-1, where he received 168,049 votes under the Shaplakoli symbol, while his opponent, Naushad Jamir, won with 186,189 votes under the Paddy Sheaf symbol.

The post has drawn attention to questions of transparency and accountability regarding the distribution of government funds for Eid assistance.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman chaired a special meeting on measures to address the national energy situation. The meeting was held on Wednesday morning at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat, according to Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony. The session focused on strategies to manage the country’s current energy challenges.

Before the meeting, Prime Minister Rahman arrived at the Secretariat at 9:02 a.m. and completed some official tasks. He also unveiled a commemorative postage stamp marking the Independence and National Day before presiding over the energy-focused meeting in his office at the Cabinet Division.

The report did not provide further details about the discussions, decisions, or participants of the meeting beyond the official confirmation of its occurrence.

The government is taking measures to tackle the ongoing energy crisis caused by the war situation, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced at a press conference at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday morning. He urged citizens not to panic as the authorities work to stabilize the situation.

During the briefing, the minister also stated that the draft of the July Freedom Fighters Indemnity Act will be presented in the current parliamentary session. He added that a unanimous decision has been reached on the matter, and the law will be enacted following approval in the next session.

The announcements reflect the government’s attempt to manage both the immediate energy challenges and legislative priorities under current national conditions.

In a commentary published on March 25, 2026, in the newspaper Amar Desh, editor Mahmudur Rahman discussed the rise of Dr. Zahed-ur Rahman, who currently serves as the Prime Minister’s strategic adviser with additional responsibilities for the culture and information ministries. Rahman highlighted that Dr. Zahed described Prothom Alo as the only 'powerful, secular, and liberal' newspaper in Bangladesh, while dismissing other media outlets as inferior. Dr. Zahed reportedly expressed pride in being a columnist for Prothom Alo and criticized Amar Desh in his online content.

The article accused Dr. Zahed of harboring hostility toward Amar Desh and ignoring the repression the paper faced under Sheikh Hasina’s government. It contrasted Prothom Alo’s and The Daily Star’s alleged pro-government roles with Amar Desh’s opposition stance during the 2007–2024 period. Rahman argued that Dr. Zahed’s favoritism toward certain media reflects ideological bias inconsistent with his official responsibilities.

The piece concluded by questioning how Dr. Zahed’s leadership in the culture and information ministries might influence national media policy and cultural direction under the current administration.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman unveiled a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day. The unveiling took place at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday morning at around 9:30 a.m. The event was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, who stated that the Prime Minister arrived at the Secretariat at 9:02 a.m., completed some official work, and then proceeded with the stamp unveiling ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by Post and Telecommunications Minister Fokir Mahbub Anam, Post Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, and Director General of the Postal Department Kazi Asadul Islam. The commemorative stamp was issued to honor the nation’s Independence and National Day, reflecting the government’s continued recognition of the country’s historical milestones.

The release of the stamp adds to the series of national commemorations held annually to mark Bangladesh’s independence, symbolizing national pride and remembrance.

Iran’s military has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for negotiations, issuing a strong statement through Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. In a statement published by Fars News Agency on March 25, 2026, Zolfaghari questioned whether the United States was facing such internal crisis that it needed to negotiate with itself.

He dismissed the idea of labeling U.S. failures as agreements and declared that there would be no return to previous global arrangements or oil price stability until Iran’s conditions were met. Zolfaghari emphasized that only when all hostile intentions against the Iranian nation disappear could a new situation emerge. He added that Iran would never compromise with parties like the United States, declaring, “Not now, not ever.”

The statement signals a further escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, suggesting that diplomatic engagement between the two countries remains highly unlikely in the near term.

Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah from Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) has publicly released a detailed account of government allocations and humanitarian aid spending for Eid-ul-Fitr. On the night of March 24, he shared the expenditure report and beneficiary list through a Facebook post, setting an example of transparency in public fund management.

According to the information he provided, Tk 1 million allocated for the poor and underprivileged in Debidwar was fully distributed. Each of 1,000 beneficiaries across 15 unions and one municipality received Tk 1,000. Additionally, 500 more families received Eid essentials through personal and party initiatives. Abdullah stated that political affiliation was not considered in preparing the list and that efforts were made to reach genuine beneficiaries in every ward.

He acknowledged that the allocation was limited compared to the need, covering a total of 1,500 people. For security reasons, parts of national ID and mobile numbers were masked in the published list, but full data remains available for administrative verification. Abdullah said the initiative aimed to ensure transparency.

The banned Awami League has announced programs under the banner of 'Sheikh Hasina Oikya Parishad' demanding withdrawal of restrictions on its activities. The group plans a human chain in front of the National Press Club and a tribute at the National Memorial in Savar on March 26, coinciding with Bangladesh’s Independence Day. Law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert as intelligence reports suggest the events may serve to signal the party’s political presence.

Authorities report that several former leaders, including Shahriar Suman, Hanif Khan, Saiful Alam Babul, and Farida Ilyas, are involved in organizing the activities. Intelligence sources also claim that a group of journalists and intellectuals are covertly aiding the banned organization’s revival efforts. Across multiple districts, attempts have been made to reopen sealed party offices and stage flash processions.

Police, RAB, and intelligence units have intensified nationwide security measures from March 25 to 26 to prevent unrest. Cyber monitoring teams are tracking online propaganda, while checkpoints and patrols have been reinforced in Dhaka and other key areas.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s system of governance has changed following recent attacks in the country. He stated that Iran has agreed to a condition under which it will never produce nuclear weapons. Trump made these remarks while commenting on the aftermath of the attacks and their impact on Iran’s internal situation.

According to Trump, Iran’s naval, air, and communication systems have been completely destroyed, leaving the country unable to maintain internal coordination. He described this breakdown in communication as Iran’s biggest problem at present. The statement was reported by the BBC and reflects Trump’s assessment of Iran’s current military and political state.

Trump also said that Iran is now very eager to reach an agreement, though no details of such a deal were provided in the report.

Former joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Member of Parliament for Chittagong-4, Professor Aslam Chowdhury, has called on party leaders and activists to stay united. He made the appeal during a five-day Eid-ul-Fitr gathering at his residence in Sitakunda, where BNP, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and Jubo Dal members from various unions, municipalities, and wards visited to exchange greetings.

During the event, Aslam Chowdhury interacted with attendees, listened to their concerns, and provided guidance on strengthening organizational activities. He emphasized that unity among members at all levels is essential to increase the party’s strength and urged everyone to work collectively for public welfare. He also expressed optimism about Sitakunda’s development, employment generation, and infrastructure progress, reaffirming his commitment to serve the people.

According to participants, the five-day Eid gathering fostered enthusiasm and solidarity among BNP members in Sitakunda, serving as an effective platform for reinforcing party unity and organizational capacity.

Sylhet-2 Member of Parliament Tahsina Rushdir Luna has declared that no irregularities or corruption will be tolerated in development activities under her constituency. She made the remarks on Tuesday during an Eid reunion event at the residence of UK expatriate BNP leader Ira Mia in Usmanpur Union, Osmaninagar, Sylhet. The event was chaired by Ira Mia and conducted by Union BNP General Secretary Abdul Matin.

Luna said the new government, formed after the fall of the previous one through a mass uprising, is prioritizing economic recovery and comprehensive development. Expressing gratitude to voters for electing her by a large margin out of respect for missing leader Ilias Ali, she pledged to follow his ideals and remain close to the people. She also recalled the challenges she faced after Ilias Ali’s disappearance and expressed satisfaction that her children are now established.

Several local BNP leaders, including former upazila chairman Moynul Haque Chowdhury and upazila BNP president S.T.M. Fakhr Uddin, attended the event.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s popularity has fallen to 36 percent, the lowest since his return to power, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday. The four-day survey found that growing dissatisfaction with the Iran war and rising fuel prices have driven down his approval rating from 40 percent the previous week.

The poll also revealed declining public support for U.S. military action against Iran, with only 35 percent in favor and 61 percent opposed. Public sentiment on living costs has worsened as fuel prices surged following the U.S.-led coordinated attack on Iran, which disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. Only 25 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of the situation.

The online survey included 1,272 adult Americans and carried a margin of error of three percentage points, according to Al Jazeera, which cited the poll results.

Iran has declared that it does not trust mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, both linked to the United States, and does not want them involved in future negotiations. The statement came during ceasefire mediation talks held in Ankara, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and other officials. According to a diplomatic source cited by Middle East Monitor, Iran described past discussions with the two envoys as unconstructive and signaled a preference for indirect communication through trusted third parties.

The talks are part of a broader Turkey-Egypt mediation initiative supported by Saudi Arabia and other regional actors. The effort aims to prevent further escalation of conflict and to protect energy security and regional stability. The proposed plan includes an immediate temporary ceasefire followed by unconditional negotiations, potentially hosted in Istanbul or Muscat.

Sources indicated that the discussions may also explore security guarantees for Iran, expanded oil exports, and the release of frozen Iranian assets as part of possible compensation measures.

U.S. President Donald Trump has attempted to shift responsibility for the Iran war onto his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth. Speaking at a roundtable meeting of the Safe Task Force in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, Trump said Hegseth was the first among his administration members to advise him to launch an attack on Iran. During the discussion, Trump recalled consulting several senior officials about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities.

At the meeting, Trump, seated beside Hegseth, said he had called in military leaders to discuss Iran’s alleged terrorism over the past 47 years and its proximity to obtaining nuclear weapons. He quoted Hegseth as having urged immediate action to prevent Iran from acquiring such weapons. While assigning blame, Trump also praised Hegseth’s role and leadership.

Trump further claimed that the United States was engaged in positive discussions with Tehran. However, Iranian authorities dismissed his statement as “fake news,” calling it a delaying tactic. The remarks were reported by The Hill.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that his country is prepared to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran if both sides agree. In a post on X on Tuesday evening, he said Pakistan would feel honored to organize meaningful and conclusive discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Sharif emphasized that Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to end war in the Middle East in the interest of peace and stability. His statement highlights Islamabad’s willingness to play a constructive role in regional diplomacy if Washington and Tehran consent to direct talks.

The offer reflects Pakistan’s positioning as a potential mediator in regional conflicts, though the source does not specify any response from the United States or Iran to this proposal.