Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament begins its first session on March 12, 2026, with the Speaker’s chair vacant. The session, convened by President Md. Shahabuddin, follows the February 12 election held under an interim government, in which the BNP secured a two-thirds majority and formed the new government. The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance won 77 seats and will serve as the main opposition, while the banned Awami League has no representation.

Due to the resignation of former Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and the imprisonment of Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku, the opening meeting will be presided over by a senior member proposed by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman. The session will begin with Quran recitation, followed by the election of a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker. After their swearing-in, the new Speaker will preside over the session.

The agenda includes a condolence motion on the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and presentation of 133 ordinances issued during the interim government. The President will address the Parliament later in the day, marking the formal start of the new legislative term.

Following the appointment of a new Inspector General of Police, attention has turned to the selection of the next commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), the country’s largest and most critical police unit. The position became vacant after Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali resigned on February 25, and senior officials have confirmed that a new appointment will be made soon. The selection file is currently with the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to police headquarters sources, three Additional Inspector Generals are being considered for the post: Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Sardar Nurul Amin, and Hasib Aziz. Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, serving in logistics and asset acquisition, is reportedly leading the race. Sardar Nurul Amin, from the HRM and Development division, and Hasib Aziz, the current Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner, are also strong contenders. All three belong to the 15th BCS police cadre.

Officials indicated that the government seeks a capable and trusted officer to lead the DMP, which employs about 32,000 personnel and faces constant challenges in maintaining law and order in the capital.

The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament begins today, Thursday, March 12, 2026, but political tensions have already escalated between the ruling BNP and the opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. Disagreements over the July National Charter implementation, the Constitutional Reform Council oath, and the president’s scheduled speech have created friction, raising the possibility of an opposition walkout on the opening day.

The government and opposition remain divided over how to implement the July Charter, which followed a national referendum. The opposition insists on full implementation of all four referendum points and has taken dual oaths as both council and parliament members, while the government plans to proceed with only agreed sections through constitutional amendment. Disputes also continue over the deputy speaker’s post and the legitimacy of President Md. Shahabuddin’s address, which some opposition leaders reject.

The session marks the end of a one-and-a-half-decade of one-sided parliaments. Despite BNP’s two-thirds majority, the opposition holds 77 seats and has pledged constructive participation. The session will begin with the election of a new speaker and deputy speaker, followed by the president’s address and presentation of 133 ordinances issued by the interim government.

Spain has decided to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv and appoint a chargé d’affaires instead, effectively reducing its diplomatic representation in Israel. According to Reuters, the decision was published in the Spanish government’s official gazette on Wednesday.

Spain has been one of the strongest critics of the United States and Israel over their attacks on Iran, a stance that has angered U.S. President Donald Trump. The Spanish government also refused to allow the use of its joint bases in Morón and Rota for the strikes on Iran. In response, Trump reportedly called Spain “annoying” and threatened to impose a full trade embargo on the country.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended Spain’s position, saying that one illegal act cannot be answered with another, as such actions lead to major human tragedies. Spain has also been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in the Gaza war and remains one of Europe’s leading supporters of establishing an independent Palestinian state.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has strongly criticized President Donald Trump for his handling of the ongoing military campaign in Iran, launched jointly by the United States and Israel under the banner of regime change. Speaking in the Senate on March 10, Schumer accused the administration of issuing contradictory statements about the war and demanded that senior officials testify publicly before Congress.

Schumer questioned Trump’s conflicting remarks about whether the Iran operation was nearing its end or escalating toward more intense fighting. He also dismissed Trump’s claim that an Iranian Tomahawk missile was responsible for a deadly attack on a primary school that killed 175 civilians, calling the assertion absurd. Schumer further challenged Trump’s statement that Iran possesses Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Democratic leader called for a full, independent, and transparent investigation into the civilian casualties and warned that the conflict was already affecting the global economy, particularly through rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. He urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to testify before Congress to explain the administration’s actions in the Middle East.

Iran has proposed ending the ongoing war against US-Israeli attacks on two conditions: compensation for damages and an international guarantee preventing future aggression. President Masoud Pezeshkian announced the proposal on social media platform X, stating that he had spoken with the leaders of Russia and Pakistan and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to regional peace.

Pezeshkian emphasized that the war could only end if Iran’s legitimate rights were recognized, compensation was paid, and firm international guarantees were established against future hostilities. He accused the United States and the Zionist government of igniting the current conflict.

Analysts noted that Iran’s conditions could further complicate the political dimensions of the war and add new pressure to ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States' mission in Iran is not yet finished. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, he was asked how long the war in Iran would continue. Trump replied that it would take more time and that the administration was assessing how to bring it to an end. He claimed that Iran had lost its navy and air force, lacked air defense systems and radar, and that most of its leadership had been killed.

Trump further asserted that the United States had struck Iran in a way no country had ever been hit before, emphasizing that the mission remained incomplete. His remarks were reported by the BBC and reflect Washington’s ongoing military engagement with Tehran.

The statement underscores continued U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict, with no clear timeline for resolution as of now.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued detailed instructions for guest entry and vehicle parking ahead of the first session of the 13th National Parliament, scheduled to be held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday. The directives were announced in a press release signed by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division on Wednesday night.

According to the notice, three gates of the Parliament complex—Manipuripara Gate (No. 6), Bakultala Gate (No. 12), and Asad Gate (No. 1)—will remain open for invited guests. To reduce traffic congestion, guests have been advised to use Bakultala and Asad gates instead of Manipuripara Gate. Vehicles with Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, and Shapla stickers may park inside the Parliament premises, while those with Bakul, Shimul, and Shiuli stickers must park at the old trade fair ground. Media vehicles are instructed to park in a single line on the main road of Manik Mia Avenue.

Guests are requested to disembark at Tunnel Road before entering the Parliament building and to minimize time spent there, with drivers and companions asked not to leave their vehicles.

Dhaka Bar Association General Secretary Advocate Syed Nazrul Islam stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given journalists genuine freedom to report truthfully. He made the remarks on Wednesday, March 11, during an iftar gathering of the Court Reporters Unity (CRU) held at the Dhaka Judicial Court. Nazrul Islam praised journalists for their courage during previous authoritarian periods when press freedom was restricted and urged them to continue honest reporting.

He expressed gratitude to CRU members for their integrity and bravery, assuring that the Dhaka Bar and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would continue to support them. BNP Central Assistant Law Affairs Secretary Syed Zainul Abedin Mezbah emphasized that journalists’ unity strengthens their ability to resist injustice and acknowledged the CRU’s role in exposing truth during oppressive times.

Additional Public Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman highlighted the importance of court reporters in informing the public about judicial proceedings and ensuring transparency. The event was chaired by CRU President Liton Mahmud and attended by journalists and legal professionals.

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem has congratulated Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and declared unwavering loyalty to Tehran’s new leadership. In a statement published by Hezbollah-affiliated media on March 11, 2026, Qassem said the Assembly of Experts had chosen Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, a decision Hezbollah welcomed.

Qassem reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to follow the path of Iran’s Islamic Revolution and renewed the group’s pledge of allegiance to the new leader. He stated that on behalf of Hezbollah’s Shura Council, leadership, and the Islamic Resistance fighters in Lebanon, he was renewing their oath of loyalty to Mojtaba Khamenei.

The statement underscores Hezbollah’s continued alignment with Iran’s leadership, reflecting the group’s long-standing ideological and strategic ties with Tehran.

Iran has assigned its elite commando unit, NOPO, to handle the security of its new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. The decision follows the death of former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israel attack on February 28. Since the incident, 56-year-old Mojtaba has not appeared in public. International media reports claim he was seriously injured in the same attack and is receiving treatment at a highly secured location, though the Iranian government denies these claims, stating he is safe and healthy.

Analysts say the deployment of NOPO underscores efforts to strengthen Mojtaba’s protection. Formed in 1991, the black-clad NOPO unit is officially tasked with hostage rescue and counterterrorism but is widely regarded as the Supreme Leader’s personal shield. The force is known for its high level of training and discipline.

Experts also note that NOPO is considered more skilled and ruthless than Iran’s regular police or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Israel’s Justice Ministry’s Pardon Department has reportedly declined to recommend granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption case. The ministry confirmed on Wednesday that the department had prepared its legal opinion and sent it to Heritage Minister Eliyahu, who was assigned by Justice Minister Yariv Levin to oversee the administrative process. The report will next be forwarded to President Isaac Herzog, who will make the final decision on whether to grant the pardon.

According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu’s application did not meet the legal requirements for a pardon because his trial is still ongoing and no conviction has been reached. He also did not admit guilt or express remorse in his application. Israel’s Supreme Court had previously ruled that pardons could be granted before conviction only if the accused admitted to the charges.

The report also noted that U.S. President Donald Trump was pressuring President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, but Herzog stated he would decide independently. Netanyahu’s trial, involving charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, has been underway since 2020.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has demanded the removal of the President, describing it as the demand of a new Bangladesh. He made the statement on Wednesday at the NCP’s Rangpur divisional iftar and prayer gathering held at Shaheed Abu Sayeed Stadium in Rangpur. Nahid Islam urged everyone to raise their voices if the demand is not met.

He said he wants to see an effective parliament in the coming term, where ruling party members will take oath under the Constitutional Reform Council. He expressed hope that the opposition will be allowed to speak and that all commitments will be honored. Remembering Shaheed Abu Sayeed, who initiated a national rebellion, he pledged that Rangpur Division would not face discrimination in the future.

During the event, a clash broke out between two NCP factions, leaving five people injured, three of whom were hospitalized. Many attendees reportedly did not receive food due to the incident.

A dispute has emerged over a letter reportedly sent by opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, recommending the appointment of his foreign affairs adviser, Professor Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, to the ministry. Jamaat claims the opposition leader was unaware of the letter, while the Foreign Ministry insists it bears his signature and was written on official parliamentary letterhead. The ministry stated it will publish the letter publicly once the opposition leader provides written consent.

According to a ministry statement issued Wednesday, Dr. Hasan first sent the letter electronically on February 22 and later delivered a printed copy directly to the minister. The letter praised Dr. Hasan’s professionalism and recommended his appointment as an adviser or minister-level official in the Foreign Ministry to strengthen foreign policy coordination. The ministry also denied reports that Jamaat representatives had contacted the minister by phone about the issue.

The ministry emphasized its readiness to release the full text of the letter if the opposition leader confirms his approval in writing.

Bangladesh’s Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq stated that the country’s human rights indicators have improved, with extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances now reduced to nearly zero. He also said that false and fabricated cases have significantly declined. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday while addressing an iftar event organized by the Dhaka University LLM Lawyers Association (DULA) at the Dhaka Club.

Discussing Section 173(A) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the minister explained that it serves as an effective safeguard for protecting citizens’ rights. He noted that in many instances, hundreds of people faced false charges and had to wait years for police reports, which hindered their business, travel, and medical opportunities. To address this, an interim police reporting system through higher authorities has been introduced.

The minister urged lawyers to uphold human values, integrity, and dedication to ensure rule of law, justice, and human rights in Bangladesh, emphasizing that all professionals ultimately serve the people of the country.