The US Senate is scheduled to vote today on a proposal to limit the president’s authority to declare war. The debate on the bill is set to begin at 11 a.m. local time, with a vote expected at 4 p.m. If passed, the measure would restrict President Donald Trump’s ability to unilaterally initiate military action without congressional approval.

The proposal comes amid growing criticism that Trump ordered strikes on Iran without authorization from Congress. The move has triggered a heated debate over whether the president has the legal authority to undertake such significant military operations independently. According to The New York Times, some lawmakers have expressed opposition to Trump’s decision.

Iran has accused President Trump of acting to please Israel rather than serving the interests of the American people, further heightening regional and political tensions surrounding the issue.

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been selected as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. Iran-based media outlet Iran International reported on Wednesday that the Assembly of Experts made the decision under pressure from the country’s Revolutionary Guard.

According to Fars News Agency, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel, will be buried in the holy city of Mashhad. The 86-year-old leader had served as Iran’s top religious authority for 36 years before his death. He was born in Mashhad and had expressed his wish to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine complex there.

The exact time of the burial has not yet been announced, but preparations are reportedly underway in Mashhad, which holds deep religious significance for Iranians.

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is alive and unharmed despite widespread rumors of an assassination attempt, according to sources cited by Iran International on Tuesday, March 3. The sources said Ahmadinejad suffered no physical injuries and has been moved to a secure location for safety reasons.

Confusion about his status spread across Iranian media following recent Israeli attacks, with some outlets falsely claiming he had been killed while others could not confirm the reports. The contradictory information fueled speculation about his whereabouts and condition.

Ahmadinejad served as Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013 and was known as a hardline leader critical of Western policies. His controversial 2009 re-election triggered nationwide protests, marking one of the most turbulent periods in Iran’s recent political history.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the administration’s position on the war with Iran, countering criticism over the justification for military action. He stated that President Donald Trump decided to attack Iran because he viewed it as a unique opportunity to achieve mission success. Speaking before a closed-door briefing for lawmakers on Tuesday, Rubio emphasized that the president was determined not to strike first, clarifying his earlier remarks that had drawn strong reactions.

Rubio previously said Trump believed Israel was determined to act and wanted the United States to strike Iran first to prevent potential retaliation against American bases and operations in the region. He reiterated that American troops would not be put at risk and argued that there was no way the Iranian government would acquire nuclear weapons under Trump’s watch.

Rubio’s comments have further fueled ongoing debate over the US administration’s Iran policy and military strategy.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and former adviser to the interim government, announced that he will make his bank statement public on Wednesday, March 4. The declaration came after the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) sought details of his bank accounts. Mahmud made the announcement in a verified Facebook post shortly after midnight on March 3, stating that he had already submitted his income and asset records to the Cabinet Division before resigning from his advisory post.

Later that night, Mahmud told the media that questions had arisen about whether the disclosure of his bank information was lawful. He reiterated his plan to release the statement himself to maintain transparency. Mahmud previously served as adviser for the Local Government and Youth and Sports ministries in the interim government and resigned on December 10 before the 13th national election.

The move follows growing scrutiny of political figures’ financial transparency, though the source does not specify any official response from the BFIU or other authorities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sever all trade relations with Spain after the country refused to allow its military bases to be used for an attack on Iran. Speaking to reporters following a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said Spain had behaved disgracefully and announced that he had instructed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent to halt all transactions with Spain.

Trump also sharply criticized the United Kingdom for taking a similar stance. His remarks indicate growing tensions between Washington and key European allies over military cooperation related to Iran. The statements were reported by Al Jazeera and published by the outlet Amar Desh on March 4, 2026.

The threat to end trade ties marks a significant escalation in U.S.–Spain relations, potentially affecting economic and diplomatic cooperation if implemented.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has requested all banks to provide detailed information on the accounts of Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and former adviser to the interim government. The directive was issued on Monday through official letters sent to all banks, asking for account opening forms, transaction records, and other related data within three working days.

According to the report, the request was made based on a complaint received by the BFIU. Asif Mahmud previously served as an adviser to the ministries of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and Youth and Sports during the interim government period.

The BFIU’s move indicates an ongoing financial inquiry, though the nature of the complaint or the scope of the investigation has not been disclosed in the report.

According to the official holiday schedule for this year, the government has set a five-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr from March 19 to 23. Additionally, March 17 has been declared a holiday for Shab-e-Qadr, while offices are scheduled to remain open on March 18. However, a source from the Ministry of Public Administration indicated that March 18 might also be declared a general holiday.

If approved, government employees would enjoy a continuous seven-day break combining Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. The proposal to extend the Eid holiday has already been sent to the Cabinet Division and is expected to be discussed in the upcoming Cabinet meeting on Thursday. Officials believe that a longer holiday period would ease travel pressure before Eid and help reduce road accidents.

The final decision on the possible extension of the holiday will be made at the next Cabinet meeting, according to the report.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ali Bahraini, stated that the country will continue its defense operations until ongoing aggression ceases. Speaking to journalists in Geneva on Tuesday, Bahraini emphasized that Iran’s defensive actions are directed against Israel and the United States as long as hostilities persist.

He further warned that any military base in a neighboring country used to launch or support attacks against Iran would be considered a legitimate target. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect Tehran’s firm stance amid heightened regional tensions.

The statement underscores Iran’s position that its military actions are defensive in nature and contingent on the cessation of what it describes as aggression from opposing forces.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ali Bahreini, expressed doubt about the effectiveness of talks with the United States. Speaking in Geneva on Tuesday, three days after a joint US-Israel attack, Bahreini said Iran remains highly skeptical about the usefulness of such discussions.

He stated that, for now, Iran sees the language of defense as the only viable means of communication with the United States, suggesting there is no time for dialogue. His comments reflect Tehran’s current stance following recent military tensions involving the United States and Israel.

The statement underscores the strained diplomatic climate and indicates that prospects for renewed negotiations between Tehran and Washington remain uncertain in the immediate future.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s new leadership wants to hold talks with him, but he stated that he will not engage in any negotiations with Tehran. In a social media post, Trump wrote that Iran’s air defense system, air force, navy, and leadership are finished, adding that Iran wants to talk but he told them it is too late. The statement was made public on March 3, 2026.

This is not the first time Trump has made such a claim. He previously asserted that after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei, the country’s current leaders expressed a desire to negotiate with the United States, a claim that Tehran rejected. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani stated that Iran will not make any agreement with the United States.

The exchange underscores continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides maintaining firm positions against renewed diplomatic engagement.

The political alliance July Oikya has warned that if the government of Bangladesh pursues a fascist course with foreign support, the student and public movement will revive the spirit of the July uprising. In a statement issued on Tuesday by organizer Munshi Burhan Mahmud, the group said it would resist any attempt to reestablish fascism and would fight to secure the rights achieved through the July movement.

The statement recalled that more than 1,400 people died and over 30,000 were injured during the mass uprising, accusing the current ruling party BNP of undermining that legacy. July Oikya alleged that the government is backing a legal petition challenging the July Charter, referendum, and constitutional reform commission, describing it as a betrayal of the nation. The group also claimed that the government is weakening independent and constitutional institutions, citing incidents involving the Bangladesh Bank and the Anti-Corruption Commission.

July Oikya demanded that the upcoming first session of the 13th National Parliament implement the July Charter, impeach the president under Article 52 for alleged crimes, and appoint neutral leadership to autonomous bodies. It warned that without July’s legitimacy, neither the election nor the government would remain valid.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will inaugurate a family card distribution program at the Karail slum in Dhaka on March 10. The announcement was made by Social Welfare Minister Dr. A. B. M. Zahid Hossain after a meeting with the Prime Minister at the Secretariat on March 3.

Earlier, the Prime Minister was scheduled to attend a similar family card distribution event in Bogura on the same date. However, the visit was postponed due to the upcoming by-election in the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency. Bogura Deputy Commissioner Taufiqur Rahman confirmed that the March 10 program in Bogura has been suspended and a new date will be announced later.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, the Prime Minister decided not to hold any programs in Bogura before the by-election, leading to the change in schedule.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam MP said city corporation elections will not face major delays, and any administrative measures during delays will depend on national-level decisions. He made the remarks on Tuesday in Sylhet while responding to journalists’ questions during his official visit.

Mir Shah Alam stated that the previous government had amended laws to hold local government elections using national or party symbols, which had drawn criticism. He added that the interim government has issued an ordinance to allow elections under general, non-party symbols. The ordinance will be presented in parliament on March 12, when lawmakers will decide which ordinances to approve.

Earlier in the day, the state minister assured that all citizen-friendly projects of Sylhet City Corporation would receive priority approval. He praised newly appointed administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury for his experience and expressed hope that Sylhet would become a modern city under his leadership.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma met with Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring areas of cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

Following the meeting, Verma said India wishes to work sincerely with Bangladesh’s new government. Discussions covered ways to enhance collaboration in local governance, with Verma highlighting India’s strong Panchayati Raj system as a potential model for experience sharing. He emphasized India’s interest in working closely with Bangladesh on people-centered initiatives and fostering stronger ties based on mutual development goals.

The meeting underscored India’s continued focus on deepening engagement with Bangladesh through practical cooperation in governance and community development.