United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the ongoing war against Iran has gone beyond all limits and is now out of control. Speaking at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, he said the conflict, which has lasted for more than three weeks, has reached a level that even leaders could not have imagined. Guterres cautioned that the world is facing the threat of a wider war, growing humanitarian suffering, and deeper global economic shocks. Calling for an immediate halt to military escalation, Guterres urged all parties to replace confrontation with diplomacy and to restore full respect for international law. Addressing the main parties involved, he said that the United States and Israel should end the war now, as civilian casualties and humanitarian suffering continue to rise and the global economic impact becomes increasingly devastating. He also called on Iran to stop attacks on Gulf countries, arguing that those nations are not parties to the conflict.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of Bangladesh extended greetings to members of the armed forces following a grand parade marking the country's Independence and National Day at the National Parade Square in Dhaka on March 26, 2026. The event, held after an 18-year interval, showcased patriotism, discipline, and military capability, drawing admiration from the prime minister. During his departure from the parade ground, Prime Minister Rahman exchanged greetings with the attending armed forces personnel. Among those present were his defense adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. President Md. Shahabuddin attended the ceremony as the chief guest and received the salute, underscoring the national significance of the occasion.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made a surprise appearance at the Dhaka National Stadium on March 26, 2026, during a friendly football match organized to mark the country's Independence and National Day. The event, held at 3:30 p.m., featured former footballers divided into two teams, Red and Green, preparing to face each other when the Prime Minister arrived unexpectedly. Rahman entered the field through the VIP gate, accompanied by his daughter Zaima Rahman and State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque. He greeted the players in the dugout, shook hands with them, and then walked around the stadium’s athletic track before taking his seat in the VIP lounge to watch the match between the two teams. The Prime Minister’s presence added a special highlight to the celebratory event, which blended sportsmanship with the spirit of national pride on Bangladesh’s Independence Day.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah said that even after 55 years of independence, the people of Bangladesh have not yet experienced true freedom. He made the remarks on Thursday, March 26, during a rally and brief assembly organized by Islami Chhatra Shibir Dhaka Metropolitan at Baitul Mukarram Mosque’s north gate, marking Independence and National Day. The rally passed through Paltan, Press Club, and Matsya Bhaban intersections before ending at Shahbagh. Sibgatullah criticized the ruling authorities for suppressing the spirit of independence and ignoring the people’s mandate from the February 12, 2026 election, in which about 69 percent supported the “July Charter” reforms. He alleged that the government was bypassing key ordinances and planning to repeal the referendum ordinance. He urged the authorities not to act against the people’s will and called for the protection of human rights and prevention of enforced disappearances. He also expressed concern over the education system, human rights violations, and extortion in businesses, urging the government to take effective measures. The peaceful rally concluded with prayers for the martyrs of the Liberation War and the nation’s well-being.

The United States has claimed that nearly two-thirds of Iran’s missile and drone production capacity has been destroyed, along with major damage to its naval production systems. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command, stated in a video message on Wednesday that 92 percent of Iran’s large naval vessels have been damaged or destroyed. He said Iran has effectively lost its ability to project naval power regionally or globally. The report was carried by AFP from Washington. Cooper added that the conflict, which began with Israel’s involvement, has entered its fourth week and that the US is meeting or exceeding its operational goals. He said more than 10,000 military targets have been struck so far, and Iran’s missile and drone attack rate has dropped by 90 percent. According to him, Iran’s reconstruction capacity has also been broken. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Tehran has no plans to hold talks with the United States and remains determined to continue fighting. The White House had earlier stated that discussions were ongoing.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Md. Mahabur Hasan, stationed at the Kaptai police outpost in Rangamati, has died following a road accident. According to Kaptai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan Rubel, the incident occurred on March 23, 2026, when the officer was traveling by CNG auto-rickshaw near the Manikchhari Army Camp gate on the Rangamati–Chattogram highway. The vehicle lost control and crashed, leaving him seriously injured. Local residents rescued the injured officer and took him to Rangamati Medical College Hospital for initial treatment. He was later transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced care, where he passed away at 5:50 p.m. on March 25, 2026, while undergoing treatment. Police authorities confirmed that the body of ASI Md. Mahabur Hasan has been taken to his ancestral home in Sadar Upazila of Jashore district for burial.

Bangladesh celebrated the 55th anniversary of its independence with a colorful parade at the National Parade Ground of the old Tejgaon Airport on Thursday, March 26, 2026. President Md. Shahabuddin attended the event and received the salute, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, chiefs of the three armed forces, cabinet members, senior government officials, foreign ambassadors, and other guests were also present. The parade was organized under the supervision of the Armed Forces Division, guided by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, and managed by the 9th Infantry Division. This marks the return of the Independence Day parade after an 18-year gap, as the event had been discontinued since 2008 during the interim government period following the fall of the Awami League administration. Preparations for the parade began at the start of Ramadan, culminating in a final rehearsal on Tuesday. Thousands of spectators gathered at the Tejgaon venue to witness the grand celebration.

Iran has initiated the process of drafting a new law to collect tolls from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from state-run Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency. The chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s Civil Affairs Committee stated that a draft law has already been prepared and will soon be finalized by the legislative team. He explained that under this plan, Iran would charge fees to ensure the security of vessels navigating the strait, describing it as a normal practice similar to tariffs imposed on other trade corridors. The official emphasized that since Iran guarantees the safety of ships and oil tankers in the area, collecting tolls is justified. The report also noted that among Iran’s five conditions for ending the ongoing conflict, one includes international recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam stated that his party aims to build Bangladesh based on equality and human dignity, reflecting the aspirations of 1971 and the 2024 mass uprising. He made the remarks on Thursday morning at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar while paying tribute to the heroes of the Liberation War. Nahid Islam said that many of the dreams of independence remain unfulfilled, which is why the new generation has again had to sacrifice blood and life. He expressed hope that such sacrifices would not be necessary in the future. Emphasizing the importance of equality and dignity, he reaffirmed his commitment to shaping the future of Bangladesh on these principles. Marking the country’s Independence and National Day, he paid respect to those who fought for freedom, including the martyrs and the women who made sacrifices during the Liberation War.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that a war against Iran would be a catastrophe for the global economy. Speaking to journalists at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, he called for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Pistorius stated that Germany is ready to assist in peace efforts and emphasized that the economic impact of the conflict has already become evident within just over two weeks. He clarified that Germany had not been consulted before the conflict began and stressed that it is not Germany’s war, expressing a desire to avoid involvement. Pistorius urged both the United States and Iran to stop the fighting and killing, calling for an immediate ceasefire. He added that once a ceasefire is achieved, Germany would discuss operations to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement comes amid reports that prolonged conflict could worsen energy shortages and instability in Asia, while global gold prices have declined and Australia has imposed restrictions on Iranian tourists.

Following the failure of political negotiations, the Pakistan Army launched a brutal crackdown in Dhaka on the night of 25 March 1971 under Operation Searchlight, sparking widespread resistance across East Pakistan. As Bengali soldiers began organizing in early April, retired Colonel Mohammad Ataul Gani Osmani, known as 'Papa Tiger', was chosen to lead the emerging Mukti Bahini. Osmani, who had retired from the Pakistan Army in 1967, had previously joined politics and was elected to the National Assembly as an Awami League candidate in 1970. During the non-cooperation movement, Osmani played a key role in mobilizing retired Bengali officers and secretly contacting serving ones to prepare for possible armed resistance. On 4 April 1971, at a secret meeting in Teliapara, senior officers including Majors Ziaur Rahman, K.M. Shafiullah, and Khaled Mosharraf unanimously selected Osmani as Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Forces. The meeting also decided to divide Bangladesh into four military zones, later expanded to eleven. On 10 April, the Mujibnagar Government formally appointed Osmani as Commander-in-Chief. Historians cited his seniority, wartime experience, and political legitimacy as key reasons for his selection. Under his leadership, the Mukti Bahini was organized into regular and irregular forces that fought until Bangladesh’s independence.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the parade marking the Great Independence and National Day on Thursday, March 26, 2026. He arrived at the National Parade Ground shortly after 10 a.m. and watched the parade from the gallery alongside his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman. Upon their arrival, they were received by the Minister and State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and the chiefs of the three armed forces. The event was attended by cabinet members, senior government officials, ambassadors from various countries, and both local and foreign guests. Following the national anthem, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Md. Shahabuddin, was given a guard of honor. He then inspected the parade in an open jeep accompanied by Parade Commander Major General S.M. Asadul Haque before returning to the saluting dais to receive the Independence Day parade salute. The ceremony highlighted national pride and military discipline as part of the annual Independence and National Day celebrations.

A bus accident at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari claimed the lives of Jahangirnagar University economics master's student Ahnaf Rayan, his mother, and his niece. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when a bus lost control while boarding a ferry and plunged into the Padma River. Rayan’s sister, Dr. Nusrat Jahan Khan Saba, was rescued injured, while the bodies of Rayan and his niece were recovered early Thursday after being missing for about ten hours. Rayan, son of the late Ismail Hossain from Bhabanipur village in Rajbari, was the organizational secretary of the Rajbari Debate Association and a former president of the Jahangirnagar University Rajbari Students’ Welfare Association. His funeral prayer was scheduled to take place at his home on Thursday morning. According to reports, the bus from Souhardya Paribahan carrying around 50 passengers sank instantly after losing control at the No. 3 ferry terminal area around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon left Dhaka on Wednesday night for Turkey to attend the International Strategic Communication Summit (Stratcom) 2026, held at the Conrad Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul on March 27 and 28. The visit is taking place at the invitation of the Turkish government. According to the itinerary, the minister was scheduled to arrive in Istanbul via Jeddah on March 26 and attend a reception hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Turkey in celebration of Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day. On March 27 at 11:20 a.m., he will speak as a panelist in the first session titled “A New Framework for the Global Order: A Strategic Communication Perspective,” alongside ministers from Northern Cyprus, Syria, and Kazakhstan. The session will be moderated by TRT World’s senior presenter Alican Ayanlar. During the visit, the minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with representatives from various countries. He is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on the morning of March 30 after the conclusion of the summit.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that Bangladesh will become a democratic, happy, and prosperous nation under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Thursday morning after paying tribute at the graves of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Fakhrul expressed that people across the country have strong faith and optimism in Tarique Rahman’s leadership and conveyed greetings to the nation on behalf of the party. Speaking on the occasion of Independence Day, Fakhrul stated that democracy had been destroyed and freedom endangered for about 15–16 years. During that period, he claimed, around 6 million people faced legal cases, 20,000 party activists were killed, and about 1,700 were victims of enforced disappearance. He said that despite repression, people continued their struggle, leading to a new opportunity for democratic restoration through the student and public uprising in July. Highlighting initiatives under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Fakhrul mentioned programs such as the Family Card, allowances for imams and religious leaders, canal excavation, loans for marginal farmers, and the Farmers Card for Pahela Baishakh.