US President Donald Trump stated that Washington is engaged in 'productive' talks with Iran, though Iranian officials denied the claim, accusing the US of spreading false information to ease pressure from rising oil prices. Reports suggest that Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have been facilitating secret contacts between American and Iranian officials, while experts remain doubtful about the possibility of a ceasefire. Analysts believe Iran seeks not only a ceasefire but also a post-war environment that asserts its influence across the Middle East and the West while ensuring long-term economic and security guarantees. Despite US and Israeli claims that Iran’s missile capacity has been severely damaged, Iran has demonstrated continued strike capability. The country has also attacked Qatar’s main gas facility and launched missiles into southern Israel. Tehran now demands assurances against future attacks and new regulatory control over the Strait of Hormuz. Experts warn that Iran is unlikely to relinquish control of the strategic waterway without major concessions, and any future peace deal could face resistance from the US and Gulf states.

Chattogram holds a unique place in Bangladesh’s independence history, closely tied to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. In 1971, defying Pakistani military orders, Major Zia declared rebellion and later announced independence over radio from Kalurghat. His leadership and bravery during the Liberation War remain a lasting part of national memory. The Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram preserves artifacts, photographs, and documents reflecting his life and contributions. The museum, established in 1993 in the former British-era Circuit House built in 1913, showcases twelve galleries containing personal items and war memorabilia. Despite years of neglect under the current government, it remains a vital historical site. Chattogram also witnessed Zia’s final chapter, as he was killed at the Circuit House during a failed coup on 30 May 1981. His first burial took place in Rangunia before being moved to Dhaka’s Chandrima Udyan. From the “We Revolt” declaration at Sholoshahar to the Kalurghat broadcast, Chattogram stands as a living testament to Ziaur Rahman’s courage, leadership, and role in Bangladesh’s independence.

Bangladesh Bank has issued new directives to resolve letter of credit (LC) complications in importing essential energy, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD)-2 released a circular on Wednesday, aiming to maintain smooth energy supply across the country. The order temporarily suspends certain provisions of Section 26Ka(1) of the Bank Company Act, 1991, which restricts bank loans to a single person, institution, or group for energy imports. According to the circular, the suspension will remain effective until December 31, 2026. During this period, Bangladesh Bank will determine the new upper limit replacing the previous 25 percent cap mentioned in the Act. The directive was issued under the authority granted by Section 121 of the Bank Company Act and has been sent to managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks. The move is intended to ease financing constraints for energy importers and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply in the domestic market through year-end 2026.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Pakistan has conveyed a United States proposal for a ceasefire to Iran, and that discussions to end the ongoing war could take place in either Pakistan or Turkey. The official’s comments, reported on Wednesday, suggest that Tehran may be considering diplomatic options despite its previous refusal to engage with the Trump administration. According to the source, Turkey has also assisted in the effort to halt the conflict and is being considered as a possible venue for the talks. Israeli cabinet members have been briefed on the proposals, which reportedly include the removal of Iran’s highly enriched uranium, halting enrichment activities, limiting its ballistic missile program, and ending funding to regional allies. Turkish ruling party official Harun Argaman confirmed that Ankara is facilitating message exchanges between Iran and the United States. Al Jazeera’s Osama bin Javed reported that Pakistan presented the documents from the Trump administration to Iran and that Tehran’s response is now awaited.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Huq announced that the parliamentary special committee has finalized decisions on 120 of the 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period. He made the statement on Wednesday after the committee’s adjourned meeting held at the Cabinet Room of the Parliament complex. The minister said the review process prioritized the Constitution and the July Charter, with all members reaching consensus on four ordinances related to the July Charter. He added that discussions on the remaining ordinances will take place on March 29, after which the committee will submit its final report. According to the minister, the government has not taken any steps beyond the July Charter, describing it as a sensitive and respected matter. Both the Constitution and the July Charter are being given equal importance in the review process.

On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman paid tribute at the National Memorial to mark Bangladesh’s Independence Day. After placing wreaths in honor of the martyrs, he urged all citizens to work together to ensure that the true benefits of independence are realized, emphasizing collective effort for the nation’s development and progress. Dr. Rahman led a delegation of opposition leaders who offered prayers and floral tributes to the martyrs. During the event, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam also expressed respect for those who fought and sacrificed for independence, including the freedom fighters and Birangonas. He noted that the aspirations of independence remain unfulfilled, highlighting the continued struggle of the younger generation. Nahid Islam added that their goal is to build a Bangladesh based on equality and human dignity, inspired by the spirit of 1971 and the aspirations of July 2024.

Turkey and the United Kingdom have finalized a major defense agreement worth £8 billion (approximately $10.73 billion) for the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft. The deal, signed in London by British Defence Secretary John Healey and Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler, follows an earlier agreement between the two nations. Under the new arrangement, Turkish pilots and ground crews will receive specialized training in the UK as Turkey prepares to operate its first batch of British-built fighter jets. The agreement also includes the supply of essential parts and training equipment from leading defense companies such as BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA, Rolls-Royce, and Martin-Baker. According to the British government, this marks Turkey’s formal entry into the next phase of the Eurofighter program. Officials stated that the move will enhance NATO’s air defense and combat capabilities across its eastern flank. The training and support components are expected to play a key role in strengthening Turkey’s operational readiness and deepening defense cooperation between Ankara and London.

A fire broke out in the power car of the Dhaka-bound Chattala Express train near the BMA Gate area of Faujdarhat in Sitakunda on Thursday morning. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. while the train was moving. Smoke and flames were seen coming from the power car, prompting railway authorities to stop the train and evacuate passengers immediately. The fire was brought under control without any reported casualties or serious injuries. According to the Eastern Railway’s general manager, the power car was quickly detached from the passenger coaches to prevent the fire from spreading. A technical committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the fire. Passengers described panic inside the train as smoke filled the compartments, but emergency measures helped avoid a major accident. Railway officials said an alternative power car is being arranged to resume the train’s journey to Dhaka. Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing to ensure passenger safety and restore normal service.

A BNP leader in Borhanuddin upazila of Bhola has been accused of storing government-allocated rice for low-income and poor residents in his own brick kiln instead of distributing it. The accused, Morshed Jahan Chowdhury, is the general secretary of Kutuba Union BNP and a former union parishad chairman. A video showing the rice stored in the kiln went viral on social media, prompting local residents to seize the rice on March 20 and inform the upazila executive officer. Following the incident, the Borhanuddin upazila BNP temporarily suspended Morshed Jahan Chowdhury from his party position for alleged irregularities and breach of party discipline. He has been asked to submit a written explanation within three days to the upazila BNP convenor and member secretary. In response, Chowdhury claimed that the rice was moved to the nearby kiln due to space constraints at the union parishad and alleged that a vested group was spreading misinformation. Upazila BNP leaders stated that all of Chowdhury’s party activities have been suspended until further notice pending a final decision.

Bangladesh’s Department of Narcotics Control has uncovered a large-scale illegal ketamine production laboratory in a residential area of Uttara, Dhaka. The operation, led by Deputy Director Md. Mehedi Hasan of the divisional intelligence office, began early Wednesday, March 25, 2026, and remains ongoing. Authorities seized a fully equipped lab, raw materials, chemicals, and a significant quantity of prepared ketamine. Three foreign nationals were arrested at the scene. Investigators said the arrested individuals are members of an organized network involved in the illegal production and distribution of ketamine in the capital. Preliminary findings suggest possible links to international drug networks. Officials described the site as a major production center using modern equipment to manufacture the drug. A case under the Narcotics Control Act is being processed, and authorities are interrogating the detainees to identify their associates and broader network. Law enforcement agencies have announced plans to intensify similar operations against drug production and supply rings in Dhaka.

On March 23, 1971, which had traditionally been observed as Pakistan Day, the day was transformed into Resistance Day following the call of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during the ongoing non-cooperation movement. From dawn, students and citizens marched to Azimpur graveyard to honor martyrs, while across Dhaka and other regions, the Pakistani flag was replaced with the flag of independent Bangladesh. Only a few key installations, including the President’s House and cantonments, raised the Pakistani flag under tight security. At the Outer Stadium, the Joy Bangla Bahini held a parade and mock military drill, followed by the formal hoisting of the Bangladesh flag at Paltan Maidan before a massive crowd. Later, Bangabandhu raised the national flag at his Dhanmondi residence, addressing the gathered people and reaffirming that there would be no compromise on Bengal’s demands. Meanwhile, scheduled talks between Bangabandhu and President Yahya Khan did not occur, though their advisers met twice that day. Television broadcasts replaced Pakistan’s national anthem with “Amar Sonar Bangla,” and newspapers published special pages on autonomy, inspiring millions toward independence. Various political and student groups across East Bengal observed the day as the moment of final resolve for freedom.

Switzerland has assured Bangladesh of cooperation in recovering money laundered abroad and in implementing police reforms. The commitment came during a meeting between Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the ministry office in Dhaka on Wednesday. The discussion covered law and order, counterterrorism, parliamentary democracy, financial reforms, anti-money laundering efforts, digital fraud prevention, and mutual legal assistance. The ambassador expressed Switzerland’s readiness to provide technical and strategic support for enhancing police capacity and reform initiatives. He emphasized the importance of effective parliamentary functioning and peaceful political dialogue. The minister highlighted the government’s priority on improving law and order and criticized past misuse of police power. He also shared insights from the Global Fraud Summit 2026 in Vienna, noting that digital scams account for about 40 percent of global fraud. Both sides agreed on the need for stronger international cooperation to combat digital crimes and ensure financial stability. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Home Ministry and the Swiss Embassy, followed by a separate meeting between the minister and a UNODC regional director.

A young man named Jumman Hossain was killed when a freight lorry struck a parked motorcycle in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Wednesday morning. Another youth, Arman, was seriously injured and later admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The accident occurred in the Prosannagar cluster village of Boktabali Union under Fatullah Police Station. Jumman was the son of Mobarak Hossain from the same village. According to initial information, Jumman and Arman had parked their motorcycle near a roadside tea stall and were drinking tea when the lorry lost control and ran over them. Both sustained injuries and were first taken to Khanpur Hospital, where doctors declared Jumman dead. The lorry driver fled the scene immediately after the crash. Sub-Inspector Shahidul Islam of Fatullah Model Police Station said Jumman’s body was sent to Narayanganj General Hospital morgue for autopsy, and legal procedures regarding the incident are underway.

Senior officials from the Trump administration are preparing for a meeting in Pakistan later this week to discuss ways to end the ongoing war with Iran, according to two senior officials who spoke to CNN. The current plan includes Vice President JD Vance and possibly other top administration figures traveling to Pakistan, though the timing, location, and participants may still change due to security concerns. Sources indicated that Turkey is also being considered as an alternative venue for the talks. Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in the current U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts and has already conveyed Washington’s 15-point proposal to Tehran, which covers issues such as Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Turkey is also playing a role in the process. Discussions about the trip are continuing at the White House, and President Donald Trump confirmed that Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff are leading the negotiations with Iran, though it remains uncertain who among them will travel abroad for the talks.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has rejected any form of negotiations with Israel amid the ongoing conflict. In a televised speech broadcast by a Hezbollah-affiliated channel on March 25, 2026, Qassem said that engaging in talks during active fighting would amount to 'forced surrender.' He called for unity against Israel and affirmed that Hezbollah fighters are ready to continue the battle without limits. Qassem also urged the Lebanese government to lift restrictions on the group’s military operations. His remarks come as tensions remain high between Hezbollah and Israel, with no indication of de-escalation. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera and reflects Hezbollah’s firm stance against negotiation during hostilities. The call for lifting operational restrictions could further strain Lebanon’s internal political balance and complicate regional diplomatic efforts if the conflict continues.