The Pentagon is preparing to send several thousand additional U.S. troops to the Middle East, according to a Reuters report cited by the source. The deployment could include members of the elite 82nd Airborne Division. The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s consideration of expanding military options in the region, including possible operations involving Iranian territory. The report notes that the U.S. military has declined to comment, referring questions to the White House. The conflict, now in its fourth week, has already disrupted global oil prices and caused instability in international stock markets. Analysts suggest that further troop deployments could intensify the situation and prolong the ongoing hostilities. The developments highlight growing uncertainty in the Middle East, where multiple regional powers are engaged in escalating military actions, including reported attacks involving Israel and Iran.

The government has formed two separate committees to investigate the bus sinking incident in the Padma River near Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari. State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Rajib Ahsan announced the decision while supervising the rescue operation at the site. The accident occurred on Wednesday, March 25, when a bus from Sohardya Paribahan lost control and fell into the river from pontoon number 3. Rescue ship Hamza and a team of divers from BIWTA reached the scene within minutes and began operations despite adverse weather conditions. By 1 a.m., sixteen bodies had been recovered, including eleven women and five men. According to the ministry, one committee led by the Additional District Magistrate of Rajbari will submit its report within three to four working days, while another five-member committee headed by Additional Secretary Mahidul Islam of the Ministry of Shipping will report within three days. The rescue operation continues jointly by BIWTA, Fire Service, and Coast Guard, with plans to expand the search area in daylight. Families of the deceased are receiving initial financial aid of 25,000 taka each, and longer-term rehabilitation measures are being planned. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with local authorities, according to the state minister.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran is closely monitoring the movements of US military forces in the region, particularly troop deployments. In a social media post, he warned against testing Iran’s determination to defend its territory. According to CBS News, a partner of the BBC in the United States, the Pentagon is preparing to send troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the region, including infantry units and a command element. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Trump administration once viewed Ghalibaf as a potential ally and possible future leader of Iran. The statements come amid heightened regional tensions, with both Iran and the United States signaling vigilance over military activities in the Middle East.

Foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan met in Riyadh last Thursday to seek a diplomatic solution to the ongoing war in Iran. The talks faced a major obstacle as Iran lacked an effective representative after its national security chief, Ali Larijani, was killed in an Israeli attack. Egyptian intelligence officials managed to open a communication channel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and proposed a five-day ceasefire to build trust for a lasting truce. The discussions in Riyadh had ripple effects reaching the United States. On Saturday night, President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face strikes on its power plants. However, after learning of the Riyadh talks, the White House shifted course. By Monday morning, Trump decided to pursue diplomatic negotiations and suspended potential military action. U.S. officials indicated that secret meetings mediated by Middle Eastern intermediaries offered hope for a settlement. Considering the political and economic toll of the conflict, Trump and some advisers reportedly favored a swift resolution.

Rangpur-2 (Taraganj-Badarganj) Member of Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central Nayebe Ameer ATM Azharul Islam held a meeting with local residents and party officials in Taraganj, Rangpur, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The event took place at the Taraganj Waqf Kamil Madrasa premises, where he discussed local issues with representatives from five unions. The meeting was chaired by Upazila Jamaat Ameer S.M. Alamgir Hossain and attended by district and upazila leaders. During the session, participants from various professions shared their problems and expectations. The MP listened attentively and assured that necessary steps would be taken. Earlier, as part of post-Eid activities, he visited several areas in Alampur Union, exchanged greetings with residents, and instructed local officials to record complaints and concerns. Addressing roadside gatherings, Azharul Islam emphasized that every taka of government allocation would be spent for public welfare and none would be misused. He also urged collective efforts to build a drug-free society, highlighting the vital role of youth in creating a healthy community.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education has decided to include seven sports-related subjects in the national curriculum. According to a letter issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division on Wednesday, football, cricket, chess, karate or volleyball, badminton, athletics, and swimming will be taught from the fourth grade of primary school through higher secondary level. The directive was sent to the chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) for implementation. The decision follows the first meeting of a committee formed by the Prime Minister’s Office to identify and develop playgrounds across urban and rural areas. The meeting, held on March 14 under the chairmanship of the State Minister for Youth and Sports, recommended integrating these seven sports into the national curriculum. The Ministry of Youth and Sports subsequently instructed the education authorities to take necessary steps to include the events in textbooks and practical lessons. The move aims to promote physical education and sports participation among students nationwide, aligning with broader efforts to enhance youth engagement in sports.

A Dhaka court has ordered the reopening of the Moghbazar-based Punjabi store 'Nabin Fashion' within 24 hours and summoned the officer-in-charge of Hatirjheel Police Station for an explanation. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman issued the order on March 25, 2026, acting on his own initiative under Section 25 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The directive followed reports that a group, accompanied by police, had shut down the store. The court expressed dissatisfaction over the police’s passive role during the incident, noting that such inaction could create public fear. The officer-in-charge has been instructed to appear before the court within three days with a written explanation and to submit the names and details of those involved in the closure. The court also directed him to personally ensure the store’s reopening at the site. The incident gained attention after a video circulated on social media on March 20, showing neighboring shopkeepers closing the store for selling Punjabis at lower prices, comparing the discounts to relief distribution, while police were seen present at the scene.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan has called on all communities from the hills and plains to work together to safeguard Bangladesh’s sovereignty and build a corruption-free, modern nation. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a post-Eid reunion discussion held at the ministry’s conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat. During the event, the minister highlighted the cultural diversity of the hill region, noting its distinct and sensitive nature compared to other parts of the country. He announced that a colorful New Year festival will be held in Dhaka on April 12, 2026, and that the celebration will include all ethnic communities by recognizing their individual festival names such as Biju, Sangrai, Baisu, Bishu, Changkran, and Sangkrain. Dewan also emphasized reducing unemployment in the hill areas and filling vacant government positions appropriately. He recalled the tragic events of March 25, 1971, marking Genocide Day, and expressed his commitment to building a prosperous Bangladesh under Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s leadership based on equality, human dignity, and social justice.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) arrested retired Lieutenant General Sheikh Mamun Khaled, former Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), from his residence in Mirpur DOHS around midnight on Wednesday. The operation was led by DB chief Shafiqul Islam. Authorities stated that Mamun Khaled is currently being interrogated at the DB office on Mintu Road and will be presented before court on Thursday. According to DB, multiple cases have been filed against Mamun Khaled, including allegations of corruption, misuse of power, and political manipulation of DGFI during Sheikh Hasina’s government. He served as DGFI chief from 2011 to 2013 and was known as the initiator of the so-called “Aynaghar” operations. The Anti-Corruption Commission began investigating him about one and a half years ago, and a travel ban was imposed in May 2025. His arrest is being viewed as a significant move by the current government, following long-standing accusations of embezzlement, illegal wealth accumulation, and involvement in politically motivated actions within the armed forces.

Kuwait has decided to reduce oil production due to a security crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. The state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday, citing increased risks to maritime navigation. The company said production had already been reduced since the second week of March and would return to normal levels once the situation stabilizes. Under normal conditions, Kuwait produces more than three million barrels of oil per day. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy route, used daily by nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Security risks in the region have intensified since the start of the Middle East war, with several oil tankers reportedly attacked. In response, Iran has warned that vessels belonging to the United States, Israel, and their allies could face continued attacks as long as the conflict persists. The production cut reflects Kuwait’s precautionary stance amid growing instability in the region, which has already disrupted energy supplies and affected daily life across parts of Asia.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police has formed an investigation committee following an incident at a shop in the Moghbazar Vishal Center involving a dispute over a Punjabi sales offer. The decision was confirmed on Wednesday, March 25, by DMP’s Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman. As part of the immediate administrative action, the officer-in-charge of Hatirjheel Police Station has been closed to DMP Headquarters, and an assistant sub-inspector has been attached to Rajarbagh Police Lines. According to the DMP press release, the incident occurred on Friday, March 20, when an unexpected situation arose between the market committee and a showroom over a promotional offer. The investigation committee will look into whether any police personnel were involved in the matter. Further measures will be taken based on the recommendations of the investigation committee once its findings are submitted.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) detained a Pakistani oil tanker named ‘Selen’ in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement posted on social media. The vessel, flying Pakistan’s flag, was traveling from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi when it was stopped for entering the area without prior authorization from Iranian maritime authorities. After initial questioning of the captain and crew, the ship was released but instructed to avoid the strait and take an alternative route. The incident occurred as Pakistan has been acting as a mediator between the United States and Iran to ease ongoing tensions. The IRGC stated that the order to halt and redirect the vessel was due to “legal violations” and the failure to obtain necessary clearance. It emphasized that all ships must secure permission from Iranian maritime authorities before passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The episode highlights the sensitivity of navigation rules in the strategic waterway during a period of diplomatic engagement involving Pakistan, Iran, and the United States.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a food distribution program for poor and helpless people in Dhaka, reaffirming its commitment to stand by citizens in establishing a welfare state. The event took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Udyam Prochesta Cricket Ground near Tejkunipara Khelaghar field, under the initiative of the Tejgaon Thana branch. Mohammad Selim Uddin, central executive council member and Ameer of Dhaka North, attended as chief guest. Selim Uddin said that standing beside the underprivileged amid economic disparity and hardship is not only a humanitarian duty but also part of an ideological struggle. He emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami has always been and will continue to be with the people to establish a just and welfare-oriented state. Around 500 low-income individuals received food items during the program. Tejgaon Thana South Ameer Engineer Noman Ahmadi stated that many people are suffering due to the failure to meet basic needs, and as a socially conscious and faith-based organization, they consider it their duty to support them. Organizers expressed satisfaction at bringing smiles to disadvantaged people and hoped to expand such initiatives in the future.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his firm stance against what he called the 'aggressive Zionist regime.' Pezeshkian described Turkey’s position as commendable and said Ankara plays an important role in maintaining unity within the Muslim world. Earlier, Harun Armagan, vice chairman for foreign affairs of Turkey’s ruling AK Party, told Reuters that Ankara has been facilitating message exchanges between Tehran and Washington. According to him, the main goal of these communications is to reduce tensions between the two countries and pave the way for direct talks. Turkey maintains good relations with both the United States and Iran. Leveraging this position, Ankara is reportedly working with several other nations to present itself as a potential mediator in regional diplomacy.

Google has introduced Lyria 3 Pro, an advanced version of its AI music generation model, on March 25, 2026. The new model enables users to create tracks up to three minutes long with enhanced structural awareness and customization. Lyria 3 Pro can generate specific musical elements such as intros, verses, choruses, and bridges, offering creators greater control and flexibility. The rollout extends Lyria’s capabilities to more Google products, including Vertex AI, Google AI Studio, Gemini API, Google Vids, the Gemini app, and ProducerAI. According to Google, Lyria 3 Pro is designed to make high-quality music generation accessible to developers, businesses, and creators. It is available in public preview on Vertex AI for scalable audio production and integrated into Google Vids for Workspace and AI Pro subscribers. ProducerAI users can now collaborate with the model to iterate on full-length songs. The company emphasized responsible development, using only materials it has rights to and embedding all outputs with SynthID watermarks to identify AI-generated content. Google stated that Lyria 3 Pro was developed in collaboration with musicians through its Music AI Sandbox, ensuring the technology supports creative expression while protecting intellectual property rights.