A violent clash erupted on Tuesday night between two rival groups from Deopara and Shekhpur villages in Chandraganj, Lakshmipur, reportedly over local dominance. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. near the BNP office at Afzal Road in Chandraganj West Bazar. During the exchange of gunfire, a passerby named Abdur Rahim, aged 55, was shot in the leg, while Saiful Islam Manik, 19, was beaten with a chain. Chandraganj Union Chhatra Dal joint convener Yakub Munna Ripon was also injured in the attack. Witnesses and local sources said the confrontation followed a dispute between the two villages the previous day. The Deopara group was reportedly led by Rakib Patwary, who was armed and facing murder and weapons charges, while the Shekhpur group was led by a man named Mitul. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital. Hospital authorities confirmed that Abdur Rahim was later transferred to Noakhali General Hospital for further treatment, while Manik remained under observation. Police said they had received reports of the shooting but were yet to gather full details.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s popularity has fallen to 36 percent, the lowest since his return to power, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday. The four-day survey found that growing dissatisfaction with the Iran war and rising fuel prices have driven down his approval rating from 40 percent the previous week. The poll also revealed declining public support for U.S. military action against Iran, with only 35 percent in favor and 61 percent opposed. Public sentiment on living costs has worsened as fuel prices surged following the U.S.-led coordinated attack on Iran, which disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. Only 25 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of the situation. The online survey included 1,272 adult Americans and carried a margin of error of three percentage points, according to Al Jazeera, which cited the poll results.

After a seven-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, people from southern Bangladesh, including Barishal, have begun returning to their workplaces in Dhaka. Since Monday afternoon, passenger flow has increased at southern river ports and bus terminals. Those who secured advance tickets experienced a smoother journey, while others faced difficulties and resorted to paying higher fares or taking alternative routes. A special post-Eid flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines also departed from Barishal Airport on Monday. According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), ten launches left Barishal port for Dhaka on Monday night, carrying an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 passengers. Six more launches departed on Tuesday, and authorities said additional vessels would be added if passenger pressure rises. Officials reported no complaints about fare irregularities this year. State Minister for Shipping Rajib Hasan inspected the port on Monday and stated that this year’s Eid travel saw minimal suffering, with fares even lower than usual. The Barishal City Corporation’s new administrator, Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, also met with bus owners to ensure passengers are not overcharged or harassed.

Iran has declared that it does not trust mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, both linked to the United States, and does not want them involved in future negotiations. The statement came during ceasefire mediation talks held in Ankara, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and other officials. According to a diplomatic source cited by Middle East Monitor, Iran described past discussions with the two envoys as unconstructive and signaled a preference for indirect communication through trusted third parties. The talks are part of a broader Turkey-Egypt mediation initiative supported by Saudi Arabia and other regional actors. The effort aims to prevent further escalation of conflict and to protect energy security and regional stability. The proposed plan includes an immediate temporary ceasefire followed by unconditional negotiations, potentially hosted in Istanbul or Muscat. Sources indicated that the discussions may also explore security guarantees for Iran, expanded oil exports, and the release of frozen Iranian assets as part of possible compensation measures.

British forces stationed at a joint base in Erbil, northern Iraq, shot down 14 drones in a single night, marking the highest number of interceptions in recent weeks. The operation took place overnight and was carried out by members of the Royal Air Force Regiment using the Rapid Sentry air defense system to secure the base. According to the report, the Erbil base has faced repeated drone attacks over the past three weeks, reportedly launched from Iran. The British troops’ actions were part of ongoing defensive measures to protect coalition facilities in the region. The incident underscores the continuing security challenges in northern Iraq, where foreign military installations remain frequent targets of drone assaults.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Iran seeks a full and permanent ceasefire rather than a temporary one. He expressed this position during discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to reports from Chinese state media. Araghchi emphasized that Iran is interested in a comprehensive cessation of hostilities. Addressing the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said the waterway would remain open for all, ensuring safe passage for ships. However, he noted that this assurance would not apply to enemy nations under the current circumstances. In response, Wang Yi reiterated that dialogue is always preferable to war and urged all parties involved to seize every opportunity for peace and begin talks promptly. Analysts cited in the report suggested that such diplomatic messages could play an important role in easing regional tensions amid ongoing instability.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid said that Bangladeshi nationals in Iran remain safe despite ongoing attacks involving the United States and Israel in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, she noted that around two thousand Bangladeshis, including some students, are currently in Iran and that the government is in constant contact with them through the embassy in Tehran. She emphasized that the government is prioritizing the safety of Bangladeshis across the Middle East and that missions are operating around the clock to monitor their situation. The minister assured that if any citizen wishes to return due to security concerns, the government will take necessary steps to facilitate their repatriation. Shama Obaid added that 186 Bangladeshis had already been brought back from Tehran with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) before Eid. She said the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare is working to ensure that those who wish to return can do so smoothly.

QatarEnergy has declared a force majeure on its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies as the ongoing war in the Middle East severely disrupts energy production and delivery systems. According to Al Jazeera, the company announced the legal measure on Tuesday, applying it to several long-term supply contracts with major customers including Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China. The force majeure clause allows a party to suspend contractual obligations due to unforeseen events such as war or natural disasters. Similar declarations have recently been made by petroleum companies in Kuwait and Bahrain. The decision follows escalating instability in the region after U.S. and Israeli attacks in Iran on February 28, which have pushed the global energy market into deep uncertainty. The closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and repeated Iranian missile and drone strikes on oil and gas infrastructure across the Persian Gulf have further intensified supply risks, heightening global concerns over energy security.

Qatar has denied media reports suggesting that the proposed United States–Iran agreement might include the closure of the large US airbase at Al-Udeid in Qatar. A government spokesperson stated that the report was incorrect and that there were no plans to shut down the facility. According to the spokesperson, the current regional crisis is expected to further strengthen Qatar’s existing partnership with the United States and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. The clarification came after speculation circulated in the media about potential changes to US military presence in the region. The statement underscores Qatar’s continued commitment to its defense and diplomatic ties with the United States and its Gulf partners, countering rumors of any shift in its strategic alignment.

Pakistan’s army leadership has initiated mediation efforts between the United States and Iran amid an ongoing conflict. The White House confirmed that Army Chief Asim Munir spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Sunday to discuss ways to end the war that began about a month ago. Diplomatic sources indicated that Washington and Tehran could meet in Islamabad later this week for talks, though neither side has formally agreed to participate. Following the Trump-Munir call, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, with both leaders agreeing on the need to reduce tensions and pursue diplomatic solutions. Reports suggest Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is preparing to visit Islamabad, while Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf may lead Tehran’s delegation, though he has dismissed reports of such talks as false. Iranian diplomatic sources expressed deep mistrust toward Washington, rejecting any negotiations involving Witkoff or Jared Kushner. Tehran views recent US overtures as deceptive, especially after the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which undermined earlier dialogue efforts.

U.S. President Donald Trump has attempted to shift responsibility for the Iran war onto his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth. Speaking at a roundtable meeting of the Safe Task Force in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, Trump said Hegseth was the first among his administration members to advise him to launch an attack on Iran. During the discussion, Trump recalled consulting several senior officials about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities. At the meeting, Trump, seated beside Hegseth, said he had called in military leaders to discuss Iran’s alleged terrorism over the past 47 years and its proximity to obtaining nuclear weapons. He quoted Hegseth as having urged immediate action to prevent Iran from acquiring such weapons. While assigning blame, Trump also praised Hegseth’s role and leadership. Trump further claimed that the United States was engaged in positive discussions with Tehran. However, Iranian authorities dismissed his statement as “fake news,” calling it a delaying tactic. The remarks were reported by The Hill.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that his country is prepared to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran if both sides agree. In a post on X on Tuesday evening, he said Pakistan would feel honored to organize meaningful and conclusive discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Sharif emphasized that Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to end war in the Middle East in the interest of peace and stability. His statement highlights Islamabad’s willingness to play a constructive role in regional diplomacy if Washington and Tehran consent to direct talks. The offer reflects Pakistan’s positioning as a potential mediator in regional conflicts, though the source does not specify any response from the United States or Iran to this proposal.

The symbolic one-minute blackout planned for the night of March 25 to mark Genocide Day will not take place. Earlier on March 24 morning, a government information release had announced that the blackout would be observed across Bangladesh from 10:30 p.m. to 10:31 p.m. to commemorate the dark night of March 25, 1971. Key Point Installations, emergency facilities, and foreign missions in Bangladesh were to remain exempt from the program. Later that night, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, M A Khayer, informed journalists that the blackout would not be held. He did not provide any explanation for the cancellation. The symbolic blackout was introduced during a previous Awami League government to honor the victims of the 1971 atrocities. Last year, the symbolic blackout was observed from 10:00 p.m. to 10:01 p.m. nationwide. The reason for this year’s cancellation remains undisclosed.

Amid reports of mediation between the United States and Iran, Tehran has taken a notably harder stance in its negotiations. Three senior Iranian sources told Reuters that since the outbreak of war, Iran’s tone has shifted significantly, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) now exerting greater influence over policy decisions. Tehran has made it clear that any meaningful talks would require major concessions from Washington. According to the sources, Iran’s conditions include guarantees against future military action, compensation for wartime damages, and formal control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also refused to discuss any restrictions on its ballistic missile program, calling it a non-negotiable red line. While U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that intense talks have been ongoing for three weeks, Iran publicly denied this, saying only preliminary contacts occurred with Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt. A potential direct meeting in Islamabad could take place this week if finalized, with Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi expected to attend. However, sources emphasized that the IRGC will ultimately determine any final decision.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly pressuring U.S. President Donald Trump to continue military attacks on Iran. According to a report by The New York Times, the crown prince argued that the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign presents a historic opportunity to reshape the Middle East. The report stated that the two leaders held several discussions over the past week regarding the situation. The crown prince reportedly told Trump that Iran poses a long-term threat to Gulf countries and that this threat could be eliminated by removing the Iranian government. However, Saudi officials have denied that the crown prince took such a position, according to the same report. The report did not specify any official U.S. response or potential next steps following these discussions.