Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqul Rahman stated that the country’s parliament had often been ineffective, describing it as a dummy institution under fascist control for much of its history. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon while delivering a congratulatory speech in the National Parliament, where Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presided over the session. In his address, Dr. Rahman reflected on Bangladesh’s 55 years of independence, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in 1947, 1971, 1990, and during the Shapla Chattar movement, as well as those persecuted during what he termed 15 and a half years of fascist rule. He described the current parliament as one built upon the blood of the 2024 struggle and congratulated both the newly appointed Speaker and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal. Dr. Rahman expressed hope that the Speaker, having resigned from his party’s standing committee, would act impartially and ensure justice for all members, fostering a dynamic and fair parliament.

A lorry carrying 24,000 liters of oil sank into the Padma River at Paturia ferry ghat in Shibaloy upazila of Manikganj after its brakes failed while disembarking from a ferry on Wednesday night, March 11. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. at Paturia’s No. 5 ferry terminal. The driver and his assistant were rescued alive and taken to the local health complex for treatment. As of Thursday morning, more than 16 hours after the accident, the submerged vehicle had not yet been recovered. Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) confirmed that the salvage vessel Hamza, along with teams from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and the Fire Service, were conducting recovery operations. The lorry, registered as Jhenaidah-Dha 41-0042, had been transporting bump oil from Jashore to Narayanganj when the accident occurred. Local authorities, including the Shibaloy Upazila Nirbahi Officer, visited the site and confirmed ongoing recovery efforts. According to BIWTA engineers, the depth of the river at the site is making the recovery process difficult, requiring divers to attach cables before the truck can be lifted.

National Citizen Party (NCP) northern chief organizer Sarjis Alam said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) began its political journey by breaking the July Charter, sending a negative message to the people. He made the remarks on Thursday, March 12, 2026, after attending a scholarship award ceremony at Panchagarh Government Auditorium. According to him, the charter stipulated that while the Speaker would come from the ruling party, the Deputy Speaker should be from the opposition, but BNP’s Kaysar Kamal was appointed instead. Sarjis alleged that both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were sworn in by what he called a fascist government’s president, marking BNP’s alignment with authoritarian forces. He said the people of Bangladesh, including BNP supporters, had voted “yes” in a referendum supporting the July Charter’s implementation, justice for genocide, and reforms. Ignoring these demands, he warned, would make normal parliamentary function impossible. He also criticized election irregularities, claiming targeted engineering in some constituencies during the national polls and warning that any attempt to manipulate upcoming local elections would be resisted by opposition forces.

The opening of the 13th National Parliament session in Bangladesh on March 12, 2026, began with an unexpected moment of humor. With the previous Speaker absconding and the Deputy Speaker imprisoned, there was initially no one to preside over the session. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman nominated Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain to chair the first sitting, a proposal accepted by the opposition. During his speech, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr. Taher expressed satisfaction with the nomination, noting that Dr. Hossain was a senior leader. He added that prior consultation with the opposition would have been preferable, though they would have supported the choice regardless. At one point, Dr. Taher humorously remarked that their homes were near each other in Comilla, prompting laughter across the chamber. The lighthearted exchange created a cheerful atmosphere in the parliamentary hall, marking a lively start to the new session.

President Md. Shahabuddin, in his address to the first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament on Thursday, described the July–August 2024 student and public uprising as a landmark in the nation’s democratic history. He said the movement, which began as a quota reform protest, evolved into an anti-fascist struggle that led to the fall of the then fascist government on August 5, 2024. The president noted that a new democratic Bangladesh emerged through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs. In his speech, President Shahabuddin congratulated all political parties and officials involved in organizing what he called a peaceful, free, fair, and neutral election. He stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, led by Chairman Tarique Rahman, won more than two-thirds of the parliamentary seats. He extended congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the newly formed government, as well as to all elected members of parliament. The president also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War, former President Ziaur Rahman, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for their roles in establishing democracy in Bangladesh.

Ahmed Azam Khan, Member of Parliament from Tangail-8, was sworn in as a new minister on Thursday afternoon. The oath was administered by President Md. Shahabuddin after Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani announced his appointment earlier in the day. In the same parliamentary session, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, MP from Bhola-3, was elected Speaker of the 13th National Parliament, while Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP from Netrakona-1, became Deputy Speaker. Both were elected unanimously through a voice vote. The first sitting of the new parliament was presided over by BNP Standing Committee member and senior MP Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, during which the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were chosen. The session also saw the formation of five parliamentary committees, including the Business Advisory Committee.

During the first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament, President Md. Shahabuddin faced strong protests from opposition members as he began his address. The opposition lawmakers stood up, displayed leaflets reading “July’s traitor,” and chanted slogans, prompting the Speaker to call for order. Despite the appeal, the commotion intensified, and the opposition members eventually walked out of the session. Following the walkout, NCP chief organizer and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah posted a three-word message on his Facebook account reading “Get out Chuppu,” which quickly went viral online. The phrase echoed the slogans shouted by opposition MPs during the session. The incident drew attention on social media, highlighting the tense political atmosphere surrounding the parliamentary proceedings. The session also included the formation of five parliamentary committees, including the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee, as part of the new parliament’s organizational activities.

An AFP analysis reported that at least 25 Iranian attacks targeted US facilities or personnel across the Middle East since the start of the war. The incidents occurred between February 28 and March 11, 1500 GMT. Four of the attacks targeted US embassies or consulates in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, while 21 others involved missile or drone strikes on 13 different military sites hosting US troops. Among the targeted locations were Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base and Iraq’s Erbil Airport, each attacked at least four times. Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base and the UAE’s Al Dhafra Air Base were also hit twice each. The analysis excluded seven additional attacks claimed against radar systems or US-operated missile defense networks. Satellite imagery confirmed damage from 12 of the recorded attacks, with the latest images dated March 5. Afterward, high-resolution satellite image access was restricted by US suppliers citing allied security concerns. Separately, AFP noted around 30 attacks on energy infrastructure in the region since the conflict began, more than half attributed to Tehran, including 16 strikes across seven Gulf countries.

President Md. Shahabuddin stated that the then Awami League government had made Bangladesh a champion in corruption. He made the remark on Thursday, March 12, during his address to the 13th National Parliament session. In his speech, the president highlighted the government's introduction of the family card as a symbol of women's empowerment and mentioned various ongoing initiatives. The president also referred to the fall of a fascist government through a mass uprising, recalling the July uprising and the martyrs of that movement. He outlined the activities of the interim government formed afterward and discussed the current government's programs. Additionally, he touched on the war situation in the Middle East and spoke about the country's economic condition, including inflation and foreign currency reserves. President Shahabuddin expressed hope that the current government would continue to take welfare-oriented measures in agriculture and the economy to improve the country's overall situation.

President Md. Shahabuddin declared that Bangladesh was freed from fascism through the July–August 2024 student and mass uprising, calling it a turning point in the nation’s democratic history. Speaking at the opening session of the 13th National Parliament on Thursday, he said the movement, which began as a quota reform protest, evolved into a nationwide anti-fascist struggle that led to the fall of the former regime on August 5, 2024. Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout before his speech began. The President congratulated all political parties for participating in what he described as a peaceful, free, and fair election that formed the 13th Parliament. He noted that the BNP and its allies, led by Tarique Rahman, won more than two-thirds of the seats. He honored the sacrifices of those killed and injured during the uprising and detailed government initiatives for their treatment, rehabilitation, and commemoration, including memorials, museums, and national observances. He also reported that Bangladesh’s economy showed signs of stabilization in fiscal year 2024–25, with GDP growth at 3.49 percent and inflation declining to 8.58 percent in January 2026.

A US intelligence assessment has concluded that Iran’s leadership remains intact and faces no imminent risk of collapse, despite nearly two weeks of airstrikes by the United States and Israel. Reuters reported the findings on March 12, 2026, citing sources familiar with the intelligence analysis. The report indicates that Iran’s ruling system continues to maintain control over its population and that internal cohesion remains strong. According to the sources, the latest intelligence review was completed in recent days. Rising oil prices have increased political pressure on US President Donald Trump, who is expected to end the military campaign in Iran soon. The report also notes that even after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the attacks, Iran’s religious leadership has remained unified. An Israeli official acknowledged in closed-door discussions that the war offers no guarantee of regime collapse in Iran. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, and the White House declined to comment on the report.

During the first session of the 13th National Parliament held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, the opposition party expressed support for the proposal to appoint Dr. Khondaker Mosharraf Hossain, a respected figure, as Speaker of Parliament. The proposal was made by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman, who also delivered the opening address, expressing gratitude to those involved in the recent mass uprising. Government lawmaker Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir supported the proposal, which was also endorsed by opposition deputy leader Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. However, Taher noted in his remarks that the ruling party could have consulted the opposition before nominating the Speaker. The session took place at the National Parliament Building in Dhaka. The event marked the formal beginning of parliamentary politics under the new assembly, with both government and opposition members emphasizing cooperation and respect for parliamentary norms.

An unprecedented incident occurred in Bangladesh’s National Parliament when President Md. Shahabuddin entered the chamber to deliver his scheduled speech. As soon as he arrived, lawmakers from the opposition parties Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP) stood up and began protesting, displaying placards reading 'July’s traitor'. The protest took place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, shortly after the parliamentary session began. Despite the commotion, the President proceeded toward the dais to deliver his address. However, the opposition MPs from the Jamaat alliance continued their uproar during his speech. After the President began speaking, the protesting members staged a walkout from the session. The event marked a rare disruption during a presidential address in Parliament, highlighting heightened political tensions within the ongoing session.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), Member of Parliament, and opposition chief whip, called on the 13th National Parliament to ensure that no fascist or their associates are allowed to speak and tarnish the dignity of the house. He made the appeal on Thursday, March 12, during the first session of the 13th parliament, emphasizing that all members are soldiers in the fight against fascism and that the parliament should remain free from fascist influence. Earlier in the same session, Nahid Islam proposed including the names of several martyrs, including Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, BUET student Abrar Fahad, and border victim Felani Khatun, in a condolence motion. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed confirmed that the names would be added to the motion. The statements and proposals came as part of the opening proceedings of the new parliamentary term, reflecting the opposition’s focus on honoring victims of past movements and maintaining a fascism-free legislature.

Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout from Bangladesh’s Jatiya Sangsad on the first day of the session as President Md. Shahabuddin began his address. The protest began when the president’s entry was announced, with opposition members standing up and displaying red cards bearing the slogan “জুলাইয়ের সাথে গাদ্দারি চলবে না.” As the national anthem played, ruling party members stood, but some Jamaat-e-Islami MPs remained seated despite requests from ministers and parliamentary officials to rise. When the president started his speech, opposition members shouted slogans and eventually left the chamber in protest. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed urged them to remain silent, reminding the house that the president’s address was a constitutional obligation and part of parliamentary tradition. The incident marked a tense start to the new parliamentary session. The walkout underscored ongoing political divisions in the legislature, with the opposition using symbolic protest to express discontent during a constitutionally mandated event.