Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament is set to begin its first session on March 12, following the February 12 general election that brought the BNP to power. President Md. Shahabuddin has convened the session, which will open with the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and a formal address by the President. The BNP’s Tarique Rahman has become Prime Minister, while Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has been named Leader of the Opposition. This parliament is considered exceptional because over 75 percent of its 296 members are first-time lawmakers, and both the previous Speaker and Deputy Speaker are unavailable—the former having resigned and the latter being in custody. Analysts note that the President may appoint a temporary presiding member for the opening session, a rare occurrence in parliamentary history. The session will follow constitutional and procedural rules, including the President’s written speech outlining the new government’s plans. Experts suggest that the high number of new members may slow the legislative process as they adapt to parliamentary procedures and committee work.

Afghanistan and Oman have jointly condemned the recent attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran. The condemnation came during a phone conversation between Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Oman’s foreign minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Both ministers discussed bilateral relations and expressed concern over the current situation in the Middle East, describing it as alarming. During the discussion, the two sides also addressed the situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Muttaqi briefed Oman on the Taliban government’s stance regarding Afghanistan’s defensive measures in response to Pakistan’s aggression. Both leaders emphasized the importance of diplomacy in resolving regional issues and agreed that dialogue remains the best approach to managing ongoing tensions. Their joint statement reflects growing regional unease over escalating conflicts and the potential for broader instability across the Middle East.

A Dhaka court has postponed for the tenth time the submission date of the reinvestigation report in the murder case of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inquilab Moncho. The new date for submitting the report has been set for April 2. On March 11, the investigating officer, CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdur Kadir Bhuiyan, failed to submit the report to the court. Following this, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam fixed the new date, confirmed by prosecution officer SI Ruknuzzaman. According to the case details, Hadi was shot by assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka’s Paltan area on December 12 after attending Friday prayers and election campaigning. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on December 18. The case was subsequently converted into a murder case. Earlier, the Detective Branch had submitted a charge sheet against 17 individuals, including former ward councilor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and Faisal Karim Masud. Dissatisfied with that report, Inquilab Moncho’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed an appeal, leading the court to order further investigation by the CID.

Oil prices in Asia showed signs of stabilization on Wednesday morning after recent sharp fluctuations triggered by the outbreak of war in Iran. West Texas Intermediate crude traded at 83.35 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude stood at around 87.88 dollars. Earlier this week, prices had surged to nearly 120 dollars per barrel before easing slightly, though they remain significantly higher than before the conflict began. The International Energy Agency’s member countries are reportedly discussing a possible plan to release oil reserves to curb prices, but no decision has yet been made. The recent volatility has been linked to regional tensions and disruptions in oil supply routes. The situation continues to evolve as global markets monitor developments in the Middle East, with energy-importing nations assessing potential impacts on supply stability and pricing trends.

A container ship was damaged by an unidentified missile near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred about 46 kilometers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The ship’s master confirmed that although the vessel sustained damage, all crew members are safe and accounted for. British authorities have launched an investigation to determine the extent of the damage and the source of the missile. The UKMTO has also advised all vessels operating in the area to remain vigilant following the attack. The incident adds to growing security concerns in the region, where previous maritime attacks have raised tensions and disrupted shipping routes through one of the world’s most critical waterways.

A Sri Lankan court has ordered the transfer of 84 bodies of Iranian sailors to the Iranian embassy in Colombo. The sailors were recovered from the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which sank on March 4 following a reported torpedo strike by a U.S. submarine near Sri Lanka. The incident left 104 crew members dead, while 32 others were rescued by Sri Lankan authorities. According to Iran’s military website, the bodies of 84 sailors have been identified and will soon be repatriated to Iran. Sri Lankan divers have been unable to locate the remaining 20 missing crew members, whom Iran’s armed forces have described as “immortal.” The Dena frigate had participated in India’s Global Fleet Review 2026 naval exercise in February, just weeks before the conflict began. Former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal commented that the tragedy might have been avoided if Iran had not been invited to the exercise, noting that the ships were unarmed under the event’s rules. Iran has warned that the United States will deeply regret the attack.

A report by US media outlet Axios has presented five potential ways the ongoing Iran war could end, as US President Trump and the Pentagon send mixed signals about the conflict’s conclusion. The options include a negotiated ceasefire and nuclear deal, a Venezuela-style regime change, internal protests leading to government collapse, a special forces strike on Iran’s nuclear stockpile, and a unilateral victory declaration by Trump. According to the report, discussions have taken place between the United States and Israel about deploying special forces to destroy Iran’s enriched uranium reserves. Meanwhile, Iran’s economy has collapsed, and the country has seen its largest protests since the 1979 revolution, though opposition forces remain fragmented. Trump has also hinted at the possibility of a negotiated settlement but expressed disappointment over Iran’s leadership choices. The report concludes that the Iran war, which began without much warning, could end just as abruptly, depending on political and military developments in the coming weeks.

A five-member fact-finding committee has been formed to investigate any credible allegations against members of the prosecution or related individuals of the International Crimes Tribunal. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam announced the formation during a press briefing on Wednesday, stating that the committee will examine any claims of irregularities and take legal action if necessary. According to the Chief Prosecutor, the committee’s main objective is to uncover factual information if any prosecution team member or associated person is involved in unethical activities. He emphasized that the allegations currently under consideration are being taken seriously and that the committee, under his leadership, will ensure a thorough investigation into any such claims within the tribunal. The initiative aims to maintain accountability and transparency within the prosecution team by ensuring that any substantiated allegations lead to appropriate legal measures.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)–affiliated Tasnim News reported that major US technology companies with alleged technological cooperation with Israel could be considered potential targets. The report stated that offices and cloud infrastructures of several US-based firms have been listed as facilities whose technologies were claimed to be used for military purposes, describing them as part of Iran’s new target list. According to Tasnim, as regional conflict increasingly involves infrastructure, Iran’s definition of legitimate targets is expanding. The companies named in the report include Google, Microsoft, Palantir, IBM, Nvidia, and Oracle. The report also noted that parts of these firms’ cloud-based infrastructures are located in various Israeli cities and in several Gulf countries. No immediate comment was available from the mentioned companies or the countries concerned, according to the report sourced from Al Jazeera.

Iran has declared it will not seek a ceasefire despite intensified U.S. military pressure and threats from President Donald Trump. Explosions were reported in Tehran on Tuesday, while Iran warned that no crude oil would be exported from the Gulf if bombings continued. The Pentagon announced its most extensive and coordinated airstrikes across Iran, targeting missile systems and military infrastructure. The conflict follows the February 28 killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a U.S.-Israeli strike. Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guard commander, reiterated on social media that Iran would not accept a ceasefire and vowed to retaliate against aggressors. The Revolutionary Guard announced new missile attacks on Israeli cities and U.S. targets in the region. Explosions were also heard in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, according to AFP reporters. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, has been closed due to Iranian attacks on shipping. Trump warned Tehran against laying mines in the strait, threatening severe military consequences. The Pentagon reported about 140 U.S. soldiers injured and seven killed since the conflict began.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the first session of the 13th National Parliament will begin at 11 a.m. tomorrow. On the same day, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be elected, and President Md. Shahabuddin will administer their oath of office. The minister shared this information after a meeting of ruling party lawmakers chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. According to the Home Minister, several historic decisions are expected during the session. The Leader of the House will deliver a welcome address and present the name of the presiding officer. He added that once the session begins, it will reflect public expectations, the aspirations of the martyrs, and the commitments agreed upon in the July Charter. The announcement marks the formal start of the new parliamentary term, setting the stage for leadership selection and policy direction under the new government.

France has announced that it will send 60 metric tons of humanitarian aid to Lebanon this week amid the country’s ongoing crisis. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in an interview with TF1 that Paris has tripled its assistance in response to Lebanon’s worsening humanitarian situation. The aid shipment is expected to arrive in Lebanon within the week. According to international sources cited in the report, at least 700,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the current conflict and instability. French officials have also called on the international community to increase humanitarian support to help address the escalating crisis. The move underscores France’s growing involvement in relief efforts as Lebanon faces severe humanitarian and displacement challenges.

Iran and Lebanon have launched a series of missile and drone attacks targeting various locations across Israel. As the strikes intensified, millions of Israelis rushed to shelters, with many unable to reach safety in time. According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent Nida Ibrahim reporting from Ramallah, residents are spending sleepless nights in shelters amid ongoing fear of further attacks. Ibrahim reported that Iran’s continued missile strikes have placed Israel’s radar systems under threat, reducing their ability to issue timely alerts. The situation has made it increasingly difficult to detect missile launches from Iran. On Tuesday night alone, at least six missiles were fired from Iran, while repeated sirens sounded due to threats from Lebanon. Some drones reportedly evaded Israel’s defense systems and penetrated deep into its territory. Israel has warned about new missile threats from Iran, particularly concerning fragmented warheads that cause extensive damage upon explosion. It also stated that Hezbollah has developed a new long-range missile, heightening regional security concerns.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed special restrictions in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and surrounding areas to ensure the smooth conduct of the first session of the 13th National Parliament, scheduled to begin on March 12. According to a public notice signed by Acting DMP Commissioner Md. Sarwar, all types of gatherings, processions, rallies, and demonstrations are prohibited from midnight on March 11 in designated areas around the Parliament complex. The order also bans carrying any kind of weapons, explosives, or harmful and polluting substances within the restricted zones. The affected areas include major roads and intersections such as Mymensingh Road from Mohakhali Crossing to Banglamotor, Panthapath to Farmgate, Mirpur Road from Shyamoli to Dhanmondi-16, and all roads and lanes within the Parliament complex boundaries. The DMP stated that the restrictions will remain in force until the end of the parliamentary session, urging all citizens to comply with the directives to maintain peace and order.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher has stated that President Md. Shahabuddin, whom he described as an ally of authoritarianism, has no right to deliver a speech in Parliament. He made the remarks on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, after a meeting with opposition Members of Parliament. Taher questioned why the BNP was allowing the president to address Parliament, saying the matter was unclear to them. He added that some decisions had been made on the issue and that further details would be disclosed the following day. Regarding the position of Deputy Speaker, he said the opposition had discussed the matter and would announce a decision once a proposal was submitted. Earlier, Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman chaired a meeting of the party’s MPs and members of the 11-party alliance. The meeting finalized the opposition’s notices, adjournment motions, and topics for general discussion in the upcoming parliamentary session.