Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official car displayed the national flag for the first time since he assumed office. The flag was seen on his vehicle early Thursday, March 26, 2026, as he traveled to and from the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to lay wreaths marking Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day. He also arrived at the Independence Day Parade 2026 in a flag-bearing car.

At the memorial, both the President and the Prime Minister paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by laying wreaths and observing a moment of silence. A smart contingent from the army, navy, and air force presented a state salute as the bugle sounded. Senior government officials, military chiefs, war-wounded freedom fighters, families of martyrs, diplomats, and political leaders attended the ceremony.

Later, as BNP chairperson, Tarique Rahman, accompanied by senior party leaders, placed wreaths on behalf of the party and the cabinet, followed by prayers for the martyrs and the nation’s welfare. He also greeted war veterans, families of martyrs, and guests, and signed the visitors’ book at the memorial.

In Sylhet’s Osmaninagar, a quiet but intense political rivalry has emerged between two influential BNP figures—Humayun Kabir, foreign affairs advisor to Tarique Rahman with ministerial rank, and Tahsina Rushdir Luna, the elected MP for Sylhet-2. Despite Kabir’s international experience, he has struggled to consolidate local influence, while Luna has strengthened her grassroots leadership. Following the BNP’s landslide victory on February 12, 2026, both leaders gained prominence, but their competing factions now dominate local political and administrative dynamics.

Administrative committees and official events have reportedly favored the MP’s faction, sidelining Kabir’s supporters. Disputes have surfaced over protocol violations, event management, and access to government platforms. Local leaders have expressed concern that unequal administrative treatment could hinder coordination and development. Recent incidents, including a disrupted relief event and social media disputes, have further exposed tensions between the two camps.

BNP district leaders have urged both sides to work together for the area’s development, warning that favoritism by local administration could obstruct unity and progress.

A special court in New Delhi has remanded two Bangladeshi nationals, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, to the custody of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 11 days. The pair were arrested in West Bengal and brought to Delhi on transit remand before being presented in court on Tuesday. They are accused of involvement in the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of the Bangladeshi Inquilab Mancha, who was shot dead in Dhaka on December 12, 2025. Authorities said the suspects entered India illegally through the Meghalaya border and were detained while attempting to return to Bangladesh via Bongaon.

During the hearing, the NIA argued that the illegal entry could be linked to a larger conspiracy requiring detailed investigation. The court also raised questions about its jurisdiction over the case. Investigators suspect that the murder might have international dimensions and that the accused may have received shelter or assistance while in India.

Indian intelligence agencies are also examining whether the case is connected to a broader sabotage plan, which has drawn attention to security and diplomatic implications between India and Bangladesh.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is holding 'productive' talks with Iran, though Iranian officials denied the claim, calling it misinformation aimed at easing pressure from rising oil prices. Two senior diplomats told Al Jazeera that Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have been mediating secret contacts between American and Iranian officials. Experts remain doubtful about the possibility of a ceasefire, noting that Iran seeks not only to end the war but also to secure long-term economic and security guarantees.

Analysts said Iran’s leadership is likely to adopt a tougher stance in any negotiations, despite U.S. and Israeli claims that Iran’s military capacity has been severely damaged. Iran has demonstrated continued missile capability, including strikes on Israeli targets and an attack on Qatar’s main gas facility. Tehran now demands assurances against future attacks and a new regulatory framework for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, where hundreds of ships remain stalled.

Experts warned that Iran is unlikely to relinquish control of the Strait without major concessions, as it views the conflict as having yielded economic leverage. The uncertainty over Iran’s leadership following recent attacks adds complexity to any potential peace talks.

Twelve people were killed early Thursday when a bus collided with a lorry in Markapuram district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Police said the crash occurred around 6 a.m. local time, causing the bus to catch fire and resulting in multiple fatalities. The vehicle, operated by Harikrishna Travels, was traveling from Nirmal in Telangana to Nellore when the collision took place.

According to an NDTV report, police initially confirmed eight deaths, several of whom were burned alive, before revising the toll to twelve. Deputy Superintendent of Police Nagraju told a television channel that at least eight people were burned alive and about eighteen injured passengers were taken to hospital. Authorities are still gathering full details of the incident.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the road accident. Officials continue rescue and investigation efforts to determine the exact cause of the collision.

The Cabinet Division has issued a new notification redistributing responsibilities between a minister and a state minister. According to the order released on Wednesday night, Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid’s portfolio has been reduced. He will now oversee only the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Ministry of Agriculture, while his previous responsibility for the Ministry of Food has been withdrawn.

In the same notification, State Minister Md Abdul Bari, who was previously in charge of the Ministry of Public Administration, has been given additional responsibility for the Ministry of Food. The redistribution was made under the Prime Minister’s authority in accordance with the Rules of Business.

The announcement marks another adjustment in ministerial duties, reflecting an ongoing process of administrative reorganization within the government.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s women’s wing and Islami Chhatra Shibir have expressed deep sorrow and concern over the fatal bus accident at the Daulatdia ferry ghat in Rajbari. In separate statements issued on Thursday, both organizations conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the recovery of the injured. The women’s wing, led by secretary Nurunnisa Siddika, urged authorities to intensify rescue operations involving the Navy, Fire Service, and Coast Guard, ensure medical and psychological support for survivors, modernize ferry terminal safety, and provide financial compensation to affected families.

The Islami Chhatra Shibir leadership, including president Nurul Islam and secretary general Sibgatullah, cited media reports that the passenger bus plunged into the Padma River on Wednesday afternoon while boarding a pontoon, leaving at least 18 dead and many missing. They called for swift rescue efforts, a high-level impartial investigation, and accountability if negligence is found. The group also highlighted the rising number of transport accidents across Bangladesh and urged modernization of the country’s transport safety systems.

Both organizations emphasized the need for stronger oversight and safety reforms to prevent further tragedies on Bangladesh’s roads and waterways.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that 290 American soldiers have been injured in the ongoing war against Iran, according to CBS News. A CENTCOM spokesperson said that since the beginning of the conflict, 255 of the injured troops have returned to duty, while 10 remain in serious condition. The status of the remaining 25 soldiers has not been disclosed.

The United States launched its military operation named “Epic Fury” against Iran on February 28, in coordination with Israel, which began its own campaign called “Lion Roar.” In response, Tehran carried out counterattacks on Israeli and US military bases across several Middle Eastern countries, escalating the conflict throughout the region.

Over nearly four weeks of fighting, the US military has reported 13 fatalities among its personnel. Several American military bases and installations in the Middle East have been damaged by Iranian strikes, and multiple US aircraft and warplanes have been destroyed, according to BBC reports cited in the source.

BNP’s former joint secretary general and Chattogram-4 Member of Parliament Professor Aslam Chowdhury stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has initiated programs to strengthen the country’s economy, sovereignty, and living standards. He said that pre-election promises are being implemented gradually, and the plan for youth employment and national economic self-reliance will become visible within the next six months. He made these remarks early Wednesday night at a brief discussion after placing a wreath at the central Shaheed Minar of Sitakunda Upazila Parishad in Chattogram on Independence Day.

Aslam Chowdhury recalled that on this day in 1971, late President Ziaur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence, leading the nation toward sovereignty. He said that although a one-party system was introduced after independence, democracy was later restored under Ziaur Rahman’s leadership. He added that under Begum Khaleda Zia’s leadership, the 1990 mass uprising brought back democracy and political stability.

He further stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has united the people to uphold democracy and that the BNP remains committed to ensuring peaceful coexistence among all religious communities in Bangladesh.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that Bangladesh has sent a formal diplomatic request to India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to return the suspects involved in the Osman Hadi murder case. He said the transfer process is ongoing under the existing prisoner exchange agreement between the two countries. The minister made the remarks on Thursday after paying tribute to martyred police officers at the Rajarbagh Police Memorial in Dhaka on the occasion of Independence and National Day.

During his address, the minister reflected on the historical significance of Rajarbagh Police Lines, noting that the first massacre of March 25, 1971, began there and that it marked the beginning of Bangladesh’s independence movement. He also mentioned that Major Ziaur Rahman declared rebellion in Chittagong following the incident and later announced the country’s independence from Kalurghat Radio Station on March 27.

The minister further stated that discussions are ongoing with several developed nations, including Switzerland, to enhance the technical capacity and modernization of the police force through training and cooperation.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that Germany is pressing the United States and Israel to stop their war against Iran. Speaking in the national parliament, Merz said Germany is making every effort to persuade Washington and Tel Aviv to end the conflict. He added that Germany would be ready to join international efforts to stabilize the region once the fighting ends, but any such operation would require United Nations approval.

The report notes that Germany remains divided over the US-Israeli war against Iran. While Merz supports the conflict as a means to remove the current Iranian government, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and other senior officials have condemned the war as a “terrible mistake” and a violation of international law.

The statement underscores internal divisions within Germany’s leadership over the conflict and highlights Berlin’s attempt to balance diplomatic pressure with adherence to international legal frameworks.

A journalist in Lakshmipur’s Komolnagar upazila has reported receiving a death threat online after posting a video about alleged canal encroachment during a government excavation program. Amzad Hossain Amu, the Komolnagar correspondent of the newspaper Amar Desh, filed a general diary with the local police on Tuesday night, accusing local BNP leader Sekantar Alam of issuing the threat through a Facebook comment.

According to the report, Amu visited the Koraitola Bazar area on March 24 to gather information about the Water Development Board’s alleged filling of a waterbody for shop construction. He later posted a 1-minute-35-second video on Facebook criticizing the encroachment. The video drew thousands of views and dozens of comments, including one from Sekantar Alam containing abusive language and a death threat. Alam later claimed his Facebook account had been hacked and said he planned to file a court case, without specifying details.

Komolnagar BNP president Nurul Huda Chowdhury stated that Alam no longer holds any party position and left the BNP years ago. Police confirmed the general diary and said legal action would be taken.

The Independence and National Day parade began on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the National Parade Ground located at the old Tejgaon Airport in Dhaka. President Md. Shahabuddin attended the event and received the salute. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was also present, along with the chiefs of the three armed forces, cabinet members, senior government officials, foreign ambassadors, and other local and international guests.

The parade was organized under the supervision of the Armed Forces Division, guided by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, and managed by the Ninth Infantry Division. The event marks the return of the Independence Day parade after a break during the interim government period following the ouster of the Awami League in the 2024 movement. Preparations for the parade began at the start of Ramadan and concluded with a final rehearsal on Tuesday.

Thousands of spectators, including children and youth, gathered at the venue, many waving national flags. Seating arrangements with plastic chairs were made for the audience.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Secretary-General John Denton has warned that the world is heading toward the most severe industrial crisis in recent memory, driven by the ongoing United States-Israel war in Iran. Speaking on Wednesday in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Denton said the current energy crisis is far more serious than the oil shock of the 1970s, with global industries facing unprecedented disruption.

According to Denton, the crisis extends beyond soaring energy prices. Severe shortages of gas and other essential raw materials are crippling and displacing industrial production worldwide. The blockade in the Strait of Hormuz has halted the supply of fertilizers and agricultural inputs, threatening to drastically reduce crop yields in the next harvest season and endangering global food security.

Denton emphasized that the global trade environment is being redefined by conflict and geopolitical tensions. He called for a strong and effective multilateral trade system to help overcome the crisis.

Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stated that about 2,000 ships carrying 20,000 sailors are currently stranded in the Hormuz Strait. He described the situation as a major challenge for the global shipping industry. Dominguez warned that the longer the ships remain there, the greater the mental stress and fatigue among sailors, and the more limited the supply of essential provisions will become.

According to the IMO chief, insurance companies are refusing to bear the financial losses, with many canceling contracts or demanding significantly higher premiums. He noted that assistance from countries surrounding the strait has so far prevented a humanitarian crisis. The IMO is pressing for the creation of a humanitarian corridor to allow the stranded vessels to leave the area.

Dominguez also criticized U.S. President Trump’s plan to escort ships through the strait, calling it “unacceptable” because there is no guarantee that commercial vessels will not be targeted or that innocent sailors will remain unharmed.