A new controversy has emerged in West Bengal, India, over the voter list ahead of the upcoming elections. The Election Commission recently released an additional voter list, prompting questions among political circles and the public. Allegations have surfaced that the publication process lacks transparency, with no clear data on how many new voters were added or removed. Technical issues on the commission’s website have also prevented many from verifying their information.

Some groups have warned that holding elections before completing the voter list update could disenfranchise many voters. The Election Commission has not yet provided a detailed explanation. Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing about the deployment of central forces in the state to maintain law and order during the election period, though sections of the opposition have expressed concern.

Major political parties, including the Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Indian National Congress, are trading accusations over various issues. Analysts emphasize that transparency in voter list management and administrative measures is essential to maintain public trust and ensure the credibility of the election process.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken Faisal Karim and Alamgir to Delhi for further interrogation in connection with the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi. According to police sources, the two accused were flown from Kolkata to Delhi on Monday night and are scheduled to appear before a special NIA court on Tuesday.

On March 22, the NIA sought permission from the Bidhannagar court to interrogate the suspects, which the judge initially approved. However, citing security concerns at Dum Dum Central Jail, the agency filed a new petition on March 23 requesting to conduct the questioning in Delhi. The court granted the request, and the transfer was carried out that night. Earlier, Judge Nishan Majumdar had ordered 12 days of judicial custody for the two, allowing both the West Bengal STF and NIA to question them in jail until April 2.

The accused face charges under Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, related to planning or supporting terrorist acts. Faisal has denied involvement, claiming political framing and lack of CCTV evidence.

The Philippines is considering suspending domestic and international air services due to a severe shortage of jet fuel. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Bloomberg on Monday that the ongoing Iran-United States-Israel war has disrupted global energy supplies, leaving the country struggling to secure aviation fuel. He said that suppliers who previously sold jet fuel to the Philippines have stopped doing so, forcing airlines to rely on limited domestic reserves.

Marcos warned that these reserves will not last long if the war continues and fuel supply chains remain blocked. He indicated that without a quick resolution to the conflict or restoration of normal supply from seller countries, the government may soon have to cancel both domestic and long-haul international flights. The fuel crisis has already prompted the Philippines to declare a national energy emergency.

The situation highlights the broader global impact of the conflict on energy-dependent sectors, particularly aviation, as countries face mounting pressure to manage dwindling fuel resources.

Bahrain has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council seeking authorization for countries to take measures to protect the Strait of Hormuz and commercial maritime navigation. The proposal, presented on March 23, calls for voluntary multinational or individual naval actions to safeguard shipping and prevent any obstruction in the strategic waterway. It also includes provisions for possible sanctions and other measures.

According to diplomats, the draft has received support from other Gulf Arab states and the United States, but its approval may face challenges due to the veto powers of Russia and China. Bahrain’s proposal identifies Iran’s actions as a threat to international peace and security and urges Tehran to stop obstructing legitimate commercial navigation in the strait.

On the same day, France introduced an alternative draft resolution emphasizing dialogue, suggesting differing approaches among Security Council members to address tensions in the region.

Iran has denied reports of any talks with the United States and declared that it will continue fighting until achieving what it calls 'complete victory.' The statement came from the country’s top military command on Monday, according to Iran’s state television, quoting Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of the Khatam-al Anbia Central Headquarters. He said Iran’s armed forces remain proud, victorious, and steadfast in defending the nation’s integrity.

The declaration followed US President Donald Trump’s claim that discussions were underway between Tehran and Washington. Iran has consistently denied engaging in any negotiations with the United States, though its foreign minister continues to maintain contact with counterparts in other regional countries. General Aliabadi did not clarify what 'complete victory' specifically means, but the statement is seen as a warning against making concessions in any potential talks.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the ongoing war could only end if Iran received assurances that no further attacks would be carried out against it, according to the Associated Press.

Dhaka’s Savar-based alleged serial killer, vagrant Samrat alias Sabuj Sheikh, died on Tuesday, March 24, after suddenly falling ill in Keraniganj Central Jail. Prison authorities said he complained of chest pain in the morning and was immediately taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

According to police, Samrat had been in custody for about two months following his arrest in connection with a double murder at a community center in Savar on January 19. CCTV footage had led to his capture, and during interrogation he reportedly confessed to several other killings. He was charged in six murder cases and had remained in Keraniganj jail since his court appearance.

Inspector (Operations) Md Helal Uddin of Savar Model Police Station confirmed the death, saying initial indications suggest a heart attack, though the exact cause will be determined after the autopsy report.

Retired Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr has been officially appointed as the new secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The announcement was made on March 24, 2026, by Seyed Mehdi Tabatabai, deputy head of communications at the Iranian president’s office, through a post on social media platform X. The appointment was made by order of the president and approved by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

Zolqadr replaces Ali Larijani, who was killed last week in an Israeli-American attack. Larijani had served as the council’s head since August 2025. Zolqadr, a key figure in Iran’s political and security establishment, previously held senior roles in the judiciary, including responsibilities for strategic, social-security, and crime prevention affairs.

Before this appointment, Zolqadr served as secretary of the Supreme Advisory Council and earlier as deputy interior minister for security under former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He holds a degree in economics from the University of Tehran and is reportedly under international sanctions for his involvement in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.

A legal notice has been sent to the Bangladesh government demanding the immediate purchase of a modern air defense system to protect citizens from aerial threats and safeguard national sovereignty. The notice also called for initiating research and development to build an indigenous air defense system using local technology. Supreme Court lawyer Md. Mahmudul Hasan issued the notice on Tuesday in the public interest, addressing it to senior officials including the Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries of the Defense and Finance Ministries, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, and the Commandant of Bangladesh Ordnance Factories.

The notice stated that modern warfare increasingly involves missile, aircraft, and drone attacks, posing severe risks to both military installations and civilians. It cited media reports indicating serious deficiencies in Bangladesh’s current air defense capabilities. The document warned that regional instability, the civil war in neighboring Myanmar, and geopolitical tensions could threaten Bangladesh’s sovereignty. It also noted that India has already deployed Russia’s S-400 air defense system, emphasizing the need for Bangladesh to act promptly to maintain regional balance and reduce long-term dependence on foreign technology.

The notice requested action within 15 days, warning that a writ petition would be filed in the High Court if no steps are taken.

Two people died and two others were injured in a violent clash on Monday night, March 23, in Doyail Union of Sarishabari upazila, Jamalpur. The incident began when Roni, from Champakona village, visited the home of his fiancée Shila Akter, 16, to resolve a dispute after she refused their arranged marriage. During the discussion, a heated argument broke out between the two families, leading to a physical confrontation.

Neighbor Sohel Rana, 35, rushed to the scene to stop the fight but was attacked and fatally injured. He was later declared dead at the local health complex. Upon hearing of Sohel’s death, his friend and neighbor Monju Mia, 40, suffered a heart attack and died shortly afterward. Two women, Hasna Begum, 20, and Sahera Begum, 25, were also injured and received treatment at the upazila health complex.

Police recovered Sohel’s body and prepared to send it for autopsy. Authorities said further legal steps would follow after receiving the postmortem report.

Iran has issued a strong warning to the United States, saying that any attack on its energy facilities will lead to US forces being rendered inoperative. Senior Iranian military official Mohsen Rezaei, a member of the Expediency Discernment Council, made the statement on Tuesday, March 24, following threats from former US President Donald Trump to strike Iran’s energy and power infrastructure. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also warned that American ships in the Arabian Gulf would be sunk if such attacks occur.

According to Iranian media, the country’s energy infrastructure has already suffered damage from strikes by the United States and Israel. Tehran claimed that these attacks took place only hours after Trump withdrew his earlier threat to target Iran’s power facilities. Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that the US targeted a gas administration building and a gas pressure control station on Kaveh Street in Isfahan.

The exchange of threats underscores escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, with both sides accusing each other of aggression in the region.

China is conducting extensive undersea mapping and monitoring operations across the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans, according to a Reuters analysis. The Ocean University of China’s research vessel Dong Fang Hong 3 has repeatedly operated near Taiwan, Guam, and strategic areas of the Indian Ocean between 2024 and 2025. The vessel, officially described as conducting soil and climate research, has also been involved in deep-sea mapping and testing underwater sensors capable of detecting submerged objects.

Naval experts and U.S. officials cited in the report say the collected seabed data could significantly enhance China’s submarine warfare capabilities by improving navigation, detection, and deployment strategies. The mapping activity is concentrated near U.S. military bases in the Philippines, Guam, and Hawaii. Analysts describe the initiative as part of China’s “civil-military fusion,” combining civilian research with military applications.

The project, referred to by Chinese researchers as the “Transparent Ocean,” aims to provide real-time information on underwater conditions. Experts warn that this growing network of vessels and sensors could give China a strategic advantage in submarine operations and pose new challenges for the U.S. Navy.

A gas pipeline connected to a power plant in Khorramshahr, a city in southwestern Iran, was targeted in an attack reportedly carried out by US and Israeli forces. The incident occurred on March 24, 2026, but local authorities confirmed that the plant’s operations were not disrupted and no casualties were reported. The semi-official Fars News Agency verified the information.

According to the governor of Khorramshahr, a projectile struck the outer section of the gas pipeline processing station at the facility. Immediate preventive measures were taken following the strike, which helped avoid major damage. The power plant continues to operate normally, and electricity supply to local residents remains unaffected.

The report did not mention any further military or political response following the attack, and the extent of material damage beyond the initial impact remains unspecified.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh has decided to keep government primary schools open on ten consecutive Saturdays following the Ramadan holidays to make up for learning losses. The directive was issued through a circular signed by Md. Zainal Abedin, Deputy Director of Pre-primary and Integrated Education at the Directorate of Primary Education. The circular instructs all district primary education officers to take necessary steps to implement the decision.

According to the ministry, the extended closure during Ramadan created a potential learning gap among students. To address this, the ministry ordered that regular classes be conducted on ten Saturdays after schools reopen. The government had earlier declared holidays for all primary and secondary institutions from February 19 to March 26, 2026, in observance of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence Day.

After the weekly holidays on March 27 and 28, schools are scheduled to reopen on March 29, when the Saturday classes will begin to recover lost instructional time.

Iran has reportedly launched missiles toward Israel in what it described as a symbolic gesture to honor the victims of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Images of the launch circulated on social media platforms including X and Telegram. Iranian officials said the action was intended both as a tribute to the historical tragedy and as a protest against current global power politics.

According to various sources, the missiles were directed toward Israel, prompting alerts in Tel Aviv and nearby areas, with reports of some structural damage. Analysts noted that while Iran framed the move as symbolic, it also demonstrated regional power projection. Experts warned that invoking a historical tragedy to justify a military act could heighten diplomatic sensitivities and influence global perceptions of power dynamics.

Observers suggested that the incident may further complicate regional relations and signal Iran’s intent to assert its position in ongoing geopolitical tensions.

OpenAI announced it will shut down its Sora AI video app just months after its launch, marking a major shift in the company’s strategy. In a statement, OpenAI thanked users and creators for their contributions and said it would share more details soon about timelines for the app and API, as well as how users can preserve their work. The decision coincides with Disney’s withdrawal from its $1 billion investment deal with OpenAI, which included licensing some of its characters for use in Sora.

Sora debuted last fall and quickly drew attention in Hollywood for its use of established intellectual property and actor likenesses. OpenAI later adjusted the platform to give studios and talent more control over their content. Disney had planned to integrate Sora’s technology into Disney+, but the app’s closure has effectively ended that collaboration. A Disney spokesperson said the company respects OpenAI’s decision to shift priorities and will continue exploring AI partnerships that respect creators’ rights.

The move leaves Google as the dominant player in large-scale AI video generation, though it has yet to secure licensing deals with major IP holders and faces ongoing legal challenges.