The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued strict travel directives ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure safe and congestion-free journeys. According to an emergency public notice released on Thursday, the movement of trucks, covered vans, and lorries will be completely prohibited on highways across the country from March 17 to 23. However, vehicles carrying essential food items, perishable goods, garments, medicines, fertilizers, and fuel will be exempt from the restriction.

The DMP announced that special monitoring will begin on March 16 at major entry and exit points of the capital to manage the rush of homebound travelers. It advised avoiding key routes such as Kuril-Abdullahpur, Gulistan-Signboard, Mirpur Road-Aminbazar, and Fulbaria-Sadarghat to reduce congestion. Inter-district buses will not be allowed to pick up or drop off passengers outside terminals or park near city entry points.

The directive also warned transport owners and workers against overcharging passengers, selling duplicate tickets, or operating unfit vehicles. Highway and traffic police teams will be deployed to curb reckless driving, intoxicated driving, and mobile phone use while driving.

Italy’s Foreign Ministry has denied that any discussions are taking place with Iran regarding the safe passage of Italian ships or oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. A ministry source told Reuters on March 13, 2026, that a report published by the Financial Times on this matter was inaccurate.

According to the source, Italian leaders are engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing overall military tensions in the region. However, the source emphasized that there are no secret negotiations intended to secure the safety of specific commercial vessels at the expense of others.

The clarification comes amid heightened regional sensitivities around maritime security and follows recent international attention to the strategic waterway’s stability.

Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the northern region, said the party failed to protect its votes during the counting process in the national election. Speaking at an iftar event organized by the NCP’s Panchagarh district branch at Himalaya Park on Friday, March 13, he alleged that their votes were taken away and emphasized that the party shares responsibility for not safeguarding them.

Alam urged party members to ensure that every vote is protected in the upcoming local elections, regardless of the number of supporters at each polling center. He reminded attendees that the NCP, as part of the 11-party opposition alliance in parliament, must honor the trust placed in them by voters. He also called for courage and leadership in the struggle for change, saying that fear spreads easily but courage is even more contagious.

He encouraged members to begin preparations for local elections and to take leadership roles such as member, chairman, or upazila chairman positions.

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran’s government will eventually be removed from power by its own people, though not right away. Speaking to Fox News Radio, Trump stated that the Iranian population faces major obstacles, particularly the lack of weapons, but he believes the change will happen in time. His comments came after recent military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.

According to the report, more than 1,300 people have been killed in the attacks so far. Despite the conflict, there have been no major protests or signs of rebellion against Iran’s ruling system since the war began. Trump suggested that while the process may take time, public resistance could grow in the future.

The situation remains tense as the region continues to experience military and humanitarian fallout from the strikes, with other nations such as Russia reportedly sending aid to Iran.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is not expanding, rejecting claims that the war is spreading. Speaking at a briefing in Washington, D.C., he said that contrary to some media headlines, the situation is strengthening US advantages rather than escalating warfare. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.

Hegseth expressed frustration with reports suggesting a widening conflict, even as missile attacks have occurred in several countries in the region. Observers have interpreted these incidents as signs of broader escalation. Addressing concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, he assured that Americans need not worry, though he acknowledged that fuel prices in the United States have risen by about 60 cents per gallon due to recent tensions.

He added that the potential risks around the Strait of Hormuz were already known and that the US was aware of the situation. Critics, however, questioned why such developments were allowed to occur if the risks had been anticipated.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that the Pilkhana massacre was a deep conspiracy aimed at weakening Bangladesh’s proud armed forces. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event in Dhaka on Friday, he stated that the BDR mutiny marked the beginning of a culture of political killings in the country. The event was organized by the group Nexus Defense and Justice to honor families of those killed in the Pilkhana tragedy and the July uprising.

Dr. Rahman said that the killing of talented army officers at Pilkhana was an attack on the nation’s defense and sovereignty. He added that many other killings followed, including judicial and extrajudicial ones, and mentioned the Shapla Chattar incident as an example of brutality. He expressed deep respect for all victims and their families.

He further claimed that the true mystery behind the Pilkhana killings was deliberately hidden by blaming the victims themselves. He pledged that Jamaat would ensure a fair investigation if given the opportunity to govern, and called for an end to the politics of vengeance in Bangladesh.

Iran’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, announced that Iranian authorities will allow Bangladeshi oil tankers to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz. He made the statement on Friday in Dhaka while speaking to journalists during an event. The envoy said he had discussed the matter with Iranian officials after Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the energy minister requested permission for the tankers to operate amid the country’s fuel shortage.

The ambassador explained that Iran is ready to ensure safe passage for Bangladeshi vessels carrying energy supplies so that the people of Bangladesh do not face further difficulties. His remarks come as Iran has restricted ship movements through the strategic waterway following attacks by the United States and Israel, which disrupted global energy shipments.

Although Iran has allowed limited passage for some countries’ oil vessels, overall navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily restricted due to the ongoing conflict, keeping global fuel markets unstable.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has stated that there is no scope for relaxing educational qualifications in the election of managing committees of educational institutions under the new policy. He clarified that the verification process will proceed in stages, starting with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), followed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC), before three names are sent to the respective education board.

Speaking to journalists after a prize-giving ceremony in Kachua, Chandpur, on Friday afternoon, the minister said that authorities are considering how to ensure that qualified, educated, and socially active individuals are involved in managing committees. He acknowledged that some diploma engineers and education enthusiasts, though not degree holders, have made significant contributions to education.

Milan added that further discussions will be held at the level of Members of Parliament and the Prime Minister to decide how to enhance the role of managing committees in improving education quality. He emphasized that nowhere has it been stated that educational qualifications will be relaxed.

Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations announced that it has sent 13 tons of humanitarian aid to Iran through Azerbaijan, according to Anadolu Agency. The ministry said in a statement on Thursday that the shipment includes medicines, which were first delivered to Azerbaijan and will then be handed over to representatives of the Iranian government. The aid was sent under the directive of President Vladimir Putin.

The ministry added that the medicines were transported to Azerbaijan using its air transport system before being transferred to Iran’s authorized representatives. The delivery comes amid heightened regional tensions following major attacks by the United States and Israel on February 28 that killed more than 1,300 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In response, Tehran reportedly launched drone and missile strikes on Israel and U.S. military bases in Gulf countries.

The aid delivery underscores Russia’s continued engagement with Iran during a period of escalating conflict and instability in the region.

The United States Central Command has confirmed that all six crew members aboard a KC-135 refueling aircraft were killed when the plane crashed in western Iraq. The confirmation came after earlier reports indicated that four crew members had died and two were missing. The update clarified that all six personnel on board lost their lives in the incident.

According to a post by CENTCOM on social media platform X, the cause of the crash remains under investigation. However, preliminary findings suggest that the aircraft was not brought down by hostile action or friendly fire. Authorities stated that the identities of the deceased crew members will be released 24 hours after their families have been notified.

The crash adds to ongoing operational challenges for US forces in the region, though officials have not linked the incident to any external threat pending the outcome of the investigation.

Bangladesh’s Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has issued a strict directive prohibiting the practice of lining up students along roads to greet ministers or guests. He announced the ban on Friday during an award ceremony for National Education Week winners in Kachua upazila of Chandpur. The minister expressed dissatisfaction after witnessing students standing by the roadside to welcome him on his way to the event.

Milon emphasized that no teacher or educational institution should organize such receptions that cause discomfort to students. He stated that he wishes to move around as an ordinary person and that no student should be made to stand in the sun or by the roadside for his arrival. He further instructed teachers to release students early and send them home, assuring students that he would personally visit schools to meet them instead of requiring them to wait outside.

Local officials, teachers, and political leaders were present at the event where the directive was announced.

Several commercial vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf have begun identifying themselves as China-linked in their destination signals to reduce the risk of being targeted during the ongoing Iran war, according to marine traffic data analyzed by the Associated Press. At least eight ships changed their transponder messages to phrases such as “CHINA OWNER” or “CHINA OWNER&CREW,” data from MarineTraffic showed. These ships were either transiting the strait or remaining in nearby waters.

Trade risk analysts said the move is intended to signal neutrality and avoid confusion with vessels that might be targeted by Iranian forces or affiliated groups. Iran has generally refrained from attacking ships associated with China, given Beijing’s neutral stance and economic ties with Tehran. Most of the ships identified were not registered under the Chinese flag but under countries such as Panama and the Marshall Islands.

Experts noted that while many bulk carriers have Chinese ownership or cargo links, it remains unclear whether declaring a Chinese connection effectively prevents attacks. Similar tactics were previously observed during Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Opposition parties in India, including the Trinamool Congress, have submitted an impeachment notice against Chief Election Commissioner Jnanish Kumar, accusing him of biased and discriminatory conduct. According to Trinamool Congress sources, a total of 193 members of Parliament from both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have signed the notice. The signatories allege that Kumar failed to uphold the dignity of his office, citing irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll and claims that many citizens were deprived of their voting rights.

The move comes amid ongoing political and legal disputes between the Election Commission and the Trinamool Congress over the voter list revision process, just months before the state assembly elections. The controversy has intensified after nearly 6.3 million names were reportedly removed from the voter list in West Bengal, with another 6 million still under review.

Under the Indian Constitution, an impeachment notice against a Chief Election Commissioner requires signatures from at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members. If accepted, the Speaker or Chairman may form a committee to investigate the allegations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani participated in the annual Al-Quds Day rally held in Tehran, according to Al Jazeera. State media photos showed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei also attending the event. The rally took place amid ongoing conflict and heightened security concerns.

The participation of Iran’s top officials came shortly after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that Iranian leaders had gone underground out of fear. Their public appearance at the rally directly contradicted that assertion. Al-Quds Day is observed annually to express solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The term “Al-Quds” refers to Jerusalem in Arabic.

During the gathering, multiple explosions were reportedly heard nearby, resulting in one death, according to the source. No further details about the cause or perpetrators of the explosions were provided.

Two large units of the Ashuganj Power Station Company in Brahmanbaria were shut down on Friday afternoon following a fault in the national grid line. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. when a loud noise was heard, leading to the shutdown of the 400 MW North and 400 MW East units. As a result, approximately 550 megawatts of electricity supply to the national grid was reduced.

According to the plant’s technical division, Ashuganj Power Station had five active units producing about 750 megawatts before the fault. The company’s Executive Director (Technical), Engineer Md. Abdul Majid, stated that the issue originated from the Ashuganj–Vulta 400 kV grid line, which caused the two units to trip. He added that the cause of the fault was being investigated and that efforts were underway to restore the units by night.

Due to insufficient gas supply, the two 800 MW-capacity units had been generating around 550 MW before the shutdown.