Lion Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury, Member of Parliament for Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda), announced a firm stance against corruption and extortion. Speaking on Monday at an Eid reunion event in Muradpur Union’s coastal area, organized by Italy expatriate Jubo Dal leader Nur Mohammad, he warned that illegal activities such as forced sale of construction materials, soil extraction from farmland, drug trade, and extortion would not be tolerated. He also cautioned that those involved would face organizational action for tarnishing the party’s image.

Aslam Chowdhury emphasized that proper implementation of ongoing development projects in Sitakunda would accelerate local infrastructure growth. He highlighted the importance of environmental conservation, planned industrialization, and sustainable development to transform Sitakunda into a modern, investment-friendly industrial zone.

Special guest Nurul Amin, MP for Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai), said such reunions strengthen fraternity, harmony, and mutual relations among people, expressing satisfaction at sharing Eid joy with Sitakunda residents.

A parliamentary special committee has begun its first meeting to review 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period. The meeting, held on Tuesday morning, marks the start of the committee’s formal work under the 13th National Parliament. The committee will examine the ordinances and prepare a report for submission to Parliament by April 2, as directed earlier.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the committee, told reporters before the meeting that the special committee was formed under procedural rules because standing committees have not yet been established. He said the discussion would focus on which ordinances could be accepted, which might need amendments, and which require further changes. Some ordinances are reportedly seen as conflicting with the constitution, while others reflect the aspirations of the July uprising, including recognition and indemnity for those involved.

According to parliamentary rules, ordinances issued when Parliament is not in session must be presented on the first sitting day and passed within 30 days to remain valid. The next parliamentary session is scheduled for March 29 and will continue until April 30.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom is not involved in any attacks on Iran. He acknowledged that U.S. forces are using some British bases, but only for defensive and limited purposes. Starmer emphasized that Britain is not participating in any military operations against Iran and will not take offensive actions in the future.

Referring to the Iraq war, Starmer said that the government has learned from past mistakes and shaped its current policy accordingly. He noted that British warplanes are deployed in West Asia for defensive missions and have already helped intercept some attacks. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which prompted Iranian counterattacks targeting American and allied bases in the region.

Starmer stressed that ensuring the safety of British citizens in West Asia remains the government’s top priority. He warned that Iran’s escalating attacks are destabilizing the region and reiterated that lasting solutions should come through dialogue rather than military force.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, said a sudden surge in oil demand has caused a temporary shortage in the country. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday morning, the first working day after the Eid holidays, he assured that there is adequate oil stock nationwide.

The minister urged citizens not to purchase oil beyond their immediate needs, emphasizing that supply will remain stable if people avoid unnecessary hoarding. He also noted that the Energy Regulatory Commission is responsible for reviewing fuel prices, but the government has not yet increased oil prices.

According to the minister, there is no reason for public concern as everyone will receive oil as needed, and the government is monitoring the situation to maintain regular supply.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir has called on police members to perform their duties more effectively in maintaining law and order. He made the call on Tuesday morning at the police headquarters in Dhaka during an Eid reunion event held on the first working day after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

The IGP praised the efforts of highway, traffic, and district police units for their dedication in ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for homebound travelers during the Eid period. He also exchanged Eid greetings with officers, members, and civil staff working at the police headquarters, extending his post-Eid well wishes to them.

Senior police officials, including additional IGPs, heads of various Dhaka-based units, and other officers and employees of the police headquarters, were present at the event.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government will adopt the indemnity ordinance for the July fighters, reflecting public expectations and the aspirations of July. He stated that decisions regarding 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period will be made swiftly. The announcement came on Tuesday morning before he joined the first meeting of the special parliamentary committee at the National Parliament Building.

The meeting, chaired by Speaker (Retd.) Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, marked the beginning of the committee’s work to review the 133 ordinances. The committee has been tasked with determining which ordinances will remain in effect and which will be repealed. After the review, discussions will be held within the committee before final decisions are taken.

On March 12, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman presented the 133 ordinances in Parliament. The legislature must decide on them within 30 working days, as stipulated in the parliamentary schedule.

IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The meeting took place in the morning, according to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury was also present during the meeting. The discussion was described as a courtesy meeting, and no further details about the agenda or outcomes were provided in the official communication.

The visit highlights ongoing engagement between Bangladesh and the International Monetary Fund, though the source did not specify any particular policy discussions or agreements resulting from the meeting.

Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to appear before a New York court on Thursday to face drug trafficking charges. His lawyers are expected to strongly request dismissal of the case. The Manhattan hearing comes as Washington gradually moves toward improving relations with Caracas. A key issue in the hearing will be who will cover Maduro’s legal expenses.

The Venezuelan government intends to pay his legal costs, but U.S. sanctions require Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, to obtain a government license to receive funds. Pollack argued in court filings that this licensing condition violates Maduro’s constitutional right to legal assistance and that the case should be dismissed on procedural grounds. Maduro, who ruled Venezuela since March 2013, was ousted in a U.S. operation on January 3 and is now held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

Pollack said the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control initially granted but later revoked a license allowing him to accept payment. He has filed an objection and warned he will formally complain if no action is taken, noting Maduro cannot otherwise afford legal representation.

A powerful explosion occurred on Monday, March 23, at a Valero-owned oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, United States. The blast was so intense that local authorities immediately instructed nearby residents to evacuate to safe locations, according to AFP. Emergency services in Port Arthur issued alerts urging people in surrounding areas to seek shelter away from the site.

Valero stated in a company release that all employees had been accounted for and no one was missing, emphasizing that worker safety remained their top priority. Local media footage showed large flames and thick black smoke rising from the refinery, while witnesses reported that the explosion shattered windows in nearby homes.

The refinery, located about 90 miles east of Houston, employs around 800 workers and processes approximately 435,000 barrels of oil per day, producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, and an investigation is underway.

Former adviser to the interim government Mostofa Sarwar Farooki described the arrest of Masud Chowdhury, identified as a key figure behind the 1/11 political events, as a positive beginning for the current administration. He made the remarks on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, through a verified Facebook post, urging a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the 1/11 episode and even the 2008 election.

In his post, Farooki argued that the 1/11 events were the root of subsequent national crises, including enforced disappearances, repression of opposition activists, and major violent incidents. He emphasized that justice and preservation of collective memory are essential for national healing, suggesting that historical documentation through museums and reports could help the nation move forward.

Farooki warned that moving ahead without justice and memory preservation risks encouraging future wrongdoing and leaving unresolved resentment in the public consciousness, which he said is not conducive to true healing.

The government has issued instructions to strictly follow the National Flag Rules during the observance of the Great Independence and National Day, as well as other government-designated days. The directive emphasizes that raising and using the national flag in accordance with the 1972 National Flag Rules, amended in 2010, is a duty of every citizen. According to Article 4(1) of the Constitution, the national flag of the Republic consists of a red circle on a green field.

The flag rules specify that the flag must be dark green with a red circle in the center, maintaining a length-to-width ratio of 10:6. The circle should have a radius equal to one-fifth of the flag’s length. Depending on the building size, three standard flag dimensions are prescribed: 10:6, 5:3, and 2.5:1.5. The rules prohibit covering vehicles, trains, or vessels with the flag and forbid hoisting any other flag above it.

The guidelines also detail proper display methods in auditoriums, roads, and ceremonies, emphasizing respect during hoisting and lowering, and requiring the national anthem to be sung when the flag is formally raised.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bakul announced that unauthorized and substandard hospitals and clinics will no longer be allowed to operate in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Tuesday morning at the Secretariat, the first working day after the Eid holidays. The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given strict directives to ensure quality healthcare, and a zero-tolerance policy will be applied against clinic owners involved in irregularities.

He added that this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated peacefully and comfortably, marking one of the most pleasant holidays in the past one and a half decades. Prices of essential goods remained stable, and law and order were fully under control, allowing people to celebrate without disruption. However, he acknowledged a few unfortunate road accidents and isolated complaints of overcharging on trains and buses.

The minister described the overall Eid journey and celebrations as successful, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining discipline and quality in both healthcare and public services.

International media reports indicate that Pakistan has been mentioned as a possible mediator in efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict surrounding Iran. According to the Financial Times and Axios, Pakistan has expressed interest in facilitating talks and has proposed its capital, Islamabad, as a potential venue for a meeting between senior officials from the United States and Iran.

No formal confirmation has yet come from either Washington or Tehran regarding this initiative. Analysts in Washington reportedly view Pakistan’s move as unsurprising given its longstanding ties with Iran and previously warm relations with the United States during Donald Trump’s second term. Pakistan’s defense chief Asif Munir met Trump twice last year, once in June and again in September, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attending the latter meeting.

Pakistan also nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize twice in 2025 for his mediation efforts between India and Pakistan, a gesture that was reportedly well received within Trump’s administration.

The United States and Iran have issued conflicting statements regarding possible talks aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East, leaving the situation uncertain. On Saturday, Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform giving Iran a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz without threats, warning of strikes on Iranian power plants if it failed to comply. On Monday, he extended the deadline by five days, claiming that discussions had taken place between the two countries to achieve a complete resolution of the conflict.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf denied any such talks, writing on social media platform X that no discussions had occurred and accusing the US of spreading false news to influence financial and oil markets. However, a senior Iranian official told CBS News that Iran had received some US proposals through intermediaries and was reviewing them. CBS News reported that this could be seen as a preparatory step toward potential talks, though no formal negotiations had begun.

The White House urged caution, describing the situation as fluid and advising against assuming any meeting until an official announcement is made.

Global oil prices have risen above $100 per barrel again as uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict intensifies. After a sharp decline on Monday, Brent crude rebounded in Asian trading on Tuesday, climbing 3.75 percent to $103.69 per barrel. At the same time, Nymex Light Sweet crude increased 3.42 percent to $91.55 per barrel, according to a BBC report.

The price rebound followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that planned attacks on Iran would be postponed for five days, which he described as a positive step toward dialogue. That statement had initially caused oil prices to drop by more than 10 percent. However, Tehran later stated that no talks had taken place with the United States, leaving the market uncertain and pushing prices upward again.

Analysts suggest that continued geopolitical tension and mixed signals from both sides are keeping the oil market volatile, with traders closely watching developments in the Iran situation.