Iran has asserted full control over the Strait of Hormuz, blocking all vessel movement without its permission. The closure has halted the transport of nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, driving global energy prices sharply higher. The situation follows the February 28 joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel, which has now entered its third week. President Donald Trump, facing mounting pressure from rising fuel costs, has sought help from allies but received little response.

Iran’s foreign minister warned that the strait would remain closed to Tehran’s enemies, while reports said at least 16 ships have been attacked since fighting began. The U.S., Israel, and Iran have continued reciprocal strikes, including explosions near Tehran and Shiraz. Israel’s military claimed thousands of Iranian casualties, while Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israeli and regional targets. Several countries, including Japan, the UK, China, France, and South Korea, have reacted cautiously to Trump’s calls for cooperation.

Trump rejected any negotiation with Tehran, insisting that Iran must abandon its nuclear program before any deal. Meanwhile, rumors about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s death were denied, and Hezbollah continued retaliatory attacks in Lebanon as diplomatic efforts by France and the UN sought to halt the violence.

Two people were killed after being hit by a truck at the Saptabarna Filling Station in Rajbari Sadar upazila on Sunday evening, March 15. The victims were Sobahan Patowary, 45, from Khan Khanapur Brakpara, and Swapan Mia, 22, from Nannar village in Dhamrai upazila of Dhaka. The accident occurred around 7 p.m. at Goaland Mor when a speeding truck struck a Mahendra vehicle, injuring both men who were standing near the fuel dispenser.

Local sources said Sobahan Patowary had stepped out of his truck to refuel, while Swapan Mia, a helper of another truck, was also waiting in line. Both sustained critical injuries and were taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared them dead upon arrival.

Inspector Harun-or-Rashid, in charge of the Khan Khanapur Police Investigation Center, confirmed that the truck involved in the accident was seized, but its driver and helper fled the scene. The bodies are being kept at Faridpur Medical College Hospital for autopsy before further legal procedures.

The BNP-led government has adopted a five-year master plan to revive dead canals and waterways across Bangladesh, aiming to complete the program by 2030. Under the plan, a total of 7,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated, re-excavated, and renovated. In the current year, 1,500 kilometers of nearly dead canals, drains, and water bodies will be restored. Excavation and re-excavation work on 18 canals in 12 districts will be inaugurated on March 16 and 17. The Water Resources Ministry will act as the lead authority, coordinating with the Agriculture, Disaster Management and Relief, and Local Government ministries.

According to ministry sources, the project will expand irrigation coverage, boost agricultural production, and increase fish supply, helping to restore traditional livelihoods. It is also expected to reduce waterlogging in urban areas, including the capital. The government plans to use a hybrid model combining modern machinery, skilled workers, and laborers under the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP). Excavated soil will be used for local development or sold through open auctions.

Officials emphasized environmental protection and transparency, with regular monitoring by district administrations. Experts cautioned that political neutrality and transparency will be crucial for the project’s success.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has congratulated the Bangladesh cricket team for their thrilling victory against Pakistan. The team secured an 11-run win in the final match at Mirpur Stadium on Sunday, clinching the One Day International series 2–1. Following the match, the Prime Minister issued a statement praising the players for their performance and unity.

In his statement, Rahman said that the 11-run win and the 2–1 series result demonstrated that success is possible through dedicated and collective effort. He commended the young cricketers for making the nation proud with their remarkable performance and expressed hope that the team would continue this winning momentum in the future.

The statement reflected the government’s appreciation of the national team’s achievement and its encouragement for continued excellence in Bangladesh’s cricketing journey.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain has blamed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for the failure to implement the Constitutional Reform Council. He made the remarks on Sunday while addressing an iftar event organized by the National Professional Alliance at a restaurant in Bijoy Sarani, Dhaka.

Hossain argued that citing constitutional reasons to block reforms is inconsistent, pointing out that other constitutional changes have been made based on public sentiment. He also criticized Salahuddin Ahmed for not adhering to the conditions of the July Charter despite previously advocating for them. NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari added that those opposing reforms under the pretext of constitutional constraints should be replaced in the 2029 election by reform-minded representatives.

Speakers at the event, including NCP leaders Alaudin Mohammad and Faridul Haque, reiterated their commitment to fighting corruption, extortion, and terrorism in politics, emphasizing that their struggle for reform would continue.

Police detained several Awami League leaders during a virtual meeting with Nafisa Kamal at the Oasis Hotel in Cumilla’s Tomchom Bridge area on Sunday evening, March 15, 2026. The leaders were reportedly released about an hour later, prompting allegations that Cumilla Kotwali Model Police had freed them shortly after detention. The meeting was part of an iftar event attended by former and current leaders of Nangalkot Upazila Awami League, including former chairman Nazmul Hasan Bhuiyan Bashir and others, some of whom have pending cases.

Police officials said the operation was conducted based on information about possible subversive activities. Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Anwar stated that the individuals were questioned at the scene and released after consulting senior officers. Additional Superintendent of Police Saiful Malek confirmed that several people were questioned but no significant information was found. Local MP Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan said he was unaware of any intervention to secure the leaders’ release.

The incident has drawn attention to the handling of political figures by local law enforcement and the transparency of police actions in Cumilla.

Advocate Md. Shahadat Hossain, member secretary of the Jhalakathi district BNP and president of the Jhalakathi District Lawyers’ Association, has been appointed as the administrator of the Jhalakathi District Council. The appointment was announced on Sunday, March 15, through a notification issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.

The order, signed by Deputy Secretary Khondkar Farhad Ahmed, named administrators for 42 district councils across the country. According to the District Council (Amendment) Ordinance–2024, the appointed individuals will serve as full-time administrators until further notice. Shahadat Hossain has long been active in Jhalakathi’s politics and legal profession, holding various leadership roles within the BNP and the local bar association.

Following his appointment, Shahadat Hossain expressed gratitude to the party leadership and stated his intention to use the district council to promote development, infrastructure improvement, and public welfare in Jhalakathi through collective effort.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar has protested the government’s decision to appoint party-affiliated individuals as administrators in 42 district councils. In a statement issued on Sunday, March 15, he said the Ministry of Local Government had issued a notification making these appointments, which he described as contrary to public expectations.

Porwar argued that in a democratic system, local government bodies should be run by representatives elected through public votes. He claimed that appointing administrators undermines this process and shifts control toward partisan and bureaucratic management. He warned that replacing elections with appointment-based governance poses a serious threat to democracy and directly harms citizens’ voting rights and representative governance.

He further stated that although the government speaks of strengthening local governance, such actions could weaken democracy and damage the country’s political culture. Porwar urged the government to cancel the decision and hold free, fair, and impartial elections for district councils, calling on citizens to stand up for their democratic rights.

Police recovered the bloodied body of Sharmin Jahan, a student of Jahangirnagar University’s Public Administration Department, from a rented apartment in Savar’s Islamnagar area on Sunday afternoon. She was found critically injured inside the residence she shared with her husband and was later declared dead at Enam Medical College Hospital. Her husband has been taken into police custody for questioning.

Investigators suspect the incident to be a homicide, as injuries were found on the victim’s head. Representatives from the university administration visited the hospital after learning of the incident. The body has been sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Ashulia Police Station’s officer-in-charge said the scene has been inspected and an investigation is underway. Dhaka District Police Superintendent Mizanur Rahman stated that the cause of death is being investigated and further details will be provided later.

Police in Dhunat upazila of Bogura have arrested Imruz Raihan Tanzim, a 26-year-old leader of the Swechchhasebak League, in connection with an explosives case filed over a torch procession incident. He was sent to Bogura District Jail through the court on Sunday afternoon after being detained from his home on Saturday night.

According to the case details, on November 30, 2025, around 2 a.m., leaders and activists of the upazila Awami League organized a torch procession in the Bhubangati Uttarpara area of Chowkibari Union. It is alleged that participants detonated crude bombs, causing panic in the locality. On December 10, former president of the Gopalnagar Union Chhatra Dal, Raju Ahmed, filed a case naming 35 individuals and accusing 60 to 70 unidentified persons.

Imruz Raihan Tanzim was arrested as one of the unidentified accused in that case. Dhunat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikul Islam stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that reforming the Information Ministry is essential to effectively work for journalists’ welfare. Speaking on Sunday at an iftar and prayer event organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, he emphasized the need for modernization and digital empowerment to provide secure and efficient public services while addressing cyber and technological risks.

The minister noted that frequent changes in ministerial leadership hinder the development of specialized knowledge required for effective administration. He added that the government is considering restructuring the ministry to ensure citizens’ right to free access to information, as directed by the Prime Minister. Swapan also mentioned that journalists’ problems are being documented and that discussions with journalist leaders will be held soon. He highlighted complications regarding the wage board issue due to unclear jurisdiction between the Information and Labour Ministries.

Senior officials from the police, journalist associations, and foreign missions attended the event, which focused on strengthening collaboration between the government and the media community.

Police in Narayanganj have arrested two individuals following an attack on a police officer and his informant. The incident occurred on Sunday around 5:30 p.m. near the Thanakapra Market area between Golachipa and Alamkhan Lane, adjacent to the railway line. The arrested men were identified as Anik, 28, son of Delwar Hossain, and Mr., 26, son of Harun Sheikh, both from the Golachipa area.

According to police, Sub-Inspector Mizanur and Ariful Salam detained several people after witnessing drug use and sales in the area. A group of seven to eight suspects fled but later returned with others and attacked the officers. The police members retreated to safety, and a subsequent operation led to the arrest of two suspects.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations and Crime) Tarek Al Mehdi stated that they were aware of the assault on SI Mizan and had dispatched officers to investigate. He confirmed that two individuals were detained and that the true cause of the incident would be determined after investigation.

A shooting incident occurred at the Central Shaheed Minar area in Dhaka on Sunday night, leaving one person injured. According to the report, a young man suddenly fired four rounds around 9:30 p.m. The injured individual was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. Local residents managed to detain one person in connection with the incident.

The report did not provide further details about the identity of the shooter or the motive behind the attack. The Central Shaheed Minar, a symbolic site in Dhaka, was the location of the unexpected gunfire that caused panic in the area. Authorities have not yet released any official statement regarding the incident or the condition of the injured person.

Further investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the identity of those involved.

A case has been filed in Lakshmipur’s Kamalnagar upazila accusing BNP leader Monirul Haque Monir and 29 others of vandalizing and demolishing a farmer’s home. The complaint was lodged by Shahida Akter, wife of the affected farmer, who alleged that the accused destroyed their tin house and leveled the land. The case, naming five individuals and 25 unidentified persons, was accepted by the Senior Judicial Magistrate’s Court, which directed the district detective police to investigate.

According to the case details, the disputed land belongs to Shahida Akter’s husband, Rezaul Haque, through inheritance and purchase. The family had been living there for three years. The plaintiff alleged that Monirul Haque Monir had been trying to seize the land and, following local mediation attempts, led an armed attack on March 11, demolishing the house and threatening the family. The victims claimed losses of about 1.2 million taka.

Monirul Haque Monir denied the allegations, asserting that the land belongs to his family and accusing the plaintiffs of filing a false case. The local BNP president said he was unaware of the incident but would look into it.

The Italian military has reported that one of its bases in Kuwait, which it jointly operates with the United States, came under a drone attack. The incident was disclosed on March 15, 2026, according to the report. Italian military officials stated that no casualties occurred as a result of the attack.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, did not specify who was responsible for the drone strike or the extent of any material damage. The base is known to be used collaboratively by Italian and US forces, highlighting the international military presence in Kuwait.

No further details were provided about the nature of the attack or any subsequent response from the involved parties.