Lebanon’s state media reported on Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes in the southern region killed at least nine people. Six deaths occurred in the Sidon area, including in the Adloun town and the Mieh Mieh Palestinian refugee camp, while three others were killed in Habboush. Several others were injured in the attacks, according to the National News Agency (NNA) and AFP reports.

The strikes come as Israel intensifies its military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The conflict expanded after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel on March 2, following a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran that heightened regional tensions. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said forces were targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs and urged residents to evacuate for safety.

Lebanese authorities stated that Israeli operations have killed at least 1,072 people and displaced over one million. Israel said it aims to control areas up to the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the border, while northern Israel continues to face rocket fire from Lebanon.

The government is taking measures to tackle the ongoing energy crisis caused by the war situation, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced at a press conference at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday morning. He urged citizens not to panic as the authorities work to stabilize the situation.

During the briefing, the minister also stated that the draft of the July Freedom Fighters Indemnity Act will be presented in the current parliamentary session. He added that a unanimous decision has been reached on the matter, and the law will be enacted following approval in the next session.

The announcements reflect the government’s attempt to manage both the immediate energy challenges and legislative priorities under current national conditions.

U.S. and Israeli media have reported, citing unnamed sources, that the United States has handed a 15-point peace plan to Iran. Although the BBC has not seen the document, President Donald Trump confirmed that talks are underway to end the war with Iran, describing the other side as eager for a deal. Iranian officials, however, dismissed reports of such talks as false. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told China’s Wang Yi that Iran seeks a full ceasefire, not a temporary one.

The conflict has driven global oil prices down by about six percent, while exchanges of attacks between Iran and Israel continue. Tehran has stated that non-hostile ships will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling its intent to maintain control of the key waterway until an agreement is reached. Iran’s Red Crescent reported that about 82,000 structures have been damaged since the war began.

Several countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt, are attempting to mediate between Washington and Tehran. French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Iran to halt attacks and ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf, while Israel’s President Isaac Herzog emphasized preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

In a commentary published on March 25, 2026, in the newspaper Amar Desh, editor Mahmudur Rahman discussed the rise of Dr. Zahed-ur Rahman, who currently serves as the Prime Minister’s strategic adviser with additional responsibilities for the culture and information ministries. Rahman highlighted that Dr. Zahed described Prothom Alo as the only 'hadmwala, secular, and liberal' newspaper in Bangladesh, while dismissing other media outlets as inferior. Dr. Zahed reportedly expressed pride in being a columnist for Prothom Alo and criticized Amar Desh in his online content.

The article accused Dr. Zahed of harboring hostility toward Amar Desh and ignoring the repression the paper faced under Sheikh Hasina’s government. It contrasted Prothom Alo’s and The Daily Star’s alleged pro-government roles with Amar Desh’s opposition stance during the 2007–2024 period. Rahman argued that Dr. Zahed’s favoritism toward certain media reflects ideological bias inconsistent with his official responsibilities.

The piece concluded by questioning how Dr. Zahed’s leadership in the culture and information ministries might influence national media policy and cultural direction under the current administration.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman unveiled a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day. The unveiling took place at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday morning at around 9:30 a.m. The event was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, who stated that the Prime Minister arrived at the Secretariat at 9:02 a.m., completed some official work, and then proceeded with the stamp unveiling ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by Post and Telecommunications Minister Fokir Mahbub Anam, Post Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, and Director General of the Postal Department Kazi Asadul Islam. The commemorative stamp was issued to honor the nation’s Independence and National Day, reflecting the government’s continued recognition of the country’s historical milestones.

The release of the stamp adds to the series of national commemorations held annually to mark Bangladesh’s independence, symbolizing national pride and remembrance.

Iran has presented five conditions for a potential ceasefire agreement aimed at ending its ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States, according to Hebrew-language media reports. The confrontation has been continuing since late February, and the conditions were reportedly introduced as part of indirect negotiations announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Channel 12, Iran’s demands include assurances that hostilities will not resume, the establishment of a new arrangement granting Tehran effective control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and the closure of U.S. military bases across the Middle East. Tehran has also sought financial compensation for war-related damages and called for action against media outlets it deems hostile, including the prosecution or extradition of individuals accused of spreading anti-Iran propaganda.

Trump previously stated that the United States had been engaged in long-term discussions with Iran and that Tehran was now taking the matter seriously, though no further details were provided in the report.

Iran’s military has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for negotiations, issuing a strong statement through Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. In a statement published by Fars News Agency on March 25, 2026, Zolfaghari questioned whether the United States was facing such internal crisis that it needed to negotiate with itself.

He dismissed the idea of labeling U.S. failures as agreements and declared that there would be no return to previous global arrangements or oil price stability until Iran’s conditions were met. Zolfaghari emphasized that only when all hostile intentions against the Iranian nation disappear could a new situation emerge. He added that Iran would never compromise with parties like the United States, declaring, “Not now, not ever.”

The statement signals a further escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, suggesting that diplomatic engagement between the two countries remains highly unlikely in the near term.

Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah from Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) has publicly released a detailed account of government allocations and humanitarian aid spending for Eid-ul-Fitr. On the night of March 24, he shared the expenditure report and beneficiary list through a Facebook post, setting an example of transparency in public fund management.

According to the information he provided, Tk 1 million allocated for the poor and underprivileged in Debidwar was fully distributed. Each of 1,000 beneficiaries across 15 unions and one municipality received Tk 1,000. Additionally, 500 more families received Eid essentials through personal and party initiatives. Abdullah stated that political affiliation was not considered in preparing the list and that efforts were made to reach genuine beneficiaries in every ward.

He acknowledged that the allocation was limited compared to the need, covering a total of 1,500 people. For security reasons, parts of national ID and mobile numbers were masked in the published list, but full data remains available for administrative verification. Abdullah said the initiative aimed to ensure transparency.

Diplomatic efforts have intensified in the Middle East as Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan attempt to arrange a direct meeting between the United States and Iran in Islamabad within the next 48 hours. According to reports, a 15-point proposal has been sent to Iran through Pakistan, and the mediating countries are working to secure a face-to-face dialogue soon.

Alongside these diplomatic moves, the United States is increasing its military presence in the region. Earlier, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, consisting of about 2,500 troops, was deployed, and now an additional 1,500 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division are being sent to the Middle East. These units are trained for offensive operations. Iranian negotiators have reportedly shown reluctance to meet US representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, preferring instead to engage with Vice President JD Vance.

The situation remains tense as diplomatic and military activities advance simultaneously, adding complexity to the regional crisis.

Larry Fink, chairman and chief executive of BlackRock, has warned that the global economy could face a severe recession if international oil prices rise to 150 dollars per barrel. In an interview with the BBC, he said the final outcome of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East remains uncertain but could lead to two extreme scenarios.

According to Fink, if the conflict is resolved quickly and Iran regains acceptance within the international community, oil prices could fall below pre-war levels. However, if the conflict drags on, prices may remain above 100 dollars for an extended period and could approach 150 dollars, which would have a serious impact on the global economy.

BlackRock, founded in 1988, manages about 14 trillion dollars in assets and is considered one of the world’s largest investors. Fink, one of its co-founders, is known for his insights into global economic trends.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a new round of missile attacks targeting Israel and US military bases across the Middle East. According to a statement cited by Fars News Agency, this marks the 80th phase of such missile operations. The IRGC claimed to have struck a military base in the northern Israeli city of Safed, as well as sites in Tel Aviv, Kiryat Shmona, and Bnei Brak.

The statement also asserted that US military installations in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain were targeted. However, there were no immediate independent confirmations of damage or casualties resulting from the reported attacks. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera and published by Amar Desh Online on March 25, 2026.

The absence of verified information on the extent of the strikes leaves uncertainty about their impact or potential escalation in the region.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, stated that the proper use of artificial intelligence (AI) can bring a transformative change to the education system, particularly in countries like Bangladesh where trained teachers are not equally available. She made the remarks on Wednesday, March 25, while joining the global alliance ‘Fostering the Future Together,’ aimed at promoting safe technology and child development. The two-day conference was inaugurated by First Lady Melania Trump and organized by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Zubaida Rahman highlighted that the government is working to deliver innovative technology and healthcare to children, providing teachers with digital tools, updating learning materials, and introducing digital curricula. She emphasized that educational technology is helping reduce urban-rural disparities while ensuring safe and ethical use. As a physician, she reaffirmed her commitment to accessible healthcare for every child and mentioned her involvement with the Ziaur Rahman Foundation in education and youth development.

She praised current government initiatives such as the ‘Family Card’ and ‘Farmer Card,’ and reiterated the government’s pledge to ensure free education for women up to postgraduate level, continuing Bangladesh’s tradition of women’s empowerment.

The ongoing Israel-Iran war has entered a more difficult and prolonged phase, moving away from short, intense strikes toward a drawn-out conflict. Early in the war, Israeli and U.S. forces carried out heavy attacks on Iranian targets, damaging several military facilities. However, as the fighting continues, questions have emerged about Israel’s ability to sustain a long-term confrontation given its structural and strategic limitations.

The report highlights several key weaknesses: limited missile defense interceptors, high operational costs, manpower shortages, and heavy reliance on U.S. military support. Israel’s missile defense systems such as Iron Dome and David’s Sling are technologically advanced but expensive to maintain, and their interceptor stockpiles are depleting rapidly under sustained Iranian missile and drone attacks. Economic strain is also mounting, with labor shortages, business closures, and rising defense expenditures adding pressure to the national economy.

Analysts note that Iran appears to be pursuing a strategy of attrition, aiming to exhaust Israel economically and psychologically rather than seeking a quick victory. As the conflict drags on, Israel’s dependence on external allies and its limited geographic and demographic depth may further test its long-term resilience.

Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, Chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, reported that his personal Facebook and WhatsApp accounts were hacked. The incident was recorded in a general diary filed on Tuesday, March 24, at Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka. According to the diary, the accounts were compromised on March 18 by unknown individuals.

The report noted concerns that the hackers might use the compromised accounts for various malicious activities. Following the incident, a letter was also sent to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) requesting necessary action.

Authorities are expected to investigate the hacking incident and take steps to prevent potential misuse of the judge’s social media and communication accounts.

Bangladesh’s total foreign debt rose to 113.51 billion dollars by the end of December 2025, marking the highest level on record. According to the latest Bangladesh Bank report released on Tuesday, the debt increased by 1.30 billion dollars in the last quarter of the year. At the end of September, the figure stood at 112.21 billion dollars. When the Awami League government left office, the debt was 103.41 billion dollars, meaning it grew by 10 billion dollars during the 18 months of the interim government.

The report shows that both public and private sector debts increased between October and December. Government debt rose from 92.55 billion to 93.46 billion dollars, while private sector debt climbed from 19.65 billion to 20.05 billion dollars. Economists noted that foreign borrowing had been rising for years, driven by large infrastructure projects such as metro rail, power plants, and expressways. The interim government also borrowed externally to cover salary payments during its first year.

Former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain said most of the debt is government-held and warned that misuse of borrowed funds could undermine repayment capacity, even though the debt-to-GDP ratio remains manageable.