Former joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Member of Parliament for Chittagong-4, Professor Aslam Chowdhury, has called on party leaders and activists to stay united. He made the appeal during a five-day Eid-ul-Fitr gathering at his residence in Sitakunda, where BNP, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and Jubo Dal members from various unions, municipalities, and wards visited to exchange greetings.

During the event, Aslam Chowdhury interacted with attendees, listened to their concerns, and provided guidance on strengthening organizational activities. He emphasized that unity among members at all levels is essential to increase the party’s strength and urged everyone to work collectively for public welfare. He also expressed optimism about Sitakunda’s development, employment generation, and infrastructure progress, reaffirming his commitment to serve the people.

According to participants, the five-day Eid gathering fostered enthusiasm and solidarity among BNP members in Sitakunda, serving as an effective platform for reinforcing party unity and organizational capacity.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has won the ongoing war with Iran. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated that the U.S. is now engaged in direct talks with Iran. He said Iran has agreed to the main American demand of never possessing nuclear weapons. Trump added that discussions are still continuing and expressed hope that the conflict would soon end, though he could not confirm it with certainty.

Trump further asserted that the U.S. objective of bringing about a change in Iran’s governing system has been achieved. According to him, even third-tier leaders in Iran have been removed from power, and the top leadership is no longer in control. He reiterated that the U.S. goals have been met and declared, “We have won this war.” The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The statements suggest that Washington and Tehran are in a phase of negotiation following a period of conflict, with the U.S. claiming strategic success and Iran reportedly seeking a deal.

The Bangladesh government has initiated the process of purchasing 1.8 million tons of diesel from the international spot market to address the ongoing fuel crisis. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has already begun discussions with several international suppliers, including two American companies and one based in Hong Kong. The procurement will follow current global market prices, which have surged sharply in recent weeks. BPC’s board has approved proposals to buy diesel from four companies, including Maxwell International SPC, AP Energy Investments Ltd, Superstar International Group Ltd, and DBS Trading House FZE.

Global diesel prices have fluctuated dramatically, rising from around 85 dollars per barrel in late February to over 213 dollars by late March. Officials said the government is cautious about fixed-price contracts due to potential price drops if U.S.-Iran talks progress. Despite high import costs, the government has no immediate plan to raise domestic fuel prices, raising concerns about subsidy burdens. BPC’s reserves have dropped to cover only six to seven days of demand, leading to pump closures and long queues nationwide.

Authorities expect new shipments to arrive soon and are optimistic that the crisis will ease once additional consignments reach the country.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported carrying out multiple strikes on energy-related facilities across Lebanon. According to the IDF, the attacks targeted fuel stations allegedly used by Hezbollah. The operations took place within the past day and included strikes on stations owned by the Al-Amana company.

The IDF claimed that Al-Amana is controlled by Hezbollah and provides financial support for its activities. The military said the targeted fuel stations were used to refuel trucks transporting weapons and fighters. The strikes reportedly rendered several of these facilities inoperative.

The report, citing the IDF’s statement, did not mention any casualties or independent verification of the attacks. The information was sourced from the BBC, as reported by the outlet Amar Desh.

Qatar has denied media reports suggesting that the proposed United States–Iran agreement might include the closure of the large US airbase at Al-Udeid in Qatar. A government spokesperson clarified that there are no plans to shut down the base, countering earlier claims published in some outlets.

According to the spokesperson, the current regional situation is expected to further strengthen Qatar’s existing partnership with the United States and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. The clarification follows speculation linking the base’s future to ongoing diplomatic discussions involving Washington and Tehran.

The statement underscores Qatar’s continued alignment with its Gulf and Western partners, signaling stability in its defense cooperation with the United States despite regional tensions.

A sudden and intense hailstorm on Tuesday night caused extensive damage to Boro rice fields across the haor regions of Kishoreganj, leaving thousands of farmers in Austagram, Itna, and Mithamain deeply worried. The storm, which began around 8 p.m. with strong winds and heavy rain, lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes and struck during a critical growth stage for the rice crop.

Farmers reported that the hail severely battered the rice plants, breaking stems and damaging the developing panicles, which could significantly reduce yields. Local farmer Nurul Islam Laldhon expressed sorrow, saying that hopes for a bumper harvest this year may be shattered by the untimely storm. The full extent of the damage will become clearer after field inspections.

Austagram Upazila Agriculture Officer Abhijit Sarkar said hail was reported in three unions of the upazila. He noted that officials would begin field visits early in the morning to assess the actual scale of the losses.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Md. Helal Uddin, the gatekeeper accused in the case filed over the train and bus collision in Cumilla that killed 12 people. The arrest took place on Tuesday evening in the Shankuchail area of Burichang upazila, near the border. The arrest was confirmed by Tahura Jannat, Superintendent of Police of the Chattogram Railway region, who said that efforts are ongoing to capture the other fugitive accused, Mehedi Hasan.

Following the incident, RAB launched a shadow investigation. Authorities stated that detailed information will be shared in a press briefing after Helal Uddin’s interrogation. The collision occurred at around 3 a.m. on March 21 at the Padua Bazar rail crossing in Cumilla, resulting in 12 deaths. Injured passenger Shefali Akter filed a case with the Laksam Railway Police Station, naming Helal Uddin and Mehedi Hasan as the accused.

Police officials said further details about the investigation and the circumstances of the crash will be disclosed tomorrow.

Sylhet-2 Member of Parliament Tahsina Rushdir Luna has declared that no irregularities or corruption will be tolerated in development activities under her constituency. She made the remarks on Tuesday during an Eid reunion event at the residence of UK expatriate BNP leader Ira Mia in Usmanpur Union, Osmaninagar, Sylhet. The event was chaired by Ira Mia and conducted by Union BNP General Secretary Abdul Matin.

Luna said the new government, formed after the fall of the previous one through a mass uprising, is prioritizing economic recovery and comprehensive development. Expressing gratitude to voters for electing her by a large margin out of respect for missing leader Ilias Ali, she pledged to follow his ideals and remain close to the people. She also recalled the challenges she faced after Ilias Ali’s disappearance and expressed satisfaction that her children are now established.

Several local BNP leaders, including former upazila chairman Moynul Haque Chowdhury and upazila BNP president S.T.M. Fakhr Uddin, attended the event.

A violent clash erupted on Tuesday night between two rival groups from Deopara and Shekhpur villages in Chandraganj, Lakshmipur, reportedly over local dominance. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. near the BNP office at Afzal Road in Chandraganj West Bazar. During the exchange of gunfire, a passerby named Abdur Rahim, aged 55, was shot in the leg, while Saiful Islam Manik, 19, was beaten with a chain. Chandraganj Union Chhatra Dal joint convener Yakub Munna Ripon was also injured in the attack.

Witnesses and local sources said the confrontation followed a dispute between the two villages the previous day. The Deopara group was reportedly led by Rakib Patwary, who was armed and facing murder and weapons charges, while the Shekhpur group was led by a man named Mitul. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital.

Hospital authorities confirmed that Abdur Rahim was later transferred to Noakhali General Hospital for further treatment, while Manik remained under observation. Police said they had received reports of the shooting but were yet to gather full details.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s popularity has fallen to 36 percent, the lowest since his return to power, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday. The four-day survey found that growing dissatisfaction with the Iran war and rising fuel prices have driven down his approval rating from 40 percent the previous week.

The poll also revealed declining public support for U.S. military action against Iran, with only 35 percent in favor and 61 percent opposed. Public sentiment on living costs has worsened as fuel prices surged following the U.S.-led coordinated attack on Iran, which disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. Only 25 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of the situation.

The online survey included 1,272 adult Americans and carried a margin of error of three percentage points, according to Al Jazeera, which cited the poll results.

After a seven-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, people from southern Bangladesh, including Barishal, have begun returning to their workplaces in Dhaka. Since Monday afternoon, passenger flow has increased at southern river ports and bus terminals. Those who secured advance tickets experienced a smoother journey, while others faced difficulties and resorted to paying higher fares or taking alternative routes. A special post-Eid flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines also departed from Barishal Airport on Monday.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), ten launches left Barishal port for Dhaka on Monday night, carrying an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 passengers. Six more launches departed on Tuesday, and authorities said additional vessels would be added if passenger pressure rises. Officials reported no complaints about fare irregularities this year.

State Minister for Shipping Rajib Hasan inspected the port on Monday and stated that this year’s Eid travel saw minimal suffering, with fares even lower than usual. The Barishal City Corporation’s new administrator, Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, also met with bus owners to ensure passengers are not overcharged or harassed.

Iran has declared that it does not trust mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, both linked to the United States, and does not want them involved in future negotiations. The statement came during ceasefire mediation talks held in Ankara, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and other officials. According to a diplomatic source cited by Middle East Monitor, Iran described past discussions with the two envoys as unconstructive and signaled a preference for indirect communication through trusted third parties.

The talks are part of a broader Turkey-Egypt mediation initiative supported by Saudi Arabia and other regional actors. The effort aims to prevent further escalation of conflict and to protect energy security and regional stability. The proposed plan includes an immediate temporary ceasefire followed by unconditional negotiations, potentially hosted in Istanbul or Muscat.

Sources indicated that the discussions may also explore security guarantees for Iran, expanded oil exports, and the release of frozen Iranian assets as part of possible compensation measures.

British forces stationed at a joint base in Erbil, northern Iraq, shot down 14 drones in a single night, marking the highest number of interceptions in recent weeks. The operation took place overnight and was carried out by members of the Royal Air Force Regiment using the Rapid Sentry air defense system to secure the base.

According to the report, the Erbil base has faced repeated drone attacks over the past three weeks, reportedly launched from Iran. The British troops’ actions were part of ongoing defensive measures to protect coalition facilities in the region.

The incident underscores the continuing security challenges in northern Iraq, where foreign military installations remain frequent targets of drone assaults.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Iran seeks a full and permanent ceasefire rather than a temporary one. He expressed this position during discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to reports from Chinese state media. Araghchi emphasized that Iran is interested in a comprehensive cessation of hostilities.

Addressing the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said the waterway would remain open for all, ensuring safe passage for ships. However, he noted that this assurance would not apply to enemy nations under the current circumstances. In response, Wang Yi reiterated that dialogue is always preferable to war and urged all parties involved to seize every opportunity for peace and begin talks promptly.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that such diplomatic messages could play an important role in easing regional tensions amid ongoing instability.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid said that Bangladeshi nationals in Iran remain safe despite ongoing attacks involving the United States and Israel in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, she noted that around two thousand Bangladeshis, including some students, are currently in Iran and that the government is in constant contact with them through the embassy in Tehran.

She emphasized that the government is prioritizing the safety of Bangladeshis across the Middle East and that missions are operating around the clock to monitor their situation. The minister assured that if any citizen wishes to return due to security concerns, the government will take necessary steps to facilitate their repatriation.

Shama Obaid added that 186 Bangladeshis had already been brought back from Tehran with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) before Eid. She said the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare is working to ensure that those who wish to return can do so smoothly.