Questions are rising over why the United States, despite being a global military and economic superpower, has been unable to swiftly end its ongoing war with Iran. Analysts suggest that while the balance of visible power appears one-sided, the reality is far more complex. Iran, though militarily weaker, is exploiting strategic advantages that have turned the conflict into a major challenge for Washington.

One key factor is Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route through which massive volumes of oil are transported daily. By threatening to restrict or close this passage, Tehran has demonstrated its ability to disrupt global markets. Analysts note that any U.S. military attempt to reopen the strait could trigger Iranian retaliation and escalate the conflict, posing political risks for President Donald Trump. Deploying ground troops would also increase U.S. casualties and domestic political pressure.

Experts warn that without an effective diplomatic resolution, the conflict could become prolonged and further destabilize the global economy, as both sides engage in a test of strategic endurance rather than direct military confrontation.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party Secretary General and Local Government and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club on March 31, 2026. His visit created a festive atmosphere at the historic club, attended by several cabinet members, sports officials, and former athletes. During the visit, Fakhrul expressed his desire to see the return of the intense football rivalry between Mohammedan and Abahani that once captivated fans across the country.

Fakhrul described Mohammedan as an integral part of Bangladesh’s sports history, recalling the club’s contributions to football, cricket, and hockey. He said sports have entered a new era in the country, highlighting the government’s recent initiative to introduce monthly allowances for athletes. Fakhrul thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for launching the program, saying it would inspire both current and future players.

Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque also emphasized the importance of supporting all major clubs, including Abahani, to strengthen Bangladesh’s overall sporting landscape.

A group of BCS (Health) cadre officers who have long been deprived of promotions met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday at the Bangladesh Secretariat. They had initially gone there to request a formal meeting but unexpectedly received an informal audience with the Prime Minister. During the meeting, they handed over a written petition detailing their grievances, including administrative complications and demands for fair promotion opportunities. The Prime Minister personally accepted their petition and listened attentively to their concerns.

According to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, the Prime Minister assured the officers that their issues would be considered seriously. The petition stated that 1,821 BCS (Health) cadre officers have been denied promotions for a long time despite fulfilling all required qualifications and seniority. They alleged that during the previous interim government, promotions were withheld without valid reasons, creating an abnormal situation where junior officers now hold senior positions.

The Prime Minister’s assurance has raised expectations among the affected officers that their long-standing administrative grievances may soon be addressed.

The central committee of the Chhatra Dal has issued a show-cause notice to Sajjad Hossain Hridoy, organizational secretary of the Chittagong University unit, for alleged breach of organizational discipline. The action follows accusations that he was involved in a commotion and printer vandalism at the Fatikchhari Upazila Engineer’s Office in Chittagong. A notice signed by the organization’s central office secretary, Md. Jahangir Alam, instructed Hridoy to appear at the central office within 48 hours and submit a written explanation in the presence of the central president and general secretary.

Hridoy denied the allegations, stating that he had visited the engineer’s office to collect a phone number from an acquaintance but left after a brief argument with an official who behaved discourteously. He questioned the plausibility of vandalizing anything inside a government office. The complaint against him was filed by the chief engineer of Fatikchhari Upazila, Junayed Absar Chowdhury.

Hridoy previously contested the vice-president position in the last Chittagong University Central Students’ Union election and owns a contracting firm named Hridoy Enterprise.

Meta has introduced its first AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses designed to support nearly all prescription lenses. The new models, Ray-Ban Meta Blayzer Optics (Gen 2) and Ray-Ban Scriber Optics (Gen 2), come in two frame styles and are built for all-day comfort with adjustable features. Pre-orders start at $499 in the US through Meta.com and Ray-Ban.com, with retail availability beginning April 14 in the US and select international markets. The company also unveiled new color and lens combinations for both Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta frames.

Alongside the hardware launch, Meta announced several software enhancements for its AI glasses. These include hands-free nutrition tracking that logs meals via voice or photo, and WhatsApp message summaries processed privately on-device. Neural Handwriting, which allows users to write messages with their finger on any surface, is expanding to more platforms. Additional updates include display recording, pedestrian navigation across all US cities, and new widgets such as Weather and Calendar.

Meta stated that more AI-driven features will roll out later this spring, further enhancing the functionality of its smart eyewear lineup.

Bangladesh suffered a 1-0 defeat against Singapore in their final AFC Asian Cup qualifying match held in Singapore on March 31, 2026. Despite creating several attacking opportunities, Bangladesh failed to find an equalizer after conceding an early goal. Hariss Stewart scored in the 31st minute, giving Singapore the lead that ultimately secured their victory.

The match saw Bangladesh pushing hard for a comeback, with notable chances in the second half including a free kick by Shamit Som and a close attempt by Mirajul, but none found the net. Singapore’s defense remained firm, ensuring the hosts ended their qualifying campaign with a win.

After six matches, Bangladesh finished third in Group C with five points. Singapore topped the group with 14 points to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, followed by Hong Kong with eight points and India at the bottom with two. The defeat extended Bangladesh’s winless record against Singapore, as they have yet to secure a victory in their encounters.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Aminul Islam, announced that all incidents of crimes against humanity committed during the One-Eleven period will be investigated and the perpetrators brought to trial. He made the statement on Tuesday during a press briefing at the tribunal.

In response to questions about crossfire incidents during the Awami League government, Aminul Islam said that hundreds of inhumane acts resembling crossfire killings occurred under a common design. He explained that those who opposed the then government or local leadership were targeted and killed through staged operations. The prosecutor added that investigations have already begun into these systematic, widespread, and targeted killings, and data on the number of crossfire incidents nationwide are being collected.

Aminul Islam further stated that numerous killings occurred during the July movement and that hundreds of related cases have been filed since August 5. Around five to seven hundred case copies have already been submitted to the prosecution office for review to ensure that no criminal escapes justice and no innocent person suffers.

The government has directed all travel agencies with expired licenses to renew their registration certificates within 15 working days. The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry issued the order on Tuesday, warning that agencies failing to comply will face strict legal measures under existing laws.

According to the ministry, operating a travel agency without a valid registration certificate or with an expired one is completely illegal under the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Act 2013, its 2021 amendment, and the 2022 regulations. The statement noted that delays in renewal have caused revenue losses for the government.

The ministry urged all individuals and organizations with expired licenses to apply for renewal through the online Travel Agency Management System at www.regtravelagency.gov.bd. It further cautioned that failure to obtain or renew valid registration within the specified period will result in legal action under the 2013 Act.

Thousands of people marched in the Iranian city of Karaj to express support for the government and the military, according to state media outlet Press TV. Video footage showed participants carrying national flags and chanting slogans such as “Courage, courage!” along the streets of the city, located just west of Tehran.

The rally took place a day after an attack targeted a power substation in Karaj and Alborz Province, causing a major electricity outage in the area. The demonstration was organized in response to that incident, reflecting public backing for the authorities amid the disruption.

State media also reported that similar pro-government gatherings were held on Monday night in Tehran and in the northwestern city of Ardabil, indicating a broader wave of coordinated demonstrations across Iran.

The Bangladesh government has announced that fuel prices will remain unchanged in April 2026. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed on Tuesday, March 31, that there will be no increase in the prices of diesel, kerosene, octane, or petrol. The decision was formalized through an order signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Enamul Haque from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

According to the order, issued under the revised 'Automatic Fuel Pricing Guideline,' the retail prices will stay fixed at 100 taka per liter for diesel, 120 taka for octane, 116 taka for petrol, and 112 taka for kerosene. These rates will take effect from April 1, 2026. The ministry stated that the decision aligns with the automatic pricing mechanism and has been duly approved by the competent authority.

The announcement provides clarity for consumers and businesses ahead of the new month, ensuring price stability in the domestic fuel market for at least the immediate term.

Italy has refused a US request to use a key military base in Sicily for operations in the Middle East. According to a Reuters report published on Tuesday, the Italian government declined to allow US military aircraft to operate from the Sigonella airbase in eastern Sicily. The report noted that several US bombers had planned to land there before heading to the Middle East, though the exact timing of the plan was not specified.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the denial came because the United States had not formally sought permission or informed Italy’s military leadership. Under existing agreements, such authorization is mandatory for the use of US military installations in Italy. The right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that any similar requests in the future would require parliamentary approval before being granted.

The decision underscores Italy’s insistence on procedural compliance and parliamentary oversight in foreign military cooperation involving its territory.

The Ministry of Education has decided to implement a hybrid learning model across all school-level educational institutions in Bangladesh, combining three days of online classes with three days of in-person instruction. The decision was made on Tuesday during a coordination meeting attended by teachers, board officials, and ministry representatives in Dhaka.

The move follows earlier remarks from the Education Minister, who had indicated that changes to the teaching system were under discussion due to the ongoing global energy crisis. The ministry’s decision aims to balance educational continuity with energy conservation amid international supply challenges.

Implementation details and timelines were not specified in the announcement, but the decision marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to classroom instruction in response to global energy pressures.

A tanker named ‘PVT Solana’ carrying 30,000 tons of refined diesel from Malaysia arrived at Chattogram Port’s outer anchorage on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The Panama-flagged vessel’s arrival was confirmed by the port’s secretary, Syed Refayet Karim, who said the fuel will be unloaded through lighters after completing formalities. The port authority is also considering docking the ship at the Dolphin Jetty if necessary to complete the unloading process.

According to port sources, another ship carrying the same amount of diesel is expected to arrive on April 3, followed by a vessel with 70,000 tons of LNG on April 4. In March alone, 33 fuel-carrying ships have arrived at Chattogram Port, including 15 oil tankers—eight of which carried diesel—alongside eight LNG and nine LPG carriers. Officials noted that the latest diesel shipment offers some relief amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The continued arrival of fuel shipments indicates stable supply operations at Chattogram Port despite global disruptions.

Iran’s military announced that its air defense forces shot down a US-made MQ-9 drone over the central city of Isfahan. The incident was reported on Tuesday by Press TV, according to Iranian military sources cited in the report.

In addition to the MQ-9, Iran’s forces also downed a Lucas drone over Qasem Island in the Persian Gulf. The report did not specify when the interceptions occurred or provide further details about the drones’ missions or any resulting damage. The announcement underscores ongoing tensions involving Iranian airspace and foreign surveillance activity.

No official response from the United States or other parties was mentioned in the report, leaving the broader implications of the incident unclear.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md. Aminul Islam stated that no one, regardless of rank, will be exempted in the Shapla Chattar killings case. He said the investigation into the 2013 incident during Hefazat-e-Islam’s mass gathering is in its final stage. On Tuesday, the tribunal ordered the imprisonment of former Deputy Inspector General of Police Abdul Jalil Mondol in connection with the case. Following the order, the Chief Prosecutor told reporters that the investigation report would be submitted soon.

Aminul Islam added that all past incidents of crossfire are being reviewed to bring them under trial. He also mentioned that information on all cases filed after August 5, 2024, has been collected, and the prosecution will examine whether irregularities occurred. Those linked to crimes against humanity during the “One-Eleven” period will also face trial.

The statements underscore the tribunal’s intent to ensure accountability across all levels of involvement in serious crimes and irregularities.