Said Uddin Ahmed Hanzala, the 11-party alliance MP from Madaripur-1 (Shibchar), described his recent remark about the BNP as a 'slip of the tongue'. He made the clarification after a video of his statement, made during an iftar event at Bahadurpur field in Shibchar on Friday, went viral on social media. The MP had said that if he acted against the BNP, the party would not be able to exist in the country. Shibchar Upazila BNP member secretary Sohel Rana was present at the time.

Speaking to local journalists, Hanzala explained that his earlier comment had been misunderstood and that only part of his speech was being circulated online. He said that if the full version were heard, people would understand his intended meaning. He emphasized that his words were not meant as they sounded and that he later clarified them differently.

The incident has drawn attention on social media, prompting Hanzala to urge listeners to consider the full context of his remarks before forming opinions.

Nearly 12,000 houses in Tehran have been partially or completely destroyed in attacks carried out by the United States and Israel over the past 18 days, according to Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian. The information was reported by Iran’s Mehr News Agency and cited by Middle East Eye.

Motamedian stated that residents whose homes were damaged can apply for compensation through their respective municipal offices. The report did not specify the exact dates or nature of the strikes, nor did it mention any casualties or further details about the affected areas.

The statement highlights the scale of destruction in Iran’s capital following the recent attacks, though broader political or military responses were not included in the report.

An Israeli military official confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s National Security Council. The incident was reported on March 17, 2026. It remains unclear whether Larijani was killed or injured in the attack.

The same Israeli military source also claimed responsibility for killing Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Basij force. The report did not specify where or how the attacks took place, and no further details were provided by either side.

The situation adds to ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, though the immediate consequences of the reported attacks remain uncertain.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed the arrest of ten foreign spies during its ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States. According to a report by AFP citing Iran’s ISNA news agency on Tuesday, the IRGC’s intelligence branch in the northeastern province of Razavi Khorasan stated that the individuals were identified and detained after being labeled as mercenaries and traitors.

The ISNA report did not disclose the nationalities of those arrested. The IRGC alleged that four of the detainees were gathering information about Iran’s sensitive facilities and economic infrastructure, while the others were linked to a group described as a “monarchist terrorist” organization.

No further details were provided about the timing of the arrests or the specific charges, leaving uncertainty about the broader implications of the detentions.

All import and export activities through the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh will remain suspended for 11 days from Tuesday, March 17, in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr. The announcement was confirmed by Abul Kalam Azad, manager of Banglabandha Land Port Limited. The decision was communicated through a letter signed by Sadequl Islam, general secretary of the Banglabandha C&F Agents Association, following a meeting held on March 10.

According to the association’s letter, the suspension will last from March 17 to March 27, with regular operations scheduled to resume on Saturday, March 28, after the Eid holidays. The closure affects all import and export activities handled by C&F agents at the port’s customs station.

Despite the suspension of trade operations, passenger movement through the port’s immigration facilities will continue as usual during the holiday period, the port manager confirmed.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij Force, a paramilitary unit under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to the Israeli statement, Soleimani was killed in an attack on Monday night. Israel described his death as a major blow to Iran’s command-and-control structure and vowed to continue using force against Iranian commanders. Iran has not yet issued any official response to the claim.

The report comes amid heightened regional tensions following failed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington that took place from February 6 to 27 without reaching an agreement. On February 28, the United States launched “Operation Epic Fury” in Iran, while Israel simultaneously began its own campaign called “Operation Roaring Lion.”

In retaliation, Iran has been launching waves of drone and missile strikes targeting U.S. bases in Israel and six Gulf countries—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These attacks are reportedly ongoing, according to Al Jazeera.

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim has accused the government of breaching democratic traditions by appointing party-affiliated administrators to city corporations and district councils. Speaking at an emergency press briefing at the party’s central office in Moghbazar on Tuesday, he condemned the decision and announced plans for phased protest programs. He said the government appointed administrators in 11 city corporations and 42 district councils, many of whom were defeated candidates from the ruling party.

Halim argued that these appointments ignored public opinion and undermined the spirit of democracy. He cited examples of defeated candidates being appointed as administrators in Dhaka North and Khulna city corporations, as well as in several districts where opposition candidates had won. He also criticized recent changes in university vice-chancellors and the Bangladesh Bank governor, calling them politically motivated and disrespectful to merit and public sentiment.

He urged the government to respect public opinion, cancel partisan appointments, and cooperate with the Election Commission to hold local government elections soon to remove public confusion.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid festival, a large number of people are traveling home across Bangladesh, leading to increased passenger and vehicle pressure on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat ferry routes. Despite the surge, no reports of passenger suffering or major disruptions have been recorded so far.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), along with the district and police administrations, is coordinating efforts to maintain normal ferry operations. According to BIWTC officials, 17 ferries are currently operating on the Paturia-Daulatdia route and 5 on the Aricha-Kazirhat route, while 35 launches have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted passenger movement. Additional law enforcement personnel have been stationed at the terminals to maintain order, and special measures have been taken to prevent traffic congestion.

Authorities noted that favorable weather and proper management have contributed to a comfortable Eid travel experience so far, though passenger numbers are expected to rise further in the coming days.

Roads and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that the government has decided to ensure adequate fuel supply for public transport to facilitate smooth Eid travel. He said the administration is actively working to maintain fuel distribution in phases amid national and international supply challenges. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday morning at Lebukhali in Galachipa, Patuakhali, during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Rabnabad Bridge on the Lebukhali-Bauphal-Galachipa-Amragachia road.

Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that the current 25-day-old government is functioning with collective effort, prioritizing public expectations and aspirations. He emphasized that the construction of the Rabnabad Bridge will ease public suffering, boost the local economy, and improve transport of goods for working people. The bridge is expected to establish uninterrupted connectivity between upazilas, the district, and the capital, marking a significant step in regional development.

The minister reiterated that the government remains committed to overcoming the ongoing fuel crisis with utmost importance to ensure public convenience during the Eid season.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he plans to postpone his scheduled visit to China, originally set for late March, by about one month due to the ongoing war involving Iran. Speaking on Monday, Trump said the reason was straightforward, emphasizing that his presence in the United States was important during the conflict. He added that there was no strategic motive behind the delay and expressed anticipation for his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A day earlier, Trump told the Financial Times that he might postpone the meeting if China did not help ensure normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for energy transport in the Gulf region. The conflict with Iran has heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies. China, a major buyer of Iranian energy exports, has criticized U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to BBC Bangla.

The delay underscores how the Iran conflict is influencing global diplomatic schedules and energy-related geopolitical relations.

The number of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, increased by 178,757 over the past year, reaching 1,184,864 as of February 28, 2026. The data comes from the latest report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published on March 17, 2026. In February 2025, the refugee population stood at 1,006,107.

According to the UNHCR report, 144,456 of the new arrivals were identified as newcomers, while an estimated 34,301 were newborns. The report attributes the new wave of displacement to both general and targeted conflicts in Myanmar during 2024. Although the newcomers have been identified through biometric methods, they are not yet fully registered; they receive only family cards for life-saving aid distribution.

The report also notes that the number of Rohingya refugee families in Bangladesh rose to 246,415 by February 2026, up from 204,303 a year earlier. Since 1990, 39,502 Rohingya refugees have been officially registered in Bangladesh, with more than one million arriving after August 2017.

At least 23 people were killed and 108 others injured in a series of suspected suicide bombings in Maiduguri, a city in northeastern Nigeria. The explosions occurred on Monday evening, and police confirmed the details on Tuesday. Police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso said preliminary investigations indicated that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide attackers.

Authorities reported that the blasts followed an earlier assault on a military checkpoint between Sunday night and early Monday morning. Officials have blamed suspected jihadist groups for both the checkpoint attack and the subsequent explosions in Maiduguri. The police statement described the loss of life as tragic and confirmed that investigations were ongoing.

The incidents highlight continuing security challenges in Nigeria’s northeast, where authorities are struggling to contain militant violence. Further details about the attackers or the specific groups involved were not disclosed in the initial reports.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the two Dhaka city corporations to become more active in mosquito control. The instruction came on Tuesday morning during a meeting at the Secretariat with BUET experts and administrators from the two city corporations, focusing on waste management and transportation in the capital.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister also advised exploring the possibility of producing necessary waste management equipment domestically with the help of BUET instead of importing them. Dhaka South City administrator Abdus Salam noted that for the first time, workers involved in waste management received Eid bonuses from the Prime Minister’s personal fund. BUET’s Professor Dr. Md. Ehsan stated that the Prime Minister emphasized the use of electronic three-wheelers to improve automation and transportation systems in waste management.

The directives highlight a push for local innovation and self-reliance in urban management, aiming to strengthen both mosquito control and waste handling efficiency in Dhaka.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has introduced a three-tier security arrangement to ensure the safety of homebound travelers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The force announced the plan during a press briefing at Sadarghat Launch Terminal on Tuesday afternoon. As part of the measures, 32 RAB teams have been deployed across key terminals and surrounding areas in Dhaka, supported by continuous patrols, surveillance, and checkpoints.

RAB-10 Commander and Additional DIG Mohammad Kamruzzaman stated that special security operations are being carried out in major points including Sadarghat, Sayedabad, Shyampur, Sutrapur, and Kamrangirchar. Six civil teams are also gathering intelligence and monitoring activities. The security operations will continue through Eid day and the following period.

To assist passengers, RAB has set up two control rooms at Sadarghat Launch Terminal and Sayedabad Bus Terminal, staffed around the clock. Travelers facing harassment or overcharging for tickets can report complaints directly or by phone, and RAB has pledged immediate action upon receiving such reports.

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Moscow after being injured in attacks by the United States and Israel. According to a report by Kuwait-based outlet Al-Jarida, he traveled to Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The report stated that Putin spoke with Khamenei by phone on March 12, after which Khamenei flew to Moscow aboard a Russian military aircraft.

Al-Jarida contacted the Kremlin for confirmation, but no officials agreed to comment. Russian news agency TASS also sought clarification, and President Putin’s press secretary said they could not comment on such reports. The incident follows the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, the first day of the Iran war, in which several members of his family were also killed.

Following Ayatollah Khamenei’s death, Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. U.S. media reported that he was seriously injured, though Iranian sources said his leg injury was not life-threatening.