Iranian officials have denied holding any discussions with the United States, contradicting President Donald Trump’s claim that a 'very good and productive conversation' had taken place to end the ongoing conflict. The denial came just hours after Trump’s statement, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posting on social media on March 23 that no talks had occurred.

In his post on X, Ghalibaf said the United States and Israel were 'trapped in Iran’s quagmire' and accused Trump of using 'fake news' to escape it. He further alleged that Washington and Tel Aviv were spreading false information to manipulate financial and oil markets. Ghalibaf added that the Iranian people demanded full and remorseful punishment for aggressors and that all Iranian officials remained committed to their supreme leader until that goal was achieved.

The exchange highlights continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington, even as international actors such as the European Union have urged both sides to engage in dialogue.

A missile attack by Iran caused significant destruction on a street in Tel Aviv, Israel’s capital, according to a live update from Al Jazeera on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The broadcast showed scenes of widespread devastation following Iran’s latest strike, with emergency workers and police gathered among debris-strewn streets. Several vehicles were severely damaged, including one overturned car and others crushed by the blast.

The report noted that recent missile attacks have struck various areas in Israel, including Tel Aviv, amid ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel. These assaults have resulted in damage to buildings and vehicles in multiple locations, reflecting a continuing escalation in the conflict.

The situation underscores the growing intensity of the Iran-Israel confrontation, with repeated missile exchanges causing visible destruction in urban areas.

Information and Communication Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam Swapon emphasized that sports are essential alongside education for developing conscious and responsible citizens. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon while inaugurating a football tournament at Kendua High School field in Biratara Union of Dhanbari upazila, Tangail. The minister said that sports help protect society from criminal activities and encourage students to live healthy, disciplined lives.

He noted that students engaged in both study and sports remain free from unethical behavior, terrorism, and drugs. According to him, sports uplift the human spirit and contribute to higher educational performance. Swapon added that the government aims to keep the country free from terrorism, extortion, and misuse of power, focusing on public service as its main goal.

Local leaders from the Dhanbari upazila BNP and its affiliated organizations were present at the event, showing community participation in the initiative.

Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is pursuing diplomatic efforts to find a respectful resolution to the ongoing US and Israeli aggression against Iran. According to Turkish foreign ministry sources, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a series of phone calls on March 22 with Iranian, Egyptian, and European diplomats, as well as senior US officials. He also discussed regional de-escalation with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, and Pakistan. Ankara is emphasizing a short-term ceasefire to allow continued negotiations, though the possibility of renewed conflict remains if talks fail.

Former US President Donald Trump stated that Washington is engaged in productive discussions to ease Middle East tensions and has temporarily suspended strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure. Fidan warned that Israel might seek to prolong the conflict by targeting specific military and strategic sites, highlighting the critical role of the United States in shaping outcomes.

Turkey is also working to form a unified diplomatic front involving European, Gulf, and regional powers. Analysts note that Iran faces political and economic pressure and may enter talks, but lasting peace remains uncertain due to disputes over future attacks, compensation, and nuclear issues.

Lion Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury, Member of Parliament for Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda), announced a firm stance against corruption and extortion. Speaking on Monday at an Eid reunion event in Muradpur Union’s coastal area, organized by Italy expatriate Jubo Dal leader Nur Mohammad, he warned that illegal activities such as forced sale of construction materials, soil extraction from farmland, drug trade, and extortion would not be tolerated. He also cautioned that those involved would face organizational action for tarnishing the party’s image.

Aslam Chowdhury emphasized that proper implementation of ongoing development projects in Sitakunda would accelerate local infrastructure growth. He highlighted the importance of environmental conservation, planned industrialization, and sustainable development to transform Sitakunda into a modern, investment-friendly industrial zone.

Special guest Nurul Amin, MP for Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai), said such reunions strengthen fraternity, harmony, and mutual relations among people, expressing satisfaction at sharing Eid joy with Sitakunda residents.

A parliamentary special committee has begun its first meeting to review 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period. The meeting, held on Tuesday morning, marks the start of the committee’s formal work under the 13th National Parliament. The committee will examine the ordinances and prepare a report for submission to Parliament by April 2, as directed earlier.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the committee, told reporters before the meeting that the special committee was formed under procedural rules because standing committees have not yet been established. He said the discussion would focus on which ordinances could be accepted, which might need amendments, and which require further changes. Some ordinances are reportedly seen as conflicting with the constitution, while others reflect the aspirations of the July uprising, including recognition and indemnity for those involved.

According to parliamentary rules, ordinances issued when Parliament is not in session must be presented on the first sitting day and passed within 30 days to remain valid. The next parliamentary session is scheduled for March 29 and will continue until April 30.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom is not involved in any attacks on Iran. He acknowledged that U.S. forces are using some British bases, but only for defensive and limited purposes. Starmer emphasized that Britain is not participating in any military operations against Iran and will not take offensive actions in the future.

Referring to the Iraq war, Starmer said that the government has learned from past mistakes and shaped its current policy accordingly. He noted that British warplanes are deployed in West Asia for defensive missions and have already helped intercept some attacks. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which prompted Iranian counterattacks targeting American and allied bases in the region.

Starmer stressed that ensuring the safety of British citizens in West Asia remains the government’s top priority. He warned that Iran’s escalating attacks are destabilizing the region and reiterated that lasting solutions should come through dialogue rather than military force.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, said a sudden surge in oil demand has caused a temporary shortage in the country. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday morning, the first working day after the Eid holidays, he assured that there is adequate oil stock nationwide.

The minister urged citizens not to purchase oil beyond their immediate needs, emphasizing that supply will remain stable if people avoid unnecessary hoarding. He also noted that the Energy Regulatory Commission is responsible for reviewing fuel prices, but the government has not yet increased oil prices.

According to the minister, there is no reason for public concern as everyone will receive oil as needed, and the government is monitoring the situation to maintain regular supply.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir has called on police members to perform their duties more effectively in maintaining law and order. He made the call on Tuesday morning at the police headquarters in Dhaka during an Eid reunion event held on the first working day after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

The IGP praised the efforts of highway, traffic, and district police units for their dedication in ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for homebound travelers during the Eid period. He also exchanged Eid greetings with officers, members, and civil staff working at the police headquarters, extending his post-Eid well wishes to them.

Senior police officials, including additional IGPs, heads of various Dhaka-based units, and other officers and employees of the police headquarters, were present at the event.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government will adopt the indemnity ordinance for the July fighters, reflecting public expectations and the aspirations of July. He stated that decisions regarding 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period will be made swiftly. The announcement came on Tuesday morning before he joined the first meeting of the special parliamentary committee at the National Parliament Building.

The meeting, chaired by Speaker (Retd.) Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, marked the beginning of the committee’s work to review the 133 ordinances. The committee has been tasked with determining which ordinances will remain in effect and which will be repealed. After the review, discussions will be held within the committee before final decisions are taken.

On March 12, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman presented the 133 ordinances in Parliament. The legislature must decide on them within 30 working days, as stipulated in the parliamentary schedule.

IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The meeting took place in the morning, according to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury was also present during the meeting. The discussion was described as a courtesy meeting, and no further details about the agenda or outcomes were provided in the official communication.

The visit highlights ongoing engagement between Bangladesh and the International Monetary Fund, though the source did not specify any particular policy discussions or agreements resulting from the meeting.

Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to appear before a New York court on Thursday to face drug trafficking charges. His lawyers are expected to strongly request dismissal of the case. The Manhattan hearing comes as Washington gradually moves toward improving relations with Caracas. A key issue in the hearing will be who will cover Maduro’s legal expenses.

The Venezuelan government intends to pay his legal costs, but U.S. sanctions require Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, to obtain a government license to receive funds. Pollack argued in court filings that this licensing condition violates Maduro’s constitutional right to legal assistance and that the case should be dismissed on procedural grounds. Maduro, who ruled Venezuela since March 2013, was ousted in a U.S. operation on January 3 and is now held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

Pollack said the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control initially granted but later revoked a license allowing him to accept payment. He has filed an objection and warned he will formally complain if no action is taken, noting Maduro cannot otherwise afford legal representation.

A powerful explosion occurred on Monday, March 23, at a Valero-owned oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, United States. The blast was so intense that local authorities immediately instructed nearby residents to evacuate to safe locations, according to AFP. Emergency services in Port Arthur issued alerts urging people in surrounding areas to seek shelter away from the site.

Valero stated in a company release that all employees had been accounted for and no one was missing, emphasizing that worker safety remained their top priority. Local media footage showed large flames and thick black smoke rising from the refinery, while witnesses reported that the explosion shattered windows in nearby homes.

The refinery, located about 90 miles east of Houston, employs around 800 workers and processes approximately 435,000 barrels of oil per day, producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, and an investigation is underway.

Former adviser to the interim government Mostofa Sarwar Farooki described the arrest of Masud Chowdhury, identified as a key figure behind the 1/11 political events, as a positive beginning for the current administration. He made the remarks on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, through a verified Facebook post, urging a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the 1/11 episode and even the 2008 election.

In his post, Farooki argued that the 1/11 events were the root of subsequent national crises, including enforced disappearances, repression of opposition activists, and major violent incidents. He emphasized that justice and preservation of collective memory are essential for national healing, suggesting that historical documentation through museums and reports could help the nation move forward.

Farooki warned that moving ahead without justice and memory preservation risks encouraging future wrongdoing and leaving unresolved resentment in the public consciousness, which he said is not conducive to true healing.

The government has issued instructions to strictly follow the National Flag Rules during the observance of the Great Independence and National Day, as well as other government-designated days. The directive emphasizes that raising and using the national flag in accordance with the 1972 National Flag Rules, amended in 2010, is a duty of every citizen. According to Article 4(1) of the Constitution, the national flag of the Republic consists of a red circle on a green field.

The flag rules specify that the flag must be dark green with a red circle in the center, maintaining a length-to-width ratio of 10:6. The circle should have a radius equal to one-fifth of the flag’s length. Depending on the building size, three standard flag dimensions are prescribed: 10:6, 5:3, and 2.5:1.5. The rules prohibit covering vehicles, trains, or vessels with the flag and forbid hoisting any other flag above it.

The guidelines also detail proper display methods in auditoriums, roads, and ceremonies, emphasizing respect during hoisting and lowering, and requiring the national anthem to be sung when the flag is formally raised.