The Islamic Foundation has announced that the main Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in Dhaka will be held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. If weather conditions or other unavoidable reasons prevent the event, the main congregation will move to the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9:00 a.m. Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek will lead the prayer, with Dr. Maulana Abu Saleh Patwari as the alternate imam. The President, Prime Minister, cabinet members, diplomats, and senior officials are expected to attend.

According to Dhaka North City Corporation, the National Eidgah can accommodate 90,000 to 100,000 worshippers, with special arrangements for about 330 VIPs and separate spaces for men and women. Baitul Mukarram will host five Eid congregations at intervals from 7:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Additional prayers will take place at the Parliament’s South Plaza, Dhaka University Central Mosque, and various mosques and open grounds across the city.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police reported that 1,771 Eid congregations will be held this year, including 121 at Eidgahs and 1,599 at mosques, under coordinated security and traffic management plans.

Iranian rocket attacks on Jerusalem have increased, with four strikes reported on Thursday night and two more on Friday morning. No casualties have been reported so far. Additional attacks using other weapons were also launched toward northern and southern Israel. In response, Israel carried out strikes in Tehran, claiming to have targeted Iranian government infrastructure.

According to the Israeli military, Iran still possesses more than 150 operational missile launchers and several hundred ballistic missiles. Israel’s Kan News reported that since the start of the war, Iran has fired about 900 ballistic missiles, including 350 aimed at Israel and the rest toward Gulf countries. Iranian state-linked WANA news agency released a video showing missiles being launched from an undisclosed location.

While Israel asserts that it is preventing Iran from producing new missiles, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps stated that the country’s missile production industry remains fully active during wartime, with no concerns about production or stockpiles.

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara said his government is working to keep the country away from the ongoing Middle East war. Speaking after Eid al-Fitr prayers at the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday, he emphasized that Syria is taking every step with extreme caution to avoid involvement in any conflict.

Al-Shara noted that Syria had long been a center of conflict and instability for over 15 years but is now maintaining good relations with neighboring countries both regionally and internationally. He described the current situation as one of the most significant and rare historical events since World War II.

The president added that Syria’s careful approach aims to ensure the nation can continue on a path of development and reconstruction while avoiding entanglement in regional hostilities.

Global oil prices saw a slight decline on Friday, March 20, 2026, following weeks of volatility driven by ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East. The closure of the Hormuz Strait, a key route for about 20 percent of global oil supply, and attacks on energy infrastructure had earlier pushed crude prices above 119 dollars per barrel. Brent crude fell 0.6 percent to 108 dollars per barrel, while U.S. benchmark WTI dropped 1.1 percent to 94.6 dollars.

Goldman Sachs warned that disruptions in energy supply could persist until 2027, keeping Brent prices above 100 dollars for an extended period and possibly surpassing the 2008 record of 147 dollars if conditions worsen. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas hub suffered a 17 percent reduction in LNG export capacity after an attack, with recovery expected to take up to five years.

U.S. President Donald Trump assured citizens that the situation would soon stabilize, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was responding to U.S. calls to limit strikes on energy sites. However, reports of drones and missiles being intercepted over the Middle East suggest the conflict remains active.

US President Donald Trump has expressed anger toward NATO allies, hinting at possible diplomatic retaliation. According to Al Jazeera correspondent Kimberly Halkett reporting from Washington, Trump’s recent Truth Social post revealed his frustration over a lack of cooperation from allied nations regarding the Hormuz Strait issue. He accused several countries of failing to take action or show sufficient interest in addressing the situation.

Analysts cited in the report said Trump’s remarks reflect not only disappointment but also a sign of rising tension. In his comments, Trump downplayed NATO’s importance, labeled allied nations as “cowardly,” and warned that the United States would remember their inaction. The tone of his statement suggests that future diplomatic measures against these allies could be under consideration.

The report indicates that Trump’s stance may further strain relations within the NATO alliance, particularly concerning joint responses to international security challenges.

State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan visited Dhaka’s Sadarghat Launch Terminal on Friday to monitor the final phase of Eid travel. He noted that passenger pressure had eased but warned that the return journey would pose a major challenge. Preparations have already been strengthened to ensure a smooth and safe return for travelers.

During the inspection, the minister spoke with passengers and closely observed the overall condition of passenger transport inside several launches. To prevent overloading, he instructed that vessels depart only with passengers within their approved capacity. He thanked officials, workers, and law enforcement personnel for their continuous efforts in managing the terminal and maintaining order.

Rajib Ahsan also urged all agencies involved in terminal operations to work in coordination to ensure that Eid travel remains smooth, safe, and disciplined. He expressed appreciation to journalists for their role in disseminating information and raising public awareness about waterway transport management.

Multiple unidentified drones were reportedly seen flying over a military base in Washington, D.C., where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reside, according to The Washington Post. The sightings occurred on at least one night within the past ten days, prompting immediate security reviews. The U.S. government is considering relocating some senior officials for safety reasons, and a high-level meeting has been called at the White House to address the issue.

The source reports that the origin of the drones remains unknown. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Israel over Iran, leading the U.S. military to strengthen security at its bases. The State Department has also instructed all American diplomatic missions worldwide to conduct security assessments.

Officials reportedly discussed the possibility of relocating Rubio and Hegseth due to the seriousness of the drone presence over Fort McNair, though no final decision has been made. Analysts suggest such incidents could pose new challenges for U.S. internal security systems.

India has appointed Vikram Doraiswami, currently serving as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, as its new ambassador to China. He will replace Pradeep Kumar Rawat and is expected to assume his duties in Beijing soon. Doraiswami, a 1992 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, previously served as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure and has also held ambassadorial roles in South Korea and Uzbekistan.

Doraiswami’s diplomatic experience includes earlier service in Beijing from 1996 to 2000, during which he studied the Chinese language at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has also held senior positions in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, notably leading the Indo-Pacific division. Before joining the foreign service, he briefly worked as a journalist and earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Delhi.

The appointment comes as part of India’s efforts to rebuild relations with China following the 2020 border conflict, with both sides still maintaining troop deployments along the frontier.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Tehran no longer has the capability to produce missiles. According to a report by Al Jazeera, an IRGC spokesperson stated that Iran is still manufacturing missiles at full capacity and facing no difficulties in storing them.

The spokesperson emphasized that Iran’s missile industry remains strong, describing its performance as “20 out of 20.” He added that despite the ongoing state of war, production continues without interruption. The IRGC representative also declared that the war will continue.

Earlier, during a press conference in Israel, Netanyahu had asserted that Iran’s ballistic missile production capability had been destroyed, claiming that “we are winning, and Iran is collapsing.”

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that his country has taken a neutral position regarding the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Speaking in parliament after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, he dismissed accusations that Sri Lanka was favoring any side in the conflict.

Dissanayake addressed criticism suggesting that Sri Lanka delayed permission for an Iranian ship due to a defense agreement with the United States. He clarified that both Iran and the United States had recently requested permission for their naval vessels to dock in Sri Lankan ports, and the government refused both requests to maintain neutrality.

The president emphasized that rejecting both sides’ requests demonstrated Sri Lanka’s commitment to a balanced foreign policy amid rising regional tensions.

During this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr travel period, the usually busy Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route in Manikganj has seen an unusually calm situation. Unlike previous years when heavy passenger and vehicle congestion was common, the terminals remained largely empty on Friday afternoon, with several ferries waiting idle due to a lack of passengers and vehicles.

Officials and local sources attributed the reduced pressure to improvements in road connectivity, particularly after the opening of the Padma Bridge, which has diverted much of the traffic away from the river route. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) reported that 17 ferries are operating on the Paturia-Daulatdia route and 5 on the Aricha-Kazirhat route, along with 33 launches ensuring smooth passenger crossings.

Passengers expressed satisfaction with the ease of travel, noting the absence of long waits or congestion. Authorities described the situation as normal and comfortable, with ferry services running efficiently and without disruption.

A Dhaka court has cleared former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 123 others from charges in a case filed over the alleged killing of a teenager named Jihad during an anti-discrimination student movement in Keraniganj. The order was issued after reviewing the final investigation report submitted by Sub-Inspector Badiar Rahman of Keraniganj Model Police Station. The court’s decision followed confirmation that the victim was alive and that the case had been based on incorrect information.

According to court officials, the investigation concluded on August 11 of the previous year, and the report was submitted to the court, which later issued the discharge order on November 30. The investigation found that Jihad had been injured in Hazaribagh, not killed in Keraniganj, and that the case had been falsely framed as a murder.

Among those discharged were Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Sheikh Helal, former mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, and former Inspector General of Police Abdullah Al Mamun.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that if sanctions on Iranian oil are lifted, shipments could begin reaching Asian markets within three to four days. He made the remarks in an interview with Fox Business Network, noting that rapid supply resumption could help stabilize global oil prices.

The statement comes amid volatility in global oil markets driven by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is reportedly considering various policy options to manage the situation. Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that sanctions on Iranian oil stored in tankers at sea might soon be lifted.

Experts cited in the report believe that easing sanctions would allow Iranian oil to flow quickly into global markets, potentially increasing supply and reducing price pressure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that more than 200 Ukrainian specialists have been deployed to the Middle East to assist Gulf countries in defending against Iranian drones. The initiative aims to help nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait strengthen their defenses against the same type of Iranian 'Shahed' drones that were previously sold to Russia in 2022. Ukraine claims to have achieved about 90 percent success in intercepting these drones, according to Al Jazeera.

Analysts cited in the report noted that Iranian drones have become a growing threat to U.S.-aligned Gulf states, which have traditionally focused on high-altitude missile defense systems while neglecting low-altitude threats. The report also highlighted the stark cost difference between defense systems: a U.S. ballistic missile interceptor can cost around 10 million dollars per use, whereas a Ukrainian counter-drone costs roughly 3,000 dollars and can destroy a 50,000-dollar Shahed drone.

The cooperation underscores Kyiv’s effort to share its wartime experience and expand defense partnerships in the region.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament on Friday, March 20, 2026, that the country had rejected a US request to deploy two fighter jets at a civilian airport in southern Sri Lanka. The United States had sought permission in late February to station the aircraft, equipped with anti-ship missiles, transferred from a base in Djibouti. Dissanayake said the decision was made to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutral stance.

The president also revealed that on the same day, Iran and India had requested permission for three Iranian warships to dock at Colombo Port after completing joint naval exercises. He explained that granting permission to one side would have required allowing the other, so both requests were denied. His statement received applause from the 225-member parliament.

Earlier in March, a US attack near Sri Lanka’s southern coast sank an Iranian warship, killing at least 84 sailors. Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 survivors, and another Iranian vessel was later allowed to enter Sri Lankan waters for safety reasons, with 219 sailors currently sheltered in Colombo.