Operations at the Shah gas field in the United Arab Emirates were suspended following a drone attack on the facility late last night. The Shah field, located about 180 kilometers southwest of Abu Dhabi, is one of the world’s largest sour gas fields. In addition, oil installations at the Fujairah port were also targeted again, causing fires at the site.

According to the report, oil loading operations at Fujairah port had to be halted twice due to the drone strikes but have since resumed. No casualties were reported by state media. An unidentified projectile also struck an oil tanker 42 kilometers east of Fujairah port, causing minor damage to the vessel.

Citing two sources, Reuters reported that the incidents have reduced the UAE’s daily oil production by half. The country’s state oil company has also significantly cut production due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that Bangladesh’s overall development is impossible without ensuring the welfare of farmers. He made the remark on Tuesday, March 17, during a review meeting at the Secretariat on the implementation of the ‘Farmer Card’ initiative. The Prime Minister emphasized that agriculture remains the main driving force of the national economy and that the new card system aims to ensure genuine farmers receive fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and government financial assistance directly, without interference from middlemen.

Despite the public holiday for Shab-e-Qadr, the Prime Minister attended office at 11 a.m. to review the latest progress of the committee overseeing the Farmer Card program. During the day, he also met with Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md. Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan. Following the meeting, Abdus Salam said the Prime Minister is deeply focused on Dhaka’s development and wants regular updates on ongoing and pending projects.

The Prime Minister instructed both city corporations to work toward making Dhaka a cleaner and more organized metropolis.

Iran has held the United States and Israel responsible for the ongoing tensions and disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the situation cannot be viewed in isolation, describing it as a reflection of a broader regional conflict. He made the remarks during a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, urging all peace‑concerned nations and international organizations to condemn the roles of the United States and Israel.

Araghchi further called on the international community to take a firm stand against what he described as continuing military aggression toward the Iranian people. According to Iran’s semi‑official Tasnim News Agency, Tehran believes that the current instability, particularly the disruption of shipping, stems from wider regional conflicts that are making the situation increasingly complex.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, underscores Iran’s view that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is part of a larger geopolitical struggle rather than an isolated maritime issue.

The Bangladesh government has decided to take rapid action on rape cases and violence against women. The decision was made on Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Following the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani briefed reporters, confirming that a special drive will be launched across ministries to ensure swift action and prevention of such crimes.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, multiple agencies are involved in handling these cases, and the government has instructed improved inter-agency coordination. The plan includes enhancing public awareness and strengthening institutional capacity within the legal process. Additionally, special courts in every district will intensify their operations to ensure faster trials of rape and women abuse cases.

The Cabinet emphasized that addressing sexual violence is among the government’s top priorities. Ministries have been directed to continue working on this issue even during the upcoming Eid period.

World Bank Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt concluded a three-day visit to Bangladesh on Tuesday, during which he met with the ministers of finance, planning, and commerce, as well as the prime minister’s economic adviser and the Bangladesh Bank governor. Discussions focused on the government’s development priorities and areas where the World Bank Group could extend support.

Zutt emphasized that the government is prioritizing large-scale job creation alongside skills development and investment, and that the World Bank Group is committed to helping achieve these goals. He noted that 14 million young people entered Bangladesh’s labor market over the past decade, but only 8.7 million jobs were created, leaving nearly half of the youth unemployed, particularly women. He stressed the need for long-pending macroeconomic and financial sector reforms to sustain growth and employment amid global uncertainty.

The World Bank Group supports countries in transforming growth into local employment by investing in physical and human infrastructure, promoting business-friendly environments, and mobilizing private capital. Since Bangladesh’s independence, the World Bank has provided over $46 billion in grants and concessional financing through the International Development Association.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Abu Zafar Khan, from the Department of Dawah and Islamic Studies at Islamic University, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Islamic Arabic University. He had been serving as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the same institution. The appointment was announced in a Ministry of Education notification issued on Monday and published on Tuesday. The notification also stated that the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Md. Shamsul Alam, has been relieved of his duties and permitted to return to his original post.

According to the notification, the appointment was made with the approval of the President and Chancellor under Section 11 of the Islamic Arabic University Act, 2013. Professor Khan’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor will last four years from the date of joining. He will receive the same salary and allowances as his current position, enjoy other benefits as per regulations, and must reside full-time on campus as the university’s chief executive officer. The President and Chancellor retain the authority to revoke the appointment at any time.

The appointment marks a leadership transition at the Islamic Arabic University, ensuring administrative continuity under the new Vice-Chancellor.

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in Lebanon, saying civilians are paying a severe price. As the fighting expands, the number of deaths, injuries, and displaced people is rising rapidly. UN humanitarian coordinator Imran Riza said displacement is increasing at an unbelievable pace, with hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes, many with only the clothes they were wearing.

The conflict began on March 2 when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, claiming it was in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded with military operations, leading to widespread violence across Lebanon. So far, more than 850 people have been killed, and over 800,000 have been displaced.

According to the Lebanese government, about one-fifth of the country’s population has already registered as displaced. The UN fears that if the situation worsens, the number of displaced people could rise even further.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel will continue its campaign to eliminate Iran’s leadership following a recent airstrike. Katz said the operation killed Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. He stated that both he and the prime minister had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to keep pursuing Iran’s leadership, which he described as responsible for terrorism and oppression.

Katz referenced a comment by U.S. President Donald Trump about frequent changes in Iran’s leadership, saying that Israel’s actions had accelerated that process by killing two of Iran’s top figures. He also praised the Israeli Air Force pilots and intelligence officers who took part in the mission.

Iran has not yet confirmed the deaths of Larijani and Soleimani, leaving uncertainty about the full impact of the strike and Israel’s ongoing operations.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani was killed. However, Iranian media reported that Larijani would soon deliver a message, suggesting he may still be alive. At least two Iranian outlets confirmed that the message was expected to be released within minutes.

An Israeli military official told the BBC that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had targeted Larijani. In a separate claim, the Israeli army said it had killed Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij Force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), during an attack on Monday night. Iranian authorities have not yet issued any official response or comment on either claim.

According to the Israeli military, Soleimani’s death would represent a major blow to Iran’s command-and-control structure. The situation remains unclear as Iranian media await Larijani’s statement and no confirmation has been provided from Tehran.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury has praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a good listener and a results-oriented leader. In a verified Facebook post on March 17, 2026, he said the prime minister listens patiently to everyone, avoids imposing decisions, and focuses on outcome-based discussions. Chowdhury shared that he had the opportunity to work closely with the prime minister over the past month through several inter-ministerial and review meetings.

According to the BIDA chairman, a 180-day action plan was recently presented to the prime minister, aimed at building a culture of accountability in government agencies. He said the prime minister leads by example through punctuality, courtesy, and simplicity. Chowdhury also noted that global instability has reduced foreign direct investment, prompting Bangladesh to prioritize domestic investment and job creation. To address energy concerns and business challenges, 25 initiatives are planned for the next six months.

These initiatives include privatizing state-owned and sick industries under public-private partnership models, developing free trade zone and defense industry policies, exploring alternative energy sources, improving port and airport management, forming a private sector advisory council, expanding the ‘BanglaBiz’ digital platform, and completing a Korea-Bangladesh free trade agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized countries that did not respond to Washington’s call for assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on March 17, 2026, he said some nations preferred not to get involved, even though the United States continues to protect them. Trump remarked that while America defends others, those same countries might not stand by the U.S. if help were ever needed.

Trump stated that the United States has neutralized Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, all 30 Iranian ships allegedly involved in laying mines have been destroyed. However, he admitted uncertainty about whether Iran has deployed additional mines in the area. He declared that the U.S. has already “dealt with Iran.”

The president urged other nations to join efforts in maintaining security in the Strait, claiming that several countries are already moving toward cooperation.

Cuba has plunged into darkness following a severe nationwide power outage triggered by the United States’ strict oil blockade. Speaking at the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could either “liberate” or “occupy” Cuba, claiming the island nation was now in a weakened state. The AFP reported the remarks from Havana as the crisis deepened across the Caribbean country of 9.6 million people.

Cuba’s national electricity company, Unión Nacional Eléctrica, said the entire grid had collapsed, leaving many areas without power for up to 20 hours a day. The oil import halt has crippled the energy sector, disrupting transport and tourism. Following political changes in Venezuela, the US maintained its oil embargo, cutting off supplies since early January. In response, Havana introduced policy shifts allowing Cuban expatriates to invest and own businesses, with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva expressing readiness for trade with US firms and diaspora investors.

Public frustration has grown amid fuel shortages, food and medicine scarcity, and sporadic protests. President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged citizens’ anger but condemned violence as unacceptable.

The United Kingdom and Ukraine are moving toward a new defense partnership aimed at addressing security risks from low-cost drones. Downing Street announced the initiative ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to London. According to AFP, the agreement seeks to strengthen global defense capabilities against the spread of affordable yet advanced military technologies, particularly drones.

Under the deal, Ukraine’s battlefield experience in countering drones during its prolonged war with Russia will be combined with the UK’s industrial capacity. The partnership plans to expand production and supply of drones and other innovative defense technologies. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that drones, electronic warfare, and rapid battlefield innovation have become vital to national and economic security, a significance heightened by recent Middle East conflicts.

As part of the agreement, the UK will provide about £500,000 to establish an “AI Center of Excellence” in coordination with Ukraine’s defense ministry. Zelensky’s visit comes amid his concern that Middle East tensions could divert global attention from the Ukraine-Russia war, though European allies have reaffirmed their continued support for Kyiv.

British Airways has suspended flights on several Middle Eastern routes until June 2026 due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The airline announced that flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv will remain canceled until May 31, while services to Doha are suspended until April 30. A company spokesperson said the decision was made to ensure passenger safety and convenience amid unstable airspace conditions in the region.

The spokesperson added that the airline is continuously monitoring the situation and directly contacting affected passengers to offer alternative arrangements. Customers whose flights have been canceled can choose to rebook with another airline, change their travel dates, or receive a full refund. Despite the suspensions, British Airways continues to operate flights to Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The airline indicated that the suspension period could be extended further depending on developments in the region, as it continues to assess security and operational risks.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani has been killed. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Katz said the Israeli military was responsible for the attack. The Israeli army also claimed responsibility for killing Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij Force under Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in an assault on Monday night.

According to the Israeli military, Soleimani’s death represents a major blow to Iran’s command-and-control structure. Israel further pledged to continue using force against Iranian commanders. As of now, Iranian authorities have not issued any official response or comment regarding these claims.

The report noted that since the war began on February 28, Israel and the United States have been targeting Iran’s senior leadership, resulting in the deaths of several top military commanders, including the country’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Analysts believe Soleimani’s killing could further weaken the Basij Force’s control system.