Rail Minister Habibur Rashid announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the introduction of automatic rail gates across the country. The decision aims to ensure that gates close automatically when trains approach, with guards remaining on duty. The minister made the statement on Sunday afternoon while visiting the site of a train-bus collision at Padua Bazar rail crossing in Comilla.

He added that underpasses or flyovers will be constructed where rail gates exist. Responding to questions about the investigation, the state minister said the station master and gateman had already been suspended for negligence and would face disciplinary action. Two railway investigation committees and one by the local administration have been formed to probe the incident. The district administration announced Tk 25,000 in aid per victim’s family, while the railway will provide Tk 100,000 to each bereaved family. The health minister has been contacted to ensure treatment for the injured.

The accident occurred on Saturday night when a mail train from Chattogram to Dhaka hit a passenger bus at the crossing, killing 12 people and injuring at least 24.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the sooner the government understands the need for constitutional reform, the sooner the ongoing crisis will be resolved. He made the remarks on Sunday, March 22, during a post-Eid visit to Sylhet, speaking with journalists at the VIP Circuit House. Dr. Rahman received a guard of honor upon arrival, accompanied by District Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam.

He emphasized that the opposition remains committed to the people, recalling that they sought two votes—one for a referendum and another for the parliamentary election—and that both were granted. He argued that both votes should be equally legitimate and urged respect for the people’s mandate. Dr. Rahman also criticized the poor condition of the Sylhet-Dhaka highway and the lack of development in various sectors, calling for fair allocation of resources and concrete government planning.

He further stressed the need for prompt local government elections to strengthen grassroots democracy and ensure accountability through elected representatives.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of 12 people in a train-bus collision in Cumilla and three others in a separate road accident in Feni. He conveyed his condolences through a Facebook post on Sunday, March 22, 2026, praying for the departed souls and wishing quick recovery for the injured.

In his message, Dr. Rahman said the incidents highlight serious shortcomings in the country’s transport system, road and rail safety, and the accountability of relevant authorities. He emphasized that such tragedies demonstrate the urgent need for effective and long-term measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Calling on the authorities, he urged a thorough investigation into the causes of the accidents, swift legal action against those responsible, and visible, strict steps to ensure such fatal incidents do not recur.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged Eid-ul-Fitr greetings with three senior journalists over the phone on Friday, March 21, 2026. The journalists were Ekushey Padak recipient Shafik Rehman, The New Nation editor Md. Mokarram Hossain, and journalist Anis Alamgir. The Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary, Mostafa Zulfiqar Hasan (Hasan Shiplu), confirmed the calls, saying the Prime Minister conveyed Eid greetings and inquired about their health.

Md. Mokarram Hossain, a former managing director of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, said the call from the Prime Minister was completely unexpected and that he was pleased by the gesture. He expressed happiness at the Prime Minister’s courtesy during the festive occasion. Anis Alamgir also said that the Prime Minister called him around 7 p.m. to ask about his health and extended Eid greetings to him and his wife.

The calls reflected a gesture of goodwill from the head of government toward senior members of the media community during the Eid festival.

Three weeks after the US-Israel war against Iran began, the conflict has entered an uncertain phase marked by contradictory statements from President Donald Trump. While Trump has claimed the war is nearly over and the situation is calming, US and Israeli airstrikes continue across Iran, and American Marine units are reportedly moving into the region. In a Truth Social post, Trump warned that if Iran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, US forces will begin targeting Iranian power plants, starting with the largest one.

Trump earlier published a list of US military objectives in Iran, including destroying Iran’s defense infrastructure and nuclear program, but notably excluded securing the Strait of Hormuz, saying that responsibility should fall to other oil-dependent nations. Despite his insistence that the US is not reliant on Middle Eastern oil, analysts note that global oil price fluctuations still affect American fuel costs.

Reports indicate the Trump administration is preparing a $200 billion emergency funding request to Congress for the ongoing operation, suggesting a prolonged and costly conflict. Congressional reactions have been cautious, with lawmakers seeking clarity on strategy and financial implications.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called journalist Anis Alamgir on Saturday evening, March 21, to convey Eid greetings. Alamgir confirmed the conversation, saying the call came around 7 p.m. and that he was surprised by it. The Prime Minister extended greetings to both Alamgir and his wife and mentioned hearing about his time in prison.

Anis Alamgir expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, praising his demonstration of harmony and goodwill during the Eid prayers. He also thanked Rahman for refraining from making comments about past negative politics since August 5, 2024. Earlier, Alamgir had exchanged Eid greetings with President Md. Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban.

Alamgir had been detained by the Detective Branch on December 14 of the previous year for questioning and was later shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The Anti-Corruption Commission also filed a case against him. After three months in jail, he was released on bail on March 14.

A researcher at the Centre for International Studies at Sciences Po has warned that Israel’s expanding role in the Middle East’s gas infrastructure is granting it increasing leverage over neighboring Arab states. The analysis highlights that during the US-Israeli war on Iran, Jordan and Egypt halted gas supplies to Syria, exposing how dependent regional energy flows have become on Israeli gas. Egypt’s declining production and Jordan’s limited output have led both countries to rely heavily on imports from Israel, which now forms the backbone of the Arab Gas Pipeline network linking Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

The report explains that even when gas is imported as liquefied natural gas through Jordan’s Aqaba terminal, it mixes with Israeli gas within the shared pipeline system. This structural dependence was underscored when shutdowns at Israel’s Leviathan field twice disrupted supplies to Jordan and Egypt, forcing emergency measures. The researcher argues that such reliance allows Israel to wield political and economic influence, using energy as a tool of coercion and control.

The article concludes that Syria and Lebanon could reduce vulnerability by developing their own gas reserves, though doing so would require significant investment and political resolve to resist external pressure favoring continued dependence on Israeli energy.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the 'biggest intruder' during an Eid gathering in Kolkata. She made the remark on Saturday while attending the main Eid congregation at Red Road, where she also delivered a message of communal harmony alongside her political comments.

Banerjee criticized what she described as divisive politics, saying that while relations are built with foreign countries abroad, people at home are being divided. Her statement came as thousands of worshippers offered Eid prayers across Kolkata and other Indian cities amid festive enthusiasm. Some areas faced difficulties due to bad weather, but security measures were tightened nationwide.

The President, Prime Minister, and other political leaders extended Eid greetings to citizens across the country, marking the occasion with official messages of goodwill.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has pledged to resist any effort to bring back a culture of fear in the country. He made the statement on Saturday, March 21, in Dhaka’s Minto Road area while exchanging Eid greetings with people from different walks of life and speaking to the media.

Dr. Rahman said that no one in Bangladesh wants the return of fear-based politics, and his party will stand united against any such attempt. He urged for a Bangladesh built on equality, harmony, humanity, and justice. During his remarks, he also noted that people faced significant suffering during this year’s Eid travel due to various reasons and expressed hope that corruption, extortion, and disorder would not recur in the future.

The opposition leader extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to the nation, emphasizing unity and collective resolve to prevent the reemergence of fear in society.

Bangladesh’s newly elected Speaker of the 13th National Parliament, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, stated that a new journey of democracy has begun in the country. Speaking to journalists on Saturday morning after the Eid congregation at the National Parliament premises, he expressed hope that the dream behind the 1971 Liberation War, which remains unfulfilled, would be realized through collective efforts of the new parliament and the people.

He emphasized that citizens have elected a party and representatives with great expectations, and he urged all members of parliament to reflect those aspirations through their work. The Speaker also mentioned that a war has broken out in the Middle East, warning that countries like Bangladesh could face economic challenges as a result. He prayed for an end to the conflict soon.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad further called on Bangladesh and other Muslim nations to strengthen their economies and work together for the welfare and prosperity of their people.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged Eid greetings with former Chief Adviser of the caretaker government Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Saturday morning at the Jamuna State Guesthouse, according to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere as part of the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

During the exchange, the Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and other family members, including his daughter Zaima Rahman, the late Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Shamila Rahman, and her two daughters, Jahia Rahman and Jafia Rahman. The event reflected a gesture of goodwill marking the religious festival.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the Eid congregation at the National Eidgah and later returned to the Jamuna State Guesthouse to exchange greetings with diplomats, continuing the day’s official Eid engagements.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam stated that the opposition will exert maximum pressure inside and outside parliament after Eid if the government fails to form the Constitutional Reform Council. He made the remarks on Saturday, March 21, after offering Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Purpara Jame Mosque in the Beribadh area of Dhaka.

Nahid expressed disappointment that the council, which was supposed to take oath immediately after the 13th National Parliament election, has not yet been implemented. He emphasized that political will is essential to make it happen. Responding to a question, he said one month is not enough to evaluate a government’s performance and that further observation is needed.

He acknowledged that the government has acted promptly on several promises, including the distribution of family cards, which he described as positive steps. He added that the opposition will continue to monitor the government’s activities closely.

Independent voters in the United States are expressing growing concern over President Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran, a development that could influence the outcome of the upcoming November midterm elections. In Pennsylvania’s swing areas such as Levittown, residents voiced frustration and confusion about the new Middle East conflict, with some shifting support toward Democrats. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in Congress, and even small voter swings could threaten their control.

Surveys cited in the report show that about 60 percent of independent voters oppose US military action against Iran, while 71 percent believe the Trump administration has failed to clearly explain its reasons for intervention. Analysts warn that this uncertainty could harm Republican prospects. Rising living costs and fuel prices linked to the conflict are also emerging as major campaign issues.

Some voters, however, continue to back Trump, citing the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Others argue that the war must end to avoid another prolonged conflict like Iraq or Vietnam.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the graves of his parents, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and late President Ziaur Rahman, at the Zia Udyan in Dhaka on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. The visit took place around 1 p.m. on Saturday, accompanied by his family members and senior BNP leaders.

Earlier in the morning, Tarique Rahman performed Eid prayers at the National Eidgah. Following the prayers, he exchanged Eid greetings with people from various walks of life at the state guesthouse Jamuna. During a brief interaction with journalists, he extended Eid greetings to the nation and expressed gratitude for being able to celebrate the festival in the country after many years.

The day’s events reflected a combination of personal observance and official engagement, marking the Prime Minister’s participation in both religious and public celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has emphasized the need for international assistance to achieve a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis. He made the remarks on Saturday morning after offering Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Pekua Central Jame Mosque in Cox’s Bazar, where he exchanged greetings with locals and later visited his parents’ graves.

Following the prayers, the minister inspected the Upazila field and directed authorities to expedite its renovation. He extended Eid greetings to the nation, urging unity to advance the country’s progress. Referring to the recent United Nations–organized Global Summit on Fraud held in Vienna, he also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating global fraud.

Salahuddin Ahmed arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Friday night for a three-day visit, traveling from the airport to his ancestral home in Pekua via the Hilltop Circuit House. During the trip, he is scheduled to attend several local programs.