Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced that 193 children have been killed in recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The youngest victim was an eight-month-old girl, and a four-month-old child was reported injured. Mohajerani presented the figures during a press briefing in front of a board displaying photos of the deceased children, according to Iran’s state news agency Mehr News. She also reported that 11 healthcare workers were killed in the attacks, while four ambulances and one rescue helicopter were completely destroyed. The Iranian government described the strikes as serious violations of international human rights and the laws of war. The statement underscores Tehran’s position that the assaults have targeted civilian and medical infrastructure, intensifying its accusations against Washington and Tel Aviv for breaching humanitarian norms.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Iran that the violation of Turkish airspace cannot be justified under any circumstances. During a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Erdogan said that attacks on regional countries are helping no one and emphasized that Turkey is working to open diplomatic channels to end ongoing conflicts. Erdogan reiterated his position during a cabinet meeting, stating that despite Turkey’s sincere warnings, provocative actions are being taken that endanger the friendship between the two nations. His comments followed an incident in which NATO’s air defense system shot down a second Iranian ballistic missile that entered Turkish airspace on Monday night. Turkey, which has the second-largest army in NATO and a 500-year stable border with Iran, maintains unusually close contact with Tehran compared to other NATO members. Erdogan has also sought to position himself as a mediator in crises such as those in Ukraine and Gaza.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has announced that motorcycle ride-share drivers in metropolitan areas will be allowed to purchase up to five liters of octane or petrol per day. The decision was detailed in a press release signed by BPC Secretary Shahina Sultana on March 10, 2026. According to the announcement, the fuel distribution will follow three specific conditions. Drivers must receive a purchase receipt specifying the fuel type, quantity, and price each time they buy fuel. They must also submit the original copy of the previous purchase receipt when refueling again. Additionally, the motorcycle’s registration number and driver information must be verified with the ride-sharing app before fuel is supplied. BPC stated that only those who comply with these conditions will be eligible to collect up to five liters of fuel daily from filling stations within metropolitan areas.

A massive traffic jam stretching about 30 to 35 kilometers has paralyzed the Comilla section of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway since Tuesday morning. The congestion, mainly on the Chattogram-bound lane from Daudkandi to Comilla Cantonment, caused severe suffering for thousands of passengers. Highway police officials said the jam resulted from slow road repair work and a blockade by garment workers demanding unpaid wages. Workers from Chandina Denim Garments blocked the highway near Harikhola Mazar area after not receiving three months of salaries and bonuses. The protest quickly expanded, halting traffic across Daudkandi, Gauripur, Chandina, Nimsar, and Cantonment areas. Passengers, including women, children, and the elderly, were seen walking to their destinations under intense heat during Ramadan. Police later intervened to clear the blockade and restore movement. The factory’s CEO, Jahangir Alam, said workers would receive January salaries by Thursday and February wages with Eid bonuses by March 16, blaming an unnamed group for inciting the protest.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Textiles, Jute, Industry and Commerce, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, stated that there is currently no concern about rising commodity prices, even though the Iran-Israel war may affect trade. He noted that if sea routes remain closed for a long time, transportation costs could increase. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday afternoon after distributing family cards at a program held at M A Rup Junior School field in Kulanj Union of Dirai upazila, Sunamganj. He explained that the family card distribution fulfills a promise made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to build a poverty-free Bangladesh, launched just a month after the election. The initiative was designed to avoid any political bias. Muktadir added that the government is working to create an investment-friendly environment to boost employment and purchasing power, addressing past stagnation in investment. At the event, 697 women from three villages in Kulanj Union received family cards. Several members of parliament and local officials attended the program, and beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the prime minister.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has reported that thousands of Afghan nationals are returning to Afghanistan from Iran each day as the country faces ongoing US-Israel attacks. In an interview with Al Jazeera from the Afghanistan-Iran border, UNHCR’s Afghanistan representative Arafat Jamal said approximately 2,000 Afghans are crossing the border daily to return home. Jamal explained that many of those leaving cited the war situation in Iran as their main reason for departure, though no targeted problems against Afghans have been reported so far. Since the beginning of the year, around 110,000 Afghans have left Iran, including long-term residents and migrant workers. He added that fear of potential bombings, economic weakness, and job shortages are also driving factors behind the mass return. Jamal cautioned that many of these returnees are “fleeing one war only to return to another,” as Afghanistan currently faces heightened tensions with neighboring Pakistan. He noted that for many, there are no good options available.

Bangladesh’s stock market continued its strong recovery for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, signaling easing investor fears linked to the Middle East conflict. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) benchmark index DSEX rose by more than 148 points, following a 132-point gain the previous day, totaling a two-day increase of 280 points. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw a sharp rise, with its CSCX index climbing 2.33 percent to surpass 9,000 points. According to Ifthekhar Alam, president of the Bangladesh Merchant Bankers Association and CEO of LankaBangla Investments, natural buyers have returned to the market after a major correction, restoring positive momentum. He noted that the government’s decision not to raise fuel prices, alternative supply arrangements, and the arrival of two oil tankers at Chattogram port have eased concerns over fuel shortages, positively influencing the market. Trading activity also increased, with DSE transactions reaching about Tk 594 crore compared to Tk 416 crore the previous day, reflecting renewed investor participation and confidence.

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has warned that Bangladesh could lose significant import duty revenue in the current fiscal year due to its new trade agreement with the United States. The concern was raised at a roundtable in Dhaka on March 10, where CPD Executive Director Dr. Fahmida Khatun presented findings showing a potential revenue loss of about Tk 1,327 crore. The deal, titled the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, allows duty-free import of around 4,500 US products and requires tariff reductions on another 2,210 items over the next five to ten years. CPD noted that the arrangement may create a one-sided market advantage for the US and could conflict with World Trade Organization (WTO) principles, potentially complicating Bangladesh’s trade policy. The organization also cautioned that mandatory purchases of certain US goods could raise government expenditure, urging a review of the deal through dialogue with Washington. The discussion further highlighted Bangladesh’s revenue shortfall, growing reliance on bank borrowing, and slow development spending, with CPD recommending realistic budget targets and long-term fiscal reforms to stabilize the economy.

The government of Bangladesh has declared March 18, 2026, a public holiday by executive order, extending the Eid-ul-Fitr vacation period. Following this announcement, Bangladesh Bank confirmed that scheduled banks will remain closed for seven consecutive days. However, to facilitate salary and bonus payments for garment workers, certain bank branches in industrial areas will remain open on March 18 and 19. According to a circular issued by the central bank, branches located in Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Valuka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram garment zones must operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a prayer break between 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Transactions will be conducted until 1 p.m. The circular also instructed that bank branches and booths in port and customs areas remain operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to support import and export activities. Between March 17 and 23, except on Eid day, limited banking operations will continue in coordination with local administration and port authorities to ensure smooth trade-related transactions.

US President Donald Trump announced that his administration is considering easing certain oil-related sanctions to counter rising energy prices. Speaking to reporters on March 10, 2026, he said that sanctions on some countries could be lifted temporarily until the situation stabilizes. Trump added that the move could potentially lead to lasting peace, though he did not specify which countries or sanctions were under review. During the same press conference, Trump mentioned having a “very good” phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin but provided no further details. The report noted that the United States had already temporarily relaxed sanctions to allow India to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea. The announcement signals a possible shift in US energy and foreign policy, though the lack of specifics leaves uncertainty about which nations might benefit and how long the easing would last.

The United States Embassy in Beirut has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible, citing escalating security risks. In a security alert issued on Tuesday morning, the embassy advised those who feel safe to consider departing via Middle East Airlines flights from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport. For those unable to leave, the embassy recommended seeking safe shelter. The advisory follows a week of continuous Israeli bombardment across Beirut and southern Lebanon. Israel has stated that its operations target Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have also instructed residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate urgently due to ongoing airstrikes. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Israel is taking strict measures against Hezbollah activities south of the Litani River. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, 486 people have been killed since the start of the Israeli offensive earlier this month, as reported by BBC Bangla.

Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury has been promoted to the position of Deputy Managing Director (Finance and Accounts) at Grameen Bank. The decision was made at the bank’s 173rd board meeting, recognizing his outstanding performance and contributions to the institution. Prior to this promotion, he served as the General Manager of the Finance and Accounts Division. Chowdhury was born in West Dhemsha village of Satkania upazila in Chattogram district. He completed his postgraduate degree in Management from the University of Chittagong and joined Grameen Bank in 1995 as a probationary officer. Over his career, he has held various key positions including Branch Manager, Program Officer, Area Manager, Zonal Audit Officer, Zonal Manager, and Department Head. He expressed optimism about contributing further to the bank’s progress, particularly in expanding loan programs and deposit growth, drawing on his long professional experience.

Syria’s government has accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of launching missiles from Lebanon into Syrian territory overnight. According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, citing a military official, the missiles struck near the town of Serghaya, west of Damascus. The Syrian army claimed Hezbollah targeted Syrian military positions and said it had observed Hezbollah reinforcing its presence along the Syria-Lebanon border. SANA reported that the Syrian Arab Army warned it would not tolerate any attacks directed at Syria. The incident comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified after Hezbollah attacked Israel last week in retaliation for a U.S.-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Recent days have seen clashes in eastern Lebanon and Israeli strikes across the country, including in Beirut. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Hezbollah of leading the country toward destruction, while a parliamentary leader stated that resistance was their only option, reflecting deep divisions within Lebanon over the conflict’s direction.

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on retired Lieutenant Colonel Asadul Islam and his wife Nasreen Shams amid corruption allegations. The order was given on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), represented by Assistant Director Abdul Malek, had petitioned for the restriction. According to the ACC’s application, Asadul Islam is accused of acquiring wealth beyond known income sources and conducting suspicious transactions through his bank accounts. The commission is currently investigating these allegations. Reliable sources reportedly informed investigators that Asadul Islam and his wife were attempting to leave the country. The court imposed the travel ban to ensure an unhindered investigation into the corruption allegations. The order prevents both individuals from traveling abroad until further notice.

UNDP Resident Representative Stephen Liller met with Dipen Dewan MP, Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, at the ministry office in Dhaka’s Bailey Road on Tuesday. The meeting focused on ongoing development initiatives in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and future plans to improve living standards in the region. Minister Dewan praised UNDP’s long-term cooperation and project contributions, expressing optimism that the partnership between the Bangladesh government and UNDP will become even stronger. At the beginning of the meeting, Stephen Liller congratulated Minister Dewan on his election victory and assumption of ministerial duties. Both sides emphasized the importance of working together to achieve sustainable development goals and to build a more constructive and mutually beneficial relationship in the future. UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne, Peace and Development Adviser Anne Hagood, Assistant Resident Representative Sardar Md Asaduzzaman, and International Technical Adviser Yugesh Pradhanang also attended the meeting, along with the minister’s private secretary Rabindra Chakma.