Sri Lankan cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya has shared a message of interfaith harmony during the holy month of Ramadan. The former national team star joined his Muslim friends in fasting and shared a photo on social media showing him at an iftar table with Farveez Maharoof and others, waiting for the Maghrib call to prayer. The post, made on Tuesday evening, highlighted his long-standing tradition of fasting with friends since his playing days. Jayasuriya’s gesture received widespread praise on social media, where many described it as a symbol of brotherhood, empathy, and mutual respect. The act was seen as a reflection of how the spirit of Ramadan extends beyond religious rituals to embrace shared humanity and compassion. Currently involved in coaching, Jayasuriya is awaiting new professional opportunities after leaving his role with the Sri Lankan national team. Reports suggest he may join Bangladesh’s coaching panel, though no official confirmation has been made.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP, will attend separate Eid reunion events in Sylhet city and district as the chief guest on the day after Eid-ul-Fitr. During the gatherings, he will exchange Eid greetings and pleasantries with people from all walks of life, according to a party press release issued on Wednesday. The statement added that on the third day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Dr. Rahman will also attend another reunion event in Bhatera Union of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar district as the chief guest. There, he will meet and greet local residents from various professions and social backgrounds. The events are expected to be attended by political figures from different parties, journalists, intellectuals, doctors, engineers, social workers, and administrative officials from the area, reflecting a broad community participation.

Qatar has strongly condemned Israel’s attack on facilities linked to Iran’s South Pars gas field, calling it a dangerous and irresponsible act amid ongoing military tensions. The strike occurred on the 19th day of joint Israeli and U.S. operations in Iran, while Tehran continues retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases in Gulf countries. Iran has repeatedly accused its adversaries of targeting civilian infrastructure since the conflict began. Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the assault on energy infrastructure poses a threat to global energy security and endangers regional populations and the environment. He noted that the South Pars field is connected to Qatar’s North Field expansion project. Al-Ansari urged all parties to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and work to de-escalate tensions to preserve regional security and stability.

A global energy crisis has erupted as the war in the Middle East disrupts oil supplies, prompting Asian nations to rush for Russian crude. On March 13, the United States temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil and petroleum products for 30 days, allowing trade of previously stranded shipments. This move has triggered intense competition among countries such as India and China to secure Russian oil reserves. India has doubled its Russian oil imports to 1.8 million barrels per day to safeguard energy security, though experts warn it cannot fully replace the 2.6 million barrels previously sourced from the Middle East. China’s state-owned firms, including Sinopec and PetroChina, have resumed talks with suppliers to restart purchases halted since November. Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia are also showing new interest in Russian oil despite earlier caution over U.S. sanctions. Analysts caution that the U.S. waiver is temporary, leaving uncertainty about long-term supply stability. Experts note that while Russian oil may ease short-term shortages, it cannot fully offset the Middle Eastern deficit, suggesting continued competition in Asia’s energy markets.

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry announced that 111 individuals allegedly connected to the country’s former monarchy were arrested during a nationwide security operation. The ministry said the raids, conducted across 26 provinces, led to the seizure of a significant cache of weapons. The arrests were reported by state news agency Tasnim and cited by Al Jazeera. According to the ministry, several cells belonging to an opposition monarchist group were dismantled during the operation. In addition, four alleged spies linked to the United States were detained in Hamadan and West Azerbaijan provinces. Authorities accused them of providing information about security headquarters, equipment, and troop deployments to hostile entities. The report did not specify when the operation began or provide details about the detainees’ identities or legal proceedings, leaving aspects of the case unclear.

Iran launched 13 ballistic missiles and 27 drones toward the United Arab Emirates, according to the UAE Ministry of Defense. The attack occurred on Wednesday, marking the 19th day since joint Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran began. The ministry reported that since the start of hostilities, the UAE has faced a total of 327 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,699 drone attacks. The strikes are part of Iran’s continued retaliation against U.S. military bases in Gulf countries following the earlier attacks on its territory. The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights the growing intensity of the conflict in the Gulf region as Iran expands its counterstrikes beyond its borders. The situation underscores rising instability in the Gulf, with regional energy and security infrastructures increasingly at risk as hostilities persist.

An Israeli airstrike targeted gas installations in Iran’s Bushehr province, according to reports from Al Jazeera citing Iranian state media. The attack struck offshore facilities linked to the South Pars gas field, one of Iran’s most vital energy assets that supplies a major share of the country’s gas production. The incident occurred amid heightened regional conflict, with Iranian energy infrastructure increasingly coming under attack. Israeli media, quoting local officials, also confirmed that Israeli fighter jets carried out the strike on Iran’s gas infrastructure in Bushehr. However, no immediate details were available regarding the extent of damage or possible casualties resulting from the attack. The South Pars field holds strategic importance for Iran’s energy sector, and repeated strikes on such facilities could further strain the country’s gas output and regional energy stability.

The Bangladesh Passengers Welfare Association has alleged that fare irregularities during this year’s Eid travel season are set to break a 20-year record. In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, the association’s secretary general Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said that around 87 percent of buses and minibuses are charging extra fares, ignoring government directives. The report noted that fares on routes from Dhaka to various districts have risen sharply, with some routes charging more than double the usual rate. The association’s survey estimated that long-distance travelers could be overcharged by about Tk 121.8 crore in total, while city bus passengers may pay an additional Tk 26.1 crore, bringing the total excess collection to nearly Tk 148 crore. It attributed the fare hikes to extortion, rising operational costs, Eid bonuses, and owners’ profit motives. The group also criticized the lack of passenger representation in monitoring teams. To curb the situation, the association recommended introducing digital transactions in public transport, reducing cash payments, expanding CCTV surveillance, and enforcing transport laws more strictly.

Iran held a state funeral in Tehran on Wednesday for senior security officials and naval officers killed in recent US-Israeli attacks. The ceremony included the burial of Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force. State media reported that government officials and large crowds attended to pay their final respects. According to Tasnim News, Larijani and his son were killed in an Israeli airstrike on March 17 in Tehran, while Soleimani died in a similar attack. The funeral also included sailors from the Iranian destroyer Dena, which was damaged by a US Navy torpedo strike off Sri Lanka on March 4. The attacks followed the February 28 killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior figures, after which the United States and Israel reportedly launched a broad military campaign against Iran. Iranian forces have since carried out missile and drone strikes targeting US and Israeli positions in retaliation, according to state reports.

Russia is providing Iran with satellite imagery and assistance in modernizing its drone technology, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal cited by Amar Desh Online on March 18, 2026. The cooperation aims to help Iran target U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East and sustain its military confrontation against the United States and Israel. Moscow is reportedly supplying equipment to upgrade Iran’s Shahed drones, improving communication, navigation, and strike precision. The report states that Russia has begun directly supplying satellite images to Iran, offering intelligence on the positions of U.S. troops and regional allies. A senior European intelligence official confirmed the information, noting that the collaboration deepened in the early days of the conflict. Analysts compared Russia’s support for Iran to the intelligence assistance the U.S. and European allies provide to Ukraine. According to the report, Iran has recently used this support to successfully strike U.S. radar systems in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The Kremlin did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Iranian military spokesperson Amir Akraminia has claimed that the country is deploying weapons never before used in combat amid its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Speaking to an Iranian television channel on Wednesday, he warned that the use of these weapons would increase in the coming days and that their impact would soon be felt globally. Akraminia stated that while these armaments had existed in Iran’s arsenal, they had not been deployed on the battlefield until now. Reports from residents in the United Arab Emirates and Israel described louder and more powerful explosions during recent missile interceptions, which appeared to support the claim. According to the Israeli military, Iran is now using cluster warheads in its ballistic missiles at a higher rate than before. The statements come as regional tensions continue to escalate, with Iran also reportedly ordering the evacuation of five energy facilities in the Gulf region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the killing of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, by Israeli forces will not destabilize the country’s leadership. He made the remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera, broadcast after Tehran confirmed Larijani’s death early Wednesday. Araghchi emphasized that the United States and Israel have yet to understand that Iran’s government does not depend on any single individual. He described the Islamic Republic as having a strong political structure supported by well-established political, economic, and social institutions. According to him, the presence or absence of any particular person does not affect this framework. He added that while individuals may be influential and play their respective roles, Iran’s political system remains robust and resilient, underscoring the continuity of governance despite the loss of key figures.

Iran has warned that it may open new fronts in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, escalating tensions across the Middle East. The Iranian armed forces described the presence of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford in the Red Sea as a direct threat. Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated that any supply or support facilities linked to the carrier could become future targets. Meanwhile, missile attacks on oil fields and airports in the Gulf region have reportedly intensified. Amid the growing tension, residents in Dubai and Doha have been urged to leave the area for safety. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for strikes on the Al Dhafra base in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa air base, and the Juffair naval base. Former U.S. President Donald Trump called for global cooperation to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran warned the international community against actions that could further escalate the conflict. The situation underscores the risk of a wider regional confrontation if diplomatic efforts fail to contain the hostilities.

Electricity supply in Sandwip, Chattogram, was restored on Wednesday afternoon after a 30-hour disruption caused by severe storms. Most areas of the island regained power, but the Sandwip Upazila Health Complex remained without electricity at the time of reporting, leaving patients in distress. Upazila Health Officer Manas Biswas said the hospital was in complete darkness, making it impossible to operate essential medical equipment. Upazila Executive Engineer (Electricity) Tanvir Hossain attributed the hospital’s outage to internal wiring faults, noting that the main line outside was active. He explained that strong winds had broken tree branches onto power lines and damaged several transformers, but repair teams had restored the main grid connection. The prolonged blackout also affected the island’s economy, with small cold storage owners reporting spoilage of fish and perishable goods. Local poultry farmers suffered losses as well, with high temperatures and lack of ventilation causing illness and deaths among chickens. Residents urged greater coordination among government departments to modernize Sandwip’s power system and ensure faster post-storm repairs.

The United Arab Emirates has indicated that it may join a US-led naval operation in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions continue among Iran, the United States, and Israel. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, revealed the possibility during an online discussion hosted by the US-based Council on Foreign Relations on March 17. He said maintaining global trade and energy supply is a shared responsibility but noted that no final agreement has been reached and discussions are ongoing. Gargash added that after the current conflict ends, a regional framework will be needed to prevent Iran from destabilizing the Middle East through its nuclear, missile, or drone programs. The statement came a day after US President Donald Trump said he had discussed keeping the Strait of Hormuz open with the French president and urged countries to deploy warships to ensure safe oil transport. The UAE’s potential involvement underscores growing international coordination efforts to secure vital maritime routes amid heightened regional instability.