European natural gas prices rose by up to 35 percent on Thursday following attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. The benchmark Brent crude price climbed to 112 dollars per barrel, up from 107.38 dollars the previous day. Since the start of the conflict, crude oil prices have increased by more than 48 percent and have not fallen below 100 dollars per barrel since March 13.

In the United Kingdom, gas prices jumped more than 20 percent in the morning and later stood 23 percent higher at 171 pence per therm. Meanwhile, oil traded around 113 dollars per barrel, marking a 5 percent increase. Qatar’s state-owned energy company reported that two Iranian attacks caused significant damage to its main gas hub.

The developments have intensified concerns over global energy supply stability, with markets reacting sharply to the disruptions in the Gulf region.

China has strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani, describing the act as unacceptable. The statement came from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a press briefing, where he reiterated Beijing’s opposition to the use of force in international relations. Lin emphasized that the killing of Iranian leaders and attacks on civilian targets were particularly intolerable.

Following the incident, Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami warned that the country would deliver a decisive response to the assassination. The killing has drawn attention because Larijani was regarded as Iran’s most senior leader after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The development adds to regional tensions, with China’s remarks signaling its stance against targeted killings and its continued support for diplomatic approaches in international conflicts.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi described the Iran war as former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “greatest miscalculation.” Writing in an opinion piece for The Economist, Albusaidi said he had mediated between Washington and Tehran before the conflict began. He urged U.S. allies to intervene to end what he called an “illegal war.”

Albusaidi noted that Gulf states, including Oman, had long relied on U.S. weapons and bases to deter potential Iranian attacks, enjoying relative peace and prosperity that are now under threat. He argued that the United States has lost control of its foreign policy and that its allies must speak the truth to help end the conflict. According to him, neither Iran nor the United States benefits from the ongoing war, which should end as soon as possible.

He further suggested that Israel may have “provoked” the United States into believing the war would be easily won, but achieving Israel’s goals would require U.S. troop deployment and a prolonged conflict that Trump had once vowed to avoid.

China and Russia are reportedly providing Iran with advanced intelligence and technological assistance amid ongoing hostilities with the United States and Israel in the Gulf region. According to senior US officials cited by the Washington Post, Russia has supplied Iran with sensitive intelligence, including the locations of American warships and aircraft. Moscow has denied these claims, but reports suggest that Russia’s satellite and radar support has enhanced Iran’s ability to identify and strike targets with precision. China, meanwhile, has supplied advanced radar systems, satellite mapping, and encrypted intelligence links to strengthen Iran’s electronic warfare capabilities.

The report describes how this cooperation has transformed the Gulf into a battlefield dominated by electronic and information warfare rather than conventional weapons. Iran’s improved surveillance and targeting systems have enabled it to carry out drone strikes on US facilities, while American and Israeli forces have responded by targeting Iranian radar infrastructure. Analysts note that the balance of power in the region is shifting as China and Russia challenge long-standing US-Israeli technological dominance.

The conflict marks a new phase in modern warfare, where control over data and signals may prove more decisive than traditional firepower.

A drone attack struck the Mina Abdullah oil refinery in Kuwait on Thursday morning, causing a fire at the facility operated by the Kuwait National Petroleum Company. The incident occurred about 30 miles south of Kuwait City. According to the Kuwait News Agency, citing the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, the fire at the nearby Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was brought under control, and no casualties were reported.

Authorities have not disclosed where the drone attack originated. The strike on Mina Abdullah came shortly after reports of a drone attack at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, located roughly seven miles away. The Mina Abdullah refinery has a daily production capacity of 730,000 barrels, making it one of the largest oil refineries in the Middle East.

The source did not provide details on potential disruptions to oil production or any official response from Kuwaiti authorities.

Passengers on the Dhaka-Tangail highway are resorting to alternative transport such as CNG auto-rickshaws, motorcycles, pickups, and trucks due to increased bus fares. On Thursday afternoon, heavy crowds were seen at Chandra Trimor bus stand in Kaliakoir upazila, where many travelers chose these riskier options to reach their destinations more quickly and affordably.

Drivers and passengers cited multiple reasons for the shift. A CNG driver said their vehicles were operating well despite slightly higher fares, while a bus driver explained that rising fuel costs and road expenses had forced them to charge more. A truck driver noted that passengers boarded trucks on their own when traffic congestion halted vehicles. A motorcycle driver mentioned using branch roads to avoid highway jams.

Nawjor Highway Police Station’s officer-in-charge stated that authorities were trying to maintain normal conditions, but some passengers continued to risk their safety by riding on trucks to save money.

Iran has formally demanded compensation from the United Arab Emirates, accusing the Gulf state of aiding a United States-led attack on Iranian territory. The claim was made in a letter sent to the United Nations Secretary-General by Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, according to a report published Thursday by Nournews.

In the letter, Iravani alleged that the UAE allowed its territory to be used to facilitate the attack, describing the decision as an “internationally wrongful act” that carries state responsibility. Tehran asserted that the UAE bears international liability for providing compensation covering all material and moral damages resulting from the incident.

The report cited The Guardian as its source but did not specify the nature or timing of the alleged attack, leaving details of the incident and potential diplomatic responses unclear.

On Thursday, March 19, 2026, a severe shortage of buses was reported at Dhaka’s Mohakhali Bus Terminal as homebound passengers tried to leave the capital ahead of Eid. Long queues formed at ticket counters, but no tickets were available. Passengers said that even when a few buses departed, fares were higher than usual, with Tk 450 tickets being sold for Tk 600. Many people waited for hours in line without success but continued hoping to secure a seat home.

Counter staff denied allegations of overcharging, saying the difficulties were due to a shortage of buses. The situation left travelers frustrated and uncertain about when the disruption would end.

The report also mentioned heavy crowds at train platforms and the cancellation of two launch route permits, indicating widespread transport pressure during the holiday rush.

Iran launched retaliatory attacks on several energy installations across the Persian Gulf following an assault on its South Pars gas field. Tehran also warned of more destructive strikes if its energy infrastructure is targeted again. The escalation has raised fears of global energy supply disruptions, with oil prices rising by three percent on Thursday.

The attacks came after Iranian intelligence chief Esmail Khatib was killed in an Israeli strike, the latest in a series of assassinations of senior Iranian figures over the past three weeks. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared that any future attacks on its facilities would trigger continued strikes on the energy assets of its adversaries. Qatar reported a missile strike on its main gas field, prompting the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats, while Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple drones and missiles near its eastern energy hubs.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged restraint in calls with U.S. President Donald Trump and Qatar’s emir, emphasizing the need to protect civilian infrastructure. The conflict has spread across the Middle East, causing hundreds of deaths and mass displacement, as Israel continues operations in Lebanon and Iran-backed groups respond across the region.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have jointly declared a ceasefire along their tense border during the Eid al-Fitr period. The announcement came after a devastating airstrike in Kabul earlier this week that killed more than a hundred people. Both Islamabad and Kabul confirmed in separate statements on Wednesday that the decision followed requests from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey to halt hostilities during the religious holiday.

The ceasefire follows weeks of escalating violence and mutual accusations. Pakistan has alleged that Taliban authorities shelter militants responsible for cross-border attacks, a claim Afghanistan denies. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said all operations would be suspended from Thursday to Monday but warned of strong retaliation if attacks continued. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reaffirmed Afghanistan’s right to defend itself, while Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani condemned the airstrike that reportedly killed about 400 civilians.

The United Nations estimates that since February 26, at least 76 Afghans have been killed and over 115,000 displaced. Despite repeated mediation efforts, a lasting resolution remains elusive, though China and Russia have expressed willingness to facilitate future talks.

Passenger and vehicle traffic has surged on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat ferry routes as people travel home ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Launch terminals have also seen large crowds, but authorities report that crossings are taking place without the usual suffering seen in previous years.

The routes, serving as key gateways for 21 southwestern districts, are operating normally and smoothly. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), district administration, and police are jointly ensuring uninterrupted service. According to BIWTC Deputy General Manager Abdus Salam, 17 ferries are operating on the Paturia-Daulatdia route and 5 on the Aricha-Kazirhat route, while 33 launches are facilitating passenger movement.

Officials said continuous monitoring has been strengthened to ensure safe and comfortable travel. Despite the increased rush, passengers are reportedly crossing the river with ease and satisfaction.

A fire broke out on Thursday morning at Orchid Plaza, a 12-story building located near Boxir Bit in Chattogram’s Terribazar area. The incident resulted in the deaths of two individuals, Mohammad Yunus, aged 52, and Solaiman, aged 28, both residents of Patiya in Chattogram. Another person was injured and is currently receiving treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where the two victims were pronounced dead around noon.

According to the Fire Service, the blaze started on the fourth floor of the building, inside a shop. Three people affected by smoke inhalation were rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment. The fire service responded after receiving the report of the fire around 10 a.m.

Authorities have not yet provided further details about the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage to the building.

Former vice-chancellor of the University of Chittagong, Professor Md. Anwarul Azim Arif, passed away early Thursday morning at a private hospital in Chattogram city while undergoing treatment. He was 75 years old. Professor Arif had also served as vice-chancellor of Premier University and International Islamic University Chittagong.

He began his academic career in 1976 as a lecturer at the University of Chittagong, later becoming pro-vice-chancellor in 2001 and serving as vice-chancellor from 2011 to 2015. Following his tenure there, he led Premier University and International Islamic University Chittagong. In 2021, he was elected chairman of the executive committee of the Islamic Banks Consultative Forum (IBCF).

The newly appointed vice-chancellor of Chittagong University, Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan, along with pro-vice-chancellors Professor Dr. Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan and Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, expressed their condolences on his death.

Iran has executed three men convicted of killing police officers and collaborating with the United States and Israel during protests in January. The executions were announced on Thursday through the judiciary’s official website, which stated that the men were found guilty of murder and of conducting operations on behalf of the US and the Zionist regime.

According to the report, the executed individuals were involved in the killing of two law enforcement officers. Authorities also stated that the anti-government protests, which began in late December, resulted in 3,117 deaths. Before the war began in February, the US-based human rights organization HRANA reported verifying 6,872 deaths and investigating more than 11,000 additional cases.

The executions highlight Iran’s continued crackdown on dissent following widespread unrest, with official and independent sources reporting sharply differing casualty figures.

The Bangladesh Army has been deployed to manage traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, particularly in the Cumilla section. As of March 19, 2026, the usually congested areas such as Daudkandi, Chandina, Nimsar Bazar, Cantonment, Alekhar Char, Kotbari, and Paduar Bazar were reported to be free of jams. Long-distance buses, private cars, and freight vehicles were moving smoothly, allowing passengers to reach their destinations on time.

Law enforcement agencies, along with army personnel and Rover Scouts, are jointly maintaining order on the roads and preventing theft and robbery. Field reports indicate that traffic conditions have significantly improved compared to previous days. A bank officer traveling from Dhaka to Cumilla described the journey as smooth and faster than usual, while local traffic volunteers noted a slight increase in pressure during midday hours.

Highway police officials stated that over nine hundred officers are stationed from Daudkandi to Tekna to ensure safe Eid travel. They confirmed that no major traffic jams have occurred so far and that police remain on duty around the clock.