A new attack has struck the United States Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, early Wednesday local time, according to AFP and Reuters. Explosions were heard in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses numerous diplomatic missions and international organizations. The embassy’s air defense system intercepted a rocket aimed at the compound, while a nearby luxury hotel in the same area caught fire after being hit by a drone.

The US Embassy in Baghdad has faced multiple attacks since the start of the Iran war, reflecting persistent instability in the region. The Green Zone remains one of the most secure yet frequently targeted areas in Iraq, often visited by foreign diplomats. In a separate incident on Tuesday, four people were killed in an attack on a house in Baghdad’s Al-Jadiriyah neighborhood.

The renewed violence underscores the fragile security situation in Iraq’s capital as regional conflicts continue to spill over into the country’s diplomatic and civilian zones.

Traffic congestion has intensified on the Dhaka–Mymensingh and Dhaka–Tangail highways in Gazipur as Eid holiday travel began on Wednesday morning. Increased passenger numbers and vehicles, along with frequent boarding and disembarking at station areas, have slowed movement in Tongi, College Gate, Board Bazar, and Chandna Chowrasta. Parking along the roadside has further narrowed lanes, worsening delays. The Chandna Trimore area also saw heavy pressure as vehicles from multiple routes converged there.

Police reported that many workers and residents left Gazipur on Tuesday night after garment factories began closing for Eid. About 98 percent of factories have paid wages and 99 percent have paid bonuses, according to the industrial police. Out of 2,834 registered garment factories, 2,790 completed wage payments and 2,816 paid Eid bonuses, while the remaining are expected to settle by Thursday.

Authorities said factory holidays are being staggered in four phases to manage traffic. However, with most workers already on leave, long queues and slow-moving traffic continue across major points including Tongi, Chandna, Chandra, and Mouchak areas.

Iran carried out a missile strike near an Australian military base in the United Arab Emirates on the morning of March 18, 2026. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the missile hit near the Al Minhad base at around 9:15 a.m. local time. He stated that no Australian soldiers were injured and all personnel were safe.

According to Albanese, the missile struck a road leading to the base, causing a fire that resulted in minor damage to a residential block and a medical center. The incident did not lead to any reported casualties among Australian forces. The report cited the BBC as its source.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the motive or broader implications of the strike, and no additional response from Iran or the UAE was mentioned in the report.

The government has issued a notification outlining the delegation of responsibilities for parliamentary activities in the absence of the Prime Minister. The decision, announced on Tuesday, specifies that the arrangement will remain effective until further orders to ensure uninterrupted handling of parliamentary affairs related to various ministries and divisions.

According to the notification, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, will act on behalf of the Prime Minister in matters related to the Prime Minister’s Office when the Prime Minister, Tareq Rahman, is absent. Additionally, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed will oversee responsibilities of the Defence Ministry, Cabinet Division, and Armed Forces Division during such periods.

The initiative aims to maintain continuity in parliamentary functions, including question-answer sessions and other proceedings, in which the Prime Minister and cabinet members regularly participate. The arrangement ensures that senior ministers handle relevant duties when the Prime Minister is unavailable.

Police in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, arrested 14 people for organizing an iftar gathering on a boat in the middle of the Ganges River and allegedly throwing leftover food into the water. The arrests followed the circulation of a video on social media showing the event. Authorities said the accused were charged with hurting religious sentiments, polluting the environment, and disturbing public order.

The case was filed at the Kotwali police station based on a complaint from a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s youth wing. The complaint stated that the Ganges is sacred to followers of Sanatan Dharma and that discarding food into the river desecrated its sanctity. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vijay Pratap Singh said the video, which went viral on Instagram, led to the investigation and subsequent arrests.

Police sources confirmed that the authenticity of the video is being verified and efforts are underway to identify others involved. River patrol surveillance has been increased to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the ongoing war in the Middle East could have global repercussions. In a post on social media platform X, he said the ripple effects of the conflict were only beginning and would impact everyone regardless of wealth, religion, or nationality. Araghchi urged Western governments to build stronger resistance against the war.

His post included a copy of the resignation letter of Joe Kent, director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center. In the letter, Kent stated that he could not support the ongoing war against Iran, arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States and that the conflict was driven by pressure from Israel and its U.S. lobby. Araghchi added that an increasing number of European and American officials were calling the war against Iran unjust and encouraged others to follow their example.

The warning comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with reports of casualties following Iranian attacks on Israel and diplomatic efforts among Muslim nations to address the crisis.

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has claimed that if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins the upcoming election again, he will imprison all opposition political leaders. In an interview with India Today, Kejriwal said such actions would be harmful to both democracy and the country.

Kejriwal compared the situation to other nations, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin jailed or killed opponents before elections, Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina imprisoned political rivals before winning, and Pakistan held elections after jailing Imran Khan. He alleged that after India’s election announcement, he and three AAP leaders were detained, and that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena were divided. According to him, if Modi returns to power, India will be left with only one party and one leader.

Kejriwal concluded that such developments would be extremely damaging to India’s democratic system and national well-being.

Iran’s Deputy Chief of the Supreme National Security Council, Alireza Bayat, has been killed. According to Iranian state media, Bayat was with the country’s security chief, Ali Larijani, when Israel carried out an attack that also claimed Larijani’s life. The incident occurred on Tuesday night, as confirmed earlier by the security council, which reported that Larijani, his son, and an aide were killed in the Israeli strike.

Tasnim News Agency described Bayat as a skilled but publicity-shy administrator. Before joining the Supreme National Security Council, he served as the head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and previously worked in several national security institutions.

The report did not provide further details about the location or circumstances of the attack, nor did it mention any official Iranian response to the incident.

A severe storm that began late Monday night has disrupted the entire electricity transmission system in Sandwip, Chattogram, leaving the island without power for more than 24 hours. By Tuesday afternoon, electricity had been partially restored in parts of southern Sandwip, but large areas in the north, including Bauria, Gachhua, Kalapania, Santoshpur, and Dirghapara unions, remained without power. The outage has caused major disruptions to daily life and essential services.

Health facilities have been hit particularly hard. Upazila Health Officer Manas Biswas said that the prolonged power failure severely hampered normal healthcare operations, with patients suffering in the heat and medical equipment becoming difficult to operate. Local businesses also reported heavy losses, with cold storage owners fearing spoilage of perishable goods and shopkeepers struggling to attract customers in dark stores.

Residents expressed frustration over the lack of response from responsible officials. Calls to the local executive engineer went unanswered, leaving uncertainty about when power will be fully restored. Locals urged authorities to adopt modern systems to ensure faster power restoration after natural disasters.

Israel launched intense missile strikes across Lebanon on March 18, 2026, killing six people and injuring 24 in Beirut. The attacks targeted three apartment buildings in central Beirut. The Israeli military also began what it described as a series of continuous assaults in southern Lebanon, hours after ordering residents of Tyre city and its Palestinian refugee camp to evacuate to safer areas.

According to the Israeli military, the strikes were carried out in response to rockets fired from Hezbollah positions into Israeli territory. Al Jazeera Arabic reported that Israeli forces attacked the city of Al-Aqbiya in the Sidon district shortly after striking the nearby town of Kennari. The escalation marks a significant intensification of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah-linked areas in Lebanon.

The situation remains tense as Israel continues its operations in southern Lebanon, raising concerns of further civilian casualties and regional instability.

The article highlights the growing importance of the blue economy in the 21st century as a foundation for sustainable economic growth, employment generation, and improved livelihoods through the responsible use of ocean resources. It notes that Bangladesh gained 118,813 square kilometers of maritime area following international court rulings in 2012 and 2014, marking a major step toward developing its sea-based economy centered on the Bay of Bengal.

The Bay of Bengal hosts rich biodiversity, including hundreds of species of fish, shrimp, and marine plants, supporting the livelihoods of about 30 million people and contributing roughly three percent to Bangladesh’s GDP. The article emphasizes the need for training, technology, and modern fishing tools to increase marine harvests sustainably. It also warns that overfishing, unregulated mineral extraction, and marine pollution threaten ecological balance.

The report concludes that proper management of Bangladesh’s blue economy could significantly boost national development, with opportunities in tourism, renewable energy, and marine industries, while maintaining environmental sustainability.

Health officials in Mymensingh have expressed concern that the dengue situation may become severe again this year, as cases are being detected even before the monsoon season. According to district health data, 28 dengue patients were identified by March 13, 2026, with most receiving treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Last year, the district recorded 3,219 cases, with the highest number in Nandail upazila and most fatalities among people aged 50 to 60. The local administration has already held several meetings and initiated early preparedness measures.

Experts from Bangladesh Agricultural University warned that stagnant water in small containers, construction sites, and discarded items serves as breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. They noted that improper fogging schedules and unscientific pesticide use are reducing control effectiveness. Questions have also arisen about the quality and efficacy of larvicides and insecticides, with allegations of supplier syndicates compromising product standards.

Officials said ward-level committees have been formed to strengthen fogging, larvicide spraying, and public awareness campaigns. Health experts cautioned that without aggressive mosquito control and cleanup drives before the monsoon, Mymensingh could face another large-scale dengue outbreak.

A special launch service for passengers traveling to Barishal and Chandpur was inaugurated in Rupganj to ease congestion at Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal and ensure safe, smooth river travel. The service was launched on Tuesday from the Shimulia Tourist Ghat near the Kanchan Bridge on the Shitalakkhya River by State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Rajib Ahsan.

According to the announcement, the trial service will continue until Eid-ul-Fitr, with plans for full-scale operation later. The Shimulia Ghat, directly connected to the 300-foot Purbachal Road, is expected to improve accessibility for passengers from Narayanganj, Gazipur, Uttara, and Narsingdi. Authorities said law enforcement will be deployed around the terminal to ensure passenger safety and prevent irregularities in ticketing and services.

Three launches will depart daily from Shimulia: two to Chandpur and one to Barishal. Free porter service for elderly and female passengers will be available until March 28, and wheelchair assistance will be provided for sick and physically challenged travelers.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expanded its public engagement and welfare initiatives across the country, focusing on Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. Party MPs, defeated candidates, and local leaders have been distributing iftar meals, food items, and Eid gifts to underprivileged communities. Special attention has been given to bringing joy to children through various support programs.

The party’s potential candidates for upcoming local government elections are conducting extensive service-oriented activities at city, upazila, and union levels. They are identifying local issues, demanding solutions, and implementing assistance programs where possible. In Dhaka, leaders such as Dr. Abdul Mannan and Ataur Rahman Sarkar have continued outreach efforts through food distribution and community engagement. North Dhaka Jamaat leader Mohammad Selim Uddin has launched an “Ichchha Puran” initiative to support disadvantaged children and families.

Jamaat’s newly elected MPs, including party chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, have also distributed food and Eid gifts in their constituencies. Party sources indicate that most MPs and defeated candidates plan to celebrate Eid with local residents and continue welfare activities.

Iran has launched a series of missile attacks on Israel, with explosions reported in the central Gush Dan area, according to Israeli Channel 12 on March 18, 2026. At least one missile was intercepted, but debris caused damage on the ground. Reports indicated that vehicles were damaged and caught fire in Holon city, while sirens were heard across southern Israel. The Israeli military confirmed detecting missiles fired from Iran and urged residents in targeted areas to seek shelter.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the strikes were carried out to avenge the killing of Larijani and his companions. The IRGC claimed that over 100 military and security targets in central Israel were successfully hit using Khorramshahr-4, Qadr, Emad, and Kheibar Shekan missiles. In Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan area, a man and a woman were reported killed by missile fragments.

Authorities in Israel have heightened alerts across multiple regions, while the situation remains tense following the retaliatory strikes.