Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam announced that all preparations for the main Eid congregation at the National Eidgah in Dhaka have been completed. The main Eid prayer will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026. He made the announcement while inspecting the overall arrangements at the venue.

According to Salam, the National Eidgah can accommodate around 35,000 worshippers for the Eid prayer. Considering the warm weather, efforts are being made to install air conditioning in some sections of the ground. Adequate fans and lighting will also be arranged. Facilities include ablution areas, separate entrances for women, mobile toilets, and primary medical services for attendees.

The administrator emphasized that the preparations aim to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for all worshippers attending the main Eid congregation in the capital.

During the drafting of Bangladesh’s Personal Data Protection Ordinance (PDPO) 2025, Meta repeatedly pressured policymakers to reduce the legal definition of a child’s age from 18 years. The company raised this issue in multiple high-level meetings, including those involving the US Embassy and bilateral discussions. Officials clarified that defining a child’s age falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, not the ICT division. Despite this, Meta did not explain why the change was so critical.

The article notes that Bangladesh has 70–80 million Facebook users, including 6–8 million minors aged 13–17. It argues that stricter child data protection limits Meta’s ability to profile users, monetize content, and train AI systems. The PDPO aligns with GDPR principles, requiring explicit user consent for data use and reuse, including AI training. The law also restricts child profiling and targeted advertising.

The report highlights broader global concerns about social media data use, citing cases in Australia and Europe. It concludes that Bangladesh’s data protection law aims to safeguard children’s digital rights and ensure accountability from global tech platforms operating in the country.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Sunday that it launched missile strikes on various Israeli targets using the ‘Sejjil’ missile for the first time. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the attack marks Iran’s first use of this strategic solid-fuel missile since the start of U.S.-Israeli aggression on February 28.

According to the IRGC, the strikes successfully targeted key military and defense industry infrastructure belonging to the Israeli government. Al Jazeera reported that the Sejjil missile has an estimated range of 2,000 to 2,500 kilometers and travels at a speed 13 times faster than sound.

The report did not include details on the extent of damage or potential casualties from the attack, nor any immediate response from Israel or other parties involved.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned NATO allies that failing to assist the United States in protecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would not be good for NATO’s future. In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said that reopening the strait for countries benefiting from it would be the only right decision, noting that Europe and China are heavily dependent on oil from the Gulf.

Trump cautioned that if there is no response from other nations, it could be very bad for NATO’s future, emphasizing that the United States has treated its European allies very well. He added that the U.S. did not have to help Europe over Ukraine, as it is thousands of miles away, but did so nonetheless, and now expects reciprocal support.

The president called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to help reopen the strait, which is considered the world’s busiest oil transit route, carrying about 20 percent of global oil supply.

US President Donald Trump said that the United States is carrying out attacks on Iranian drone factories. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he claimed that Iran has very few weapons left and that its production capacity has been destroyed. Trump stated that the US is targeting locations where Iran manufactures drones used for attacks on US facilities and Israel.

According to Trump, Iran’s drone numbers have significantly decreased, dropping to about 20 percent of their previous capacity. He emphasized that US strikes are focused on sites where these drones are being produced. The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and indicate an ongoing US campaign against Iran’s drone infrastructure.

The statements suggest a continued escalation in US-Iran tensions centered on drone warfare and regional security, though no independent verification of the attacks or their impact was provided in the report.

Government employees in Bangladesh are set to begin a continuous seven-day holiday from Monday, centered around the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. Many workers were seen at the Secretariat on Sunday preparing to leave for their hometowns, with some already departing early due to long travel distances. Several private institutions have also started their Eid holidays from the same day.

The extended holiday period, from March 17 to 23, follows a Cabinet decision on March 5 approving an additional holiday on March 18. The Ministry of Public Administration had earlier fixed March 19 to 23 as Eid holidays, based on the tentative date of March 21 for Eid-ul-Fitr, depending on moon sighting. With the inclusion of holidays on March 17 for Shab-e-Qadr and March 18, government employees will enjoy seven consecutive days off.

According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on March 7, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices across the country will remain closed during this period.

U.S. President Donald Trump has failed to secure allied participation in maintaining open navigation through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Both Australia and Japan have rejected his call for assistance in patrolling the vital global oil supply route. Australian Transport Minister Catherine King stated that her country would not send ships to the strait, emphasizing that Australia is already providing aircraft for defense support in the United Arab Emirates, considering the number of Australians in the region.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament that Tokyo has no plans to dispatch vessels to escort oil tankers through the strait. She added that Japan is still examining what actions it can take independently within its legal framework. Meanwhile, France said it is considering participation in an international mission to protect ships, but only after the ongoing conflict ends. Germany expressed skepticism about the plan and made clear it does not want to be directly involved in the war.

Iran has effectively blocked the narrow waterway, heightening tensions over global energy security and maritime safety in the region.

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the northern region, has described the appointment of district council administrators based on party affiliation as the first step toward autocracy. He made the remarks on Sunday night through a post on his verified Facebook account, criticizing the government’s decision to appoint administrators in 42 district councils on partisan grounds.

In his post, Sarjis compared the current situation to a previous interim government that appointed only one city corporation administrator, which the BNP had then labeled as the destruction of democracy. He argued that the current appointments are entirely undemocratic and urged the government to immediately hold local government elections under an elected administration. He also called for an end to what he described as the politics of looting through partisan appointments.

Sarjis further warned that appointing party loyalists as administrators to gain political advantage and later electing them would mark the beginning of an autocratic political blueprint.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced an online system allowing taxpayers to apply for extensions in filing their income tax returns. According to an NBR notice issued on Monday, registered users of the e-return system can log in and use the 'Time Extension' menu to submit applications before March 31. The respective tax commissioner will review and either approve or reject the request online. Approved applicants can file their returns within the extended period without penalties or additional charges.

For taxpayers not required to file returns online, written applications for extensions can be submitted to the relevant tax commissioner before March 31, who may grant up to 90 additional days. These taxpayers may also choose to apply online if they prefer. The current tax year’s filing deadline for individual taxpayers has already been extended to March 31.

NBR reported that around five million individual taxpayers are registered in the e-return system, and approximately 4.1 million have already submitted their returns for the 2025–2026 tax year.

U.S. President Donald Trump has sought assistance from NATO allies to ensure the Hormuz Strait remains open, a key route for global oil supply. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said the United States has begun reaching out to its allies for cooperation in maintaining security in the strait. He emphasized that regional countries should protect their own areas since they depend on the route for energy supplies. Trump noted that the U.S. itself has abundant oil resources and might not need to maintain a presence there.

Trump stated that the United States has so far spoken with seven countries, many of which are NATO members. He added that Washington continues to support NATO, including on the Ukraine issue. The president said it would be interesting to see which countries decline to assist in what he described as a “very small initiative” to keep the strait open. He declined to name the countries that have offered help but mentioned receiving some positive responses.

Trump also claimed that the U.S. has already destroyed Iran’s navy but warned that a few individuals or terrorists could still create chaos in the strait.

At least 13 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on Sunday, according to local authorities. The attacks struck multiple locations, including a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, where four people died, among them a 30-year-old couple and their 10-year-old son. Al-Aqsa Hospital officials confirmed that one of the victims was a pregnant woman carrying twins. Fourteen others were reported injured.

The Gaza Interior Ministry stated that another strike targeted a police vehicle at the entrance to Az-Zawaida city along the southern-northern Philadelphi corridor, killing nine police officers, including senior officer Colonel Iyad Abu Yusuf. A neighbor described the attack as powerful and said it occurred without prior warning. The Israeli military has not issued any immediate comment on the incidents.

The strikes come amid ongoing conflict in the war-torn enclave, with no indication yet of whether further military actions are planned or how the situation may evolve.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to inaugurate a nationwide canal excavation program covering 54 districts on Monday, March 16, 2026. The launch will take place at 11:30 a.m. in Sahapara canal under Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur district. Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister will distribute goats among poor and underprivileged families and address a public gathering.

According to the plan, the first phase of the project will excavate 1,200 kilometers of canals over six months, with a long-term goal of dredging 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and wetlands within five years. The initiative aims to improve water management and rural livelihoods across the country.

As part of his schedule, the Prime Minister will travel from Saidpur Airport to Balrampur in Kaharol, visit family graves in Dinajpur in the afternoon, attend a civic meeting, and join an iftar and prayer event before returning to Dhaka in the evening.

A fire broke out in the power car of the Ramna commuter train stationed at Parbatipur Railway Junction in Dinajpur around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday night. According to railway sources, the incident occurred while repair work was underway at the meter-gauge wash pit. Sparks from welding during train lighting repair reportedly fell into oil stored inside the compartment, causing the fire to spread rapidly through the generator and power car.

Firefighters from the Parbatipur Fire Service and Civil Defense Station responded promptly with two units and managed to bring the blaze under control after about an hour of effort. Most of the interior of the power car was burned, though no casualties were reported. Railway police, security forces, and officials from various departments assisted in controlling the situation.

The station master confirmed that no investigation committee had yet been formed, while attempts to contact the Lalmonirhat Railway DRM for further details were unsuccessful. The railway authorities have begun assessing the cause and extent of the damage.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran is desperate to reach a deal, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. He added that while Iran wants an agreement, he does not believe Tehran is ready to take the necessary steps. Trump also mentioned that despite Iran’s threats of retaliation, he is in discussions with other countries about protecting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Trump’s claim, saying Tehran has not requested any ceasefire or negotiations. He stated that Iran sees no reason to talk with the United States under current circumstances and is prepared to defend itself as long as needed. In an interview with CBS News, Araghchi said Iran was attacked even while engaged in talks, calling the conflict a war of choice by President Trump and the U.S.

The exchange underscores continuing U.S.-Iran tensions over security in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional standoff, with both sides maintaining firm positions against compromise.

Iranian police have arrested 500 individuals accused of supplying information to the country’s enemies, according to a statement made on Sunday by Police Chief Ahmadreza Radan. He said many of those detained were involved in serious incidents and had allegedly shared footage and photographs of potential attack sites with hostile entities. Authorities did not disclose when the arrests took place.

Earlier on Sunday, Iranian media had reported that several people were detained across multiple regions, though details were limited. The announcement underscores heightened security measures and the government’s focus on countering alleged espionage and internal threats.

No further information was provided about the identities of the detainees or the specific nature of the incidents, leaving key aspects of the case undisclosed.