The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has decided not to use postal ballots in the upcoming local government elections, according to reliable EC sources. This means expatriate voters, election officials on duty, and those outside their constituencies will be unable to cast their votes. EC Commissioner Abdul Rahmanel Machud confirmed that the commission has no plan to send postal ballots either abroad or within the country, though individuals may apply to returning officers to vote by post on their own initiative.

Officials noted that although postal voting is legally permitted, it had long been limited to military and law enforcement personnel. The system was expanded during the recent thirteenth parliamentary election under the interim government led by Dr. Yunus, when over 1.5 million voters registered to vote by post at a cost of about 100 crore taka. However, administrative complexity and high costs led the EC to reconsider the method.

Election experts warned that excluding postal ballots could reduce participation among expatriates, who contribute significantly to the national economy through remittances, and may discourage them from future engagement.

Israel announced that it has killed two senior Iranian intelligence officials as part of a series of strikes targeting Iran’s military leadership. According to an Israeli military statement, Abdullah Jalali-Nasab and Amir Shariat were killed in an airstrike carried out in Tehran last Friday. The statement described both as heads of the intelligence directorate of the Khatam al-Anbia Emergency Command, adding that their deaths would significantly impact Iran’s command and control structure.

A Telegram channel linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed Jalali-Nasab’s death but did not comment on Shariat’s condition. Israel further stated that it has conducted more than 400 airstrikes across western and central Iran in the past two weeks since the war began. The report also noted that the United States has been carrying out attacks in other parts of Iran.

On Saturday alone, Israel claimed to have struck over 200 targets, including missile launch sites, air defense systems, and weapons depots, according to the same statement.

A severe shortage of marine fuel and diesel has disrupted both foreign vessel bunkering and domestic lighter ship operations at Chattogram Port. Dealers authorized to supply specialized 0.5 sulfur marine fuel reported that state-owned oil companies Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna have failed to meet their demand despite formal requests. The crisis has also hit lighter vessels transporting goods from mother vessels to inland ports, with daily diesel allocations dropping to one-fifth of requirements.

Officials from the Bangladesh Water Transport Cell (BWTCC) said such a fuel crisis is unprecedented and warned that it could cause congestion at outer anchorage and instability in essential goods markets. They have already informed the government’s top level seeking adequate diesel allocation. Bunker dealers added that high domestic fuel prices compared to Singapore have limited sales, though recent global price hikes have reversed the trend, straining local reserves.

Port authorities expressed concern that continued shortages could force Chattogram to be declared a “no bunkering port,” lowering its international standing. However, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) assured that blending diesel with furnace oil can sustain marine fuel supply and prevent such a declaration.

Fuel traders in 15 districts, including Khulna, have voluntarily stopped lifting and marketing fuel from the depots of Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna since 8 a.m. on Saturday. They allege that the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has failed to supply fuel according to demand, forcing them to take this decision. The traders claim that the current supply from the Khulna depots is only 9 lakh liters daily, against a demand of 40–45 lakh liters across the 15 districts.

An emergency meeting of four fuel business organizations was held at the Khulna Tank Lorry Owners’ building, where leaders said that BPC is citing global crises to justify reduced supply. They had proposed an additional 4.5 lakh liters daily from the three depots, but the proposal was not accepted. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Murad Hossain, vice president of the Bangladesh Fuel Oil Distributors Association.

In Rajshahi, the District Petrol Pump Owners Association warned that if adequate supply is not ensured by Monday, they will also stop lifting fuel. They reported a 30–40 percent supply shortfall and raised concerns over security and administrative cooperation.

A fire erupted in central Israel following Iran’s latest missile attack, according to reports published on March 15, 2026. Israeli Army Radio stated that most of the missiles launched by Iran were intercepted by Israel’s air defense system, while some landed in open areas. No casualties have been reported so far.

Debris from one of the defensive missiles destroyed midair fell in the city of Ramla, causing a fire at a site in the area. Firefighting and rescue teams were dispatched promptly to control the blaze. Preliminary reports confirmed that the situation was brought under control and no injuries occurred.

The incident highlights the continuing tension between Iran and Israel, with both sides maintaining heightened alert following repeated missile exchanges in recent weeks.

Bangladesh’s government has lifted fuel purchase limits for public transport ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, as millions prepare to leave Dhaka amid an ongoing energy crisis caused by the Iran war. Road, Rail and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that from Saturday night, buses and other public vehicles can buy fuel as needed. The government has also extended holidays and ordered 24-hour operation of fuel stations for seven days before and five days after Eid to ensure smooth travel.

Despite these measures, concerns remain about overcrowding and fuel shortages as more than 15 million people are expected to leave Dhaka within a few days. Passenger welfare groups have accused transport operators of charging double or triple fares, calling the minister’s terminal inspections superficial. Transport owners deny the allegations, saying fare hikes are unauthorized and will be punished if found.

To ease river travel, special launch services have been introduced from Baachila and Shimulia tourist terminals, while the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority confirmed additional vessels will operate from March 17. The inland shipping association has urged adequate diesel supply to prevent disruptions in river transport during the holiday period.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is not yet ready to reach an agreement with Iran, even though Tehran has shown interest in making a deal. In a telephone interview with NBC, Trump stated that the proposed terms from Iran are not favorable enough for the United States, indicating that Washington has no immediate plan to proceed with any accord.

During the same interview, Trump also discussed rising oil prices but downplayed related concerns. He added that the United States is working with other countries to ensure the safety of maritime traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks highlight ongoing caution in U.S.-Iran relations, with Washington maintaining a firm stance while coordinating with allies to secure regional trade routes.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Lebanon, warning that the country’s south risks becoming a wasteland amid Israel’s ongoing military assault. Speaking at a news conference in Beirut on Saturday, Guterres said there was “no military solution, only diplomacy,” as he launched a $325 million flash appeal to support more than 800,000 internally displaced people since the conflict began on March 2. He also questioned the legality of Israel’s evacuation orders, which now cover 14 percent of Lebanon, under international humanitarian law.

The visit coincided with Lebanese efforts to form a negotiating delegation for potential talks with Israel, with Cyprus or another European capital being considered as a venue. French President Emmanuel Macron said Lebanon was ready for direct talks and offered to host them in Paris. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that Jared Kushner and Ron Dermer could lead the U.S. and Israeli sides, respectively, in discussions focused on ending the fighting and disarming Hezbollah.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that Israeli strikes have killed 826 people, including 65 women, 106 children, and 31 paramedics, since March 2. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that Israel could be committing “a new genocide.”

A missile strike on an industrial area in the central Iranian city of Isfahan killed at least 15 people on Saturday, according to Iranian media. The semi-official Fars news agency reported that the attack, attributed to US and Israeli forces, hit a factory producing heating and cooling equipment while workers were inside. The strike occurred on the 15th day of the conflict that Iran’s Ministry of Health says has killed at least 1,444 people and wounded more than 18,500 since the US-Israeli attacks began on February 28.

Iran’s Ministry of Culture said 56 museums and historic sites had been damaged, including Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan and the UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace in Tehran. UNESCO expressed deep concern, noting that four of Iran’s 29 World Heritage Sites were affected. Separately, Iran’s army confirmed the death of Brigadier General Abdullah Jalali-Nasab in an Israeli attack. Earlier, US forces struck Kharg Island, though operations reportedly continued normally.

Both Washington and Tehran have dismissed the possibility of negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged regional states to expel foreign forces, while Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the war was entering a decisive phase. Iran launched new missile salvos at Israel, with explosions reported over Jerusalem.

A severe hunger crisis is unfolding in Yemen, where more than half of the population—around 18 million people—is projected to face worsening food insecurity by early 2026. According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), nearly every surveyed household identified food as their most urgent need, with 80 percent reporting severe hunger. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warns that one million more people risk slipping into life-threatening hunger, and famine pockets affecting over 40,000 people could emerge within two months.

Years of conflict, economic collapse, and climate shocks have crippled Yemen’s ability to produce or import food. The country relies on imports for up to 90 percent of staple grains, while fighting has displaced rural families and disrupted supply chains. Erratic rainfall and rising temperatures have further reduced agricultural productivity, leaving many families surviving on one meal a day.

Humanitarian funding has dropped to less than 25 percent of required levels, the lowest in a decade, with nutrition programs receiving only 10 percent of needed support. The IRC urges donors to urgently restore and expand food and nutrition funding, prioritize treatment for malnourished children and mothers, and strengthen systems to track and respond to emerging hunger hotspots.

Israeli settlers attacked two Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, killing one man and injuring several others, according to local officials. In Qusra village, Nablus governorate, 28-year-old Amir Moatasem Odeh was shot dead and two others were wounded. In a separate assault in Rashayda, east of Bethlehem, settlers fired live ammunition, injuring five Palestinians, including two with gunshot wounds. Three others were beaten, and more than 100 sheep were seized. The Israeli military confirmed a violent confrontation involving armed Israeli civilians, reporting one Israeli civilian wounded and the detention of two Israelis and three Palestinians.

The attacks followed an earlier incident in which settlers burned down a poultry barn in the same area. Palestinian news agency Wafa also reported that Israeli forces shot a 43-year-old man and beat his son at a checkpoint near Jerusalem. Palestinian authorities and the UN said at least five Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since early March, amid a wider surge in violence linked to the war in Gaza.

Rights groups and UN officials have criticized the lack of accountability for settler violence. Yesh Din reported that over 90 percent of investigations into such offences end without indictment, while the UN human rights chief described the situation as resembling apartheid.

US President Donald Trump has called for a joint initiative involving France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and China to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz. In several posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that countries benefiting from oil transported through the strait should take responsibility for protecting this vital maritime route. He emphasized that safeguarding the strait should not be the sole duty of the United States but rather a collective effort among oil-importing nations.

Analysts cited in the report noted that Trump’s remarks reflect ongoing instability in the region. Following Iran’s effective closure of the strait, global energy supply chains have faced significant uncertainty. The United States has already maintained a large military presence in the area and decided to deploy additional Marine forces, underscoring the continuing challenge of securing maritime navigation.

The situation highlights the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the growing international concern over energy security in the face of regional tensions.

Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for a missile attack targeting Israeli soldiers stationed near the Lebanon border. According to a statement published by Lebanon’s state news agency NNA, the group said it struck Israeli forces positioned in Khallat al-Mahafir, located in the town of Al-Adisa. The incident reportedly occurred close to the frontier area separating Lebanon and Israel.

As of the report’s publication, Israeli authorities had not issued any immediate comment regarding the alleged attack. The information was sourced from Al Jazeera and relayed through local media. The report did not mention any casualties or further military developments following the strike.

The situation adds to ongoing tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, though the source did not provide details on potential escalation or diplomatic responses.

At an iftar and discussion event organized by the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) in Birampur, Dinajpur, on March 14, party chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju stated that the BNP appears to be moving away from its earlier commitment to form a national government. He recalled that the BNP had once promised to unite all political sides under the principle of 'Bangladesh First' but is now showing signs of one-party politics, which he said does not align with public expectations.

Manju emphasized that in a democratic state, governance should be based on national unity involving all political forces. Speaking as a special guest, AB Party’s central joint general secretary Shahadatullah Tutul said that post-2024 politics is focused on establishing people’s fundamental rights and ensuring government accountability. He noted that many political actors fail to fulfill their promises after gaining power.

Tutul added that the AB Party will praise good governance but will also offer constructive criticism when decisions go against public interest. The event concluded with prayers for national welfare and an iftar distribution among attendees.

BNP Standing Committee member and Prime Minister’s political adviser Mirza Abbas will be taken to Singapore for advanced medical treatment today, Sunday, between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m. by air ambulance. His wife Afroza Abbas and elder son Mirza Yasir Abbas will accompany him. The information was confirmed by his personal secretary Mizanur Rahman Sohel. Abbas is currently under treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where he has been kept under intensive observation following brain surgery performed on Friday.

According to BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rafiqul Islam, a CT scan conducted on Saturday morning showed positive results. Abbas had lost consciousness on Thursday evening after prayers and was admitted to Evercare Hospital that night. A virtual medical board reviewed his condition and decided on surgery after his CT scan indicated deterioration. The former minister underwent two rounds of surgery and has been kept under 72-hour observation.

Several national leaders, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, visited or inquired about Abbas’s condition at the hospital, reflecting broad political concern over his health.