Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, is participating in the two-day Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum that began on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. The conference, jointly organized by the US National Energy Dominance Council and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, will conclude on Sunday with the adoption of energy-related recommendations.

The event brings together energy ministers from Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and several Southeast Asian nations including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Discussions are focused on strategies to build a strong and stable energy system in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing reliable, affordable, secure, and dispatchable energy supply.

On the sidelines, Minister Mahmud is expected to hold bilateral meetings with delegations from the United States, Japan, and Brunei, as well as representatives of international private organizations, to attract foreign investment and explore new areas of cooperation in Bangladesh’s energy sector.

A new phase has begun in the long-running investigation into U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, accused of sexual crimes over several decades. In December 2025, the U.S. Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, later signed by President Donald Trump, enabling the release of extensive documentation collected against Epstein. The U.S. Department of Justice has since begun publishing written documents, photos, videos, and emails detailing allegations of sexual abuse involving women and minors.

Among the 3.5 million released files, the names of several influential figures appear repeatedly, including President Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Steve Bannon. The New York Times reported that Trump’s name appears in over 5,300 documents, while Mirror US noted no direct evidence linking him to criminal acts. Some files include emails and financial records from Epstein’s personal archives.

The Justice Department also released testimony from a woman who alleged that Epstein introduced her to Trump when she was a teenager and that both men assaulted her. Trump has denied all allegations, and U.S. authorities have warned that some claims in the released materials may be false or sensational.

The ongoing war with Iran has created major political challenges for U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming congressional midterm elections in November. Despite campaigning on an 'America First' policy and promises to avoid foreign wars, Trump has launched multiple military operations, with Iran being the latest target. Most Americans reportedly oppose the conflict and do not view Iran as a direct threat. The war has caused heavy U.S. military casualties and disrupted bases in the Middle East, undermining Trump’s earlier expectations of quick success.

Polls indicate that public confidence in Trump’s leadership has dropped sharply, with his approval rating falling to 36 percent in a 2025 Gallup survey. NBC data show that 54 percent of voters disapprove of his actions against Iran. Rising oil prices, job losses, and inflation linked to the war’s cost have further eroded support. Analysts warn that if Republicans lose control of Congress, Trump’s agenda could stall, and Democrats might pursue impeachment. The Iran war’s economic and political fallout is reshaping voter sentiment and could decisively influence the midterm results.

More than 300,000 fishermen in Bhola’s Meghna and Tetulia river areas have not received government assistance two weeks after the fishing ban began. The government had pledged to provide 80 kilograms of rice per registered fisherman over two months to support them during the ban, but the aid distribution remains stalled. As a result, many fishermen are struggling to manage household expenses during Ramadan while facing loan pressures from NGOs and local lenders.

The two-month ban, aimed at protecting hilsa breeding, covers about 190 kilometers of river area from Ilisha to Char Piyal in the Meghna and from Char Veduria to Char Rustam in the Tetulia. Around 90,200 fishermen are listed to receive rice under the jatka conservation program, while 16,600 others are eligible for additional food support including lentils and oil. However, none of the promised supplies have reached them even after ten days of the ban.

Bhola’s district fisheries officer, Iqbal Hossain, said the allocated VGF rice for registered fishermen will be distributed soon and that the administration is working to resolve the delay quickly.

Ahead of Eid, allegations have surfaced of excessive fare collection on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway, a key route for travelers from 21 southwestern districts. Passengers heading home for the holidays are facing double or even triple fares on both long-distance and local transport. Despite a posted fare list at Shibchar’s Pachchar roundabout, commuters report that controlling inflated fares remains difficult without strict administrative action.

Following the opening of the Padma Bridge, connectivity between Dhaka and the southwest improved significantly, but fare exploitation persists. Shibchar passengers have been particularly affected, with local transport fares previously set at 200 taka now reduced to 170 taka after intervention by the newly elected MP, Sayeed Uddin Ahmad Hanjala. He stated that extortion at Surjanagar and Pachchar stops had forced passengers to pay extra, and that measures were being taken to stop such practices.

Highway police officials said additional patrols will be deployed during Eid to ensure passenger safety and prevent accidents, while maintaining constant monitoring of vehicle speed and order on the expressway.

Industrial police in Chattogram have warned of potential worker unrest in nearly 50 garment factories ahead of Eid, citing concerns over timely payment of wages and bonuses. Although discussions are ongoing under the mediation of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), several factories remain at high risk. Authorities have urged all factories to complete payments before the final working day on March 18.

According to officials, 66 factories were initially marked as vulnerable, including 25 BGMEA members. The government has announced a Tk 2,500 crore soft loan to help factories manage wage and bonus pressures, especially those operating under subcontracts. Industrial police report that 17 factories have already cleared payments, while others have pledged to do so soon. BGMEA leaders said 12 to 15 member factories still face difficulties, but efforts are underway to resolve them.

Law enforcement agencies are on alert to prevent any attempt by opportunistic groups to exploit potential unrest. Authorities believe that ensuring fair loan distribution and timely payments will help avert major disruptions in the export-oriented garment sector.

Several ministries in Bangladesh have not been able to submit their action plans within the three-day deadline set by the Prime Minister’s Office. The directive, issued on 7 March, required ministries to prepare detailed plans for implementing the BNP-led government’s election manifesto, including a 180-day program, the 2026–27 fiscal plan, and a five-year implementation strategy. Officials said the short timeframe forced them to work long hours, yet many ministries could not complete their submissions by Thursday.

According to ministry sources, the scope of the manifesto is extensive, covering short-, medium-, and long-term goals, but the time allowed was insufficient for proper verification and analysis. Some ministries, including Disaster Management, Posts and Telecommunications, and Labour, have submitted their plans, while others such as Shipping and Science and Technology could not finalize theirs due to incomplete data. Officials warned that hasty planning without adequate review could lead to implementation problems, citing past project failures as cautionary examples.

Officials noted that the submitted plans may later be revised and aligned with ongoing projects as part of the government’s broader strategy to fulfill its electoral commitments.

Five US Air Force refueling aircraft were damaged in an Iranian missile attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing two US officials. The incident occurred while the aircraft were stationed at the base, and repair work is currently underway. No casualties were reported, and the planes were not completely destroyed.

The report noted that the strike was part of a recent Iranian missile assault targeting the Saudi facility. The damage was limited to the aircraft, and the situation remains under control. The publication did not provide further details on the timing or broader military context of the attack.

The absence of fatalities and the ongoing repair efforts suggest that operations at the base may resume once maintenance is completed, though no official timeline was mentioned in the report.

An Israeli airstrike on a health center in southern Lebanon has killed at least 12 people, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The attack targeted the Burj Kalawiyah Health Care Center in a village in southern Lebanon. Officials said the death toll is preliminary as several people remain missing under the debris.

The ministry reported that since the current wave of hostilities began, a total of 773 people have been killed across Lebanon, including 103 children, and more than 1,900 others have been injured. Authorities noted that recent airstrikes have become increasingly deadly, with attacks occurring not only in southern Lebanon but also in the capital, Beirut.

Rescue operations are ongoing at the site of the latest strike, while officials continue to assess the full extent of the damage and casualties.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has announced that it is prepared for a long-term conflict with Israel. In a televised address, the group’s leader Naim Qassem stated that Israel would face “unexpected surprises” on the battlefield. He added that the ongoing clashes could continue for an extended period and that Hezbollah is advancing with preparations accordingly.

The Iran-backed organization, based in Lebanon, has been engaged in regular exchanges of fire with Israel since March 2. The tensions escalated after Hezbollah launched airstrikes on Israel following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Israel has carried out extensive attacks in Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah’s infrastructure and military sites.

Analysts cited in the report warned that the current hostilities could potentially expand into a wider regional war in the Middle East if the situation continues to deteriorate.

Global financial markets have turned volatile following the launch of joint U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran. The U.S. stock market has been hit particularly hard, losing more than $2 trillion in value over the past two weeks. The benchmark S&P 500 index, which tracks the performance of major American companies, fell again, closing 0.61 percent lower at 6,632.19 points—its lowest level so far in 2026 and about 5 percent below its recent peak.

The index had closed at 6,878.88 points on February 27, the day before the attacks on Iran began, marking a 3.6 percent decline since then. Analysts estimate that the drop has wiped out roughly $2.2 trillion in market capitalization from S&P 500-listed firms. Rising oil prices and uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict have heightened investor anxiety, leading to widespread selling pressure.

Because the S&P 500 is closely tied to pension and investment funds, the ongoing market instability could also affect ordinary investors across the United States.

Qatar’s Interior Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad said on Friday that the country’s security situation remains stable despite ongoing Iranian drone and missile attacks across the Middle East. Speaking to Qatar Television, he confirmed that the government has contingency plans to address potential future strikes and emphasized readiness to take any necessary measures to preserve national stability. He noted that Qatar’s early warning system has been effective, with authorities responding to reports of missile fragments at over 600 sites nationwide. The minister also assured that Qatar has sufficient water and food reserves to sustain the population for extended periods.

The statement comes as Gulf nations face intensified Iranian attacks following the United States and Israel’s launch of a war against Iran on February 28. Although Iran claims to be targeting US and Israeli military assets, its strikes have damaged civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, slowing regional energy production. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has further heightened global economic concerns.

Earlier this week, the UN Security Council condemned the Iranian attacks, while Qatar’s UN ambassador described them as violations of international law and damaging to regional relations.

A drone attack on Adikong market in western Sudan, near the border with Chad, killed 11 people and wounded dozens more, including children, on Thursday. The strike ignited fuel reserves, causing fires that tore through the busy market. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it treated more than 20 of the wounded at a hospital across the border in Adre, noting that seven of the injured were children. MSF described it as the second deadly drone attack on the same area in less than a month.

The United Nations warned that Sudan’s intensifying air war has killed more than 200 civilians in just over a week. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk condemned the growing use of drones by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been fighting since April 2023. Recent strikes in West Kordofan and White Nile states have hit markets, hospitals, and schools, killing hundreds of civilians.

The conflict has produced over 1,000 documented drone attacks since 2023, with Sudan now accounting for more than half of all drone strikes recorded across Africa. The UN says 33.7 million people in Sudan require humanitarian aid, and over 12 million have been displaced.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on Friday for the annual al-Quds Day rally in support of Palestinians, even as explosions struck the capital during the event. Iranian state television reported that at least one person was killed after multiple blasts were heard near Ferdowsi Square. The cause of the explosions was not immediately clear, though they followed an Israeli warning for people to leave the area before a planned strike. State media said the victim, a woman, died from shrapnel caused by a US-Israeli air strike.

The rally took place a day after Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to continue resisting the ongoing US-Israeli assault that has killed at least 1,444 people and wounded 18,551 since February 28, according to Iran’s Ministry of Health. President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior officials attended the demonstration, where participants expressed defiance and solidarity with Palestinians. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that Iranian forces, in coordination with Hezbollah, had launched missiles and drones at Israel using Kheibar Shekan missiles.

The United States and Israel have shown no signs of halting their offensive despite international calls for de-escalation, while Iran has responded by targeting regional sites and closing the Strait of Hormuz.

Germany has criticized the United States for easing certain sanctions on Russian oil, warning that the move could help finance Russia’s war in Ukraine. During a visit to Norway, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that lifting restrictions at this stage was a mistake and that European leaders did not want Moscow to exploit conflicts involving Iran to weaken Ukraine.

German Finance Minister Katharina Reiche also cautioned that relaxing the sanctions could further fill President Vladimir Putin’s war chest. The comments reflect Berlin’s concern that any reduction in pressure on Russia might undermine collective Western efforts to limit Moscow’s ability to sustain its military operations in Ukraine.

The remarks underscore ongoing divisions among Western allies over how to balance energy market stability with maintaining strong economic pressure on Russia.