Ahead of the upcoming Eid travel rush, the 13-kilometer stretch between Elenga and the Jamuna Bridge on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna highway has again become a major concern. Despite completion of the four-lane expansion from Joydebpur to Elenga, the remaining section toward the bridge remains unfinished, causing severe traffic jams during past Eid journeys. Ongoing flyover and underpass construction in Elenga, combined with heavy vehicle pressure, is expected to worsen congestion this year.

Project officials said construction delays have led to frequent traffic gridlocks, with only half of the work completed so far. The contractor has requested a one-year extension, and authorities plan to open the northbound service lane for Eid travelers. Police in Tangail have deployed 1,000 officers to manage traffic and prevent robberies, which occurred during last year’s holiday period.

Traffic pressure is expected to peak on March 17 and 18, as thousands of vehicles head north. Police have pledged to keep unfit vehicles off the road and strengthen highway patrols to ensure safe travel during the festival.

An Israeli airstrike on the Iranian city of Arak killed a woman and a child and injured 35 others, according to the city’s deputy governor. The attack occurred early Friday, and around the same time, loud explosions were heard in several parts of Tehran. State media reported that airstrikes were detected in two eastern districts of the capital around 5:15 a.m. local time, with residents describing their homes shaking from the blasts.

Semi-official Fars News Agency confirmed the intensity of the explosions, noting widespread alarm among residents. The incidents come amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump commented that the war against Iran was progressing rapidly and effectively, labeling Iran a “nation of terror and hate” and saying it was paying a high price. He made the remarks at the White House on Friday.

The United States has initiated a trade investigation against several countries, including Bangladesh, India, and China, following a court decision that invalidated a key part of Donald Trump’s tariff policy. The U.S. Trade Representative announced the probe under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, aiming to examine alleged unfair trade practices and structural overcapacity in manufacturing sectors. The investigation could provide a legal basis for imposing new import tariffs, with results expected by next summer.

The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that limited Trump’s authority to impose tariffs under emergency powers, requiring congressional approval for such actions. In response, Trump announced a new 10 percent global tariff, with the possibility of raising it to 15 percent. The investigation covers 14 countries and the European Union, excluding Canada.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the inclusion of Bangladesh is uncomfortable but not alarming, citing improvements in labor rights and limited U.S. market exposure. Industry leaders urged the government to prepare strategically to avoid potential tariff hikes exceeding 19 percent.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticized US President Donald Trump for supporting what he described as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expansionist delusions. In a social media post following the crash of a US military refueling aircraft in Iraq, Ghalibaf said that families of American soldiers have the right to know why their children are being sacrificed for such causes.

The post also referenced convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, noting his past association with Trump and alleged links to Israeli intelligence. Ghalibaf’s remarks came amid heightened tensions following the incident involving a US KC-135 refueling aircraft.

According to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the crash occurred during “Operation Epic Fury” in friendly airspace. Two aircraft were involved; one crashed in western Iraq while the other landed safely. Rescue operations are ongoing.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the war against Iran is progressing rapidly and effectively. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, he described Iran as a nation of terror and hate, saying the country is now paying a high price for its actions. His remarks came as he discussed recent developments in the ongoing conflict.

Trump has given mixed statements in recent days about the war’s progress. He claimed that the United States has already won against Iran and suggested the war could end very soon, while also emphasizing the need to continue fighting. His comments reflect both confidence in military success and caution about declaring victory too early.

Trump did not directly respond to comments from Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who in his first message after taking office vowed to take revenge for joint U.S.-Israeli attacks. The exchange highlights continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran amid escalating hostilities.

Thirteen young men from Jamalganj upazila in Sunamganj, Bangladesh, have been taken hostage by a mafia group in Libya while attempting to reach Italy through human traffickers. The victims, who left home on January 28 and arrived in Libya via the UAE, Kuwait, and Egypt, were captured on February 25 in Tripoli. Their families report receiving video calls from the captors showing scenes of torture and demanding ransom payments. Initially, the mafia demanded 2.6 million taka per person but later agreed to release them for 1.2 million taka each.

Relatives identified three local traffickers—Diloara Begum, her son Humayun, and son-in-law Nazrul Islam—as those who arranged the trip for 1.3 million taka per person. These traffickers have since gone into hiding. Families have been selling property and borrowing money to pay ransoms, while one victim, Yasin Mia, reportedly escaped but was detained by Libyan police. Local police in Jamalganj confirmed awareness of the case but said no formal complaint has yet been filed.

Families remain in distress, fearing further harm to their sons if they speak publicly, as the mafia has threatened retaliation following earlier media reports.

A French soldier was killed and several others injured in an attack in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. This marks the first death of a French soldier in the ongoing conflict in the area. The French army earlier stated that its troops were engaged in training exercises with Iraqi partners when the drone strike occurred.

President Macron described the attack on French forces in Erbil as unacceptable. French troops have been stationed in the Kurdistan region as part of an international coalition fighting against the Islamic State (IS) group. Several hundred French soldiers are currently deployed there to support anti-IS operations and to train local forces.

The incident highlights the continuing security risks faced by coalition forces operating in northern Iraq, where sporadic attacks still occur despite the weakening of IS influence in the region.

An opinion piece by Md. Mahmudul Hasan, published on March 13, 2026, reflects on Bangladesh’s 2024 July Revolution that ended Sheikh Hasina’s rule and led to the formation of an interim government under Muhammad Yunus, followed by the February 2026 election that brought Tarique Rahman’s BNP to power. The author questions whether Bangladesh can maintain justice and stability or fall back into corruption and repression.

Drawing parallels with Egypt’s 1952 July Revolution, the article reviews how Egypt’s overthrow of King Farouk failed to deliver lasting peace or freedom. Despite initial hopes, Egypt returned to authoritarianism under Nasser, with continued political repression and foreign influence. The author cites Egyptian writer Zaynab al-Ghazali’s memoir to illustrate the persistence of state brutality.

The piece concludes that Bangladesh’s new leadership must act wisely to preserve its hard-won freedom and avoid Egypt’s mistakes. The success of the July Revolution, the author argues, depends on the sincerity and prudence of the country’s political leaders.

Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, former adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs under the caretaker government, has written that political transitions in Bangladesh often trigger behavioral changes within the bureaucracy. He observed that after the new government took office on February 17, 2026, several contractual secretaries were released or made officers on special duty, including the secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry. He described this as part of a recurring pattern where bureaucratic loyalty tends to follow political power rather than institutional principles.

The article argues that such politically driven reshuffles undermine administrative neutrality and morale. Hossain recounts his experience working with professional and honest officers during his tenure, contrasting it with the tendency of some officials to align with ruling parties. He warns that prioritizing political loyalty over competence and integrity weakens state institutions and discourages merit-based governance.

He concludes that Bangladesh’s long-term stability depends on fostering a professional, ethical, and accountable bureaucracy. Strengthening training, transparency, and evaluation systems could help ensure that loyalty remains to the state and constitution, not to individuals or political groups.

The United States has temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, allowing their sale until April 11. The US Treasury Department announced that shipments already loaded on vessels by March 12 can be traded freely on global markets. The decision follows a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran, after which Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a global energy shortage.

According to the US Commerce Ministry, the move is part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to stabilize global energy markets while addressing potential threats from Iran. The ministry emphasized that the temporary measure applies only to Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded before the deadline.

The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, serving as a key route for exports from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iraq. The temporary easing of sanctions aims to mitigate disruptions in global energy supply caused by the regional conflict and trade restrictions.

Facebook Marketplace has launched new Meta AI-powered tools designed to make selling faster and more efficient for users in the US and Canada. Sellers can now upload item images and let Meta AI automatically generate draft listings, fill in details, and suggest prices based on similar local listings. The platform also enables sellers to offer shipping with prepaid labels and manage all shipped orders through a centralized dashboard.

To improve communication, Meta AI can now draft and send automatic replies to buyer inquiries using information from the listing, such as item description, availability, pickup location, and price. Sellers can preview and edit these replies during listing creation. Additionally, Meta has introduced AI-generated profile summaries that display key details about a seller’s Facebook activity, including account age, friend count, and Marketplace history, to enhance transparency and trust.

These updates mark a continued evolution of Facebook Marketplace, which has been connecting millions of buyers and sellers for a decade and now hosts over 3.5 million daily listings across the US and Canada.

Rising oil prices following US-Israel strikes on Iran are intensifying economic pressure on American consumers, even as President Donald Trump declared the war a swift victory. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, halting Gulf oil shipments and pushing prices above $100 per barrel, with warnings that they could reach $200. Experts say the economic impact will depend on how long the conflict lasts and how quickly shipping resumes. The International Energy Agency called the situation the largest supply disruption in global oil market history.

Analysts warn that a prolonged conflict could trigger 1970s-style stagflation or recession. Gasoline prices in the US have risen to $3.59 per gallon, up 65 cents since February, with further increases expected if the war continues. Supply chain disruptions are already causing port congestion and could soon raise prices for goods, plastics, and fertilizers. Economists note that higher oil costs could keep inflation elevated, complicating Federal Reserve policy and keeping mortgage rates high.

Experts also highlight long-term consequences, including higher debt costs, reduced job creation from military spending, and a global realignment as countries seek to reduce reliance on the US.

The United States military has confirmed that one of its KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during ongoing joint operations with Israel against Iran. The incident occurred on Thursday in what officials described as friendly airspace under Operation Epic Fury. US Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, said rescue efforts are underway but did not confirm whether there were any fatalities or survivors. The statement indicated that a second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely and clarified that the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.

The crash follows a series of setbacks for US forces since the start of the campaign against Iran on February 28. Earlier, three F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences on March 1, though all six crew members survived. The Pentagon has reported seven US service members killed and 140 wounded so far, including eight with severe injuries. The conflict has also resulted in significant casualties in Iran and Israel, with violence spreading across the Gulf region.

Public opinion in the United States remains largely opposed to the war, with multiple polls showing a majority of voters disapprove of the offensive and reject the idea of deploying ground troops.

Google has introduced Groundsource, a new AI-powered methodology designed to improve the prediction of urban flash floods. Announced on March 12, 2026, Groundsource uses the Gemini model to analyze decades of public reports and Google Maps data, creating a high-quality historical dataset of flood events. The system identified over 2.6 million historical flood incidents across more than 150 countries and trained a new model capable of forecasting urban flash floods up to 24 hours in advance. These forecasts are now available through Google’s Flood Hub platform.

The initiative is part of Google’s broader Crisis Resilience efforts, which aim to provide early warnings for natural hazards. Groundsource addresses a long-standing data gap that had limited the ability to predict flash floods before they occurred. By transforming public information into structured datasets, the project enhances global preparedness and supports scientists and partners with an open-source benchmark for further research.

Google noted that the same AI-driven approach could be extended to other natural disasters such as landslides or heat waves, contributing to improved global resilience and disaster readiness.

Perplexity announced on Wednesday a new AI agent called Personal Computer, designed to run continuously and integrate local applications with Perplexity Computer. The system operates on Perplexity’s secure servers but is powered by Apple’s M4 Mac mini hardware. The company describes the platform as working within a secure environment that includes safeguards such as approval requirements for sensitive actions, full audit trails for each session, and a kill switch for user control. Each query runs in its own secure sandbox.

The announcement follows earlier social media interest in using Mac minis for AI workloads, including the open-source assistant Clawdbot. Perplexity claims its Personal Computer is “more powerful than any AI system ever launched.” However, details remain unclear regarding which Mac mini configuration is used, whether Apple supplies the hardware, and how the system will be sold. Currently, only a waitlist is available, with no pricing information disclosed.

Rumors also suggest Apple may soon release an M5 Mac mini, though Perplexity’s announcement does not mention chip specifications or configurations.