State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid announced that families of those killed in the train-bus collision at a level crossing in Comilla will receive Tk 100,000 each as compensation. He made the statement on Sunday, March 22, after visiting the accident site at Paduarbazar Bishwaroad area in Comilla Sadar Dakshin upazila.

Following the inspection, the state minister warned that any negligence or irresponsibility within the railway sector would not be tolerated. He said the government has taken both immediate and long-term measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Regarding treatment for the injured, he mentioned that he had spoken with the health minister to ensure advanced medical care, including possible transfers to Dhaka if necessary.

Several senior officials, including the ministers for agriculture, food, fisheries and livestock, as well as the director general of Bangladesh Railway and local administrators, were present during the visit.

Iran’s military has warned that it will strike energy infrastructure linked to the United States and Israel across the Middle East if its power plants come under attack. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera and delivered by Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command. He said Iran would also target desalination plants and information technology infrastructure associated with the two countries.

The warning followed a threat from US President Donald Trump, who said that American forces would attack Iran’s power plants within 48 hours if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened. In response, Iran’s military issued its counter-warning. Separately, Fars News Agency cited the late Ali Larijani, former head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who had earlier cautioned that any strike on Iran’s power grid could plunge the entire Middle East into darkness within half an hour.

The exchange of threats underscores rising tensions in the Gulf region, with both sides signaling readiness for escalation over control of key energy and trade routes.

A rocket fired from Lebanon struck northern Israel on Sunday, killing one person, according to Israel’s emergency rescue service cited by AFP. The projectile hit several vehicles near the border area, and one occupant was later pronounced dead. Local fire services reported that two cars were engulfed in flames after taking a direct hit.

The report, sourced from The Guardian and relayed by Amader Desh, did not specify who launched the rocket or the exact location of the incident. The attack adds to ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and armed groups operating from Lebanon, though no group was identified in the report.

Authorities have not released further details about the victim or the extent of the damage, and no official response from either side was mentioned in the source.

A military helicopter crash in Qatar has killed all seven people on board, including three Turkish nationals, according to Turkey’s Ministry of Defense. The ministry confirmed that one of the victims was a Turkish soldier, while two others were security personnel from the Turkish defense equipment manufacturer Aselsan. The remaining four victims were members of Qatar’s armed forces.

Qatar’s Defense Ministry stated that the helicopter went down early Sunday while performing routine duties due to a mechanical failure. Initially, six bodies were recovered and one person was reported missing. Later, the ministry confirmed that all seven had died and released their names. Turkey said that Qatar is conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Authorities from both countries have not yet disclosed further details about the investigation or the specific circumstances leading to the mechanical failure.

A two-day referendum on judicial reform began in Italy on Sunday, marking a crucial political test for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She has endorsed the proposed changes, arguing they will make the judicial system more independent and efficient. The government’s plan includes separating the roles of judges and prosecutors and revising oversight mechanisms through constitutional amendments.

According to AFP, the referendum is not only part of the reform process but also a measure of Meloni’s leadership and popularity ahead of upcoming elections. Meloni stated in a video message that the reform would modernize the judiciary, ensure merit-based advancement, and strengthen accountability while keeping it free from political influence. Critics, however, argue that the proposal could undermine judicial independence.

Opinion polls show the “yes” and “no” camps are nearly tied, leaving the outcome uncertain. A defeat would be a political setback for Meloni, though she has said she does not plan to resign regardless of the result. Voting is set to conclude Monday at 14:00 GMT, with preliminary results expected the same day.

Iran launched missile attacks on Saturday night targeting two Israeli cities, Arad and Dimona, located near nuclear facilities. Israeli officials reported that more than 160 people were injured in the strikes, with several in critical condition. According to the report, 84 people were hospitalized in Arad and 78 in Dimona following the ballistic missile attacks.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that it was not yet aware of any damage to a nuclear research center situated about 13 kilometers from Dimona. Iran’s state television said the strikes were carried out in response to an earlier attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility.

The incident marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, with both countries referencing nuclear sites in their actions. The full extent of the damage and potential international responses remain unclear.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the casualties in a train-bus collision at a rail crossing in Comilla. Following a recent train accident in Bogura, he directed authorities to immediately identify the causes behind the latest incident, which occurred late Saturday night. The Prime Minister has spoken multiple times with the relevant minister and local administration, instructing them to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and financial assistance for the families of the deceased.

According to his press secretary, Rahman emphasized that exemplary legal action will be taken against those responsible for negligence in such accidents. He also instructed officials to provide necessary support to victims of recent road and bridge accidents in Feni, Habiganj, and Jamalpur. In a Sunday statement, he described the incidents as tragic and alarming during the festive period of Eid, praying for the departed souls and wishing quick recovery for the injured.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring safe public transport and directed ministries to urgently address weaknesses in rail crossing management, bridge safety, and overall transport security.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) Chief Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam announced that police will provide maximum security for transporting wedding jewelry after Eid. Speaking at a press conference at the DMP Media Center on Sunday, March 22, 2026, he said anyone needing protection while moving jewelry from hotels or community centers to homes can contact their nearest police station for assistance.

He added that citizens were earlier advised to keep gold ornaments or valuables at police stations or bank vaults during the Eid holidays. The police will also ensure security for transporting money or valuable items. Regarding overall safety in Dhaka during the Eid period, Shafiqul Islam stated that adequate measures were taken and no major incidents occurred on Eid day.

The DB chief further mentioned that 80 teams patrol during the day and 40 at night, with two standby teams ready to respond immediately to any request for help.

Iran has launched multiple ballistic missile attacks on Israel, striking several cities and causing significant casualties. The assaults, reported on Saturday, targeted major urban centers including Dimona and Arad, where several buildings collapsed and hospitals declared emergencies. At least six people have been killed and hundreds injured, according to limited official disclosures under strict information controls. Sirens and mobile alerts have been repeatedly issued as Iran continues retaliatory strikes.

Israeli Army Radio reported that about 150 injured individuals sought treatment at Soroka Medical Center following the Dimona and Arad attacks. The Israeli military confirmed that Iran had fired another wave of missiles and stated that its air defense systems were actively responding. Explosions were also heard in central Israel shortly after missiles were launched from Iran, though no immediate casualties were reported.

Channel 12 reported additional missile impacts in Holon and alarm activations across central and northern Israel, including areas affected by rockets from Lebanon. Rescue teams have been deployed to affected regions as Israel’s defense forces remain on high alert.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. The ultimatum, issued late on March 21, 2026, demands that Iran allow free passage through the key global energy corridor or face severe consequences.

In response, Iran dismissed the threat and issued a counter-warning. The Iranian military, citing Fars News Agency, stated that any attack on Iran’s energy or power infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes on all U.S. and allied energy, information technology, and desalination facilities across the region. Tehran reaffirmed its earlier warnings that any violation of its infrastructure would be met with a broad regional response.

The exchange of threats has heightened tensions in the Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global oil shipments. The situation underscores the fragility of regional stability and the potential for escalation if diplomatic channels fail to ease the standoff.

According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, an Iranian official announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all types of vessels, provided that adequate security and safety are ensured. However, ships connected to what Iran defines as 'enemy' countries will not be granted this access. The statement was made by Ali Mousavi, Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Mousavi attributed the current disruption of this vital oil transport route to the 'aggression' of the United States and Israel. He emphasized that diplomacy remains Iran’s top priority, but achieving it requires a complete end to aggression and the rebuilding of mutual trust and confidence.

The announcement underscores Iran’s conditional approach to maritime access in the region, linking navigation rights to political and security considerations amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf.

Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ali Mousavi, stated that foreign vessels can continue to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian government for security and safety reasons. Mousavi, who also serves as Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, told Mehr News Agency that while Iran will uphold its international obligations, other nations must also respect Iran’s regional integrity and rights.

He added that Iran is ready to cooperate with the IMO and other countries to enhance maritime safety and protect sailors. Mousavi emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to Iran’s enemies. He further claimed that the current situation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz stems from the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.

The statement highlights Iran’s attempt to balance international maritime cooperation with its stance against adversarial nations, amid heightened regional instability.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has died at the age of 81, according to a family statement cited by US media. Reports said he passed away late Friday night, though the location and cause of death were not disclosed. Former President Donald Trump reacted on his social media platform, writing that Mueller’s death meant he could no longer harm innocent people, AFP reported from Washington.

Mueller served as FBI Director for 12 years, beginning just days before the September 11, 2001, attacks. He strengthened the agency’s counterterrorism operations and later became special counsel for the US Department of Justice to investigate possible Russian interference in Trump’s 2016 campaign. His two-year investigation led to charges against 34 individuals and three entities, including six of Trump’s associates.

Before the politically sensitive Russia probe, Mueller had a strong reputation in Washington, having served under both Democratic and Republican presidents. A decorated Vietnam War veteran and former Marine, he was known for his professionalism and strict work ethic, earning respect across party lines.

A joint team of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB), Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, and Cox’s Bazar district police arrested Arif Mainuddin, aged 50, for allegedly impersonating a Prime Minister’s adviser. He was detained around 1:30 a.m. on March 21 in the Chakaria area of Cox’s Bazar. The arrest was announced at a press briefing at the DMP Media Center on Sunday by DB chief Shafiqul Islam.

According to police, Mainuddin created a fake government gazette dated February 17, 2026, claiming he had been appointed as an adviser to the Prime Minister with the rank of state minister. He used this forged document to deceive individuals in both public and private sectors. Investigators also found that he had produced counterfeit visiting cards and used a falsified government logo and letterhead to circulate another fake gazette on February 10, 2026, declaring himself a specially honored person of the state.

Authorities recovered false gazettes, visiting cards with the Prime Minister’s photo, and two mobile phones from his possession. Legal proceedings against him are underway.

US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has claimed that President Donald Trump has lost control of the ongoing war against Iran and is now deeply anxious. Murphy, a key member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the joint US-Israel military operation has entered its fourth week, drawing increasing criticism from lawmakers.

He alleged that Trump’s war strategy is failing and that the situation is becoming increasingly complex. Earlier, Trump had threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants if the Iranian government did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Murphy had previously described the campaign as “Trump’s mad war,” warning that the sharp rise in fuel prices was beginning to affect the entire US economy.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights growing political tension in Washington as the conflict continues without clear resolution or congressional consensus.