A World Bank delegation led by Jean Pesme, Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, met with Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid on Sunday at the ministry’s conference room. The meeting began with an exchange of greetings, where the minister welcomed the delegation and received congratulations on assuming office.

During the discussion, the minister announced the introduction of a 'Krishak Card' initiative aimed at protecting farmers’ interests, boosting production, and ensuring sustainable agricultural development. The program will begin on a pilot basis in 11 blocks across several districts this year before expanding nationwide. The World Bank delegation expressed interest in increasing investment in the agricultural sector, particularly in input supply, product processing, and market development. The minister welcomed this proposal.

Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening mutual cooperation to enhance sustainability in agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods. Senior officials from the agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and food ministries, along with World Bank’s South Asia Regional Director for Sustainable Development, Dina Umali-Deininger, attended the meeting.

Authorities in Israel have warned of a potential chemical leak following an Iranian attack on the Neot Hovav industrial zone near Beersheba. The incident occurred on March 29, 2026, and residents living close to the area were instructed to stay indoors as a precaution. Emergency services confirmed that one person was injured in the attack.

The Neot Hovav industrial zone is located about four miles from the southern Israeli city of Beersheba and houses facilities containing hazardous materials. Israeli media reported that residents were told to keep their windows closed due to fears that dangerous substances from the affected factory could spread into nearby areas.

The warning follows heightened regional tensions, with Iranian and Israeli military actions reported in recent days. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation to prevent further risks to public safety.

Global gold prices have fallen sharply from a record high of 5,500 dollars per ounce to 4,493.79 dollars, driven by a stronger US dollar and rising oil prices. The decline has brought relief to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) gold market, where prices have dropped by more than 100 dirhams per gram over the past month.

As a result, jewelry stores across Dubai and other emirates are witnessing a surge in demand for both 24-carat investment gold and 22-carat ornaments. Local traders said that when gold reached record levels, it became unaffordable for ordinary buyers, but the recent drop has brought both investors and general consumers back to the market.

On March 29, 24-carat gold sold for 541.25 dirhams per gram in the UAE, while 22-carat gold was priced at 501.25 dirhams. Chirag Vora, managing director of Bafle Jewellers, noted that demand for gold bars and coins has risen sharply, with new and younger buyers joining experienced investors in taking advantage of the lower prices.

Seventy British nationals have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates for allegedly filming or photographing Iranian drone and missile attacks. The arrests were made under the UAE’s strict national security laws, which carry penalties of up to ten years in prison or fines of around £200,000. According to a PressTV report on March 29, 2026, the detainees include tourists, expatriates, and airline cabin crew. Reports claim they were held in overcrowded rooms and denied adequate sleep, food, and medical care.

The UAE prohibits taking or sharing images that could threaten public safety or stability. During the attacks, authorities sent mobile alerts in Arabic and English warning people against capturing or distributing such content. Human rights groups based in the United Kingdom said some detainees have been released on bail but had their passports confiscated, preventing them from leaving the country. Others may face employment and housing difficulties if their work visas expire.

The rights group Dubai Watch stated it is assisting eight detainees and believes at least 35 Britons are being held in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Dhaka’s Hatirjheel Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Golam Mortuza submitted a written explanation to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman’s court regarding the closure of Nabeen Fashion at Moghbazar’s Vishal Center. He stated that the situation arose on March 20, 2026, when a large crowd and heavy motorcycle traffic gathered due to an attractive promotional offer. Mortuza said the store’s management could not handle the rush and decided to shut down operations, which led to further disorder. He expressed unconditional apology if any police error occurred and pledged to act more cautiously in the future.

According to the OC, Nabeen Fashion had been operating for about three years, offering low-cost clothing and frequent promotions. On the day of the incident, the store’s “buy two, get four free” offer and free engine oil for bikers drew hundreds of visitors, causing congestion and confusion. Police on duty managed to control the crowd without violence or damage. The court had earlier summoned the OC to explain why police appeared inactive during the closure and ordered the store reopened within 24 hours.

Following the court’s directive, the store was reopened under police supervision on March 26, 2026, ensuring safe continuation of business.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has initiated surveillance at fuel stations and depots in Rajshahi to prevent illegal hoarding and smuggling of fuel amid the country’s ongoing energy crisis. Starting Sunday, the Rajshahi-1 Battalion increased monitoring at 12 petrol pumps located in border areas. The announcement was made by Lieutenant Colonel Riaz Shahriar, commanding officer of the battalion, during a press briefing in front of the Jamuna Oil Depot at Shiroil Colony in Rajshahi city.

According to the BGB official, Rajshahi has three oil depots operated by Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna, along with 12 filling stations. Checkposts have been set up and search operations launched at these sites, including enhanced surveillance in the Padma River’s border areas to stop smuggling into India. Three platoons of BGB have been deployed to secure the depots and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply.

BGB stated that due to higher fuel prices in India, some groups have been attempting to hoard and smuggle fuel for profit. The force is also cooperating with local administration and other law enforcement agencies to maintain security during the crisis.

Bangladesh’s Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal announced on Sunday that the parliament will hold a two-hour discussion on March 31, Tuesday, regarding the convening of the Reform Council session. The discussion will take place as the final agenda item of the day. The decision followed a motion raised by Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman under Rule 62 of the parliamentary procedure.

Law Minister Asaduzzaman supported holding the discussion, calling the matter important, and requested that members be provided with documents including the current constitution, the July National Charter, the Constitution Reform Implementation Order 2025, and the Medina Charter before the session. However, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed questioned the procedural validity of the motion, arguing it should fall under Rule 68, which allows only a half-hour discussion, and cited Rule 63 to note that matters requiring legal amendments cannot be discussed under a postponement motion.

Despite the procedural objections, the Deputy Speaker confirmed the two-hour discussion for March 31 and declined further floor requests from the Home Minister, moving on to other parliamentary business.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has issued new directives to ensure responsible electricity and energy use among government employees. The circular, released on Sunday, requires officials to remain in their offices from 9:00 to 9:40 a.m. each working day and to adopt energy-saving practices. Offices must maximize natural light, limit use of lights, fans, and air conditioners, and maintain air conditioner temperatures at or above 25 degrees Celsius. All electrical equipment must be turned off after office hours, and vigilance teams are to be formed in every department to monitor compliance.

In a separate circular, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources defined the duties of tag officers assigned to fuel stations nationwide. These officers are responsible for supervising fuel receipt, storage, and sales, verifying quantities, and ensuring accurate recordkeeping. They must inspect dispensing machines, confirm stock updates three times daily, and report any irregularities with geo-tagged evidence. The officers also have authority to enforce compliance, including issuing warnings or temporary suspensions for violations.

The directives aim to promote energy efficiency in public offices and strengthen oversight of the country’s fuel distribution system.

A joint operation by the Coast Guard, Navy, and Police seized 12,613 liters of illegally stored diesel in Mongla, Bagerhat. The operation took place early Saturday at the Jamuna Petroleum Limited facility in the Mongla Oil Installation area, based on a tip-off. The information was confirmed in a statement by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon on Sunday afternoon.

According to officials involved, the joint team included members from the Coast Guard, Navy, Police, National Security Intelligence, and the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat. During the raid, three oil tanks were found to contain excess fuel stored without authorization.

The Bagerhat District Commissioner stated that legal action would be taken against those responsible for the illegal storage. Authorities emphasized that such operations would continue to help stabilize the domestic fuel market.

Iran’s military announced that it carried out a drone attack on a United States military base located in Jordan. The operation was described as retaliation for the sinking of the Iranian warship ‘Dena’. The strike marks a new escalation in tensions between Tehran and Washington, following a series of confrontations in the region.

Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of Iran’s navy, warned that if the US aircraft carrier ‘Abraham Lincoln’ and its accompanying strike group come within range, Iran would launch various missiles from its coast to avenge those killed on the ‘Dena’. Earlier, Iran claimed it had already targeted the ‘Abraham Lincoln’ carrier strike group, forcing it to change position.

The incident follows a pattern of rising hostilities involving Iranian and US forces across the Middle East, with both sides issuing warnings and taking retaliatory actions.

Israel has carried out a series of strikes on multiple Iranian command centers during the ongoing conflict. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), these attacks have prompted Iran to relocate its key security headquarters to mobile infrastructure in recent days. The IDF stated that Israeli air forces launched a powerful strike on Tehran yesterday, targeting several of these temporary command sites.

The Israeli military claimed that Iranian commanders were conducting military operations from these temporary bases at the time of the attacks. The report also mentioned related developments, including threats from Iran following university attacks and casualties in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran’s Osmavandan village.

The situation underscores heightened military tension between Israel and Iran, with both sides appearing to adjust their strategies amid ongoing hostilities.

Israel has started rationing the use of its most advanced missile-defense interceptors as Iranian missile attacks continue almost daily for four weeks. The decision comes amid concerns over dwindling stockpiles of these high-tech weapons, which are crucial for defending against ballistic threats. Recent Iranian strikes directly hit the cities of Dimona and Arad, where Israel’s attempt to counter the attacks with less powerful defense systems failed.

Missile strikes continued across Israel on Thursday, causing widespread alarm among residents. The ongoing exchanges follow a period of intensified hostilities between Iran and the joint U.S.-Israeli military operations. The sustained barrage has forced Israel to conserve its interceptor reserves while maintaining national defense readiness.

The situation highlights the growing pressure on Israel’s defense infrastructure as it faces persistent missile threats and limited interceptor supplies, raising concerns about the country’s ability to sustain prolonged defense operations if the attacks continue.

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bokul told Parliament on Sunday that there are no funds available for development work in the health sector, and even upazila health complexes lack sufficient money to buy basic items such as gauze, bandages, and syringes. He made the remarks while responding to a notice from ruling party MP Mohammad Shamim Kayser regarding the upgrade of Gobindaganj Upazila Hospital in Gaibandha district.

The minister alleged that widespread corruption and mismanagement during the previous fascist government had drained the health sector’s resources. He said that ongoing projects were left incomplete and poorly planned, citing examples of hospital buildings where entrances were placed next to bathrooms due to faulty designs made in haste for profit. He added that even the caretaker government’s remaining resources had been exhausted.

Bokul stated that he had discussed the situation with the Prime Minister several times and that after the next budget, the ministry would gradually work to restore basic healthcare services within limited resources across all upazilas.

Iranian authorities have arrested 35 people in the western province of Lorestan on charges of illegally photographing military installations and spreading false information, according to the Tasnim news agency as reported by Al Jazeera. Among those detained, 16 individuals are accused of capturing images or videos of sensitive and military sites and collaborating with what officials described as 'hostile' media outlets. The remaining 19 were detained for allegedly disseminating false information.

The Iranian government has categorized the incident as a matter of national security. The arrests come amid heightened scrutiny of information sharing and media activity within the country, particularly concerning military and security-related content.

Authorities have not released further details about the detainees or the specific nature of the alleged misinformation, leaving questions about the broader implications of the arrests for media freedom and civil activity in the region.

Tehran has issued a strong warning following reports that the Pentagon is preparing for a week-long ground operation in Iran. According to The Washington Post, US officials said the plan involves both special operations forces and conventional infantry units, though President Donald Trump has not yet given final approval. The move comes as the Iran war enters its fifth week, with additional US troops, including thousands from the 82nd Airborne Division, deployed to the Middle East.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that any US troops entering Iran would return in coffins. The IRGC also urged students, teachers, and staff to stay away from institutions that could become targets. It warned that American and Israeli-linked educational institutions in West Asia might be attacked as retaliation.

The escalating exchange of threats has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict as both sides increase military readiness and rhetoric.