After being missing for about three years, the body of Khairul Islam from Kurigram’s Ulipur upazila was returned to Bangladesh from India on Thursday, March 19. The handover took place through the Chengrabandha–Burimari immigration point in the presence of officials from both countries, including representatives of the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, Border Guard Bangladesh, India’s Border Security Force, police, and customs officers. Khairul’s uncle, Ful Mia, received the body on behalf of the family.

According to family sources, Khairul had gone missing three and a half years earlier and was later reported to have illegally crossed into India, where he worked as a garment laborer. He was arrested by Indian police in Jalpaiguri for illegal entry. On February 10, his wife received a phone call from an Indian number informing her that his body was found near the Jalpaiguri jail gate. Following a petition to the Kurigram district administration, both countries coordinated for 38 days to repatriate the body.

Local officials and Radio Chilmarie assisted the family throughout the process. Burial was scheduled to take place at the family graveyard the same night.

Mobile courts have intensified operations across Bangladesh, including in the capital Dhaka, to prevent overcharging and passenger harassment ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. According to a press release from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges issued on Thursday afternoon, several transport companies were fined and the excess fares collected from passengers were refunded.

The operations covered multiple areas such as Fulbaria, Gulistan, Jatrabari, Dholairpar, Sayedabad, Abdullahpur, Kalyanpur, Gabtoli, Hemayetpur, and Savar in Dhaka, as well as Chattogram, Tangail, Barishal, and Khulna. Fines ranged from 3,000 to 13,000 taka depending on the location and severity of the violations. In some cases, transport counters were penalized for failing to display fare charts. Authorities confirmed that no overcharging was found in certain areas like Khulna’s Rupsha Toll Plaza.

Officials stated that these drives will continue to ensure smooth Eid travel. They also reported that travel conditions across the country remain normal, with passenger pressure gradually decreasing.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapan MP said that Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar will be developed into modern, objective and people-oriented media institutions. He emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a free and safe working environment for journalists. The minister made these remarks on Thursday, March 19, at an event organized by the Gouranadi Press Club in Barishal, marking a discussion on the significance of Ramadan and an iftar gathering.

Swapan highlighted that the holy month of Ramadan teaches self-purification, restraint and humanity, and that embracing these values can help build a just and compassionate society. He added that a free, responsible and objective media plays a vital role in strengthening democracy, urging journalists to uphold truth and impartiality for the welfare of the nation.

The event was chaired by senior journalist and former BRDB chairman Zahurul Islam Zahid, who said such programs help nurture human values alongside professional duties. Local officials, journalists and community leaders from several upazilas attended the event.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated at a Pentagon press briefing that Iran’s ballistic missile and drone attacks have dropped by 90 percent since the conflict began. He said the United States has damaged or sunk at least 120 Iranian naval vessels, rendering Iran’s surface fleet ineffective and its submarines depleted. Hegseth described senior positions in Iran’s military as temporary due to heavy losses.

He asserted that Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions poses a direct threat not only to the United States but also to freedom and civilization. Comparing Iran’s leadership to Hamas in Gaza, Hegseth said Tehran has invested heavily in tunnels, rockets, missiles, and drones, but the US is systematically and forcefully targeting them. He added that the US has struck more than 7,000 targets inside Iran and is preparing for another major strike.

Hegseth concluded that US military capability continues to grow while Iran’s capacity is steadily eroding.

Global energy markets have become increasingly unstable following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, with analysts now warning that oil prices could rise to between 150 and 200 dollars per barrel. Brent crude reached nearly 120 dollars on March 9 and has not fallen below 100 dollars since March 13. Prices rose again after attacks on Iran’s South Pars gas field and retaliatory strikes on energy facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Analysts identify the Strait of Hormuz as the most critical factor, as nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through it. Iran initially declared the strait closed and threatened ships entering the area, severely restricting navigation. Limited passage is currently allowed for vessels from India, Pakistan, Turkey, and China. The International Energy Agency has coordinated a release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, but experts say this cannot fully offset a daily shortfall of about 10 million barrels.

Economic research groups warn that oil prices above 150 dollars could strain the global economy, raising inflation and slowing growth. Experts caution that a 200-dollar price level would deliver a major shock across multiple industries.

QatarEnergy CEO Saad Al-Kaabi said that about 17 percent of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity was damaged in a recent Iranian attack. He told Reuters that the affected facilities have significantly reduced the company’s export capacity, and full recovery could take three to five years. Al-Kaabi expressed surprise that such an attack occurred during Ramadan, calling it unexpected from a fellow Muslim nation.

He added that due to the damage to two LNG trains, QatarEnergy might have to declare force majeure on long-term gas supply contracts with Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China, potentially causing prolonged supply disruptions. The damaged facilities had cost around 26 billion dollars to build.

The report noted that the incident could further increase volatility in the global energy market as Qatar is one of the world’s major LNG exporters.

During a Pentagon briefing on March 19, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed questions about a Washington Post report claiming the Pentagon had requested additional funding for the Iran war. Hegseth stated that the reported figure of 200 billion dollars could change and emphasized that ensuring proper funding for future needs was essential. He remarked that 'it takes money to kill bad people,' defending the financial demands tied to ongoing military operations.

The briefing followed reports that the United States had coordinated attacks on Iran’s gas fields, which former President Trump had denied. Hegseth asserted that U.S. military capability had increased while Iran’s had declined. The broader Middle East conflict has also raised concerns about oil prices potentially surpassing 200 dollars per barrel, while damage to Qatar’s LNG facilities from Iranian strikes could take five years to repair.

The Pentagon’s statements highlight Washington’s focus on maintaining operational readiness amid escalating regional tensions and economic risks linked to energy markets.

Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Amarjit Singh Dulat has stated that Iran will not be defeated in the ongoing conflict triggered by joint US and Israeli attacks. In an interview published on Thursday by Indian news agency ANI, Dulat said India should stand by Iran, describing the country as a long-standing friend and ally.

Dulat emphasized that the current confrontation is not new, noting that tensions have persisted for the past two decades. He reminded that India and Iran have historically maintained close ties, with both nations supporting each other during times of crisis. According to him, India’s foreign policy should reflect this mutual trust and solidarity.

He further expressed confidence that India’s role in the present situation would be timely, balanced, and appropriate, reaffirming his belief that Iran would withstand Western and Israeli pressure without losing the war.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern over severe travel disruptions, excessive fare collection, and overall mismanagement during Eid-ul-Fitr journeys across the country. In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s Central Publicity and Media Department, highlighted the suffering of homebound passengers facing traffic congestion, ticket shortages, irregularities, and fare exploitation on roads, railways, and waterways.

Zubair stated that unscrupulous transport operators were taking advantage of the situation by charging passengers unfairly high fares, calling such practices inhumane and unethical. He urged relevant ministries, law enforcement agencies, and transport owners and workers to take coordinated action to ensure safe, comfortable, and affordable travel for all passengers. The statement also called for strict monitoring to prevent overcharging, ticket black marketing, and passenger harassment.

Jamaat expressed hope that all concerned authorities would act responsibly to reduce public suffering and enable travelers to reach their families safely during the Eid holidays.

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman will not play in the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand. Instead, he will represent Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has granted him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in two phases to participate in the franchise-based tournament. The PSL is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026, and Mustafizur will play until April 12.

After completing his PSL commitments, Mustafizur is expected to return to Bangladesh to join the national team for the One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand. Following the ODI series, he will again return to the PSL on April 24 with a second-phase NOC, allowing him to play until May 3. His decision to prioritize franchise cricket has led to his absence from the T20 series against New Zealand.

The arrangement reflects Mustafizur’s commitment to Lahore Qalandars and the BCB’s approval of his participation in the PSL during this period.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the political activities of the Awami League are currently banned and will remain suspended. He made the remarks on Wednesday night during an exchange with journalists at BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Fakhrul added that other political parties are continuing their activities as usual.

Speaking about the Awami League, Fakhrul said the party occasionally tries to reappear but should not be given undue importance. He emphasized that politics and democracy should move forward naturally without being obstructed. According to him, the Awami League’s efforts are ineffective because the people have rejected the party.

The statement underscores the BNP leader’s position that the Awami League’s political operations will remain halted while other parties proceed with their programs.

Followers of the Mirzakheel Darbar Sharif in Satkania, Chattogram, will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday, a day earlier than the national observance, following the tradition of aligning with Saudi Arabia. The main Eid congregation will be held at the Darbar Sharif field at 9:30 a.m., led by Dr. Mufti Maulana Mohammad Maksudur Rahman, son of the Darbar’s Pir Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Areful Hai. The devotees had begun fasting a day earlier in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting.

According to the Darbar Sharif, its followers have been observing Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, and other lunar-based religious events in this manner for nearly two centuries, based on the Hanafi school of thought. They determine the timing of observances by considering moon sightings in any part of the world, particularly in Makkah and Madinah, supported by scientific calculations of longitude and latitude.

Eid will also be celebrated on Friday by Mirzakheel Darbar Sharif followers in more than a hundred villages across Chattogram and nearby districts, including Chandpur, Feni, Cumilla, Dhaka, Sylhet, and Barishal, as well as in parts of Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar.

Traffic movement on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway slowed over a 30-kilometer stretch near the Jamuna Bridge on Thursday morning due to heavy Eid-ul-Fitr traffic and multiple vehicle breakdowns. The congestion extended from the Jamuna Bridge to the Korotia area, with police and army personnel working continuously to maintain flow. In the past 24 hours, 51,584 vehicles crossed the Jamuna Bridge, generating tolls of Tk 3.51 crore.

According to bridge authorities, around 13 vehicles broke down or stalled on the bridge between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, causing long queues of vehicles. The increased traffic volume further worsened the situation. Passengers, including women and children, faced severe delays, with some resorting to open trucks and pickups to reach their destinations. Journeys that usually take three hours were taking six to eight hours.

Officials said that removing broken-down vehicles took time, leading to extended traffic lines. Authorities continued efforts to restore normal movement along the highway.

Global oil markets experienced a sharp rise after a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, pushing Brent crude futures above $115 per barrel early Thursday, March 19, 2026. The escalation followed Iran’s obstruction of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and retaliatory strikes on oil and gas facilities in four Gulf countries, creating widespread market instability. Gas prices also jumped by nearly 30 percent, according to Al Jazeera.

Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, told Al Jazeera that Middle Eastern benchmark oils such as Oman and Dubai crude have already exceeded $150 per barrel. She noted that while Brent and West Texas Intermediate have not yet reached that level, $200 per barrel no longer seems distant. Hari added that future price movements depend largely on how long the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Analysts warn that prolonged disruption in the Strait could drive energy prices even higher, intensifying global economic pressure if the regional conflict continues.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany will not take any direct role in the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Merz stated that Berlin would not act during the conflict and would only consider involvement after a ceasefire is achieved. He emphasized that Germany could contribute later to maintaining safe maritime routes once hostilities end.

Merz clarified that Germany will refrain from any operational participation while the fighting continues. However, he noted that the country is prepared to play an active role in post-war stabilization efforts. His remarks came amid heightened tensions as the conflict continues to affect regional and global stability.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized European nations for not providing sufficient support to Washington in addressing the war’s impact. Several European Union countries reportedly consider the war illegal, reflecting divisions within the Western alliance over the Middle East conflict.