Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has directed government officials to remain alert against any irregularities in canal excavation projects aimed at improving agriculture, protecting the environment, and boosting fish and duck farming. He made the remarks on Monday, March 23, at the inauguration of the Neha River re-excavation work in Raipur Union of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.

Addressing officials of the Water Development Board and the local administration, the minister emphasized that the work must be completed properly so that ordinary people benefit from it. He warned that the project should not be left unfinished after the inauguration and called for ensuring real progress. He also urged everyone to act honestly and responsibly, avoid misuse of religion, and contribute to positive social change.

Mirza Fakhrul added that the government has begun implementing its election pledges, including family cards, canal excavation, and agricultural cards for farmers. Referring to the global situation, he noted that ongoing wars are affecting various sectors, including agriculture, and called for preparedness to face these challenges.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol has warned that the current global energy crisis poses a greater threat than the oil shocks of the 1970s and the disruptions caused by the 2022 Ukraine war. Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on March 23, 2026, Birol said the world economy is facing a major threat as the situation combines two major oil crises and one gas crisis. He urged for a coordinated global response to mitigate the impact, warning that no country would remain unaffected if the crisis continues.

Birol revealed that at least 40 key energy facilities in the Middle East have been severely damaged due to ongoing conflict in the region. To stabilize the situation, the IEA has begun discussions with Asian and European countries about releasing emergency oil reserves. Earlier this month, IEA member states announced a record release of 400 million barrels of oil to curb soaring global prices.

He emphasized that restoring regular supply through the Strait of Hormuz is essential for energy security and confirmed the agency’s readiness to release additional reserves if necessary.

A nationwide fuel shortage has disrupted operations at filling stations across Bangladesh, leading to unrest among customers. The Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association issued a warning on March 23, 2026, urging station owners to ensure staff safety and maintain order. The association said fuel supply would normalize once banks reopen after the Eid holidays, allowing payment orders to resume.

According to the association, the disruption stems from global supply constraints linked to the Iran war, which has limited fuel availability from depots. The situation has caused long queues and incidents of vandalism and assaults on station staff in several areas. The association’s convener, Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, signed a letter advising owners to seek police assistance or take personal safety measures if necessary.

The letter also noted that despite the government lifting fuel rationing on March 15, supply has not yet stabilized. Normal distribution is expected to resume once banking operations restart on Tuesday after the holiday period.

A worker named Enamul Haque saved hundreds of passengers by stopping a train using a banana blossom petal in Dinajpur’s Fulbari area on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. between the 352/5 and 352/6 kilometer points of the Fulbari-Birampur railway line near Purba Chandipur. Enamul noticed a one-foot break in the rail track and, lacking a red cloth, tied a red banana blossom petal to a stick and signaled an approaching intercity train from Dhaka to Panchagarh, which stopped in time.

Local residents alerted railway officials, and within half an hour, an engineering team arrived to repair the damaged section and restore train movement. Fulbari Station Master Shawkat Ali confirmed that train operations were halted for over thirty minutes before returning to normal. Enamul left for Faridpur after the incident, according to his family.

The quick action drew praise, especially in light of a recent derailment on the same route that disrupted service for 18 hours. Railway authorities credited Enamul’s presence of mind for preventing a potential disaster.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base and the US Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain. According to an IRGC spokesperson from the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, the Saudi base serves as a key hub for US military operations and intelligence aircraft, prompting the group to launch ballistic missiles at the site.

At the same time, Yemen’s Houthi-linked news agency Al-Masirah reported that the Iran-backed group carried out an attack near Israel’s Ben Gurion Air Base, striking what it described as the ‘Zionist Aerospace Industries Center’ using Arash-2 attack drones. The report claimed the drones caused significant destruction.

However, none of these attack claims have been independently verified. As of the time of reporting, neither US nor Israeli officials had issued any formal comments. The multiple, unconfirmed attack claims have heightened concerns over regional security and potential escalation across the Middle East.

A new CBS News and YouGov survey shows that 92 percent of Americans want the ongoing war with Iran to end as soon as possible. The poll, conducted online from March 17 to 20 among 3,335 adults, follows the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and other senior figures. Since then, retaliatory strikes have continued between the two sides.

According to the survey, 80 percent of respondents emphasized the safety of Iranian civilians, 73 percent supported halting Iran’s nuclear program, and 68 percent prioritized stopping Iran’s threats against other countries. Public opinion remains split on regime change in Iran, with 49 percent favoring Iran-aligned leadership and 51 percent opposing it. Two-thirds of Americans believe the war was more intentional than necessary.

The poll also found that 60 percent of Americans now oppose military action against Iran, up from 56 percent earlier in the month. About 68 percent said the Trump administration has failed to clearly explain the war’s objectives, and 57 percent think the conflict is going badly for the United States.

Foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan held a key meeting in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss forming a regional security alliance. The discussion took place on the sidelines of an Islamic nations’ conference, focusing on how to strengthen cooperation in defense and security matters.

According to diplomatic sources, Turkey initiated the idea last year, seeking to include Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with Egypt later joining the process. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the proposed alliance would serve as a security platform to enhance defense and military collaboration, though it would not be a formal defense pact like NATO.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing war in the Middle East, U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes. Participants discussed possible joint measures to manage the region’s security challenges. Observers noted that such cooperation could reshape strategic dynamics amid continuing instability and conflict in the Middle East.

A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS shows that 59 percent of Americans oppose the Trump administration’s decision to launch a military strike on Iran, while 41 percent support it. The survey indicates widespread public unease and fear over the conflict, with 56 percent of respondents believing the confrontation could lead to a prolonged war. President Donald Trump, however, stated that he planned to end the conflict within four weeks and claimed progress was ahead of schedule.

According to the poll, 62 percent of Americans think Trump should seek congressional approval before taking further military action, and 60 percent believe he lacks a clear plan to handle the situation. Only 12 percent support sending ground troops to Iran, while 60 percent strongly oppose it. The data also reveal partisan divides: 77 percent of Republicans back the strike compared to just 18 percent of Democrats. Even within the Republican Party, “MAGA” supporters show near-total confidence in Trump, while others express concern about a long-term war.

Analysts suggest the negative public sentiment could pose a significant challenge for Trump’s party in the upcoming November congressional elections.

Multiple explosions were reported across Iran, including in the capital Tehran, on March 23, 2026. Loud blasts were heard in the central, eastern, and western parts of the city as air defense systems were activated. According to Al Jazeera, several other Iranian cities also experienced explosions amid ongoing airstrikes by the United States and Israel. The attacks followed Iran’s earlier strikes on Israeli installations, which had caused explosions in several Israeli areas.

Reports indicated that a radio station in Bandar Abbas was hit, killing one person, while residential areas in Khorramabad and Urmia suffered attacks that left several civilians dead. At least 1,500 people have been confirmed killed across Iran, with expectations that the toll will rise as the assaults continue. Explosions were also heard in Isfahan, Karaj, and Ahvaz, where a hospital was reportedly struck.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society stated that more than 80,000 civilian structures, including hospitals, schools, and its own offices, have been damaged or destroyed in the ongoing attacks.

Major Asian stock markets suffered sharp declines on Monday as the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran intensified. According to Al Jazeera, the sell-off deepened as threats between the warring sides raised fears that the war could drag on. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 4.8 percent at the start of trading, while South Korea’s KOSPI index dropped more than 5.5 percent.

The report also noted volatility in global oil prices. Brent crude slipped about 0.8 percent to 111.25 dollars per barrel, while U.S.-traded crude remained nearly unchanged at 98.18 dollars. The market reaction reflected investor anxiety over the conflict’s potential impact on energy supply and regional stability.

The developments underscored how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are reverberating through Asian financial markets, with investors closely watching for signs of further escalation or diplomatic intervention.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that Bangladesh faces difficult times ahead due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Speaking on Monday, March 23, in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila after inaugurating the Neha River re-excavation program, he said oil prices are expected to rise, leading to higher commodity costs, and urged people to endure the situation with patience.

He stated that the conflict has disrupted oil supplies but cautioned against vandalizing fuel pumps, promising strict action against any mob violence. Fakhrul added that despite challenges such as crop damage from storms and rain, the government has waived agricultural loans and distributed family cards to support millions of women. He also mentioned that 20,000 canals will be excavated nationwide as part of ongoing development projects.

The minister emphasized that the administration remains committed to completing all promised projects and assisting farmers affected by adverse weather conditions.

Government offices, banks, insurance companies, and courts in Bangladesh will reopen on Tuesday, March 24, following a seven-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr that ends on Monday, March 23. The holiday began on March 17, with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated nationwide on Saturday, March 21. The stock market and private institutions are also set to resume operations on the same day.

Employees will have only one working day before another break, as Thursday, March 26, marks Independence Day, followed by the regular weekend on Friday and Saturday. This will effectively give workers another three consecutive days off after just one day of work.

Journalists, officers, and staff of newspapers also return to work on Monday after a five-day Eid holiday declared by the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) from March 19 to March 23.

An Air Canada Express aircraft collided with a vehicle on the runway while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday evening. The CRJ-900 model plane, arriving from Montreal and operated by Jazz Aviation, struck the vehicle at a speed of about 39 kilometers per hour. Following the incident, airport operations were temporarily suspended as emergency crews responded to the scene.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a temporary halt to all flights at LaGuardia due to the emergency, initially effective until 05:30 GMT, with a possible extension. The New York Fire Department confirmed it responded to the collision, while both Air Canada and the FAA did not issue immediate comments. Videos shared on social media showed the aircraft’s nose tilted slightly upward after the impact.

According to the airport’s website, several flights were diverted to other airports or returned to their departure points. An FAA notice later indicated that the closure could continue until 18:00 GMT depending on conditions.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that he and his colleagues are committed to working diligently, describing their work as a form of worship. He stated that despite their age, they continue to serve daily without rest, aiming to reach heaven through honest labor rather than empty promises. He made these remarks on Monday morning while inaugurating the Neha River re-excavation project in Raipur Union of Pirganj, Thakurgaon.

During the event, the minister called for the proper and transparent implementation of the canal excavation program. He warned his party members that any form of mob activity would be dealt with firmly. Fakhrul emphasized that the project must not stall after the inauguration and should be completed smoothly and efficiently.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, Deputy Commissioner Israt Farzana, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board Zakaria Mondal, and Executive Engineer of LGED Mamun Biswas, among others.

Five additional international flights were canceled at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram within the past 24 hours, according to a press bulletin issued late Sunday night, March 22, 2026. The cancellations affected both outbound and inbound flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, and Air Arabia. The airport authority cited the intensifying war situation in the Middle East as the reason for the disruptions, which have caused severe inconvenience to passengers traveling to and from the region.

Despite the cancellations, twelve international flights—six arrivals and six departures—remained operational on Sunday. The airport’s public relations officer, Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, stated that flight disruptions began on February 28 due to the ongoing conflict. Including the latest cancellations, a total of 167 international flights have been suspended from Shah Amanat International Airport since the disruptions began.

The continued instability in the Middle East suggests that further flight schedule disruptions may persist if the conflict remains unresolved.