Iran has launched additional missiles toward Israel, prompting the Israeli military to activate its defense systems to intercept the attacks. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that their defense mechanisms were engaged to counter the incoming projectiles. Iranian state media also reported that missiles were fired toward what it described as 'occupied territories.'

The renewed missile exchange marks an escalation in hostilities between Iran and Israel. Both sides have been engaged in heightened tensions, with Iran framing its actions as targeting occupied areas and Israel maintaining defensive operations to protect its territory. The reports from both Israeli and Iranian sources confirm the continuation of direct military confrontation.

Further details on the scale of the attacks, potential damage, or casualties were not provided in the initial reports, leaving the full impact of the incident unclear.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) announced on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, that 98 percent of operational garment factories in Dhaka and Chattogram have paid Eid bonuses to their workers. According to the BGMEA statement, out of 2,127 active factories, 2,080 have completed bonus payments, including 1,753 in Dhaka and 327 in Chattogram.

The association also reported that 2,104 factories, representing 98.92 percent, have paid February salaries, while 870 factories, or 40.90 percent, plan to pay advance wages for March. Among these, 840 are located in Dhaka and 30 in Chattogram. The data reflects the overall wage and bonus payment status across the country’s two main industrial hubs.

The BGMEA’s update provides a snapshot of the sector’s compliance with wage and bonus obligations ahead of Eid, indicating strong adherence among most factories in the ready-made garment industry.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that up to 45 million people in the Middle East could face severe food shortages by June if the United States and Israel continue their military actions against Iran. The agency’s Deputy Executive Director, Carl Skau, said rising costs of food, oil, and maritime transport are pushing millions toward acute hunger. Speaking to journalists in Geneva, he noted that global hunger levels could surpass the current record of 319 million people.

According to the WFP, the escalating conflict is driving up essential commodity prices and disrupting supply chains across the region. The organization expressed concern that without immediate international action, the situation could trigger a major humanitarian crisis.

The WFP urged the global community to act swiftly to preserve food security and prevent further deterioration of living conditions in the affected areas.

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced that it has confiscated hundreds of Starlink systems capable of connecting to the internet via satellite networks. According to the ministry, the devices were illegally brought into the country by the United States and Israel. The announcement was reported by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

The ministry stated that the search for illegal Starlink systems will continue until all satellite internet terminals serving what it called “enemy services” are fully identified. It further declared that possessing or using Starlink systems constitutes a crime that could warrant the “harshest punishment” during wartime, particularly for individuals linked to or working on behalf of hostile entities.

The statement underscores Iran’s ongoing efforts to control access to foreign communication technologies and to prevent what it describes as external interference through satellite-based internet systems.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has accused the government of appointing ruling party loyalists to key positions in city corporations, district councils, and seven universities, replacing qualified individuals. The allegation was made by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim at an emergency press conference held on Tuesday at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka. He said the government’s decision to appoint administrators in local bodies violated democratic norms and ignored public opinion.

Halim stated that despite earlier discussions suggesting imminent local elections, the government instead appointed administrators in several city corporations and district councils on March 14 and 22. He claimed that some of the appointees were ruling party leaders who had lost in recent elections. He also criticized the recent replacement of seven university vice-chancellors, alleging that party-affiliated individuals were installed in those positions, including at Dhaka University.

Jamaat urged the government to respect democratic continuity and public sentiment, warning against repeating what it described as authoritarian practices. The party announced plans for future protest and resistance programs in response to these appointments.

An Afghan national who had worked with US Special Forces for nearly a decade died in a Texas hospital shortly after being taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Federal officials identified him as 41-year-old Mohammad Nazir Paktiwal, who was arrested on March 14 and reported dead the following morning after suffering breathing difficulties and chest pain during a medical exam at an ICE office in Dallas. ICE stated that he received medical care and that no detainee is denied treatment.

Authorities alleged Paktiwal had committed food assistance fraud and theft, and claimed no record of his military service existed. However, San Diego–based advocacy group Hashtag Afghan Evac rejected those claims, saying the government was avoiding accountability. Family members said Paktiwal was healthy before his detention and expressed confusion over his sudden death.

US Representative Julie Johnson questioned ICE’s handling of the case, citing past misinformation about detainees and demanding answers about why Paktiwal was detained and how he died. The Dallas County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause of death, and ICE confirmed the case remains under investigation.

Israel has decided to keep the Al-Aqsa Mosque closed during Eid al-Fitr and the following period, citing security concerns. The Islamic Waqf, which administers the site, has been officially notified of the decision. The mosque was initially closed earlier in the month amid heightened tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Palestinians have condemned the move as an attempt to tighten Israeli control over the holy site during Ramadan.

Several Muslim-majority countries have denounced the closure as unjustified and called for the immediate lifting of restrictions. For the first time since Israel’s 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem, Palestinians were unable to perform Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa during Ramadan. Access remains limited to a maximum of 25 Waqf staff per shift, and surveillance cameras have reportedly been installed. The Old City of Jerusalem is under near-lockdown, with only local residents allowed entry.

Waqf officials warned that the temporary ban could become permanent, signaling a potential long-term shift in the mosque’s status. International law prohibits permanent changes in occupied territories, and the current restrictions have raised concerns about erosion of the long-standing status quo governing Al-Aqsa.

A handwritten note attributed to senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani was posted on his social media account on X, even as Israel claimed he had been killed. Tehran has not confirmed any information regarding his reported death. According to Al Jazeera, the note was also shared by Iranian state-affiliated media and was written in memory of Iranian naval personnel killed in a recent U.S. strike. Their funeral was scheduled to take place today.

In the note, Larijani expressed admiration for the bravery of the Iranian Navy members and prayed for their eternal honor, saying their sacrifices would strengthen the Islamic Republic’s armed forces. The message appeared to reaffirm loyalty to Iran’s military and religious values.

Israel’s Defense Minister Katz had earlier claimed responsibility for a targeted nighttime airstrike that allegedly killed Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, describing them as joining the late Ayatollah Khamenei “in the depths of hell.” Tehran has yet to issue an official response to these claims.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said Bangladesh would not accept any foreign dominance, emphasizing national pride and independence. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a food pack distribution event for the underprivileged in Mirpur, Dhaka, organized with Chinese assistance. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen attended the event.

Dr. Rahman stated that China has never interfered in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, unlike some other countries. He described China as a consistent friend and expressed hope that the partnership would deepen for the welfare of the Bangladeshi people. He also highlighted the 50-year-long diplomatic relationship between the two nations since China’s formal recognition of Bangladesh in 1975.

Referring to the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, he said it was fully funded by China as a gift to Bangladesh but criticized past governments for renaming it, calling that act ungrateful. Ambassador Yao Wen expressed joy at meeting attendees and said the Chinese gifts were meant to help families prepare for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Operations at the Shah gas field in the United Arab Emirates were suspended following a drone attack on the facility late last night. The Shah field, located about 180 kilometers southwest of Abu Dhabi, is one of the world’s largest sour gas fields. In addition, oil installations at the Fujairah port were also targeted again, causing fires at the site.

According to the report, oil loading operations at Fujairah port had to be halted twice due to the drone strikes but have since resumed. No casualties were reported by state media. An unidentified projectile also struck an oil tanker 42 kilometers east of Fujairah port, causing minor damage to the vessel.

Citing two sources, Reuters reported that the incidents have reduced the UAE’s daily oil production by half. The country’s state oil company has also significantly cut production due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that Bangladesh’s overall development is impossible without ensuring the welfare of farmers. He made the remark on Tuesday, March 17, during a review meeting at the Secretariat on the implementation of the ‘Farmer Card’ initiative. The Prime Minister emphasized that agriculture remains the main driving force of the national economy and that the new card system aims to ensure genuine farmers receive fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and government financial assistance directly, without interference from middlemen.

Despite the public holiday for Shab-e-Qadr, the Prime Minister attended office at 11 a.m. to review the latest progress of the committee overseeing the Farmer Card program. During the day, he also met with Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md. Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan. Following the meeting, Abdus Salam said the Prime Minister is deeply focused on Dhaka’s development and wants regular updates on ongoing and pending projects.

The Prime Minister instructed both city corporations to work toward making Dhaka a cleaner and more organized metropolis.

Iran has held the United States and Israel responsible for the ongoing tensions and disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the situation cannot be viewed in isolation, describing it as a reflection of a broader regional conflict. He made the remarks during a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, urging all peace‑concerned nations and international organizations to condemn the roles of the United States and Israel.

Araghchi further called on the international community to take a firm stand against what he described as continuing military aggression toward the Iranian people. According to Iran’s semi‑official Tasnim News Agency, Tehran believes that the current instability, particularly the disruption of shipping, stems from wider regional conflicts that are making the situation increasingly complex.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, underscores Iran’s view that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is part of a larger geopolitical struggle rather than an isolated maritime issue.

The Bangladesh government has decided to take rapid action on rape cases and violence against women. The decision was made on Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Following the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani briefed reporters, confirming that a special drive will be launched across ministries to ensure swift action and prevention of such crimes.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, multiple agencies are involved in handling these cases, and the government has instructed improved inter-agency coordination. The plan includes enhancing public awareness and strengthening institutional capacity within the legal process. Additionally, special courts in every district will intensify their operations to ensure faster trials of rape and women abuse cases.

The Cabinet emphasized that addressing sexual violence is among the government’s top priorities. Ministries have been directed to continue working on this issue even during the upcoming Eid period.

World Bank Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt concluded a three-day visit to Bangladesh on Tuesday, during which he met with the ministers of finance, planning, and commerce, as well as the prime minister’s economic adviser and the Bangladesh Bank governor. Discussions focused on the government’s development priorities and areas where the World Bank Group could extend support.

Zutt emphasized that the government is prioritizing large-scale job creation alongside skills development and investment, and that the World Bank Group is committed to helping achieve these goals. He noted that 14 million young people entered Bangladesh’s labor market over the past decade, but only 8.7 million jobs were created, leaving nearly half of the youth unemployed, particularly women. He stressed the need for long-pending macroeconomic and financial sector reforms to sustain growth and employment amid global uncertainty.

The World Bank Group supports countries in transforming growth into local employment by investing in physical and human infrastructure, promoting business-friendly environments, and mobilizing private capital. Since Bangladesh’s independence, the World Bank has provided over $46 billion in grants and concessional financing through the International Development Association.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Abu Zafar Khan, from the Department of Dawah and Islamic Studies at Islamic University, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Islamic Arabic University. He had been serving as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the same institution. The appointment was announced in a Ministry of Education notification issued on Monday and published on Tuesday. The notification also stated that the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Md. Shamsul Alam, has been relieved of his duties and permitted to return to his original post.

According to the notification, the appointment was made with the approval of the President and Chancellor under Section 11 of the Islamic Arabic University Act, 2013. Professor Khan’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor will last four years from the date of joining. He will receive the same salary and allowances as his current position, enjoy other benefits as per regulations, and must reside full-time on campus as the university’s chief executive officer. The President and Chancellor retain the authority to revoke the appointment at any time.

The appointment marks a leadership transition at the Islamic Arabic University, ensuring administrative continuity under the new Vice-Chancellor.