Most of the world wants the ongoing war involving Iran to end quickly, but the countries engaged hold sharply different objectives. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has wavered between limiting Iran’s nuclear program, forcing regime change, and securing regional compliance. Despite 16 days of intense bombing that weakened Iran’s military, Tehran has neither surrendered nor collapsed. Earlier indirect talks in Geneva, mediated by Oman, had shown progress on nuclear issues, but Iran refused to discuss its missile program or regional proxies.

Iran seeks an end to the war but not at the cost of accepting all U.S. demands. It insists on guarantees against future attacks and compensation for damages from U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Israel, meanwhile, wants to destroy as much of Iran’s missile and military infrastructure as possible, viewing Tehran’s weapons programs as existential threats. Gulf Arab states, though initially neutral, are now angered by Iranian drone and missile strikes on their territories.

Rising oil prices, partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and growing domestic unease in the U.S. are increasing pressure on Washington to find a way out of the conflict.

At its GTC event, NVIDIA announced new accelerated computing platforms designed to extend artificial intelligence capabilities into space. The company introduced the NVIDIA Space-1 Vera Rubin Module, which delivers up to 25 times more AI compute than the H100 GPU for space-based inferencing. Alongside it, NVIDIA’s IGX Thor and Jetson Orin platforms provide energy-efficient, high-performance AI inference and data processing for orbital environments, while the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPU supports rapid ground-based geospatial intelligence analysis.

NVIDIA said these technologies bring data-center-class performance to size-, weight-, and power-constrained environments, enabling AI applications to operate seamlessly from ground to orbit. Industry partners including Aetherflux, Axiom Space, Kepler Communications, Planet, Sophia Space, and Starcloud are adopting these platforms to power next-generation missions, from autonomous satellite operations to real-time geospatial analytics.

According to NVIDIA, the Space-1 Vera Rubin Module and related platforms will enable orbital data centers, autonomous spacecraft, and advanced sensing systems to process data locally, reducing latency and bandwidth demands while supporting increasingly complex mission profiles.

An opinion piece by Ali Osman Shefayet, published on March 17, 2026, argues that the world is facing a dual crisis of Zionist imperialism and regional dominance, accompanied by a deep moral decline in corporate media. The author claims that certain global and Bangladeshi media outlets prioritize power and propaganda over truth, contributing to the spread of Islamophobia and undermining journalistic integrity.

The article describes Zionism as a dominant political ideology backed by Western powers, particularly the United States, and accuses it of controlling global politics, economics, and information. It also alleges that India’s regional dominance threatens Bangladesh’s sovereignty through political interference, resource control, and cultural influence. The author criticizes Bangladeshi media for serving ruling interests, suppressing dissent, and promoting anti-Islamic narratives.

As a remedy, the piece calls for strengthening patriotic and ethical journalism, raising awareness against imperialism, and protecting Islamic values. It urges citizens to boycott media that serve power rather than truth and to defend national sovereignty through intellectual resistance and truthful reporting.

Amnesty International has concluded that the United States is responsible for a February 28 missile strike on a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, that killed at least 170 people, most of them children. The rights group said on Monday that a US-manufactured Tomahawk missile was likely used in the attack, which also hit structures in an adjacent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) compound. Amnesty’s investigation, based on satellite imagery, video analysis, and expert interviews, found that the school was directly struck, indicating a failure by US forces to take feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm.

The organization said the attack represents a serious breach of international humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime. Amnesty’s senior director Erika Guevara-Rosas stated that if the US failed to identify the building as a school, it would show gross negligence and a major intelligence failure. Alternatively, if the US knew the school’s location and still proceeded, it would constitute a reckless and indiscriminate attack. The United Nations and US lawmakers have called for accountability, while Washington has said it is investigating the incident.

The Minab strike has intensified scrutiny of the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, which legal experts say violates international law, and raised concerns about US officials’ dismissive remarks regarding rules of engagement.

Bangladesh has begun a seven-day public holiday from Tuesday, March 17, 2026, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Monday was the last working day before the break, after which large numbers of people started leaving cities for their hometowns. Depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival for Muslims in the country, is expected to be celebrated on Saturday, March 21.

The Ministry of Public Administration had earlier fixed a five-day holiday from March 19 to 23, including the main Eid day on March 21. To ease travel for holidaymakers, the government later added March 18 as an additional holiday through an executive order, combining it with the Shab-e-Qadr holiday on March 17 to make a continuous seven-day break for government employees.

Essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, port operations, sanitation, telecommunications, postal services, and emergency medical facilities will remain operational during the holiday period, ensuring uninterrupted public service.

Andreas Krieg, an Associate Professor at King’s College London, stated that attempts to open the Strait of Hormuz by force would be 'almost suicidal.' He commented on US plans to deploy 2,500 marines to the Gulf, saying the move would make no difference in reopening the strategic waterway.

Krieg’s remarks highlight skepticism about the effectiveness of military measures in addressing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global energy shipments. His assessment suggests that a forceful approach could carry severe risks without achieving the intended outcome.

The statement underscores concerns about escalating military involvement in the Gulf region and the potential consequences of using force to secure maritime access.

Pro-Israel groups are pouring millions of dollars into Illinois primary elections, marking an early test of their influence as US and Israeli forces wage war on Iran. In the Chicago-area Democratic contests, organizations linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have become major spenders, despite Israel’s declining popularity among US voters. According to Chicago’s WBEZ, AIPAC and its donors have spent $13.7 million, often through shadow political action committees that conceal their funders until after the vote.

Progressive groups accuse AIPAC of using covert tactics to disguise its involvement, citing the lobby’s rebranding under generic names like the United Democracy Project. Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi described AIPAC as a “toxic” force within the Democratic Party, arguing that voters increasingly reject candidates tied to the lobby. Several key races, including those involving Kat Abughazaleh, Daniel Biss, and Laura Fine, have become flashpoints for the debate over Israel and US foreign policy.

Polls suggest AIPAC’s influence is waning, with only 17 percent of Democratic voters expressing more sympathy for Israelis than Palestinians. Tuesday’s primaries are also seen as a measure of Democratic opposition to the ongoing war on Iran and its domestic repercussions.

A devastating fire broke out at Patul Bazaar in Naldanga upazila of Natore on Tuesday night, destroying at least six shops. The blaze started around 8:30 p.m. at a clothing store owned by Mohammad Fuad and quickly spread to nearby grocery, library, and cosmetics shops. Local traders tried to save their goods as panic spread through the market.

Firefighters from the Naldanga Fire Service arrived promptly and, with help from locals, brought the fire under control. However, six shops were completely burned down before the flames were extinguished. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Al Imran Khan visited the site, spoke with affected traders, and reviewed the situation.

Initial reports suggest the fire may have originated from an electrical short circuit in the clothing store. The affected traders estimated losses of around 1.5 million taka. Local authorities said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.

The government has withdrawn its 2007 decision that canceled the recruitment of police sergeants and sub-inspectors on political grounds. As a result, 123 police sergeants and 207 unarmed sub-inspectors selected in the 2006 recruitment process will now be allowed to join their positions. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ Police Branch-2 issued the order on Monday, confirming the reinstatement.

According to the order, the selected candidates’ seniority will be determined from the date they would have joined had the recruitment not been canceled in 2007. However, they will not receive any financial benefits for the intervening period. The newly appointed officers will undergo six months of basic training and a probationary period of up to two years.

The order further states that the grading list for the batch will be prepared based on written and oral exam results and the regulations issued by the Ministry of Public Administration. The Inspector General of Police has been instructed to take necessary measures to implement the decision.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Tahera Begum Akhi, a 32-year-old TikTok user and the prime accused in the murder of her husband Belal Uddin Jihad, from Kotbazar in Ukhia upazila near Cox’s Bazar. The arrest took place on Monday, March 16, following a special operation based on secret intelligence. RAB-15 Assistant Director (Law and Media) and Assistant Superintendent of Police A. M. Faruk confirmed the arrest.

According to RAB, Belal Uddin Jihad, a 22-year-old tomtom driver from Ramu upazila, was found dead with his throat slit in a rented house in Fatekharkul union on March 4. Following the discovery, his wife Akhi went into hiding, and his family filed a murder case with Ramu Police Station. RAB-15 launched a shadow investigation and increased surveillance to locate the suspect.

During initial questioning, Akhi reportedly admitted that the killing stemmed from a family dispute. She has been handed over to Ramu Police Station for further legal proceedings. RAB stated that similar operations will continue to ensure public safety.

The business and trade sector now holds the highest share of defaulted loans in Bangladesh’s banking system, with 42.5 percent of loans in the sector classified as non-performing, according to the December-based “Banking Sector Update” report. The industrial sector follows with a 30.8 percent default rate, while the overall banking sector average stands at 31.2 percent. As of December, total outstanding loans amounted to Tk 18.21 trillion, of which Tk 5.57 trillion were defaults.

Sector insiders attribute the rise in defaults to economic pressures and a deteriorating business environment. Increased living costs have reduced consumer purchasing power, leading to lower demand and sales. Rising costs of raw materials, fuel, transport, and imports, along with dollar shortages and import restrictions, have further strained businesses. Higher interest rates have also increased debt burdens, particularly for small and medium enterprises with limited capital.

The report shows that large loans remain the most default-prone, though rescheduling policies have slightly reduced the rate since September. Agriculture, construction, and transport sectors also show high default ratios, while consumer loans remain relatively stable at 3 percent.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, allegations have surfaced that low-quality laccha semai are being sold in Taraganj markets of Rangpur. Despite being packaged attractively, questions have arisen about their quality and production process. Investigations revealed that most of these products are made in villages of Syedpur and Kishoreganj upazilas of Nilphamari district, often in unhygienic conditions. Locals claim that although the packets say the semai are fried in ghee or dalda, they are actually prepared using palm oil, raising concerns about consumer health.

Reports also indicate that many packets carry fake Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) seals, and some lack production or expiry dates. Taraganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Hamdullah warned that consuming such low-quality semai could cause serious health problems. He said that palm oil, artificial colors, and even textile dyes are sometimes used in production, which can lead to stomach issues, diarrhea, dysentery, food poisoning, and long-term liver, kidney, or cancer risks.

The report highlights growing public concern over food safety and the need for stricter monitoring of festive food products.

Millions of people have begun leaving Dhaka ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, but concerns are mounting over potential traffic congestion at 30 to 35 points on major highways. The Police Headquarters, based on intelligence reports, has instructed highway and related police units to take measures to reduce passenger suffering. With government and private offices beginning holidays on Tuesday, pressure at major bus terminals such as Gabtoli, Sayedabad, and Mohakhali is expected to intensify.

The report highlights several critical routes facing problems, including the Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Barishal, Dhaka-Khulna, and Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highways. Causes include incomplete road repairs, narrow bridges, illegal roadside markets, and poor traffic management. Specific trouble spots such as Dholeshwari Bridge, Noyadingi, Tekherhat, Kamarkhali toll plaza, and Gachbaria have been identified as high-risk areas for congestion.

Authorities have been advised to deploy additional traffic police at key intersections, complete or suspend ongoing repairs, remove illegal markets, and modernize toll collection systems to prevent severe travel disruptions during the Eid rush.

Bangladesh’s left-wing alliance, the Democratic United Front, suffered a severe defeat in the 13th national election held on February 12, 2026. The coalition, comprising ten leftist parties including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), the Socialist Party (BASAD), and Bangladesh JASAD, fielded candidates in 147 constituencies but failed to secure significant voter support. Collectively, the alliance received around 117,000 votes nationwide, accounting for only 0.17 percent of total valid votes. Every candidate lost their deposit, as none reached the required one-eighth of votes in their constituencies.

Analysts cited ideological divisions, leadership conflicts, and dependence on major political alliances as key reasons for the left’s decline. Once influential in labor politics, leftist groups now struggle with organizational weakness, outdated political messaging, and limited grassroots connection. The CPB’s vote share fell to 0.08 percent, continuing a long-term downward trend since 1991.

CPB leader Ruhin Hossain Prince acknowledged the poor results, attributing them partly to an unbalanced electoral system and the dominance of two major parties. He emphasized the need for self-criticism and rebuilding trust among voters through sustained grassroots engagement.

A drone attack targeted the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday morning local time. One drone crashed near the embassy compound, while another was intercepted and destroyed by air defense systems. Smoke was seen rising from the area following the incident, according to media reports.

The US Embassy is located in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, which has experienced multiple attempted attacks in recent days. The Iraqi Interior Ministry previously reported that a drone had also struck the Al-Rashid Hotel within the same zone. The recent incidents highlight ongoing security challenges in the area.

Authorities have not yet provided details on casualties or identified those responsible for the attack, leaving questions about the perpetrators and their motives.