Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced that it intercepted and destroyed more than 60 drones early Monday morning. In a series of statements posted on social media platform X, the ministry said a total of 61 drones were neutralized over the country’s eastern region. The latest wave included 12 drones destroyed after earlier incidents in which six and then five drones were shot down. The ministry stated that the air defense system was activated and successfully repelled all incoming drones.

The report comes amid heightened regional tensions following Iran’s retaliatory attacks on February 28 against Israel and U.S. military bases across the Middle East. Those strikes were described as a response to earlier Israeli and American aggression, resulting in casualties among both U.S. troops and Iranian forces.

The Saudi announcement underscores the continuing volatility in the region, though the source did not specify who launched the drones or whether any damage occurred inside Saudi territory.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh over the next five years. He made the announcement on March 16, 2026, at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharol, Dinajpur, while inaugurating the re-excavation of a 12-kilometer canal under a nationwide program. The initiative, titled 'Nationwide River, Canal, and Reservoir Excavation and Re-excavation,' aims to improve water access and agricultural productivity.

Rahman stated that despite economic challenges caused by war in the Middle East, the BNP government continues to fulfill its electoral promises. He said that once the Sahapara canal project is completed, 31,000 farmers will gain access to irrigation water for 1,200 hectares of land, directly benefiting about 350,000 people. The program simultaneously launched excavation work on 54 canals across the country.

The opposition leader welcomed the canal excavation initiative, marking a rare instance of bipartisan support for a major government development project.

China has called on the United States to immediately correct what it described as 'wrong trade practices' following Washington’s launch of new trade investigations. The appeal came after bilateral discussions in Paris last week, where Beijing formally raised its concerns with U.S. representatives. The investigations, announced by Washington, target 60 economies including China, examining whether measures against forced labor restrict U.S. trade. They follow another U.S. probe focused on industrial overcapacity involving 16 trading partners.

China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a statement urging the U.S. to amend its approach and resolve disputes through dialogue. It described the latest investigations as 'unilateral, arbitrary, and discriminatory,' accusing Washington of attempting to create trade barriers. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also criticized the investigations as a 'political maneuver.'

The trade inquiries are expected to take several months to complete. Meanwhile, Washington said former President Donald Trump plans to visit China from March 31 to April 2, though Beijing has not confirmed the dates. The visit could be delayed due to the Middle East conflict, Trump told the Financial Times.

A protest rally was held in Chunarughat, Habiganj, demanding the withdrawal of Deputy Ranger Syed Ashik Ahmed, the acting officer of the Habiganj Forest Department’s special team. The rally took place at noon on Monday at the South Bus Stand, organized by the Chunarughat Timber Traders Welfare Association.

Speakers at the rally accused Syed Ashik Ahmed of harassing timber traders through extortion, false cases, and intimidation. One trader alleged that a disabled man named Shanu Mia was falsely implicated in a case following the seizure of a tractor on March 5 in Bagiyargaon, Gazipur Union, and that the tractor and driver were released after a payment of 25,000 taka. The protesters claimed that traders who refused to pay regular bribes faced threats and obstacles to their business operations.

The rally was presided over by association president Abul Hossain Mahalder and conducted by Mir Saheb Ali of Jamaat-e-Islami. Several local political leaders attended and demanded that the deputy ranger be withdrawn within 48 hours, warning of a larger movement if the demand was not met.

A missile strike in Abu Dhabi’s Al Bahiyah area killed one person on March 16, 2026, according to local authorities. The attack hit a civilian vehicle, resulting in the death of a Palestinian national. Officials did not release further details about the incident but urged the public to rely only on official government sources and avoid spreading unverified information.

As a precautionary measure, flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended following a drone-related incident. Authorities advised travelers to contact their respective airlines for updates on flight operations.

The report noted that the strike occurred amid heightened regional tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, which prompted retaliatory actions against American facilities in Gulf countries.

Israel is preparing to deploy an international force in Gaza as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan for rebuilding the war-torn territory. According to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, the deployment is scheduled to begin in May 2026. The multinational force will include about 5,000 Indonesian troops, along with soldiers from Kazakhstan, Morocco, Albania, and Kosovo.

The first phase will focus on the Rafah area in southern Gaza, surrounding a new Palestinian city built with support from the United Arab Emirates. The operation will later expand to other parts of the Gaza Strip, particularly near areas referred to by Israeli media as the “Yellow Line.” Before entering Gaza, several hundred foreign troops are expected to undergo training in Jordan next month.

KAN also reported that military delegations from participating countries are expected to arrive in Israel within two weeks to finalize preparations for the mission.

Professor Dr. S.M.A. Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, has submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Education, citing health issues that prevent him from fulfilling his administrative duties. The resignation letter was submitted on Monday, March 16, 2026, to the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division. In his letter, Dr. Faiz requested to be relieved from his position on humanitarian and health grounds.

Dr. Faiz had assumed office as UGC Chairman on September 5, 2024. His resignation comes less than six months into his tenure. The Ministry of Education is currently processing the next steps regarding his resignation. Before joining the UGC, Dr. Faiz had a long academic career, beginning in 1973 as a faculty member in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Dhaka. He also served as the 26th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka (2002–2009) and as the sixth Chairman of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (1993–1998).

Continuous heavy rain and hailstorm over the past three days have damaged Boro paddy fields in the haor areas of Sunamganj district. The hail has flattened and broken rice plants, while cracks have appeared in several crop protection embankments. Waterlogging has developed in many areas, raising fears of crop loss among local farmers. The affected upazilas include Sunamganj Sadar, Madhyanagar, Tahirpur, Jagannathpur, and Dharmapasha, where hailstones were seen covering roads, courtyards, and farmlands.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, about 223,511 hectares of land were cultivated with Boro rice this season, with an expected yield of 1.4 million metric tons. However, around 370 hectares of crops, including rice, maize, and vegetables, have already been damaged. Farmers expressed concern that delayed government funding slowed embankment repairs, leaving some areas without proper compaction or grass cover. Officials from the Water Development Board confirmed minor cracks in several embankments but said repair work was underway and there was no immediate threat to crops.

Local farmers reported severe waterlogging in low-lying fields and said continued bad weather could further endanger the harvest.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated a nationwide canal excavation program on March 16, 2026, in Balarampur Sahapara of Kaharol, Dinajpur. The initiative began with the re-excavation of a 12-kilometer canal and will cover 54 districts across the country. The program aims to restore silted and nearly dead canals to improve irrigation systems, reduce waterlogging during monsoon seasons, and strengthen canal-based rural economies through fish farming and duck rearing.

According to the report, experts believe that restoring canals will enhance agricultural productivity, mitigate floods and waterlogging, and help maintain local environmental balance. The event was organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and the Dinajpur District BNP, attended by local leaders, officials, and residents. Speakers at the gathering said the re-excavation would improve water drainage and irrigation, benefiting local farmers.

Residents expressed optimism that the project would reduce dependence on groundwater and electricity for irrigation, while reviving agricultural activities in the region.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has issued an emergency notice regarding public transport operations during Eid-ul-Fitr. According to the directive released on Monday, the movement of trucks, covered vans, and lorries on highways will be suspended from March 17 to March 23, covering three days before and three days after the festival. The authority also prohibited parking on both sides of major roads during this period.

The BRTA clarified that vehicles carrying essential food items, perishable goods, garments, medicines, fertilizers, and fuel will be exempt from the restriction. To ensure uninterrupted traffic flow, the authority has provided hotline number 16107 and two mobile numbers—01550051606 and 01550056577—for communication with the central control room of the Road Transport and Highways Division.

The directive aims to manage highway traffic efficiently during the peak travel period surrounding Eid-ul-Fitr, when large numbers of people travel across the country.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam announced that all preparations for the main Eid congregation at the National Eidgah in Dhaka have been completed. The main Eid prayer will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026. He made the announcement while inspecting the overall arrangements at the venue.

According to Salam, the National Eidgah can accommodate around 35,000 worshippers for the Eid prayer. Considering the warm weather, efforts are being made to install air conditioning in some sections of the ground. Adequate fans and lighting will also be arranged. Facilities include ablution areas, separate entrances for women, mobile toilets, and primary medical services for attendees.

The administrator emphasized that the preparations aim to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for all worshippers attending the main Eid congregation in the capital.

During the drafting of Bangladesh’s Personal Data Protection Ordinance (PDPO) 2025, Meta repeatedly pressured policymakers to reduce the legal definition of a child’s age from 18 years. The company raised this issue in multiple high-level meetings, including those involving the US Embassy and bilateral discussions. Officials clarified that defining a child’s age falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, not the ICT division. Despite this, Meta did not explain why the change was so critical.

The article notes that Bangladesh has 70–80 million Facebook users, including 6–8 million minors aged 13–17. It argues that stricter child data protection limits Meta’s ability to profile users, monetize content, and train AI systems. The PDPO aligns with GDPR principles, requiring explicit user consent for data use and reuse, including AI training. The law also restricts child profiling and targeted advertising.

The report highlights broader global concerns about social media data use, citing cases in Australia and Europe. It concludes that Bangladesh’s data protection law aims to safeguard children’s digital rights and ensure accountability from global tech platforms operating in the country.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Sunday that it launched missile strikes on various Israeli targets using the ‘Sejjil’ missile for the first time. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the attack marks Iran’s first use of this strategic solid-fuel missile since the start of U.S.-Israeli aggression on February 28.

According to the IRGC, the strikes successfully targeted key military and defense industry infrastructure belonging to the Israeli government. Al Jazeera reported that the Sejjil missile has an estimated range of 2,000 to 2,500 kilometers and travels at a speed 13 times faster than sound.

The report did not include details on the extent of damage or potential casualties from the attack, nor any immediate response from Israel or other parties involved.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned NATO allies that failing to assist the United States in protecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would not be good for NATO’s future. In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said that reopening the strait for countries benefiting from it would be the only right decision, noting that Europe and China are heavily dependent on oil from the Gulf.

Trump cautioned that if there is no response from other nations, it could be very bad for NATO’s future, emphasizing that the United States has treated its European allies very well. He added that the U.S. did not have to help Europe over Ukraine, as it is thousands of miles away, but did so nonetheless, and now expects reciprocal support.

The president called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to help reopen the strait, which is considered the world’s busiest oil transit route, carrying about 20 percent of global oil supply.

US President Donald Trump said that the United States is carrying out attacks on Iranian drone factories. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he claimed that Iran has very few weapons left and that its production capacity has been destroyed. Trump stated that the US is targeting locations where Iran manufactures drones used for attacks on US facilities and Israel.

According to Trump, Iran’s drone numbers have significantly decreased, dropping to about 20 percent of their previous capacity. He emphasized that US strikes are focused on sites where these drones are being produced. The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and indicate an ongoing US campaign against Iran’s drone infrastructure.

The statements suggest a continued escalation in US-Iran tensions centered on drone warfare and regional security, though no independent verification of the attacks or their impact was provided in the report.