Hezbollah has claimed that it repelled an Israeli warplane during a possible attack in southern Lebanon. According to a statement from the group, the incident occurred on Monday evening when the aircraft was forced to retreat after being targeted by a surface-to-air missile launched by Hezbollah fighters. The group said the Israeli plane had been preparing to carry out an attack in the area.

Israel has not yet commented on the claim. The report, citing Al Jazeera, noted that the incident has raised concerns about escalating tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, an area that has seen repeated confrontations in recent months.

Observers fear that such incidents could further heighten instability in the border region if retaliatory actions follow, though no immediate response was reported at the time of publication.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the current state of global conflicts gives the impression that a third world war has already begun. Speaking at a meeting of the Gorchakov Fund’s Board of Trustees, he said some international relations experts have started describing ongoing regional conflicts as part of a global war. Lavrov attributed recent events in Latin America and the Middle East to Western efforts to maintain dominance and accused Western political elites of expending their remaining political and economic resources to confront Russia.

Lavrov expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, particularly worsening relations between Iran and its neighbors. He accused the United States and Israel of military aggression against Iran and warned that the situation could threaten global trade, energy security, and international communication systems. He said Russia is in contact with Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council countries to share its assessments.

He added that Russia supports dialogue-based solutions in the Middle East, backs Cuba’s sovereign development rights, and continues cooperation with Arab and Muslim nations to ensure a just resolution of the Palestinian issue in line with UN resolutions.

During the seven-day Eid-ul-Fitr holidays from March 17 to 23, Bangladesh witnessed a sharp rise in road accidents, with conflicting death tolls reported by government and private sources. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) recorded 92 accidents causing 100 deaths and 217 injuries, while the non-governmental Road Safety Foundation reported 268 accidents resulting in at least 204 deaths and over 600 injuries. The discrepancy has raised concerns about the accuracy and completeness of official data.

Reports indicate that several serious incidents, including a fatal bus crash at Comilla’s Paduar Bazar rail crossing that killed 12 people, were missing from the government’s list. Hospitals across the country, including Dhaka’s National Orthopedic Hospital, saw a surge in patients injured in traffic accidents, many involving motorcycles, battery-powered rickshaws, and easybikes.

Road Safety Foundation’s executive director warned that the final death toll could rise further, while the Passengers Welfare Association noted that accidents often increase when people return to work after Eid due to reduced monitoring and law enforcement on roads.

The Directorate of Primary Education has released the schedule for the 2025 primary scholarship examinations, set to begin nationwide on April 15, 2026. According to the announcement, all districts except the three hill districts—Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban—will start exams on April 15. The first exam, Bangla, will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by English on April 16, Primary Mathematics on April 17, and Bangladesh and Global Studies with Primary Science on April 18. Each exam will last two and a half hours.

For the three hill districts, a separate schedule has been arranged. Their exams will start on April 17 with Primary Mathematics, followed by Bangladesh and Global Studies with Primary Science on April 18, Bangla on April 19, and English on April 20. The notice also states that students with special needs will receive an additional 30 minutes for each exam.

The directive ensures uniform examination procedures across the country while accommodating regional and special requirements.

Diesel prices in Vietnam have more than doubled following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, according to data released Wednesday by the country’s Ministry of Trade. The ministry reported that since two days before the United States and Israel began attacks in Iran on February 26, diesel prices have risen by about 105 percent. The price increased from 19,270 dong per liter last month to 39,660 dong, or roughly 1.50 dollars. During the same period, 95-octane gasoline prices climbed nearly 68 percent, from 20,150 dong to 33,840 dong per liter.

The conflict has driven up global oil prices, raising fuel costs and sparking fears of a worldwide energy shortage. In response, Vietnam has sought energy assistance from countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Algeria, and Japan. On Monday, it signed an oil and gas production agreement with Russia. The Finance Ministry also proposed halving environmental protection taxes on petrol and diesel to ease domestic pressure.

Local residents have reported difficulties coping with the price surge, with some reducing vehicle use due to unaffordable fuel costs.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has called for urgent structural and policy reforms to make the country’s independence meaningful and effective. In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday marking Independence Day, he extended greetings to the nation and emphasized that without qualitative changes in the state, independence risks remaining only on paper.

He stated that merely changing individuals or ruling groups without reforming the state system leads to superficial freedom. Referring to the past, he noted that even after half a century of independence, instances of authoritarian rule under the guise of constitutional governance have persisted. He recalled that such autocracy was overthrown through a bloody mass uprising by students and citizens on July 24.

The Islami Andolan leader expressed concern over uncertainty surrounding the future of reforms proposed by political parties and approved through a referendum. He urged the government to promptly implement these approved reform proposals to ensure the permanent eradication of autocracy and paid tribute to the martyrs and victims of the Liberation War.

Sarjis Alam, the northern organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has questioned the use of Tk 1 million allocated for the poor in the Panchagarh-1 constituency. The allocation came from a government fund distributed to every Member of Parliament ahead of Eid. Sarjis raised the issue on Wednesday through a Facebook post, asking where the money for Panchagarh-1 had gone.

In his post, Sarjis referred to Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the NCP and an 11-party alliance candidate from Comilla-4, noting that Abdullah had publicly accounted for his constituency’s allocation. Sarjis contrasted this with the lack of transparency in Panchagarh-1. The NCP leader previously contested the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 from Panchagarh-1, where he received 168,049 votes under the Shaplakoli symbol, while his opponent, Naushad Jamir, won with 186,189 votes under the Paddy Sheaf symbol.

The post has drawn attention to questions of transparency and accountability regarding the distribution of government funds for Eid assistance.

A drone attack at Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday caused a fire in a fuel tank, according to the country’s Civil Aviation Authority. The agency confirmed that there were no casualties and described the damage as limited. Firefighters were deployed immediately after emergency measures were activated to bring the blaze under control.

The Civil Aviation Authority’s spokesperson, Abdullah Al-Rajhi, stated that relevant authorities implemented approved emergency procedures promptly. The incident follows a series of similar drone attacks on the airport since late February, when Israel and the United States began strikes on Iran, escalating regional conflict.

Earlier in March, multiple drone attacks targeted the airport’s radar system and fuel tanks, causing minor injuries and limited damage. The latest incident underscores the continued vulnerability of key infrastructure in Kuwait amid the broader regional unrest.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman chaired a special meeting on measures to address the national energy situation. The meeting was held on Wednesday morning at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat, according to Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony. The session focused on strategies to manage the country’s current energy challenges.

Before the meeting, Prime Minister Rahman arrived at the Secretariat at 9:02 a.m. and completed some official tasks. He also unveiled a commemorative postage stamp marking the Independence and National Day before presiding over the energy-focused meeting in his office at the Cabinet Division.

The report did not provide further details about the discussions, decisions, or participants of the meeting beyond the official confirmation of its occurrence.

Dubai’s property market has suffered a sharp downturn following the spread of conflict across the Middle East after US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The city’s long-standing image as a safe investment haven has been damaged, leading to a rapid decline in real estate transactions and falling property values. Some housing agents have already signaled price cuts, while shares of major developers have dropped significantly, with Emaar Properties losing more than 26 percent since the war began.

A Goldman Sachs analysis reported that property transactions in the UAE fell 37 percent in the first 12 days of March compared with the same period last year, and nearly 49 percent compared with February. Some properties are being sold at discounts of 12 to 15 percent. The downturn follows five years of steady price growth, raising concerns of a broader market slowdown.

Citibank analysts warned that the ongoing conflict poses a major risk to Dubai’s future population growth and investor confidence, potentially deepening pressure on the housing market.

Lebanon’s state media reported on Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes in the southern region killed at least nine people. Six deaths occurred in the Sidon area, including in the Adloun town and the Mieh Mieh Palestinian refugee camp, while three others were killed in Habboush. Several others were injured in the attacks, according to the National News Agency (NNA) and AFP reports.

The strikes come as Israel intensifies its military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The conflict expanded after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel on March 2, following a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran that heightened regional tensions. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said forces were targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs and urged residents to evacuate for safety.

Lebanese authorities stated that Israeli operations have killed at least 1,072 people and displaced over one million. Israel said it aims to control areas up to the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the border, while northern Israel continues to face rocket fire from Lebanon.

The government is taking measures to tackle the ongoing energy crisis caused by the war situation, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced at a press conference at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday morning. He urged citizens not to panic as the authorities work to stabilize the situation.

During the briefing, the minister also stated that the draft of the July Freedom Fighters Indemnity Act will be presented in the current parliamentary session. He added that a unanimous decision has been reached on the matter, and the law will be enacted following approval in the next session.

The announcements reflect the government’s attempt to manage both the immediate energy challenges and legislative priorities under current national conditions.

U.S. and Israeli media have reported, citing unnamed sources, that the United States has handed a 15-point peace plan to Iran. Although the BBC has not seen the document, President Donald Trump confirmed that talks are underway to end the war with Iran, describing the other side as eager for a deal. Iranian officials, however, dismissed reports of such talks as false. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told China’s Wang Yi that Iran seeks a full ceasefire, not a temporary one.

The conflict has driven global oil prices down by about six percent, while exchanges of attacks between Iran and Israel continue. Tehran has stated that non-hostile ships will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling its intent to maintain control of the key waterway until an agreement is reached. Iran’s Red Crescent reported that about 82,000 structures have been damaged since the war began.

Several countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt, are attempting to mediate between Washington and Tehran. French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Iran to halt attacks and ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf, while Israel’s President Isaac Herzog emphasized preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

In a commentary published on March 25, 2026, in the newspaper Amar Desh, editor Mahmudur Rahman discussed the rise of Dr. Zahed-ur Rahman, who currently serves as the Prime Minister’s strategic adviser with additional responsibilities for the culture and information ministries. Rahman highlighted that Dr. Zahed described Prothom Alo as the only 'hadmwala, secular, and liberal' newspaper in Bangladesh, while dismissing other media outlets as inferior. Dr. Zahed reportedly expressed pride in being a columnist for Prothom Alo and criticized Amar Desh in his online content.

The article accused Dr. Zahed of harboring hostility toward Amar Desh and ignoring the repression the paper faced under Sheikh Hasina’s government. It contrasted Prothom Alo’s and The Daily Star’s alleged pro-government roles with Amar Desh’s opposition stance during the 2007–2024 period. Rahman argued that Dr. Zahed’s favoritism toward certain media reflects ideological bias inconsistent with his official responsibilities.

The piece concluded by questioning how Dr. Zahed’s leadership in the culture and information ministries might influence national media policy and cultural direction under the current administration.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman unveiled a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day. The unveiling took place at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday morning at around 9:30 a.m. The event was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, who stated that the Prime Minister arrived at the Secretariat at 9:02 a.m., completed some official work, and then proceeded with the stamp unveiling ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by Post and Telecommunications Minister Fokir Mahbub Anam, Post Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, and Director General of the Postal Department Kazi Asadul Islam. The commemorative stamp was issued to honor the nation’s Independence and National Day, reflecting the government’s continued recognition of the country’s historical milestones.

The release of the stamp adds to the series of national commemorations held annually to mark Bangladesh’s independence, symbolizing national pride and remembrance.