Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the ongoing war in the Middle East could have global repercussions. In a post on social media platform X, he said the ripple effects of the conflict were only beginning and would impact everyone regardless of wealth, religion, or nationality. Araghchi urged Western governments to build stronger resistance against the war.

His post included a copy of the resignation letter of Joe Kent, director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center. In the letter, Kent stated that he could not support the ongoing war against Iran, arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States and that the conflict was driven by pressure from Israel and its U.S. lobby. Araghchi added that an increasing number of European and American officials were calling the war against Iran unjust and encouraged others to follow their example.

The warning comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with reports of casualties following Iranian attacks on Israel and diplomatic efforts among Muslim nations to address the crisis.

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has claimed that if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins the upcoming election again, he will imprison all opposition political leaders. In an interview with India Today, Kejriwal said such actions would be harmful to both democracy and the country.

Kejriwal compared the situation to other nations, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin jailed or killed opponents before elections, Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina imprisoned political rivals before winning, and Pakistan held elections after jailing Imran Khan. He alleged that after India’s election announcement, he and three AAP leaders were detained, and that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena were divided. According to him, if Modi returns to power, India will be left with only one party and one leader.

Kejriwal concluded that such developments would be extremely damaging to India’s democratic system and national well-being.

Iran’s Deputy Chief of the Supreme National Security Council, Alireza Bayat, has been killed. According to Iranian state media, Bayat was with the country’s security chief, Ali Larijani, when Israel carried out an attack that also claimed Larijani’s life. The incident occurred on Tuesday night, as confirmed earlier by the security council, which reported that Larijani, his son, and an aide were killed in the Israeli strike.

Tasnim News Agency described Bayat as a skilled but publicity-shy administrator. Before joining the Supreme National Security Council, he served as the head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and previously worked in several national security institutions.

The report did not provide further details about the location or circumstances of the attack, nor did it mention any official Iranian response to the incident.

A severe storm that began late Monday night has disrupted the entire electricity transmission system in Sandwip, Chattogram, leaving the island without power for more than 24 hours. By Tuesday afternoon, electricity had been partially restored in parts of southern Sandwip, but large areas in the north, including Bauria, Gachhua, Kalapania, Santoshpur, and Dirghapara unions, remained without power. The outage has caused major disruptions to daily life and essential services.

Health facilities have been hit particularly hard. Upazila Health Officer Manas Biswas said that the prolonged power failure severely hampered normal healthcare operations, with patients suffering in the heat and medical equipment becoming difficult to operate. Local businesses also reported heavy losses, with cold storage owners fearing spoilage of perishable goods and shopkeepers struggling to attract customers in dark stores.

Residents expressed frustration over the lack of response from responsible officials. Calls to the local executive engineer went unanswered, leaving uncertainty about when power will be fully restored. Locals urged authorities to adopt modern systems to ensure faster power restoration after natural disasters.

Israel launched intense missile strikes across Lebanon on March 18, 2026, killing six people and injuring 24 in Beirut. The attacks targeted three apartment buildings in central Beirut. The Israeli military also began what it described as a series of continuous assaults in southern Lebanon, hours after ordering residents of Tyre city and its Palestinian refugee camp to evacuate to safer areas.

According to the Israeli military, the strikes were carried out in response to rockets fired from Hezbollah positions into Israeli territory. Al Jazeera Arabic reported that Israeli forces attacked the city of Al-Aqbiya in the Sidon district shortly after striking the nearby town of Kennari. The escalation marks a significant intensification of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah-linked areas in Lebanon.

The situation remains tense as Israel continues its operations in southern Lebanon, raising concerns of further civilian casualties and regional instability.

The article highlights the growing importance of the blue economy in the 21st century as a foundation for sustainable economic growth, employment generation, and improved livelihoods through the responsible use of ocean resources. It notes that Bangladesh gained 118,813 square kilometers of maritime area following international court rulings in 2012 and 2014, marking a major step toward developing its sea-based economy centered on the Bay of Bengal.

The Bay of Bengal hosts rich biodiversity, including hundreds of species of fish, shrimp, and marine plants, supporting the livelihoods of about 30 million people and contributing roughly three percent to Bangladesh’s GDP. The article emphasizes the need for training, technology, and modern fishing tools to increase marine harvests sustainably. It also warns that overfishing, unregulated mineral extraction, and marine pollution threaten ecological balance.

The report concludes that proper management of Bangladesh’s blue economy could significantly boost national development, with opportunities in tourism, renewable energy, and marine industries, while maintaining environmental sustainability.

Health officials in Mymensingh have expressed concern that the dengue situation may become severe again this year, as cases are being detected even before the monsoon season. According to district health data, 28 dengue patients were identified by March 13, 2026, with most receiving treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Last year, the district recorded 3,219 cases, with the highest number in Nandail upazila and most fatalities among people aged 50 to 60. The local administration has already held several meetings and initiated early preparedness measures.

Experts from Bangladesh Agricultural University warned that stagnant water in small containers, construction sites, and discarded items serves as breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. They noted that improper fogging schedules and unscientific pesticide use are reducing control effectiveness. Questions have also arisen about the quality and efficacy of larvicides and insecticides, with allegations of supplier syndicates compromising product standards.

Officials said ward-level committees have been formed to strengthen fogging, larvicide spraying, and public awareness campaigns. Health experts cautioned that without aggressive mosquito control and cleanup drives before the monsoon, Mymensingh could face another large-scale dengue outbreak.

A special launch service for passengers traveling to Barishal and Chandpur was inaugurated in Rupganj to ease congestion at Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal and ensure safe, smooth river travel. The service was launched on Tuesday from the Shimulia Tourist Ghat near the Kanchan Bridge on the Shitalakkhya River by State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Rajib Ahsan.

According to the announcement, the trial service will continue until Eid-ul-Fitr, with plans for full-scale operation later. The Shimulia Ghat, directly connected to the 300-foot Purbachal Road, is expected to improve accessibility for passengers from Narayanganj, Gazipur, Uttara, and Narsingdi. Authorities said law enforcement will be deployed around the terminal to ensure passenger safety and prevent irregularities in ticketing and services.

Three launches will depart daily from Shimulia: two to Chandpur and one to Barishal. Free porter service for elderly and female passengers will be available until March 28, and wheelchair assistance will be provided for sick and physically challenged travelers.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expanded its public engagement and welfare initiatives across the country, focusing on Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. Party MPs, defeated candidates, and local leaders have been distributing iftar meals, food items, and Eid gifts to underprivileged communities. Special attention has been given to bringing joy to children through various support programs.

The party’s potential candidates for upcoming local government elections are conducting extensive service-oriented activities at city, upazila, and union levels. They are identifying local issues, demanding solutions, and implementing assistance programs where possible. In Dhaka, leaders such as Dr. Abdul Mannan and Ataur Rahman Sarkar have continued outreach efforts through food distribution and community engagement. North Dhaka Jamaat leader Mohammad Selim Uddin has launched an “Ichchha Puran” initiative to support disadvantaged children and families.

Jamaat’s newly elected MPs, including party chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, have also distributed food and Eid gifts in their constituencies. Party sources indicate that most MPs and defeated candidates plan to celebrate Eid with local residents and continue welfare activities.

Iran has launched a series of missile attacks on Israel, with explosions reported in the central Gush Dan area, according to Israeli Channel 12 on March 18, 2026. At least one missile was intercepted, but debris caused damage on the ground. Reports indicated that vehicles were damaged and caught fire in Holon city, while sirens were heard across southern Israel. The Israeli military confirmed detecting missiles fired from Iran and urged residents in targeted areas to seek shelter.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the strikes were carried out to avenge the killing of Larijani and his companions. The IRGC claimed that over 100 military and security targets in central Israel were successfully hit using Khorramshahr-4, Qadr, Emad, and Kheibar Shekan missiles. In Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan area, a man and a woman were reported killed by missile fragments.

Authorities in Israel have heightened alerts across multiple regions, while the situation remains tense following the retaliatory strikes.

Severe nor’wester storms and hail on Sunday night caused widespread damage to crops and homes in several parts of Bangladesh, particularly in Naogaon and Sherpur districts. In Naogaon, the storm lasted about 30 minutes, damaging 731.5 hectares of farmland, including banana, maize, wheat, potato, and vegetables. The Department of Agricultural Extension reported that 225 hectares of banana, 216 hectares of maize, and 216 hectares of wheat were affected, with banana and maize losses valued at over Tk 172 crore. Many banana and papaya trees were uprooted or broken just before harvest.

In Sherpur’s Nalitabari upazila, Saturday night’s storm and hail destroyed homes and trees, leaving around 35 families homeless. The worst-hit area was Singuarpara village in Rupnarayankura union, where 30–35 houses were completely destroyed. Power supply was disrupted in several areas, and many residents were forced to stay under the open sky. Local officials visited the affected sites and informed higher authorities for assistance.

Agricultural officials advised farmers to prepare for recovery and future disaster resilience, while weather observers recorded wind speeds up to 50 km per hour and 29 millimeters of rainfall during the storm.

The 'Zia Canal' in Shayestaganj, Habiganj, once linked to late President Ziaur Rahman’s canal excavation program, is now on the verge of extinction due to encroachment, pollution and lack of maintenance. Locals say the canal, dug during Ziaur Rahman’s 1978 visit to the area, once played a vital role in irrigation and flood control but has since deteriorated severely.

Elderly residents recall that before the canal’s excavation, farmers in the region suffered from water shortages during dry months and severe flooding during monsoon. The canal had provided relief by improving irrigation and drainage. Local leaders, including former municipal BNP president Korom Ali and former vice-chairman A S M Afzal Ali, emphasized the canal’s historical and agricultural importance and urged for its immediate restoration.

Habiganj-3 MP and Parliament Whip G K Gaus pledged to prioritize the canal’s dredging, citing both public demand and the site’s association with Ziaur Rahman’s legacy.

Iran’s military has announced plans to take revenge for the killing of National Security Council chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike. Army chief Amir Hatami warned that Iran’s response would be “final and regrettable,” describing the planned retaliation as both decisive and sorrowful.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the death of Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in the same context. The report noted that this assassination marks the highest-level killing since the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on February 28 that killed former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The developments signal a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.

According to the report, Iran’s leadership views the attack as a direct assault on its national security structure, and the military’s vow of retribution underscores the growing regional tension following recent high-profile assassinations.

Bangladesh’s export trade has been severely disrupted by the ongoing conflict centered on Iran involving the United States and Israel. The closure of airspace, instability in the Strait of Hormuz, and rising international shipping charges have hindered cargo transport. Exporters of agricultural goods, ready-made garments, and frozen foods are facing losses, with officials warning that prolonged conflict could exert major pressure on foreign trade.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh exported about 80 million dollars’ worth of goods to Middle Eastern countries in fiscal year 2024–25, including vegetables, garments, and processed foods. Exports to Iran totaled roughly 539,000 dollars, limited by sanctions and banking restrictions. The war has halted air shipments, leaving 80 tons of vegetables grounded in a single day. The Middle East accounts for about 60 percent of Bangladesh’s vegetable exports, and the suspension of flights has nearly frozen this trade.

Garment industry leaders report rising production costs due to fuel shortages and shipping delays. The Export Promotion Bureau notes exports have fallen 3.15 percent in the first eight months of 2025–26. Stakeholders warn that unless transport routes normalize soon, Bangladesh’s export sector faces escalating risks.

Mahmudur Rahman, writing in *Amar Desh* on March 18, 2026, describes this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr as one of deep sorrow rather than joy. He recounts personal grief following the deaths of his mother and his wife’s mother, alongside anguish over violence in Muslim regions during Ramadan. Rahman laments that the usual spirit of Eid has been replaced by mourning across the Muslim world.

He condemns the United States and Israel for attacks in Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine during Ramadan, citing a report from Al Jazeera about U.S. actions against Iran. Rahman criticizes global silence and the indifference of the wider Muslim community. He notes that despite provocations, sectarian conflict between Shia and Sunni Muslims has not escalated into full-scale war. Oman’s foreign minister, he writes, has refused to align with U.S. or Israeli agendas, while other Gulf states show mixed responses.

Rahman concludes by reflecting on his decades-long struggle as a journalist under various regimes in Bangladesh, expressing hope that the country’s return to democratic governance will allow fearless journalism and a safer future for the press.