Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad has conveyed heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of Bangladesh, including residents of his Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. In a message issued on Friday, he said that after a month of fasting, the holy festival has returned with a message of joy and celebration. He emphasized that Eid teaches peace, compassion, and brotherhood, expressing hope that the festival will bring happiness and tranquility to all, regardless of social or economic status.

Ahmad further stated that the spirit of equality and harmony should inspire everyone to work together for a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. He urged citizens to unite for the welfare of the nation, guided by the values of sacrifice and solidarity. The minister also wished the people good health, long life, and a safe, joyous celebration of Eid.

The message reflects the government’s call for unity and social harmony during one of the country’s most significant religious festivals.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of illegal Indian goods worth approximately Tk 9.38 crore from a jungle area near the Kalamora border in Bijoynagar upazila of Brahmanbaria. The operation was conducted on Thursday night by the 25 BGB Battalion from Sarail, following secret intelligence. The seized items were found buried about 250 yards inside Bangladesh territory from border pillar 2007/9-S. The recovery included 9,600 mobile phone displays, 13,628 sunglasses, and 343 Indian sarees. The goods are being processed for handover to the Akhaura Customs Office.

At a press briefing on Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Jabbar Ahmed, commander of the 25 BGB Battalion, confirmed the seizure and said surveillance along the border had been intensified. He added that the battalion continues operations to curb smuggling and ensure border security in Bijoynagar, Akhaura, and Madhabpur areas.

According to BGB, the Sarail Battalion seized smuggled goods worth about Tk 143 crore over the past year during similar operations in its assigned border areas.

Eid al-Fitr celebrations across the Middle East have been subdued this year as war and economic hardship overshadow the festive spirit. From Beirut to Dubai and Jerusalem, millions of Muslims are marking the end of Ramadan under the shadow of conflict and rising prices. In Lebanon, residents like Aziza Ahmed say there is little to celebrate, with families struggling to afford basic necessities and many displaced people unable to return home.

The region’s tensions have intensified since February 28, when conflict erupted involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, leaving at least 30 people dead in Gulf countries. Kuwait has temporarily banned public gatherings such as plays, concerts, and weddings during Eid, while Qatar has suspended all mass events. The United Arab Emirates has instructed worshippers to perform Eid prayers inside mosques for safety reasons.

In occupied East Jerusalem, Israel’s closure of holy sites including Al-Aqsa Mosque has left Palestinians grieving. Despite the fear and restrictions, some families in Bahrain and elsewhere are trying to maintain normalcy, preparing for Eid in hopes that the turmoil will soon pass.

In Iran, preparations for the ancient Nowruz festival continue despite widespread anxiety over possible conflict. Traditionally marking the first day of spring, Nowruz is celebrated with new clothes, sweets, and family gatherings. However, this year the usual festive atmosphere is subdued. Markets remain open, but many residents, especially in Tehran, are hesitant to return to the capital after it suffered heavy damage from recent U.S. and Israeli attacks.

A woman from Damavand, northeast of Tehran, described how the season once meant cleaning homes and buying new clothes and sweets, but now each day feels unusually long and uncertain. The 3,000-year-old festival, meaning “new day,” remains one of the world’s oldest cultural celebrations, symbolizing renewal and hope.

Despite fears of war and instability, many Iranians are maintaining the tradition in limited ways, balancing their cultural heritage with the realities of current tensions.

Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were held in Dhaka and multiple districts of Bangladesh on Friday, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s celebration. In the capital, a group of worshippers performed the prayer at Sheikh Januruddin (R.) Darul Quran Madrasa in Malibagh Chowdhuripara. Similar congregations took place in Chandpur, Bogura, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Jamalpur, Faridpur, Moulvibazar, Jhalakathi, Kishoreganj, Patuakhali, and Madaripur.

In Bogura, prayers were held in several villages across Gabtali, Sonatala, and Dhunat upazilas, while nearly 40 villages in Chandpur observed Eid at the same time. Naogaon’s Patnitala upazila, Dinajpur’s six upazilas, and Faridpur’s nine villages also joined the early celebration. In Patuakhali’s Kalapara upazila, around 10,000 people from seven villages attended the prayer, and in Madaripur, about 30,000 people from 25 villages participated in the largest congregation at Char Kalikapur.

The early observance followed reports of moon sighting in the Middle East, prompting several communities in Bangladesh to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr a day earlier than the national schedule.

Israel has extended Eid al-Fitr greetings to Muslims around the world. On Friday, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a message on Facebook wishing Eid Mubarak to Muslims in Israel and across the globe. The post included a greeting card featuring messages in English and Arabic and expressed hopes for peace, joy, and brighter days ahead.

In addition to the ministry’s message, Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a statement marking the occasion. He noted that this year’s Eid al-Fitr comes at a complex and sensitive time, as Israel continues efforts to build a better and safer future for all people in the region. Herzog reaffirmed the country’s commitment to tolerance and mutual respect.

The president’s message concluded with a wish for peace and prosperity, emphasizing the hope that such days will arrive soon.

Iran carried out drone attacks on Kuwait’s state-owned oil refinery early Friday, according to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). The refinery, located in Mina Al-Ahmadi, suffered multiple drone strikes that caused a fire in one of its units. Emergency teams were deployed to extinguish the blaze, and authorities temporarily shut down several units as a precaution. No casualties have been reported so far.

State media reported that the assault is part of Iran’s ongoing retaliatory campaign across Gulf countries following an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field. The incident marks a continuation of escalating hostilities in the region, with Iran targeting Gulf states in response to recent attacks.

Despite the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr across the Gulf, the report noted that there are no signs of the conflict easing soon.

Iran has announced that it will not play its scheduled FIFA World Cup matches in the United States due to security concerns arising from the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. The 2026 World Cup, set to begin in about three months, is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to the fixture, Iran’s three group-stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt were to be held in Los Angeles and Seattle. However, the Iranian Football Federation has requested that these matches be moved to Mexico.

Federation president Mehdi Taj clarified that Iran is not boycotting the World Cup but will not set foot on US soil because of safety risks. He cited a statement by Donald Trump suggesting that the US could not guarantee the Iranian team’s security. FIFA President Gianni Infantino rejected Iran’s request, stating that the schedule is final and that FIFA cannot intervene in political disputes but believes football can promote peace.

If Iran ultimately refuses to play in the US, it would mark one of the rarest political standoffs in modern football history since the post–World War II era.

China has decided to limit fertilizer exports to protect its domestic market as global supply chains face severe disruption due to the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to industry sources cited by Reuters, Beijing banned exports of nitrogen-potassium compound and certain phosphate fertilizers in mid-March 2026. With earlier restrictions on urea and export quotas still in place, only a few types of fertilizers, mainly ammonium sulfate, are currently being exported. Reuters estimated that China’s fertilizer exports have now fallen to between half and three-quarters of last year’s volume, potentially reducing shipments by up to 40 million metric tons.

China, one of the world’s largest fertilizer exporters, sold over 13 billion dollars’ worth of fertilizers last year. The new restrictions come as fertilizer transport through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted, affecting about one-third of global shipments. Analysts noted that China tends to restrict exports during global crises to prioritize food security and shield its domestic market from price shocks.

U.S. President Donald Trump is facing a complex wartime leadership test as Iran intensifies its resistance in the ongoing conflict. The situation has become more volatile after Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, driving up oil prices and deepening the global economic strain. Trump’s leadership style, marked by strategic ambiguity and a preference for flexibility, is now under scrutiny as he struggles to project the gravity and clarity expected of a wartime president.

The crisis follows a daring U.S. operation in January that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a move that had earlier boosted Trump’s image. However, the Iran conflict has exposed internal political opposition and resignations among national security officials. Trump’s allies in the Gulf have been reluctant to join the fight, rejecting his call to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz after not being consulted on the war.

The escalating confrontation, including Iranian missile strikes on Israeli oil facilities and the downing of Israeli drones, signals a prolonged standoff that could further destabilize the region and test U.S. alliances.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid said the government is working to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates who wish to remain in the Middle East despite the ongoing war. She made the statement on Friday, March 20, after handing over the body of Mosharraf Hossain, who was killed in an Iranian attack in Al Kharaj, Saudi Arabia, to his family at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

During the event, the Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment provided financial assistance to the deceased’s family. Shama Obaid stated that the government’s main priority is to keep expatriates safe and that all necessary measures are being taken. She added that those wishing to return home will be brought back at government expense.

The Expatriates’ Welfare Minister also announced that families of expatriates killed in the war will receive an initial compensation of 300,000 taka, educational support for their children, and further financial aid in the future.

Finland has once again been named the world’s happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report 2026. The Nordic nation has held the top position for nine consecutive years, recognized for its strong social trust, security, and equality. The report highlights Finland’s quality education system and robust social safety net as key contributors to its continued success.

Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands follow Finland in the top five, with Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Israel, and Costa Rica completing the top ten. The report also notes a decline in happiness among younger generations, attributing it partly to excessive social media use. Despite high unemployment rates reported by Eurostat, analysts say this has not affected Finland’s happiness ranking.

In South Asia, Bangladesh remains near the lower end of the list, around the 130th position. While the country has achieved economic growth, challenges persist in social trust, security, and mental well-being, according to the report.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strongly worded statement following Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field, jointly owned with Qatar. Iran retaliated by striking a Qatari energy complex, escalating tensions and driving up global energy prices. Trump claimed the United States had no prior knowledge of Israel’s operation and criticized the attack’s execution, describing it as an act of anger. His comments have prompted speculation about possible differences between Washington and Tel Aviv over the ongoing war.

Israeli media reports contradicted Trump’s claim, suggesting the strike had been coordinated with the U.S. in advance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed that Israel acted alone and echoed Trump’s call to avoid further attacks on gas facilities. Despite both leaders emphasizing unity, analysts noted subtle signs of divergence in their strategic goals toward Iran.

Trump warned that if Iran again targeted Qatari LNG infrastructure, the U.S. would destroy the South Pars field with or without Israeli consent. The conflict has strained Trump’s domestic standing, with U.S. public support for the war falling below 50 percent, while Netanyahu’s popularity in Israel remains high.

The United States is preparing to increase its military presence in the Middle East by sending an additional 4,000 Marines and Navy personnel amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to a report by Newsmax citing four unnamed officials, the deployment will include several warships and will reinforce U.S. forces already engaged in operations against Iran.

The report states that the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group is being deployed from the U.S. West Coast. This group includes advanced F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, missile systems, and amphibious assault vehicles designed for ground operations. The move signals a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, comes as tensions continue to rise following recent attacks and counterattacks involving Iran and its regional adversaries. The additional deployment underscores Washington’s intent to strengthen its operational capacity in the Middle East.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for striking a US F-35 fighter jet in the skies over central Iran. The country’s state news agency IRNA reported that a video of the alleged attack has been released. The incident reportedly occurred amid ongoing hostilities, though the authenticity of the footage and the claim could not be independently verified.

According to the report, if confirmed, this would mark the first known instance of a US F-35 being hit and the first attack by Iran on an American aircraft since the start of the current conflict. The information was cited from Middle East Eye, and no official US response was mentioned in the report.

The development, if validated, could represent a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States, but the lack of independent verification leaves the situation uncertain.