The Israeli military announced that it has launched a large-scale offensive on three major Iranian cities—Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. According to a statement cited by Al Jazeera, the operation marks a new phase of attacks aimed at what Israel described as critical infrastructure targets across Iran.

Tehran, Iran’s capital, lies in the northern part of the country, while Tabriz, the fourth-largest city, is located in the northwest near the borders with Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Shiraz, another major city, is situated in the southwest. The Israeli statement did not specify the exact nature or extent of the damage caused by the strikes.

Further details about the attacks are expected to be released as more information becomes available, according to the report.

Professor Dr. Md. Faridul Islam has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University. The announcement was made by Education Minister Dr. A. N. M. Ehsanul Haque Milan during a briefing at the Ministry of Education on Monday, March 16, 2026, after 4 p.m. Dr. Faridul Islam currently serves as the General Secretary of the university’s Zia Parishad and is a faculty member in the Department of Marketing.

The appointment marks a new leadership phase for Rajshahi University, one of Bangladesh’s major public universities. The announcement was part of a series of recent vice-chancellor appointments across several universities, including Jagannath University, Dhaka University, and Chittagong University, as mentioned in the same report.

The Education Ministry’s decision reflects ongoing administrative updates within higher education institutions, focusing on leadership renewal and academic governance.

Thirty-five defeated candidates from the 13th National Parliamentary Election have filed separate petitions in the High Court, alleging irregularities in the voting process. The petitions were accepted by the single bench of Justice Md Zakir Hossain, who ordered the Election Commission to preserve ballots, CCTV footage, and other relevant materials. Notices were also issued to the winning candidates.

Among the petitioners are 21 candidates from the BNP, 12 from Jamaat-e-Islami, and one each from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and the Liberal Democratic Party. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Ruhul Quddus Kajol represented two of the BNP candidates in hearings concerning Dhaka-16 and Dhaka-4 constituencies. The petitions include allegations that law enforcement officials aided winning candidates and that presiding officers themselves stamped ballots, with some polling centers reportedly canceling unusually high numbers of ballots.

Under Section 49 of the Representation of the People Order, the Chief Justice designated Justice Md Zakir Hossain’s bench to hear these election-related petitions.

Bangladesh’s Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP has extended heartfelt congratulations to the national cricket team for their thrilling One Day International (ODI) series victory against Pakistan. In a message to the media on Monday, he praised the team for securing a 2–1 series win after a tense final match held on March 15 at Mirpur Stadium in Dhaka.

Dr. Rahman commended the players for their courage, skill, and teamwork, noting that the 11-run win in the decisive match was a source of great national pride. He said the team’s outstanding performance had brought joy and honor to the entire nation and would inspire the country’s youth.

He expressed hope that Bangladesh’s cricket team would continue their success in the future, bringing further glory and recognition to the country on the international stage.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that all banks will remain closed for seven consecutive days from Tuesday, March 17 to Monday, March 23, due to the combined government and weekly holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr. However, to facilitate salary and bonus payments for garment workers, selected bank branches in industrial areas will remain open on March 18 and 19. The directive was issued through a recent circular from the central bank.

According to the circular, branches in Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Valuka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a prayer break between 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Transactions will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The circular also states that bank branches, sub-branches, and booths located in sea, land, and airport port areas must remain open 24 hours a day throughout the week.

To ensure limited import and export activities during the holidays, banks in port and customs areas are instructed to coordinate with local administration and relevant authorities, except on Eid day itself.

Local officials in the United Arab Emirates reported that a drone attack caused a fire at a large oil industrial area in Fujairah, located on the country's eastern coast. The incident occurred near the Gulf of Oman, close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. Authorities in Fujairah confirmed that no casualties had been reported following the attack.

Fujairah serves as a critical exit point for the UAE’s oil exports, making it one of the most important energy hubs in the region. The report did not specify who was responsible for the drone strike or the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

Officials have not released further details about the response or potential disruptions to oil operations, leaving the broader impact of the incident unclear.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced a major reshuffle in Bangladesh’s higher education leadership on Monday, signaling significant changes across several universities. He said that the chairperson of the University Grants Commission and multiple vice-chancellors are being replaced. Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam, previously vice-chancellor of the Open University, has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, while Professor Dr. Md. Mamun Ahmed will serve as Dhaka University’s pro-vice-chancellor.

Professor Siddiqur Rahman Khan has been finalized as the new vice-chancellor of the Open University. Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, currently pro-vice-chancellor of the National University, will become vice-chancellor of Central University. Professor Dr. Masud has been selected as vice-chancellor of KUET, Professor Dr. Md. Foridul Islam for Rajshahi University, and Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan for Chittagong University.

The minister said the reshuffle aims to make the country’s higher education system more effective and dynamic, with an official notification to be issued soon.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the country never trusted the United States during their discussions, according to a report by Al Jazeera. In a statement released on March 16, 2026, Baghaei said the negotiations were conducted with “complete caution and deep distrust.” He emphasized that Iran approached the talks with open eyes and full awareness of the opposing side’s intentions.

Baghaei further claimed that the actions of the United States would remain “a stain in history.” Despite this, he noted that Iran did not hesitate to participate in the discussions. The remarks reflect Tehran’s continued skepticism toward Washington, even while maintaining diplomatic engagement.

The statement underscores Iran’s cautious diplomatic stance and signals that mutual distrust continues to shape its approach to negotiations with the United States.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said member states will discuss possible steps to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. She made the remarks ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, emphasizing that maintaining the strait’s openness is in Europe’s own interest.

According to the report, about 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through this narrow waterway. However, several ships have come under attack since the recent war began, raising concerns about maritime security in the region. The issue has drawn international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier warning that failure of allies to help secure the route would be “very bad for NATO’s future.”

The British Prime Minister’s Office stated that Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the importance of reopening the strait to restore normal global shipping operations.

Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam, currently serving as Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University. The appointment was confirmed on Monday, March 16, 2026, during a meeting at the Ministry of Education, where Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan officially announced the decision.

According to related sources, Professor Islam previously served as a faculty member in the Department of Physics at Dhaka University before joining Bangladesh Open University. He is expected to assume his new responsibilities at Dhaka University soon. The appointment follows the resignation of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, who formally submitted his resignation to the Education Minister on February 22.

The leadership change marks a transition period for Dhaka University as it prepares for new administrative direction under Professor Islam’s guidance.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that the school admission lottery system has been permanently abolished. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Education on Monday afternoon, he confirmed that from next year, school admissions will be based on simple entrance tests instead of lotteries. The minister emphasized that the new system will not create intense competition and that lotteries have no place in any education system.

He explained that the decision followed extensive research and consultations with stakeholders, which will continue in the future. Milon described the lottery as a form of gambling and said the government would not allow coaching businesses to exploit the new admission process. Instead, the government plans to arrange in-house coaching facilities.

The minister clarified that the government is not shifting entirely to an exam-based system. He noted that scholarship exams will remain optional, as they provide financial support to poor families who benefit from the awarded stipends.

British Work and Pensions Minister Pat McFadden stated that the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli attacks on Iran is not a NATO war. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, he emphasized that the situation in the Middle East is a result of actions by the United States and Israel, not a collective NATO operation.

McFadden explained that NATO was not formed with such a Middle Eastern context in mind when it was established in 1949 by twelve founding members, including the United States and the United Kingdom. He referred to NATO’s Article 5, which defines an attack on one member as an attack on all, but clarified that this principle does not apply to unilateral actions by individual member states. Former Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter also noted that NATO does not compel members to join wars initiated independently by others.

McFadden agreed with Carter’s assessment and reiterated that the United Kingdom remains deeply committed to the NATO alliance despite the current conflict.

China has called for an immediate end to military operations following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump. In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump warned that his planned meeting with the Chinese president could be delayed if Beijing did not help ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to questions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that high-level diplomacy between the two nations provides strategic guidance for bilateral relations. He confirmed that communication between China and the United States continues regarding Trump’s potential visit to China. Lin also noted that recent tensions have disrupted commercial routes and harmed regional and global peace.

Reiterating China’s position, Lin urged all parties to stop military actions immediately and pledged that China would continue working to ease the current tensions.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma stated that efforts are ongoing to resume the issuance of Indian tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens. He made the remarks on Monday, March 16, after a meeting with the Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser, Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, in Dhaka. Verma said that the process to reopen the visa service is continuing and that the timing of its resumption will be announced once it is finalized.

Earlier this month, the Indian High Commissioner had indicated that visa operations between India and Bangladesh would return to normal soon. During his meeting with the Prime Minister’s adviser, Verma also discussed cross-border power and energy connectivity between the two countries. He mentioned that both sides talked about strengthening these areas and reviewed ongoing joint projects.

The discussions reflect continuing bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh, focusing on easing travel restrictions and enhancing energy cooperation across the border.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declined U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to send warships to the Hormuz Strait, according to The Telegraph. Despite Washington’s appeal for renewed efforts to ensure safe navigation in the strategic waterway, the United Kingdom has decided not to deploy naval vessels at this stage.

Energy Minister Ed Miliband stated that the government is carefully considering various options to keep the vital maritime route open but made no commitment to dispatch warships. Officials indicated that the deployment of mine-detecting drones is being considered as an alternative measure.

The report added that France, Germany, and South Korea have also rejected Trump’s proposal, signaling limited allied support for a U.S.-led naval initiative in the region.