Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim has accused the government of breaching democratic traditions by appointing party-affiliated administrators to city corporations and district councils. Speaking at an emergency press briefing at the party’s central office in Moghbazar on Tuesday, he condemned the decision and announced plans for phased protest programs. He said the government appointed administrators in 11 city corporations and 42 district councils, many of whom were defeated candidates from the ruling party.

Halim argued that these appointments ignored public opinion and undermined the spirit of democracy. He cited examples of defeated candidates being appointed as administrators in Dhaka North and Khulna city corporations, as well as in several districts where opposition candidates had won. He also criticized recent changes in university vice-chancellors and the Bangladesh Bank governor, calling them politically motivated and disrespectful to merit and public sentiment.

He urged the government to respect public opinion, cancel partisan appointments, and cooperate with the Election Commission to hold local government elections soon to remove public confusion.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid festival, a large number of people are traveling home across Bangladesh, leading to increased passenger and vehicle pressure on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat ferry routes. Despite the surge, no reports of passenger suffering or major disruptions have been recorded so far.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), along with the district and police administrations, is coordinating efforts to maintain normal ferry operations. According to BIWTC officials, 17 ferries are currently operating on the Paturia-Daulatdia route and 5 on the Aricha-Kazirhat route, while 35 launches have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted passenger movement. Additional law enforcement personnel have been stationed at the terminals to maintain order, and special measures have been taken to prevent traffic congestion.

Authorities noted that favorable weather and proper management have contributed to a comfortable Eid travel experience so far, though passenger numbers are expected to rise further in the coming days.

Roads and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that the government has decided to ensure adequate fuel supply for public transport to facilitate smooth Eid travel. He said the administration is actively working to maintain fuel distribution in phases amid national and international supply challenges. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday morning at Lebukhali in Galachipa, Patuakhali, during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Rabnabad Bridge on the Lebukhali-Bauphal-Galachipa-Amragachia road.

Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that the current 25-day-old government is functioning with collective effort, prioritizing public expectations and aspirations. He emphasized that the construction of the Rabnabad Bridge will ease public suffering, boost the local economy, and improve transport of goods for working people. The bridge is expected to establish uninterrupted connectivity between upazilas, the district, and the capital, marking a significant step in regional development.

The minister reiterated that the government remains committed to overcoming the ongoing fuel crisis with utmost importance to ensure public convenience during the Eid season.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he plans to postpone his scheduled visit to China, originally set for late March, by about one month due to the ongoing war involving Iran. Speaking on Monday, Trump said the reason was straightforward, emphasizing that his presence in the United States was important during the conflict. He added that there was no strategic motive behind the delay and expressed anticipation for his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A day earlier, Trump told the Financial Times that he might postpone the meeting if China did not help ensure normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for energy transport in the Gulf region. The conflict with Iran has heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies. China, a major buyer of Iranian energy exports, has criticized U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to BBC Bangla.

The delay underscores how the Iran conflict is influencing global diplomatic schedules and energy-related geopolitical relations.

The number of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, increased by 178,757 over the past year, reaching 1,184,864 as of February 28, 2026. The data comes from the latest report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published on March 17, 2026. In February 2025, the refugee population stood at 1,006,107.

According to the UNHCR report, 144,456 of the new arrivals were identified as newcomers, while an estimated 34,301 were newborns. The report attributes the new wave of displacement to both general and targeted conflicts in Myanmar during 2024. Although the newcomers have been identified through biometric methods, they are not yet fully registered; they receive only family cards for life-saving aid distribution.

The report also notes that the number of Rohingya refugee families in Bangladesh rose to 246,415 by February 2026, up from 204,303 a year earlier. Since 1990, 39,502 Rohingya refugees have been officially registered in Bangladesh, with more than one million arriving after August 2017.

At least 23 people were killed and 108 others injured in a series of suspected suicide bombings in Maiduguri, a city in northeastern Nigeria. The explosions occurred on Monday evening, and police confirmed the details on Tuesday. Police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso said preliminary investigations indicated that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide attackers.

Authorities reported that the blasts followed an earlier assault on a military checkpoint between Sunday night and early Monday morning. Officials have blamed suspected jihadist groups for both the checkpoint attack and the subsequent explosions in Maiduguri. The police statement described the loss of life as tragic and confirmed that investigations were ongoing.

The incidents highlight continuing security challenges in Nigeria’s northeast, where authorities are struggling to contain militant violence. Further details about the attackers or the specific groups involved were not disclosed in the initial reports.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the two Dhaka city corporations to become more active in mosquito control. The instruction came on Tuesday morning during a meeting at the Secretariat with BUET experts and administrators from the two city corporations, focusing on waste management and transportation in the capital.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister also advised exploring the possibility of producing necessary waste management equipment domestically with the help of BUET instead of importing them. Dhaka South City administrator Abdus Salam noted that for the first time, workers involved in waste management received Eid bonuses from the Prime Minister’s personal fund. BUET’s Professor Dr. Md. Ehsan stated that the Prime Minister emphasized the use of electronic three-wheelers to improve automation and transportation systems in waste management.

The directives highlight a push for local innovation and self-reliance in urban management, aiming to strengthen both mosquito control and waste handling efficiency in Dhaka.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has introduced a three-tier security arrangement to ensure the safety of homebound travelers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The force announced the plan during a press briefing at Sadarghat Launch Terminal on Tuesday afternoon. As part of the measures, 32 RAB teams have been deployed across key terminals and surrounding areas in Dhaka, supported by continuous patrols, surveillance, and checkpoints.

RAB-10 Commander and Additional DIG Mohammad Kamruzzaman stated that special security operations are being carried out in major points including Sadarghat, Sayedabad, Shyampur, Sutrapur, and Kamrangirchar. Six civil teams are also gathering intelligence and monitoring activities. The security operations will continue through Eid day and the following period.

To assist passengers, RAB has set up two control rooms at Sadarghat Launch Terminal and Sayedabad Bus Terminal, staffed around the clock. Travelers facing harassment or overcharging for tickets can report complaints directly or by phone, and RAB has pledged immediate action upon receiving such reports.

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Moscow after being injured in attacks by the United States and Israel. According to a report by Kuwait-based outlet Al-Jarida, he traveled to Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The report stated that Putin spoke with Khamenei by phone on March 12, after which Khamenei flew to Moscow aboard a Russian military aircraft.

Al-Jarida contacted the Kremlin for confirmation, but no officials agreed to comment. Russian news agency TASS also sought clarification, and President Putin’s press secretary said they could not comment on such reports. The incident follows the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, the first day of the Iran war, in which several members of his family were also killed.

Following Ayatollah Khamenei’s death, Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. U.S. media reported that he was seriously injured, though Iranian sources said his leg injury was not life-threatening.

At the Chandra Trimor bus stand on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, rows of vehicles were seen waiting for passengers heading home for Eid. The scene was observed around noon on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Drivers and passengers reported that buses were waiting to fill up before departure, with some operators citing fuel shortages as a reason for higher fares. Supervisors of several transport companies noted that passenger pressure was expected to increase from Tuesday evening through the following night.

A passenger from Thakurgaon said she was traveling early to avoid the last-minute rush, while a supervisor from Birganj Road in Dinajpur mentioned that tickets from Dhaka counters were already sold out, and roadside passengers might face double fares. Police officials, however, stated that staggered holidays at local factories would help reduce congestion and assured that security measures had been strengthened to ensure passenger safety.

Authorities expect manageable traffic flow despite the seasonal rush, with police maintaining vigilance to prevent any travel-related issues.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman attended office at the Secretariat on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, despite the official public holiday for the holy Shab-e-Qadr. According to his additional press secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, the Prime Minister arrived at his office at 11 a.m. and continued his regular duties, including presiding over a cabinet meeting.

Upon his arrival at Building No. 1 of the Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani and Principal Secretary A.B.M. Abdus Sattar welcomed him. The Ministry of Public Administration had earlier set a five-day holiday from March 19 to 23, with March 21 designated as Eid-ul-Fitr day. The days before and after Eid were declared holidays by executive order.

The Prime Minister’s decision to work during the holiday underscores his continued engagement in official duties even as the Eid vacation period begins for most government offices.

Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, has announced the likely date for Eid al-Fitr in Arab countries this year. According to his statement, the holy month of Ramadan in the Arab world is expected to complete 30 days, making the first day of Shawwal likely to fall on March 20. This means that most countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, are expected to celebrate Eid on Friday, March 20.

Al Jarwan also noted that on the 29th day of Ramadan, which falls on the preceding Wednesday, there will be no crescent moon visible in the skies over Arab nations. His assessment was reported by The National, indicating that astronomical conditions support the likelihood of Eid being observed a day later.

The announcement provides early guidance for communities and authorities in the Middle East to prepare for the festival, though the final confirmation will depend on the official moon sighting closer to the date.

At least 3,530 people have been injured in Israel since the outbreak of war with Iran, according to the Israeli Health Ministry. The ministry reported that the injured include both civilians and members of the Israeli military. Many of the wounded have been hospitalized for treatment.

As of Tuesday, 86 Israelis remain hospitalized, with eight of them in critical condition. The information was reported by Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, citing official data from Israel’s Health Ministry. The report did not specify the timeline or nature of the incidents that caused the injuries.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has led to a significant number of casualties and hospitalizations, highlighting the escalating humanitarian impact within Israel.

Iran has launched nearly 2,000 missiles and drones toward the United Arab Emirates since the start of the ongoing conflict, focusing its attacks on the country’s transport and energy infrastructure. On Monday, a drone strike near Dubai International Airport caused a fire and temporarily halted flight operations. Another attack ignited a blaze at the major oil storage facility in Fujairah port.

According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, a Palestinian citizen was killed in a rocket strike on a car in the outskirts of the UAE capital. Dubai International Airport has been hit multiple times since Iran began its retaliatory strikes, leading to significant disruptions. In late February, a luxury hotel in Dubai was also targeted in a separate attack.

The continued strikes have raised concerns over the safety of key infrastructure and civilian areas in the UAE as the conflict persists.

BNP Standing Committee member and Narsingdi-2 MP Dr. Abdul Moin Khan inaugurated a canal excavation program at Mirzapur village in Kachikata Union, Monohardi upazila, on Monday, March 16. He said that late President Ziaur Rahman had personally initiated canal digging to advance Bangladesh’s agriculture, and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also believes in action over words. Moin Khan emphasized that maintaining natural water flow is vital for human civilization and that the Prime Minister launched the program within a month of his promise.

The inauguration was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister and local MP Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bakul, along with five other MPs from Narsingdi. District Commissioner Mohammad Anwar Hossain presided over the event, which was also attended by MPs Khairul Kabir Khokon, Monjur Elahi, and Ashraf Uddin, as well as local officials and community representatives. Bakul stated that the canal excavation, following the legacy of President Ziaur Rahman, aims to benefit farmers by improving irrigation and productivity.

According to the organizers, farmers are expected to gain full benefits from the canal before the upcoming monsoon season.