U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at making Venezuela the 51st state of the United States. The remark came after Venezuela defeated Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Trump made the comment in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he praised Venezuela’s performance and jokingly suggested the idea of statehood.

According to the report, Trump, during his second term in office, has previously threatened to take control of several countries and regions, including Greenland and Canada. His latest comment followed Venezuela’s 4–2 win over Italy, which advanced the team to the semifinals of the tournament.

The post, which appeared celebratory in tone, drew attention for its political undertone, as Trump questioned what was behind Venezuela’s recent success before suggesting it could become the 51st state.

Astronomers have forecast that Eid al-Fitr is likely to be celebrated on March 20, 2026, across Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. The Emirates Astronomy Society’s chairman, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, stated that Ramadan is expected to complete 30 days this year. The Saudi Supreme Court has called on citizens to look for the Shawwal moon on Wednesday, March 18. If the moon is sighted that evening, Eid will be on March 19; otherwise, it will fall on March 20.

In Bangladesh, where Eid is typically observed a day after the Middle East due to geographical differences, the festival is expected to be celebrated on March 21, 2026. As the national holiday began on March 17, people have already started traveling home, and preparations for the festival are in full swing.

The final confirmation of the Eid date in both regions will depend on the official moon sighting announcements expected on March 18 evening.

Foreign ministers from Arab and other Muslim-majority countries are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss ways to strengthen regional security and stability, according to a post by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media platform X. The ministry said the meeting aims to deepen dialogue and coordination among member states to maintain peace and stability across the region.

The talks come amid rising tensions throughout the Middle East following a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28. In response, Tehran has launched a series of missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf states, Israel, and U.S. installations across the region, creating a growing security crisis. These attacks have frequently disrupted air traffic at major Gulf airports, including those in Dubai and Doha.

Ahead of the meeting, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held phone discussions with his counterparts from Syria, Algeria, Iraq, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates to coordinate positions on the issue.

For more than two weeks, Israel and the United States have been carrying out attacks on Iran, yet no Muslim-majority country has stepped forward to assist Tehran. Many Muslim nations are instead viewing Iran as a threat, reflecting deep divisions driven by sectarian differences, national interests, and dependence on the United States. Experts note that Iran’s recent strikes on neighboring Arab states during Ramadan have further alienated potential allies and intensified distrust across the region.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has sought to position itself as a leading Islamic power and protector of Shia minorities, often clashing with Sunni-led Arab monarchies such as Saudi Arabia. Despite a brief diplomatic thaw in 2023, Iran’s actions following the latest US-Israel offensive have revived fears among Gulf states about Tehran’s ambitions and destabilizing influence. Analysts suggest that Iran’s regional image has suffered severe damage, and its isolation has become more pronounced.

The ongoing conflict has disrupted the fragile balance of power in the Middle East, with some experts predicting closer security cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel as Gulf nations seek advanced defense systems against potential Iranian threats.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the assassination of National Security Council chief Ali Larijani will not destabilize Iran’s governing system. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi said the United States and Israel have failed to understand that Iran’s government does not depend on any single individual.

He emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure supported by established political, economic, and social institutions. According to Araghchi, the presence or absence of one person does not affect this framework, as each official plays their own role within a robust system.

Referring to the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Araghchi said that despite that major national loss, the system continued functioning and immediately appointed a successor. He added that the same process would occur if any other official, including the foreign minister, were to be killed.

Eid travel has begun in full swing on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway, with vehicle pressure increasing every hour. Despite the growing number of vehicles, no long queues or traffic jams have formed so far. Authorities have taken multiple measures to ensure smooth travel for homebound passengers. Over 800 police personnel are deployed along the highway, and officials believe the risk of accidents or vehicle breakdowns is minimal.

Tangail Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar said vehicles would keep moving without interruption. District Commissioner Sharifa Haque, during her inspection, stated that army personnel are also assisting the police, while mobile and medical teams are active on the route. In the past 24 hours, more than 47,000 vehicles crossed the Jamuna Bridge, compared to over 35,600 the previous day. Normally, 12,000 to 15,000 vehicles cross daily, indicating a two- to threefold increase.

To ease congestion, the Jamuna Bridge site office has installed 18 toll booths, including separate motorcycle lanes, and arranged two wreckers for quick accident response.

The Chattogram-bound lane of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Feni’s Rampur area will remain closed for four days from March 22 to 25 for bridge repair work, according to a public notice issued by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) on March 17. From March 26 to 30, traffic will move through a single lane. The department has advised several alternative routes for vehicles during the closure.

Local residents have expressed concern that most of the suggested alternative roads are internal city routes not suitable for heavy traffic, which could increase congestion inside the city. Transport operators also fear some disruption as the highway is one of the busiest routes during the Eid travel period.

RHD officials said the Rampur bridge was damaged in the 2024 floods and needs urgent repair. They chose the post-Eid period because traffic volume and heavy vehicle movement are relatively low then, minimizing potential disruption.

Bangladesh Bank has cautioned that the country’s remittance inflows may decline if the ongoing US–Iran conflict in the Middle East becomes prolonged or expands geographically. Nearly half of Bangladesh’s total remittances currently come from Middle Eastern countries, and the central bank’s latest report notes that while the flow remains strong, its future stability depends on how long the regional tensions persist. A short-term conflict may have limited impact, but a sustained crisis could significantly reduce remittance earnings.

The report highlights that remittance inflows reached USD 8.67 billion in the October–December quarter, up 14.38 percent from the previous quarter and nearly 20 percent higher year-on-year. Saudi Arabia contributed the highest amount, followed by the UAE, the UK, Malaysia, and the US. During the same period, 293,474 workers went abroad, most of them to Saudi Arabia. From July to mid-March, total remittances stood at USD 24.65 billion, a 22.6 percent increase from the previous year.

Bangladesh Bank stated that if the current trend continues, the country’s foreign exchange reserves could strengthen further, though geopolitical uncertainty remains a key risk factor.

Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, a noted academic and researcher from the University of Dhaka, has formally taken charge as the 15th chairman of the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC). He assumed office on Wednesday following a notification issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. Outgoing chairman Professor Dr. S.M.A. Faiz handed over responsibilities to the new chairman in the presence of UGC members, officials, and staff.

According to the University Grants Commission Act of 1973, Dr. Mamun Ahmed has been appointed for a four-year term effective from his joining date. The appointment was announced on March 16, 2026, and he will receive salary and benefits as per government regulations. Before this role, he served as Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Dhaka since September 12, 2024, earning recognition for his capable leadership.

Dr. Ahmed, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, began his academic career in 1996 and has since held several key positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at Dhaka University.

U.S. President Donald Trump has postponed his much-anticipated visit to China due to the ongoing war with Iran, which Washington currently considers its top priority. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said new dates for the meeting are being arranged in coordination with Beijing, adding that China has no objection. The visit, originally scheduled for March 31 to April 2 in Beijing, is now expected to take place about five or six weeks later.

The postponement comes as the Iran war enters its third week, with the Strait of Hormuz nearly closed to global maritime traffic. China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that communication between Washington and Beijing regarding the visit remains active.

The planned discussions between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were expected to cover a wide range of issues, including trade tariffs, China’s export controls on rare minerals and magnets, U.S. relations with Taiwan, and China’s fentanyl exports.

The National Moon Sighting Committee will hold a meeting on Thursday to determine the date of Eid-ul-Fitr for the Hijri year 1447 and to observe the Shawwal moon. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram conference room and will be chaired by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad.

The Islamic Foundation has requested that anyone who sights the Shawwal moon anywhere in the country report it by calling 02-41053294, 02-226640510, or 02-223383397, or by informing the respective district commissioner or upazila executive officer. The committee’s decision will determine the official date of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations across Bangladesh.

The meeting outcome will guide national preparations for Eid prayers and related religious observances once the moon sighting is confirmed.

A new attack has struck the United States Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, early Wednesday local time, according to AFP and Reuters. Explosions were heard in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses numerous diplomatic missions and international organizations. The embassy’s air defense system intercepted a rocket aimed at the compound, while a nearby luxury hotel in the same area caught fire after being hit by a drone.

The US Embassy in Baghdad has faced multiple attacks since the start of the Iran war, reflecting persistent instability in the region. The Green Zone remains one of the most secure yet frequently targeted areas in Iraq, often visited by foreign diplomats. In a separate incident on Tuesday, four people were killed in an attack on a house in Baghdad’s Al-Jadiriyah neighborhood.

The renewed violence underscores the fragile security situation in Iraq’s capital as regional conflicts continue to spill over into the country’s diplomatic and civilian zones.

Traffic congestion has intensified on the Dhaka–Mymensingh and Dhaka–Tangail highways in Gazipur as Eid holiday travel began on Wednesday morning. Increased passenger numbers and vehicles, along with frequent boarding and disembarking at station areas, have slowed movement in Tongi, College Gate, Board Bazar, and Chandna Chowrasta. Parking along the roadside has further narrowed lanes, worsening delays. The Chandna Trimore area also saw heavy pressure as vehicles from multiple routes converged there.

Police reported that many workers and residents left Gazipur on Tuesday night after garment factories began closing for Eid. About 98 percent of factories have paid wages and 99 percent have paid bonuses, according to the industrial police. Out of 2,834 registered garment factories, 2,790 completed wage payments and 2,816 paid Eid bonuses, while the remaining are expected to settle by Thursday.

Authorities said factory holidays are being staggered in four phases to manage traffic. However, with most workers already on leave, long queues and slow-moving traffic continue across major points including Tongi, Chandna, Chandra, and Mouchak areas.

Iran carried out a missile strike near an Australian military base in the United Arab Emirates on the morning of March 18, 2026. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the missile hit near the Al Minhad base at around 9:15 a.m. local time. He stated that no Australian soldiers were injured and all personnel were safe.

According to Albanese, the missile struck a road leading to the base, causing a fire that resulted in minor damage to a residential block and a medical center. The incident did not lead to any reported casualties among Australian forces. The report cited the BBC as its source.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the motive or broader implications of the strike, and no additional response from Iran or the UAE was mentioned in the report.

The government has issued a notification outlining the delegation of responsibilities for parliamentary activities in the absence of the Prime Minister. The decision, announced on Tuesday, specifies that the arrangement will remain effective until further orders to ensure uninterrupted handling of parliamentary affairs related to various ministries and divisions.

According to the notification, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, will act on behalf of the Prime Minister in matters related to the Prime Minister’s Office when the Prime Minister, Tareq Rahman, is absent. Additionally, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed will oversee responsibilities of the Defence Ministry, Cabinet Division, and Armed Forces Division during such periods.

The initiative aims to maintain continuity in parliamentary functions, including question-answer sessions and other proceedings, in which the Prime Minister and cabinet members regularly participate. The arrangement ensures that senior ministers handle relevant duties when the Prime Minister is unavailable.