Foreign ministers from twelve Arab and Muslim countries have jointly called on Iran to stop its attacks and comply with international law. The appeal was issued in a joint statement following a meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The ministers condemned Iran’s assaults on Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, stating that residential areas, oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, housing complexes, and diplomatic zones had been targeted.

The ministers also denounced Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and reaffirmed their support for Lebanon’s security, stability, and territorial integrity. The joint statement came amid a period of heightened regional tension, as Iran has been carrying out strikes on energy infrastructure across the Gulf region.

According to the report, Iran’s state media has accused the United States and Israel of attacking its oil and natural gas production centers. The statement was issued on behalf of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced another reduction in gold prices ahead of Eid. In a notice issued on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the association lowered the price of 22-carat gold by 7,640 taka per bhori, setting the new rate at 264,625 taka. The revised prices took effect from 10 a.m. the same day. BAJUS stated that the adjustment was made due to a decline in the local market price of pure gold.

According to the new pricing, 21-carat gold now costs 250,368 taka per bhori, 18-carat gold 214,618 taka, and traditional gold 174,785 taka. The last price adjustment occurred on March 14, when BAJUS reduced the price by 2,683 taka per bhori. So far this year, gold prices in Bangladesh have been adjusted 44 times, with 26 increases and 18 decreases. In 2025, the market saw 93 adjustments, including 64 increases and 29 reductions.

The latest price cut reflects continued volatility in the domestic gold market as BAJUS responds to fluctuations in pure gold prices.

Lionel Messi achieved a major career milestone by scoring his 900th goal in professional football, becoming the second player in history to reach this mark. The milestone came after a two-match break, during Inter Miami’s home leg against Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Despite Messi’s early goal in the seventh minute, the match ended 1-1, resulting in Miami’s elimination from the tournament’s round of 16.

The first leg between the teams in Nashville had ended goalless. In the return leg, Messi’s strike gave Miami a lead that lasted until the 74th minute, when Argentine forward Cristian Espinoza equalized for Nashville. Due to the away-goal rule, Nashville advanced to the next round while Inter Miami were knocked out.

Messi’s 900th goal places him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who first reached the milestone in September 2024. However, the achievement was overshadowed by Miami’s tournament exit on home soil.

In February, 26-year-old Zubin Nath from Assam’s Chirang district died in an accident at a tile factory in Bengaluru, where he had worked for nearly five years. His father said he was informed that Zubin fell into a machine and died instantly. The next day, his body was brought home with the help of a contractor. Despite the tragedy, his death received little public attention.

According to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, 162 migrant workers from the state have died between September and February while working outside Assam. Opposition legislator Akhil Gogoi noted that the issue has received minimal political attention ahead of the state assembly elections. Residents from Cachar district reported multiple deaths in illegal coal mines in Meghalaya, while nine tribal workers from Karbi Anglong and Hojai died in a Chennai industrial accident last September.

Experts and opposition leaders argue that the exodus of workers exposes the lack of employment opportunities in Assam. Many rural residents, particularly from tribal and Muslim communities, are forced into hazardous jobs outside the state due to failed government projects and declining agricultural livelihoods.

Thousands of Eid travelers faced severe traffic congestion and rain on the Dhaka-Tangail highway beginning Wednesday afternoon, March 18, 2026. The gridlock stretched about 20 kilometers from Konabari in Gazipur to Chandra in Kaliakoir by Thursday morning. Many passengers, unable to find transport due to the rain and vehicle shortages, returned home Wednesday night and resumed their journeys Thursday. Some buses to northern regions took all night to reach destinations, delaying their return and worsening the transport shortage.

Gazipur transport officials said the congestion was partly caused by buses stopping in Chandra to pick up passengers, blocking lanes. The industrial police reported that 833 garment factories were beginning their fourth phase of Eid holidays, which was expected to ease traffic later in the day. Law enforcement agencies were deployed to manage the situation. Meanwhile, the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway cleared overnight after earlier rain-related congestion.

Authorities fined several transport operators for overcharging passengers during the disruption, helping restore normalcy by Thursday morning.

India’s long-standing policy of ‘strategic autonomy’—maintaining balanced relations with major global powers—faces new challenges amid rising tensions involving Iran. For over a decade, New Delhi has engaged with multiple blocs, including the Quad with the United States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization with China, BRICS with Russia, and I2U2 with Israel and the UAE. The approach has aimed to protect national interests without overdependence on any single partner.

Recent developments around Iran have disrupted this balance, particularly affecting India’s priorities of ensuring expatriate safety, countering terrorism in neighboring states, and securing oil and gas supplies. Although diplomatic efforts have intensified, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar contacting Iranian leaders, only two Indian gas tankers have been cleared to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that 22 Indian vessels remain detained in the region.

The release of these ships may depend on India returning three seized Iranian vessels or sending medical supplies to Tehran. However, such moves risk straining India’s ties with Washington, which previously allowed limited Russian oil purchases under specific conditions.

The United States has come under widespread criticism following its recent military offensive against Iran, initiated under President Donald Trump. The conflict, which began without a clear justification or defined objectives, has caused severe humanitarian and economic fallout across the Middle East and beyond. Reports from The New York Times and CNN indicate that the war has disrupted global trade, driven up oil and gas prices, and intensified inflationary pressures worldwide.

Regional governments, particularly Gulf monarchies, have expressed frustration at being drawn into a conflict they did not support. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi condemned Washington’s actions, accusing the US of seeking to reshape the region and block the creation of a Palestinian state. He announced that Oman would reject diplomatic ties with Israel and withdraw from the so-called “Board of Peace” overseeing Gaza. His remarks reflect growing disillusionment among traditional US allies.

Analysts suggest that while these alliances may not collapse immediately, the war has prompted many partners to question whether continued alignment with Washington remains in their national interest.

A ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy supply routes, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) on Thursday. The agency reported that the vessel was struck by an unidentified object, causing damage and a fire onboard. The incident occurred east of Khor Fakkan city in the United Arab Emirates.

UKMTO, which monitors distress signals from ships worldwide, issued an advisory urging all vessels to navigate the area with caution. The organization continues to assess the situation and provide updates to maritime operators.

The report added that Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil transit corridor, leaving many ships and sailors stranded. The closure and attack have raised concerns about disruptions to international energy transport through the region.

Barcelona advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals after a dominant 7-2 victory over Newcastle United at Camp Nou on Wednesday night. The first half was tightly contested, with both sides exchanging goals. Raphinha and Marc Bernal twice put Barcelona ahead, but Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga equalized both times. In first-half injury time, Lamine Yamal converted a penalty to restore Barcelona’s lead. The second half turned one-sided as the hosts took full control, adding four more goals through Fermín López, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha.

Raphinha and Lewandowski each scored twice, while Yamal, Bernal, and López added one goal apiece. The win followed a 1-1 draw in the first leg, where Barcelona had conceded late. Under coach Hansi Flick, the Catalan side displayed attacking dominance and secured their place among Europe’s top eight teams.

The result marks a strong statement of intent from Barcelona as they continue their Champions League campaign, showing renewed form and confidence after earlier struggles in the competition.

A police officer went missing after a speedboat sank following a collision with a passenger launch named Karnaphuli-12 on the Meghna River in Lalmohan, Bhola. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Wednesday near the Mangal Sikdar launch terminal. The missing officer, Md. Fakhrul, was stationed at the Sikdar Police Investigation Center in Lalmohan and is a resident of Bakerganj, Barishal. Five others, including three police constables and two fisheries department staff, were injured in the accident.

According to eyewitnesses, the team was conducting an operation to enforce a government fishing ban when their speedboat malfunctioned and drifted into the river. The launch, arriving from Dhaka, was unloading passengers at the time. The drifting boat was pulled under the launch by the current, and when attempts were made to move it, the propeller’s whirlpool overturned the vessel. Most passengers swam to safety, but Fakhrul went missing.

Lalmohan Police Station’s officer-in-charge Md. Oliul Islam said a rescue operation is underway to locate the missing constable and that legal measures will follow.

Recovery work for the derailed coaches of the NilSagar Express in Santahar, Bogura, was completed on Thursday morning. The derailment occurred near Bagbari in Adamdighi upazila, about two kilometers north of Santahar, on Wednesday afternoon. Following the incident, the assistant station master of Santahar was temporarily suspended, and a four-member investigation committee was formed. Station officials said partial train operations could resume by noon, while full service on the Ishwardi-Parbatipur route might take another four to five hours.

According to local accounts, the train driver allegedly failed to heed signals and was driving at high speed, leading to the derailment. Panic among passengers caused some to jump from the train roof, resulting in injuries. Fire service units and local residents jointly carried out rescue operations, sending 50 to 60 injured passengers to nearby hospitals. Four fire service units participated in the rescue, and a relief train from Ishwardi Junction was dispatched to lift the nine derailed passenger coaches.

Train movement in the northern region was halted for several hours but was expected to gradually return to normal later in the day.

Iran launched another attack on several liquefied natural gas (LNG) installations in Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City early Thursday, according to a statement from QatarEnergy. The state-owned energy company reported that the assault triggered a major fire and caused extensive damage to the facilities, though no casualties have been confirmed so far. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to contain the situation.

Qatar’s Ministry of Defense earlier stated that Iran had fired missiles targeting Ras Laffan, which is recognized as the world’s largest LNG production and export hub. Following the incident, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement urging calm and calling for de-escalation, accusing Iran of violating its territorial boundaries.

The renewed attack underscores rising regional tensions and potential risks to global energy supply chains centered around Qatar’s LNG infrastructure.

Qatar has accused Iran of crossing limits following an attack on the Ras Laffan gas facility. In a statement issued by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country called for efforts to reduce tensions and protect the region from the consequences of what it described as Iran’s brutal assault.

The statement said that by targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure, and vital installations, Iran’s actions had violated all boundaries. It emphasized the need to work toward de-escalation to safeguard regional and international security and stability.

The remarks came after reports of the Iranian strike on the Qatari gas site, which has raised concerns about further instability in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that any renewed attack on Qatar’s energy facilities would trigger a severe response. Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that if Iran refrains from attacking Qatar, Israel will not strike the South Pars gas field. However, he cautioned that if such attacks resume, the entire South Pars field could be destroyed with unprecedented force.

Trump added that he does not wish to authorize such violence due to its long-term impact on Iran’s future, but he would not hesitate if Qatar’s LNG infrastructure is targeted again. He also clarified that neither the United States nor Qatar had prior knowledge of Israel’s earlier strike on the South Pars gas field.

According to Trump, Israel will not conduct further attacks on the field unless Iran decides to assault Qatar. The statements were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect heightened tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States over regional energy security.

Tourist destinations across Bangladesh are gearing up for a surge of visitors during the upcoming Eid holidays. From the hills of Rangamati to the beaches of Cox’s Bazar and the tea gardens of Sylhet, resorts and hotels are reporting high booking rates. The Rangamati Tourism Holiday Complex has already booked 80 percent of its rooms for March 22–28, while Cox’s Bazar expects over one million visitors. In Sylhet, 60–70 percent of hotel and resort rooms are already reserved as tourists plan to enjoy the region’s waterfalls, hills, and tea estates.

Tourism operators are decorating sites and expanding services to welcome travelers. In Rangamati, special Eid meals and cultural foods will be offered, while in Cox’s Bazar, popular spots such as Inani, Himchari, and Marine Drive are being prepared for heavy crowds. Authorities in Sylhet have strengthened security with tourist police and local administration support.

Additionally, the government is launching the Carnival Cruise from Shimulia to Ilisha on March 19, offering a new river tourism experience with modern facilities and entertainment, aimed at boosting domestic tourism.