Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom has decided to continue its operations in Iran despite recent US-Israeli attacks. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev confirmed that the company will not withdraw from the country and that construction of two additional units at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant remains a priority.

Rosatom previously built the first 1-gigawatt unit at Bushehr, Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant. Following the attacks launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, Rosatom temporarily suspended work on the new units and evacuated some staff. Likhachev stated that around 450 Rosatom employees are currently involved in the project, with 150 having recently returned to Russia.

Under a bilateral agreement between Russia and Iran, a total of eight nuclear units are planned, including four in the city of Bushehr. The company’s decision signals continued Russian commitment to its nuclear cooperation with Iran despite the ongoing conflict.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, according to his son and current Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The incident occurred on Wednesday at a wedding ceremony in the Royal Park area of Greater Kailash, Jammu, where Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhury was also present.

A video circulating on social media shows a man approaching Farooq Abdullah with a pistol before being subdued by his security personnel. Police later arrested the suspect, identified as a resident of Jammu. During interrogation, the man reportedly claimed he had been attempting to kill Abdullah for the past 20 years, though his exact motive remains unclear.

Omar Abdullah questioned how an armed individual managed to get so close to his father despite the presence of Z-plus and NSG security cover. The police investigation into the security breach and the suspect’s motives is ongoing.

Maldivian Airlines, the national carrier of the Maldives, has resumed its Male-Dhaka-Male route, marking the restoration of direct air connectivity between the two South Asian nations. The relaunch flight, operated with an Airbus A320, received a water cannon salute at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday morning. The inaugural flight landed at 5:20 a.m. and departed for Male at 6:20 a.m., carrying a full load of passengers.

The airline will initially operate two weekly flights on Sundays and Thursdays, with ticket prices starting at 399 U.S. dollars. Passengers will be allowed 30 kilograms of baggage and complimentary meals. Tickets are available through Maldivian’s website, mobile app, and call center. The service follows a February 23 agreement between Maldivian’s Managing Director Mohamed Ibrahim Yasir and Galaxy Bangladesh Group’s President and CEO Ahmed Yusuf Walid.

Maldivian Ambassador to Bangladesh Shiunin Rasheed said the resumed flights will strengthen bilateral relations and ease travel for expatriate Bangladeshis and Maldivian travelers during Ramadan and Eid. The airline had suspended the route on August 6, 2024, due to political unrest in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Police have released a set of safety guidelines to ensure a secure and smooth celebration of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. In a special message issued from the Police Headquarters on Thursday, citizens were urged to plan their travel early, avoid risky transport practices, and follow traffic and safety rules. Passengers were advised not to travel on vehicle rooftops or goods carriers, to use zebra crossings or foot overbridges, and to avoid accepting food or drinks from strangers.

Drivers were instructed to avoid overspeeding, reckless overtaking, and driving while fatigued or unwell. Similar guidance was issued for waterway and railway travelers, emphasizing the use of life jackets, adherence to weather forecasts, and avoidance of overcrowding. Launch and speedboat owners were told to ensure proper licensing, safety equipment, and to suspend operations during adverse weather.

The police also provided emergency contact numbers for various departments, including highway, railway, and river police, as well as the Rapid Action Battalion, urging citizens to seek assistance when necessary.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman has disclosed his total expenditure for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, amounting to Tk 3,258,238. The information was revealed in the election expense statement submitted to the Election Commission on Thursday, March 12, 2026. According to the report, Tk 1,555,550 was spent on campaign activities, Tk 88,096 on transport, Tk 545,000 on public meetings, and Tk 417,642 on election camp operations.

Additional expenses included Tk 293,890 for agents and staff, Tk 287,000 for accommodation and administrative costs, and Tk 71,060 for social media campaigning. In total, the spending remained within the legally permitted limit. Shafiqur Rahman won the election from the Dhaka-15 constituency, which has 351,718 registered voters. Under election law, candidates may spend up to Tk 10 per voter, setting his maximum allowable expenditure at Tk 3,517,180.

The submitted figures confirm that Rahman’s campaign spending complied with the Election Commission’s prescribed ceiling for candidates.

Several drone attacks targeted Kuwait International Airport, according to the country’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation as reported by the state news agency. The incident occurred on March 12, 2026, and was confirmed through an official post on social media platform X. Authorities stated that while the attacks caused material damage, there were no reports of human casualties.

The report did not specify the origin of the drones or the extent of the damage to airport facilities. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation has not released further details about disruptions to airport operations or ongoing investigations. The incident adds to regional security concerns amid heightened tensions in the Gulf area.

Further updates from Kuwaiti authorities are awaited to assess the full impact of the attack and any potential security measures being implemented at the airport.

Bangladeshi student Rafiqul Islam has received the Student Affairs Leadership Award from City University Malaysia. The award recognizes international students for leadership, organizational skills, and contributions to student welfare. The recognition was presented at the university’s multipurpose auditorium during the Nuzul Al-Quran Gathering and Iftar event, where four students from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Yemen, and Africa were honored.

Rafiqul has been active in various student organizations and international programs. He is the founding director of the CityU Bangladeshi Youth Club and previously served as joint organizational secretary of the Bangladesh Students Organization Malaysia. He also works as a judge for the Asia Pacific Robot Alliance and treasurer of the university’s Faculty of Information Engineering. Currently, he serves as central secretary of the Bangladeshi Youth Alliance Malaysia and volunteers with JCI Malaysia and SDG-related initiatives.

At the same event, Rafiqul and his peers received special recognition for their innovative event management project “Zevento.” University officials expressed interest in integrating such digital projects into the student portal, highlighting their potential for future international use.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued strict travel directives ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure safe and smooth journeys for millions leaving and entering the capital. In a public notice signed by Acting Commissioner Md. Sarwar on March 12, DMP announced that from March 17 to 23, 2026, all general trucks, covered vans, and lorries will be barred from highway movement. Vehicles carrying essentials, perishables, medicines, garments, fuel, and fertilizers are exempt from this restriction.

The DMP also urged citizens to avoid several major routes, including the Dhaka–Mymensingh, Dhaka–Chattogram, Gabtoli-bound, and Dhaka–Mawa highways, unless necessary. Transport operators were instructed not to pick up or drop passengers outside terminals, overcharge fares, or sell the same seat to multiple passengers. Drivers must not drive more than five consecutive hours or eight hours daily and must avoid reckless driving, substance use, or mobile phone use while driving.

Passengers were advised to stay alert, avoid accepting food or drinks from strangers, and use footbridges or zebra crossings when crossing roads. The DMP requested public cooperation and provided emergency contact through terminal police control rooms or the national hotline 999.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reported that the ongoing war in the Middle East has triggered an unprecedented disruption in the global oil supply. In its latest market report released on March 12, 2026, the agency described the situation as the largest supply interruption in the history of the world oil market. According to IEA data, global crude oil production has fallen by at least 8 million barrels per day, while an additional 2 million barrels of petroleum products are no longer being supplied. The decline is mainly attributed to pressure from Iran on regional supply systems, forcing Gulf producers to cut output.

The crisis has been further aggravated by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route that typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil. Iranian attacks and growing security threats have reduced oil transport through the strait to less than 10 percent of pre-crisis levels. The IEA warned that there are no clear signs of a ceasefire or restoration of normal oil flows through the strait.

The agency’s warning underscores the scale of the disruption and the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for recovery in global oil supply.

The Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate (FSCD) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance aviation safety and emergency response coordination. The signing took place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at CAAB’s headquarters in Kurmitola, Dhaka. The event was attended by CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq as chief guest and FSCD Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal as special guest. The MoU was signed by CAAB Director (ATM) Md Shamsul Haque and FSCD Deputy Director (Operation and Maintenance) Md Mamunur Rashid on behalf of their respective organizations.

According to the MoU, both institutions will cooperate in search and rescue operations, firefighting, joint training, information sharing, and technical assistance to ensure rapid and coordinated responses to emergencies at airports and surrounding areas. The agreement aims to strengthen the country’s aviation safety framework and improve the capacity to manage accidents, fires, and other critical incidents effectively.

Officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and both agencies were present at the signing ceremony.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has submitted a charge sheet to the court against 24 individuals, including former chairman Nazrul Islam and former chief executive officer Md. Hemayet Ullah, in a case over embezzlement at Far East Islami Life Insurance Company Limited. The charge sheet was filed by investigating officer Shah Minhaj Uddin, following a case lodged on September 13, 2022, by the company’s legal officer Md. Jasim Uddin at Shahbagh Police Station.

According to the police report, the accused conspired to misappropriate company funds by preparing fake documents, vouchers, and extracts outside official board decisions. They allegedly diverted Tk 644.28 crore from the company’s MTDR investments to various affiliated individuals and entities, causing severe financial losses. Additional allegations include embezzlement of Tk 45 crore and Tk 115 crore through property purchases and Tk 92.55 crore through falsified real estate development expenses.

The investigation found that the company is now in deep financial crisis, unable to pay dues to millions of policyholders and employees. Two accused were cleared of charges, and one died in custody. The Anti-Corruption Commission has also filed seven more cases against the same group.

Russia has called on the United States and Israel to stop their attacks on Iran and return to negotiations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow supports steps aimed at reducing tensions and bringing the conflict back to a diplomatic path. She warned that the humanitarian situation across the region has become extremely difficult and that the ongoing escalation is a matter of deep concern.

The appeal from Moscow comes amid reports of Israeli claims of strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and multiple attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The situation has heightened regional instability, with recent Iranian attacks on Israel reportedly injuring 179 people within the past 24 hours.

Russia’s statement also comes as it remains engaged in its own prolonged conflict with Ukraine, now entering its fifth year, underscoring the broader geopolitical complexities surrounding its call for de-escalation.

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Sen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Turkey and explored ways to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Discussions covered a wide range of areas including trade and investment, defense collaboration, education and cultural exchange, as well as technology and infrastructure development. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues, particularly challenges facing the Muslim world, humanitarian cooperation, and strengthening mutual support in international forums.

The two parties expressed optimism about further consolidating the historic friendship between Bangladesh and Turkey. Ambassador Ramis Sen reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Acting Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md. Sarwar announced that additional police forces will be deployed to ensure a smooth and safe Eid travel experience. Speaking on March 12, 2026, at the DMP headquarters during the monthly crime review meeting for February, he emphasized the importance of vigilance to prevent crimes such as mugging and fraud during the holiday period when most residents leave Dhaka.

Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S.N. Md. Nazrul Islam highlighted the need for special monitoring at major transport hubs including Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Sayedabad, Kamalapur, and Sadarghat. He instructed increased patrol duties across city beats and regular checks of CCTV systems in markets and shopping malls to ensure functionality. The DMP leadership reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy toward any deterioration in law and order.

During the meeting, officers of various ranks were recognized for their performance in maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety in February 2026.

Israel has claimed responsibility for striking a “nuclear weapons development compound” in Tehran, saying the attack took place over the past few days. The Israeli military stated that it has launched a “large-scale assault” across Iran, targeting what it described as the ruling regime’s infrastructure. The announcement was made through a post on the Telegram social network.

According to BBC Arabic, Israeli media earlier reported that Israeli and U.S. officials had discussed the possibility of attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities. Kan News added that the discussions included whether enriched uranium stored under the ruins of the Fordow site could be destroyed by airstrikes. An Israeli official was quoted as saying that “plans are ready, only a decision remains.”

The report also mentioned that Russia has called for an end to the attacks on Iran, while tensions in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait have escalated following multiple ship attacks and recent Iranian strikes on Israel that injured 179 people.