Lionel Messi has come under criticism after meeting United States President Donald Trump and applauding his comments about the ongoing US and Israeli military attacks on Iran. The event, held at the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday, was organized to honor Messi and his Inter Miami teammates for winning the Major League Soccer title in December. Trump praised Messi’s achievements and welcomed him to the White House, but his remarks began with a boast about the Iran conflict, claiming US and Israeli forces were demolishing the enemy. Messi, standing beside Trump, joined others in applauding the president’s statements.

The applause drew swift backlash on social media, where users accused Messi of being drawn into politics and endorsing Trump’s military rhetoric. Palestinian-American writer Ali Abunimah called the participants “vacuous selfish people,” while Spanish journalist Leyla Hamed described the players’ actions as “bizarre” amid reports of civilian deaths in Iran. Other fans expressed shock at seeing Messi and teammate Luis Suarez present during Trump’s war-related comments.

Trump used the occasion to blend sports celebration with political messaging, while Messi, who did not speak publicly, presented a signed football to the president.

Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally in Dhaka on Friday after Juma prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, demanding interrogation of former advisers Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Dr. Khalilur Rahman over alleged election engineering. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar addressed the gathering as chief guest, calling for a judicial inquiry committee to identify those involved in manipulating the February 12 national election results.

Porwar alleged that while voting took place peacefully, irregularities occurred during vote counting and result announcements, altering the outcome against the Jamaat-led alliance. He cited remarks by Rizwana Hasan as self-admission of interference and accused Dr. Khalilur Rahman of conspiring with ruling party interests. He urged the government to analyze Rizwana’s statements and disclose others involved in the alleged manipulation.

Porwar emphasized that Jamaat rejects violence and seeks lawful protest. He called on the government to uphold the July reform referendum and warned against attempts to undermine it. The rally concluded with a procession through city streets.

Iran has announced that it will gradually resume administrative operations following ongoing US-Israeli attacks. According to the announcement, starting Sunday, 20 percent of employees in all ministries, agencies, and executive offices in Tehran province will return to work in person. All female employees in the province will continue to work virtually, while some banks will reopen to provide limited services.

The directive excludes operational units of service providers, municipalities, medical centers, and military, law enforcement, and security institutions. Senior management officials in Tehran province will not be allowed to work from home and must be physically present at their workplaces.

The announcement comes as Iran faces missile-related challenges and regional tensions following recent attacks and incidents involving its naval and administrative sectors.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the interim government did not hold any discussions with his party regarding agreements made with various countries during its tenure. He made the remarks in a verified Facebook post on Friday afternoon, expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of consultation.

In his post, Dr. Rahman wrote that the interim government had signed several agreements with foreign nations but failed to engage Jamaat-e-Islami in any dialogue about them. He added that his party had repeatedly demanded that, in the absence of a parliament, the government should consult political parties on major national and international matters, including such agreements. However, he said, the then government ignored those demands.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami’s position on the issue is clear and that there is no room for confusion about their stance.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Friday to honor Iran’s late Supreme Religious Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During the signing, he conveyed deep condolences on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami to the government and people of Iran.

Porwar stated that influential Muslim religious leaders are always remembered with respect in the history of the Muslim Ummah. He prayed for divine mercy upon them and for patience and strength for those affected. Referring to ongoing global conflicts, he expressed sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and emphasized that no political goal can justify such deaths. He urged all parties to act with restraint, wisdom, and humanity.

He was accompanied by Mir Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman, foreign affairs adviser to Jamaat Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. They expressed solidarity with the people of Iran and the wider Muslim Ummah, praying for peace, prosperity, justice, and stability across the Middle East and the Muslim world.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States is not currently considering sending ground troops to Iran. In a telephone interview with NBC, Trump described the idea of deploying ground forces as a “waste of time,” asserting that Iran has already lost much of its military capacity, including its navy.

Trump dismissed remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had warned that any foreign troop deployment in Iran would bring disaster for the attackers. The exchange comes amid heightened tensions following reports of U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran’s Shiraz region that killed 20 people and damaged over 3,000 civilian structures, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.

The situation underscores the ongoing volatility in the region, with both military and diplomatic fronts remaining tense as the conflict’s financial and humanitarian toll continues to rise.

President Md. Shahabuddin stated that Bangladesh has returned to the path of democracy through the sacrifice of thousands of lives. He emphasized that to fulfill the aspirations of the martyrs, the nation must advance in knowledge, science, and technology while achieving economic self-reliance to build a self-sufficient Bangladesh.

Speaking on Friday morning at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka during the National Jute Day 2026 event, the President called on farmers to adopt advanced, high-yield cultivation methods for jute production. He urged entrepreneurs to innovate modern, quality, and user-friendly health products based on market demand and to take initiatives for producing and marketing affordable jute bags.

Addressing the young generation, the President encouraged them to strengthen the 'Made in Bangladesh' brand through startups and innovation, connecting with global e-commerce platforms to open new opportunities for the country.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a protest rally in Dhaka on Friday after the Juma prayers, demanding the arrest and interrogation of former advisers Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Dr. Khalilur Rahman. The party accuses them of manipulating the people's mandate through alleged election engineering. The demonstration will take place at the north gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka Metropolitan South.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar will attend the rally as the chief guest, alongside other central and metropolitan leaders. The information was confirmed by Ashraful Alam Imon, Assistant Media Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat-e-Islami.

The protest is part of Jamaat’s ongoing political activities in the capital, reflecting its continued opposition stance and calls for accountability regarding alleged election irregularities.

The United States Senate on Wednesday rejected a proposal to halt President Donald Trump’s military offensive in Iran. The motion, introduced by Democratic Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Chuck Schumer, received 47 votes in favor and 52 against, effectively allowing the ongoing military campaign to continue. The proposal also sought to reaffirm Congress’s constitutional authority to approve any act of war by the United States.

During the debate, Democrats accused Trump of bypassing Congress and offering inconsistent justifications for the conflict, while most Republican senators defended the president’s actions. Supporters of the motion argued that Trump exceeded his constitutional powers by joining Israel in the war against Iran, noting that only Congress can declare war except in cases of imminent threat. Republican Senator Rand Paul broke ranks with his party to support the proposal, emphasizing that no war should proceed without debate and a formal vote.

A similar vote was scheduled in the House of Representatives the following day. The Senate decision came days after the United States and Israel launched a joint assault on Iran, citing Tehran’s renewed nuclear and missile activities.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that addressing the situation in Cuba is only a matter of time, following the completion of current operations related to Iran. He made the remarks while discussing future U.S. policy directions, indicating that the administration’s immediate focus remains on Iran before turning attention to Cuba.

Trump also commented on the possibility of exiled Cubans returning to their homeland, saying that some may wish to stay because of their affection for Cuba. However, he added that the United States does not intend to make the situation so favorable that everyone would remain there permanently. His comments were reported by Al Jazeera.

The statement comes amid ongoing U.S. involvement in Iran, where recent attacks have caused significant damage and casualties, suggesting that Washington’s foreign policy priorities remain centered on the Middle East before shifting toward the Caribbean.

Germany’s Defense Ministry announced that it has no plans to send additional troops to the Middle East despite escalating tensions in the region. In a statement issued on March 6, 2026, the ministry said Berlin’s current level of military participation in international missions will remain unchanged. The German Navy continues to take part in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), but no further deployments are planned.

The ministry emphasized that Germany’s primary military focus is on NATO’s defense operations in Eastern Europe. The statement reflected Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’s earlier remarks in parliament, where he clarified that Germany is not a party to the ongoing conflict. The announcement comes amid reports of intensified hostilities in the Middle East, including attacks in Iran and rising regional instability.

The decision signals Berlin’s intent to maintain its existing international commitments while prioritizing European security concerns under NATO frameworks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi directly addressed U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring that his Plan A had failed and that Plan B would face an even greater failure. Posting on the social media platform X, Araghchi wrote that the attempt for a quick military victory under Plan A did not succeed and warned that any follow-up strategy would meet a worse outcome. He added that the opportunity for a unique agreement had ended with the last round of negotiations.

Araghchi further stated that the approach of prioritizing Israel, which he described as “Israel First,” always results in “America Last.” His remarks came amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The statement underscores Iran’s firm stance against U.S. policy directions and signals that diplomatic openings for compromise have closed, according to the Iranian minister’s comments.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he believes he must personally be involved in the selection of Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In an interview with Axios, Trump said Iran would be “wasting time” if it attempted to appoint a successor without U.S. participation.

Trump acknowledged that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is being viewed as a possible successor but declared that he would not accept him. He described Mojtaba as weak and said he was unacceptable to him, emphasizing that the United States wants someone who can bring harmony and peace to Iran.

The president further warned that he would reject any new Iranian leader who continues the policies of the previous leadership, cautioning that such continuity could lead to renewed conflict with the United States within five years.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has called for the immediate formation of a constitutional reform council, warning that key state institutions are being systematically politicized. He made the remarks on Thursday evening at an iftar event in a Gulshan hotel, organized in honor of foreign diplomats to mark the NCP’s founding anniversary.

Nahid Islam alleged that the reform process promised under the July Charter has been disrupted, accusing the government of politicizing major state bodies such as Bangladesh Bank and the Anti-Corruption Commission. He emphasized that the establishment of the reform council is clearly stated in the July Charter and urged the international community to take note of the situation. According to him, depoliticizing state institutions is essential to ensure they serve public welfare.

His statement reflects growing opposition concern over institutional neutrality and the pace of promised political reforms under the July Charter framework.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis central Naib-e-Ameer Maulana Rezaul Karim Jalali has called on the government to immediately implement the recently concluded referendum verdict and the July Charter. He made the remarks on Thursday, March 5, during a discussion, prayer, and iftar gathering organized by the party’s Sylhet district branch at Talotola in Sylhet city.

During the event, Jalali emphasized that the people of the country are eagerly waiting to see the implementation of the referendum verdict and the July Charter, warning that the public will not tolerate any delay. He also highlighted the spiritual significance of the holy month of Ramadan, describing it as the month of the Quran’s revelation and urging everyone to stay connected with the Quran for success in this world and the hereafter.

The meeting was presided over by Sylhet district president Maulana Muhammad Iqbal Hossain and attended by several senior leaders of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and allied parties, including former MP Maulana Advocate Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury and other local political and religious figures.