The World Trade Organization opened its 14th ministerial conference in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Thursday amid warnings of a potential “disorderly collapse” if members fail to agree on new global trade rules. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the world was experiencing the worst trade disruptions in 80 years and that the old world order would not return. The meeting comes as global economic turmoil, driven by conflict in the Middle East and rising protectionism, challenges the multilateral trading system. Sharp divisions emerged among major economies over the WTO’s “most-favoured nation” (MFN) principle, which requires equal tariff treatment for all partners. The United States, represented by Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, criticized the system as unworkable and called for smaller group agreements. China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao defended MFN as the “bedrock” of global trade, warning against discriminatory treatment. The European Union proposed a more flexible framework, while the United Kingdom cautioned that failure to reach consensus could fragment the system. The Yaounde gathering follows years of stalled negotiations, with the WTO’s consensus-based decision-making often paralyzed by individual objections, leaving the future of multilateral trade cooperation uncertain.

A month after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, polls show widespread public disapproval of the conflict and rising fuel prices, yet US lawmakers have taken no concrete steps to limit President Donald Trump’s authority. The Senate again failed to pass a War Powers resolution this week, voting 53–47 along party lines, while House Democratic leaders have reportedly backed away from holding a similar vote despite having enough support to pass it. Analysts cited political caution among Democrats and strong partisan alignment among Republicans, with most GOP lawmakers backing Trump’s prosecution of the war. Public surveys show 61 percent of Americans disapprove of the conflict, and Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest point since taking office. The administration has not outlined a clear endgame, instead emphasizing Iran’s military degradation and the killing of senior officials. The Pentagon has deployed additional troops to the region, raising fears of a ground invasion. Some Republicans have questioned a $200 billion funding request, while dissenting conservative voices warn the war contradicts Trump’s “America First” promises. Observers say the conflict’s duration and economic impact could shape its political fallout ahead of the midterm elections.

London’s Metropolitan Police arrested 18 supporters of Palestine Action on Saturday after announcing a reversal of its earlier decision to halt such arrests. The protesters were detained under terrorism legislation while sitting on the steps of New Scotland Yard holding signs expressing opposition to genocide and support for Palestine Action. The arrests came days after Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the force would resume enforcement because the government’s appeal against a High Court ruling had not yet been resolved. In February, the High Court ruled that the government’s decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was unlawful and disproportionate. However, the government obtained a stay pending appeal, leaving the ban technically in force. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has pledged to challenge the ruling, while Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring paused hundreds of related prosecutions until the appeal is heard. Critics argue that the police’s renewed arrests defy the court’s judgment. The crackdown has drawn international criticism, including from the UN and Amnesty International, which warned that the ban risks criminalising free expression. Defend Our Juries has announced a mass sign-holding protest at Trafalgar Square on April 11 as the government’s appeal proceeds.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former shah, addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Grapevine, Texas, on Saturday, calling on US President Donald Trump to reject any deal with Iran and instead pursue regime change. Declaring his intention to “make Iran great again,” Pahlavi received a standing ovation from the audience, some of whom chanted “Long live the king.” His remarks coincided with the one-month anniversary of the US and Israel’s joint war against Iran, which has killed at least 1,937 people and injured tens of thousands. Pahlavi has become a prominent opposition figure among the Iranian diaspora, whose supporters often display his image and the pre-revolutionary flag at global protests. While some exiles have voiced concern over the war’s toll on civilians, Pahlavi has aligned himself with Trump’s most hawkish allies, insisting that “this regime in its entirety must go.” Analysts, however, caution that Iran’s government is unlikely to collapse and may emerge more hardened. Within the US, the war has exposed divisions among conservatives. Polls show strong Republican support for the conflict, while overall US voters largely oppose it. Some right-wing commentators and younger activists have criticized the war as a betrayal of Trump’s earlier promises to avoid foreign entanglements.

A severe fuel shortage has disrupted daily life in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur, where farmers, drivers, and residents are struggling to obtain fuel despite waiting in long queues. The crisis has been most visible at the Ma Sufia Filling Station near Kaunia Railgate, where many customers have returned empty-handed after hours of waiting. Station owner Shafiqul Islam Shafi said the shortage stems from limited supply, forcing them to distribute smaller quantities that quickly run out. He added that fuel distribution continued late into Friday night to manage the situation. Local residents alleged that some unscrupulous traders are exploiting the crisis by selling petrol and octane at inflated prices ranging from Tk 400 to 500 per liter. They also complained about the lack of visible monitoring by the local administration, which they fear is encouraging black market activity. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Papia Sultana warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in illegal hoarding or overpricing. Government sources, however, claimed there is no nationwide fuel shortage, a statement that has sparked public frustration due to the apparent mismatch with local conditions.

Passengers traveling from Rangpur to Dhaka after Eid have faced severe difficulties due to a shortage of buses and alleged fare manipulation. On Saturday, hundreds of travelers were seen waiting at the city’s Kamarpara bus stand, unable to secure tickets despite long waits. Reports indicate that brokers are selling tickets at inflated prices, with fares rising from the usual 800 taka to between 1,600 and 2,000 taka. Some passengers alleged that counters falsely claimed buses were fully booked while seats remained empty. Bus counter officials offered a different explanation, citing a fuel shortage that reduced the number of operating buses from 18 to 12 on the route. They denied charging beyond government-approved fares, a claim passengers strongly disputed. On Friday night, travelers blocked the road at Modern Mor in protest against the excessive fares, halting traffic for two to three hours until police intervened. Passengers fear that the situation may worsen as ticket demand remains high through March 29 and 30, potentially prolonging the travel disruption.

Bangladesh has fallen one place to 181st in the latest FIFA rankings released on March 28, 2026. The drop follows a 3–0 defeat to Vietnam in a friendly match held in Vietnam. In contrast, Vietnam improved by five positions to reach 103rd after the victory. The updated rankings also saw several changes among the top ten teams. World champions Argentina slipped one spot to third despite a 2–1 win over Mauritania, while France climbed to second after defeating Brazil 2–1. Brazil, five-time world champions, dropped from fifth to seventh. Spain maintained the top position after winning four of their last five matches. England remained fourth, Portugal moved up from sixth to fifth, and the Netherlands advanced to sixth following a 2–1 win over Norway. Morocco, Belgium, Germany, and Croatia held their previous positions from eighth to eleventh, while Italy rose one place to twelfth. The new rankings reflect the impact of recent international friendlies and highlight shifting momentum among leading football nations.

Police in Chattogram’s Patenga area seized about 6,000 liters of illegally stored diesel during a raid on a tin-shed warehouse on Friday morning. The warehouse owner, Mohammad Alamgir, identified locally as a Jubo League leader, is currently on the run. Two suspects, Al-Amin and Masud, have been arrested in connection with the case. The operation followed a tip-off that the site had long been used for collecting, storing, and selling stolen fuel. According to police, Alamgir expanded his illegal stockpiling amid recent international oil price volatility. The fuel was reportedly brought in by trawler at night and sold wholesale to contractors and transport owners in the morning. Locals alleged that Alamgir’s political influence had shielded him from scrutiny. The landowner’s sons, Arif and Ashraf, were also identified as collaborators in the operation. Police said cases are being prepared under fuel storage and smuggling control laws. Officials believe the raid could expose a larger oil theft network active along the Patenga–Karnaphuli coast.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that its forces identified and defused 120 cluster bombs in the southern province of Fars. According to a report by Al Jazeera citing Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency, the explosives were allegedly dropped during recent attacks carried out by the United States and Israel in and around the village of Kafri. An IRGC public relations deputy in Fars province stated that security forces conducted an operation to locate and neutralize the dangerous explosives. The report did not provide further details on the timing of the attacks or any casualties. The claim underscores ongoing regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, though independent verification of the incident was not mentioned in the report.

Israel has issued a warning to residents of more than 50 towns and villages in Lebanon, urging them to evacuate immediately. According to Israeli authorities, people living in the identified areas must move at least one thousand meters away to open spaces for their safety. The warning message stated that anyone remaining near Hezbollah members, their facilities, or military sites would be putting their lives at risk. The directive comes amid heightened tensions in the region, though the source does not specify the exact cause or timing of the warning. No further details were provided about how the evacuation order would be enforced or whether Lebanese authorities had responded to the Israeli announcement.

Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee spokesperson, Ebrahim Rezaei, has indicated that Iran may withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In a post on social media platform X on March 28, 2026, Rezaei stated that Iran has gained no benefit from the treaty and that it has failed to protect the country from attacks. He argued that Iran’s nuclear facilities have repeatedly been targeted despite international agreements. Rezaei reaffirmed that Iran has no intention of developing nuclear weapons and that its policy on this issue remains unchanged. He criticized the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency for making what he called a “provocative and dangerous” remark about Iran’s nuclear program. Rezaei also pointed out that while the United States has withdrawn from 60 international organizations and treaties, any Iranian withdrawal from the NPT would likely face Western opposition. Rezaei concluded that the time has come for Iran to leave the treaty, signaling a potential shift in Tehran’s nuclear policy direction.

Turkey has expressed its willingness to play a constructive role in ending the ongoing war in the Middle East. According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Ankara is eager to intensify diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. The ministry reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently held a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, during which he thanked Turkey for its mediation initiatives aimed at halting the conflict. Earlier, Pakistan announced that a high-level meeting would be held in Islamabad on March 29 and 30 to discuss ways to reduce the intensity of the war. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are expected to participate in the talks. The development highlights growing regional diplomatic engagement to contain the conflict. Turkey faces a delicate balancing act as it navigates the crisis, sharing a long border with Iran while also being a key member of the Western military alliance NATO. This dual position underscores Ankara’s cautious approach in pursuing mediation efforts amid heightened regional tensions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Russia provided Iran with intelligence on US and British military bases located in the Gulf region and on Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Archipelago. Speaking to journalists, Zelensky read from an intelligence report on his phone, which stated that Russian satellites had been spying on US military bases in the Middle East, the Diego Garcia base, and oil fields across the Gulf. He suggested that this intelligence was handed over to Iran to assist in potential attacks. Addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, Zelensky said he was working to ensure that the global energy crisis caused by the conflict does not undermine his country’s ability to continue fighting against Russia. In response to a question from the BBC, he added that Ukrainian forces currently have sufficient fuel supplies. The report highlights growing concerns over Russia’s alleged intelligence-sharing activities and their possible implications for regional security in the Gulf and beyond.

At least 22 migrants, including 18 from Bangladesh, have died after their dinghy drifted for six days off the coast of Greece, according to the Greek Coast Guard. The vessel had departed from Tobruk port in eastern Libya on March 21, bound for Europe. A European border agency ship rescued 26 survivors, including 21 Bangladeshis, four from South Sudan, and one from Chad. Among the rescued were a woman and a child, while two injured individuals were hospitalized on the island of Crete. Authorities identified three of the deceased Bangladeshis as residents of Sunamganj district. The Coast Guard said the deaths were likely caused by bad weather and a lack of food and water. The boat reportedly lost direction, leaving passengers stranded without supplies. The vessel was eventually located about 53 nautical miles south of Ierapetra, Crete. Two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the incident. The UNHCR reported that 41,696 migrants had reached Greece by sea in 2025, highlighting the ongoing risks of Mediterranean crossings.

Democratic candidates Emily Gregory and Brian Nathan won two of three vacant seats in Florida’s state legislature by-elections held in March 2026. Gregory defeated Republican opponent John Maples by a two percent margin in Palm Beach County’s House District 87, home to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. Nathan narrowly beat Republican Josie Tomko in Tampa’s State Senate District 14, while Hillary Holly captured the House District 51 seat vacated by Tomko. Trump reportedly participated in the election via mail-in ballot. NBC News reported that Trump had actively promoted Maples’ campaign on social media to prevent a Democratic victory in his home area. Despite his efforts, Democrats secured wins in two Republican-leaning districts. Democratic leaders described the results as a sign that voters are turning away from Trump and his party ahead of the November midterm elections. Analysts noted that while the victories are significant for Democrats, Republicans still hold a majority in the Florida legislature.