Eight Arab and Muslim countries have jointly condemned Israel for keeping Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque closed for 12 consecutive days during the holy month of Ramadan. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Qatar denounced the closure and related restrictions. The ministers stated that the security restrictions and discriminatory bans on prayers and worship in Jerusalem and its mosques constitute a grave violation of international law and humanitarian norms. They rejected Israel’s actions against worshippers at Al-Aqsa and asserted that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites. The statement emphasized that the Al-Aqsa compound is exclusively for Muslims and that its administration belongs solely to Jordan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs through the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs Department. The countries urged Israel to immediately reopen the mosque gates and allow Muslim worshippers access, calling on the international community to pressure Israel to end these violations.

A severe mosquito infestation has spread across Dhaka, with residents reporting unbearable bites in homes, streets, and open spaces. The surge has raised fears of dengue, chikungunya, and other mosquito-borne diseases. Citizens allege that despite the worsening situation, Dhaka’s two city corporations have failed to take visible and effective action. They argue that regular fogging and sanitation could have prevented the crisis, while city officials claim that multiple control measures are already underway. According to the report, three mosquito species—Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles—are prevalent in the capital. The dry season’s rising temperatures have accelerated Culex breeding, while stagnant and polluted water in drains and ponds has worsened the problem. Areas such as Badda, Rampura, Malibagh, Shahbagh, and Uttara are among the hardest hit. Residents describe using coils, aerosols, and nets without relief, blaming poor drainage and waste management for the infestation. Dhaka South City Corporation has launched a month-long cleanliness and “crash program” to control mosquitoes, while Dhaka North officials emphasize public awareness and continuous monitoring as essential for sustainable control.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that more than 1,100 children have been killed or injured since the outbreak of intensified fighting in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. In a statement released on Thursday, UNICEF said the violence began on February 28 and has created a “catastrophic situation” for children across the region. According to UNICEF, around 200 children have been killed in Iran, 91 in Lebanon, four in Israel, and one in Kuwait during this period. The agency warned that the number of child casualties could rise if the conflict continues to escalate. It also noted that millions of children are unable to attend school, and hundreds of thousands of people, including many children, have been displaced by ongoing bombardments. UNICEF emphasized that there is no justification for killing or maiming children or for destroying essential services they rely on. The organization said nearly 200 million children in the Middle East are now looking to the global community for urgent action.

The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament begins today, Thursday, March 12, 2026, but political tensions have already escalated between the ruling BNP and the opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. Disagreements over the July National Charter implementation, the Constitutional Reform Council oath, and the president’s scheduled speech have created friction, raising the possibility of an opposition walkout on the opening day. The government and opposition remain divided over how to implement the July Charter, which followed a national referendum. The opposition insists on full implementation of all four referendum points and has taken dual oaths as both council and parliament members, while the government plans to proceed with only agreed sections through constitutional amendment. Disputes also continue over the deputy speaker’s post and the legitimacy of President Md. Shahabuddin’s address, which some opposition leaders reject. The session marks the end of a one-and-a-half-decade of one-sided parliaments. Despite BNP’s two-thirds majority, the opposition holds 77 seats and has pledged constructive participation. The session will begin with the election of a new speaker and deputy speaker, followed by the president’s address and presentation of 133 ordinances issued by the interim government.

Saudi Arabia announced that it intercepted three additional drones, bringing the total number of downed drones to 21 within a few hours. The country’s Ministry of Defense reported that after destroying 18 drones in the eastern region, three more attempted attacks were thwarted. According to multiple posts on social media platform X, two of the drones were shot down over the Empty Quarter desert as they approached the Shaybah oil field. The ministry further stated that two more drones were destroyed in the eastern airspace around the same time. The report did not specify who launched the drones or the exact timing of the incidents. The announcement comes amid a series of regional security concerns, including recent attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and reports of Iranian strikes on Israel. The developments highlight ongoing instability in the Gulf region, where drone and maritime attacks have raised alarm over energy infrastructure and shipping security.

A residential apartment building in Dubai Creek Harbour, United Arab Emirates, caught fire after being struck by a drone, according to a report published on March 12, 2026. Authorities confirmed that all residents of the building are safe and no one was injured in the incident. Dubai’s Government Media Office stated on social media platform X that emergency teams acted swiftly to bring the fire fully under control. The situation has since returned to normal, and no residents suffered any damage or harm. Officials have not yet disclosed where the drone originated from or how the incident occurred, leaving key details about the cause and source of the strike unclear.

Riya Akter, 25, who was undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, died on Wednesday afternoon following severe injuries from a gas cylinder explosion in Turag’s Kamarpara Bamnartek area. Her death raised the death toll from the March 6 fire incident to three. Hospital sources confirmed that Riya suffered burns on about 32 percent of her body and severe respiratory injuries, which ultimately proved fatal despite intensive care. The explosion occurred early on March 6 when a gas leak is believed to have caused a buildup inside a house, igniting as someone lit a stove. The fire spread rapidly, injuring ten people, including women and children. Two victims had already died earlier, and seven others remain hospitalized, several in critical condition. Doctors said the injured are under close observation due to extensive burns and airway damage. Fire Service and local police are conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion, though initial reports suggest a gas leak from a cooking cylinder.

Iran has claimed that more than 200 US troops have been killed or injured during ongoing hostilities with the United States across the Middle East. According to Reuters, around 150 American soldiers were reported injured within the first ten days of the conflict. The Pentagon initially confirmed only eight serious injuries but later revised the figure to about 140, noting that most were minor and 108 soldiers had already returned to duty. The clashes intensified after an Iranian drone strike on March 1 killed seven US soldiers in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The conflict began after a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes on American military bases, embassies, and infrastructure across the region. The New York Times identified at least 17 US installations damaged by Iranian attacks, supported by satellite imagery and verified videos. Iran reportedly fired thousands of missiles and drones, while US officials claimed to have intercepted most of them. Pentagon officials stated that US forces continue to target Iranian missile sites, reducing the frequency of attacks. However, both sides remain engaged in sustained military exchanges across the Gulf region.

Iran has intensified its confrontation with the United States and Israel, employing a saturation strategy that overwhelmed regional defense systems and exposed their limitations. According to multiple international reports, Iran launched extensive drone, ballistic, and cruise missile attacks across Gulf states following US-led strikes. These assaults targeted military bases, airports, and energy infrastructure, severely affecting civilian areas and disrupting the global energy market. In the United Arab Emirates, drone strikes near Dubai International Airport injured civilians and damaged shipping routes, while attacks in the Strait of Hormuz disrupted one of the world’s key oil transport corridors. The United Nations Security Council urged Iran to halt its operations, but Tehran rejected the pressure and continued coordinated strikes. Amnesty International expressed concern over the humanitarian and environmental risks, and European leaders warned of long-term threats to energy security and international law. Analysts cited by the Atlantic Council and other outlets noted that Iran’s modular and decentralized strike tactics are reshaping modern warfare, forcing Gulf nations to reassess defense costs and strategic stability amid volatile oil markets.

U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios that the ongoing war with Iran would end soon, asserting that there is “nothing left to strike” in the country. He added that the conflict would conclude whenever he decided. The statement follows a series of joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran that began on February 28. According to Axios, Trump’s remarks contrast with those of Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said last Wednesday that the war would continue without a set timeline. Citing Reuters and The Times of Israel, Katz stated that the joint operation would persist until all objectives were achieved. The report also referenced recent escalations, including attacks on six ships in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait, and Iranian strikes that injured 179 people in Israel. The situation remains volatile as both nations signal differing expectations for the conflict’s duration.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for a new attack on Israel, saying it targeted the northern city of Shtula. The Lebanese armed group stated that the assault was carried out in retaliation for recent Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, which had struck the Lebanese capital multiple times. According to the report, Hezbollah’s rocket barrage coincided with Iran’s recent missile attacks on Israel. Israeli sources claimed that at least 100 rockets were launched jointly by Iran and Hezbollah. The escalation follows a series of heavy strikes by Israel on Beirut and broader regional tensions involving Iran. The latest exchange marks another surge in hostilities between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran, raising concerns of a wider regional conflict if the attacks continue.

Spain has decided to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv and appoint a chargé d’affaires instead, effectively reducing its diplomatic representation in Israel. According to Reuters, the decision was published in the Spanish government’s official gazette on Wednesday. Spain has been one of the strongest critics of the United States and Israel over their attacks on Iran, a stance that has angered U.S. President Donald Trump. The Spanish government also refused to allow the use of its joint bases in Morón and Rota for the strikes on Iran. In response, Trump reportedly called Spain “annoying” and threatened to impose a full trade embargo on the country. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended Spain’s position, saying that one illegal act cannot be answered with another, as such actions lead to major human tragedies. Spain has also been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in the Gaza war and remains one of Europe’s leading supporters of establishing an independent Palestinian state.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) officials said there is little chance of a major diesel shortage in Bangladesh despite global concerns over fuel supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East. The country regularly imports diesel from multiple sources, including India, which recently began pumping a 5,000-ton shipment under an existing agreement. The small consignment drew disproportionate attention in Bangladeshi and Indian media, though India’s share of Bangladesh’s total diesel imports remains below 14 percent. According to BPC data, Bangladesh’s annual diesel demand is around 4.4 million tons, with daily consumption averaging 12,000 tons. About 63 percent of the country’s total fuel use is diesel, mainly for agriculture, transport, and inland shipping. To maintain supply stability, Bangladesh imports through international tenders from Singapore, Malaysia, China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, among others. The Maitree pipeline from India’s Numaligarh refinery to Parbatipur was completed in 2022 to facilitate cross-border supply. BPC officials said new tenders have been invited to diversify import sources further, including from Brunei, Saudi Arabia, and possibly the United States, ensuring continued supply security despite regional tensions.

Iran has called on Middle Eastern countries and Muslims in the region to provide information about American and Israeli military assets. Brigadier General Abul Fazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, made the appeal in a statement published by the state-run Defa Press on Wednesday. He said the data would help Iran carry out more precise attacks, reducing civilian casualties during ongoing conflicts. Shekarchi accused the United States and Israel of using regional populations as human shields and urged people not to serve as protection for American forces. He argued that sharing intelligence would enhance regional security and help free local populations from what he described as American and Israeli control. The Iranian official also alleged that US and Israeli forces were deliberately targeting civilians, including women and children, out of frustration over battlefield losses. The statement comes amid reports of intensified Iranian attacks on Israel, including claims of strikes on Israeli intelligence headquarters and injuries to 179 people within the past 24 hours.

Tensions along the Lebanon–Israel border have sharply escalated as Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets toward northern Israel, overwhelming the Iron Dome defense system. Air raid alerts were issued in Haifa, Acre, and Krayot, causing widespread panic and the closure of schools and offices. The attacks also included drones, short-range missiles, and commando operations targeting military bases and installations, including sites in Tel Aviv. Israeli ambulance service Magen David Adom reported at least 16 injuries. Israeli intelligence described Hezbollah’s rockets as heavy, fast, and long-range, capable of reaching southern Israel. Military analysts warned that Israel faces severe strain fighting on both the Gaza and Lebanon fronts simultaneously, with limited reserves and air defense capacity. Experts estimated that industrial regions in Haifa and Galilee could suffer up to 40% economic damage if dual-front conflict continues. The U.S. administration has reportedly advised Israel to avoid direct war with Hezbollah. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 400 people, leaving many displaced. Humanitarian agencies are operating near the border as civilians seek safety amid ongoing bombardments.