State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid said the government is working to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates who wish to remain in the Middle East despite the ongoing war. She made the statement on Friday, March 20, after handing over the body of Mosharraf Hossain, who was killed in an Iranian attack in Al Kharaj, Saudi Arabia, to his family at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

During the event, the Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment provided financial assistance to the deceased’s family. Shama Obaid stated that the government’s main priority is to keep expatriates safe and that all necessary measures are being taken. She added that those wishing to return home will be brought back at government expense.

The Expatriates’ Welfare Minister also announced that families of expatriates killed in the war will receive an initial compensation of 300,000 taka, educational support for their children, and further financial aid in the future.

Finland has once again been named the world’s happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report 2026. The Nordic nation has held the top position for nine consecutive years, recognized for its strong social trust, security, and equality. The report highlights Finland’s quality education system and robust social safety net as key contributors to its continued success.

Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands follow Finland in the top five, with Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Israel, and Costa Rica completing the top ten. The report also notes a decline in happiness among younger generations, attributing it partly to excessive social media use. Despite high unemployment rates reported by Eurostat, analysts say this has not affected Finland’s happiness ranking.

In South Asia, Bangladesh remains near the lower end of the list, around the 130th position. While the country has achieved economic growth, challenges persist in social trust, security, and mental well-being, according to the report.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strongly worded statement following Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field, jointly owned with Qatar. Iran retaliated by striking a Qatari energy complex, escalating tensions and driving up global energy prices. Trump claimed the United States had no prior knowledge of Israel’s operation and criticized the attack’s execution, describing it as an act of anger. His comments have prompted speculation about possible differences between Washington and Tel Aviv over the ongoing war.

Israeli media reports contradicted Trump’s claim, suggesting the strike had been coordinated with the U.S. in advance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed that Israel acted alone and echoed Trump’s call to avoid further attacks on gas facilities. Despite both leaders emphasizing unity, analysts noted subtle signs of divergence in their strategic goals toward Iran.

Trump warned that if Iran again targeted Qatari LNG infrastructure, the U.S. would destroy the South Pars field with or without Israeli consent. The conflict has strained Trump’s domestic standing, with U.S. public support for the war falling below 50 percent, while Netanyahu’s popularity in Israel remains high.

The United States is preparing to increase its military presence in the Middle East by sending an additional 4,000 Marines and Navy personnel amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to a report by Newsmax citing four unnamed officials, the deployment will include several warships and will reinforce U.S. forces already engaged in operations against Iran.

The report states that the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group is being deployed from the U.S. West Coast. This group includes advanced F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, missile systems, and amphibious assault vehicles designed for ground operations. The move signals a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, comes as tensions continue to rise following recent attacks and counterattacks involving Iran and its regional adversaries. The additional deployment underscores Washington’s intent to strengthen its operational capacity in the Middle East.

FIFA has fined the Israel Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs for violations including discrimination, racist behavior, aggressive conduct, and breaches of fair play principles. The decision was announced after reviewing two separate petitions submitted by the Palestine Football Association (PFA), which had sought disciplinary action against Israel for allowing clubs based in West Bank settlements to compete in its national league.

FIFA stated that the final legal status of the West Bank remains complex and unresolved under international law. Based on recommendations from its governance panel, the organization decided not to take any action regarding the participation of settlement-based clubs. However, it imposed the financial penalty on the IFA in response to other verified complaints.

The ruling reflects FIFA’s attempt to balance competing claims from the two football associations while maintaining adherence to its disciplinary framework. The decision stops short of suspension but signals scrutiny of conduct within Israeli football.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for striking a US F-35 fighter jet in the skies over central Iran. The country’s state news agency IRNA reported that a video of the alleged attack has been released. The incident reportedly occurred amid ongoing hostilities, though the authenticity of the footage and the claim could not be independently verified.

According to the report, if confirmed, this would mark the first known instance of a US F-35 being hit and the first attack by Iran on an American aircraft since the start of the current conflict. The information was cited from Middle East Eye, and no official US response was mentioned in the report.

The development, if validated, could represent a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States, but the lack of independent verification leaves the situation uncertain.

Residents of around 40 villages in Chandpur district are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday, aligning with the Middle Eastern moon sighting. The celebrations are taking place in Hajiganj, Faridganj, Matlab North, and Matlab South upazilas. The decision was confirmed on Thursday night by Dr. Bakibillah Mishkat Chowdhury, Pirzada of Sadra Darbar Sharif in Hajiganj, who stated that the celebration follows reports of moon sighting in the Middle East.

At the same time, several villages in Matlab North are also observing Eid-ul-Fitr. Dr. Maulana Syed Mohammad Maksudur Rahman, Pir of Satkania Mirzakhil Darbar Sharif, verified the information. Local sources reported that thousands of residents from villages such as Sadra, Sameshpur, Alipur, Balakhal, Lakshmipur, Kamta, Gallak, Dashani, and Mohanpur are participating in the festivities.

According to the report, this tradition dates back to 1932 when the then Pir of Sadra Darbar Sharif, Maulana Ishaq (Rah.), began observing Ramadan and Eid in accordance with Middle Eastern countries.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that Bangladesh witnessed the worst-ever mismanagement during this year’s Eid travel. In a verified Facebook post on Friday morning, he claimed that people returning home for Eid faced extreme hardship and oppression. He said the government must take responsibility for the situation, arguing that statements made by the relevant minister after assuming office laid the foundation for the current disorder.

Rahman further accused authorities of misleading the public by claiming that bus owners were charging less than usual fares during Eid, calling it a blatant falsehood. He questioned whether Bangladesh was once again falling under fascism and warned that any attempt to establish such a system would be resisted by the awakened youth and general public.

He urged those in power to act cautiously before it is too late, warning that those responsible for the disruption would ultimately bear the consequences.

Germany has withdrawn its support for Israel in the Gaza genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry confirmed that Berlin will not intervene on Israel’s behalf in the proceedings. When South Africa first filed the case in 2023, Germany had pledged to support Israel.

The spokesperson reiterated this week that Germany will not take part in the case, marking a reversal from its earlier position. As recently as January 2024, Germany had announced its intention to back Israel and dismissed South Africa’s allegations as baseless. The latest decision represents a significant shift in Germany’s public stance on the issue.

According to the report, this move is being viewed as a notable change in Germany’s foreign policy approach toward the ongoing legal proceedings in The Hague.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is winning the war and that Iran is collapsing. He asserted that Iran will no longer be able to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles. His statement came as Iran launched a series of missile attacks targeting Israel, with explosions reported in Jerusalem and air raid sirens sounding across the city.

According to the Israeli military, three rounds of missile strikes were detected within an hour and a half before midnight local time. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were available. Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported that air raid sirens also went off in northern Israel following the Iranian missile attacks.

The escalation marks a significant intensification of hostilities between Israel and Iran, with both sides exchanging military actions amid heightened regional tensions.

The United States has approved arms sales worth $230 billion to three Middle Eastern countries as tensions with Iran intensify. According to the US State Department, the United Arab Emirates will receive air defense systems and related equipment valued at over $80 billion, including missiles, drones, radar systems, and ammunition for F-16 fighter jets. Kuwait will purchase military equipment worth $80 billion, featuring missile defense and radar systems. Jordan will receive $75 million in aircraft and ammunition support.

A State Department official, speaking anonymously, said an additional $6 billion in arms sales to the three countries had also been approved. These did not require congressional notification because they were part of previously authorized packages or purely commercial transactions.

The arms deals come as regional tensions rise due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, with the US reinforcing defense cooperation with its Arab partners in the Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that despite the Iran war entering its fourth week, he is not considering deploying American troops to the Middle East. He made the remarks on Thursday in response to a journalist’s question, emphasizing that he is not sending troops anywhere and that necessary actions will be taken as required. The statement came during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House Oval Office.

According to the report, Trump’s comments come as the Iran conflict continues to escalate. The situation in the region remains tense, with reports of downed Israeli drones in Iran and European nations preparing post-ceasefire assistance in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, The Economist has criticized Trump’s stance on the Iran issue, calling his decision misguided.

The ongoing conflict and uncertainty have cast a shadow over Eid celebrations across the Middle East, reflecting the broader regional instability linked to the Iran war.

Iran’s military announced that it carried out a drone strike on Israel’s Ministry of Internal Security in Jerusalem. The attack was described as retaliation for the killing of senior Iranian officials, including Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib. The statement said the operation was conducted under the banner of avenging the ‘blood of the heroes’ from the warship IRIS Dena. The extent of damage or casualties from the strike has not yet been confirmed.

Earlier, on March 4, a U.S. torpedo attack on the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off southern Sri Lanka killed more than 80 naval personnel as the vessel was returning home from exercises in India. Since February 28, the United States and Israel have continued joint operations against Iran, resulting in over 1,300 deaths, including Iran’s then-supreme leader Ali Khamenei, according to the report.

In response, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. military facilities in Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, signaling a widening regional confrontation.

President Md. Shahabuddin and his wife Rebekah Sultana will exchange Eid-ul-Fitr greetings with people from all walks of life at Bangabhaban on Saturday. According to a senior official of the presidential residence, the President will perform Eid prayers at the National Eidgah in the High Court premises at 8:30 a.m. and will meet guests at Bangabhaban from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m.

The President will extend Eid greetings to the nation through the media from the Credential Hall of Bangabhaban. Distinguished guests including senior politicians, judges, poets, writers, journalists, teachers, intellectuals, and civil and military officials are expected to attend the event. Around 8,000 people have been invited to the reception, where traditional dishes will be served to guests.

After the formal program, President Shahabuddin is scheduled to spend time with his family members at Bangabhaban.

Japan and five European countries have announced their readiness to join a coordinated effort to reopen the Hormuz Strait and ensure safe maritime passage. In a joint statement, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan said they would participate in an 'appropriate effort' to stabilize global energy markets disrupted by recent conflicts. The announcement follows multiple attacks on energy facilities in the Gulf region amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, which has sent oil and gas prices soaring.

The countries did not specify what form their 'appropriate effort' would take but urged an immediate halt to attacks on oil, gas, and civilian infrastructure. They also pledged to take necessary measures to stabilize international energy markets and to work with certain energy-producing nations to boost production and restore balance.

Since February 28, when U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began, shipping through the Hormuz Strait has been nearly halted. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports passed through this vital waterway.