Several human rights organizations have written to FIFA expressing concern over safety and freedom issues ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The letter, sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, highlights worries about the impact of U.S. immigration and visa policies on fans, journalists, and migrant workers traveling to the tournament. The Sport and Rights Alliance stated that ensuring the safety of all foreign participants and visitors is essential for a global event of this scale.

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada across 16 cities, marking the first time 48 teams will compete. However, discussions have already begun worldwide about the strict U.S. visa and travel regulations. The White House responded that the administration is focused on hosting a successful tournament, with spokesperson Davis Ingle noting President Donald Trump’s goal of ensuring one of the most secure World Cups in history.

Human rights groups warned that most host cities have yet to publish their human rights plans and urged early action to identify and mitigate potential risks before the tournament begins.

At least seven people were injured in a violent attack and looting allegedly led by a local Youth League leader in Chauddagram upazila of Comilla on Friday night. The incident took place in Singraish Masterbari area of Munshirhat Union, where seven houses, including that of a police officer, were vandalized and looted. Several crude bombs exploded during the attack, spreading panic in the area. Police confirmed the incident on Saturday afternoon.

According to local sources, the violence stemmed from a longstanding dispute between Md. Sabuj, son of Abdus Sattar, and Rezaul Karim, nephew of Amir Islam. The conflict escalated after Rezaul was allegedly assaulted by Youth League leader Bacchu Mia on Thursday night. When both sides attempted to settle the matter the following evening, Bacchu Mia and his associates reportedly launched repeated attacks. Locals claimed Bacchu Mia had previously dominated the area through intimidation and later shifted allegiance to Jamaat after the 2024 uprising.

Police said they received a written complaint and have launched an operation to arrest the accused. Bacchu Mia denied involvement and claimed he was not affiliated with the Youth League.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the media, as the fourth pillar of the state, must remain strong and independent to ensure the proper functioning of the other three pillars. He made the remarks on Saturday, March 14, at an iftar gathering in Dhaka organized by the party’s city south unit to honor journalists. The event was chaired by Dhaka South Jamaat Ameer Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul and attended by journalists and party leaders.

Dr. Rahman urged journalists to report objectively, saying they should call truth by its name and keep their voices active. He recalled that during past authoritarian rule, many journalists were silenced for speaking truth but have since been vindicated. Citing examples of repression, he mentioned veteran editor Abul Asad’s imprisonment and attacks on journalists such as Shafiqul Islam Kajol.

Clarifying Jamaat’s current stance, Dr. Rahman said the party now serves as an opposition force that will support the government when it acts in the national interest but will resist if it strays. He emphasized the party’s vision for a Bangladesh free from fascism and foreign dominance.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the current BNP-led government is prioritizing the modernization, safety, and international standards of Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism sectors. He made the remarks on Saturday at an event organized by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at the All Community Club auditorium in Dhaka. The minister emphasized that women’s active participation is vital for the sector’s progress and praised ATJFB’s initiative to recognize women’s contributions.

This year, ten women received the ATJFB Aviatour Women’s Icon Award for their achievements in aviation and tourism. Awardees included professionals from categories such as pilot, cabin crew, sales and marketing, customer service, aviation entrepreneurship, instruction, public relations, tour guiding, culinary tourism, and hospitality entrepreneurship. The awards were presented by the state minister himself.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, airlines, tourism organizations, and industry leaders. Ethiopian Airlines served as a supporting sponsor, and an iftar gathering followed the award ceremony.

Bangladesh is set to participate for the first time in the 26th China International Agrochemical and Crop Protection Exhibition (CAC), scheduled from March 17 to 19 in Shanghai. The event will take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, with participation from 50 countries. National Agricare Export-Import Company (NAC) will represent Bangladesh, showcasing its range of agrochemical products including pesticides, growth regulators, fertilizers, and WDG formulations.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice-Chairman and CEO Mohammad Hasan Arif, Bangladesh’s participation marks a new step toward diversifying export earnings beyond the ready-made garment sector. He noted that EPB will support other companies interested in joining similar international exhibitions. NAC Managing Director KSM Mostafizur Rahman stated that with policy support, the agro industry could become export-oriented within five years, reducing import dependence.

The exhibition provides a platform for entrepreneurs to explore new agricultural products, technologies, and sustainable solutions, potentially opening new export opportunities for Bangladesh’s agro sector.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment of Bangladesh has announced measures to assist expatriate workers stranded in the country after returning from the Middle East. Following the recent attacks in Iran involving the United States and Israel, many Bangladeshi workers on leave have been unable to return to their host countries, where their visas have expired or are about to expire. The ministry issued a public notice on Saturday outlining the steps taken by the concerned countries.

According to the notice, workers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain must contact their employers, sponsors, or kafeels, or apply online to renew their visas. The governments of Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have already extended the validity of entry visas by one month for those whose visas have expired or are nearing expiration.

These measures are expected to ease the uncertainty faced by Bangladeshi expatriates unable to travel back due to the ongoing regional situation, providing temporary relief until normal travel resumes.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam MP, who also oversees the ministries of Shipping and Railways, visited key bus terminals in Dhaka on Saturday to ensure safe, smooth, and comfortable travel ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. His inspection covered the Fulbaria BRTC counter, Gulistan bus stand, and Sayedabad terminal, where he interacted with passengers to assess travel conditions and potential issues.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, the minister said the government, under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working tirelessly to make Eid travel safe and hassle-free. He noted that buses are operating on schedule with regulated fares, and sufficient fuel supplies have been secured to prevent fare hikes. Authorities are maintaining round-the-clock road management to ensure timely and safe arrivals.

The minister added that coordination among transport owners, workers, and government agencies is ongoing to monitor field operations. Mobile courts are active to prevent overcharging and passenger harassment, while toll plazas offer limited iftar arrangements for fasting travelers. Hospitals near highways are on standby for emergency care, and additional supervision has been deployed in traffic-prone areas.

Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to pray on the streets outside Al-Aqsa Mosque after Israeli authorities barred entry to the compound. The closure, imposed under security restrictions, has left worshippers performing prayers near the Bab al-Sahira gate in Jerusalem during the final days of Ramadan.

In previous years, hundreds of thousands gathered inside Al-Aqsa for Friday prayers during Ramadan. However, since the joint Israel–United States military operation against Iran began on February 28, Israel has tightened access to Jerusalem’s Old City and its holy sites. According to the report, this is the first complete closure of Al-Aqsa since 1967. Before the war, Israel had already limited entry, allowing only 10,000 worshippers from the occupied West Bank on the first Friday of Ramadan, compared to the usual half a million.

Worshippers expressed deep sorrow over being unable to enter the mosque, describing the experience as losing something precious during one of the holiest periods of the year.

Israeli military prosecutors have withdrawn charges against five soldiers accused of raping and sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention center. The decision was announced on Thursday, according to a statement from the Israeli army cited by Al Jazeera. The army said the charges were dropped due to significant developments that occurred after the indictment was filed.

The alleged assault took place in July 2025 at the Sde Teiman facility, located in Israel’s Negev desert. Reports said the detainee suffered severe injuries, including rectal tearing. Israeli media, including the state broadcaster Kan, previously reported that the victim was later sent to Gaza on October 13, 2025, as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

Sde Teiman has gained notoriety for alleged human rights abuses against Palestinian detainees, including beatings, prolonged restraints, and denial of medical care. Both Palestinian and Israeli media, as well as human rights groups, have compared the facility to the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that its air defense systems intercepted nine ballistic missiles and thirty-three drones launched from Iran early Saturday, according to a statement cited by Al Jazeera. The UAE Ministry of Defense said the interceptions occurred amid ongoing regional hostilities that began on February 28 when Iran initiated military actions.

The ministry’s statement added that since the start of the conflict, UAE defenses have intercepted a total of 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and approximately 1,600 drones. During this period, at least six people have been killed and 141 injured in related attacks.

According to the ministry, the UAE’s air defense systems remain continuously active to counter Iranian assaults as tensions persist across the Middle East.

A large-scale conflict has erupted across the Middle East following a joint US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28, 2026. In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting American bases in the region. According to Al Jazeera, the ensuing clashes have caused hundreds of deaths across multiple countries, affecting both military and civilian populations.

The conflict has quickly spread as Iran’s regional allies became involved, intensifying violence in several Middle Eastern nations. The situation has grown increasingly complex, with rising casualties and expanding fronts of confrontation. The report indicates that the fighting has not been confined to Iran but has drawn in neighboring territories as well.

Instability has also emerged in key energy transport routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about disruptions in global energy markets. The ongoing hostilities have heightened regional tensions and created uncertainty over the next phase of the crisis.

The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police arrested Philip Sangma on Saturday morning from the Shantipur Bypass area in Nadia district, India. He is accused of helping the suspects in the murder of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, to flee. According to Indian media reports, the arrest followed information obtained from two previously detained suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, who were captured on March 7 near the Bongaon border.

During initial questioning, Philip reportedly admitted that he had long been involved in cross-border smuggling for money. After Hadi’s killing, he crossed into India to avoid pressure from Bangladeshi police and later planned to return to Bangladesh with Faisal and Alamgir’s help. However, their arrests led to increased scrutiny, resulting in his capture.

Hadi was shot by assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka’s Paltan area on December 12 and later died in Singapore on December 18 after receiving treatment in Dhaka and Singapore hospitals.

Two United States airbases in Iraq came under eight separate attacks within a 24-hour period, according to a report published on March 14, 2026. The assaults, carried out between early Friday and early Saturday, were claimed by the Islamic Resistance, a coalition of Iran-aligned armed political groups in Iraq. In a statement, the group said its fighters launched drones and missiles targeting the Al-Harir and Al-Asad airbases, though no further details were provided.

The statement also claimed missile strikes on the US embassy in Iraq, which reportedly damaged the embassy’s helipad, according to Iraqi security officials. Neither the US Department of Defense nor the airbases issued any comment regarding the incidents.

The attacks followed the collapse of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, which ended without agreement on February 27. Shortly afterward, the United States launched “Operation Epic Fury,” while Israel began “Operation Roaring Lion,” signaling heightened military activity in the region.

The government of Bangladesh has announced extensive safety preparations for travelers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holiday. According to information from a recent meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ law and order committee, helicopters will be used for rapid rescue operations in case of major accidents on highways or railways. Armed forces and law enforcement helicopter units will remain on standby to reach accident sites quickly.

The plan also includes the use of air routes to access remote or traffic-congested areas for immediate rescue efforts. Fire Service diving teams, rescue boats, modern firefighting equipment, and ambulances will be kept ready at all times. The Coast Guard may assist if necessary, and hospitals and trauma centers along highways have been instructed to prepare for emergency medical services.

Experts cited in the report emphasized that the first few hours after an accident are crucial for saving lives, and timely rescue operations can significantly reduce fatalities.

Pope Leo has called on Christian political leaders who have initiated or participated in wars to confess their sins in church. Speaking at a conference in the Vatican on Friday, he urged these leaders to examine whether they are truly following the teachings of Jesus. In his address to priests, the Pope did not name any specific leaders or conflicts but questioned whether those responsible for armed conflicts have the courage to face their conscience and seek confession.

He emphasized that confession brings personal purification and helps establish peace and unity in society. The appeal comes amid renewed global tensions following a joint U.S.-Israel airstrike in Iran on February 28, which marked the beginning of a new conflict in the Middle East. According to Reuters, although Pope Leo avoided naming any war or leader, his message was clearly directed at those involved in current hostilities.

The Catholic Church traditionally opposes war based on Jesus’ principle of nonviolence, though it recognizes the “just war” doctrine to assess moral justification for conflicts. Earlier this week, Washington’s Cardinal Robert McElroy said the U.S.-Israel strike in Iran failed to meet the Church’s just war standards.