The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms and rain across eight divisions, including Dhaka, over the coming days. The forecast, issued on March 11, 2026, also warned that Rajshahi, Jessore, and Sylhet regions may experience temporary gusty or squally winds along with rain. River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one.

According to the department, a trough of low pressure lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while the seasonal low remains over the South Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, scattered rain or thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds are likely to occur in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions.

The forecast also indicated that daytime temperatures across the country may drop by one to two degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged.

Security has been strengthened in and around the Bangladesh Parliament complex ahead of the first session of the 13th National Assembly. Authorities have banned all types of gatherings, processions, and rallies in the area. On Thursday morning, a large number of law enforcement personnel were deployed, and the entire zone was placed under multiple layers of security involving police, Rapid Action Battalion, and intelligence agencies.

According to a notice from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the restrictions took effect from midnight Wednesday, prohibiting the carrying of weapons, explosives, or any harmful substances, as well as any form of public demonstration. To manage traffic during the session, diversions were implemented from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on specific roads near the Parliament. Vehicles from Indira Road toward Begum Rokeya Sarani are required to use alternate routes via Manik Mia Avenue and Mirpur Road.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police urged residents to follow the temporary traffic guidelines to avoid congestion and cooperate during the parliamentary session period.

Air New Zealand has announced the cancellation of 1,100 flights over the next two months due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The airline’s chief executive, Nikhil Ravishankar, said the cancellations represent about five percent of its total flights, potentially affecting around 44,000 passengers. Most of the canceled flights are on domestic routes, though some international services will also be impacted.

Flights between New Zealand and the United States will continue as planned, as demand for that route has increased with travelers using it as an alternative path to Europe. Ravishankar explained that the conflict has caused unprecedented volatility in jet fuel prices, prompting airlines worldwide to adjust fares and schedules to manage rising costs.

The airline’s decision highlights the broader disruptions facing global aviation as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to affect fuel markets and flight operations.

The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution condemning Iran’s attacks in the Gulf region and calling on Tehran to immediately cease hostilities. The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor, while Russia and China abstained. Iran criticized the measure as one-sided. The vote took place at the UN headquarters in New York, according to Al Jazeera’s correspondent Gabriel Elizondo, who noted that China and Russia could have used their veto powers but chose not to.

The resolution follows escalating hostilities that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks inside Iran. In response, Iran has been firing missiles and drones targeting Israeli positions and U.S. military sites across the Arab Gulf region. The situation has heightened tensions around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, where several ships have also been attacked.

The Security Council’s decision signals growing international concern over regional stability and maritime security, though Iran’s rejection of the resolution suggests continued friction in the near term.

Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament begins its first session on March 12, 2026, with the Speaker’s chair vacant. The session, convened by President Md. Shahabuddin, follows the February 12 election held under an interim government, in which the BNP secured a two-thirds majority and formed the new government. The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance won 77 seats and will serve as the main opposition, while the banned Awami League has no representation.

Due to the resignation of former Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and the imprisonment of Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku, the opening meeting will be presided over by a senior member proposed by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman. The session will begin with Quran recitation, followed by the election of a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker. After their swearing-in, the new Speaker will preside over the session.

The agenda includes a condolence motion on the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and presentation of 133 ordinances issued during the interim government. The President will address the Parliament later in the day, marking the formal start of the new legislative term.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has outlined three conditions for ending the ongoing war. In a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, he stated that Tehran demands recognition of its legitimate rights, compensation, and firm international guarantees against future aggression. The announcement comes as Iran seeks to define its stance in the conflict.

Amid escalating regional tensions, Pezeshkian held telephone conversations with the leaders of Russia and Pakistan as part of diplomatic efforts. He reportedly emphasized Iran’s position during these discussions. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios that the war would end 'soon' and claimed there was 'nothing left to strike' in Iran, asserting that it would end whenever he decided.

The statements from both sides highlight contrasting narratives about the conflict’s trajectory, with Iran focusing on conditions for peace and the United States projecting control over the war’s timeline.

A global oil shortage triggered by aggression in Iran by Israel and the United States has disrupted fuel supply in Bangladesh, raising concerns over launch operations at Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal. Launch owners reported receiving only 50,000 to 60,000 liters of fuel daily against a demand of 250,000 to 300,000 liters, forcing a reduction in long-distance services. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Owners Association said it has sought government intervention to maintain normal operations.

Fuel suppliers under the Bangladesh River Fuel Trade Association said Meghna Petroleum and Jamuna Petroleum depots in Fatullah were providing 60–70 percent less fuel than required. The shortage has already reduced launch trips to southern regions. Meghna Petroleum officials confirmed limited supply due to government restrictions on agent-based distribution.

The Ministry of Shipping acknowledged the crisis and said high-level discussions are underway to restore supply. Ahead of Eid, authorities plan to strengthen Sadarghat’s security with 60 CCTV cameras and introduce new launch routes from Bosila and Kanchan-Shimuliaghat to ease passenger pressure.

Iran has launched a new missile attack on Israel, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday. The IDF announced through its official Telegram channel that missiles fired from Iran toward Israeli territory were detected, and Israel’s defense systems were actively working to intercept the threat.

The report also noted that an Iranian security official, speaking to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, warned that the ongoing conflict could soon enter a new phase due to continued U.S. and Israeli attacks. The official reiterated that Iran had previously cautioned against such actions, suggesting that further escalation could make the situation more complex.

The renewed missile strike follows a series of recent attacks and rising tensions in the region, including incidents in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait, where multiple ships have been targeted.

Following the appointment of a new Inspector General of Police, attention has turned to the selection of the next commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), the country’s largest and most critical police unit. The position became vacant after Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali resigned on February 25, and senior officials have confirmed that a new appointment will be made soon. The selection file is currently with the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to police headquarters sources, three Additional Inspector Generals are being considered for the post: Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Sardar Nurul Amin, and Hasib Aziz. Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, serving in logistics and asset acquisition, is reportedly leading the race. Sardar Nurul Amin, from the HRM and Development division, and Hasib Aziz, the current Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner, are also strong contenders. All three belong to the 15th BCS police cadre.

Officials indicated that the government seeks a capable and trusted officer to lead the DMP, which employs about 32,000 personnel and faces constant challenges in maintaining law and order in the capital.

Iraq has temporarily suspended operations at all its fuel ports following an attack on oil tankers off the country's coast. A government official confirmed that commercial ports remain open. The head of Iraq’s General Company for Ports, Farhan al-Fartousi, told local media that one crew member was killed and 38 others were rescued. The state news agency INA reported that search operations continue for missing individuals.

According to Iraqi port security officials, two foreign fuel tankers were attacked by explosive-laden boats, causing fires on both vessels. Al-Fartousi said one of the tankers was struck while loading fuel and that a smaller Maltese-flagged tanker suffered an explosion. It remains unclear whether the blast resulted from a direct strike or a remotely controlled explosive boat. The tankers were about 30 miles, or 48 kilometers, from Iraq’s coast at the time of the incident.

Iraq’s government media cell described the incident as a sabotage attack, and investigations are ongoing to determine the method and perpetrators.

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.