Bahrain’s military has claimed to have intercepted at least 550 missiles and drones launched from Iran over the past month. According to a statement posted on social media and reported by Al Jazeera, the Bahraini forces said they shot down 174 missiles and 385 drones aimed at the country. The attacks were described as part of Iran’s retaliatory strikes following joint U.S.-Israeli operations against it.

The Bahraini military stated that targeting civilian infrastructure and private property with drones and ballistic missiles constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, posing a direct threat to regional peace and security. Earlier on Friday, sirens were sounded twice in Bahrain as a precaution against possible attacks, and the Interior Ministry urged residents to seek shelter in safe locations.

The ministry also reported that a previous Iranian strike had caused a fire at an unidentified facility, which has since been brought under control.

The United States is sending its aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, capable of carrying more than 80 aircraft, to the Middle East under the command of US Central Command, according to multiple sources cited by CBS News. US officials told CBS that the carrier and its strike group completed pre-deployment training earlier this month and may join ongoing US operations related to Iran.

Two guided missile destroyers, USS Donald Cook and USS Mason, have already departed the United States this week to join the same operations involving Iran. Another destroyer, USS Ross, also left the US this week, though its destination has not been disclosed.

The deployment comes amid heightened regional activity, including reports of an attack on a US ship off the coast of Oman and ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran expected later this week.

At least nine Israeli soldiers were injured in two separate attacks during clashes in southern Lebanon, according to a statement from the Israeli military on social media platform X. The military said one soldier was seriously injured and another moderately wounded on Friday when an anti-tank missile struck during fighting in the area. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rocket attack left one soldier seriously injured and six others moderately hurt.

The incidents occurred as Israeli forces advanced deeper into Lebanese territory, reportedly moving up to seven kilometers inside in some areas. The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has mounted counter-resistance against the Israeli advance. Reports suggest that the attack on Israeli troops took place near the town of Taybeh, about six kilometers from the border.

The clashes highlight escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border as both sides engage in intensified military operations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his diplomatic efforts to promote peace amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Iran. During an hour-long phone conversation, Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of building mutual trust to halt conflict and facilitate dialogue. He thanked Pakistan for its cooperative role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, the Iranian leader commended Sharif’s sincere diplomatic initiatives following Israel’s strikes on Iranian territory. In response, Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue its constructive role in restoring regional peace and stability.

Earlier in the call, Sharif strongly condemned Israeli attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of more than 1,900 lives, underscoring Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran during the crisis.

Government Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni announced that members of the 13th National Parliament will receive their housing allocations by April 10. He shared the update with reporters after the first meeting of the parliamentary committee held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday. According to him, almost all MPs will be provided with accommodation, while ministers, state ministers, the Chief Whip, whips, and the Speaker already have separate residences. The committee aims to complete necessary purchases and finalize allocations by the deadline, with another meeting scheduled for March 30.

The Chief Whip also addressed the recent sound system malfunction that disrupted the first session of the 13th Parliament on March 12. He said a probe committee led by the Sergeant-at-Arms has been formed to investigate possible sabotage and identify technical issues. Experts from BUET have been invited to assist in resolving the problem.

The investigation will focus on determining whether sabotage occurred and how to permanently fix the sound system issues in the parliamentary chamber.

At least 15 American soldiers were wounded after Iran launched an attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, according to multiple news reports. The assault involved at least six ballistic missiles and 29 drones, with five of the injured troops in serious condition. The base, located about 96 kilometers from Riyadh, is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force but also hosts US forces. Satellite images released by Iranian media showed several destroyed aircraft, and Iran’s military confirmed that one refuelling plane was completely destroyed while three others were damaged.

The attack comes as the conflict initiated by Israel and the United States against Iran enters its second month. Iran has continued retaliatory strikes on Gulf nations it accuses of supporting US operations. Earlier in the week, the same base was hit twice, wounding 14 US soldiers. Meanwhile, a separate US-Israeli strike reportedly targeted Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant but caused no damage or casualties.

Al Jazeera reported limited transparency around the Iranian strikes but noted the scale of injuries underscored the seriousness of the incident. The Pentagon and US Central Command have not yet commented.

A photo card circulating on social media recently claimed that former Narayanganj lawmaker Shamim Osman had passed away, using a design resembling that of Jamuna TV. The image, which included Osman’s photo and the caption suggesting his death, was widely shared online.

According to a fact-check by the Rumor Scanner team, Jamuna TV did not publish any such photo card. The investigation found that the image was digitally fabricated using Jamuna TV’s design style. Review of Jamuna TV’s official Facebook page, website, and YouTube channel revealed no related content supporting the claim. Additionally, the font and design used in the viral image differed from Jamuna TV’s authentic materials.

No credible media outlet or verified source reported any news confirming Shamim Osman’s death. The fact-check concluded that the claim and the photo card circulating under Jamuna TV’s name were entirely false.

A viral social media post recently claimed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced a Tk 2,500 'Boishakhi bonus' for citizens, obtainable within two minutes through an online registration link. However, a Rumor Scanner investigation found the link and the payment claim to be entirely false, identifying the website as part of a fraudulent scheme designed to deceive users.

The investigation revealed that the site, titled 'Boishakhi Gift and Allowance 2026', asked users to submit personal details, including mobile numbers, and promised payment within 24 hours. In reality, the link redirected users to a betting site called 'luckydraw', which used fake offers to collect personal or financial data. The domain, incomebd.online, was registered only three days earlier and did not match any official government web structure.

No official government sources, including mainstream media or verified pages, confirmed any such financial assistance. Authorities warned that similar scams have previously led to identity theft and blackmail, urging the public to avoid such fraudulent links.

All educational institutions across Bangladesh are set to reopen on Sunday, March 29, after a 38-day closure that combined holidays for Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence Day. The extended break officially ended on March 26, but with the weekend following, classes will resume from Sunday. The information was confirmed by sources from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.

Officials from both ministries stated that classroom activities were limited during the first three months of the year due to the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Ramadan, and Eid. This has led to noticeable learning gaps, prompting directives for full-scale class operations once schools reopen. According to the revised holiday schedule, all primary, secondary, madrasa, college, and technical institutions remained closed from February 19 to March 26.

To address learning losses in primary schools, the Directorate of Primary Education has canceled the first ten Saturday holidays following Eid. However, the Ministry of Education has not yet issued similar instructions for secondary schools.

At the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt will arrive in Islamabad on Sunday for a two-day official visit. According to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the high-level diplomatic meeting will take place on March 29 and 30, 2026. The participants include Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, and Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty.

The main objective of the visit is to reduce regional tensions and strengthen cooperation among the four countries in various sectors. The statement added that, in addition to formal meetings, the visiting ministers will also meet Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The discussions aim to develop a coordinated stance on current regional developments and deepen mutual strategic relations.

The meeting is expected to serve as a platform for enhanced diplomatic coordination among the participating nations, focusing on stability and partnership in the region.

Global energy markets saw a sharp rise in oil prices, with Brent crude futures climbing by 5.7 percent to reach 114.2 dollars per barrel on Friday, March 27, according to Anadolu Agency. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures also rose by 6.18 percent, surpassing 100 dollars per barrel. Since late February, Brent prices have increased by about 45 percent, while WTI prices have grown by roughly 40 percent.

The report added that amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Russia has decided to halt petrol exports starting April 1. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak instructed the energy ministry to prepare a draft decision, with the restriction expected to remain in effect until July 31. Novak stated that the Middle East crisis has caused significant volatility in global energy markets, leading to fluctuating oil prices.

He further noted that while international demand for Russian energy remains high, maintaining domestic supply is now the government’s main priority.

A Labour Party leader in Babuganj upazila of Barishal has been served a show-cause notice for a social media post supporting an Awami League leader. The notice was issued on Saturday, March 28, 2026, by the upazila unit of the Labour Party after Jahidul Islam Opu, convener of the Kedarapur Union Labour Party, expressed on Facebook his wish to see former union chairman and Awami League member Md. Nure Alam Bepari as chairman candidate again.

According to party sources, the post was deemed contrary to the organisation’s principles and ideals. The notice, signed by upazila Labour Party president Md. Farid Hossain and acting general secretary Mizanur Rahman Mintu, directed Opu to submit a written explanation within three days. It also warned that organisational action would be taken if his response was unsatisfactory.

The upazila Labour Party president confirmed the issuance of the notice, and the incident has sparked considerable discussion in the local political arena.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the Home Minister to take strict measures against fuel hoarding and smuggling despite adequate national reserves. The order aims to prevent an artificial fuel crisis and ensure market stability. The government is currently providing a monthly subsidy of 200 crore taka to keep fuel prices steady, and Members of Parliament have been instructed to remain vigilant in their constituencies. Chief Whip Nurul Islam shared these details with reporters after a ruling party parliamentary committee meeting held on Saturday, March 28, at the National Parliament Building.

According to the Chief Whip, although global oil prices have risen due to the war situation in the Middle East, the government is making every effort to maintain domestic price stability. Reports of attempts by dishonest groups to create artificial shortages and smuggle fuel across borders have prompted the Prime Minister’s directive for a comprehensive crackdown. The meeting also discussed parliamentary committee formation, women’s reserved seats, and recent transport accidents, with ministers briefing the committee on preventive measures.

Further decisions on parliamentary committee formation are expected in the next meeting, while reports on pending bills are targeted for submission by March 30.

All educational institutions in Bangladesh, from primary to higher secondary levels, are set to reopen on Sunday following the extended holidays for Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. Ahead of the reopening, the Ministry of Education has issued an urgent directive to ensure cleanliness and proper maintenance across all campuses. A special inter-ministerial committee has been formed to oversee year-round supervision, with the State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives appointed as its convener.

The directive, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Muhammad Helal Chowdhury from the Secondary and Higher Education Division, outlines five key instructions. These include ensuring complete cleanliness before classes resume, strengthening daily monitoring of hygiene, conducting weekly cleaning drives with teacher and student participation, implementing tree-planting and gardening programs, and organizing awareness activities on personal and environmental hygiene.

The ministry emphasized that these measures aim to maintain a healthy and sustainable learning environment throughout the academic year.

After the Gaza war began in October 2023, Houthi missile attacks on Israel caused limited damage as most were intercepted. However, in July 2024, a Houthi drone evaded Israeli defenses and struck a residential building in Tel Aviv, killing one civilian. Renewed Houthi attacks on Israel are seen as a concern but not a major military challenge.

The greater risk lies in potential Houthi operations targeting Red Sea shipping routes. Saudi Arabia currently transports about four million barrels of oil daily through the Yanbu port pipeline to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, with tankers passing near Yemen en route to Asian markets. Between November 2023 and early 2025, the Houthis carried out around 200 attacks on Red Sea vessels, damaging more than 30 ships and hijacking at least one, reducing traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Suez Canal by nearly half.

Analysts warn that if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz while the Houthis block the Red Sea, the simultaneous disruption of these two vital waterways could have catastrophic consequences for global trade.