The cost of transporting oil from the Middle East to China has reached an all-time high, with supertanker charter rates surpassing 400,000 dollars, according to the London Stock Exchange Group. This rate is nearly double compared to last week, when the United States issued threats of an attack on Iran, BBC Bangla reported. Iran has reportedly targeted ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway in the south of the country through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply is transported. The largest crude oil carriers, capable of carrying up to two million barrels, are now paying this record freight rate. The sharp rise in transport costs underscores the growing instability in the Gulf region and its immediate impact on global energy logistics, as tensions around Iran continue to disrupt vital shipping routes.

A drone attack targeted a hotel used to house US troops in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, near the Iranian border. The armed group Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility, saying it deliberately struck the hotel where American soldiers were staying. Iraqi news agency Naya News shared a video on Telegram showing a building in Erbil engulfed in flames, describing it as a strike on an ‘occupying force base.’ No immediate details on casualties or damage were available. On the same day, Iran claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks on US forces stationed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. According to Al Jazeera, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its naval forces carried out a ‘complex attack’ combining drones and missiles against American troops in Dubai. The IRGC also claimed to have launched a drone strike on the US base at Arifjan in Kuwait. The incidents mark a series of coordinated strikes across the region, though the full extent of the damage and potential escalation remain unclear.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has reported that two of its data centers in the United Arab Emirates were damaged in drone strikes. The company also confirmed a separate drone incident near another AWS facility in Bahrain. According to AWS, the attacks caused direct structural damage and disrupted power supply to one of the affected buildings. AWS, a global provider of data storage and digital services, stated that the damaged centers host critical infrastructure supporting websites and online applications. The company warned that such incidents could have serious consequences for businesses relying on its regional operations. In response to what it described as an unexpected situation in the Middle East, AWS urged customers to immediately back up their data or consider relocating their systems to other regions, including the United States, Asia, or Europe.

US President Donald Trump has ordered a full-scale attack on Iran less than a year after declaring that his foreign policy would avoid regime change or nation-building in the Middle East. Analysts told Al Jazeera that the new war contradicts Trump’s stated ideology and campaign promises, arguing that it primarily benefits Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than the United States. Negar Mortazavi of the Center for International Policy described the assault as another Israel-driven conflict initiated under US pressure. The report notes that Netanyahu has long warned of Iran’s nuclear and missile threats, though both Tehran and US officials have denied evidence of weaponization. Despite recent diplomatic progress through Omani mediation and three rounds of indirect US-Iran talks in Geneva, Trump proceeded with the strike, undermining hopes for a peace deal. Public opinion polls cited in the report show that most Americans oppose a new war with Iran. Commentators, including National Iranian American Council president Jamal Abdi, said the decision marks a political victory for Netanyahu but a strategic setback for the US, signaling a potentially prolonged and unpredictable military engagement.

US President Donald Trump has signaled a strong response following a drone attack on the American Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In an interview with NewsNation journalist Kelly Meyer, Trump said Washington would take significant action soon, adding that the world would see the response very quickly. According to the report, two drones struck the US Embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday morning, causing a small fire and partial damage to the building. Following the incident, the United States placed all its facilities and diplomatic missions across the Middle East on high alert. The US government has also suspended all consular services in Saudi Arabia as a precautionary measure, while regional tensions remain heightened after the attack.

Bangladesh Railway has started selling advance train tickets ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holiday. The sale began on Tuesday at 8 a.m. with tickets for March 13 for westbound trains, marking the start of the nationwide ticketing process. According to the railway schedule, tickets for March 14 to 19 will be sold sequentially from March 4 to March 9. All tickets for Eid travel are being sold exclusively online this year. To make ticket purchases more convenient for passengers, Bangladesh Railway has decided that tickets for intercity trains operating in the western region will be available from 8 a.m., while those for the eastern region will go on sale from 2 p.m. The initiative aims to streamline the ticketing process and manage the high passenger demand during the Eid travel period, ensuring smoother operations across both regions.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that two drones attacked the United States Embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday morning. The incident caused a limited fire within the embassy compound and minor structural damage to parts of the building, according to a statement released on social media platform X. Following the attack, precautionary instructions were issued for staff of the US missions in Saudi Arabia. Personnel in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran were advised to remain in safe locations, and movement to military installations in the region was restricted unless necessary. The ministry’s statement did not specify who was responsible for the attack or whether any casualties occurred. The situation prompted heightened security measures around diplomatic and military facilities in the affected areas.

Iran has launched a series of missile attacks targeting various areas across Israel, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Following the strikes, the IDF confirmed the attacks and declared a nationwide emergency alert to warn citizens. Mobile phone messages were sent to residents instructing them to move to safe shelters as the situation unfolded. The IDF stated that Israel’s air defense systems have been activated to intercept the incoming missiles and are attempting to destroy them midair. The report, citing BBC as its source, did not specify the extent of damage or casualties resulting from the attacks. The incident marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, prompting heightened security measures across Israel as defense operations continue.

Two senior officials heading key financial and insurance regulatory bodies in Bangladesh resigned on the same day. Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, chairman of state-owned Sonali Bank, and Dr. M Aslam Alam, chairman of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA), submitted their resignations to Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek. Additionally, Mohammad Zainul Bari, chairman of the General Insurance Corporation, also stepped down. Officials confirmed that the resignations were submitted separately and cited personal reasons. Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury had previously served as Comptroller and Auditor General and as finance secretary before joining Sonali Bank, where he resigned only a few months into his tenure. Mohammad Zainul Bari, a former secretary, had been appointed chairman of the General Insurance Corporation in September 2024 for a three-year term by the interim government, after earlier serving as IDRA chairman. Dr. M Aslam Alam, a former senior secretary, was appointed IDRA chairman in September 2024 following the July uprising. The simultaneous resignations leave key financial and insurance regulatory positions vacant, raising questions about upcoming leadership appointments.

Thirteen teachers, officers, and employees of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur have been accused of securing jobs using fake academic certificates and falsified experience records. All of them are reportedly affiliated with the ruling Awami League. Despite long-standing allegations, no administrative action was taken, prompting the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to open an investigation. The university’s registrar, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, began verifying documents after media reports exposed irregularities and found significant discrepancies in several employees’ credentials. According to the registrar’s report, the accused include staff from various departments such as physical education, geography, central stores, and the library. Some allegedly joined as early as 2009 using forged certificates or political recommendations. Senior university officials claimed that the vice-chancellor, Shawkat Ali, ignored the issue and showed favoritism toward the accused. The vice-chancellor denied the allegations, saying the ACC was already handling the matter. ACC’s Rangpur deputy director confirmed that a report had been received and that verification was underway. The ACC stated that further details would be disclosed after the verification process concludes.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report shows that default loans in the banking sector dropped sharply in the last quarter of 2025, mainly due to large-scale loan rescheduling and policy support ahead of the national election. Between October and December, default loans fell by Tk 87,298 crore to Tk 557,217 crore, representing 30.60 percent of total loans. Three months earlier, the figure stood at Tk 644,515 crore or 35.73 percent. Officials said banks typically intensify recovery efforts at the end of the year to improve financial statements, while the central bank’s policy allowed extensive rescheduling. Under this support, Tk 26,114 crore in default loans were regularized. The interim government’s disclosure of the true loan situation after the previous Awami League administration revealed a higher default rate, prompting new measures to reduce it. Sector-wise, state-owned banks held Tk 146,108 crore in defaults, private banks Tk 389,579 crore, foreign banks Tk 2,984 crore, and specialized banks Tk 18,546 crore. Provision shortfall also declined to Tk 191,441 crore from Tk 344,231 crore over the same period, indicating improved balance sheet conditions.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that only about one in four Americans supported the joint US-Israel strike on Iran that killed an Iranian leader. The survey found that 27 percent of respondents approved of the attack, while 43 percent opposed it and 29 percent offered no opinion. Nearly nine in ten participants said they were at least somewhat aware of the strike, which began early Saturday. The poll also revealed that 56 percent of Americans believe former President Donald Trump is too eager to use military force to advance national interests. Among Democrats, 87 percent shared this view, compared with 23 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of politically unaffiliated respondents. The survey was conducted while the Iran operation was underway and concluded before reports emerged of US casualties. Subsequent updates confirmed that three US soldiers were killed and five seriously injured in the attack, though these incidents occurred after the poll had ended.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s planned visit to Bogura on March 10 to inaugurate the ‘Family Card’ distribution program has been postponed. The decision was confirmed on March 3 by Bogura Deputy Commissioner Toufiqur Rahman and district BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha. The visit was cancelled due to the upcoming by-election in the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency, scheduled for April 9. Rezaul Karim Badsha explained that holding the Family Card event during the election period could raise allegations of violating electoral rules. He said the Prime Minister decided to postpone the visit to remain within legal boundaries. Deputy Commissioner Toufiqur Rahman added that a new date for the program would be announced later. Tarique Rahman had earlier won both the Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 seats in the 13th national election but vacated the Bogura-6 seat before taking oath, prompting the Election Commission to declare it vacant and schedule the by-election. BNP has nominated Rezaul Karim Badsha as its candidate, while other parties have also submitted nominations.

Seven additional flights were canceled at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport on March 3, 2026, as airfields in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Doha remained closed due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East following a joint attack by Israel and the United States on Iran. The airport’s public relations officer, Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, confirmed the cancellations in a press release issued in the morning. According to the statement, the canceled flights included one arrival from Biman Bangladesh Airlines, one departure and one arrival from US-Bangla Airlines, and two departures and two arrivals from Air Arabia. Since February 28, a total of 35 international flights have been canceled at Shah Amanat Airport due to the regional conflict. Meanwhile, Salam Air’s flight OV-401 from Muscat landed at 8:05 a.m. and departed again for Muscat at 9:15 a.m., while Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ flight BG-138 from Madinah arrived at 8:45 a.m. and left for Dhaka at 9:30 a.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched military actions against two of China’s close allies within two months, threatening Beijing’s vital oil supply routes. In January, the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and on Saturday, an airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Both Venezuela and Iran export most of their crude oil to China, accounting for about 15 percent of China’s total oil imports, according to analytics firm Kpler. Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, said China could be the main economic casualty of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, as it produces less oil than it consumes. He warned that while high prices could slow growth, actual supply disruptions pose a greater threat to China’s economy, which depends heavily on imported oil. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the U.S.-Israeli aggression as unacceptable and denounced Washington’s role in Khamenei’s killing, though he avoided discussing the potential economic fallout. Tehran has announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and an oil tanker was attacked while violating sanctions, causing global oil prices to rise.