China has announced a 7 percent increase in its 2026 defense budget to accelerate military modernization. The announcement came on March 5 during the opening of the annual parliamentary session, where Premier Li Qiang said the country would strengthen war preparedness and enhance advanced military capabilities. Although this is the smallest increase in five years, it remains higher than most Asian nations’ defense growth rates.

Li Qiang stated that the measures aim to boost China’s strategic capacity to safeguard sovereignty, security, and development interests. The modernization plan includes developing new missiles, warships, submarines, and surveillance technologies, with a goal to fully modernize the armed forces by 2035. Analysts noted that China’s defense spending typically aligns with GDP growth and inflation. Beijing has also intensified anti-corruption efforts within the military, investigating senior generals such as Zhang Youxia and He Weidong.

Taiwan expressed concern that China’s large defense allocation amid weak economic conditions poses a threat, while Japan criticized the lack of transparency. A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies said China accounted for 44 percent of Asia’s total defense spending in 2025, up from an average of 37 percent between 2010 and 2020.

France has granted permission for the temporary presence of US warplanes at certain French military bases, according to a report by Al Jazeera. A French joint defense staff official confirmed that the authorization applies to specific bases and is being implemented amid ongoing tensions surrounding Iran. The decision comes in the context of a joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran.

The French official clarified that France will not directly participate in any US-led operations against Iran using its bases. The move is described as a measure to ensure defense support for France’s partner countries in the region. The announcement reflects France’s attempt to balance its alliance commitments with its stated policy of non-involvement in offensive actions against Iran.

The decision underscores the growing regional strain linked to Iran and highlights France’s cautious approach to maintaining both strategic cooperation with the United States and diplomatic distance from direct conflict.

United States Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapoor paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir in Dhaka on Thursday. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon and was attended by the US Ambassador to Bangladesh and a high-level American delegation.

During the meeting, both sides discussed existing bilateral relations, regional cooperation, trade and investment expansion, and development partnership. Adviser Humayun Kabir highlighted the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and the United States and expressed hope for strengthening and diversifying the relationship. He emphasized the importance of expanding economic cooperation and joint initiatives in various development sectors.

Assistant Secretary Kapoor reaffirmed the United States’ interest in advancing Bangladesh-US relations and noted the potential for expanding collaboration in multiple areas. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, with both parties expressing optimism about deepening future cooperation.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for attacks on 20 US military installations located in three Middle Eastern countries—Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. The strikes were described as retaliation following a joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

The IRGC stated that the targeted US facilities suffered significant damage. Earlier, explosions were reportedly heard in Doha, Qatar, following Iran’s earlier attacks. An AFP correspondent in Doha confirmed the sounds of multiple blasts. In response, Qatari authorities began relocating residents near the US embassy as a precautionary measure.

The report also mentioned that Azerbaijan closed its southern airspace due to Iranian drone activity, while Iranian officials said they were not concerned about the duration of the conflict. Iraq reiterated that it would not tolerate any threats against Iran.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson warned that European Union member states would eventually face consequences if they remain silent about attacks by Israel and the United States. The statement was made by spokesperson Ismail during an interview with Spain’s broadcaster TVE on Thursday.

The spokesperson also rejected Turkey’s claim that a missile intercepted in its airspace had been launched from Iran. Earlier, Turkey stated that a NATO defense system had destroyed a missile allegedly fired from Iran into its airspace.

The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran also facing reports of drone activity affecting neighboring countries and recent attacks on hospitals within its borders, according to the World Health Organization.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has cancelled 210 flights between February 28 and March 5, 2026, following temporary airspace closures by several Middle Eastern countries. The cancellations were triggered by escalating tensions after attacks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. On Thursday alone, 34 flights were cancelled, affecting multiple airlines including Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, Emirates, US-Bangla, Gulf Air, and Flydubai.

According to airport sources, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan closed their airspace due to security concerns. This led to widespread disruption of flights from Dhaka to Middle Eastern destinations. The cancellations occurred progressively, with 23 flights cancelled on February 28, 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, 39 on March 3, and 28 on March 4.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of international air travel to regional conflicts, with airlines and passengers facing significant operational and logistical challenges.

The Prime Minister has decided to avoid holding lavish iftar gatherings this year, considering the country’s overall situation. According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, she will attend only two iftar events at the state guesthouse Jamuna—one on March 6 for diplomats and another on March 7 for orphans, Islamic scholars, and clerics.

Previously scheduled iftar events at Jamuna for politicians on March 8 and for journalists on March 10 have been cancelled due to the same considerations. The decision marks a departure from the usual state tradition of hosting multiple large-scale iftar receptions for various professional and social groups.

This year, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is observing iftar privately with his family at home, and no grand state-sponsored iftar events are being held.

Photographer Khaled Hossain Parag from Pabna has been appointed as the personal photographer to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The appointment was announced on Tuesday through a circular issued by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration. According to the circular, Parag will serve on a contractual basis, receiving salary and benefits under grade-9 of the national pay scale. His appointment will remain effective until the end of the Prime Minister’s tenure or until further notice.

As the Prime Minister’s photographer, Parag will be responsible for capturing, archiving, and documenting official activities, political programs, state visits, meetings, and other significant events. He will also oversee the visual documentation and archival preservation of the Prime Minister’s engagements.

Parag has been active in photojournalism and cultural-political activities for nearly three decades. He began his career at the daily Dinkal and currently serves as the convener of the Pabna district branch of JASAS, a BNP-affiliated cultural organization. He has founded several local cultural and youth organizations and is known for his long-standing voluntary documentation of BNP and Zia family events.

An explosion has been reported in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, according to a correspondent from the AFP news agency based in the city. The incident occurred as regional tensions continue to rise, with similar reports of a powerful explosion earlier in the day in Doha, Qatar.

The developments come after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran last Saturday, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran across several Gulf countries. The situation has heightened concerns among regional and international observers about the potential for wider instability in the Middle East.

The report did not provide details about casualties or the extent of the damage in Manama, leaving the immediate impact of the explosion unclear.

Several explosions were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar, following Iranian attacks in the region, according to an AFP reporter based in the city. Al Jazeera reported that Qatar’s defense systems were intercepting missiles entering its airspace. The AFP correspondent described hearing four initial explosions, followed by six more, and later around twenty in total, with visible smoke where interceptors struck Iranian missiles or drones.

Earlier, Qatar had begun relocating residents living near the U.S. Embassy in Doha as a precautionary measure. The developments come after the United States and Israel jointly launched attacks on Iran last Saturday, prompting Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. installations across several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where American embassies were hit, and the U.S. consulate in Dubai.

The situation underscores rising regional tensions as Qatar now faces direct security threats linked to the broader Iran-U.S.-Israel confrontation.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks that injured two civilians within Azerbaijani territory. According to the ministry, one drone directly struck the terminal building of an airport in the autonomous Nakhchivan region, while another drone landed near a school building in the village of Shakarabad. The attack caused damage to the airport structure and left two civilians wounded.

Following the incident, Azerbaijan summoned the Iranian ambassador in Baku to formally protest the alleged assault. The ministry stated that a strong protest would be conveyed to the Iranian side, along with an official note of objection. The event marks a new point of tension between the two neighboring countries, both of which have had sensitive relations in recent years.

The Azerbaijani government’s response indicates a diplomatic escalation, though no further details were provided on potential next steps or Iran’s reaction to the allegations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States of launching an unprovoked attack on an Iranian warship in international waters. He stated that the strike targeted the IRIS Dena, which was a guest of the Indian Navy, and warned that the United States would have to face the consequences of its actions.

According to the report, the attack occurred on Wednesday near Sri Lanka’s southern coast, when US forces allegedly fired from a submarine, causing the Iranian vessel to sink. Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that 87 bodies had been recovered and 32 survivors rescued and treated. The ship reportedly carried around 180 people.

Araghchi wrote on X that the United States would deeply regret the precedent it had set. The incident has heightened regional tensions, with Iran signaling that it will respond to what it calls an unjustified act of aggression.

A US religious freedom watchdog has alleged that military commanders used extremist Christian rhetoric to justify the ongoing war with Iran. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) reported receiving over 200 complaints from service members across all branches, including the marines, air force, and space force. One noncommissioned officer said their commander told troops the conflict was 'all part of God’s divine plan,' citing biblical references to Armageddon and claiming that former President Donald Trump was 'anointed by Jesus' to ignite events leading to the end times.

MRFF president Mikey Weinstein said the complaints reveal growing Christian extremism within the military and a violation of the separation of church and state. He noted that service members often feel unable to challenge superiors who promote religious narratives. The watchdog shared one complaint filed on behalf of 15 troops of different faiths, including Christians, a Muslim, and a Jewish member.

The Pentagon did not respond directly to the allegations but instead circulated public clips of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussing the Iran operation. Hegseth has previously expressed support for Christian nationalist ideas and figures.

Hundreds of Afghans held protests across border provinces against Pakistan, accusing it of killing civilians and expressing support for Afghan soldiers fighting along the frontier. Demonstrations took place in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, and in Khost’s Gurbuz district, where participants placed flower garlands on soldiers and waved Taliban flags. The protests followed a week of intense border clashes that, according to the United Nations, left dozens of Afghan civilians dead and displaced thousands.

The UN mission in Afghanistan reported at least 42 civilian deaths and 104 injuries since February 26. Pakistan has not commented on civilian casualties but claimed to have killed over 430 Afghan soldiers, while Afghanistan said about 150 Pakistani troops were killed. The conflict reportedly began after Afghan forces launched operations in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes. The International Organization for Migration said around 66,000 Afghans have been displaced, and humanitarian aid operations have been suspended.

The World Food Programme warned that the suspension of emergency food assistance has affected about 160,000 people, worsening Afghanistan’s existing food crisis.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher MP, has alleged that former adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has become a key witness to what he described as election engineering during the February 12 polls. Speaking at a press briefing at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar on Thursday, he said Rizwana Hasan’s recent remarks confirmed the manipulation claims.

Dr. Taher questioned whether the then interim government or the current administration had colluded to prevent Jamaat-e-Islami from emerging as a major political force. He alleged that officials such as DCs, SPs, TNOs, OCs, and presiding officers were appointed to ensure a predetermined outcome. He urged the government to interrogate Rizwana Hasan to clarify the full situation and inform the nation.

He further mentioned that Jamaat had previously accused several advisers of involvement in election irregularities, naming Rizwana Hasan and Khalilur Rahman. Senior Jamaat leaders, including Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, were present at the briefing.