Israel’s military launched extensive airstrikes across Lebanon, including in the capital Beirut, on Monday following a large-scale rocket attack by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah on northern Israel. The Israeli army said it was targeting Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon in response to the assault, vowing to prevent the group from posing any threat to the state of Israel.

According to Al Jazeera, multiple explosions were heard in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh, a known Hezbollah stronghold, as Israeli warplanes carried out repeated bombings. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an earlier attack on a military base in Israel’s Haifa, saying it was retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike. The group described its actions as a defense of Lebanon and a response to ongoing Israeli aggression.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned against rocket launches from southern Lebanon, calling them irresponsible and dangerous to national security. Analysts fear that the escalating confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah could further intensify and widen the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The new government of Bangladesh has launched a nationwide anti-drug campaign following directives from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir stated that the Prime Minister’s instruction is clear: there will be no drugs in society. The police have already begun implementing this directive through special operations across the country. The initiative aims to make Bangladesh drug-free, addressing a growing social concern that has alarmed parents and communities.

A recent survey by Bangladesh Medical University, supported by the Department of Narcotics Control, found that 8.2 million people—4.88 percent of the population—are addicted to drugs, with 92 percent aged between 8 and 25. Cannabis, yaba, and phensedyl are the most commonly used substances, while ice, LSD, and cocaine are spreading among affluent groups. The report identified 29 border districts as high-risk entry points, with drugs entering mainly from Myanmar and India.

The government’s strategy includes law enforcement operations, community awareness, and youth engagement through education, sports, and employment programs. Local leaders and citizens are urged to form committees to support the campaign and help identify drug hotspots.

More than five million people live in Bangladesh’s southwestern coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat, where livelihoods depend on fishing and the Sundarbans. These communities face recurring natural disasters, waterlogging, salinity intrusion, and a lack of safe drinking water and healthcare. Despite previous mega projects, implementation hurdles and political changes have slowed progress. The newly formed government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is now being urged to take urgent, sustainable measures to protect agriculture, ensure freshwater access, and strengthen embankments.

The article highlights worsening conditions for fishers and forest-dependent workers due to pollution, illegal fishing with poison, and renewed threats from forest bandits in the Sundarbans. Many families are losing income and migrating to cities. Farmers are struggling as saline water damages croplands, reducing rice production and arable land. Health and education services remain inadequate, particularly for women exposed to high salinity and for children lacking access to schools.

The author calls for the government to prioritize employment, environmental protection, healthcare, and education in coastal areas, and to restore the region’s role in national economic growth.

At least 21 people have been killed in the past 15 months in Raozan upazila of Chattogram amid an ongoing power struggle between two influential BNP leaders. Police reports indicate that 15 of the victims were BNP activists, and at least 15 killings stemmed directly from political disputes. More than 350 people have been shot during this period, marking the highest level of political violence in a single upazila in recent times.

The conflict intensified after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, when rival factions led by MP Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury and former district convener Golam Akbar Khondkar reactivated their networks. Both groups have allegedly formed armed teams and attempted to influence local police, leading to slow investigations. Police have identified a pattern of motorcycle-based masked gunmen carrying out targeted killings within seconds, often near police posts.

Authorities have arrested one suspect in the latest killing of Jubo Dal leader Abdul Majid, while both BNP factions claim to have urged stricter administrative action to curb the escalating violence.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid heightened regional tension. Modi announced the call in a statement released around 2 a.m. Bangladesh time on Sunday. According to his post on Facebook, the two leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East. Modi conveyed India’s concern over recent developments and emphasized that the safety of ordinary people should remain the highest priority. He reiterated India’s position that the ongoing conflict must stop immediately.

The conversation took place as the Middle East faces a surge in hostilities, including reports of an Iranian missile attack on an energy facility in Qatar, the deaths of two senior Iranian intelligence officials allegedly by Israel, and a fire on a ship in Bahrain’s port following an unidentified strike. The situation has also disrupted travel and logistics, with 300,000 people stranded in the Gulf region and 34,000 flights canceled.

The exchange between Modi and Netanyahu underscores India’s call for restraint and its concern about the humanitarian impact of the escalating conflict in the region.

Iran has launched a series of new missile attacks targeting Israel, according to reports published on March 2, 2026. Within the past hour, at least three missiles were fired, prompting warning sirens across much of Israel. The Times of Israel reported around 1:45 a.m. Bangladesh time that Iran had resumed missile strikes, with sirens sounding particularly in the southern regions.

Unconfirmed sources indicated that one missile directly hit Tel Aviv, though it remains unclear whether the other missiles were intercepted midair. The total number of missiles launched by Iran has not been confirmed. The situation continues to develop as both sides assess the scale and impact of the attacks.

The report did not specify any casualties or official responses from either government, leaving uncertainty about the immediate consequences of the strikes.

An Iranian ballistic missile struck Jerusalem, according to a report by Al Jazeera on March 2, 2026. The missile was among several newly launched by Iran, and one directly hit the city. Al Jazeera’s correspondent at the scene said warning sirens sounded in East Jerusalem shortly before the impact occurred.

Jerusalem has been under Israeli control since the 1967 Six-Day Arab War, though Palestinians regard it as their sacred land. The city holds the Al-Aqsa Mosque, considered Islam’s first qibla and one of its holiest sites after Mecca and Medina. The report described the area as being under full Israeli administrative authority despite its religious significance to Muslims.

The incident comes amid a series of regional escalations, including reports of Iranian missile attacks on a Qatari energy facility and other security incidents in the Gulf region.

Serious allegations have surfaced over the use of substandard bricks and sand in a Tk 3.73 crore road construction project in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria. The project, under the Local Government Engineering Department’s (LGED) rural development initiative for Comilla, Chandpur, and Brahmanbaria districts, covers a 1,500-meter stretch from Guniouk Union Parishad to Bengauta. The contractor, E Smart Construction Ltd, owned by Khairul Hasan, is accused of ignoring instructions to use quality materials, prompting anger among local residents.

Locals claim the work, initially slow, suddenly accelerated to conceal irregularities. On-site observations confirmed workers using low-quality bricks and sand for the guide wall. Representatives of the contractor admitted using the materials supplied by the owner. The supervising officer, Arif Hossain, promised to prevent such practices in the future. Upazila Engineer Aminul Islam Mridha said repeated warnings failed to stop the use of poor materials, while District Executive Engineer Ibrahim Khalil assured that necessary action would be taken after consulting the upazila engineer.

The incident has raised concerns about oversight and accountability in rural infrastructure projects under LGED.

Authorities in Jamalpur recovered 1,444 liters of edible oil belonging to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) from an abandoned warehouse once owned by a local Awami League leader. The operation was carried out on Sunday evening at Bagherhata Bottola area by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and law enforcement agencies. The oil, stored in 722 bottles of two liters each, was found buried under bricks inside the warehouse of the late Jahurul Islam Monsur, a former joint general secretary of the district Awami League.

According to officials, the oil had been illegally stockpiled to create an artificial shortage in the market. Two individuals, Shahin and Swadhin Babu, were detained for questioning in connection with the incident. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) stated that an investigation is underway to identify all those involved, and legal action will follow once the inquiry is complete.

The discovery has caused widespread public concern in the area, with local residents demanding swift and strict action against those responsible.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has stated that the 'door of diplomacy' between Iran and the United States remains open, even as U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran enter their second day. The minister made the remarks on social media, emphasizing that dialogue remains possible despite the ongoing hostilities.

Albusaidi noted that recent talks held in Geneva had achieved real progress toward an unprecedented agreement between Iran and the United States. He stressed that although the goal had been to avoid war, the outbreak of conflict does not mean the end of hope for peace. The Omani minister reiterated his belief that diplomacy remains the strongest tool for resolving the crisis.

Oman has been acting as a mediator in the recent discussions between Tehran and Washington, and its statement signals continued efforts to maintain communication channels despite escalating tensions.

A BNP activist was reportedly injured in an attack allegedly carried out by Awami League supporters in Burirdanga Union’s Ward No. 3 of Mongla upazila, Bagerhat. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, in the Chalabunia area. The injured man, identified as 47-year-old Monoj Shil, is currently receiving treatment at Mongla Upazila Health Complex, confirmed Officer-in-Charge Shahinur Rahman Shahin.

According to local sources, residents rushed to the scene after hearing screams and found Monoj Shil lying on the ground, bleeding. He alleged that Awami League ward general secretary Robi Roy and two or three associates attacked him while attempting to seize his 10-katha fish enclosure. Monoj claimed he was beaten when he tried to resist and that his family was later threatened. He said the assault was revenge for an earlier incident on the 5th.

Awami League leader Robi Roy denied the allegations, saying he was injured while trying to stop the fight. Police stated that legal action would follow upon receiving a written complaint.

Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 in a high-voltage English Premier League match, extending their lead at the top of the table. Under coach Mikel Arteta, the Gunners maintained strong form as Manchester United also claimed a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Manchester City edged Leeds United 1-0 away, with Antoine Semenyo scoring the decisive goal.

City’s win came just before halftime when Ryan Aït-Nouri’s pass found Semenyo, who finished neatly to beat the goalkeeper. The result marked City’s fourth consecutive league victory, narrowing the gap with leaders Arsenal. After 28 matches, City hold 59 points from 18 wins and five draws, trailing Arsenal by two points.

In other European action, Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the Bundesliga thanks to two goals from Harry Kane, while Paris Saint-Germain defeated Le Havre 1-0 in Ligue 1.

The United Kingdom has granted the United States permission to use British military bases for operations targeting Iran’s missile systems. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the decision in a video message on Monday, clarifying that the UK will not take part directly in the war. He said the move follows requests from allied nations in the Gulf region for stronger British involvement in their defense.

Starmer stated that British warplanes are already participating in joint air defense missions and have intercepted several Iranian missile attacks. He emphasized that neutralizing the threat requires destroying the missiles at their source, including Iranian storage sites and launchers. The United States requested access to British bases for what it described as “specific and limited defensive purposes,” and the UK government accepted the request to prevent further Iranian attacks that could endanger civilians and British nationals.

The announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, including recent missile strikes on energy facilities in Qatar and attacks on oil tankers near Oman.

A total of 136 new books were released during the first four days of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, according to the Bangla Academy on Sunday. The second day saw 16 new titles, the third day 38, and the fourth day 42. The Academy does not count books released on the opening day. Among the new publications are 15 storybooks, 13 novels, 5 essays, 25 poetry collections, 5 research works, 1 rhyme book, 8 children’s books, 4 biographies, and 1 play. Additionally, six books cover science, travel, and history, while others include language, translation, science fiction, and miscellaneous topics.

Publishers said they are releasing diverse titles to maintain reader interest during Ramadan, with growing enthusiasm among visitors. Saeed Bari, a member of the fair’s organizing committee, expressed optimism that the event would conclude successfully as scheduled and help revive the publishing industry.

Visitors were seen buying both new and previously published books. Discussions and tributes, including one honoring artist Hamiduzzaman Khan, were also held at the fair’s main stage.

Incidents of post-election violence have persisted across Bangladesh following the 13th parliamentary election. Reports from multiple districts describe ongoing clashes, injuries, and deaths involving supporters of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and independent candidates. In Chuadanga’s Jibannagar, a Jamaat leader’s death in a clash with BNP activists led to a protest march demanding arrests within 24 hours. Police confirmed one death and said a case is being processed. Similar unrest has been reported in Bagerhat, Jhenaidah, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Natore, Jessore, and Pabna.

In Bagerhat, repeated confrontations among BNP, Jamaat, and independent supporters have left one person dead and over a hundred injured since the election. In Jhenaidah’s Kaliganj, clashes at a BNP office injured police officers, while in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon, attacks on homes of opposition activists were reported. Other districts saw factional disputes over local dominance, fisheries, and tender allocations.

Authorities in several areas stated that cases have been filed and investigations are ongoing, though tensions remain high and political groups continue to hold protests demanding justice for victims.