Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that his ministry will not tolerate corruption and that the Anti-Corruption Commission is responsible for addressing such issues. He made the remarks on Saturday after a meeting with heads of government offices at the Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner’s conference room.

The minister said a team from the ministry has already visited Thakurgaon to assess the establishment of a medical college, with student admissions expected to begin by 2027. He emphasized priorities including drug control, improvement of local government institutions, ongoing development projects, and enhanced citizen services. Discussions also covered the development of Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital, municipal infrastructure, and agricultural projects.

Mirza Fakhrul added that initiatives are underway to ensure food and security for citizens and to promote women’s development, noting that the family card process has already started in Thakurgaon. He urged focusing on building a prosperous and democratic nation rather than dwelling on corruption allegations.

Fires and scattered damage were reported across Israel as Iranian projectiles struck several areas, prompting residents to rush into bomb shelters. Interceptors were seen detonating over Tel Aviv and other cities as Israel attempted to block further incoming fire. The attacks marked a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nations.

According to Iran’s state-run IRIB news agency, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a letter to the United Nations secretary-general and the president of the UN Security Council. In the letter, Iran asserted that recent air strikes by the United States and Israel constituted a violation of the UN Charter and an act of armed aggression. Iran stated that it was acting under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for self-defence, and vowed to continue its defensive actions until the aggression ceases completely.

The letter further declared that all bases, facilities, and assets of hostile forces in the region would be considered legitimate military targets as part of Iran’s right to self-defence.

Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US assets in several Gulf Arab states following a joint US-Israel strike on Iranian territory early Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. The Iranian government confirmed that multiple targets were hit in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, all of which host American air bases.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that all Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East were struck by powerful Iranian missiles. The report also noted that Iran had fired waves of missiles and drones toward Israel, intensifying tensions across the region.

The developments mark a sharp escalation in hostilities between Iran and its adversaries, with potential implications for regional security and the stability of US alliances in the Gulf.

An Israeli airstrike hit an elementary girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran’s Hormozgan province, killing 85 people and injuring 63 others, according to Iranian state media. The attack occurred on Saturday and is part of a broader wave of joint US-Israeli military operations across Iran. Iran’s Tasnim News Agency cited the local judiciary confirming the death toll, while workers continued clearing debris from the site.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strike, calling it a crime against the Iranian people and vowing that it would not go unanswered. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei urged the United Nations Security Council to take action. Separately, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported another Israeli strike east of Tehran that killed at least two students. Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran said the attacks challenge US and Israeli claims that their targets are strictly military.

There has been no immediate response from the United States or Israel regarding Iran’s allegations. The report also recalled the June 2025 conflict, when similar attacks caused heavy civilian casualties and widespread infrastructure damage in Iran.

Nine months after a 12-day war ended with a truce, Iran is again under attack from both Israel and the United States. The new assault, launched on Saturday, targets Iranian officials, missile sites, and nuclear facilities, with both governments stating their goal of regime change in Tehran. The strikes come as nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US were showing progress in Geneva, where Omani mediator Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi announced that Iran had agreed to give up its enriched material stockpile and allow full IAEA verification.

Iran, which maintains its nuclear programme is for civilian use, retaliated by striking Israeli targets and US military bases across the Gulf region. The escalation follows years of Israeli opposition to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal under President Trump. Netanyahu, backed by Washington, launched the June 13, 2025, attack amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

US officials have expressed concern about being drawn into a prolonged conflict, while Vice President JD Vance said there is “no chance” of a long-term Middle Eastern war. The situation remains volatile as talks are set to resume in Geneva.

Former Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has vacated the state guesthouse Jamuna after completing his tenure. He had been residing there since August 8, 2024, when he took charge of the interim government formed in the aftermath of the July uprising. After about 19 months, he left the residence on Saturday afternoon, taking his personal belongings with him.

Public Works Department Chief Engineer Khalekuzzaman Chowdhury confirmed the development, stating that officials of the former chief adviser informed them about his departure. Some staff members and officials of the guesthouse bid farewell to Dr. Yunus around 3:15 p.m. before he left by car.

According to the report, Dr. Yunus will now reside at his own home in Gulshan. No further details about his next plans or official engagements were mentioned in the source.

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five runs in a Super Eight match held in Pallekele on March 1, 2026. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman built a strong 176-run opening partnership, guiding Pakistan to 212 for eight in 20 overs. Farhan scored 100 runs while Fakhar added 84. For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka took three wickets for 33 runs and Dasun Shanaka claimed two for 42. In reply, Sri Lanka reached 207 for six, with Shanaka remaining unbeaten on 76 and Pavan Rathnayake contributing 56.

Despite the victory, Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals due to net run rate calculations. To advance, they needed to restrict Sri Lanka to under 147 runs, but the bowlers could not achieve that margin. Abrar Ahmed took three wickets for 23 runs for Pakistan. The result marked Pakistan’s exit from the tournament at the Super Eight stage.

Sahibzada Farhan was named player of the match for his century, his second of the tournament.

The government has instructed all ministries and divisions to formulate short, medium, and long-term action plans. The Cabinet Division recently sent letters to 51 ministries, following the directives of the Prime Minister. The letters were issued on February 23, 2026, and emphasized the need for each ministry to prepare specific plans within their respective sectors.

According to the letter, the directive follows a meeting held on February 18, 2026, chaired by the Prime Minister, where secretaries from various ministries and divisions participated. During the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that the election manifesto of the party receiving the majority support in the 13th National Parliamentary Election has now become a national commitment.

The ministries and divisions have been asked to report their formulated short, medium, and long-term plans to the Cabinet Division to ensure implementation of the national commitments outlined in the 2026 election manifesto.

Following the joint strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, several countries have voiced strong reactions. Pakistan, Norway, and Belgium each issued statements expressing deep concern and criticism of the attacks, calling for restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned what he described as an “unjustified attack” on Iran and urged an immediate halt to hostilities. He emphasized the need for urgent diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue. Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth said that although Israel claimed the strike was preventive, it did not align with international law, noting that preventive action requires an imminent threat. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot expressed sorrow that earlier diplomatic efforts had failed and stressed that the Iranian people should not suffer for their government’s decisions.

All three nations highlighted the growing risk of military escalation and reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to restore stability in the region.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) celebrated its first founding anniversary with an iftar gathering at Abahani Sports Ground in Dhaka on Saturday. Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said the NCP had advanced through diverse experiences over the past year and reaffirmed its commitment to establishing full democracy in Bangladesh. He declared that the party would continue movements to implement the July Charter, enforce referendum outcomes, and ensure justice for crimes committed under fascist rule.

Nahid Islam highlighted the NCP’s origins in the 2025 mass uprising and linked its political roots to earlier student and social movements. He urged members to prepare for upcoming local government elections, strengthen grassroots organizations, and pursue greater electoral success beyond the six parliamentary seats already won. The event also featured a short documentary on the party’s journey from the July movement to national elections.

Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed attended as a guest, praising the NCP’s emergence as a new democratic force and expressing hope that youth participation would enrich national politics. He emphasized that future political consensus should be built through parliamentary debate and cooperation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that some American troops or personnel could be killed or injured in connection with an ongoing operation involving Iran. In a video shared on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said his administration had taken all possible measures to reduce risks to U.S. personnel in the Middle East. However, he cautioned that the Iranian leadership was seeking to cause harm.

Trump stated that while the loss of brave American lives was possible, such sacrifices were part of the realities of war. He emphasized that the operation was being carried out not only for immediate security but also for a greater purpose in the future. The statement came amid heightened regional tensions following reports of Iranian missile and drone attacks toward Israel and other related developments in the Middle East.

The warning underscores the potential for further escalation in U.S.-Iran relations as military activities continue in the region.

An Israeli attack on a girls’ school in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province has killed 53 students, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. The strike targeted a primary girls’ school in the city of Minab on Saturday, with reports indicating that three missiles were fired at the school. The Iranian Ministry of Education confirmed that 63 others were injured in the assault.

The incident occurred amid renewed hostilities across Iran, as both the United States and Israel reportedly launched attacks on Saturday morning. Tehran responded with retaliatory missile and drone strikes toward Israel, escalating tensions in the region. The IRNA report cited Al Jazeera as a source for additional details on the attack.

The strike marks one of the deadliest attacks on a civilian educational institution in Iran in recent years, highlighting the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel and its growing humanitarian toll.

The BBC has reported that the United Kingdom is not participating in the joint military operation carried out by the United States and Israel in Iran. In response to the escalating situation in the Middle East, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called an emergency meeting of the government’s security-focused COBRA committee on Saturday, which he is expected to chair.

According to the report, London has expressed concern that the attack in Iran could trigger a wider regional conflict. A spokesperson for the British government stated that the UK does not want the conflict to expand into a broader regional war. The spokesperson also emphasized that ensuring the safety of British citizens in the region remains the government’s immediate priority.

The developments come amid heightened tensions following missile and drone attacks between Iran and Israel, raising fears of further instability across the Middle East.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has claimed that the United States used nuclear negotiations with Iran as a cover for preparing a military operation. His remarks were reported on February 28, 2026, by the outlet Amar Desh, citing Al Jazeera as the source.

Medvedev stated that the so-called peacemaker had once again revealed its true face, arguing that all discussions with Iran were merely a strategy to conceal an impending operation. He added that there was no real intention from any side to reach genuine agreement, and that no one had any doubts about the underlying motives.

The comments come amid heightened regional tensions, including reports of Iranian missile and drone attacks toward Israel and the killing of Iran’s defense minister in an Israeli strike, as referenced in related news items from the same source.

Iran carried out missile and drone strikes on several US military bases across the Middle East following attacks by Israel and the United States. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the retaliatory action, targeting bases in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, Qatar’s Al-Udeid, Kuwait’s Al-Salem, the UAE’s Al-Dhafra, and Bahrain. According to Fars News Agency, one person was killed in Abu Dhabi. Explosions were reported in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi, while Bahrain confirmed a strike on a US Navy Fifth Fleet facility.

The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack as a violation of national sovereignty and international law, asserting its right to respond. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry issued emergency alerts and instructed citizens to move to safe locations. Qatar reported intercepting two Iranian missiles, and Kuwait activated warning sirens. The United States had recently withdrawn hundreds of troops from its bases in Qatar and Bahrain amid rising tensions with Iran.

The United States maintains military installations in more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries, hosting tens of thousands of personnel and extensive defense infrastructure, including air and naval assets.