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.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that more than 700 civilians have been killed in Iran since fighting began on Saturday. According to the agency’s latest update, CNN cited that by Monday afternoon at least 742 civilians, including 176 children, had died, and more than 900 others were injured. In the past 24 hours alone, at least 96 people were killed, with additional deaths under verification.

The report detailed widespread damage to religious sites and residential buildings, including a mosque in Karaj near Tehran, a governor’s office south of the capital, and the Shahid Bahonar Pier in Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian sources also reported damage to hospitals in Tehran. Military targets hit within the last 24 hours included the Kurdistan Law Enforcement and Border Guard Command center in Sanandaj, an airbase in Isfahan, and an army base in Tehran.

HRANA emphasized that the information remains preliminary and subject to change, while CNN noted it could not independently verify the figures.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced that Spain will not permit its military bases to be used for attacks on Iran. The statement came after reports of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which Spain condemned. Al Jazeera reported the development on Tuesday, citing Albares’ remarks.

Flight tracking data showed that since the weekend attacks began, fifteen U.S. aircraft departed from the Rota and Morón bases in southern Spain. According to Flightradar24, at least seven of those planes landed at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base. The report highlighted Spain’s stance as part of a broader European response to the escalating conflict.

The article also noted that Britain initially refused to allow its bases to be used for strikes on Iran but later reversed its position. Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized their use on Sunday, citing “collective self-defense.”

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque, Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, on Tuesday morning at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat. During the courtesy meeting, they exchanged greetings and discussed matters related to the Coast Guard’s activities.

The Prime Minister praised the dedication and professionalism of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, highlighting their continuous efforts to maintain peace, security, and public service in coastal and riverine areas. He instructed the force to continue its humanitarian and disaster response work for the welfare of the people. The Coast Guard chief briefed the Prime Minister on various ongoing development initiatives.

Tarique Rahman assured that the government would maintain the continuity of development and directed the Coast Guard to remain fully prepared to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.

The High Court of Bangladesh on Tuesday issued a rule asking why the July National Charter Implementation Order and the Referendum Ordinance should not be declared illegal. The bench of Justice Razik Al Jalil and Justice Md Anwarul Islam Shahin also sought an explanation on why the oath of members of the Constitutional Reform Council should not be considered invalid. The Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, National Consensus Commission, and Chief Election Commissioner have been directed to respond within four weeks.

Senior lawyers Ahsanul Karim and Syed Mamun Mahbub represented the petitioners, while senior lawyers Mohammad Hossain Lipu, Barrister Imran Abdullah Siddiqui, and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir opposed the petitions. The rule follows separate writ petitions filed on Monday challenging the legality of the July National Charter Implementation Order, the Referendum Ordinance, and the oath of the Constitutional Reform Council members.

Earlier, on February 18, another public interest writ was filed by Advocate Yunus Ali Akand seeking cancellation of the July National Charter and suspension of its effectiveness, naming the same government officials and bodies as respondents.

At least 96 people were killed in Iran within 24 hours in joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The fatalities reportedly include 85 civilians and 11 soldiers. HRANA stated that since the joint attacks began on February 28, the total civilian death toll in Iran has reached at least 742, including 176 children.

Earlier, the Iranian Red Crescent Society reported on March 2 that the total number of deaths stood at 555, though Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify these figures. HRANA added that the latest strikes targeted various infrastructure sites across Iran, including several military bases, two residential areas, and the Shahid Bahonar port in Bandar Abbas.

The differing casualty figures highlight uncertainty over the full scale of the attacks and their humanitarian impact, as independent verification remains unavailable.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News on Monday that the ongoing Middle East conflict, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran, will not turn into an endless or long-term war. He stated that the military operation would be swift and decisive, though it might take some time to complete.

According to Netanyahu, while the campaign will not last for years, it will require a certain period to achieve its objectives. His remarks came amid heightened regional tensions following the attacks in Iran, as reported by AFP.

The statement reflects Israel’s effort to frame the current military actions as limited in duration, aiming to reassure both domestic and international audiences about the scope of the conflict.

Candidates from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have filed cases with the High Court alleging vote rigging in the 13th national parliamentary election. According to court sources on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the BNP candidate from Mymensingh-1 and Jamaat candidates from Narayanganj-2, Narayanganj-3, Lalmonirhat-1, and Lalmonirhat-2 constituencies lodged the petitions. The cases are scheduled to be heard by a single bench led by Justice Md Zakir Hossain.

Earlier, candidates from Kurigram-2, Rangpur-6, Rangpur-4, and Rajshahi-1 constituencies had also filed similar cases. On March 1, the High Court ordered the preservation of ballot papers and result sheets for Rajshahi-4 and Pabna-4 constituencies after taking into account allegations of vote rigging, setting May 11 for the next hearing.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami had previously filed petitions over alleged irregularities in three other constituencies—Dhaka-6, Dhaka-7, and Gaibandha-4—indicating a growing number of legal challenges following the election.

A seven-year-old girl who was found with her throat slit inside the Botanical Garden and Ecopark in Sitakunda, Chattogram, has died. She passed away early Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in the intensive care unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Doctors confirmed that the child had been raped and sustained severe injuries, including deep cuts to her throat and thighs.

The girl had undergone surgery on Sunday night and was later moved to the One-Stop Crisis Centre, where her condition worsened. Her uncle confirmed her death, saying she had briefly communicated through gestures before her condition deteriorated. Police said she was rescued from a remote hilly area of the park on Monday afternoon and first taken to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex before being transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

The victim’s mother filed a case with Sitakunda Police Station on March 1, accusing unidentified persons of abduction and attempted murder. Police stated that the case will now be treated as a murder investigation.

US Vice President JD Vance stated that the United States has no intention of engaging in a long-term conflict with Iran. In an interview with Fox News, he said President Donald Trump’s main objective is to ensure that Iran never develops nuclear weapons. Vance emphasized that the administration’s approach aims to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions without repeating the prolonged military engagements seen in Iraq or Afghanistan.

He added that President Trump seeks not only to contain Iran during his second term but to guarantee that the country is permanently prevented from obtaining nuclear arms. According to Vance, achieving this goal would require fundamental changes within Iran’s governing system. He also criticized Tehran’s nuclear program, claiming that its facilities are designed for weapons development despite Iran’s assertions of civilian use.

Vance reiterated that Trump would not allow the United States to become entangled in another years-long conflict, underscoring a strategy focused on deterrence rather than occupation or extended warfare.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) launched a coordinated operation named 'S Drive' at midnight on Sunday to curb terrorism, drug trafficking, extortion, gambling, and juvenile gang activities across the city. The operation was announced publicly half an hour before it began, raising concerns about its secrecy and effectiveness. According to CMP Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid, police recovered a rusted firearm, several knives, shotgun cartridges, and about 400 yaba tablets.

The operation came just hours after masked gunmen armed with heavy weapons fired 20 rounds at the residence of Smart Group Chairman Mostafizur Rahman, evading police security. None of the attackers or major gang members have been arrested. Security analysts said the limited seizures contrast sharply with the scale of the armed assault, suggesting the drive was more symbolic than strategic. They also criticized the lack of intelligence coordination, noting that police appeared unaware of the gang’s movements before the attack.

CMP officials defended the timing and coordination of the operation, but analysts questioned the effectiveness of police checkpoints and intelligence surveillance, as heavily armed criminals moved freely within the city.

Bangladesh Railways has decided to continue selling 25 percent standing (non-seat) tickets in addition to regular seat tickets for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr travel period. The decision was made to accommodate increased passenger demand during the holiday season. Authorities have instructed that standing ticket holders will not be allowed to travel in air-conditioned or first-class compartments.

The decision came from a preparatory meeting held on Monday at the Rail Bhaban on Abdul Gani Road in Dhaka. The meeting addressed issues such as maintaining law and order, preventing sabotage, and curbing ticket black marketing during Eid travel. It was also announced that mobile courts will be deployed to detect ticketless passengers, stop black market activities, and prevent rooftop travel.

Additional instructions were issued to ensure that ticketless passengers cannot enter major stations like Kamalapur and Dhaka Airport. If any train is delayed, the number of designated seats on platforms will be increased to allow waiting passengers to sit safely.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee announced that the government aims to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh within the next five years, fulfilling an electoral commitment. He stated that visible progress has already been achieved within days of forming the government and expressed confidence that the target could be met within the current term. The minister made these remarks on Monday in Sripur, Gazipur, after inspecting the historic Chowkka canal and addressing a gathering organized jointly by the upazila and municipal BNP units.

Anee described the canal excavation initiative as a revolutionary movement inspired by former President Ziaur Rahman’s efforts to support farmers. He lamented that many canals had deteriorated due to neglect and encroachment. The minister also noted that agricultural loans of up to 10,000 taka had been waived nationwide, totaling about 1,500 crore taka, to encourage farmers. He emphasized that agriculture remains central to Bangladesh’s economy and that the government intends to create employment opportunities and boost crop production.

Senior officials from the Water Resources Ministry, local BNP leaders, and members of the Water Development Board attended the event.

Security concerns have intensified across the Gulf region as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates reportedly face dwindling interceptor missile stocks while countering potential or ongoing Iranian missile and drone attacks. Defense analysts say the heavy use of air defense systems has rapidly reduced available interceptors, which are costly and slow to replace, raising fears of supply shortages during prolonged conflict.

Both Qatar and the UAE have long relied on U.S.-made air defense systems and maintain close defense ties with Washington as part of regional security cooperation. The recent escalation of tensions with Iran has led these nations to strengthen their defense readiness. Analysts note that Iran’s combined use of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones has placed significant pressure on opposing air defense networks.

Diplomatic circles are reportedly discussing whether Gulf states might urge Washington to take stronger action against Iran or push for a swift diplomatic resolution. Experts warn that a prolonged conflict could disrupt regional security balance and further strain U.S. military supply chains.