Bangladesh’s export earnings declined by 12 percent in February, according to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Monday. The fall contributed to a 3.15 percent drop in total export income during the first eight months of the 2025–26 fiscal year compared with the same period last year. Total exports from July to February stood at 31.91 billion US dollars, down from 32.92 billion dollars a year earlier.

EPB attributed the overall decline to disruptions in port operations, the national election, and reduced demand in major global markets. The ready-made garment sector, which remains the country’s largest export earner, brought in 25.8 billion dollars during the period, marking a 3.73 percent decrease year-on-year. Within this sector, knitwear products continued to outperform woven garments.

Despite the overall downturn, several sectors including leather and leather goods, jute and jute products, home textiles, light engineering, and frozen fish recorded positive year-on-year growth. The United States remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination, with shipments totaling 5.87 billion dollars, up 0.74 percent, while exports to China rose by 19.12 percent.

Nurul Islam, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Member of Parliament from Barguna-2 constituency, has been appointed as the Chief Whip of the 13th National Parliament. The announcement was made through a gazette notification issued by the National Parliament Secretariat on Monday, March 2, 2026.

In a separate notification, the names of six other BNP lawmakers were declared as whips. They are G K Gaus from Habiganj-3, Rakibul Islam from Khulna-3, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu from Shariatpur-3, M Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu from Natore-2, Akhtaruzzaman Mia from Dinajpur-4, and A B M Ashraf Uddin Nizan from Lakshmipur-4.

The appointments mark the formal organization of BNP’s parliamentary leadership structure for the 13th National Parliament, as confirmed by the official gazette notifications.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that two Bangladeshi nationals were killed and seven others injured in recent missile and drone attacks across the Middle East. The attacks followed Iran’s retaliatory strikes on US bases in several countries. One of the deceased, identified as Saleh Ahmed from Sylhet’s Barlekha, died in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, after a civilian facility was hit. Another Bangladeshi was killed in Bahrain, where three others were also injured. Four more Bangladeshis were wounded near Kuwait’s civilian airport.

The ministry said Bangladesh’s embassies in the affected countries are in contact with local authorities and providing necessary assistance, including arrangements to repatriate the bodies once commercial flights resume. The Bangladeshi ship “Banglar Joyjatra” remains stranded at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE, though all crew members are safe.

Dhaka reiterated its deep concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East and stated that it is closely monitoring developments. The government emphasized that the safety of over six million Bangladeshi expatriates in the region remains its top priority and urged citizens to follow local advisories strictly.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday expressing deep sorrow over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The ministry said the government was shocked to learn of the assassination, which occurred during Israeli and US attacks on Iran. The statement conveyed condolences to the brotherly people of Iran.

The ministry emphasized that Bangladesh believes conflicts cannot bring solutions and that disputes should be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to international law. The new statement followed criticism of an earlier one issued on Sunday, which condemned violations of sovereignty in several Middle Eastern countries but did not mention the attack on Iran or Khamenei’s death.

According to the report, Israel and the United States launched a large-scale military operation across Iran on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of Khamenei, his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.

Chevron has temporarily suspended production at Israel’s Leviathan gas field following joint U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation. The Israeli Ministry of Energy ordered the shutdown as a precautionary measure, according to Al Jazeera. The Leviathan field, located in the Mediterranean Sea, is one of Israel’s largest natural gas sites.

The report states that expansion work was underway to raise the field’s annual production capacity to about 21 billion cubic meters as part of a $35 billion export agreement with Egypt. Chevron, the U.S. energy company operating the site, confirmed that its facilities at both Leviathan and the nearby Tamar gas field remain secure.

No further details were provided on the specific reasons for the temporary suspension or when production might resume.

The article discusses how algorithms on social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook analyze user behavior to personalize content feeds. These systems track what users watch, like, and comment on, creating individualized digital environments designed to keep users engaged for longer periods. This personalization can lead to the formation of 'echo chambers,' where users are repeatedly exposed to similar viewpoints, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives.

The report highlights that algorithms also respond to emotional engagement, prioritizing content that provokes strong reactions because such posts generate more shares and interactions. As a result, emotional responses can overshadow factual information, potentially shaping public opinion. However, the article emphasizes that algorithms are not autonomous controllers but reflections of user behavior.

Experts cited in the piece call for greater digital literacy, urging users to understand how algorithms work, diversify their information sources, and customize their feeds. They also stress the need for transparency and accountability from platforms so users can recognize why certain content appears before them.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was killed in a morning airstrike jointly conducted by the United States and Israel, according to reports published on March 2, 2026. The attack targeted a compound in central Tehran where Khamenei and several senior military and intelligence officials were meeting. The operation followed months of surveillance on Khamenei’s daily movements and was executed after receiving critical intelligence only hours earlier. Israeli jets reportedly dropped around 30 bombs on the compound at 9:40 a.m. local time.

The intelligence that enabled the strike reportedly originated from the CIA and was shared with Israel, which carried out the direct assault on Iranian leadership targets. The United States focused on military facilities. The attack also killed three senior Iranian defense officials, including Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, and IRGC Commander General Mohammad Pakpour. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed he was safe after strikes hit his office.

The long-term impact of Khamenei’s death on Iran’s internal stability and regional conflicts remains unclear, though reports suggest Iran had succession plans prepared in advance.

Iran’s military announced on Monday that it carried out attacks targeting the US air base Ali Al Salem in Kuwait and vessels operating in the northern Indian Ocean. The statement said the strikes were launched by Iran’s ground and naval missile units from separate positions.

According to the Iranian military’s statement, a total of 15 cruise missiles were used in the attacks. The announcement followed the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike, which the Iranian side linked to its retaliatory actions.

The report did not provide details about potential damage, casualties, or responses from the United States or other parties involved.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault announced that France is prepared to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iranian missile and drone attacks. In a statement on Monday, he expressed full support and solidarity with allied nations that have become targets of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and risk being drawn into conflict. Barrault specifically named Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan as countries France stands ready to assist.

He emphasized France’s commitment to maintaining regional stability and ensuring the security of its allies. The minister also questioned the legitimacy of recent joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, suggesting that such use of force should have been discussed within international bodies like the United Nations. Speaking to reporters in Paris after a foreign ministry meeting, Barrault said decisions of this nature should be debated in collective frameworks such as the UN Security Council.

The statement reflects France’s dual stance of supporting regional allies while advocating for multilateral decision-making in international security matters.

Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refining company, Aramco, has temporarily shut down operations at its Ras Tanura refinery following a drone attack attributed to Iran. According to a Saudi defense ministry spokesperson quoted by Al Arabiya TV, two drones targeted the facility, causing a limited fire that was quickly brought under control. No casualties have been reported so far.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where Iran has recently carried out missile and drone strikes against Gulf countries and Israel. The Ras Tanura refinery, located in eastern Saudi Arabia, is one of the world’s major oil export hubs, processing over 550,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Its adjacent export terminal ships millions of barrels to global markets each day.

The temporary closure of Ras Tanura underscores the vulnerability of key energy infrastructure in the region and could heighten concerns about stability in global oil supply if attacks continue.

In Osmaninagar of Sylhet, leaders and activists of the Awami League and Jubo League, whose organizational activities are currently banned, organized an iftar gathering on Sunday at a prominent restaurant in Goalabazar. The event was attended by district Awami League office secretary Jaglu Chowdhury, upazila Jubo League president Iqbal Ahmed, organizational secretary Suhel Ahmed, and several Chhatra League members.

Photos and videos of the iftar were later shared on Facebook through an account named 'Amra Mathe Aschi', accompanied by messages from Jubo League and Chhatra League activists. The posts quickly spread online, triggering widespread discussion and criticism in the area.

Some BNP activists claimed that the event was held with indirect support from the upazila and police administrations. However, Osmaninagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Murshedul Alam Bhuiyan denied the allegation, stating that no such assistance was provided by the administration.

Social media has become the main source of information for people in Bangladesh and across the world, but this shift has accelerated the spread of misinformation. According to Rumor Scanner, a fact-checking organization, a record 4,195 false or misleading claims were identified in 2025, marking a 30 percent increase from the previous year. The analysis found that political and public discussions in 2026 have already generated the highest number of rumors.

The report highlights that misinformation now spreads not only through social media but also through newspapers, television, and online platforms that publish content without sufficient verification. Artificial intelligence has made it easier to produce realistic fake content, making it difficult even for experienced readers to distinguish truth from falsehood. The article emphasizes the need for new forms of media literacy that focus on verifying sources, reading beyond headlines, checking images and videos, cross-referencing multiple outlets, and recognizing emotionally charged content.

Fact-checking platforms in Bangladesh are recommended as key tools for verifying suspicious information and preventing the rapid spread of false claims online.

Former interim government adviser and human rights organization Odhikar’s secretary Adilur Rahman Khan was allegedly harassed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday. He was reportedly detained and questioned for an extended period by a Special Branch police superintendent while preparing to travel to Nepal as an international observer for the national parliamentary election.

Despite identifying himself as a recently retired adviser, Adilur was subjected to repeated questioning about his travel purpose. The officer later contacted senior officials of the police Special Branch. The incident drew surprise from several observers who noted the treatment of a former adviser in such a manner.

However, Additional IGP Golam Rasul, head of the Special Branch, denied any misconduct, stating that Adilur completed all immigration procedures and received his boarding pass for the Nepal flight.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault has questioned the legality of the joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, which have entered their third day. Speaking in Paris after a meeting at the Foreign Ministry on Monday, he said that decisions involving the use of force should have been discussed within international bodies such as the United Nations. Barrault emphasized that legitimacy for such actions arises only when they are presented before the UN Security Council.

The minister’s remarks come amid growing international scrutiny of the unilateral military actions in Iran. He reiterated that the use of force must be subject to collective deliberation under established global frameworks to ensure accountability and shared responsibility. Barrault also confirmed that no French nationals have been reported injured or killed in the ongoing situation in Iran.

The statement reflects France’s call for adherence to international law and multilateral decision-making in matters of military intervention, highlighting concerns over the bypassing of the UN system.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog faced questions regarding the legality of Israel’s attacks on Iran during an interview on BBC Radio 4. Herzog stated that the future of the Middle East depends on the outcome of the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. He claimed that Iran had attempted to attack Israel from multiple fronts around the world.

Herzog said Israel possesses extensive evidence of Iran’s hostile actions, which it is sharing with the United Kingdom and other allies. He emphasized the need for genuine change in the region and described the current situation as a historic turning point for the Middle East. Herzog also referred to Iran as an “empire of evil” seeking to erase Israel from the map.

The remarks came amid heightened regional tensions, including reports of drone interceptions near British bases in Cyprus and missile claims involving Iran and Israel, underscoring the fragile security environment across the region.