Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma met with Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring areas of cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

Following the meeting, Verma said India wishes to work sincerely with Bangladesh’s new government. Discussions covered ways to enhance collaboration in local governance, with Verma highlighting India’s strong Panchayati Raj system as a potential model for experience sharing. He emphasized India’s interest in working closely with Bangladesh on people-centered initiatives and fostering stronger ties based on mutual development goals.

The meeting underscored India’s continued focus on deepening engagement with Bangladesh through practical cooperation in governance and community development.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has requested various chambers and associations to submit their written budget proposals to the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) by March 15. The initiative aims to assist in preparing the national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. Additionally, a soft copy of each proposal should be sent via email to nbrbudget2026@gmail.com. Organizations or offices that are not members of any chamber or association may also send their proposals directly through the same email address.

According to an NBR press release issued on Tuesday, the board prepares revenue policies to support the government’s revenue collection goals. To ensure a participatory, people-oriented, and equitable budget, NBR has consistently sought input from taxpayers, business associations, professional bodies, research institutions, and intellectuals. For the upcoming fiscal year, the board intends to make the revenue collection process more analytical and representative through discussions with stakeholders.

NBR expressed hope that with the cooperation of all concerned, a participatory, business-friendly, and revenue-optimizing budget for 2026–27 can be formulated.

The United States Embassy in Riyadh announced the suspension of all consular services across its missions in Saudi Arabia. According to an embassy statement, all regular and emergency appointments scheduled for Tuesday have been canceled. The missions in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran have been placed under a 'shelter in place' directive. The embassy also advised American citizens to maintain personal security plans and avoid approaching the embassy area until further notice.

The statement linked the suspension to an attack on the organization, prompting heightened security measures. The development comes amid a series of regional attacks following Iranian strikes on US military bases in the Middle East. One such attack reportedly targeted Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil giant, causing a fire at its facility.

The embassy has not indicated when consular operations might resume, leaving uncertainty about the duration of the suspension and its impact on American citizens in Saudi Arabia.

A violent clash broke out on Monday night between supporters of Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir at the Latif Hostel of Tejgaon Polytechnic Institute in Dhaka. The confrontation, reportedly triggered by a dispute over dominance, left at least nine students injured. The injured, aged between 20 and 23, were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

According to hospital police sources, several of the injured arrived at the emergency department early in the morning and received primary medical care. Witnesses and related sources said the incident stemmed from longstanding tension between the two groups within the hostel. Authorities intervened to bring the situation under control.

Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadik Kayem reportedly visited the hospital to check on the injured students.

United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen met with the newly appointed Minister and State Minister of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the minister’s office. The meeting was attended by Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita), MP, and State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat.

During the discussion, both sides emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States. The meeting also focused on seeking U.S. cooperation for the development of Bangladesh’s aviation sector.

The U.S. ambassador assured that his country would continue to extend maximum cooperation to the current government.

In the UK House of Commons, British lawmaker Edward Jonathan Davey sharply criticized US President Donald Trump for what he described as an illegal and unilateral attack on Iran. Davey said the assault violated international law and placed responsibility squarely on Trump, warning that it endangered Middle East stability and increased risks to civilian lives.

While also condemning actions by the Iranian government, Davey cautioned that military escalation could heighten tensions and civilian casualties. He emphasized the need for accountability and restraint in any military response. His remarks came during a parliamentary session in which Prime Minister Keir Starmer was delivering a statement on the Iran situation.

Davey further urged the UK government to act with caution and strengthen coordination with the United States. Analysts noted that the debate could complicate diplomatic relations between the UK and the US, as well as intensify disputes over international law and regional stability.

A Dhaka court has sentenced three people to death and eight others to life imprisonment for the murder of expatriate Shyamal Bepari in Munshiganj Sadar upazila. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday morning by Judge Shyam Sundar of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal No. 3. Each convict was also fined 25,000 taka, with an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment in case of non-payment. Among the death row convicts are Shahadat Bepari, Ibrahim Bepari, and Jahangir Bepari, while four of the convicted individuals remain absconding.

According to the case, on June 14, 2023, Shyamal Bepari was shot and hacked to death inside his home following a longstanding dispute. His brother filed the murder case with Munshiganj police. After investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against 11 accused in February 2024. The court framed charges in July 2025, and after hearing testimonies from 27 witnesses, the verdict was announced.

The prosecution expressed satisfaction with the ruling, as did the victim’s family members who attended the court. They urged for swift execution of the judgment.

Several Gulf countries have disclosed the number of missiles and drones intercepted amid ongoing retaliatory attacks following joint US-Israel military strikes on Iran. According to CNN, Kuwait intercepted 178 ballistic missiles and 384 drones, while the UAE reported intercepting 169 of 182 detected missiles and 645 drones, with 44 hitting domestic areas. Bahrain intercepted 70 missiles and 76 drones, and Qatar reported intercepting 101 of 104 detected missiles and 24 of 39 drones, as well as destroying two Iranian SU-24 bombers. Saudi Arabia did not release total figures but confirmed intercepting eight drones near Riyadh and Al-Kharj. Oman reported two drone strikes at Duqm port and a tanker hit near Musandam’s coast.

The figures highlight the defensive capabilities of Gulf nations amid heightened regional tensions. Their air defense systems have played a key role in protecting civilian areas during the ongoing escalation.

The report underscores the strategic importance of Gulf defense networks in maintaining regional stability during the current conflict.

The government of Qatar has extended the validity of all types of entry visas by one month. The announcement was made by the country’s Ministry of Interior on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The extension applies to visas that have already expired or are nearing expiration, and the new rule took effect on February 28.

According to the ministry, the extension process will be handled entirely through electronic means, requiring no additional fees or in-person visits. Applicants will not need to submit any extra applications to benefit from the extension. The decision aims to simplify administrative procedures for visitors and residents holding various categories of Qatari visas.

The ministry’s statement indicates that the measure is part of a broader effort to streamline visa management and reduce bureaucratic steps for foreign nationals currently in Qatar.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem, also known as Arman, has been appointed as the foreign affairs adviser to Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament. The appointment was confirmed late Monday night, March 2, through a verified post on Barrister Arman’s media cell Facebook page.

According to the announcement, the newly appointed adviser will now take on key responsibilities related to the party’s international relations and foreign affairs. Barrister Arman, who currently serves as the Member of Parliament for Dhaka-14 constituency, received widespread congratulations and best wishes from party leaders, activists, and well-wishers on social media following the announcement.

He expressed gratitude to the party chief for entrusting him with this important role, marking a new phase in his political responsibilities within Jamaat-e-Islami.

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has expressed concern over the Indian government's silence following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a column published in The Indian Express, she wrote that New Delhi’s lack of response was not neutrality but an abdication of position. Gandhi noted that despite the gravity of the event, the government issued no statement and limited itself to condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes on the UAE.

According to the report, Iran confirmed on March 1 that Khamenei had been killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack. Gandhi argued that the killing of a sitting head of state represented a serious rupture in international relations and that India’s silence was equally troubling. She also highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reaffirmed support for Israel just two days before the attack.

Gandhi further emphasized India’s strategic ties with Tehran, noting Iran’s role in maintaining India’s diplomatic presence near the Pakistan border and balancing China-Pakistan corridor interests.

A mobile court in Jaldhaka upazila of Nilphamari sentenced a man named Mrinal Adhikari, aged 25, to three months in jail for selling counterfeit medicines under the name of a reputed pharmaceutical company. The arrest took place on the night of March 3, 2026, when he attempted to sell fake drugs labeled as products of Square Company at Messrs Anindya Pharmacy in Jaldhaka town.

The pharmacy owner, Mahbubur Rahman Moni, informed Square Company’s medical promotional officer, Taslim Alam Khan, who examined the products and confirmed they were counterfeit. Following this confirmation, the matter was reported to higher authorities, and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate, Jayid Imrul Mozakkkin, conducted a mobile court on-site and handed down the sentence.

The incident has caused a stir in the area, with local residents urging the administration to continue such drives against counterfeit medicines to protect public health and ensure accountability in the pharmaceutical market.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it carried out a large-scale drone and missile attack on a United States air base located in Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa area on Monday morning. According to the IRGC statement, the operation involved 20 drones and three missiles, which allegedly destroyed the base’s main command and headquarters building and set fire to fuel storage tanks.

As of the report’s publication, Bahraini authorities had not issued any immediate comment regarding the incident or its consequences. The report did not include information on casualties, damage assessments, or responses from US officials.

The attack marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, though the full extent of the damage and potential retaliatory measures remain unclear based on the available information.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah announced that it carried out a drone attack on Israel’s Ramat David air base in the country’s north. According to the group, the strike took place early Tuesday and targeted the radar site and control rooms of the base using a swarm of drones.

Hezbollah stated that the operation was conducted as retaliation for Israel’s recent deadly attacks in various areas of Lebanon. The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not provide details on the extent of the damage or any casualties resulting from the strike.

The incident marks another escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides trading attacks across the border in recent weeks.

Five farmers in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat have alleged that toxic chemicals were sprayed on their seven-acre watermelon fields, causing an estimated loss of Tk 3 million. The affected farmers filed a written complaint at the Dahagram Police Investigation Center after discovering the damage. The incident occurred in Sardarpara area of Dahagram union, where the farmers had cultivated hybrid ‘Madhuri’ watermelons on land along the Teesta River.

According to the farmers, they had invested Tk 1.4–1.5 million in fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs over three months, expecting to earn Tk 3–3.5 million from the harvest. They suspect the act was driven by a land dispute with a neighbor, Abdul Mannan, and his son, who allegedly sprayed herbicide at night. Abdul Mannan denied the allegation. Local agricultural officials inspected the damaged fields on March 1 and confirmed extensive losses.

The upazila agriculture officer advised irrigation and fertilizer use to try to save the remaining plants and said assistance under agricultural incentive programs would be considered. Police stated that legal action would follow after investigation.