Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that President Md. Shahabuddin will deliver a speech at the first session of the new parliament, in line with parliamentary tradition. He confirmed that all necessary preparations for the event have been completed. The minister made the statement on Saturday while speaking to journalists after the second day of a workshop held at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan.

During the discussion, the minister mentioned that the workshop would conclude with its fourth session later in the afternoon. He added that the government is working to ensure effective use of the legislative branch, particularly the national parliament, and to keep it active under the leadership of the head of the ruling party.

The announcement underscores the government’s readiness for the upcoming parliamentary session and its focus on strengthening parliamentary functions and governance.

Vote counting continues in Nepal following Thursday’s general election, with former rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah emerging as the early frontrunner. Shah, who served as Kathmandu’s mayor until January, is leading by a wide margin, positioning him as a potential next prime minister. His centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is ahead in more than two-thirds of the 165 directly elected seats, according to BBC Nepali. The Nepali Congress trails in second place, while the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) stands third. Final results may take several days due to Nepal’s slow counting process and the logistical challenges of collecting ballots from remote areas.

Shah, 35, trained as a civil engineer and was active in Nepal’s hip-hop scene before entering politics. His popularity surged during last year’s protests over social media restrictions, corruption, and unemployment, which led to the resignation of then-leader KP Sharma Oli. Shah’s tough stance as mayor drew both support and criticism, particularly from human rights groups. He is contesting from Jhapa-5, Oli’s traditional stronghold, and is currently leading there as well.

Analysts view this election as a generational shift, with many young voters seeking new leadership after decades of unstable coalition governments.

Kuwait’s Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah held a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday evening. During the call, both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination in military and defense sectors between the two countries.

According to a statement from Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense, the discussion focused on boosting regional security and defense capabilities. The ministers also exchanged views on various joint initiatives and potential areas for future collaboration aimed at strengthening bilateral defense ties.

Both parties emphasized the importance of further consolidating the existing strategic relationship between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, reflecting their shared interest in maintaining stability and security in the region.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka has issued a new advisory regarding travel to the US, warning that misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits could affect future eligibility for travel, study, or work in the country. The message was shared on the embassy’s verified Facebook page on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

According to the embassy’s statement, individuals planning to travel to the United States should ensure they have sufficient financial capacity to cover their own expenses, including potential disruptions or medical emergencies during the trip. The advisory emphasized that misuse of facilities funded by US taxpayers could lead to permanent consequences, potentially making individuals ineligible for future visas or entry into the United States.

The embassy’s message serves as a reminder for travelers to act responsibly and maintain compliance with US travel and financial requirements to avoid long-term restrictions on entry or participation in US programs.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned what he described as ongoing illegal attacks across the Middle East, warning on Friday that the situation could soon spiral out of control as the conflict spreads to multiple countries. His remarks followed a series of airstrikes launched by the United States and Israeli forces against Iran on February 28, to which Iran responded with retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf states. Washington said the operation aimed to counter Tehran’s nuclear and missile threats.

Guterres said the continuing attacks were causing immense suffering for ordinary people and posing serious risks to the global economy, particularly for vulnerable populations. He urged all sides to halt fighting immediately and begin meaningful diplomatic negotiations.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher added that the war was consuming about one billion dollars daily, while political leaders were cutting aid budgets for those most in need. He warned that the conflict was disrupting markets and supply chains, driving up food prices, and hitting the poorest communities hardest.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance to prevent oil smuggling from Bangladesh to India. As part of the effort, fuel tanks of goods trucks arriving from India are being measured before entry into Bangladesh and again before returning to India. The initiative began on Saturday, March 7, at the zero line of the Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj, according to a BGB press release.

The 59 BGB Battalion has set up a special checkpoint to measure fuel tanks and inspect entire vehicles to ensure no illegal transfer of fuel occurs. Additionally, the 53 BGB Battalion has strengthened patrols in border areas, increased manpower at border outposts, and established two extra checkpoints in nearby towns to reinforce anti-smuggling operations.

These measures reflect BGB’s broader strategy to tighten border control and prevent the illegal movement of fuel across the Bangladesh-India frontier.

The Iranian Red Crescent has reported that at least 6,668 civilian sites across Iran were targeted in joint airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel. According to figures cited from Fars News Agency and reported by Al Jazeera, the targeted locations included 5,535 residential buildings, 1,041 commercial facilities, 14 medical centers, 65 schools, and 13 centers belonging to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

The report also stated that several rescue and relief vehicles were damaged during the attacks, and some Red Crescent workers were injured while conducting emergency operations. The strikes have caused widespread disruption to civilian infrastructure and humanitarian activities.

No further details were provided about the timing or specific areas affected by the attacks, and there was no mention of official responses from the governments involved.

In Chatmohar upazila of Pabna, octane is being sold at Tk 170 per liter, which is Tk 50 higher than the official price of Tk 120. Petrol is being sold at Tk 140 instead of Tk 116, and diesel at Tk 115 instead of Tk 100. Motorcyclists reported that sellers are charging extra citing the ongoing war situation as justification.

The report states that due to the current conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel, fears of a fuel price hike have led to increased demand and crowding at fuel stations. Some unscrupulous traders are reportedly hoarding fuel to exploit the situation. The owner of the only fuel pump in Chatmohar, KM Saeed Ul Islam Kafi, said his station sells fuel at official rates but demand exceeds supply.

Chatmohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Musa Naser Chowdhury said that operations will soon be conducted against dishonest traders charging excessive prices.

According to the latest data from air quality monitoring firm IQAir, Dhaka recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 253 in late February and early March 2026, ranking as the most polluted city in the world. The level is classified as “very unhealthy,” prompting health experts to urge residents—especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions—to avoid outdoor exposure. The Department of Environment confirmed that PM2.5 concentrations across the capital remain several times higher than World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits.

Experts identified dry winter weather, construction dust, vehicle emissions, and brick kiln smoke as major contributors. Around 30 percent of Dhaka’s air pollution reportedly comes from transport sources, particularly old buses, trucks, and auto-rickshaws. Hospitals have reported a rise in respiratory illnesses during winter, while doctors warn that prolonged exposure could increase risks of asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Authorities have announced measures such as mandatory emission tests for old vehicles, dust control at construction sites, and crackdowns on illegal brick kilns. However, environmental activists argue that deeper structural reforms—like improving public transport and promoting renewable energy—are essential for long-term relief.

Partial flight operations have resumed at Dubai Airport, according to a BBC report released on Saturday afternoon. Passengers have been advised not to travel without confirmed bookings, as schedules remain subject to change. Airlines are continuing to provide updates through their official communication channels.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s aviation authority announced that the country will partially reopen its airspace for the first time since the war began a week ago. The reopening will allow only evacuation flights for stranded individuals and emergency cargo operations. This marks a cautious step toward restoring limited air connectivity in the region amid ongoing instability.

The developments indicate a gradual attempt to normalize essential air travel in parts of the Middle East, though full operations remain uncertain due to the continuing conflict.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul made an unannounced visit to the Palash Upazila Health Complex in Narsingdi on Saturday morning, March 7, 2026. The inspection followed complaints that doctors were not arriving at their workplace on time. During the visit, the minister found that out of 21 doctors assigned to the hospital, five were on leave, and only eight of the remaining sixteen were present. Two of those present arrived after the scheduled time.

Minister Bakul stated that the visit confirmed reports of doctors failing to attend duty on time. He added that disciplinary action would be taken against those absent according to official regulations. The inspection aimed to ensure accountability and improve attendance among medical staff at government health facilities.

The minister’s action highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen discipline and service quality in public healthcare institutions, with further administrative measures expected following the findings of this visit.

Experts analyzing evidence have suggested that U.S. forces were likely responsible for a deadly strike on a school in Iran, according to a CNN report. The White House has not dismissed this possibility. The attack on February 28 targeted a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing 165 children. Satellite imagery, local videos, statements from U.S. officials, and assessments by weapons experts indicated that the strike coincided with a U.S. attack on an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base in the same area.

An Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson stated that he was unaware of any Israeli operation in that region. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahraini, initially reported 150 student deaths, later revised to 165. A large funeral and mourning ceremony was held in Iran for the victims.

The report also noted that under international humanitarian law, deliberate attacks on schools, hospitals, or other civilian facilities constitute war crimes.

An Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese city of Nabi Chit killed 16 people and injured 35 others, according to Lebanese health officials. The attack occurred as part of continuing hostilities that have already claimed more than 200 lives in Lebanon since the conflict began.

Last week, the Israeli military ordered large-scale forced evacuations from southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. This directive led to a mass exodus of civilians from those areas, adding to the growing humanitarian crisis.

Lebanese authorities estimate that around 95,000 people have been displaced since the start of the conflict, underscoring the escalating toll on the civilian population.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out a drone strike on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday morning, according to Tasnim news agency. The attack reportedly targeted the vessel after it ignored a prior warning from the IRGC prohibiting navigation through the area. The tanker, named Prima, was sailing under the Maltese flag and was carrying oil and chemicals through the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route for global energy shipments, and the reported strike underscores ongoing tensions in the region. The incident was first reported by Tasnim, with vessel tracking data from Marine Traffic confirming the tanker’s identity and route.

The report did not mention any casualties, damage details, or official responses from Iran or Malta following the attack.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that the country’s interim leadership council has decided not to carry out further attacks on neighboring countries unless Iran is attacked from U.S. bases located there. He stated that Iran would only retaliate if an assault on its territory originates from a neighboring state. Pezeshkian expressed regret that Iran had to target Arab neighbors in recent operations.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghei said on state television that Iran’s actions against neighboring countries were driven by the presence of U.S. military bases on their soil, emphasizing that Iran holds no hostility toward its neighbors. He confirmed that the decision was approved in a meeting of the interim leadership council.

The announcement follows a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials in Tehran. In response, Iran launched counterstrikes on Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East, led by the Revolutionary Guard Corps.