Azerbaijan has temporarily closed part of its southern airspace after alleging that four Iranian drones crossed its border. According to an official notice issued by Azerbaijani authorities, the closure will last for 12 hours. The decision follows rising tensions between the two neighboring countries over drone-related incidents.

Earlier, Azerbaijan had accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks in the Nakhchivan region, a claim that Tehran has denied. In response, Iran blamed Israel for the alleged strikes, rejecting any involvement in the incident. The exchange of accusations has added to the already strained relations between Baku and Tehran.

The temporary airspace closure indicates heightened security concerns along the Azerbaijan-Iran border, though it remains unclear whether further restrictions or diplomatic measures will follow.

Road Transport, Bridges, Rail and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that garment factories will grant holidays in phases ahead of Eid to prevent excessive travel pressure. He made the statement at a press conference following a meeting on Eid travel held at the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon. The minister emphasized that no unethical advantage or extortion will be tolerated during the holiday period, and any unregistered group collecting money from owners or workers will face immediate action.

The minister said that around 15 million people are expected to leave Dhaka within two to three days before Eid, posing a major challenge. To ensure smooth travel, all relevant agencies, transport owners, workers’ associations, and law enforcement bodies have been instructed to remain vigilant. He warned that any transport charging fares above the fixed rate would face penalties, including possible route permit cancellation.

Authorities will also control illegal parking, roadside stalls, and unfit vehicles on highways. The minister added that additional BRTC buses will be kept ready if needed to ensure passengers reach their destinations safely.

An oil tanker named Skylight, sailing under the flag of Palau, was attacked near the Musandam Peninsula in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the deaths of two Indian nationals. The victims were identified as Captain Ashish Kumar from Bihar and crew member Dalip Singh from Rajasthan. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the region. The tanker had departed on February 22 and came under attack off the coast of Oman.

According to a statement from Oman’s Maritime Security Center, the Palau-flagged oil tanker was targeted about five nautical miles north of Khasab port in Musandam Governorate. The vessel carried 20 crew members, including 15 Indians and 5 Iranians, all of whom were rescued. Official reports confirmed that the bodies of the two deceased were recovered, with Captain Kumar’s remains found in his cabin.

The statement did not specify the nature of the attack. The incident follows a recent drone strike near Oman’s Duqm port, further highlighting instability in the area.

An interdepartmental committee of the Chattogram district administration conducted an on-site inspection at GPH Ispat Limited in Sitakunda to investigate allegations of environmental pollution, hill stream filling, and encroachment on government roads and water channels. The seven-member committee, led by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Sakhawat Jamil Soikat, visited the factory and surrounding areas for several hours on Wednesday.

Local residents alleged that GPH Ispat has long occupied government roads and natural water flow paths between Kumira and Banshbaria unions, causing persistent waterlogging in several villages and severe disruption to public movement. They also complained about noise pollution from high-decibel machinery. Despite repeated complaints to local and district authorities, no resolution had been achieved until the committee was formed in November last year.

Assistant Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun stated that the team inspected multiple points for about one and a half hours to verify claims of stream filling and road occupation. The findings will be compiled and submitted to senior officials for further action.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapon announced that the President’s upcoming address to the first session of the National Parliament, scheduled to begin on March 12, will reflect the government’s welfare-oriented initiatives. He said the speech will particularly emphasize key programs such as the Family Card, Farmer Card, and agricultural loan waivers.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday, March 5, after a Cabinet meeting, the minister explained that the Cabinet has prepared to ensure the government’s initiatives are properly represented in the President’s address. Discussions also covered the implementation of various promises and programs already undertaken by the government.

Swapon added that the Prime Minister will soon convene a meeting with relevant ministries to discuss the global war situation, with the finance, power, and energy ministers expected to attend. Regarding public uncertainty over Eid holidays, he said the Cabinet Secretary will provide official information on the matter.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB has reported that the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, one of the country’s main international football venues, has been destroyed in a recent attack. According to the report, the stadium suffered severe damage during the assault, with footage shared on social media showing thick smoke rising from the stands and widespread destruction.

The Azadi Stadium is among Iran’s largest sports facilities and has hosted numerous international football matches. With a seating capacity of around 78,000, it serves as the regular home ground for Iran’s national football team. The report did not specify who carried out the attack or provide further details about casualties or the broader context of the incident.

The destruction of such a major sporting venue could disrupt upcoming national and international football events in Iran, though no official statement on future matches has been issued yet.

Ahsan Ullah has resigned from his position as Adviser to the Governor of Bangladesh Bank. According to the report, he submitted his resignation letter to the new governor on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. His decision came shortly after the appointment of a new governor, which followed the removal of Ahsan H. Mansur on February 25.

The report states that Ahsan Ullah faced internal criticism from several senior officials on the day the new governor was appointed. He cited this pressure as the reason for his resignation and did not return to the office afterward. The government appointed Mostakur Rahman as the new governor on the same day Ahsan H. Mansur left the central bank. Rahman is described as a businessman and a member of the BNP’s election management committee.

The leadership reshuffle at Bangladesh Bank has drawn attention amid reports of growing tension and concerns about the country’s economic situation, as noted by experts in the same publication.

Former administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Mohammad Ejaz, has clarified reports about the city’s treasury being empty. In a Facebook post on Thursday, March 5, 2026, he stated that upon handing over his responsibilities on February 10, 2026, he left more than Tk 1,260 crore in the DNCC fund. He said the amount was distributed across 26 accounts of the corporation.

Ejaz explained that he had served as administrator for a one-year contractual term and completed his tenure by leaving what he described as a financially strong DNCC. He emphasized that the city corporation was in a sound financial position when he departed.

In his post, Ejaz also expressed optimism that the current DNCC team would continue to perform well and contribute to building a better Dhaka.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has accused the United States and Israel of intentionally targeting civilian areas during ongoing hostilities. In a post on X, Baghaei claimed that Iranian civilians were being killed because aggressors were deliberately striking locations where they believed the highest casualties and suffering could occur.

The accusation follows a deadly attack on an Iranian girls’ school last Saturday that killed more than 160 people. When asked about the incident, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States was investigating the matter but maintained that the US never targets civilian sites. Baghaei further stated that the aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran was not confined to the battlefield.

He added that the conflict’s impact had spread to global markets, raising fuel prices, destabilizing currencies, and eroding purchasing power worldwide, while the cost for Iranians remained far greater.

Iran has denied allegations that it carried out a drone attack targeting Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Iran has never launched any attack against Azerbaijan. His remarks were published by Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

Earlier, Azerbaijan claimed that two Iranian drones struck its Nakhchivan region, damaging an airport building. In response, Gharibabadi emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not target neighboring countries. He added that Iran’s policy is to strike only military bases belonging to its enemies, particularly the United States and Israel, and only when those bases are used to launch attacks against Iran.

The exchange of claims highlights ongoing regional sensitivities between Iran and Azerbaijan, though no further official reactions were reported in the source.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued an urgent directive for candidates whose nominations were suspended in the 48th BCS (Special) Examination 2025. According to a notice released on Thursday, March 5, 2026, these candidates must submit their BMDC certificates by filling out a mandatory Google form between March 5 and March 31.

The PSC stated that even those who have already submitted hard copies of their certificates must also complete the online form. Applications from suspended nominees will not be accepted after March 31. The 48th BCS (Special) written examination was held on July 18 of the previous year, and the final results were published on September 11. A total of 2,820 candidates were nominated for the post of Assistant Surgeon and 300 for Assistant Dental Surgeon.

The directive aims to finalize pending nominations and ensure all required documentation is properly submitted within the specified timeframe.

Road Transport, Bridges, Rail and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that collecting money for welfare funds by registered and legal owners’ or workers’ associations cannot be considered extortion. He made the remarks at a press conference following a meeting on Eid travel preparations at the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon. The minister emphasized that no unethical benefits will be allowed during the Eid travel period.

Responding to questions about whether the government is legitimizing extortion in the transport sector, the minister clarified that if any unregistered or unauthorized group collects money arbitrarily, it will be treated as extortion and immediate action will be taken. He added that all relevant agencies, transport associations, and law enforcement bodies have been holding meetings to ensure safe and comfortable Eid travel. The minister warned that no extra fares or roadside extortion will be tolerated.

Sheikh Robiul Alam also said that about 15 million people are expected to leave Dhaka within two to three days before Eid, posing a major challenge. Authorities will remain more active than ever, with coordinated preparations, additional BRTC buses, and staggered factory holidays to ease travel pressure.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has directed officials of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) to ensure that teachers from different regions do not have to visit multiple offices unnecessarily to resolve administrative matters. He issued the directive while addressing a meeting with DSHE officials at the directorate’s auditorium on Thursday afternoon.

The minister emphasized the need for timely resolution of teachers’ salary, pension, leave, transfer, training, and higher education issues. He called for the introduction of digital automation and modern methods to make service delivery faster and more efficient. To ensure transparency and eliminate lobbying in transfer processes, he instructed the adoption of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based software system.

Dr. Milon also urged the creation of a digital platform to help service seekers identify the appropriate desk or officer for their issues. He encouraged open discussion and cooperation among officials to build a more effective and transparent administrative environment. DSHE officials raised some limitations of the current online systems, and the minister instructed that these be resolved promptly.

Popular television presenter and producer Hanif Sanket and renowned singer Bashir Ahmed (posthumously) have been named recipients of Bangladesh’s highest civilian honor, the Independence Award 2026. The award recognizes individuals and institutions for their distinguished contributions at the national level. The final list of awardees was approved on Thursday, March 5, during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tareque Rahman at the Secretariat, according to Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani.

The list places A.K.M. Hanif (Hanif Sanket) at number seven and Bashir Ahmed at number eight. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female head of government, will also receive the award posthumously for her contributions to independence, democracy, and women’s education. The Independence Award, instituted in 1977, is presented annually on March 26 to honor the memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.

The recognition underscores the government’s continued effort to honor individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to national life and development.

The European Union has reported that Middle Eastern countries are expressing concern over a potential civil war in Iran. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday, March 5, that tensions involving the United States and Israel have raised fears of internal conflict in Iran. Regional nations are reportedly worried about Iran’s current situation and its leadership amid the escalating crisis.

Kallas emphasized that the European Union supports diplomatic solutions, stating that wars ultimately end through diplomacy. She stressed the need to create space for diplomatic engagement to break the ongoing cycle of tension. The EU also voiced deep concern over maritime security in the Middle East, particularly efforts to keep the strategic Strait of Hormuz open.

The report added that the regional conflict has sparked a dispute between the United States and Spain. Washington accused Madrid of denying access to a joint naval and air base, while Spain criticized U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran as reckless and illegal. The EU expressed hope that the United States would honor last year’s trade agreement applicable to all EU member states.