- Gulf crisis –Saudi Arabia is the world's second?biggest oil producer after the United States, and Iran ranks among the top 10. Qatar, though small, is the world's second?largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), behind the United States. The Strait of Hormuz -- the gateway to the Gulf -- has been largely paralysed by the violence in the region. India depends heavily on crude from Iraq and Saudi Arabia -- even more so since the United States pressed it to reduce its purchases of Russian oil. Since Asia is also a major LNG consumer, Europe risks ending up in direct competition with it if Qatari gas becomes inaccessible.

Israel, US strikes hit building of body to elect new Iran supreme leader: Iranian mediaTEHRAN, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israeli and US strikes on Tuesday hit the Tehran building of a body tasked with electing Iran's new supreme leader, local media reported. "The American-Zionist criminals attacked the Assembly of Experts building in Qom," south of Tehran, according to the Tasnim news agency. Local media showed footage of the building severely damaged in the strikes. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US and Israeli strikes on Saturday.

Photo: CollectedDHAKA, March 3, 2026 (BSS)- Bangladesh batter Saif Hasan has shifted his focus to the 2027 ODI World Cup, aiming to prepare himself thoroughly for the global showpiece by delivering consistent performances in the upcoming assignments. To qualify directly for the World Cup, they must finish among the top eight Full Members in the ICC ODI rankings by that date. "There's an ODI World Cup ahead which is very important for us, so the sooner we prepare ourselves for it, the better it will be," Saif said. "If you look at the last year or year and a half, I didn't really get many opportunities to play ODIs. We did play a few, but those were in between T20Is," Saif remarked.

NATO chief says 'widespread support' for US Iran campaignBRUSSELS, Belgium, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - NATO chief Mark Rutte said Tuesday there was broad backing among US European allies for President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran. Washington's bombardment of Iran -- which saw supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed -- has unleashed airstrikes across the Middle East. "I feel widespread support in Europe. Rutte underlined that the NATO military alliance -- founded to protect Europe and North America -- was "not involved" in the military operations. "But I can assure you that NATO will defend every inch of NATO territory," he said.

TEHRAN, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran on Tuesday urged the United Nations Security Council to take action to stop the Islamic republic's war with Israel and the United States. "The United Nations Security Council has a duty... if it wishes, it can certainly act, because there is no obstacle to its action except its own will," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a foreign ministry briefing.

Brent oil price tops $85 for first time since July 2024LONDON, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Oil prices soared on Tuesday as the Iran war disrupted supplies, with the crucial Strait of Hormuz effectively closed off and energy infrastructure hit. The Brent North Sea crude contract, the international benchmark, jumped more than eight percent to reach $85.12 a barrel, its highest level since July 2024. The main US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, climbed more than seven percent to $76.47 a barrel.

Israel first responders say 12 injured after new Iran missile barrageJERUSALEM, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israel's Magen David Adom emergency services said Tuesday they were treating 12 people with injuries following the latest salvo of missiles fired from Iran. "Medics and paramedics are providing medical treatment and evacuating to hospitals 12 injured people, including a woman of about 40 in moderate condition with blast injuries, and 11 people lightly injured with cuts from glass shards and blast injuries," an MDA statement said. Israeli police said officers were operating at several sites in the central and Tel Aviv districts where shrapnel had fallen. AFP footage showed security forces in high visibility vests and helmets deployed at one site. At another, a fire engine was stationed as forces sprayed non-flammable foam on the charred wreckage of cars.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma today called on Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, at his office. Photo: MinistryDHAKA, March 3, 2026 (BSS) - Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma today called on Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, at his office. The minister shared his personal experiences of the Liberation War, highlighting his active participation and the challenging moments he faced during the war. He stressed the importance of presenting the true history of the Liberation War properly to the younger generation. Liberation War Affairs Secretary Israt Chowdhury was present at the meeting.

Trump says US-UK relationship 'not like it used to be'LONDON, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said the historical relationship between the United States and Britain is "not like it used to be", amid a diplomatic bust-up over US-Israeli strikes on Iran. But the episode angered Trump, who told British daily newspaper The Sun: "This was the most solid relationship of all. Starmer has cultivated a warm relationship with the unpredictable Trump, who was given an unprecedented second state visit to Britain last year. The so-called special relationship between the World War II allies is largely built on long-standing defence cooperation and intelligence sharing. "That is reflected in decades of that special relationship, whether it's on national security on trade, or beyond," the spokesman said.

However, they must present valid ID cards to avail of the discount,” he told journalists after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. The minister said as Eid is approaching, efforts are being made to introduce the facility before Eid. He said anyone aged over 65 will receive a 25 percent discount upon showing their ID card. Regarding the upcoming Eid, the minister said efforts are being made to use 85 to 86 locomotives to ensure quality travel for passengers. The minister said the government has taken sufficient initiatives to ensure smooth Eid travel, addressing traffic congestion on roads and pressure on waterways.

Photo: CollectedMUSCAT, Oman, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Drones targeted an Omani port on Tuesday, hitting a fuel tank, state media said, as Iran presses its campaign against the Gulf in response to US and Israeli strikes. "A security source reported that fuel tanks at the commercial port of Duqm were targeted by a number of drones, one of which hit a fuel tank. The attack is the second on the port in three days, as Iran broadens its targets in the Gulf. On Sunday a worker was injured when two drones struck the same port. One hit accommodation for workers, while debris from the other landed near fuel tanks, the Oman News Agency said.

The government has canceled the appointment of Faruk Ahmed as managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the company responsible for operating the metro rail. According to a notification issued Monday by the MRT branch of the Road Transport and Highways Division under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, the remaining tenure of his appointment has been revoked. “This order, issued in the public interest, will take effect immediately,” it added. Earlier, on February 19, 2025, during the tenure of the interim government, engineer Faruk Ahmed was appointed as the DMTCL MD, the company tasked with the construction and operation of the metro rail. During his 37-year career, Faruk Ahmed served for 25 years in various key positions related to metro rail construction and operation in countries including Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Macao, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

Reading time: about 4 minutesSpoiler warning: This article contains details from the plot of Tender is the Night. It is with her naïve perspective that F. Scott Fitzgerald crafts the divinely summer-soaked Tender is the Night. From this point on, Tender is the Night follows the ruin of the Divers’ relationships, and most especially of Dick Diver himself. Tender is the Night captures the gold-coated appeal of the wealthy as a romantic might be inclined to see it. I expect at this time next year, when the weather is frigid and summer is at its most appealing, I’ll be reading Tender is the Night again.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke met with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman today. The commitment was made when the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the foreign ministry, said a ministry’s press release here. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister appreciated the UK for sending Seema Malhotra, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new government. The High Commissioner assured that she would convey the Bangladeshi candidate’s credentials to the UK headquarters and that due consideration would be given to the candidature. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cooke said, “I've just come from a very good meeting with the honorable foreign minister.

LONDON, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - European stock markets slid further at the start of trading on Tuesday and the region's natural gas prices soared once more as the Iran war shook financial markets. Frankfurt's DAX index of top German companies shed 2.0 percent, the Paris CAC 40 lost 1.8 percent and London's FTSE 100 retreated by 1.4 percent in value. The Dutch TTF natural gas contract, considered the European benchmark, shot up more than 33 percent having rocketed almost 40 percent on Monday after Qatar halted liquefied natural gas production following Iranian attacks on state processing facilities.