Injuries reported in KuwaitIn Kuwait, four Bangladeshi nationals sustained injuries following a drone strike near a civilian airport. Anxiety rises in migrant-reliant homesThe deaths and injuries have heightened fears among Bangladeshi expatriates across the Gulf and their families in Bangladesh, particularly in districts heavily dependent on overseas employment. In Barguna, where remittances form the backbone of the local economy, families say they are living in constant anxiety. With airspace closures, missile strikes and drone attacks affecting parts of the Gulf, many families now fear disruptions to employment and remittance flows. Diplomatic missions in the affected countries have been instructed to remain in close contact with Bangladeshi nationals and provide necessary assistance.

The Foreign Ministers of Kuwait and Bahrain, along with Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, telephoned Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to discuss the sprouting Middle East situation and the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates. Dr Khalilur Rahman disclosed the information while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Monday. “In the context of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, I received phone calls from the Foreign Ministers of Kuwait and Bahrain, and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar,” he said. The Foreign Minister said the discussions focused on ensuring the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals residing in the region. “They have assured us of the safety of our expatriates,” he added.

BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 2, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned rocket fire launched at Israel on Monday, as the Israeli military launched a series of strikes across Lebanon in response. "Regardless of who is behind it, the rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon's security and safety and gives Israel pretexts to continue its attacks on it," Salam said on X.Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah claimed responsiblity, saying it had launched rockets and drones overnight at Israel in retaliation for the killing of the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Amid the ongoing war situation in the Middle East, the government’s “number one priority” is to ensure the safety of outbound and expatriate Bangladeshi nationals, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed has said. She added that inter-ministerial coordination is underway to assist stranded passengers, resolve visa-related complications, and monitor the overall security of Bangladeshis residing abroad. She noted that the relevant ministries are working directly at airports to ensure passengers’ safety and, where necessary, to arrange hotel accommodation. Our number one priority is to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi nationals,” she said. However, preparations have been made to ensure that once travel resumes, passengers can report to designated points without facing complications.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain was also present. To oversee these initiatives, a separate July Mass Uprising Directorate has been established under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has revealed concerns over fraudulent entries in the country’s freedom fighters’ list. The Minister added that the National Freedom Fighters Council is currently conducting a nationwide verification of the list, with a focus on recognizing distinguished freedom fighters. “The government remains committed to ensuring that genuine freedom fighters receive all their rightful honors and benefits,” he said.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has said Bangladesh’s foremost priority amid the ongoing Middle East crisis is to protect its citizens residing in the region and safeguard their interests under all circumstances. The foreign minister said the government remains firmly focused on ensuring the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals living and working in Middle Eastern countries. “In the context of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, I received telephone calls from the Foreign Ministers of Kuwait and Bahrain, and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar,” he said. The foreign minister said the discussions focused on ensuring the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals residing in those countries. Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister Md Nurul Haque and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat were present.

The US defense secretary on Monday declined to rule out putting troops on the ground in Iran and indicated the war launched over the weekend could go on for as long as six weeks. As for how long the war will last, Hegseth said: “Four weeks, two weeks, six weeks, it could move up. General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, spoke alongside Hegseth, saying that air superiority had been achieved over Iran. Strikes by American forces “resulted in the establishment of local air superiority. This air superiority will not only enhance the protection of our forces, but also allow them to continue the work over Iran,” Caine said.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan addressed a views-exchange meeting with journalists at the Secretariat Media Centre as the chief guest. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Mar 2, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said the government has decided to waive agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000 in order to accelerate the country’s agricultural economy and restore relief to rural communities. “This initiative, taken under the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, will directly benefit ordinary farmers and strengthen the national economy,” he said. Swapan was addressing as the chief guest a views-exchange meeting with journalists, organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum, at the Secretariat Media Centre here. “During the previous (AL) government’s tenure, loan defaulters who looted crores of taka received state patronage, while genuine producing farmers were neglected,” he said.

LONDON, March 2, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - European gas prices soared more than 20 percent Monday on fears that the Iran war will cut supplies in the Gulf region, notably exports from Qatar. The Dutch TTF natural gas contract, considered the European benchmark, rocketed to 38.885 euros, having earlier gained more than 22 percent. Despite the surge, the price was below the level it reached in January during the northern hemisphere winter.

PM consults with experts to help ease city’s traffic jamPrime Minister Tarique Rahman. File PhotoDHAKA, March 2, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today consulted with experts on overhauling the traffic management system to ease congestion in the capital city. "To resolve traffic congestion in Dhaka, the Honorable Prime Minister has spoken with experts about restructuring the traffic system. Tarique Rahman spoke with the architects and listened to their opinions on the matter. In addition, the Prime Minister held separate meetings with Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher and Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram.

Dhaka University on Monday observed the historic Flag-Hoisting Day. In the years prior to 2023, no one directly associated with the original flag hoisting had been invited to the event. Historic Flag-Hoisting DayIn a historic student rally held at Dhaka University premises, the first Bangladesh flag was hoisted on March 2, 1971. Historic Flag-Hoisting Day 2026On Monday, a program marking the historic ‘Flag-Hoisting Day’ was held at the Bot Tala premises adjacent to the Arts Building of the university. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed and Treasurer Professor Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury spoke as special guests.

TEHRAN, March 2, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A total of 35 people have been killed in Iran's southern Fars province in US and Israeli strikes which began two days ago, local media reported Monday. "Thirty-five people have been killed in Fars province in American and Zionist attacks," Tasnim news agency reported quoting Ebrahim Bayani, head of the province's state-run martyrs foundation. "Given the continuation of the enemy air strikes this morning, this number may rise," he added.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman -File photoDHAKA, Mar 02, 2026 (BSS)- Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has said Bangladesh’s foremost priority amid the ongoing Middle East crisis is to protect its citizens residing in the region and safeguard their interests under all circumstances. The Foreign Minister said the government remains firmly focused on ensuring the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals living and working in Middle Eastern countries. The Foreign Minister said the discussions focused on ensuring the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals residing in those countries. Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister Md. Nurul Haque and state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat were present.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Md Nahid Islam has said that there will be no existence of fascism in Bangladesh. In a post on the party’s verified Facebook page on Monday, he said, “We will not leave any trace of fascism in Bangladesh.”Nahid, also a lawmaker from Dhaka-11, said the president must be impeached and brought under arrest.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman spoke to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Photo: Video ScreenshotDHAKA, March 2, 2026 (BSS) – The Foreign Ministers of Kuwait and Bahrain, along with Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, telephoned Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman to discuss the sprouting Middle East situation and the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates. Dr. Khalilur Rahman disclosed the information while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Monday. “In the context of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, I received phone calls from the Foreign Ministers of Kuwait and Bahrain, and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar,” he said. The Foreign Minister said the discussions focused on ensuring the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals residing in the region.