Iran has targeted United States forces across multiple Gulf countries, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East. In Qatar, the Defense Ministry said an Iranian missile was intercepted by the Patriot air defense system, preventing damage. Following the developments, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates announced the closure of their airspace as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, a loud explosion was reported in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, according to Reuters. Authorities in the UAE have not immediately disclosed details on the cause of the explosion.

Photo: PMODHAKA, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today sought the cooperation of government officials and employees to implement the commitments made in his party's election manifesto, including those in health and education, women's education, employment and sports. Through a fair election, the people have given their mandate in favor of implementing the election manifesto of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He expressed hope that officials and employees would extend full cooperation in eliminating corruption from the country. "(Since) we consider this country our first and last destination, we must work to change the destiny of the country's people," Tarique Rahman added. During the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed officials and employees to maintain confidentiality in matters concerning the interests of the country and the state.

Head coach Casey Jones ’90 had some words for his players after St. Lawrence — which entered Friday night’s game against No. 11 men’s hockey sitting in 10th place in the ECAC — put Cornell in a 1-0 hole in the second period. “They always say the shift after a goal is one of the bigger shifts of the game,” said junior forward Ryan Walsh. It would be the Saints, on just its seventh shot on goal — Cornell had 13 up to that point — that drew first blood. Cornell finished the game having allowed St. Lawrence just 15 shots on net.

Photo: BSSCHANDPUR, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS) - The government has imposed a two-month ban onall types of fishing, including Hilsa, in the Padma-Meghna rivers in Chandpurdistrict to boost Hilsa production and conserve Jatka, the juvenile form ofthe national fish. Chandpur Sadar upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Mirza Omar Faruk said thatdistrict and upazila task forces will strictly enforce the government'sdirective within the sanctuary area. Legal action will be taken under the Fisheries Actagainst anyone found catching Jatka within the naval jurisdiction, he added. He urged all stakeholders to cooperate in thenational interest by refraining from illegal fishing. Hilsa researcher Dr. Anisur Rahman emphasized the importance of collectiveefforts to protect Jatka, noting that "Today's Jatka is tomorrow's Hilsa."

Photo: CollectedBAGHDAD, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Warplanes and missiles were seen flying through Iraqi airspace as Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, witnesses and a military source told AFP. The military source said on condition of anonymity "our forces detected warplanes from the direction of Israel that crossed the airspace over Baghdad" and other provinces, adding that missiles were also seen flying over the northern province of Kirkuk. "We saw several missiles flying at a low altitude" near the district of Dakuk in Kirkuk, two witnesses said. A soldier in the city of Ramadi in western Iraq told AFP he saw warplanes flying overhead.

Trump says US 'may have casualties' in Iran attackUS President Donald Trump.Photo: CollectedWEST PALM BEACH, United States, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump warned Saturday that US forces could take casualties in what he called a massive attack on Iran to destroy the country's military and spark a popular revolt against the government. "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties," Trump said in his video address announcing the start of the bombing campaign.

AMMAN, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Jordan's military said its air force was conducting sorties on Saturday to protect the kingdom and its people, as Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran. "The sounds heard in the skies over a number of areas of the Kingdom are from aircraft belonging to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, which are carrying out routine flights as part of their operational duties," a military source said, after sirens were reported in Amman. "These sorties are part of aerial reconnaissance and inspection operations aimed at maintaining the safety of Jordanian airspace and ensuring that it is free from any attempts at infiltration or illegal activities," the source added.

JERUSALEM, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israeli strikes on Iran were targeting"regime and military sites including ballistic missiles", the Kan publicbroadcaster reported, citing an Israeli official. "Israeli official: Regime targets and military sites are being attacked --including ballistic missiles," appeared on the ticker of the Kan 11television channel.

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has called for a review of the trade agreement signed with the United States by the outgoing interim government, warning that it may not serve the country’s long-term economic interests. At a press conference on Saturday, CPD Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem urged the new government to review the interim US trade deal to ensure it aligns with national interests. CPD claimed that the administration led by Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus finalized what it described as a discriminatory agreement with the US government at the end of its tenure, which could create pressure on future trade and economic policies. Speakers at the press conference said the new administration’s key challenge will be to formulate a coordinated and balanced trade policy that prioritizes national interests. They expressed hope that the government will carefully review the matter and take necessary steps to safeguard the country’s long-term economic interests.

The United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes against targets in Iranian cities on Saturday triggering explosions and columns of smoke in the capital Tehran. Iran, Iraq and Israel all closed their airspaces to civilian traffic once the strikes were underway, and the US embassies in Qatar and Bahrain urged US citizens to take shelter. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel for talks on Iran on Monday, the State Department said. Trump in his State of the Union address Tuesday alleged Iran was developing missiles that could strike the United States. Increasing pressure, Rubio on Friday designated Iran a state sponsor of wrongful detentions, a new blacklist, over jailings of US citizens.

TEHRAN, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is "safe and sound", state media reported on Saturday, following US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic. "President Masoud Pezeshkian is safe and sound and has no problems," the IRNA news agency reported, alongside the Mehr and ISNA agencies.

JERUSALEM, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Jerusalem municipality ordered schools and workplaces to close on Saturday after Israel launched strikes on arch-foe Iran, saying the closure would be in effect until 1800 GMT on Monday. "In accordance with the assessment of the situation by the Home Front Command and the launch of a preemptive strike against Iran, it has been decided to change the guidelines and transition from full activity to essential activity throughout the country," it said in a statement. "There will be no educational activities, no gatherings, and no going to work, except for workers defined as essential. This policy is in effect from Saturday (2/28) at 8:00 am (0600 GMT) until Monday (3/2) at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT)".

Trump says US in 'major combat' to destroy Iran missiles, navyWEST PALM BEACH, United States, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that "major combat" is underway to destroy Iran's missile forces and "annihilate" the country's navy. "The United States' military began major combat operations in Iran," Trump said in a video message posted on his social media site while he spent the weekend at his Florida golf club. "We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. We're going to annihilate their navy," Trump said. He offered the military there "immunity" or "certain death" and told Iranians the "hour of your freedom is at hand."

DOHA, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US embassies in Qatar and Bahrain told their staff to seek shelter Saturday and advised US citizens to do the same after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The embassies said in two separate statements they were "implementing a shelter-in-place for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice," and urged US citizens to "find a secure location within your residence or another safe building".

TEHRAN, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iranian state television on Saturday confirmed what it described as an "aerial aggression by the Zionist regime"on the country, following a series of blasts in Tehran. The Fars news agency meanwhile said "seven missile impacts were reported in the Keshvardoost and Pasteur districts" of Tehran, where the residence ofsupreme guide Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is located.