To counter the potential economic impact of the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, eight top economists in the country have suggested conserving foreign exchange reserves, not cutting policy interest rates now, and controlling abnormal fluctuations in the dollar market. The economists said in the meeting that the full impact of the current tensions in the Middle East is not yet clear. The meeting also called for initiatives to reduce dependence on the Middle East and procure energy from alternative sources to address the risk of energy supply. Economists said that if the situation in the Middle East worsens, there may be disruptions in the movement of workers, which may affect the flow of remittances. The economists also proposed the formation of a special committee to regularly monitor the overall economic situation of the country.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury today visited the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Photo : PIDDHAKA, Mar 7, 2026 (BSS) - Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury today said the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is not merely a place for buying and selling books, but also an important gathering for the promotion of language, culture and free thinking. He made the remarks while visiting the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in the capital. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khayyam accompanied him during the visit. He also welcomed the expansion of the publishing industry and praised the creative initiatives of emerging writers centered on the book fair.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bokul on Saturday made a surprise visit to Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex where he found several irregularities, including the absence of doctors and officials, discrepancies in leave approvals, and shortcomings in hospital services. The minister arrived at the hospital unexpectedly around 10:00 am and immediately entered the facility. After learning about the minister’s sudden visit, several doctors arrived at the hospital around 10:30 am. The minister also visited the male and female wards and spoke with admitted patients about the medical services they were receiving. The minister recorded the complaints and listened to the demands of hospital employees, noting them down as well.

He said the tendency to politicize state institutions, seen during Sheikh Hasina’s previous tenure, is now emerging under the current government. Addressing the discussion as the chief guest, Nahid urged the ruling party to act responsibly. He also accused the ruling party of betraying the people’s mandate. “After the July popular uprising, the long-awaited election was held, but that election has been questioned in various ways. According to the July Charter, we were sworn in, yet the ruling party has dishonored the commitment of the July mandate,” he said.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said women hold just 64% of the legal rights enjoyed by men worldwide. The day focuses on rights, action and justice for all women and girls. Where legal protections do exist, discrimination and weak enforcement mean women still struggle to access courts and legal support, Guterres said. Guterres said they must unite to deliver on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Beijing+30 Action Agenda. It is time to make justice a reality for women and girls, everywhere,” Guterres.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US State Department approved the sale of $151.8 million worth of munitions to Israel on Friday as the countries engage Iran in an escalating Middle East war. The sale of 12,000 requested 1,000-pound (470-kilogram) bomb bodies was approved by the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, according to a press release. "The proposed sale will improve Israel's capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats," the bureau said in a statement.

Photo : PIDDHAKA, March 7, 2026 (BSS)- Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said Bangladesh has entered a new era under the unprecedented leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. “Tarique Rahman has taken charge as the country's Prime Minister with the mandate of the people of the country. He said these while addressing an Iftar and Doa Mahfil organized by ‘Begum Khaleda Zia Smriti Sangsad’ in memory of former Prime Minister late Begum Zia at an auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) here. Jahir Uddin Swapan said, “If our leader Begum Khaleda Zia were alive now, she would have been the happiest. Paying rich tribute to Begum Khaleda Zia, the information minister said, “Begum Zia was performing her family duties as a housewife.

File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 7, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed today expressed confidence that the upcoming parliamentary sessions will restore public trust in the legislature, stating that citizens "wanted to see such a parliament." The workshop, organized specifically for first-time elected BNP parliamentarians and ministers, focused on parliamentary procedures, rules of practice, conflict of interest guidelines, and democratic etiquette. According to the Home Minister, sessions also covered comparative studies of parliamentary traditions in established democracies worldwide. The party described the program as essential preparation for newly elected public representatives to navigate parliamentary responsibilities with professionalism and integrity. With renewed emphasis on constitutional adherence and democratic norms, relevant sources say the upcoming session will mark a turning point in parliamentary conduct and public perception.

LONDON, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Britain is ready to help defend Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the kingdom's de facto leader in a call on Friday as the Middle East war escalates. Countries around the Gulf have been hit by strikes, with Saudi Arabia -- a longstanding rival of Iran -- reporting it had intercepted a cruise missile and three drones on Friday. Starmer spoke to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and assured him "the UK stood ready to support the defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should it be needed," the PM's spokeswoman said. "The leaders also discussed stepping up intelligence cooperation to support defensive operations and protect civilians," the spokeswoman said. Starmer has come under fire from some opposition voices at home who accuse him of being too slow to respond to the Middle East war.

Police have said that the killing of a teenage girl in Narsingdi, initially believed to be linked to an abduction following demands for justice over a gang rape, was in fact staged by her stepfather after he murdered her. Police arrested the stepfather, Ashraf Ali, in connection with the incident. He said the girl was allegedly gang-raped at the house of accused Hazrat Ali about 10–12 days before the murder. On Friday, police detained the girl's stepfather Ashraf Ali for questioning. He added that stepfather Ashraf Ali, Nur Mohammad (Nura) and Hazrat Ali have all confessed to their roles before the court.

Emirates suspends all flights to and from Dubai until further noticeDUBAI, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Emirates, the largest airline in the Middle East, announced on Saturday that it was suspending all flights to and from Dubai until further notice, after an aerial interception took place over Dubai airport during attacks from Iran. "Please do not go to the airport," the airline said in a statement on X. Flights had partially resumed on Monday from Dubai's main airport, the world's busiest for international traffic, despite daily drone attacks targeting sites in the United Arab Emirates.

BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Lebanon's health ministry onSaturday said Israel's strikes on Nabi Sheet in east Lebanon a day priorkilled at least 16 people, with Hezbollah saying Israeli troops infiltratedthe town from the air. In a statement, the ministry said "the series of raids launched by theIsraeli enemy on the town of Nabi Sheet in the Baalbek district resulted in apreliminary toll of 16 killed and 35 wounded".

The Trump administration’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil sales to India in order to address potential supply issues has raised questions about Washington’s resolve on the issue. However, in a major policy shift, the US announced on Thursday (March 5) a 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to buy Russian oil again. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India was not a significant buyer of Russian oil. However, it ramped up purchases when Russian oil became much cheaper on international markets than the alternatives. The sanctions have meant an ever widening discount on Russian oil on global markets for the countries that do purchase it.

Many residents across Dhaka reported significant inconvenience after failing to obtain fuel despite visiting multiple filling stations. On-the-spot observations showed that several filling stations had suspended services due to a lack of fuel. Fuel pump operators said fuel sales over the past two days had been significantly higher than usual due to rumors and growing public concern, causing many filling stations to quickly exhaust their reserves. He explained that fuel tankers do not normally operate on Fridays and Saturdays because they are government holidays, meaning filling stations typically do not receive fuel supplies during this period. According to BPC directives, specific limits have been set on fuel sales at filling stations to ensure smooth supply and prevent hoarding.

The latest intervention in the “Subodh” series from the anonymous guerilla artist HOBEKI? This time it is the second work in the ‘Stop War’ series. “The artist’s presentation conveys that ordinary people have the power to stop war and destruction if they want to,” ARTcon founder ARK Reepon told UNB. Earlier, the first graffiti in the ‘Stop War’ series appeared on a wall in Ceramic Road, Mirpur-12, in the capital in April 2022. With Subodh’s return to Agargaon, HOBEKI?