BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon on Saturday urged Lebanon and Israel to enter talks to negotiate an end hostilities after the outbreak of a renewed Israel-Hezbollah war. "As bad as things are today, they are set to get even worse," Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said. "Talks between Lebanon and Israel can be the game changer needed to save future generations from going, time and again, through the same nightmare". In December, Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives engaged in their first direct talks in decades as part of a meeting of a committee monitoring the November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon was engulfed by the expanding Middle East war on Monday, after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel to avenge the death of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman urged Iran to “avoid miscalculation” on Saturday, following missile and drone launches against the kingdom. In a series of statements, the Saudi defense ministry said it had thwarted repeated missile launches at an air base which houses US military personnel and drone attacks at a major oil field. Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, reported at least two drone attacks earlier this week that targeted the Ras Tanura refinery in the east. The news agency also reported at least 17 drone attacks targeting the Shaybah oil field near the Emirati border. In a separate incident, two drones were intercepted east of Riyadh, according to the defense ministry.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain Bokul on Saturday said those who fail to perform their duties on time must be held accountable, stressing that negligence in healthcare services for grassroots people will not be tolerated. The minister made the remark during a surprise visit to the Palash Upazila Health Complex in Narsingdi this morning. At a time when patients had already started gathering on the hospital premises, the minister entered the health complex without any formal protocol. During the inspection, he expressed dissatisfaction after finding several doctors and staff absent from their duties according to the roster. Speaking with patients waiting in line, the health minister listened to their concerns and reiterated that any negligence in providing healthcare services to people at the grassroots level would not be tolerated.

The 20th imprisonment day of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is being observed on Saturday, recalling his arrest during the military-backed caretaker government in 2007. Tarique Rahman was arrested from his residence on Moinul Road in Dhaka Cantonment on March 7, 2007, by a team of joint forces. After his arrest, Tarique Rahman was taken on remand in several cases. Following his arrest, Tarique Rahman remained in prison for nearly 18 months. He was released on bail on September 3, 2008, after being granted bail in all the cases filed against him.

Nepal’s rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah held an unassailable lead against ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli Saturday in the highly contested face-off in the southeastern district of Jhapa, according to data from the Election Commission. Shah led with more than 55,500 votes, with Oli trailing on 15,409. But trends showed that Shah’s RSP was also leading in 90 of the remaining 117 constituencies in the direct elections. On Friday, Shah’s party loyalists danced on the streets of Kathmandu in celebration, even though final results could take days. Shah has also taken a commanding lead in the seat he is contesting -- a head-to-head contest against 74-year-old ousted prime minister Oli, symbolizing the clash between the old guard and a youth-driven call for change.

Candidates contesting the by-elections in the Sherpur-3 and Bogra-6 constituencies will begin their official election campaigns from March 16, following the allocation of election symbols. According to EC officials, five candidates have submitted nomination papers for the Sherpur-3 constituency. The scrutiny of nomination papers for the seat has already been completed, and the commission is currently accepting appeals. However, as the law does not allow a person to hold parliamentary membership from two constituencies simultaneously, he retained the Dhaka-17 seat and vacated the Bogra-6 seat. Election symbols will be allocated on March 15, campaigning will begin on March 16, and voting will take place on April 9.

As hosts, defending champions and after recent bilateral success against their opponents, India could well be considered slight favourites for the March 8 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final against New Zealand. However, there is history that weighs in the Black Caps' favour: New Zealand is yet to lose to India in tournament history. 2016: New Zealand spinners overshadow India adversaries in ragging NagpurA square turner meant a low-scoring thriller was on the cards, though the Black Caps were emphatic in a defense of 126, bundling out India for just 79 with nine wickets claimed between three spinners. Mitch Santner, despite not picking up a wicket (0/15), was a clear threat in the eyes of India, bowled 11 dot balls to continue the unrelenting Black Caps push. Mitchell finished with 49 (35), dismissed with his side needing just 15 runs from 44 balls with eight wickets in hand by the time he was dismissed.

BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended a training workshop for newly elected MPs of the BNP, who won the 13th national parliamentary election, on its second day at the party’s Gulshan office in Dhaka. On Saturday morning, MPs from Dhaka district, Mymensingh, Faridpur and the remaining areas of Dhaka division joined the workshop. The training also highlights the responsibilities of MPs, parliamentary conventions for cabinet members and strategic approaches to effectively run ministries. Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atiqur Rahman Ruman said the initiative was taken because many newly elected MPs lack experience in parliamentary rules and procedures. The intensive training programme has been arranged ahead of the session to prepare newly elected MPs and ministers.

A total of 20 flights were cancelled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, due to the security situation in the Middle East. Since February 28, a total of 268 flights have been cancelled. As a result, flights from Shahjalal International Airport had to be effectively cancelled. According to Biman sources, the number of flights cancelled from Shahjalal International Airport are: February 28 – 23 flights, on Sunday – 40 flights, Monday – 46 flights, Tuesday – 39 flights, Wednesday – 28 flights, Thursday – 36 flights, Friday – 34 flights, and Saturday – 20 flights. This brings the total number of cancelled flights to 268.

Hezbollah on Saturday said it confronted Israeli troops that infiltrated an east Lebanon town overnight, with Lebanese authorities reporting at least 16 killed in Israeli strikes on the area. In a statement, Hezbollah said its fighters had “observed the infiltration of four Israeli enemy army helicopters from the Syrian direction.”After landing and disembarking, the advancing troops “were engaged” by a group of Hezbollah fighters as they reached a cemetery in the town of Nabi Sheet, Hezbollah said. “The clash escalated after the enemy force was exposed,” it added, saying the Israeli troops launched intense strikes before evacuating. Lebanon’s east, where Hezbollah holds sway, was subjected to heavy Israeli strikes on Friday, particularly Nabi Sheet, which was struck at least 13 times, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA). The Nabi Sheet raid would be the deepest Israeli forces have reached inside Lebanon since special unit troops apprehended Hezbollah operative Imad Amhaz from the northern city of Batroun in November 2024.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed Saturday that his country would never surrender, as Israel announced a fresh blitz led by 80 fighter jets which set one of Tehran’s main airports on fire. AFP photos showed fire and smoke billowing from Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, one of two that serve the capital. Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” Pezeshkian said, in a speech broadcast on state TV. Dubai airport, the world’s busiest for international traffic, briefly suspended all operations on Saturday after an aerial interception in the area. Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, said the United States would have no role in selecting Khamenei’s successor.

This will be Secretary-General Botchwey’s second meeting with Commonwealth foreign affairs ministers at CFAMM. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has nominated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman for the position. Commonwealth DayMeanwhile, Commonwealth Day 2026 will be celebrated across the Commonwealth on Monday. The theme for Commonwealth Day 2026 aligns with the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) theme, "Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth." The foreign minister and the prime minister’s adviser on Foreign Affairs are expected to return home on Thursday.

TEHRAN, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkianapologised on Saturday to neighbouring countries for attacks launched duringthe Islamic republic's war with Israel and the United States. "I apologise... to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,"said Pezeshkian in a speech broadcast by state TV.

Iran president says country will not surrender to Israel, USTEHRAN, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that his country would never surrender to Israel and the United States, as Middle East war entered its second week. Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran on February, 28 killing the Islamic republic's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggering a regional conflict. Iran has since responded with missile and drone strikes on Israel and US interests in regional countries, mainly in the Gulf. During the speech, Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring countries for Iran's attacks across the region, saying that they would not be targeted unless attacks originated from them. "I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran," he said.

KATHMANDU, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Nepal's rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah held an unassailable lead against ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the highly contested face-off in Nepal's southeastern district of Jhapa, according to data by the Election Commission. Shah led with more than 47,500 votes, with Oli trailing behind on 12,600. With about 70 percent of votes counted, AFP calculations show Shah has passed the winning threshold.