JERUSALEM, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israeli troops from three divisions, including infantry, armoured and engineering units were operating inside southern Lebanon, the military said Wednesday. "Troops from the 91st Division are operating in the east of southern Lebanon, troops from the 210th Division are operating in the Mount Dov area, and troops from the 146th Division are operating in the west of southern Lebanon," the military said. Video footage shared by the military showed soldiers carrying large backpacks and sleeping mats, as well as tanks manoeuvring in south Lebanon.

BAGHDAD, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A drone was shot down on Wednesday near Baghdad's international airport, a day after a similar attack on the facility, two security sources told AFP. "A drone was downed near Baghdad airport, with no casualties or material damage reported," an Iraqi security source said. Another security source in Baghdad confirmed the incident. The airport includes a military base that hosts a US diplomatic facility and previously housed US-led coalition troops. On Tuesday evening, a drone was intercepted near Baghdad airport, hours after security forces announced that they seized nine rockets and a launchpad that were set up to target the facility.

File PhotoMOSCOW, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine was behind an attack that sunk a Russian gas carrier off the coast of Libya earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday. "This is a terrorist attack. This isn't the first time we've seen this kind of thing," Putin told a reporter from Russian state television, accusing Kyiv of being responsible.

The government has transferred three serving major generals from the Bangladesh Army to the foreign ministry to assign them as ambassadors. The officers are Maj Gen Nasim Parvez, Maj Gen Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, and Maj Gen Mohammad Jahangir Alam. Maj Gen Nasim had been serving as commandant of the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST). Maj Gen Kamrul was general officer commanding (GOC) of the 66 Infantry Division and Area Commander in Rangpur. Maj Gen Jahangir had been serving as director general of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

File PhotoDHAKA, March 4, 2026 (BSS) - In light of the prevailing global energy situation, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance and strengthened patrol operations along the country’s borders to prevent the smuggling of fuel oil. “Due to the ongoing global energy situation, BGB has adopted maximum precautionary measures at border points to stop fuel smuggling,” BGB said in a brief statement issued today. The BGB headquarters said that heightened vigilance has been ordered across all frontier regions considering the current volatility in global fuel markets. Intelligence surveillance and regular patrols have been reinforced, BGB sources said. According to BGB officials, additional checkpoints have been set up in vulnerable areas, and coordination with local administration and law enforcement agencies has been strengthened to curb illegal trade activities.

“That’s where we’re at.”“What evidence?” Caleb Flynn asked. Upon arrival at the jail, a detective told Caleb Flynn the corrections staff will come out and ask him a few questions. Caleb Flynn was then placed in a Soter RS body scanner which quickly provided detailed, full-body images. According to 911 records, Caleb Flynn told police dispatchers someone broke into his home and shot his wife, Ashley Flynn. Body camera footage released earlier this week showed Caleb Flynn tell police he had a cough and was sleeping in the living room.

On Saturday, Sun staffers gathered to elect its 144th Editorial Board. Please join us in welcoming the members of our 144th Editorial Board! Leading our 144th Editorial Board with strength and style is Editor-in-Chief Sophia Dasser ’28. Yes, The Cornell Daily Sun welcomes its 144th Editorial Board today, but it also thanks 143rd, 142nd … The Sun thanks the leadership at the helm every day, those manning the sails, preparing our ship and those waving goodbye on shore. She is a former assistant arts editor of the 143rd Editorial Board.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan spoke today as the chief guest at an Iftar party organized by the Chattogram Press Club, held at the Chattogram Club premises. The minister made these remarks while speaking as chief guest at an Iftar party organized by the Chattogram Press Club held at Chattogram Club premises. State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin addressed the programme as the main speaker. Addressing journalists and media owners, Swapan said the media is not formally recognized as a pillar of the state. Chattogram Press Club President Zahidul Karim Kochi chaired the programme while General Secretary Golam Mawla Murad and Joint Secretary Mia Mohammad Arif jointly conducted it.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to launch the Farmer Card formally on a pilot basis on April 14 on the occasion of the first day of the Bangla New Year 1433. About the Farmer Card, the press secretary said this card is not just a card rather it will be a symbol of the rightful entitlements, dignity and security of every farmer of the country, where they will hold the highest priority and position of respect. In addition to crop-producing farmers, Shibli said, fish farmers, livestock rearers and dairy farmers will also receive the benefits of the Farmer Card. After completion of the pre-piloting phase, he said, the formal inauguration of the Farmer Card distribution program will take place on Pahela Baishakh, 1433 Bangla year. Following the pre-piloting and piloting stages, the Farmer Card program will be implemented in all upazilas of the country within the next 4 years, he said.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain on Wednesday said the government will take firm and effective measures to stop irregularities in public hospitals and restore discipline in the healthcare system. He made the remarks during a surprise visit to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the capital. The government aims to ensure that rural patients can receive treatment in their own districts, reducing pressure on hospitals in the capital. Inspecting the operation theatres (OTs), the minister said that although structurally clean, most of the OTs require upgrades to meet international standards. The minister also said that excessive attendance and unrestricted movement within the hospital premises are affecting cleanliness and discipline.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has directed officials to swiftly prepare a comprehensive list of beneficiaries of the country’s 32 labour welfare centres to ensure more efficient service delivery. The minister issued the instruction during an exchange meeting with officials and employees of various departments under the Ministry of Labour and Employment at the Labour Bhaban in Dhaka on Wednesday. Reviewing the progress of ongoing development initiatives, including the IT sector of the Department of Labour, the Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening technological capacity. Taking a firm stance against negligence in public service, the minister warned that any form of laxity would not be tolerated. During the meeting, Labour and Employment Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Torofdar described child labour as a heinous crime and urged collective action to eliminate it.

The government has transferred 12 superintendents of police (SPs) in different stations. The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued a notification signed by Deputy Secretary Tousif Ahmed in this regard. According to the notification, SP of Bogra Md Shahadat Hossain has been transferred to Armed Police Battalion (APBn), SP of Khagrachari Mirza Sayeem Mahmood to Bogra, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Md Mostak Sarkar to Khagrachhari, SP of Mymensingh Md Mizanur Rahman to Police Training Centre, Noakhali, DC of DMP Mohammad Kamrul Hasan to Mymensingh, SP of Sylhet Kazi Akhtar Ul Alam to APBn, SP of Jamalpur Dr Chowdhury Md Jaber Sadek to Sylhet, DC of DMP Farhana Yesmin to Jamalpur, SP of Barisal Farzana Islam to River Police and Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Headquarters AZM Mustafizur Rahman to Barisal. The order issued for public interest will come into effect immediately.

The government on Wednesday urged people to exercise austerity in electricity and fuel use by avoiding all types of decorative lighting and reducing the use of personal vehicles amid energy supply uncertainty. The measures were adopted to save energy amid fears of potential supply disruptions caused by ongoing instability in the Middle East. The decisions came during an emergency review meeting chaired by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood at his ministry, according to a PID handout. Temporary disruptions or adjustments in domestic fuel supply may be necessary to meet current demand. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, the secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, and the chairmen of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) attended the meeting.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday rejected claims that the reciprocal trade agreement between Bangladesh and the US was signed abruptly just days before the recently held national election. "The US Trade Representative spoke to the heads of our two key parties before the elections and they also agreed to it. The Foreign Minister said there are entry and exit clauses and the government can review it if it desires so. The Foreign Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to policy continuity, particularly in the economic domain. The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) recently said the reciprocal trade agreement between the US and Bangladesh is “highly discriminatory” and must be revoked.

He said the prime minister had clearly instructed at the first cabinet meeting that the government must ensure accountability to the people. The administration, he added, is committed to building a strong institutional framework by preventing partisanship and misuse within the executive branch. The minister said work has already begun to implement the government’s election pledges. He added that a decision to waive interest on agricultural loans up to Tk10,000 is in the process of implementation. Earlier, the minister addressed a meeting organised by the Chattogram Press Club and the Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists Union at the Press Club auditorium.