The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has announced that MPO-listed teachers will receive their festival allowance ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026. In a notice signed by Professor B M Abdul Hannan, the acting Director General of DSHE, all educational institutions were instructed to submit their festival allowance bills by March 4.

The directive, issued on March 2, aims to ensure timely disbursement of the Eid bonus for teachers under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme. The DSHE emphasized that heads of institutions must comply with the submission deadline to facilitate smooth processing of the payments.

This announcement brings relief to thousands of MPO-affiliated teachers who were awaiting confirmation of their Eid bonus payments.

Bangladesh’s export earnings declined by 12 percent in February, according to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Monday. The fall contributed to a 3.15 percent drop in total export income during the first eight months of the 2025–26 fiscal year compared with the same period last year. Total exports from July to February stood at 31.91 billion US dollars, down from 32.92 billion dollars a year earlier.

EPB attributed the overall decline to disruptions in port operations, the national election, and reduced demand in major global markets. The ready-made garment sector, which remains the country’s largest export earner, brought in 25.8 billion dollars during the period, marking a 3.73 percent decrease year-on-year. Within this sector, knitwear products continued to outperform woven garments.

Despite the overall downturn, several sectors including leather and leather goods, jute and jute products, home textiles, light engineering, and frozen fish recorded positive year-on-year growth. The United States remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination, with shipments totaling 5.87 billion dollars, up 0.74 percent, while exports to China rose by 19.12 percent.

Chevron has temporarily suspended production at Israel’s Leviathan gas field following joint U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation. The Israeli Ministry of Energy ordered the shutdown as a precautionary measure, according to Al Jazeera. The Leviathan field, located in the Mediterranean Sea, is one of Israel’s largest natural gas sites.

The report states that expansion work was underway to raise the field’s annual production capacity to about 21 billion cubic meters as part of a $35 billion export agreement with Egypt. Chevron, the U.S. energy company operating the site, confirmed that its facilities at both Leviathan and the nearby Tamar gas field remain secure.

No further details were provided on the specific reasons for the temporary suspension or when production might resume.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have reached a new record after the Bangladesh Jewellers Samity (Bajus) announced another increase. According to a Bajus notice issued on Monday, March 2, 2026, the price of 22-carat gold rose by up to Tk 5,424 per bhori, bringing the new rate to over Tk 274,000. The revised prices took effect from 10:30 a.m. the same day.

The notice also detailed updated rates for other categories: 21-carat gold is now priced at Tk 261,682 per bhori, 18-carat at Tk 224,299, and traditional gold at Tk 183,533. Alongside gold, silver prices have also been raised. The new price for 22-carat silver is Tk 7,173 per bhori, while 21-carat, 18-carat, and traditional silver are priced at Tk 6,682, Tk 5,890, and Tk 4,432 respectively.

The latest adjustment reflects continued upward movement in the local precious metals market, with Bajus implementing the new rates nationwide from Monday morning.

Dr. Mohammad Abdul Mazid, former secretary and chairman of the National Board of Revenue, emphasized that zakat can play a vital role in implementing effective social safety programs in Bangladesh. Writing on March 2, 2026, he described social security as an essential component of a welfare state, aimed at supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. He noted that Islam introduced zakat to ensure equitable wealth distribution and reduce economic inequality, requiring wealthy Muslims to allocate a fixed portion of their assets to the poor.

The article explains that zakat, when properly collected and distributed, can alleviate hunger, poverty, and unemployment by providing basic needs to the underprivileged. It highlights that zakat covers various assets, including money, gold, livestock, and agricultural produce, and serves both moral and economic purposes. The author recalled that early Islamic governance treated zakat as a mandatory social obligation.

Dr. Mazid argued that current informal zakat practices fail to empower recipients, often turning them into dependents. He suggested that a government-led, institutionalized zakat collection and distribution system could significantly reduce national poverty levels.

Japan’s stock market suffered a sharp decline on Monday following military strikes by the United States and Israel in Iran, which reignited global economic concerns. According to AFP reports from Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index dropped 2.07 percent to 57,628.07 points in early trading, marking a significant setback at the start of the week.

Analysts attributed the fall to heightened tensions in the Middle East, which have created uncertainty and fear among investors. The resulting anxiety has spread across Asian markets, leading to widespread caution. Many investors have reportedly adopted a wait-and-see approach as they monitor the evolving situation.

The report noted that the sudden and steep decline reflects the sensitivity of regional markets to geopolitical developments, particularly those involving energy-producing regions like the Middle East.

Crude oil prices rose sharply on Monday following a US-Israel strike on Iran that disrupted supply and limited investor access to oil. Brent crude jumped about 13 percent in a single day, while the international benchmark increased nearly 5 percent. By midday in Tokyo, the price per barrel reached 76.48 dollars, according to Al Jazeera.

Asian stock markets opened lower as investors reacted to the oil price surge. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong fell around 1 percent, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped about 1.5 percent. In the United States, stock futures traded outside regular hours also showed significant losses, with both the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite down roughly 0.7 percent.

The developments suggested a volatile trading day ahead for global markets as energy costs spiked and geopolitical tensions heightened following the attack on Iran.

Serious allegations have surfaced over the use of substandard bricks and sand in a Tk 3.73 crore road construction project in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria. The project, under the Local Government Engineering Department’s (LGED) rural development initiative for Comilla, Chandpur, and Brahmanbaria districts, covers a 1,500-meter stretch from Guniouk Union Parishad to Bengauta. The contractor, E Smart Construction Ltd, owned by Khairul Hasan, is accused of ignoring instructions to use quality materials, prompting anger among local residents.

Locals claim the work, initially slow, suddenly accelerated to conceal irregularities. On-site observations confirmed workers using low-quality bricks and sand for the guide wall. Representatives of the contractor admitted using the materials supplied by the owner. The supervising officer, Arif Hossain, promised to prevent such practices in the future. Upazila Engineer Aminul Islam Mridha said repeated warnings failed to stop the use of poor materials, while District Executive Engineer Ibrahim Khalil assured that necessary action would be taken after consulting the upazila engineer.

The incident has raised concerns about oversight and accountability in rural infrastructure projects under LGED.

Residents of Fatullah in Narayanganj have temporarily stopped construction work on the Mukterpur-Panchabati flyover, alleging the use of substandard materials. The suspension began on Friday morning at the Kashipur section, where locals accused the contractor of using ordinary concrete instead of RCC and low-quality bricks. They demanded that authorities inspect the site before work resumes, citing concerns of irregularities and corruption in the mega project.

According to residents, poor-quality materials were being used in several parts of the flyover from the Samrat Cinema area to the Kashipur Union Parishad. They claimed that despite informing officials, no one had visited the site. Project Director Wahiduzzaman confirmed that evidence of substandard materials had been found and that the contractor had been asked for an explanation.

The Mukterpur-Panchabati six-lane highway project spans about 10.37 kilometers, including 9.6 kilometers of elevated expressway. Initially budgeted at Tk 2,659 crore, the cost was later raised to about Tk 3,300 crore, with completion extended to June 2026. Two Chinese firms are implementing the project.

Iran has shut down the strategic Hormuz Strait following joint attacks by the United States and Israel, disrupting a key global maritime route for energy transport. The closure has already slowed international sea trade and raised concerns of an impending energy crisis in Bangladesh, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern countries for crude oil, refined fuel, LPG, and LNG imports. Officials warn that prolonged conflict in the region could severely impact Bangladesh’s energy supply chain and increase import costs.

According to shipping and energy officials, around 15 vessels carrying fuel and gas for Bangladesh pass through the Hormuz Strait each month. Although Bangladesh’s refined fuel imports do not directly use the route, the countries supplying them depend on crude oil shipments through it. The closure is expected to raise freight costs and delay shipments, affecting both energy and trade sectors. Industry leaders have urged energy conservation and increased reserves to mitigate potential shortages.

Experts caution that if the Middle East conflict continues, Bangladesh’s limited 25–26-day fuel storage capacity could lead to severe disruptions. They recommend expanding reserves and promoting public austerity to withstand the crisis.

Construction of crop protection embankments in the haor areas of Sunamganj has not been completed within the scheduled timeframe, raising concerns among farmers about potential crop losses. According to regulations, the work was to be finished between December 15 and February 28, but only 78 percent was reportedly completed by the deadline. The Water Development Board (WDB) extended the deadline by 15 days, though field visits revealed slower progress and incomplete sections in several upazilas.

Officials and locals cited poor coordination between the WDB and local administration, delays in forming and approving project committees, and payment complications as reasons for the delay. Allegations also surfaced of project approvals without public hearings, excessive allocations for low-risk embankments, and spending on unnecessary projects. In Tahirpur’s Matian Haor, key embankments remain unfinished, with farmers warning that early floods could submerge vast croplands.

Local organizations, including Haor Bachao Andolon and environmental groups, accused authorities of irregularities and corruption. The WDB attributed the delay partly to election-related disruptions but assured that work would be completed within the extended period.

State Minister for Industries, Commerce, and Jute and Textiles Md. Shariful Alam said the government is prepared to handle any potential impact from the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. Speaking to journalists after visiting Boro Bazar in Kishoreganj on Sunday afternoon, he noted that while the global energy-dependent market may face some effects, the government remains alert. He added that although prices of some goods rose at the start of Ramadan, the market situation is now stable.

The minister said market monitoring has been strengthened nationwide to ensure price stability and protect consumers’ purchasing power. He emphasized that measures are being taken to prevent unjustified price hikes. Teams from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) are conducting regular monitoring and enforcement drives.

During his visit, the minister interacted with traders and buyers, reviewed the overall market situation, and later inspected TCB’s mobile truck sales operations. He also attended meetings with local officials and journalists and joined an iftar with orphans at a local madrasa.

Global oil prices jumped sharply following US and Israeli attacks in Iran, which have pushed the Middle East into renewed conflict. According to Reuters, Brent crude rose nearly 10 percent in over-the-counter trading on Sunday, reaching around 80 dollars per barrel. Analysts warned that if the current instability continues, crude prices could hit 100 dollars per barrel by Monday.

Ajay Parmar, director of energy and refining at ICIS, told Reuters that any military strike tends to drive oil prices higher, but the key concern now is the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The strait handles about 15 to 20 percent of the world’s total oil, condensate, and petroleum products, and over 30 percent of liquefied natural gas shipments.

Parmar added that if the Strait of Hormuz faces prolonged disruption, oil prices could rise beyond 100 dollars per barrel. The majority of oil transported through the strait goes to Asia, with the rest to Europe, including about 24 percent of China’s total LNG imports.

Large numbers of dead fish have been floating in the Shitalakkhya River in Narsingdi for several days, alarming local residents and fishermen. Although some initially collected the dead fish, many now fear the river could soon become devoid of aquatic life. The deaths have been recurring annually around this time, coinciding with reduced water levels and increased pollution.

According to local sources, toxic liquid waste and chemicals from nearby factories in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka and Gazipur districts are contaminating the river through connecting waterways. The pollution has turned the water black and foul-smelling, severely threatening biodiversity and destroying native fish species. Environmental activists have tried to raise awareness, but authorities have yet to take strong enforcement measures to stop factories from dumping untreated waste.

Officials from the Department of Environment in Narsingdi said they will send letters to inspect factories in Kaliganj and Kapasia upazilas of Gazipur after reports linked their chemical discharge to the fish deaths. Environmental groups warn that without urgent action, aquatic life in the Shitalakkhya may not survive future pollution cycles.

Bangladesh’s Jamuna River in Bogura is facing a severe navigability crisis during the dry season, reportedly due to India’s upstream water control. Local sources said eight river routes have already closed, disrupting transport and causing major hardship for residents. Sandbars have emerged across the river, and ferry operators report that even small boats are struggling to move. Around 200,000 people in 141 riverine villages are suffering from the loss of waterway connectivity.

Officials from the Water Development Board said the Jamuna’s average depth has dropped from about 9.5 meters to around 2 meters, mainly because of dam construction in India and China. The river’s Bangladesh section covers 220 kilometers of its 4,000-kilometer length. Local residents described losing homes and farmland to erosion and facing unemployment during the dry months.

Authorities acknowledged that while dredging has been planned for the Bangali River, no government project currently exists for the Jamuna. Engineers warned that continued upstream damming could turn the region into a desert unless natural water flow is restored.