Operating a hospital or clinic without environmental clearance from the Department of Environment is illegal. However, in Madaripur’s Tekerhat, City Hospital has been running without such approval. Despite this, a mobile court led by the district administration inspected the facility and declared it to be functioning properly. The Department of Environment has officially stated that the hospital lacks environmental clearance. The hospital’s director, Rafiqul Islam, insisted that all their documents are in order and accused officials of falsely claiming otherwise. “The magistrate personally inspected the hospital and found everything in place. The Department of Environment is coercing a different narrative. No one, not even the UNO or magistrate, can take action against us,” he claimed. Meanwhile, the health officer stated that he is unable to intervene and that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the UNO and the administration.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed relief as a long-overdue ferry service was inaugurated in Sandwip, a coastal island in Bangladesh. Addressing a gathering, Yunus criticized the decades-long neglect that forced island residents to rely on small boats for sea crossings. “It’s disgraceful that in 50 years, no safe transport link was established,” he said. With the new ferry service, that shame is finally lifted. Adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain proposed naming the two ferry terminals after July Movement martyrs Mahmudur Rahman Soikat and Saimun Hossain Mahin.

South Korea’s impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo has been reinstated by a court ruling. The 75-year-old leader assumed office as Acting President on December 14 but was impeached by lawmakers just two weeks later. Following the court’s decision, Han resumed his duties from President Yoon Suk-yeol. Expressing gratitude for the constitutional court’s ruling, Han acknowledged the cabinet members’ dedication during his suspension and thanked them for their service.

On March 26, Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day celebrations will commence with a 31-gun salute at dawn. President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will lay wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar. Following them, families of decorated war heroes, wounded freedom fighters, and other dignitaries will pay their respects. Nationwide events, including sports competitions, food distribution, and free boat rides, have been planned to mark the occasion.

Following a major heart attack, star cricketer Tamim Iqbal has been hospitalized, prompting an inquiry from Prime Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad Mazumdar, spoke to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury regarding Tamim’s condition. The cricketer fell ill during a match and was later diagnosed with a severe heart blockage, requiring the placement of a stent. Doctors have confirmed that he is now stable and under medical supervision.

Despite partial containment, fires continue to burn in the Sundarbans’ Teish’s Shila and Shaplar Beel areas. Firefighters, forest officials, and volunteers are working tirelessly, using water, cutting branches to smother flames, and covering smoke-emitting areas with soil. However, the closest water source—the dried-up Bhola River—is three kilometers away, making firefighting efforts extremely difficult.

A court has ordered the seizure of assets belonging to former Awami League MP and cricketer Shakib Al Hasan in connection with a check fraud case. Earlier, on January 19, an arrest warrant was issued against him. The case involves Shakib issuing a check while serving as the chairman of Shakib Al Hasan Agro Farm Ltd., which later bounced due to insufficient funds. Despite receiving a legal notice, Shakib reportedly failed to settle the debt, leading to legal action.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shahidul Haque and ex-Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia have been presented before the International Crimes Tribunal over allegations related to the killing of nine suspected militants in a raid on a hideout in Kalyanpur’s Jahaz Building. The tribunal also summoned AC Rajan Kumar and another officer over the fatal shooting of a youth hanging from a ledge in Rampura, as well as AC SM Moinul Islam in connection with a mass killing incident in Gabtoli. A hearing on their arrests and the submission of investigation reports was scheduled for Monday morning.

Even as a previous fire in the Sundarbans’ Kolmateji area was brought under control, a new blaze has erupted in a remote region called Teish’s Shila in Gulisakhali. Firefighters and forest officials began spraying water early Monday morning, but efforts have been hampered by the fire’s location—approximately 2.5 kilometers from the nearest water source. The dense forest and difficult terrain have made it challenging to lay water pipelines, slowing down containment efforts.

For the first time in Bangladesh’s history, a ferry service has been launched on a sea route connecting Chattogram and Sandwip. The initiative was inaugurated at Bashbaria Ghat by Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) M. Sakhawat Hossain. Reports indicate that government advisers will travel to Sandwip via ferry, where a special gathering will be held. Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus is expected to address the event virtually as the chief guest.

The No. 14 well at the Titas gas field, after undergoing repairs, resumed gas extraction for only 48 days before being shut down again. The authorities have no clear timeline for when it will be operational again. The shutdown is attributed to irregularities and corruption by engineer Fazlul Haque, a close associate of BGFCL MD Nasrul Hamid Bipor, and the project director. To increase gas production, BGFCL had allocated 523 crore taka for the renovation of seven wells across various gas fields. After a workover costing 75 crore taka, gas extraction had started experimentally, but the well has once again been shut down.

In Kamalnagar, Lakshmipur, 14 fishermen were arrested for violating a ban and fishing in the Meghna River. The mobile court imposed a fine of 28,000 taka on 7 individuals involved in six separate cases. Seven others were released considering their age. Authorities seized four fishing boats, 5,000 meters of illegal current nets, and 500 meters of mosquito nets. The seized nets were publicly burned, while the boats were kept in custody.

The Fatah movement has urged Hamas to relinquish power in Gaza for the sake of Palestinian survival, stating, “Hamas must show compassion for Gaza’s children, women, and men.” Hamas, which took control of Gaza from the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority in 2007, has consistently stated that it is willing to cede governance after the war. However, it remains unclear whether Hamas will disarm. A Hamas spokesperson reiterated, “We are open to any agreement on Gaza’s administration, but we are not interested in staying in power.” Hamas has proposed an independent committee of professionals and technocrats to oversee post-war governance and reconstruction efforts.

DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjad Ali has been granted the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP). A notification from the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the promotion, which has been applied retrospectively from January 18, 2010, through various stages.

Assistant Upazila Primary Education Officers have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Adviser and the Primary and Mass Education Adviser through district commissioners, demanding their promotion to the 9th grade. They argue that their position has remained in the 10th grade since 1994, causing long-standing disparities and limiting promotion opportunities. They also highlighted that having the same grade as headteachers disrupts the chain of command.