A committee formed by the Ministry of Shipping has recommended shutting down four land ports with India due to operational inefficiencies. The ports include Chilahati in Nilphamari, Daulatganj in Chuadanga, Tegamukh in Rangamati, and Balla in Habiganj. Three of these ports lack infrastructure, while the Balla port has infrastructure on the Bangladeshi side but lacks development on the Indian side, preventing full operation. The committee has also suggested conditional operation for four other land ports.

A brazen daylight robbery took place on a passenger bus in Savar's Bank Town area on Sunday afternoon. Five robbers, disguised as passengers, brandished sharp weapons and looted cash, mobile phones, and jewelry from travelers. The robbers fled after stopping the bus at Bank Town, leaving seven passengers injured. A witness described the robbery as occurring in a cinematic fashion within 5–7 minutes. Despite passengers urging the driver to stop in Hemayetpur, he continued driving towards Gulistan. Authorities were alerted with the bus's registration number, and police teams are working to apprehend the culprits.

In Patuakhali, students have initiated a one-taka iftar market throughout Ramadan to support the poor and working-class people. The initiative, run by 'Amra Kalapara Basi,' offers iftar packs containing puffed rice, chickpeas, onion fritters, potato chops, eggplants, and jilapi, providing sufficient food for fasting individuals. The initiative has been well received by the low-income population, including rickshaw pullers, beggars, and orphans, who can purchase iftar for a symbolic one-taka price. Those without any money receive it for free, with volunteers delivering the iftar to those in need.

On Sunday in Mirpur, Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam urged traders not to increase the prices of essential goods during Ramadan. He pointed out that in other religious communities and Middle Eastern Muslim countries, prices are often lowered during festivals, while in Bangladesh, the opposite occurs. He noted that prices are already lower than last year and emphasized that maintaining stable prices without government intervention would be ideal. Regarding the arrest of two female smokers, he mentioned that they had thrown hot tea at bystanders when confronted, urging the public to remain calm in such situations.

Ignoring an immediate withdrawal order from the Home Affairs Advisor, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chakaria Police Station, Manzur Kader Bhuiyan, was initially transferred to Ukhiya Police Station. However, following widespread criticism, he was withdrawn within 24 hours. The issue arose after journalists accused the OC of abduction and torture during a press briefing in Cox’s Bazar. The advisor, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, ordered his dismissal on the spot, but instead, he was transferred. Amid public outrage, the Chattogram Range DIG, Ahsan Habib Palash, ordered his withdrawal and reassignment to the Chattogram Range Police on Sunday night.

During an inspection of ongoing development work in Uttarkhan, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Mohammad Ejaz assured that carpeting on the main road would be completed before Eid. He also mentioned that Dhaka WASA and DESCO have requested permission to dig up roads for water and electricity work. However, considering public inconvenience, DNCC has decided not to approve new road excavations during the monsoon season. Additionally, he highlighted the risks posed by unplanned building construction, calling it a major challenge to development.

A tragic accident in Bhanga, Faridpur, left a motorcyclist dead on Sunday evening, with his body scattered across the highway. The incident occurred when the victim’s motorcycle hit a pothole, causing him to fall onto the road, where an unidentified vehicle ran over him. Police confirmed that his body was mutilated beyond recognition. In a separate incident on Sunday morning, a pickup truck heading toward Bhanga also fell into a pothole, injuring the driver and another passenger.

The current government has started repaying debts left by the previous administration, which allegedly funneled much of the borrowed money out of the country. A report from the central bank revealed that from August to December of the current fiscal year, the government repaid approximately $5.87 billion in loans from the central bank. Additionally, to rescue liquidity-strapped banks affected by financial mismanagement, the government injected an additional $2.25 billion through printed money. As of December, the government’s total debt to banks and non-banking financial institutions stood at $41.5 billion.

An imam in Chandina, Cumilla, was allegedly assaulted after delivering a sermon against bribery and usury during Friday prayers. The attack reportedly took place at Baniyachang village mosque, involving two teachers. Following the incident, the imam’s supporters vandalized several houses in retaliation. Injured imam Md. Hasan Murad stated that he preaches Sunni beliefs and condemns corruption, which some individuals found unacceptable. He accused local UP member Nurul Islam Master, his brother Zakir, and others of orchestrating the attack.

One person was killed, and three others were injured in a collision between a bus and an auto-rickshaw in Jamalpur on Sunday morning. The accident occurred in Joyrampur on the Jamalpur-Mymensingh road. According to Sadar Police, a bus traveling from Dhaka to Jamalpur collided head-on with a battery-powered auto-rickshaw heading toward Nandina, injuring four people. They were rushed to Jamalpur General Hospital, where one of the injured succumbed to his injuries. Two others were transferred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Enraged by the accident, local residents set fire to the bus. In response to the incident, bus workers staged a one-hour blockade on the Jamalpur-Mymensingh road near the ferry terminal area at noon.

Just 38 days after resuming operations, the Ashuganj fertilizer factory has once again shut down indefinitely due to a gas crisis. Production of urea fertilizer was halted on Saturday night by factory authorities. Previously, from February 21 to November 14 last year, production was suspended for the same reason. Following protests by workers, gas supply was restored by Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited on November 15, allowing production to resume on January 23. According to factory sources, the plant has a daily production capacity of at least 1,150 tons of urea fertilizer, but requires a minimum of 48 million cubic feet of gas per day to maintain normal operations.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections, the United Nations Human Rights Office has urged authorities to ensure equal opportunities for all political parties and candidates. In a report titled “Human Rights Violations and Repression Related to the July-August 2024 Movements in Bangladesh,” published on February 12 from its Geneva office, the UN stressed the importance of safeguarding fundamental freedoms and creating a secure and fair environment for free and impartial elections.

The report also expressed concerns over any potential bans on political parties. Meanwhile, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the elections could be held in December if a consensus is reached on minimal electoral reforms.

Doctors at the 100-bed Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital have gone on strike from Sunday morning, demanding an end to inter-cadre discrimination. They stated that their protest aims to address financial and social disparities as well as promotion-related issues. However, emergency and inpatient services remain operational for the benefit of patients.

The protesting doctors highlighted that there is significant discrimination within the health cadre. They claimed that administrative cadre officials are appointed from outside the health cadre and that the administration controls medical professionals. Additionally, they cited financial and social inequalities as major concerns. They vowed to continue their movement until these issues are resolved.

Meanwhile, patients have been facing difficulties due to the ongoing strike.

Amid growing U.S. sanctions over its nuclear program, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran has the ability to neutralize these restrictions. He emphasized Iran’s strategy of strengthening trade ties with regional organizations such as the Eurasian Economic Union, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. “These partnerships will render U.S. sanctions ineffective. We will face these challenges with dignity and strength,” Pezeshkian asserted.

Chief Adviser has stressed the importance of accurately documenting all atrocities committed under the rule of autocrat Sheikh Hasina. This includes the Shapla Chattar massacre, the brutal crackdown on protests following the verdict against Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, and numerous extrajudicial killings.

During a meeting with UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, and Human Rights Advisor Huma Khan, Muhammad Yunus highlighted that without proper documentation of these incidents, uncovering the truth and ensuring justice would be extremely difficult.

Resident Coordinator Lewis assured that the UN is ready to provide all necessary assistance. He also mentioned that Hasina’s July brutality report will be briefed at the Human Rights Conference on March 5.

The Chief Adviser also expressed deep concern regarding the Rohingya crisis.