Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could place significant pressure on Bangladesh’s economy. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur on Wednesday, March 4, he said Dhaka had urged Washington to pursue a diplomatic solution to the crisis as quickly as possible.

The minister said two Bangladeshi nationals had been killed and seven injured in the conflict, adding that an extended or expanded war could worsen the situation. He emphasized that countries like Bangladesh would find it difficult to bear the economic consequences of such a prolonged conflict. The discussion also covered trade issues, the repatriation of undocumented Bangladeshis from the United States, and bilateral relations, which both sides described as positive and expected to strengthen further.

Rahman added that Bangladesh and the United States reached agreement on the Rohingya issue during the talks, reaffirming Dhaka’s commitment to conduct foreign policy based on national interest while maintaining balanced relations with all countries.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan disclosed details of his and his family’s bank accounts at a press conference held Wednesday night at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. He stated that he has two accounts totaling Tk 988,000, while his father has five accounts with Tk 547,711 combined, along with an outstanding service loan of Tk 629,746. His mother and wife hold smaller balances. Mahmud said all his income came through the government’s iBAS++ system during his 16-month tenure as an interim government adviser.

He revealed that the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) had sought information on his accounts among 56 individuals, but only his details were publicized. Mahmud alleged that a specific group was spreading propaganda against him after reports surfaced about his possible candidacy for Dhaka South City Corporation mayor. He described the disclosure of confidential letters to journalists as deliberate and politically motivated.

Mahmud also addressed corruption allegations and clarified that claims of a Tk 1,000 crore scandal were baseless. He urged the media to ensure objectivity and transparency in reporting.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that China and Russia are not influencers in the ongoing Iran war. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he clarified that he has no message for either country, noting that both have long-standing diplomatic and trade relations with Iran. Hegseth emphasized that the United States’ focus remains solely on ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions involving Iran, with regional developments drawing global attention. Hegseth’s comments sought to distance China and Russia from direct involvement in the conflict, underscoring Washington’s position that its dispute lies only with Tehran.

The statement suggests that the US aims to concentrate its diplomatic and strategic efforts on Iran’s nuclear program rather than broadening the conflict to other major powers.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Md. Nahid Islam has warned that Bangladesh may again face the threat of one-party authoritarian rule. Speaking on Wednesday at the Sylhet divisional iftar and prayer gathering of the National Citizen Party (NCP) at Hill View Convention Center, he accused the administration and institutions of being politicized.

Citing examples such as appointments at Bangladesh Bank, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and BSS, Nahid Islam said the country must prepare for another struggle but avoid past mistakes. He reflected on earlier mass uprisings, saying that errors made after those movements had led to the current national situation.

The event was attended by senior NCP leaders including Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwari, Advocate Tarikul Islam, and Abu Bakr Majumdar, as well as representatives from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other parties of the eleven-party alliance.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has issued a new circular mandating all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous employees to remain in their respective offices from 9:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. The circular, signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, was released on Wednesday and aims to ensure public service efficiency and discipline in official work. Offices are instructed to schedule other programs so that this mandatory attendance period is not disrupted.

According to the circular, the rule will not apply to teachers and faculty members of educational or training institutions who do not hold administrative responsibilities. It will also be exempt for those performing roster duties in hospitals, prisons, media organizations, or security-related institutions. Additionally, personnel directly engaged in emergency public services and law enforcement officers working in the field are excluded from the requirement.

The circular further states that employees cannot leave their workplaces during office hours without permission, except for VIP protocol duties, major emergencies, important meetings with development partners or diplomatic missions, or approved official travel. The directive takes immediate effect.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged the country to remain calm and act with clarity and purpose amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Speaking in Parliament on March 4, 2026, he emphasized the need for measured and transparent decision-making during the escalating regional tensions.

Starmer stated that the United Kingdom is maintaining close coordination with the United States regarding the deployment of military assets in the region. These include air defense systems, drone-interception measures, and F-35 fighter jets. His remarks came as part of the government’s response to the growing instability in the Middle East.

The statement reflects the UK’s cautious approach to the conflict, focusing on strategic cooperation with allies while avoiding rash actions that could further inflame the situation.

The Bangladesh government is preparing to extend the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays by one additional day to ease public travel before the festival. According to official sources, March 18 may be declared a public holiday through an executive order, making March 16 the final working day for government employees before the Eid break. The proposal is expected to be approved at the next cabinet meeting.

The official holiday list already includes March 19 to 23 for Eid-ul-Fitr, and March 17 is a public holiday for Shab-e-Qadr. If March 18 is confirmed as an additional holiday, government employees will enjoy a continuous seven-day break from March 17 to 23. Offices will reopen on March 24 and 25, followed by another general holiday on March 26 for Independence Day.

With the weekly holidays on March 27 and 28, government officials will effectively have another three consecutive days off after the Eid holidays, extending the overall period of leave for many employees.

Opposition Chief Whip and NCP convener Nahid Islam announced that he will raise questions in the national parliament regarding alleged politicization across six city corporations and various government offices. Speaking as the chief guest at the party’s divisional iftar gathering in Sylhet on March 4, he said the issue would be addressed firmly from a position of parliamentary accountability. He also urged party members to prepare for the upcoming local government elections, emphasizing the need for full organizational strength.

At the same event, NCP’s chief organizer Nasiruddin Patowary vowed not to compromise on justice for the murder of Hadi and called for an end to extortion, terrorism, and corruption. He also criticized partisan appointments in the administration and highlighted the poor condition of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway. Northern organizer Sarjis Alam stated that the party accepted the election results but warned against any manipulation in future local polls, threatening strong resistance if such attempts occur.

Central leaders added that if demands for implementing the “July Charter” ordinance and impeaching the president are not met, the party will take to the streets.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran’s president attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, but Trump managed to overcome the attempt. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane, Hegseth said the United States had located and killed the leader of the unit allegedly responsible for the assassination attempt.

According to the report, in 2024, before that year’s presidential election, the US government filed charges against an Afghan national accused of involvement in an alleged Iranian plot to kill Trump. The US Department of Justice stated that 51-year-old Farhad Shakeri had been assigned to develop a plan for Trump’s assassination and was believed to be residing in Iran.

A criminal complaint filed in Manhattan court alleged that an officer of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard instructed Shakeri in September to create a surveillance and assassination plan targeting Trump.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Zahid Uddin Swapon, stated that journalists themselves should determine the boundaries of accountability necessary to ensure maximum media freedom. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event organized by the Chittagong Press Club at Chittagong Club on Wednesday evening, he emphasized that the government should not unilaterally set these limits, as doing so would mirror past administrations. He assured that the ministry is prepared to protect media independence from interference by intelligence agencies, state authorities, or external actors.

The minister added that the government currently lacks a clear policy for distributing advertisements or grants to media outlets, which has led to unregulated growth of publications. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing with journalist associations to create a joint roadmap for institutionalizing media freedom. Swapon also said the government would consider implementing the wage board in the future, treating compliant and non-compliant outlets differently.

At the same event, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists’ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury urged that journalists must remain independent and act as watchdogs to restore public trust.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam has warned that contractors charging more than Tk 100 for household waste collection will face action. He made the statement while addressing a special cleanliness and mosquito control program at Shahidnagar cremation ground in Lalbagh, organized under DSCC’s month-long campaign. Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman Hamid attended as a special guest.

The program, held in Ward 24, involved around 200 DSCC workers from the waste management and health departments. They cleaned canals, drains, and footpaths and applied mosquito repellents. A public awareness rally was also held with local residents’ participation. Abdus Salam urged citizens to report any overcharging, promising contract cancellation if complaints are proven.

He also announced that burial and cremation registration fees at DSCC cemeteries and cremation grounds have been reduced from Tk 1,000 to Tk 500, following the Prime Minister’s directive. The administrator called on all political activists and residents to support efforts to make Dhaka cleaner and more livable under the “Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka” initiative.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher has warned that no leniency will be shown to those responsible for causing public suffering. Speaking at a meeting with officials of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Dhaka on Wednesday, he emphasized that the ministry would support honest and dedicated employees. He directed that no file should be unnecessarily delayed and that all tasks must be completed within the designated timeframe to prevent citizens from repeated visits to offices.

The minister acknowledged that RAJUK faces widespread public complaints, including bureaucratic delays, harassment, irregularities, and unnecessary complexities. He said these issues have damaged the organization’s image and must be addressed immediately. His remarks underscored the government’s focus on improving efficiency and accountability within public service institutions.

The directive signals a renewed push for administrative reform within RAJUK, aiming to restore public trust and ensure smoother service delivery to citizens.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has released constituency-wise results of the 13th parliamentary election, twenty days after voting took place. The results were published on Wednesday on the EC’s official website. According to an EC official, the election was held on February 12 across 42,651 polling centers in 299 of the 300 constituencies. The gazette of elected members was issued on February 13, and the detailed results for 297 constituencies have now been made public.

Officials stated that results for Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4 remain suspended due to pending court orders related to loan default allegations. The election in Sherpur-3 was canceled following the death of a candidate, and voting in its 128 centers will be held on April 9. A by-election for Bogura-6, vacated by Tarique Rahman, is also scheduled for the same day.

According to the EC’s final tally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 of the 297 declared seats, returning to power after two decades.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of betraying both diplomacy and the American people who elected him. Araghchi made the remarks following a U.S. attack that he said occurred while constructive discussions on Iran’s nuclear program were underway.

In a post on X, Araghchi criticized Trump’s approach to negotiations, saying that treating complex nuclear talks like a land deal and covering reality with lies leads to unrealistic expectations. He added that such actions result in hatred and metaphorically described the situation as bombing the negotiation table.

The comments reflect Iran’s frustration over the disruption of diplomatic progress and signal renewed tension between Tehran and Washington following the attack.

Israeli police have arrested four individuals in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on allegations of supporting Iran during the ongoing war. According to police statements, the detainees include three men and one woman accused of praising Iran, expressing sympathy, encouraging violent acts, and maintaining contact with or supporting an enemy organization.

Among those arrested is a legal adviser to the Palestinian Authority, who allegedly posted messages on social media praising Iran’s late leader Khamenei. The arrests were announced on March 4, 2026, as part of Israel’s broader security operations in the region.

The report also noted related developments in the region, including the indefinite postponement of a memorial event for Khamenei and the displacement of over 65,000 people in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks, indicating heightened regional tensions.