United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur is scheduled to visit Dhaka in early March for a two-day official trip. This will be the first high-level bilateral visit from the Donald Trump administration following Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, held on February 12. The election was described as peaceful, free, and fair, marking a significant moment for Bangladesh’s democratic process.

Ahead of the visit, US Ambassador Brent Christensen met with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman in Dhaka, where Kapur’s upcoming trip was a key topic of discussion. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that both sides emphasized mutual respect, shared democratic values, and a commitment to peace and development as the foundation of their long-standing partnership. They reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, defense, security, development, migration, and people-to-people exchanges.

Discussions also covered the Rohingya crisis, with Bangladesh expressing gratitude for continued US humanitarian support and seeking sustained political assistance for the safe and sustainable repatriation of displaced Rohingya to Myanmar. Both sides expressed optimism about elevating bilateral relations through expanding cooperation across all sectors.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has distributed responsibilities among his ten advisers who hold the rank of ministers and state ministers. The Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani issued a gazette notification on Tuesday, under the order of the President, confirming the allocation of duties.

Among the five advisers with ministerial rank, three have been appointed as political advisers—Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed. Md. Ismail Zabiyullah has been assigned to the Ministry of Public Administration, while Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir will oversee the Ministry of Finance. Advisers with the rank of state minister include Humayun Kabir, who will handle the Foreign, Disaster Management and Relief, and Civil Aviation and Tourism ministries; Brigadier General (Retd.) Shamsul Islam for the Defence Ministry; Zahed Ur Rahman for Policy and Strategy; Mahdi Amin for Education, Primary and Mass Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Labour and Employment; and Rehan Asif Asad for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Science and Technology.

The gazette formalizes the distribution of responsibilities among the advisers, marking a key step in organizing the Prime Minister’s advisory structure.

July Oikya has strongly condemned and protested what it described as misleading references to its organization in a recent interview of President Md. Shahabuddin published by the newspaper Kaler Kantho on February 23, 2026. Although the printed interview did not directly name July Oikya, a related video posted the same day on Kaler Kantho’s official Facebook page explicitly mentioned the group. In a statement sent to the media on Tuesday, July Oikya said the president’s remarks appeared to associate the organization with a ‘mob,’ which it called contrary to reality.

The group stated that since its formation on May 6, 2025, its activities have been limited to seeking justice for the 2024 killings, demanding a ban on the Awami League, and organizing July-related programs. July Oikya accused Kaler Kantho of publishing the president’s comments without proper context, thereby misrepresenting the organization. It demanded that all misleading reports and videos be withdrawn and an apology issued.

The statement further requested an official clarification from the president and drew the attention of the Bangabhaban Press Wing, expressing hope that the matter would be resolved with mutual respect and transparency.

Students of Dhaka University staged a sit-in protest in front of Shahbagh Police Station on Tuesday afternoon, condemning an alleged police assault on Naimuddin, a student of the university’s anthropology department. The demonstration, which began at 1 p.m., drew over a hundred students from various departments. They demanded the removal of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ramna Zone Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam and exemplary punishment for those involved.

According to the protesters, the incident occurred Monday night during an anti-drug operation at Suhrawardy Udyan, where police allegedly attacked university students and journalists, injuring two reporters who were later treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Students accused the police of unprofessional behavior, describing the operation as a “drama” and criticizing what they called “celebrity policing” by broadcasting raids live on social media. They also alleged previous incidents of police abuse at Shahbagh Police Station.

The students presented three demands: an immediate end to all forms of harassing policing, a formal investigation into the assault, and assurance of student safety and human rights. They also called for disciplinary action against all officers involved and an unconditional apology from DC Masud Alam.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has called an emergency press conference to address the local government elections and the overall situation in the country. According to a message from the party’s media cell on Tuesday afternoon, the briefing will be held at 7 p.m. at the party’s temporary office. Party spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan will speak at the event.

The announcement also stated that the chairman of the local government election management committee, Md. Sarjis Alam, and the committee’s member secretary and Member of Parliament Abdul Hannan Masud will be present at the press conference. The NCP did not disclose further details about the agenda or expected statements.

The briefing comes amid ongoing discussions about the country’s political and electoral environment, with the NCP indicating that it will address both the election process and broader national issues during the session.

Leaders of the Barishal District Lawyers’ Association have announced a boycott of the Chief Metropolitan and Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Courts in Barishal. The decision was declared on Tuesday afternoon during a protest in front of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The lawyers, aligned with the BNP, demanded the removal of Magistrate Sarafat Ullah after he granted bail to Advocate Talukdar Md. Yunus, general secretary of the Barishal District Awami League and former MP for Barishal-2. They vowed to continue the boycott until the magistrate is removed.

According to the report, the bail was granted in a case involving vandalism and assault at BNP offices in Barishal. BNP-affiliated lawyers expressed outrage, alleging that individuals linked to violence and repression were being granted bail without remorse. During the protest, speakers accused the magistrate of pursuing a political agenda and claimed that Awami League leaders were receiving preferential treatment in lower courts. The protest was presided over by Advocate Sadiqur Rahman Linkon and attended by several senior lawyers.

The boycott has caused difficulties for litigants traveling from distant areas, as court activities remain suspended until further notice.

The Iranian government has stated that university students have the right to protest but must not cross certain 'red lines.' The statement came on Tuesday as the government’s first official response after student demonstrations resumed across several campuses over the weekend. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said that sacred matters and the national flag are examples of these red lines, which must be protected and never violated, even in moments of intense anger.

Mohajerani indicated that the government recognizes students’ right to express their opinions. However, she emphasized that maintaining respect for the state’s core values, religious sanctity, and national symbols is everyone’s responsibility. Her remarks were seen as an attempt to balance acknowledgment of student rights with a warning to preserve national and religious boundaries.

Analysts interpret the government’s comments as an effort to calm tensions following the recent wave of campus protests.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced that the government will ensure the repatriation of deceased expatriates’ bodies to Bangladesh without any cost. He made the statement on Tuesday afternoon while inaugurating two newly added freezing ambulances at the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board premises under his ministry.

Chowdhury emphasized that expatriates represent Bangladesh abroad and contribute significantly to the nation’s economy through remittances. He said their contributions deserve recognition and that the ministry, through the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board, continues to work tirelessly for the welfare of expatriate workers and their families. The event was attended by State Minister Nurul Haque, Senior Secretary Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, and other ministry officials.

Responding to journalists, Chowdhury added that the ministry is newly formed under his leadership and that within the next 180 days, they will strive to implement the election pledges made for expatriates’ welfare.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a meeting on the proposed 'Family Card' initiative at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. The meeting was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary, Atikur Rahman Rumman, who stated that it was held to advance the government’s electoral commitment to introduce the Family Card program.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister attended a separate policy meeting on the management and development of the New Mooring Container Terminal at the country’s main seaport in Chattogram. That meeting, which began at 10:30 a.m., was attended by the Finance Minister, the Minister of Shipping, the Minister of Law, and the Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ashiq Chowdhury, along with senior officials from relevant departments.

The Family Card initiative is being discussed as part of the government’s broader agenda to fulfill its election pledges, though no further details on its implementation were disclosed in the meeting summary.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the withdrawal of 1,202 politically motivated cases filed against opposition leaders and activists during a 17-year period under what it described as a fascist government. The decision was announced on Tuesday through an official press release from the ministry, confirming that the approval was granted by the Home Minister.

According to the statement, this move follows a similar decision made on February 22, when the Home Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed, announced the withdrawal of 1,006 such cases from the same period. The ministry’s latest approval adds to the ongoing process of dismissing cases that were deemed to have been filed for political harassment.

The announcement marks another step in the government’s effort to address politically motivated legal actions from previous administrations, as stated in the ministry’s communication.

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on two former vice-chancellors of the National University, Professor Dr. Harun-or-Rashid and Professor Dr. Md. Mashiur Rahman. The order was given on Tuesday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Sabbir Foyez, confirmed by the court’s bench assistant Md. Riaz Hossain. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Muhammad Zainal Abedin had earlier filed a petition requesting the restriction.

According to the petition, a three-member inquiry team has been formed to investigate allegations of irregularities and corruption within the National University. The ACC stated that credible sources indicated the accused might attempt to flee abroad, prompting the request for a travel ban to ensure a fair investigation. After a hearing, the court approved the restriction.

Professor Harun-or-Rashid served two terms as vice-chancellor from March 2013 and was reappointed in May 2017. Professor Mashiur Rahman was appointed in May 2021 and resigned on August 11, 2024, following the fall of the Awami League government.

In Chattogram’s Lohagara upazila, BNP’s defeated candidate for the Chattogram-15 constituency, Nazmul Mostafa Amin, greeted Awami League leader Dula Mia with flowers upon his release from jail. Dula Mia, a leader of the Kolauzan Union Awami League, had been arrested before the election from his home in Chattogram in connection with a murder case filed at Lohagara Police Station.

Photos of the floral reception at the prison gate quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread negative reactions. Images also circulated showing Dula Mia with senior Awami League leaders and speaking at various party events. Local BNP leader Robiul Hasan Robi criticized the gesture, recalling that Dula Mia had allegedly persecuted BNP activists during the Awami League’s rule.

According to police, Dula Mia was arrested on January 4 from the Sugandha residential area under Panchlaish Police Station based on multiple allegations. His release and the subsequent reception have sparked debate within local political circles.

The High Court has ordered an investigation into allegations of irregularities, corruption, and nepotism in staff recruitment at the under-construction Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna. The order was issued on Tuesday at 11 a.m. by a bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar.

The court directed the formation of a high-level committee led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology to conduct the investigation and submit a report within two months. The directive followed a writ petition filed seeking a judicial inquiry into reports of unprecedented irregularities, corruption, fraud, and favoritism in the recruitment process. The petition included newspaper reports related to the alleged recruitment fraud.

According to the petitioner’s lawyer, Masud Ahmed Saeed, the High Court’s order aims to ensure accountability in the recruitment process at the national nuclear power project.

Freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam has formally assumed responsibility as the administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The handover took place on Tuesday when he received the charge from Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. His appointment was made by presidential order on Monday, with the official notification signed by Joint Secretary Mahbuba Irene.

According to relevant sources, the appointment aims to strengthen DSCC’s administrative operations and enhance citizen service delivery. Abdus Salam is expected to lead ongoing development initiatives and urban management efforts under the corporation’s jurisdiction.

The new administrator’s leadership is anticipated to bring greater dynamism to DSCC’s service and development programs, focusing on improved governance and efficiency in city management.

Bangladesh Land Minister Md. Mizanur Rahman Minu stated that the government aims to eliminate bribery and corruption in public service delivery, assuring that action will be taken upon receiving complaints. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning while speaking to journalists after visiting the Land Service Call Center and Citizen Care Center at the Land Bhaban in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

During the visit, the minister emphasized that land services will be made more citizen-friendly and acknowledged that working in the ministry is challenging but requires collective effort. State Minister for Land Barrister Kaiser Kamal, who was also present, said that those responsible for the ministry over the past 17 years had made it controversial both nationally and internationally. He declared a zero-tolerance policy against bribery and corruption within the ministry.

The statements reflect the ministry’s renewed commitment to transparency and accountability in land administration, signaling stricter oversight and reform efforts in service delivery.