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.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin emphasized the need for political consensus in upholding electoral code of conduct. Speaking at National Voter’s Day celebrations, he stated, “We aim to ensure a free and fair election. We are not working under anyone’s agenda; our priority is the agenda of 180 million people and Bangladesh.” He also warned that rigging elections may bring short-term victory but ultimately harms the political party itself.

In observance of the holy month of Ramadan, the Islamic Foundation has organized a month-long Islamic book fair at the southern courtyard of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The fair was inaugurated on Saturday by Adviser Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain.

The book fair will remain open to the public daily from 12 PM to 8 PM. This year, a total of 64 stalls have been set up, offering a wide range of Islamic literature, including translations and interpretations of the Holy Quran, collections of Hadith, and various fundamental and research-based books on Islam.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has seized Tk 2.5 crore from the residence of former DGFI chief, retired Lt. General Saiful Alam. ACC Director General Md. Akhtar Hossain stated on Sunday that on February 27, based on intelligence inputs, law enforcement agencies raided Alam’s Cantonment residence and recovered nearly Tk 2.45 crore. The confiscated money and other evidence have been presented in court. The ISPR has yet to comment on the matter. Notably, Saiful Alam was forced into retirement on September 11.

A sub-inspector of CMP Patenga Police Station, Yusuf Ali, was assaulted by a group of individuals who accused him of being a “fake police officer.” Following the attack, 10 suspects were arrested and will be presented in court today. According to the officer-in-charge of Patenga Model Police Station, the arrests were made on Saturday night during raids in different areas, including Panchlaish, under the directive of the Deputy Commissioner of the CMP Port Division. The attack occurred on February 28 at a police checkpoint on the Outer Ring Road of Patenga Police Station.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah announced that the final voter list will be published by June 30. Speaking at an event on Voter Day, he explained that while a preliminary voter list has already been released based on 2024 data due to legal obligations, further updates will be made. New data collected from door-to-door surveys will be incorporated, while deceased voters will be removed. He also mentioned that a supplementary voter list will be created and integrated before the final publication. The commissioner expressed hope for a transparent and fair election process.

Arab leaders recently gathered in Riyadh for an emergency summit on the Gaza crisis. A Wall Street Journal report claimed that Qatar obstructed an invitation to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. However, Doha has strongly refuted these allegations, stating in a Saturday statement that the claims were based on unreliable sources, rumors, and unverified information. The statement also emphasized that Qatar remains one of the largest donors to the Palestinian Authority, reaffirming its strong ties with Palestine.

Officials from 25 different government cadres staged a symbolic strike on Sunday, wearing black badges in protest against the recent suspensions of several colleagues. The protest was led by the Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council, demanding equal treatment for all cadres. The Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) General Education Cadre, one of the largest groups within the civil service, was heavily involved, with the participation of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) Director General, Professor Muhammad Azad Khan. Protesters claimed that 13 officers were suspended over social media posts, while similar actions by members of the Administration Cadre went unpunished.

The Gazipur Metropolitan Police reported that a joint task force arrested 58 individuals during a special operation named ‘Operation Devil Hunt.’ The operation, which began Saturday morning, continued until 7 AM Sunday. Among the arrests, 44 were made in Tongi West, six in Tongi East, three each in Pubail and Gacha, and one each in Sadar Metro and Konabari police station areas. Since its launch on February 8, the operation has resulted in 440 arrests across the metropolitan area.

The submission of the investigation report in the journalist couple Sagar-Runi murder case has been postponed for the 116th time. Although the report was due on Sunday, the investigating agency failed to submit it, leading the court to set a new deadline of April 6. Notably, on September 30, the case was transferred from RAB to a high-powered task force formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi were murdered on February 11, 2012.

Speakers at the 2025 Calligraphy Art Competition award ceremony highlighted the role of calligraphy artists in the July uprising, particularly in creating graffiti that influenced public sentiment. They emphasized the need for both government and private initiatives to promote calligraphy. A total of nine artists were awarded across three categories. In the junior category, Fatema Kaniz Sajida won first place, followed by Mehjabin Rahman and Sumaiya Sarwat. In the senior category, Naushin Zahra Subha secured first place, with Md. Nazrul Islam and Montazhar Hasan taking second and third, respectively. Among professionals, Munira Mumtahina won first place, followed by Tasrin Sultana Anika and Iftekharul Alam Tawhha.