The women’s wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep sorrow over the reported martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a Facebook post on Monday, the wing’s secretary, Nurunnisa Siddika, conveyed condolences, describing Khamenei as a symbol of steadfast faith, dignity, and resistance. She said his death had cast a shadow of grief over the Muslim world and prayed for his acceptance as a martyr.

The statement emphasized Khamenei’s lifelong message of standing firm against oppression and injustice, invoking the spirit of Karbala as a reminder of resistance. Siddika condemned the killing of Khamenei and others, calling it a heinous act in global political history. She also expressed solidarity with the Iranian people and prayed for the forgiveness of all those killed.

The post concluded with a message of hope that sacrifice and truth would ultimately prevail, asserting that the struggle for justice and dignity would continue across the Muslim world.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Kartz announced on Monday that Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem has become a clear target for assassination. Kartz stated that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have instructed the Israeli military to take tough measures against Hezbollah.

The statement marks an escalation in Israel’s stance toward Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group. The announcement follows ongoing regional tensions involving Israel, Lebanon, and Iran, as well as recent incidents such as the downing of drones near British bases in Cyprus and restrictions on Hezbollah’s military operations in Lebanon.

The declaration signals a potential intensification of Israeli military actions against Hezbollah, though no further operational details were disclosed in the report.

Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintu has resigned from his position as chairman of National Bank, following regulations that require ministers to withdraw from all profit-oriented institutions. The decision was made during the bank’s 539th board meeting held on Saturday, according to information published on the bank’s website. Professor Melita Mehjabin, an independent director, has been appointed as the new chairman. A senior official from the bank’s public relations department confirmed that all relevant regulatory bodies have been informed of the leadership change.

Mintu, who was elected as a member of parliament from Feni-3 constituency under the BNP nomination in the February 2026 general election, was appointed as Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change after the BNP formed the government. He had previously served as an entrepreneur-director of National Bank from its founding in 1983 until 2003 and as chairman from 1995 to 1998.

Melita Mehjabin, the new chairman, has served as an independent director at several major companies and holds academic credentials from the University of Dhaka, the University of Colombo, and the Alliance Manchester Business School in the UK.

A treason case against Sheikh Hasina and 285 others has been transferred to the Dhaka Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court for speedy disposal. The court, presided over by Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, set March 9 for the hearing on charge framing. The case documents were officially transferred, and the accused are expected to be present during the hearing.

According to court sources, the case was originally filed on March 27 of the previous year by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Enamul Haque, accusing Sheikh Hasina and 73 others of treason. After investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on July 30 naming 286 accused. Arrest warrants were issued on August 14, followed by a travel ban on September 11 and a public notice on October 14 for 256 absconding accused to appear in court. The case was later moved through several courts before reaching its current stage.

The charges stem from a December 19, 2024 Zoom meeting of the ‘Joy Bangla Brigade,’ where Sheikh Hasina allegedly made anti-state remarks and called for the removal of interim government head Dr Muhammad Yunus. The statements reportedly spread widely on social media.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed all ministries to prepare specific action plans to ensure visible progress within the next six months. Each ministry must outline its goals, expected implementation levels, and the tangible changes citizens will experience. The directive also emphasizes ensuring accountability across ministries. Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed shared the information with reporters after a meeting on education affairs at the Secretariat on Monday.

He said a broader cabinet meeting will be held on Thursday, where each ministry will present its six-month targets, implementation plans, and progress outlines. The education sector discussion focused on preparations for the upcoming SSC examinations, including exam management, question paper security, and law and order. Broader issues such as educational quality, transparency, and institutional environment were also addressed.

The minister added that the Prime Minister provided clear guidance aligned with her vision for education. Plans are being finalized for presentation at the next cabinet meeting. He also mentioned that the issue of seven colleges has been resolved and that future vice-chancellor appointments will follow global best practices.

Detained Jubo League leader Yasin Sharif Majumdar, convener of Parshuram upazila unit, was temporarily released on parole to attend his father’s funeral in Feni’s Parshuram municipality. The funeral took place on Monday at the Anantapur Salia Kolapara Eidgah ground. His father, Rafiqul Islam Majumdar, had passed away the previous day at his home in Parshuram Bazar.

According to police, Yasin’s wife, Nazia Sultana Anika, applied for parole through a lawyer, and authorities granted a three-hour release. Under police escort, Yasin was brought from Feni District Jail to his village home around 10 a.m., where he met family members and embraced his only child. He attended the funeral in handcuffs and expressed gratitude to attendees before returning to custody.

The funeral prayer was led by Maulana Md. Ibrahim, khatib of Parshuram Upazila Jame Mosque, and attended by local political leaders from BNP, Jamaat, and other community members. Police confirmed that Yasin was returned to Feni District Jail after the parole period ended. He has been in custody since his arrest in July of the previous year in a student murder case.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced on Monday at the Secretariat that the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has invited the main opposition, Jamaat-e-Islami, to nominate a candidate for the position of Deputy Speaker in the National Parliament. He said the proposal was made as part of a political understanding under the July National Charter, and both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker could be elected on the same day.

The minister explained that although the ruling party could field candidates for both positions, it chose not to do so in the spirit of political goodwill. He added that the government had verbally offered the opposition the opportunity to select the Deputy Speaker. According to the July National Charter, one of two Deputy Speaker posts would go to the opposition, though the current structure allows for one.

Salahuddin Ahmed also stated that 133 ordinances issued during the interim government would be presented in Parliament as a constitutional requirement, and their acceptance or rejection would be decided through parliamentary discussions.

A Supreme Court lawyer, Barrister A S M Shahriar Kabir, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman requesting that President Md. Shahabuddin be prevented from delivering a speech at the opening session of Parliament. The letter, submitted on Monday, March 2, 2026, argues that the move is necessary to uphold the spirit of the July uprising.

According to the letter, President Shahabuddin failed to take action during the July mass uprising and did not take effective measures against the previous Awami League government. It also claims that in a February 20 interview with a private media outlet, the President misrepresented the truth and disrespected the ideals of the July revolution. The lawyer asserts that by doing so, the President violated his oath and lost the legal right to continue in office.

The letter concludes by urging the Prime Minister to ensure that the President is not allowed to convene or address Parliament, describing the request as reflecting both personal and public sentiment.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed the launch of a separate bus service for women in Dhaka. The instruction was given on Monday afternoon at the Secretariat during a meeting with Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Islam, according to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. The Prime Minister reviewed the current state of road transport and issued necessary directives, including the introduction of a dedicated women’s bus service in the capital.

In the same meeting, the Prime Minister also discussed other development matters. The Housing and Public Works Minister was instructed to complete renovation and improvement work at the mausoleum of martyred President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The directives reflect the government’s focus on urban transport reform and infrastructure development in Dhaka.

The move to introduce a women-only bus service aims to enhance safety and accessibility for female commuters in the capital, aligning with broader efforts to improve Dhaka’s traffic and transport management.

Hassan Khomeini, grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and a potential candidate for Iran’s next Supreme Leader, has called on citizens to stay present in the streets and mosques. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, he urged people not to leave these spaces even for a moment, emphasizing that the nation’s strength lies in the hearts and presence of its people.

He further stated that everyone should remain in mosques until the conflict ends, filling them as symbols of unity and resistance. Khomeini described city mosques and squares as the country’s strong foundations, urging citizens to occupy every square while wearing black and carrying Imam Hussein’s flags.

Although Hassan Khomeini holds no official position and has limited influence within Iran’s security or ruling establishment, he is known for being less hardline than many of his peers. His name was removed from the 2016 Experts Assembly election list, reflecting his complex standing within Iran’s political landscape.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has rejected the bail petition of Awami League leader Humayun Kabir Patwari in a case related to the killing of five people, including students, during the July uprising in Lakshmipur. The three-member panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, also ordered submission of a medical report from the head of the Hematology Department of Bangladesh Medical University and a report on the allegations by March 30, when the next hearing is scheduled.

Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam opposed the bail plea, while the defense argued that they had not received prior instructions regarding the required reports. The tribunal noted that the requested reports had not yet been submitted. Jail authorities informed that the accused is under treatment, and the prosecution sought an additional month for submission.

Humayun Kabir, president of Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Awami League and former chairman of Char Ruhita Union Parishad, was first arrested in August 2024 in another murder case and later shown arrested in this crimes against humanity case, which remains under investigation.

Nurul Islam, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Member of Parliament from Barguna-2 constituency, has been appointed as the Chief Whip of the 13th National Parliament. The announcement was made through a gazette notification issued by the National Parliament Secretariat on Monday, March 2, 2026.

In a separate notification, the names of six other BNP lawmakers were declared as whips. They are G K Gaus from Habiganj-3, Rakibul Islam from Khulna-3, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu from Shariatpur-3, M Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu from Natore-2, Akhtaruzzaman Mia from Dinajpur-4, and A B M Ashraf Uddin Nizan from Lakshmipur-4.

The appointments mark the formal organization of BNP’s parliamentary leadership structure for the 13th National Parliament, as confirmed by the official gazette notifications.

In Osmaninagar of Sylhet, leaders and activists of the Awami League and Jubo League, whose organizational activities are currently banned, organized an iftar gathering on Sunday at a prominent restaurant in Goalabazar. The event was attended by district Awami League office secretary Jaglu Chowdhury, upazila Jubo League president Iqbal Ahmed, organizational secretary Suhel Ahmed, and several Chhatra League members.

Photos and videos of the iftar were later shared on Facebook through an account named 'Amra Mathe Aschi', accompanied by messages from Jubo League and Chhatra League activists. The posts quickly spread online, triggering widespread discussion and criticism in the area.

Some BNP activists claimed that the event was held with indirect support from the upazila and police administrations. However, Osmaninagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Murshedul Alam Bhuiyan denied the allegation, stating that no such assistance was provided by the administration.

Former interim government adviser and human rights organization Odhikar’s secretary Adilur Rahman Khan was allegedly harassed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday. He was reportedly detained and questioned for an extended period by a Special Branch police superintendent while preparing to travel to Nepal as an international observer for the national parliamentary election.

Despite identifying himself as a recently retired adviser, Adilur was subjected to repeated questioning about his travel purpose. The officer later contacted senior officials of the police Special Branch. The incident drew surprise from several observers who noted the treatment of a former adviser in such a manner.

However, Additional IGP Golam Rasul, head of the Special Branch, denied any misconduct, stating that Adilur completed all immigration procedures and received his boarding pass for the Nepal flight.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog faced questions regarding the legality of Israel’s attacks on Iran during an interview on BBC Radio 4. Herzog stated that the future of the Middle East depends on the outcome of the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. He claimed that Iran had attempted to attack Israel from multiple fronts around the world.

Herzog said Israel possesses extensive evidence of Iran’s hostile actions, which it is sharing with the United Kingdom and other allies. He emphasized the need for genuine change in the region and described the current situation as a historic turning point for the Middle East. Herzog also referred to Iran as an “empire of evil” seeking to erase Israel from the map.

The remarks came amid heightened regional tensions, including reports of drone interceptions near British bases in Cyprus and missile claims involving Iran and Israel, underscoring the fragile security environment across the region.