A preparatory meeting was held on Monday at the Rail Bhaban in Dhaka to ensure safe, smooth, and comfortable train travel for homebound passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The meeting focused on maintaining law and order, preventing sabotage, and curbing ticket black marketing. Sheikh Robiul Alam MP, Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping, gave necessary directives to the concerned authorities.

The meeting decided to continue selling an additional 25 percent of standing tickets beyond the fixed seat capacity, as in previous years. The minister instructed that standing ticket holders must not travel in air-conditioned or first-class compartments. Mobile courts will be deployed to detect ticketless passengers, prevent black marketing, and stop roof travel. Measures will also be taken to restrict entry of ticketless passengers at Kamalapur and Dhaka Airport stations.

The meeting, chaired by Railways Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam, was attended by senior officials including the Director General of Bangladesh Railway and state ministers Habibur Rashid MP and Md. Rajib Ahsan MP.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has announced a strict ban on any military or security operations conducted outside the state framework from Lebanese territory. The declaration, issued on March 2, 2026, specifically prohibits Hezbollah from engaging in military activities and confines the group’s role solely to political functions. The prime minister stated that security agencies have been instructed to take necessary measures to prevent any attacks originating from within Lebanon.

According to the official government statement, Hezbollah will now be allowed to operate only as a political organization, with all forms of military action fully prohibited. The directive underscores the government’s effort to assert state control over national security and prevent unauthorized armed operations.

The announcement marks a significant policy stance by the Lebanese government, signaling an attempt to reinforce state sovereignty and reduce the influence of non-state military actors within its borders.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir met with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Dhaka for a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday. The meeting focused on the longstanding and friendly relations between Bangladesh and China, which both sides said were built on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation since the time of Ziaur Rahman.

During the discussion, the two sides exchanged views on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure development, energy, information technology, education, and human resource development. The adviser thanked China for its continued support in Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress and described China as one of the country’s key development partners.

The Chinese Ambassador assured continued assistance for Bangladesh’s ongoing development initiatives and expressed commitment to expedite projects of mutual interest. Both parties emphasized maintaining close communication and coordination to elevate bilateral relations to new heights in the future.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan informed US Ambassador Brent Christensen that security measures have been strengthened in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone, including the US Embassy, due to the ongoing Iran war. The announcement came during a meeting at the Secretariat on Monday, where the minister said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) forces had been deployed alongside regular law enforcement to enhance vigilance.

According to a ministry statement, the meeting covered law enforcement cooperation, counterterrorism, illegal migration, and the implementation of the SPEAR program and Electronic Nationality Verification (ENV) system. The minister described the United States as a close ally supporting Bangladesh’s security and counterterrorism efforts. Ambassador Christensen expressed interest in finalizing a memorandum of understanding to implement the SPEAR program and warned that US funding could be withdrawn if delayed.

Christensen also noted US support since 2010 in training around 30,000 Bangladeshi police officers and providing equipment, though he expressed concern that frequent transfers and retirements had limited results. The minister promised corrective steps and directed officials to organize a workshop with relevant stakeholders.

Journalist Mostafa Zulfiqar Hasan, also known as Hasan Shiplu, has been appointed as the Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister. The appointment was made on a contractual basis through a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday, March 2, 2026. According to the notice, he will serve under the Prime Minister’s tenure or until further satisfaction, whichever comes first.

The appointment terms specify that Hasan must resign from any other professional, business, or institutional affiliations, whether governmental, semi-governmental, or private. His salary will be at the final stage of the Grade-4 pay scale, effective from the date he assumes office. Additional conditions of the appointment will be determined through a formal contract.

Hasan Shiplu currently serves as the Deputy Head of News at Ekattor TV and previously worked for a long period at the daily Kaler Kantho.

The government of Bangladesh will distribute honorarium allowances to religious institutions across the country ahead of the upcoming Eid, according to Ismail Jobiullah, adviser to the Ministry of Public Administration. Speaking to journalists on March 2, he said that 4,908 mosques will receive the payments before Eid, along with 990 temples, 72 Buddhist monasteries, and 198 churches.

Jobiullah explained that the initiative is part of the government’s election manifesto commitments under the leadership of Tareq Rahman. The plan includes a pilot scheme running until June, under which each union will have one mosque receiving monthly honoraria of Tk 5,000 for the imam, Tk 3,000 for the khatib, and Tk 2,000 for the khadem. Additionally, each mosque will receive a Tk 3,000 Eid bonus, with Tk 1,000 allocated per person.

He added that the pilot project will cover 4,900 mosques across unions and municipalities, along with the listed temples, monasteries, and churches. Once expanded nationwide, the program could include over 400,000 mosques.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that young professionals are the main driving force behind Bangladesh’s future development. Speaking on Monday, March 2, at the ‘Leadership Dialogue and Iftar Mahfil’ organized by the Forum of Young Professionals (FYP) at Six Seasons Hotel in Dhaka, he emphasized the importance of moral leadership, innovative thinking, and collective responsibility among the youth for sustainable national progress.

Agrani Bank Limited Chairman Syed Abu Naser Bakhtiar Ahmed, attending as a special guest, highlighted that financial awareness and entrepreneurial spirit are essential for professional success and national prosperity. FYP adviser Rashed Ul Haque Sarkar presided over the event, outlining the forum’s achievements and future plans, reaffirming its commitment to leadership development and professional excellence.

The event also honored dedicated FYP members for their contributions to the organization and community service. A leadership dialogue before the iftar discussed challenges and opportunities for young professionals, concluding with a communal iftar that strengthened unity and collaboration among participants.

Adviser Humayun Kabir held a courtesy meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner on Monday at the Prime Minister’s Office. During the meeting, both sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest and expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the talks.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing trade and investment, expanding regional cooperation, and promoting people-to-people contact. Both parties emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration between the two countries.

They also expressed a shared commitment to further consolidate mutual cooperation in the coming period, highlighting the desire to build stronger ties across multiple sectors.

The California chapter of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized an iftar and prayer gathering in Los Angeles on Sunday to seek forgiveness for the soul of the party’s late chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia. The event, held in a local auditorium, was presided over by California BNP president Badrul Alam Chowdhury Shiplu and conducted by general secretary M Wahid Rahman. Political, social, and cultural figures from the expatriate Bangladeshi community attended the program.

Speakers highlighted the spiritual significance of Ramadan and emphasized unity, compassion, and national solidarity. Special prayers were offered for the well-being of Bangladesh, global peace, and the souls of late leaders Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. Participants also prayed for victims of political repression and for the recovery of injured grassroots activists. The gathering included prayers for the success of BNP’s renewed political journey under Tarique Rahman’s leadership and for his wisdom, health, and longevity.

Badrul Alam Chowdhury noted that such events strengthen fraternity among expatriate Bangladeshis and pledged to continue similar social and religious programs in the future.

Vasani Jono Shokti Party chairman and freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu has denounced the joint military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran, calling it a grave violation of human rights. Speaking at a protest rally in front of the National Press Club on Monday, he demanded an immediate end to the attacks and urged that those responsible be brought under international law.

The protest, organized by the Vasani Jono Shokti Party, was held to condemn the reported killings of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous civilians, including women and children, during the aggression. The rally began from Purana Paltan and concluded at the National Press Club, where several political leaders expressed solidarity.

Party General Secretary Abu Yusuf Selim stated that military aggression against a sovereign state is unacceptable and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the only sustainable path to peace. Leaders from other political parties, including Bangladesh JASAD and Bangladesh Independence Party, also voiced support for the protest.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has clarified two recent statements issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the situation in the Middle East. Speaking to journalists at the ministry on Monday, he said the statements were made to protect the interests of Bangladeshi citizens living in the region. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s position is straightforward: safeguarding its citizens abroad and promoting peace through dialogue and diplomacy rather than conflict.

Rahman reiterated that the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East remains the government’s top priority. He noted that the March 1 statement also reflected this commitment. The minister added that if any Bangladeshi citizens are harmed, the government will stand by them regardless of location. He expressed hope that no further casualties or injuries would occur among Bangladeshis.

He also mentioned that some workers preparing to travel abroad have been stranded due to the situation. The government plans to facilitate their return once air travel resumes normal operations.

KM Nazmul Haque has been appointed as the Assistant Press Secretary to the Prime Minister under a contractual arrangement. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Monday confirming the appointment. According to the notice, he will serve in the position under the Grade-9 pay scale at its final stage, effective from the date he assumes office.

The appointment terms specify that KM Nazmul Haque must relinquish any professional, business, or employment ties with government, semi-government, private, or other organizations before taking up the role. His tenure will continue either for the duration of the Prime Minister’s term or until the Prime Minister’s satisfaction, whichever occurs first.

Additional conditions of the appointment will be determined through a formal contract, as stated in the government notification.

Investigating officers have submitted a report to the court recommending exemption for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, and 492 others from three separate murder cases filed at Dhaka’s Vatara Police Station during the July movement. The officers stated that all three cases contained factual errors.

The cases involved the deaths of truck driver Md Jahangir, water line mechanic Zakir Hossain, and shoe factory worker Ramzan Mia Jibon. Investigations revealed inconsistencies between the cases filed by the victims’ families and those filed by three other individuals. The family-filed cases indicated different locations and circumstances of death, including hospitals and other police jurisdictions, while the additional cases placed all incidents in Vatara.

The court had initially set January 25 as the deadline for the report submission, later extending it to March 2 when investigators failed to meet the earlier date.

The 207th foundation training course for newly appointed officers of the 27th BCS education cadre was inaugurated at the National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM). Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan attended as the chief guest, while NAEM Director General Dr. Wasim Md. Mezbahul Haque presided over the event. The minister congratulated the officers for joining the teaching profession after a long wait and overcoming various obstacles.

He described the delay in their appointment as an undesirable chapter in the country’s administrative history and expressed hope that such delays and injustices would not recur in the future. The minister emphasized that teachers are the nation’s builders and urged them to perform their duties with dedication, honesty, and professionalism.

Dr. Milan assured that necessary measures would be taken to ensure quick promotions once the officers’ jobs become permanent. He reaffirmed his commitment to making the education sector more dynamic and expansive, calling for teachers’ active participation in building a new Bangladesh.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to former Chattogram-4 Member of Parliament Didarul Alam and his wife, Mosammat Ismat Ara Begum. The order was issued on Monday, March 2, 2026, by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s Deputy Assistant Director Md Rokonuzzaman filed two separate petitions seeking the seizure.

According to the petitions, Didarul Alam faces allegations of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 13.98 crore and conducting suspicious transactions totaling about Tk 948.88 crore through 20 bank accounts. His wife, Ismat Ara Begum, is accused in a separate case of possessing unexplained assets worth Tk 1.47 crore. The ACC stated that seizing their tax returns and related documents up to the 2024–25 fiscal year is necessary for investigation.

After the hearing, the court granted the petitions and ordered the seizure of the tax records for further inquiry.