Police obstructed a protest march by teachers demanding the nationalization of MPO-listed educational institutions and related benefits. The teachers began their march from the National Press Club on Monday, but were stopped as they approached the Secretariat. For the past month, they have been staging sit-ins and symbolic hunger strikes in front of the Press Club. The protesting teachers stated, “We do not believe in mere assurances. The government must announce on-site that our demands are met; otherwise, we will continue our protest with our families.”

The Bangladesh Bank has announced that bill auctions will be held on four days in March to regulate market liquidity. According to a notice issued on Monday, auctions for 30-day, 90-day, and 180-day bills will take place on March 5, 12, 19, and 27. Investors can place bids for a minimum of Tk 1 million or any multiple thereof. The notice also stated that bids must be submitted electronically, quoting the total face value and the proposed purchase price at a discount per Tk 100 face value. Bidding will be open from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM on auction days via the FM module.

Six individuals have been arrested for their involvement in a highway robbery in Naogaon’s Patnitala and Pabna’s Santhia. The gang had blocked a road with fallen trees to loot a passenger bus. Police recovered stolen valuables, local weapons, and a microbus used in the crime. The arrested suspects are Shamim Islam (27), Chandra Barman (30), Abdul Latif (27), Shaharul Islam (37), Shahidul Islam (40), and Shahadat Hossain (40). Law enforcement has sought their remand for further investigation to identify other members of the gang.

Despite the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) ending over a month ago, former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi has yet to receive his full salary. Out of his $100,000 contract, he has only received $19,000. Frustrated with the delay, Afridi has emailed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), highlighting that his contract stipulated full payment during the tournament. He accused Chattogram Kings of failing to honor their commitment. The franchise, however, claims that delays were due to health issues and assures that the payment will be settled soon. Afridi expressed disappointment but remained silent to protect Bangladesh’s cricketing reputation.

Filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has suggested that slain student Abrar Fahad should be honored in the “Liberation War” category for the Independence Award. Abrar, who was posthumously awarded the honor, is considered by many as a symbol of resistance against sovereignty violations. Farooki remarked that the significance of this year’s Independence Award will be as profound as the Ekushey Padak.

During the winter season, Bagha Upazila in Rajshahi produces around 60,000 kg of date palm molasses, generating transactions worth BDT 15 crore. The region has approximately 4,000 date palm orchards and 30,389 farming households. A single harvester collects sap from 50-55 trees daily. The major trading hubs for molasses are Bagha and Arani markets, where the price per kg ranges between BDT 180-200.

The government has transferred 124 officials holding the ranks of Additional and Assistant Superintendent of Police. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the order as part of an administrative reshuffle.

BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu has warned that the nation could face dire consequences if free, fair, and transparent elections are not ensured. He recalled that elections were conducted within three months after the 1990 mass uprising but expressed concern over repeated delays in the current political landscape. “The longer this continues, the more space fascism will gain,” he stated. He urged the government to conduct a proper election to restore public confidence.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser has indicated that the country’s national elections are likely to be held in December. During a meeting with EU diplomat Hadja Lahbib on Monday, discussions also covered the Rohingya crisis. The EU has pledged €68 million in aid this year to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and local host communities, as well as to address Myanmar’s ongoing conflict. The EU Commissioner emphasized that lasting peace is the only solution to the crisis.

Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has extended his prayers for BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s speedy recovery. In a social media post, he wrote, “May Almighty Allah grant him good health, Ameen.” Fakhrul fell ill after attending a book launch event at Suhrawardy Udyan last week, where excessive dust in the air reportedly caused health complications. Following medical advice, he was hospitalized yesterday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed former US President Donald Trump’s claim regarding a $29 million USAID-funded project in Bangladesh. The project, titled “Strengthening Political Landscape in Bangladesh,” was initiated during Trump’s first term and implemented through an international competitive process, with Development Innovations (DI) as the selected organization. The project, launched in 2017, executed activities worth $14 million and was co-managed by USAID and DFID. DFID had pledged an additional $10 million. The ministry clarified that allegations of the funds being channeled to private entities owned by two individuals are entirely false.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal met with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to discuss sports medicine and development cooperation ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming matches against India. Bangladesh will face India in Shillong on March 25, with the return leg scheduled for November 18 in Dhaka. The national team, led by Jamal Bhuiyan, will conduct a training camp in Saudi Arabia before the match, departing on March 5 and returning on March 18.

A recent report by the Indian media outlet The Tribune has been dismissed as misleading propaganda. Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, addressing the issue on Monday, reiterated that there is no shortage of essential commodities in the market.

“The supply of soybean oil is slightly low, but this is not a crisis. We expect the situation to normalize soon,” he said.

He further explained that while soybean oil prices have risen, palm oil is currently being sold at a lower rate than the government-mandated price. “Our market trends show mixed price movements, but the overall supply remains stable,” he emphasized.

Khaleda Zia was expelled from her residence at the military cantonment, once owned by Ziaur Rahman. Allegedly, a close relative of Moinuddin Hasan Rashid, Managing Director of United Group, played a key role in the demolition of the house. In the last 15 years, United Group has gained unprecedented privileges in the electricity sector, reportedly embezzling billions of taka. The demolition of the house is said to have paved the way for these illicit activities, with significant support from Prime Minister Hasina and Electricity Minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu, who was reportedly rewarded with 80 katha of land near a major road in the capital.

Following the resignation of Syed Jamil Ahmed, Advisor Mustafa Sarwar Faruqi and Jamil exchanged accusations. Prince Mahmud, on Facebook, expressed support for Faruqi, stating that he was acting sensibly and not showing childish behavior. He noted that Faruqi understands when and where to act. Mahmud added that centrism supports social balance and opposes any extreme political shift, whether right-wing or left-wing.