Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) launched a coordinated operation named 'S Drive' at midnight on Sunday to curb terrorism, drug trafficking, extortion, gambling, and juvenile gang activities across the city. The operation was announced publicly half an hour before it began, raising concerns about its secrecy and effectiveness. According to CMP Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid, police recovered a rusted firearm, several knives, shotgun cartridges, and about 400 yaba tablets.

The operation came just hours after masked gunmen armed with heavy weapons fired 20 rounds at the residence of Smart Group Chairman Mostafizur Rahman, evading police security. None of the attackers or major gang members have been arrested. Security analysts said the limited seizures contrast sharply with the scale of the armed assault, suggesting the drive was more symbolic than strategic. They also criticized the lack of intelligence coordination, noting that police appeared unaware of the gang’s movements before the attack.

CMP officials defended the timing and coordination of the operation, but analysts questioned the effectiveness of police checkpoints and intelligence surveillance, as heavily armed criminals moved freely within the city.

Bangladesh Railways has decided to continue selling 25 percent standing (non-seat) tickets in addition to regular seat tickets for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr travel period. The decision was made to accommodate increased passenger demand during the holiday season. Authorities have instructed that standing ticket holders will not be allowed to travel in air-conditioned or first-class compartments.

The decision came from a preparatory meeting held on Monday at the Rail Bhaban on Abdul Gani Road in Dhaka. The meeting addressed issues such as maintaining law and order, preventing sabotage, and curbing ticket black marketing during Eid travel. It was also announced that mobile courts will be deployed to detect ticketless passengers, stop black market activities, and prevent rooftop travel.

Additional instructions were issued to ensure that ticketless passengers cannot enter major stations like Kamalapur and Dhaka Airport. If any train is delayed, the number of designated seats on platforms will be increased to allow waiting passengers to sit safely.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee announced that the government aims to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh within the next five years, fulfilling an electoral commitment. He stated that visible progress has already been achieved within days of forming the government and expressed confidence that the target could be met within the current term. The minister made these remarks on Monday in Sripur, Gazipur, after inspecting the historic Chowkka canal and addressing a gathering organized jointly by the upazila and municipal BNP units.

Anee described the canal excavation initiative as a revolutionary movement inspired by former President Ziaur Rahman’s efforts to support farmers. He lamented that many canals had deteriorated due to neglect and encroachment. The minister also noted that agricultural loans of up to 10,000 taka had been waived nationwide, totaling about 1,500 crore taka, to encourage farmers. He emphasized that agriculture remains central to Bangladesh’s economy and that the government intends to create employment opportunities and boost crop production.

Senior officials from the Water Resources Ministry, local BNP leaders, and members of the Water Development Board attended the event.

The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) organized an iftar gathering at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment on Monday to mark the holy month of Ramadan. The event was attended by State Minister for Sports Aminul Haque, chiefs of the army, navy, and air force, and other senior officials. BOA President and Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman extended Ramadan greetings and emphasized collective efforts for the advancement of the country’s sports sector.

In his address, General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the BOA has undertaken an initiative to establish an international-standard sports complex with modern facilities in Trishal, Mymensingh, aiming to develop world-class athletes and host global competitions. The State Minister for Sports also spoke briefly about the government’s commitment and plans for national sports development.

Members of the BOA executive committee and general council, officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council, senior serving and retired armed forces officers, and representatives from various national sports federations attended the event.

An emergency press briefing was held at the central office of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday night, where Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair emphasized that the issue of the July National Charter should be made clear to the nation. He stated that the reform proposals had been passed by nearly two-thirds majority and were now a matter for the national parliament, which is scheduled to convene on March 12. Zubair warned against attempts to shift the issue to the courts, arguing that such actions in the past had deepened national crises.

Advocate Shishir Md. Monir explained that two writ petitions had been filed challenging the July National Charter Implementation Order 2025 and the referendum process. He argued that the petitions were politically motivated and aimed at obstructing parliamentary discussion by making the issue sub judice. Monir questioned why only the referendum was being challenged while the national election, held on the same day, was not. He maintained that the matter was political and should be resolved through political consensus rather than judicial intervention.

Both leaders cautioned that using the judiciary to settle political disputes could undermine democratic processes and repeat past mistakes.

Bangladesh is confronting simultaneous challenges to its energy security, foreign reserves, and interest rate policy as the Middle East conflict disrupts global energy flows. The ongoing war, uncertainty over Qatari LNG supplies, and drone attacks on Saudi energy facilities have placed the country’s import-dependent energy system under renewed strain. The article identifies three critical policy questions: whether to raise fuel prices, how to manage reserves, and if lowering interest rates is justified during wartime instability.

The analysis warns that direct energy price hikes could trigger a double inflation trap, urging instead a targeted pricing reform to reduce consumption and support efficient production. It highlights the need for strategic reserve management through prioritizing essential energy imports, curbing luxury imports, allowing managed currency depreciation, and securing long-term energy payment plans. The author argues that lowering interest rates during uncertainty may not boost investment but could encourage capital flight and misuse of cheap credit.

The piece concludes that Bangladesh’s stability depends on coordinated energy, monetary, and fiscal policies. It recommends forming a national crisis team of experts to guide sustainable decisions beyond political popularity.

Iqbal Chowdhury, a victim of enforced disappearance, testified as the third witness in a case involving alleged abductions and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) or 'Aynaghar' during the Awami League’s fifteen-year rule. His testimony was recorded on Monday before the International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar with Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as the other member. Iqbal described being abducted from his Mohammadpur home on May 7, 2018, by plainclothes men identifying themselves as law enforcement officers.

He recounted being blindfolded, handcuffed, and taken to an unknown location where he was confined in a small, dimly lit room. The room had a metal-barred door, a wooden door, and a constantly running exhaust fan. Iqbal said he felt as though he had been buried alive. His statement was halted when he became emotional and unwell during the testimony.

The case names Sheikh Hasina and twelve current and former army officers, who have reportedly been sentenced to death in connection with the alleged JIC disappearances and torture incidents.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapoor is arriving in Dhaka today, Tuesday, for a three-day visit aimed at discussing the future of Dhaka-Washington relations. His trip comes two weeks after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s new government assumed office. According to the draft schedule, Kapoor will arrive from New Delhi tonight and begin meetings on Wednesday with US Embassy officials, followed by discussions with several Bangladeshi ministers, including those of foreign, home, energy, and commerce. He will also meet business representatives and political leaders before attending an iftar hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign ministry officials said the visit will cover bilateral and geopolitical issues, including implementation of a recently signed trade agreement and the proposed security pact between the two countries. Economic cooperation will be a key focus, with senior economic adviser Laura Anderson accompanying Kapoor. Defense cooperation is also expected to feature prominently, as the US seeks to finalize two defense agreements, GSOMIA and ACSA. The visit may also address the repatriation of undocumented Bangladeshis from the United States.

The discussions are expected to shape the next phase of Bangladesh-US relations, particularly in trade, defense, and migration cooperation.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and opposition whip, warned that rejecting the referendum verdict through court intervention would lead to dire consequences. He made the remarks on Monday evening at an iftar gathering organized by the NCP in Chattogram. Nahid said the issue of reform had already been settled through the referendum, but attempts were being made to overturn the people’s verdict in court.

He questioned whether the interim government’s security adviser was rewarded with a ministerial post by the BNP for election engineering and alleged that both domestic and foreign forces had been conspiring since August 5 to weaken the student movement. Nahid also stated that NCP activists would resist any attempt by the Awami League to resume political activities, asserting that the two parties could not coexist.

Other NCP leaders accused the BNP of rejecting the referendum results, conspiring with the “July Charter,” and fostering lawlessness. They warned that the party would face public resistance if it continued such actions.

Complaints have emerged in Rajshahi city over irregularities in the distribution of low-cost products by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) during the holy month of Ramadan. Hundreds of buyers have been forced to stand in long queues under the sun, with many returning empty-handed while some individuals reportedly received products multiple times. TCB trucks, scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m., often reached between 11:30 a.m. and noon, worsening the situation.

Field visits to several city points revealed that demand far exceeded supply, with both lower- and middle-income families seeking affordable essentials. Each TCB truck sells a package of five items for Tk 590, including edible oil, lentils, sugar, chickpeas, and dates, for 400 customers per truck—double last year’s allocation. However, allegations persist that certain groups collect products repeatedly to resell at higher prices, and that dealers favor acquaintances.

TCB’s regional deputy director Atiqur Rahman acknowledged attempts by some groups to exploit the system and create disorder. He said letters have been sent to law enforcement and city authorities seeking assistance to restore order and ensure genuine consumers receive the benefits.

The Teknaf land port, a key import-export hub in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, has remained inactive for ten months due to internal unrest in neighboring Myanmar. Cross-border trade through the Naf River has been suspended, leaving local traders and importers in severe financial distress. Thousands of port workers have lost their jobs and are struggling to survive without income. Stakeholders are waiting for effective government action to restore operations at the port.

According to port business associations, millions of taka remain stuck with Myanmar traders, and large quantities of goods stored in warehouses are rotting. The general secretary of the Teknaf C&F Agents Association said the prolonged closure has caused extreme financial strain, making it difficult to pay bank installments, office rent, and staff salaries. Workers dependent on port activities have fallen into debt and are unable to support their families.

The government is also losing significant revenue, as imports of timber, dried fish, ginger, and onions have stopped. The disruption began after Myanmar’s Rakhine State came under control of the Arakan Army, halting vessel movement on the Naf River. No timeline has been announced for resuming trade, though business groups believe diplomatic efforts could help reopen the port.

A bumper harvest of sweet potatoes has been reported in Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur this season. Favorable weather, low production costs, and strong market prices have led to increased farmer profits and enthusiasm. Compared to paddy, sweet potatoes have yielded three times more profit, prompting many farmers to shift to this crop.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, sweet potatoes were cultivated on 365 hectares of land this season, nearly double last year’s 190 hectares. The main varieties grown include BARI Sweet Potato-8, BARI Sweet Potato-4, and improved local types. Twelve farmers received demonstration plots of the BARI-8 variety to encourage wider adoption. Farmers across several unions are now busy harvesting their crops.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Habibur Rahman said favorable weather and regular technical support contributed to the strong yields. With an estimated 9,200 tons produced this season, sweet potatoes have become a promising cash crop in the region due to their nutritional value and growing market demand.

Police in Dhamrai, under Dhaka district, are struggling to provide adequate public safety services due to a severe shortage of vehicles. The shortage follows the destruction of five pickup trucks and one prison van during a student and public protest on August 5, 2024. The Dhamrai police station covers a large area of 304 square kilometers, including 16 unions, one municipality, and more than 400 villages with a population exceeding 600,000.

Because of the lack of vehicles, police are unable to conduct regular patrols, respond promptly to emergencies, or carry out operations to arrest criminals. The shortage has also affected VIP protocol duties and routine law enforcement activities. As a result, incidents of drug trading, theft, robbery, and other crimes are reportedly increasing across the area.

Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Huda Khan stated that despite their willingness, police are struggling to maintain law and order and are relying on rented local vehicles such as lagunas and CNGs for nightly patrols. He emphasized that additional vehicles would significantly improve public safety services.

Bangladesh Bank is considering a reduction in its policy interest rate following the appointment of new governor Mostakur Rahman. The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to meet at noon on Wednesday to decide on a possible 50 basis point cut from the current 10 percent rate. Officials said the move could lower lending rates across banks and support the governor’s plan to create one crore new jobs.

An unnamed central bank official explained that the policy rate had been kept high for a long time to control inflation, which has eased but remains above target due to supply-side issues. The previous governor, Ahsan H. Mansur, had maintained the policy rate at 10 percent in the last monetary policy announcement. Inflation peaked at 11.38 percent in November and declined to 8.58 percent in January.

Economists and bankers cautioned that inflation remains elevated and that any rate cut should be limited and carefully implemented to avoid undermining recent progress.

The government has declared Dr. Muhammad Yunus, outgoing Chief Adviser of the interim government, as a 'Very Important Person' (VIP) for one year. The decision was announced in a government gazette on February 10, 2026, under Section 2(a) of the Special Security Force Act, 2021. As a result, Dr. Yunus will continue to receive top-level security and protocol from the Special Security Force (SSF) even after stepping down from his position. The order, signed by Secretary Md. Saifullah Panna on behalf of the President, took immediate effect.

According to the gazette, the arrangement ensures Dr. Yunus’s personal safety and reflects the government’s respect for his international stature. While extending VIP privileges to a departing Chief Adviser is not new in Bangladesh, this time the duration has been significantly extended compared to previous instances. In 2006, a similar status was granted for only three months to the then outgoing Chief Adviser.

The decision underscores the government’s intent to maintain high-level security for Dr. Yunus during the post-transition period.