A total of 39 international flights from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were canceled on Monday, March 2, 2026, due to the ongoing closure of airspace across several Middle Eastern countries. The affected destinations included the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, the cancellations followed the temporary airspace shutdown announced by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan on February 28 amid heightened security concerns.

In the past three days, a total of 102 flights have been canceled, including 23 on February 28, 40 on March 1, and 39 on March 2. Airlines affected include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and US-Bangla Airlines. Flights to destinations other than Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai have resumed.

Thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers and business travelers have been stranded at the airport, with uncertainty remaining over when normal flight operations will resume.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has announced that MPO-listed teachers will receive their festival allowance ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026. In a notice signed by Professor B M Abdul Hannan, the acting Director General of DSHE, all educational institutions were instructed to submit their festival allowance bills by March 4.

The directive, issued on March 2, aims to ensure timely disbursement of the Eid bonus for teachers under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme. The DSHE emphasized that heads of institutions must comply with the submission deadline to facilitate smooth processing of the payments.

This announcement brings relief to thousands of MPO-affiliated teachers who were awaiting confirmation of their Eid bonus payments.

Bangladesh’s export earnings declined by 12 percent in February, according to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Monday. The fall contributed to a 3.15 percent drop in total export income during the first eight months of the 2025–26 fiscal year compared with the same period last year. Total exports from July to February stood at 31.91 billion US dollars, down from 32.92 billion dollars a year earlier.

EPB attributed the overall decline to disruptions in port operations, the national election, and reduced demand in major global markets. The ready-made garment sector, which remains the country’s largest export earner, brought in 25.8 billion dollars during the period, marking a 3.73 percent decrease year-on-year. Within this sector, knitwear products continued to outperform woven garments.

Despite the overall downturn, several sectors including leather and leather goods, jute and jute products, home textiles, light engineering, and frozen fish recorded positive year-on-year growth. The United States remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination, with shipments totaling 5.87 billion dollars, up 0.74 percent, while exports to China rose by 19.12 percent.

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.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that two Bangladeshi nationals were killed and seven others injured in recent missile and drone attacks across the Middle East. The attacks followed Iran’s retaliatory strikes on US bases in several countries. One of the deceased, identified as Saleh Ahmed from Sylhet’s Barlekha, died in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, after a civilian facility was hit. Another Bangladeshi was killed in Bahrain, where three others were also injured. Four more Bangladeshis were wounded near Kuwait’s civilian airport.

The ministry said Bangladesh’s embassies in the affected countries are in contact with local authorities and providing necessary assistance, including arrangements to repatriate the bodies once commercial flights resume. The Bangladeshi ship “Banglar Joyjatra” remains stranded at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE, though all crew members are safe.

Dhaka reiterated its deep concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East and stated that it is closely monitoring developments. The government emphasized that the safety of over six million Bangladeshi expatriates in the region remains its top priority and urged citizens to follow local advisories strictly.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday expressing deep sorrow over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The ministry said the government was shocked to learn of the assassination, which occurred during Israeli and US attacks on Iran. The statement conveyed condolences to the brotherly people of Iran.

The ministry emphasized that Bangladesh believes conflicts cannot bring solutions and that disputes should be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to international law. The new statement followed criticism of an earlier one issued on Sunday, which condemned violations of sovereignty in several Middle Eastern countries but did not mention the attack on Iran or Khamenei’s death.

According to the report, Israel and the United States launched a large-scale military operation across Iran on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of Khamenei, his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.

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.

Social media has become the main source of information for people in Bangladesh and across the world, but this shift has accelerated the spread of misinformation. According to Rumor Scanner, a fact-checking organization, a record 4,195 false or misleading claims were identified in 2025, marking a 30 percent increase from the previous year. The analysis found that political and public discussions in 2026 have already generated the highest number of rumors.

The report highlights that misinformation now spreads not only through social media but also through newspapers, television, and online platforms that publish content without sufficient verification. Artificial intelligence has made it easier to produce realistic fake content, making it difficult even for experienced readers to distinguish truth from falsehood. The article emphasizes the need for new forms of media literacy that focus on verifying sources, reading beyond headlines, checking images and videos, cross-referencing multiple outlets, and recognizing emotionally charged content.

Fact-checking platforms in Bangladesh are recommended as key tools for verifying suspicious information and preventing the rapid spread of false claims online.

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.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a notification cancelling the appointment of Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali as Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). The order, released on Sunday, states that his remaining contractual term has been cancelled upon his own request. The decision was made in the public interest and took immediate effect.

Sajjat Ali had submitted his resignation on February 25, citing personal and family reasons. He was appointed on a contractual basis as DMP Commissioner on November 20, 2024, for a two-year term starting from his joining date. The ministry’s latest order formally ends that appointment before its scheduled expiry.

Until a new commissioner is appointed, Additional Commissioner (Administration) Md. Sarwar will serve as acting DMP Commissioner, according to a separate notification signed by the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Md. Ali Hossain Fakir, on February 26.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a meeting with traffic and urban planning experts to discuss a comprehensive restructuring of Dhaka’s traffic management system. The meeting took place on Monday morning at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat, according to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. The session was led by engineer Shamsul Haque from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), who, along with other specialists, shared their views on resolving the capital’s chronic traffic congestion.

The Prime Minister also discussed the renovation and development of the mausoleums of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with architects, seeking their professional opinions. Additionally, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher and Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, along with their respective state ministers, met the Prime Minister separately at the Secretariat.

These consultations indicate the government’s focus on improving urban infrastructure and commemorative sites, with expert input guiding future planning and implementation steps.

A suspected robber was killed and seven others were injured in a mob beating early Saturday in Palashi village under Puthia upazila of Rajshahi. According to police, the group of eight allegedly entered the village in a truck carrying lock-cutting tools and local weapons, apparently preparing for a robbery. Villagers, suspecting their intent, detained them and beat them before setting fire to their pickup van. The injured were taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where one was declared dead.

Rajshahi Superintendent of Police Mohammad Naimul Hasan confirmed the incident, stating that the group had entered the village at dawn with tools and weapons. He said a case would be filed soon and that the injured suspects would be shown arrested once their condition improves.

The police have begun an investigation into the incident, focusing on the circumstances of the mob attack and the alleged robbery attempt.

Three individuals, including Shamim Hossain, general secretary of the Mongla Government College unit of the student organization Chhatra Dal, were arrested in Mongla, Bagerhat, on March 1 under the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025. The arrests were made by the Jessore Detective Branch (DB) police during separate operations in the Port Municipality area based on secret information. The detainees were identified as Shamim Hossain (26), Rubel Hawlader (24), and Shahadat Gazi (30), all residents of the municipality.

Authorities reported finding evidence on their mobile phones linking them to online scam and gambling platforms. The suspects allegedly used SIM cards registered under different national identity numbers while operating the scam. Police have begun legal proceedings and are examining seized devices for further evidence.

Bagerhat district DB officials stated that strict measures against online fraud and cybercrime will continue. Local residents expressed concern that such illegal activities could harm the community’s social and economic stability.

The Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Trust Foundation has for the first time recognized athletes for their special contributions to sports. A total of nine current and former athletes received the 'Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Award' at a ceremony held at the Le Méridien Hotel in Dhaka. State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque attended as chief guest and presented each awardee with a crest and a cash prize of 100,000 taka.

The foundation, established in memory of the late Arafat Rahman Koko, introduced this award to honor achievements across different sports disciplines. Among the recipients were former national cricket captain Habibul Bashar Sumon, women’s cricketer Marufa Akter, former footballer Alfaz Ahmed, and national women’s footballer Rituparna Chakma. Organizers expressed hope that the award would become one of the country’s most prestigious sports honors.

Award recipients expressed joy at receiving the recognition, saying it would inspire them to perform even better in the future. The state minister noted plans to expand the award to an international level in coming years to further promote a sports-friendly environment in Bangladesh.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have reached a new record after the Bangladesh Jewellers Samity (Bajus) announced another increase. According to a Bajus notice issued on Monday, March 2, 2026, the price of 22-carat gold rose by up to Tk 5,424 per bhori, bringing the new rate to over Tk 274,000. The revised prices took effect from 10:30 a.m. the same day.

The notice also detailed updated rates for other categories: 21-carat gold is now priced at Tk 261,682 per bhori, 18-carat at Tk 224,299, and traditional gold at Tk 183,533. Alongside gold, silver prices have also been raised. The new price for 22-carat silver is Tk 7,173 per bhori, while 21-carat, 18-carat, and traditional silver are priced at Tk 6,682, Tk 5,890, and Tk 4,432 respectively.

The latest adjustment reflects continued upward movement in the local precious metals market, with Bajus implementing the new rates nationwide from Monday morning.