Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Ma’sud announced that preparations for local government elections will begin after Eid. He made the statement on Sunday at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, while attending the Best Reporting Award ceremony organized by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy. He said the Election Commission remains active year-round, organizing parliamentary, presidential, and local elections. The commission is awaiting the first parliamentary session to decide whether local polls will be held under party symbols or on a non-partisan basis.

Ma’sud emphasized that the commission is committed to conducting fair elections in accordance with the law. He also noted that journalists play a vital role in improving the commission’s work through constructive criticism. During the event, three reporters were recognized for excellence in online, television, and print categories.

Separately, the Election Commission has taken steps to move National Voter Day from March 2 to March 1. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that a letter has been sent to the Cabinet Division regarding the change, which aims to align with earlier observances and regional decisions.

The Supreme Court Bar Association of Bangladesh has postponed its 2026–2027 executive committee election to May 13 and 14. The decision was made at a special meeting held on Sunday at the association’s South Hall after candidates and general members requested that the election not be held during Ramadan. The election was originally scheduled for March 11 and 12, with nomination submission and withdrawal deadlines already announced.

According to the earlier schedule, nomination forms were sold from February 19, with submissions accepted until March 1 and withdrawals allowed until March 4. The special meeting suspended that timetable, and the association stated that a new schedule will be issued in line with the revised voting dates. The election will fill 14 posts, including president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, joint secretaries, and executive members.

The last election took place on March 6–7, 2024, and was marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging. Following political changes on August 5, an ad hoc committee was formed to manage the association’s affairs until the next election.

Police from Kotwali Model Station in Sylhet arrested seven members of an alleged mugging gang during a raid in the city on Sunday, March 1. The operation took place inside a drain near Rongmahal Tower in the Bandar Bazar area, where officers also recovered locally made sharp weapons used in the crimes.

According to Sylhet Metropolitan Police, the detainees had been involved in multiple mugging incidents across different parts of the city. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement conducted the targeted operation and seized four sharp knives from the suspects. The arrested individuals are from various areas of Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Sunamganj districts.

A case has been filed at Kotwali Model Police Station in connection with the incident, and police stated that the detainees will be presented before the court.

Residents of Fatullah in Narayanganj have temporarily stopped construction work on the Mukterpur-Panchabati flyover, alleging the use of substandard materials. The suspension began on Friday morning at the Kashipur section, where locals accused the contractor of using ordinary concrete instead of RCC and low-quality bricks. They demanded that authorities inspect the site before work resumes, citing concerns of irregularities and corruption in the mega project.

According to residents, poor-quality materials were being used in several parts of the flyover from the Samrat Cinema area to the Kashipur Union Parishad. They claimed that despite informing officials, no one had visited the site. Project Director Wahiduzzaman confirmed that evidence of substandard materials had been found and that the contractor had been asked for an explanation.

The Mukterpur-Panchabati six-lane highway project spans about 10.37 kilometers, including 9.6 kilometers of elevated expressway. Initially budgeted at Tk 2,659 crore, the cost was later raised to about Tk 3,300 crore, with completion extended to June 2026. Two Chinese firms are implementing the project.

Iran has shut down the strategic Hormuz Strait following joint attacks by the United States and Israel, disrupting a key global maritime route for energy transport. The closure has already slowed international sea trade and raised concerns of an impending energy crisis in Bangladesh, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern countries for crude oil, refined fuel, LPG, and LNG imports. Officials warn that prolonged conflict in the region could severely impact Bangladesh’s energy supply chain and increase import costs.

According to shipping and energy officials, around 15 vessels carrying fuel and gas for Bangladesh pass through the Hormuz Strait each month. Although Bangladesh’s refined fuel imports do not directly use the route, the countries supplying them depend on crude oil shipments through it. The closure is expected to raise freight costs and delay shipments, affecting both energy and trade sectors. Industry leaders have urged energy conservation and increased reserves to mitigate potential shortages.

Experts caution that if the Middle East conflict continues, Bangladesh’s limited 25–26-day fuel storage capacity could lead to severe disruptions. They recommend expanding reserves and promoting public austerity to withstand the crisis.

The Bangladesh government convened a high-level meeting to determine immediate actions following escalating conflict in the Middle East after a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman met with ministers and senior officials to review the situation and instructed them to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi workers in the region and maintain energy security. The government emphasized proactive measures to manage potential disruptions in remittance inflows and fuel supply.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated that Bangladesh is working to safeguard its energy sector, noting that current reserves and supply contracts should prevent short-term shortages. Energy Adviser Humayun Kabir said the country’s fuel stock is sufficient for now, and there is no cause for panic. Officials confirmed that Bangladesh has about 45 days of refined fuel reserves and ongoing import contracts through June, minimizing immediate risks from the closure of the Hormuz Strait.

Prime Minister Rahman is personally monitoring the situation, directing ministries to protect expatriate workers and assist stranded passengers. Economists warned that prolonged conflict could affect remittance inflows and foreign reserves if disruptions persist.

Construction of crop protection embankments in the haor areas of Sunamganj has not been completed within the scheduled timeframe, raising concerns among farmers about potential crop losses. According to regulations, the work was to be finished between December 15 and February 28, but only 78 percent was reportedly completed by the deadline. The Water Development Board (WDB) extended the deadline by 15 days, though field visits revealed slower progress and incomplete sections in several upazilas.

Officials and locals cited poor coordination between the WDB and local administration, delays in forming and approving project committees, and payment complications as reasons for the delay. Allegations also surfaced of project approvals without public hearings, excessive allocations for low-risk embankments, and spending on unnecessary projects. In Tahirpur’s Matian Haor, key embankments remain unfinished, with farmers warning that early floods could submerge vast croplands.

Local organizations, including Haor Bachao Andolon and environmental groups, accused authorities of irregularities and corruption. The WDB attributed the delay partly to election-related disruptions but assured that work would be completed within the extended period.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a month-long special cleanliness and mosquito control campaign to curb the rising mosquito menace. The initiative began on Sunday in wards 71 and 72, with DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam announcing the start of the program. He said the campaign would be closely monitored through a four-tier supervision system involving ward-level officials up to the administrator. Local imams will be engaged to raise public awareness, and mobile courts may be operated by executive magistrates if citizens fail to destroy mosquito breeding sites.

State Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Railways Habibur Rashid, attending as special guest, emphasized the need for special attention to underdeveloped and underserved areas. He assured full government cooperation to help DSCC reclaim and clean canals known as mosquito breeding grounds. Around 250 workers from DSCC’s waste management and health departments participated in the operation, cleaning drains, canals, and footpaths while applying mosquito repellents.

A public awareness rally was also held with participation from local residents and BD Clean members, alongside DSCC officials and community leaders.

State Minister for Industries, Commerce, and Jute and Textiles Md. Shariful Alam said the government is prepared to handle any potential impact from the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. Speaking to journalists after visiting Boro Bazar in Kishoreganj on Sunday afternoon, he noted that while the global energy-dependent market may face some effects, the government remains alert. He added that although prices of some goods rose at the start of Ramadan, the market situation is now stable.

The minister said market monitoring has been strengthened nationwide to ensure price stability and protect consumers’ purchasing power. He emphasized that measures are being taken to prevent unjustified price hikes. Teams from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) are conducting regular monitoring and enforcement drives.

During his visit, the minister interacted with traders and buyers, reviewed the overall market situation, and later inspected TCB’s mobile truck sales operations. He also attended meetings with local officials and journalists and joined an iftar with orphans at a local madrasa.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has called for the immediate declaration of the current parliament as a 'Constitution Reform Council' and demanded the impeachment and arrest of the president, whom he described as fascist. He made the remarks on Sunday at an iftar gathering of the National Youth Power at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka.

Nahid Islam said the reform process must begin through a parliamentary session where members would take an oath under the reform council. He emphasized that the president who legitimized fascist acts must be impeached and brought to justice. Referring to the July uprising, he claimed that 1,400 people were killed and thousands injured, insisting that justice for those killings, including the deaths of Sharif and Osman Hadi, must come first.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan criticized the new government for disappointing the public and urged it to take an oath under the July Reform Council. He also said any parliamentary session opened by the president who supported the previous regime’s actions would be unacceptable.

Air operations at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram were disrupted on Sunday due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A total of ten international flights were canceled in the morning, including three departures and seven arrivals. However, Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-135, initially listed among the canceled flights, departed for Jeddah at 4 p.m. carrying 419 passengers.

Airport public relations officer Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil said the cancellations were made temporarily for passenger safety. Earlier, six other flights had been canceled for the same reason. The affected flights included several bound for Dubai, Sharjah, and Doha. Authorities stated that further decisions would be taken after monitoring the situation.

Sources indicated that uncertainty in flight operations may continue until the regional conflict stabilizes, suggesting potential ongoing disruptions for international travelers using the Chattogram route.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has expressed deep concern over the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, he said that recent military attacks in Iran and subsequent missile and drone strikes on neighboring Gulf countries indicate a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability. He condemned all actions violating national sovereignty, endangering civilians, and undermining peace.

Dr. Rahman voiced particular concern over Israel’s destabilizing activities, saying such actions heighten tensions, obstruct dialogue, and weaken efforts for lasting peace. He also described Iran’s retaliatory attacks as counterproductive and urged an immediate halt to all hostilities. He warned that continued conflict would worsen human suffering and deepen instability across the Muslim world.

Calling for restraint and renewed diplomacy, Dr. Rahman urged all parties to cease military operations and return to dialogue. He also appealed to the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety and consular support of Bangladeshi nationals in the Middle East during this crisis.

Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he had no role in the eviction of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia from her Dhaka cantonment residence. He made the statement during cross-examination by defense lawyer Aminul Gani in the ongoing crimes against humanity case against dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, where Bhuiyan appeared as the first prosecution witness.

During the third day of questioning, Bhuiyan denied multiple allegations, including taking steps to evict Khaleda Zia while serving as Quartermaster General, failing to act on enforced disappearances, and benefiting from government favors. He stated that he was abroad during the alleged eviction period and had no operational control over army operations related to disappearances. He also denied offering any proposal to divert investigations or accumulating wealth through undue advantage.

The trial is being conducted by a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

Bangladesh has strongly condemned the violation of sovereignty of several Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Sunday, March 1, expressing the government’s concern following recent attacks in Iran and emphasizing the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates living in the region.

The statement warned that continued hostilities could severely endanger regional peace, stability, and the welfare of civilians. Bangladesh called on all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint, halt military actions, and return to diplomatic negotiations to resolve differences. The ministry expressed hope that peace, security, and stability would soon be restored in the region.

Although the statement listed seven countries whose sovereignty was violated, Iran was not included. The condemnation followed reports of a major military operation across Iran by Israel and the United States, which resulted in significant casualties, including senior Iranian figures.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has called for creative proposals and effective initiatives to modernize and simplify Bangladesh’s education system. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting organized by the Directorate of Madrasa Education on Sunday, he emphasized that the ministry is a nation-building institution responsible for shaping the country’s future generations.

The minister urged the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and called on stakeholders to review their work and propose improvements to make courses and curricula more relevant and productive. He announced that a new curriculum committee must be formed and its members selected within the current month to meet the 2027 target, with the process starting next week. He also directed that syllabus preparation be completed within the set timeframe through coordinated efforts.

State Minister Bobby Hajjaj requested practical and specific solutions to address challenges in the education sector, including coordination issues and administrative complexities. Officials from the Directorate of Madrasa Education and related departments attended the meeting.