Two senior officials heading key financial and insurance regulatory bodies in Bangladesh resigned on the same day. Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, chairman of state-owned Sonali Bank, and Dr. M Aslam Alam, chairman of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA), submitted their resignations to Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek. Additionally, Mohammad Zainul Bari, chairman of the General Insurance Corporation, also stepped down. Officials confirmed that the resignations were submitted separately and cited personal reasons.

Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury had previously served as Comptroller and Auditor General and as finance secretary before joining Sonali Bank, where he resigned only a few months into his tenure. Mohammad Zainul Bari, a former secretary, had been appointed chairman of the General Insurance Corporation in September 2024 for a three-year term by the interim government, after earlier serving as IDRA chairman. Dr. M Aslam Alam, a former senior secretary, was appointed IDRA chairman in September 2024 following the July uprising.

The simultaneous resignations leave key financial and insurance regulatory positions vacant, raising questions about upcoming leadership appointments.

Thirteen teachers, officers, and employees of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur have been accused of securing jobs using fake academic certificates and falsified experience records. All of them are reportedly affiliated with the ruling Awami League. Despite long-standing allegations, no administrative action was taken, prompting the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to open an investigation. The university’s registrar, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, began verifying documents after media reports exposed irregularities and found significant discrepancies in several employees’ credentials.

According to the registrar’s report, the accused include staff from various departments such as physical education, geography, central stores, and the library. Some allegedly joined as early as 2009 using forged certificates or political recommendations. Senior university officials claimed that the vice-chancellor, Shawkat Ali, ignored the issue and showed favoritism toward the accused. The vice-chancellor denied the allegations, saying the ACC was already handling the matter. ACC’s Rangpur deputy director confirmed that a report had been received and that verification was underway.

The ACC stated that further details would be disclosed after the verification process concludes.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report shows that default loans in the banking sector dropped sharply in the last quarter of 2025, mainly due to large-scale loan rescheduling and policy support ahead of the national election. Between October and December, default loans fell by Tk 87,298 crore to Tk 557,217 crore, representing 30.60 percent of total loans. Three months earlier, the figure stood at Tk 644,515 crore or 35.73 percent.

Officials said banks typically intensify recovery efforts at the end of the year to improve financial statements, while the central bank’s policy allowed extensive rescheduling. Under this support, Tk 26,114 crore in default loans were regularized. The interim government’s disclosure of the true loan situation after the previous Awami League administration revealed a higher default rate, prompting new measures to reduce it.

Sector-wise, state-owned banks held Tk 146,108 crore in defaults, private banks Tk 389,579 crore, foreign banks Tk 2,984 crore, and specialized banks Tk 18,546 crore. Provision shortfall also declined to Tk 191,441 crore from Tk 344,231 crore over the same period, indicating improved balance sheet conditions.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that only about one in four Americans supported the joint US-Israel strike on Iran that killed an Iranian leader. The survey found that 27 percent of respondents approved of the attack, while 43 percent opposed it and 29 percent offered no opinion. Nearly nine in ten participants said they were at least somewhat aware of the strike, which began early Saturday.

The poll also revealed that 56 percent of Americans believe former President Donald Trump is too eager to use military force to advance national interests. Among Democrats, 87 percent shared this view, compared with 23 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of politically unaffiliated respondents. The survey was conducted while the Iran operation was underway and concluded before reports emerged of US casualties.

Subsequent updates confirmed that three US soldiers were killed and five seriously injured in the attack, though these incidents occurred after the poll had ended.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s planned visit to Bogura on March 10 to inaugurate the ‘Family Card’ distribution program has been postponed. The decision was confirmed on March 3 by Bogura Deputy Commissioner Toufiqur Rahman and district BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha. The visit was cancelled due to the upcoming by-election in the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency, scheduled for April 9.

Rezaul Karim Badsha explained that holding the Family Card event during the election period could raise allegations of violating electoral rules. He said the Prime Minister decided to postpone the visit to remain within legal boundaries. Deputy Commissioner Toufiqur Rahman added that a new date for the program would be announced later.

Tarique Rahman had earlier won both the Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 seats in the 13th national election but vacated the Bogura-6 seat before taking oath, prompting the Election Commission to declare it vacant and schedule the by-election. BNP has nominated Rezaul Karim Badsha as its candidate, while other parties have also submitted nominations.

Seven additional flights were canceled at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport on March 3, 2026, as airfields in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Doha remained closed due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East following a joint attack by Israel and the United States on Iran. The airport’s public relations officer, Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, confirmed the cancellations in a press release issued in the morning.

According to the statement, the canceled flights included one arrival from Biman Bangladesh Airlines, one departure and one arrival from US-Bangla Airlines, and two departures and two arrivals from Air Arabia. Since February 28, a total of 35 international flights have been canceled at Shah Amanat Airport due to the regional conflict.

Meanwhile, Salam Air’s flight OV-401 from Muscat landed at 8:05 a.m. and departed again for Muscat at 9:15 a.m., while Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ flight BG-138 from Madinah arrived at 8:45 a.m. and left for Dhaka at 9:30 a.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched military actions against two of China’s close allies within two months, threatening Beijing’s vital oil supply routes. In January, the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and on Saturday, an airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Both Venezuela and Iran export most of their crude oil to China, accounting for about 15 percent of China’s total oil imports, according to analytics firm Kpler.

Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, said China could be the main economic casualty of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, as it produces less oil than it consumes. He warned that while high prices could slow growth, actual supply disruptions pose a greater threat to China’s economy, which depends heavily on imported oil.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the U.S.-Israeli aggression as unacceptable and denounced Washington’s role in Khamenei’s killing, though he avoided discussing the potential economic fallout. Tehran has announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and an oil tanker was attacked while violating sanctions, causing global oil prices to rise.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that more than 700 civilians have been killed in Iran since fighting began on Saturday. According to the agency’s latest update, CNN cited that by Monday afternoon at least 742 civilians, including 176 children, had died, and more than 900 others were injured. In the past 24 hours alone, at least 96 people were killed, with additional deaths under verification.

The report detailed widespread damage to religious sites and residential buildings, including a mosque in Karaj near Tehran, a governor’s office south of the capital, and the Shahid Bahonar Pier in Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian sources also reported damage to hospitals in Tehran. Military targets hit within the last 24 hours included the Kurdistan Law Enforcement and Border Guard Command center in Sanandaj, an airbase in Isfahan, and an army base in Tehran.

HRANA emphasized that the information remains preliminary and subject to change, while CNN noted it could not independently verify the figures.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced that Spain will not permit its military bases to be used for attacks on Iran. The statement came after reports of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which Spain condemned. Al Jazeera reported the development on Tuesday, citing Albares’ remarks.

Flight tracking data showed that since the weekend attacks began, fifteen U.S. aircraft departed from the Rota and Morón bases in southern Spain. According to Flightradar24, at least seven of those planes landed at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base. The report highlighted Spain’s stance as part of a broader European response to the escalating conflict.

The article also noted that Britain initially refused to allow its bases to be used for strikes on Iran but later reversed its position. Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized their use on Sunday, citing “collective self-defense.”

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque, Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, on Tuesday morning at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat. During the courtesy meeting, they exchanged greetings and discussed matters related to the Coast Guard’s activities.

The Prime Minister praised the dedication and professionalism of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, highlighting their continuous efforts to maintain peace, security, and public service in coastal and riverine areas. He instructed the force to continue its humanitarian and disaster response work for the welfare of the people. The Coast Guard chief briefed the Prime Minister on various ongoing development initiatives.

Tarique Rahman assured that the government would maintain the continuity of development and directed the Coast Guard to remain fully prepared to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.

The High Court of Bangladesh on Tuesday issued a rule asking why the July National Charter Implementation Order and the Referendum Ordinance should not be declared illegal. The bench of Justice Razik Al Jalil and Justice Md Anwarul Islam Shahin also sought an explanation on why the oath of members of the Constitutional Reform Council should not be considered invalid. The Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, National Consensus Commission, and Chief Election Commissioner have been directed to respond within four weeks.

Senior lawyers Ahsanul Karim and Syed Mamun Mahbub represented the petitioners, while senior lawyers Mohammad Hossain Lipu, Barrister Imran Abdullah Siddiqui, and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir opposed the petitions. The rule follows separate writ petitions filed on Monday challenging the legality of the July National Charter Implementation Order, the Referendum Ordinance, and the oath of the Constitutional Reform Council members.

Earlier, on February 18, another public interest writ was filed by Advocate Yunus Ali Akand seeking cancellation of the July National Charter and suspension of its effectiveness, naming the same government officials and bodies as respondents.

At least 96 people were killed in Iran within 24 hours in joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The fatalities reportedly include 85 civilians and 11 soldiers. HRANA stated that since the joint attacks began on February 28, the total civilian death toll in Iran has reached at least 742, including 176 children.

Earlier, the Iranian Red Crescent Society reported on March 2 that the total number of deaths stood at 555, though Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify these figures. HRANA added that the latest strikes targeted various infrastructure sites across Iran, including several military bases, two residential areas, and the Shahid Bahonar port in Bandar Abbas.

The differing casualty figures highlight uncertainty over the full scale of the attacks and their humanitarian impact, as independent verification remains unavailable.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News on Monday that the ongoing Middle East conflict, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran, will not turn into an endless or long-term war. He stated that the military operation would be swift and decisive, though it might take some time to complete.

According to Netanyahu, while the campaign will not last for years, it will require a certain period to achieve its objectives. His remarks came amid heightened regional tensions following the attacks in Iran, as reported by AFP.

The statement reflects Israel’s effort to frame the current military actions as limited in duration, aiming to reassure both domestic and international audiences about the scope of the conflict.

Candidates from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have filed cases with the High Court alleging vote rigging in the 13th national parliamentary election. According to court sources on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the BNP candidate from Mymensingh-1 and Jamaat candidates from Narayanganj-2, Narayanganj-3, Lalmonirhat-1, and Lalmonirhat-2 constituencies lodged the petitions. The cases are scheduled to be heard by a single bench led by Justice Md Zakir Hossain.

Earlier, candidates from Kurigram-2, Rangpur-6, Rangpur-4, and Rajshahi-1 constituencies had also filed similar cases. On March 1, the High Court ordered the preservation of ballot papers and result sheets for Rajshahi-4 and Pabna-4 constituencies after taking into account allegations of vote rigging, setting May 11 for the next hearing.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami had previously filed petitions over alleged irregularities in three other constituencies—Dhaka-6, Dhaka-7, and Gaibandha-4—indicating a growing number of legal challenges following the election.

A seven-year-old girl who was found with her throat slit inside the Botanical Garden and Ecopark in Sitakunda, Chattogram, has died. She passed away early Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in the intensive care unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Doctors confirmed that the child had been raped and sustained severe injuries, including deep cuts to her throat and thighs.

The girl had undergone surgery on Sunday night and was later moved to the One-Stop Crisis Centre, where her condition worsened. Her uncle confirmed her death, saying she had briefly communicated through gestures before her condition deteriorated. Police said she was rescued from a remote hilly area of the park on Monday afternoon and first taken to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex before being transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

The victim’s mother filed a case with Sitakunda Police Station on March 1, accusing unidentified persons of abduction and attempted murder. Police stated that the case will now be treated as a murder investigation.