Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - International Master (IM) Mohammad Fahad Rahman and IM Manon Reja Neer have advanced to the final of the Spectrum Bangladesh National Cup Chess eliminating their respective rivals in the semifinal play-off matches held at Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room today (Thursday). In the semi-final playoff matches, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman faced FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia in a thrilling contest. The match was ultimately decided in a sudden-death game, where IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman secured victory against FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia to book his place in the final. On the other hand, Manon Reja Neer advanced to the final after getting walkover against IM Minhaj Uddin in his playoff match. The final will be held tomorrow (Friday) at the same venue at 2 pm.

Rony, Naim star in Central's victory over East Zone in BCLDHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - Opener Naim Sheikh and Abu Haider Rony struck two contrasting fifties as Central Zone thrashed East Zone by five wickets in their second match in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day format tournament today at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra. Asked to bat first, East Zone piled up a challenging 237-9 but Central Zone got over the line with incredible ease, reaching 240-5 for a victory. Opener Naim Sheikh provided the platform with 98 ball-83, a knock studded by five fours and two sixes. Earlier, most of the East Zone batter got the desired start but couldn't convert it to big knock which denied them posting a healthy total. Rakibul Hasan claimed 3-27 to be the standout bowler from Central Zone while Taskin Ahmed and Ripon Mondol grabbed two wickets apiece.

DHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - Liton Das hit an unbeaten half-century as North Zone secured a six-wicket victory over South Zone in low-scoring game of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day format at Rajshahi Divisional Stadium today. Put into bat first, South Zone were bowled out for 144 in 30.5 overs, a total North Zone overhauled in just 25.4 overs, reaching 145-4, thanks to an 55 not out from Liton. This was North Zone’s second straight victory, having earlier thrashed East Zone by 54 runs. South Zone pacer Mustafizur Rahman, however, jolted North Zone with a brilliant bowling with the new ball, giving the side a glimmer of hope to win the game despite paltry total on the board. He claimed three wickets in his first two overs, leaving North Zone to a precarious 37-3 in just fifth over.

However, mango orchard areas have decreased in Rajshahi district this year, while they have expanded in Naogaon. Nearly all mango trees in the Rajshahi region have produced blossoms to varying degrees this season. In Rajshahi district, mango orchards cover 19,062 hectares, down from 19,603 hectares last year—a reduction of 541 hectares. Chapainawabganj has 37,487 hectares of mango orchards, slightly down from 37,504 hectares last year—a reduction of 17 hectares. Kazi Zulfikar Ali, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Rajshahi, said farmers are cutting down mango trees mainly because profitability has declined.

LONDON, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The economic impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs was "much lower" than expected last year, Europe's development bank said Thursday, as it raised its growth forecast for 2026. But for countries where the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development operates, these developments will only bring "very limited" changes, chief economist Beata Javorcik told AFP. "The impact of the US tariffs for our countries of operation has been limited, much lower than anticipated," Javorcik said. In its latest report released on Thursday, the EBRD forecast growth to accelerate to 3.6 percent this year and rise further to 3.7 percent in 2027. "There are some countries that potentially could gain to see lower tariffs, like Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova or Tunisia, but overall the picture is unchanged," Javorcik said.

Bangladesh shines in US apparel market despite overall import declineDHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - Despite an overall contraction in the United States apparel import market in 2025, Bangladesh registered strong growth, reinforcing its position as a key supplier to the world’s largest consumer market. According to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), total US apparel imports stood at $77.88 billion during January–December 2025, marking a 1.74 percent decline compared to the same period in 2024. Among other major suppliers to the US market in 2025, Vietnam accounted for 21.50 percent of total apparel imports, followed by China with 13.66 percent. While China continues to lose ground in the US apparel market, Bangladesh and Vietnam displayed similar trends in terms of value growth, unit price movement and volume performance. The data also show that growth in the second half of 2025 was weaker than in the first half for the overall US apparel market.

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Photo: PMODHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) – At the instruction of the Prime Minister, the government has decided to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including accrued interest, benefiting 12 lakh farmers across the country. According to the Cabinet Secretary, around 12 lakh farmers will directly benefit from the decision. Both the principal amount—up to Tk 10,000—and the full accrued interest on such loans will be waived. The Cabinet Secretary noted that the immediate impact of the loan waiver could include reduced rural-to-urban migration and easing rural inflationary pressures. According to Bangladesh Bank, as of February 25, farmers owed approximately Tk 1,550 crore, including interest, to public commercial banks, specialised banks and private commercial banks.

A cabinet meeting held in the conference room of the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo : PMODHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - A cabinet meeting was held in the conference room of the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat here today. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting, said Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly.

Amid the tense backdrop of his appointment, Bangladesh Bank’s new Governor Mostaqur Rahman has made his first visit to the finance minister, following preliminary discussions with senior central bank officials. He went to Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury’s office at 3:34pm on Thursday. Accompanied by Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarak, Mostaqur later held a private meeting with Khosru while Mobarak waited nearby.

180 vacant sergeant posts to be filled soon: Home MinisterHome Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) – Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said that 180 vacant sergeant posts will be filled soon as part of efforts to strengthen law enforcement. He said the recruitment process would be expedited to ensure the vacancies are filled without delay, enhancing policing efficiency and public safety. Officials concerned said necessary procedures have already been initiated and the recruitment will be conducted following due process to select qualified candidates. Filling the vacant posts is being treated as a priority to reinforce the security framework and improve public service delivery.

Iran says UN nuclear watchdog chief likely to join its talks with USTEHRAN, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - United Nations nuclear chief Rafael Grossi will likely attend the third round of talks on Thursday between Iran and the United States, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said. "It is also likely that the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency will join these talks, as was the case in the previous round," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state TV.

DHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) today extended the deadline for submitting income tax returns by individual taxpayers for the 2025–2026 tax year until March 31, 2026. Previously, the deadline for filing income tax returns for the concerned taxpayers was set for February 28, 2026. Meanwhile, the NBR has made online submission of income tax returns mandatory for all individual taxpayers this time. As per the order, individual taxpayers are required to submit their returns online through the NBR’s e-return portal at www.etaxnbr.gov.bd. Any person who is unable to submit an income tax return online may apply for permission to submit a paper return.

Defeat for the government in the parliamentary by-election would add to the woes facing unpopular Prime Minister Keir Starmer who endures frequent mutterings about how long he can stay in office. Starmer, whose five predecessors as prime minister were all Conservatives stretching back to 2010, has pitched the by-election as "a battle of values". Starmer also attacked the Greens' support for legalising drugs, calling it "reprehensible". The vote was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne on health grounds. Starmer has also taken flak for countless policy reversals and polls suggest he is the most unpopular British prime minister since surveys began.

WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called screen legend Robert De Niro "sick and demented" after the actor urged Americans to "resist" his administration. "Trump Deranged Robert De Niro, another sick and demented person with, I believe, an extremely Low IQ, who has absolutely no idea what he is doing or saying -- some of which is seriously CRIMINAL!" Trump wrote in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform. "The story is our country, and Trump is destroying it, and who knows what his reasons are, but it's sick," the 82-year-old actor told "The Best People with Nicolle Wallace" podcast. "People have to resist, resist, resist, resist, resist.