Ali Hossain Fakir formally took charge as the head of Bangladesh Police on Wednesday. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) - Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir formally took charge as the head of Bangladesh Police on Wednesday morning. Prior to the appointment, Fakir served as Additional Inspector General (IG) of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN). He also served as Commandant of RRF Sylhet and Commander of 3 APBN Khulna, 5 APBN Dhaka, and 7 APBN Sylhet.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday alleged that President Mohammed Sahabuddin violated his oath by publicly disclosing important and sensitive state matters in a recent newspaper interview. In the interview, published in a daily, the head of state discussed various issues concerning the period of the interim government and revealed a number of significant and sensitive topics. Jamaat claimed that by bringing such matters into the public domain, the President breached his constitutional oath and failed to safeguard entrusted state secrets. In a statement issued on Wednesday (Feb 25), Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar expressed deep concern over the matter. He alleged that President Sahabuddin, in his recent interview, violated his oath by publicly disclosing internal and confidential matters of the state and demonstrated failure in protecting entrusted state secrets.

The Home Minister made the remarks after laying wreaths at the Banani Military Graveyard in the capital on the occasion of National Martyred Army Day, marking the anniversary of the 2009 Pilkhana carnage. Responding to a question from journalists about the government's position regarding a fresh investigation into the 2009 BDR carnage, the Home Minister clarified that no new commission would be formed. "I made a remark earlier that we would form a commission to reinvestigate the BDR carnage without going through the report of the national independent commission formed during the interim government. Referring to the Pilkhana carnage cases, he noted that several appeals are currently pending before the Appellate Division. BDR carnage took place on February 25-26 in 2009 at the headquarters of the BDR paramilitary force in Pilkhana, Dhaka.

The Editors Council has strongly urged the newly elected government to withdraw what it described as false and harassing cases filed against journalists, saying the issue must be treated with the highest priority to ensure media freedom and professional safety. The council said the situation has severely disrupted journalists’ normal professional activities and undermined the independent environment of the media. The Editors Council said it had repeatedly and politely requested the interim government to withdraw the false and motivated cases and to take effective measures to stop the harassment of journalists. It added that the interim administration had assured the council that the cases would be reviewed and that steps would be taken to withdraw those found to be false and harassing. The statement was signed by Nurul Kabir, President of the Editors Council, and Dewan Hanif Mahmud, General Secretary.

Kaniz Fatema, a member of the BNP chairperson’s advisory council and wife of BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farroque, has passed away. Family members said she died at 10:40am on Wednesday while undergoing treatment in the ICU at Evercare Hospital, Dhaka. She had fallen ill ahead of the election and was admitted to the hospital on February 17. She will be laid to rest at the family graveyard following a funeral prayer at her residence in Yarpur, Senbagh, Noakhali, at 11am on Thursday. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep shock at her death, prayed for the eternal peace of her soul, and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.

State Minister for Youth and Sports M Aminul Haque ‍addressing a view exchange meeting with the managing directors and chief executive officers of the country's leading banks and financial institutions at National Sports Council in Dhaka. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) -The State Minister for Youth and Sports M Aminul Haque today urged the banks and financial institutions of the country to play an active role in the overall development of the country's sports arena and ensuring the professionalism of players. He made the remark at a view exchange meeting with the managing directors and chief executive officers of the country's leading banks and financial institutions at the conference room of the National Sports Council. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the State Minister said that the role of the private sector, especially banks and financial institutions, along with government efforts, in developing sports fields is immense. They also expressed their determination to work shoulder to shoulder to elevate the country's sports arena to a world standard.

National Martyred Army Day was observed with due respect on Wednesday, marking the 17th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bangladesh Army officers who were killed in the brutal incident at the then Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guard Bangladesh) headquarters in Pilkhana on February 25–26, 2009. On the occasion, wreaths were laid at the graves of the martyrs at the Military Graveyard in Banani, Dhaka, in honor of the fallen soldiers President Mohammed Shahabuddin; Prime Minister Tarique Rahman; Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed; the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force; senior secretary of the Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs; the Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh; and family members of the martyrs paid their respects, accordiong to the Inter Service Public Relation Direcotrate (ISPR),A one-minute silence was observed in honor of the martyrs, and serving members of the armed forces offered a salute. Prayers were later offered, seeking eternal peace for the departed souls. Special prayers, Qur’an recitations, milad mahfils and munajats were also held at mosques of the armed forces across the country for the martyrs.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid deep tribute to the martyrs of the Pilkhana massacre at Banani on the occasion of National Martyrs' Day. Photo: PMODHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid rich tribute to martyred army officers who were killed in the 2009 BDR (now BGB) carnage, at the Banani Military Graveyard in the city today. The premier paid homage by placing a wreath around 10:12 am this morning at the graves of the martyred army officers on the occasion of the National Martyred Army Day. After paying homage, one minute silence was observed as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs. Later, fateha and doa were offered seeking forgiveness, divine blessings and eternal peace for the departed souls of the martyrs.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at Home Ministry office in the Bangladesh Secretariat today. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called on Chinese investors to expand their investment footprint in Bangladesh, underscoring the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries. Ambassador Yao Wen said that with a politically stable government now in place in Bangladesh, Chinese investment is expected to increase further. Highlighting the link between development and security, the ambassador emphasized the need to strengthen law and order to attract more foreign investment. The two sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including security, law and order, cybercrime suppression, police training cooperation, expansion of trade and commerce, and strengthening overall bilateral relations.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has suspended its online VAT services due to technical maintenance work. All services of the eVAT system will remain closed from 1:30pm to 8pm on Wednesday to facilitate the migration of the Next Generation Firewall, said an official notice on Wednesday. The move is part of efforts to upgrade the security infrastructure of the VAT system used for revenue collection. During the scheduled period, users will not be able to access any operational services under the VAT system. The eVAT system introduced by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) marks a significant step in Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to modernise tax administration and enhance transparency.

The Cricket Australia (CA) has unveiled the schedule for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home. International cricket will return to Darwin for the first time in over two decades when it will host the first Bangladesh Test from August 13-17. The Bangladesh Tests however mark the beginning of the 2026-27 home international season for Australia. Ninth-ranked Bangladesh have not played Australia in long-form cricket since notching their maiden Test win over them in Dhaka in 2017. "Marrara Stadium, Darwin and Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay have been outstanding venues for international cricket in recent seasons."

Iran’s foreign ministry on Wednesday dismissed US claims about its missile program as “big lies,” after President Donald Trump said Tehran was developing missiles that can strike the United States. “Whatever they’re alleging in regards to Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest, is simply the repetition of ‘big lies’,” ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on X.Baqaei did not specify exactly which claims he was responding to, but hours earlier Trump had said Iran was seeking missiles that could reach American soil. Trump’s claims come after Washington and Tehran concluded two rounds of Oman-mediated talks aimed at reaching a deal on the nuclear program, with the third round set for Thursday. Washington has repeatedly called for zero uranium enrichment by Iran but has also sought to address its ballistic missile program and support for militant groups in the region, demands Iran has rejected. Trump, who has ratcheted up pressure on Iran to reach an agreement, has deployed a significant naval force to the Middle East.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew to Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit to deepen ties with a key trade and defense partner, stirring criticism at home. “Ties have significantly strengthened in the last few years.”New Delhi has steadily expanded cooperation with Israel across the defense, agriculture, technology and cybersecurity sectors while balancing diplomatic interests in the Middle East. Modi said he would hold talks with Netanyahu to “discuss ways to strengthen cooperation,” as well as meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Modi visited Israel as prime minister in 2017, before Netanyahu made a reciprocal visit to India the following year. One of India’s largest conglomerates, Adani Group, operates the Mediterranean port of Haifa, while Israeli military drone technology played a pivotal role during India’s May 2025 clash with Pakistan.

A Myanmar military air strike on a village market in the country’s westernmost state killed at least 17 people, two local sources said on Wednesday. The western coastal state of Rakhine is among the worst-hit regions. Controlled almost entirely by the ethnic minority Arakan Army (AA), it has been blockaded by the junta and pummeled with regular air strikes. A Myanmar military spokesman could not be reached for comment. AA statements listed the names of 17 “innocent civilians,” including three children, killed in the strike on a marketplace around 2pm (0730 GMT) on Tuesday.

Norway’s Bodo/Glimt pulled off one of the most remarkable results in modern Champions League history on Tuesday, beating last season’s runners-up Inter Milan 2-1 at San Siro to reach the last 16 with a 5-2 aggregate triumph, while Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen also went through. But Bodo/Glimt survived at the back before finishing off the tie in the second half. We knew it would be very hard against Inter who are a very strong team and played in the final last season,” said Hauge. Newcastle can now look forward to a heavyweight tie in the next round against either Chelsea or Barcelona. Meanwhile, Leverkusen followed a 2-0 win away to Olympiacos in Greece last week with a 0-0 draw at home in the return.