The Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Abida Islam, has described the country’s recent national parliamentary election as a definitive milestone in its democratic history. Speaking at a panel titled "Bangladesh Election: What Next? ", she emphasized that the government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is firmly committed to upholding democracy, the rule of law, and human rights through its vision for an inclusive nation. High Commissioner Abida Islam noted that the government is dedicated to implementing meaningful changes to improve the lives of all Bangladeshis. Baroness Winterton congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his new role, affirming the UK’s eagerness to strengthen trade relations.

Amid discussions surrounding efforts to accelerate reforms in the banking sector, Ahsan H Mansur has been removed from his post as the governor of Bangladesh Bank. He took a firm stance on measures such as restructuring weak banks, replacing board members, and strengthening internal oversight. While these steps earned him support from reform advocates, they also triggered dissatisfaction within parts of the banking sector. The newly appointed governor, Mostakur Rahman, is known to have long been involved in the central bank’s internal operations and policy-making processes. He now faces the major challenge of maintaining continuity in ongoing banking reforms while ensuring financial stability.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali has sought relief from duty, citing family reasons. Confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune, Sajjat Ali said the government would take further action in this regard. He assumed charge as the 38th commissioner of the DMP on November 21, 2024. The interim government appointed him to the post as part of efforts to reorganize the police force following the student–public uprising. Sajjat Ali is a 1984 batch officer of the BCS police cadre.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inquired about the health of Shafiqur Rahman, ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and leader of the opposition in parliament, after he fell ill on Tuesday. The prime minister spoke to the Jamaat ameer over the phone upon learning of his illness. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar shared the information with reporters on Wednesday after paying a courtesy call on the prime minister. According to Jamaat, the prime minister has agreed to attend an iftar mahfil organised by the party on February 28 along with his family. Golam Parwar said the prime minister exchanged greetings with Shafiqur Rahman during the phone call and inquired about his health.

US President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday of a “turnaround for the ages” in his State of the Union speech, seeking to reverse dismal polls and see off mounting challenges at home and abroad ahead of crucial midterm elections. But Trump’s speech -- met with repeated standing ovations from Republicans while Democrats remained seated in protest and sometimes heckled -- was notably short on actual policy announcements. Top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer called Trump’s speech “delusional” and said it failed to address the struggles of ordinary Americans. Turning to what he said were his administration’s efforts to boost US security, Trump claimed that Iran is seeking missiles that could reach the United States. Trump claimed Democrats were “destroying our country” and that Somali “pirates” had “ransacked” Minnesota.

Prime Bank PLC has recently signed a strategic agreement with Akter Properties Ltd. The agreement was formally signed at a ceremony held at Prime Aspire in Dhaka. Under this agreement, customers of Prime Bank PLC who avail home loans from the bank to purchase apartments from Akter Properties Ltd will enjoy an exclusive 5% discount on the base price of the apartment. This special benefit is also extended to employees of Prime Bank PLC. The agreement was formally signed by Mamur Ahmed, SEVP & head of distribution of Prime Bank PLC, and Mohammed Akter Biswas, managing director of Akter Properties Ltd.Also present at the signing ceremony were Joarder Tanvir Faisal, EVP & head of cards and retail asset of Prime Bank PLC, and Md Sazzad Masud, deputy general manager of Akter Properties Ltd, along with other senior officials from both organizations.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, hoping to bolster ties with his country’s largest trade partner and high-tech rival as Europe’s biggest economy struggles. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to developing closer strategic relations, with Merz saying he saw the trip as a “great opportunity” to boost economic ties. Export-dependent Germany needs “economic relations all over the world,” Merz said before leaving for Beijing with a large business delegation in tow. Germany’s trade deficit with China hit a record 89 billion euros last year. On Thursday, Merz is to visit Beijing’s Forbidden City, then a Mercedes plant where autonomous driving vehicles will be presented.

The unrest killed at least 77 people and left parliament in flames. Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including 800,000 taking part for the first time. They will elect members to the 275-seat House of Representatives, the lower house, with 165 via a direct vote and 110 through proportional representation. Election Commission official Suman Ghimire told AFP the body was in its “final stage of election preparation.”Ghimire said support from other nations included neighboring China and India. “An election atmosphere is taking shape,” said Kritika Mishra, 23, a prospective voter in Nepal’s southern Sarlahi district.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that proper justice will be ensured in the Pilkhana Massacre case. He made the remarks on Monday after a views-exchange meeting with heads of different departments at the Secretariat. The minister stated that the issue is also included in the government’s election manifesto, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring justice. He also said that in several cases filed on August 5, certain opportunistic groups implicated many innocent people, causing harassment. However, police accountability will be ensured so that people do not face harassment.

After an exciting group phase, eight teams - the Super Eight - remain in contention for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 crown. India, 0 points, -3.800The loss against South Africa was India’s first in 13 matches at the T20 World Cup. But co-hosts Sri Lanka could not get a partnership going and were bowled out for 95 in 16.4 overs. With England already through, two wins for New Zealand over Sri Lanka and England would end Pakistan's campaign, irrespective of a win over Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, 0 points, -2.550Since beating Australia in Kandy last week, Sri Lanka have struggled to maintain the momentum.

DHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) - The National Martyred Army Day was observed with due dignity today commemorating the 17th martyrdom anniversary of the army officers who were killed in the 2009 BDR (now BGB) carnage. A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, including its DG, were killed during the carnage at the Pilkhana headquarters of the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on February 25-26, 2009. Earlier on February 23, 2025, the government declared February 25 as ‘National Martyred Army Day’ to honor the sacrifices of army officers who lost their lives in the Pilkhana tragedy. After paying homage, a one-minute silence was observed in solemn respect for the martyrs while the serving members of the armed forces were honored salute, the ISPR said. Special prayers were held in the mosques of the armed forces of the country on the occasion, the ISPR added.

Ramanath Pujari MD of BIFPCLEngr. Ramanath Pujari has joined as Managing Director of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt.) Prior to joining this position, he was serving as Project Director at Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (MSTPP), Rampal, BIFPCL and as Executive Director in NTPC Ltd. He was responsible for plant operation, plant reliability, improving plant efficiency and engaging environmental compliances of MSTPP. Mr. Ramanath Pujari was born in 1968 in Odisha, India.

TOKYO, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was under pressure Wednesday after it emerged she gave congratulatory gift catalogues to lawmakers from her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) following its landslide election victory this month. More than 300 lawmakers were given the option to choose an item from the catalogue "as an expression of appreciation for their success at this very tough election", Takaichi wrote in a post on X, saying that no taxpayer money was used. The news of the catalogues "could easily lead people to say, 'Prime Minister Takaichi, you too?'" She said on X that she also hoped the lawmakers' gifts "would be of use in their future work as legislators". Bunshun Online, a web version of the weekly tabloid Shukan Bunshun, reported that the gift catalogue came from the well-known Kintetsu Department Store.

Photo: CollectedKYIV, Ukraine, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Lead Ukrainian negotiator RustemUmerov will meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday, Kyiv hasannounced, ahead of fresh trilateral talks with Russia expected in earlyMarch. "Tomorrow he will meet with American negotiators Witkoff and (Jared)Kushner," Ukrainian President Zelensky told a group of reporters, includingfrom AFP. Umerov's adviser told reporters separately that the meeting on Thursday willbe in Geneva, which hosted talks with Russian, Ukrainian, and US officialsearlier this month. Other issues on the agenda for Thursday are prisoner-of-war exchanges and a"prosperity package" for the reconstruction of Ukraine, Zelensky said. Witkoff confirmed the talks earlier this week saying the aim was to "exploredifferent iterations about how we might get to a peace deal."

PM adorns new IGP Ali Hossain with rank badgePrime Minister Tarique Rahman today adorned newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir with the rank badge at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today adorned newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir with the rank badge. The premier pinned the rank badge at a ceremony at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here, said sources at Prime Minister’s Office. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury were present on the occasion.