DHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh’s economic recovery remains on a fragile footing as persistent inflationary headwinds and sluggish export performance tempered growth during the second quarter of FY26, according to the latest Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) review. The "Review of Economic Situation in Bangladesh October-December 2025 (Q2 of FY26)" reveals a landscape of modest expansion overshadowed by systemic pressures, despite a gradual improvement in macroeconomic stability. According to the review, Bangladesh’s economy showed mixed performance. Growth remained modest, weighed down by weak exports, subdued private investment, and tight monetary policy. On the positive side, strong remittance inflows supported foreign exchange reserves and helped maintain overall balance of payments stability, despite a widening trade deficit.

Reading time: about 6 minutesFollowing the famous “Is Pegging Gay?” debate on Feb. 10, many were left wondering how Cornell’s Big Red Moon Club could possibly outdo themselves. Other organizations would have stumbled in the afterglow — flopped, one could say — but not Moon Club. While, yes, these events that Moon Club hosts are satirical and unserious, they’re having an undeniable impact on campus. “I was really impressed by how the Big Red Moon Club, time and time again, can not just bring people out but bring people together,” Max Troiano ’28, pegging debate champion, commented. And truly, Moon Club is carving out queer spaces on campus and bringing people together, one bisexual at a time.

The High Court on Monday directed the authorities concerned to seal all abandoned deep tube-well shafts across the country within three months, following the deaths of several children who fell into open shafts in different areas. The HC bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the order after hearing a writ petition. In 2014, the death of child Jihad, who fell into an abandoned deep tube well in the Railway Colony of Shahjahanpur, had shaken the entire nation. He also mentioned that in December 2025, a child named Sajid died after falling into an abandoned deep tube well in Tanore of Rajshahi district. On January 28 this year, another child, Misbah, died after falling into an abandoned deep tube well in Raozan upazila of Chattogram district.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on Monday said commodity prices and supply in the capital’s markets remain satisfactory during Ramadan, warning that action will be taken if any irregularities are found. The minister made the remarks after a surprise visit to Mohammadpur Town Hall Kitchen Market in the city, where he inspected shops and spoke to traders and consumers. “The market situation during Ramadan is normal. Mentioning that monitoring activities are ongoing, Muktadir said 10 teams from the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate are conducting daily drives, alongside three additional teams from the ministry. Later, the minister also inspected the capital’s largest wholesale kitchen market at Karwan Bazar and exchanged views with traders and buyers about the overall market situation.

Meanwhile, market turnover also increased by 26.5% to Taka 7.2 billion from Taka 5.7 billion in the previous session. On the sectoral front, Bank (21.4%) issues exerted the highest turnover, followed by Food (19.0%) and Pharma (10.4%) sectors. All the sectors displayed positive returns, out of which Paper (3.2%), Mutual Fund (2.5%) and IT (2.3%) exhibited the most positive returns on the bourse today. The port city bourse, CSE, also settled on a positive zone. The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) added 94.1 points and 147.7 points, respectively.

Riding on three half-centuries from Naim Sheikh, Mahfijul Islam Robin and Mahidul Islam Ankon Central Zone put up 264-7 but Afif and Mithun made a mockery of the chase, leading South Zone to winning total of 267-3 in just 45.3 overs. South Zone’s chase was marred by the first-ball duck of Soumya Sarkar but opener Anisul Islam and Zawad Abrar steadied the innings with 81-run partnership. Naim Sheikh, Mahfijul Islam Robin and Mahidul Islam Ankon drove Central Zone’s innings after they were asked to bat first. Tanvir Islam broke the partnership by dismissing Naim before Mahfijul and Mahibul shared 59-run for the third wicket. However, once Soumya Sarkar broke through with the wicket of Robin, Central Zone innings faced a hiccup that lost last seven wickets of 80 runs, effectively denying them a 300-plus total.

DHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $34.86 billion, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank (BB) released here today. However, according to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) BPM-6 accounting method, the reserves stood at $30.11 billion, the BB added.

BAGHDAD, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iraq's candidate for the premiership, Nouri al-Maliki, told AFP Monday that he seeks a state monopoly on weapons, a key US demand, and that he believes an understanding with armed factions is achievable. We want weapons in the hands of the state. We have said it repeatedly: we want one army under one command, directly under state authority," he said. "It's quite possible" to achieve a deal with pro-Iran armed factions, he added. "There is a good basis for understanding with the factions" but this cannot happen "through force, war, or confrontations", he said.

File photoDHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS)- President Mohammad Shahabuddin today summoned first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad on March 12. “The first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad will be held at 11am on March 12 at the Parliament Complex at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Dhaka,” said an official release of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat. The President, also the head of the state, convened the session exercising the power bestowed upon him as per the Article 72 (1) of the Constitution, the release said. Before commencing the House proceedings on the day, the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee is likely to hold a meeting to fix the duration and agendas of the session.

DHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) – The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested three more individuals in two separate cases over embezzling large sums of money by defrauding people through fake investment groups operated on Telegram in the name of foreign companies. The arrestees are Md Imran, 32, Md Fahim, 24, and Md Asaduzzaman Rabbi, 25, said a CID press release issued here today. Rabbi was arrested the same day from the Paikpara area under Mirpur Model Police Station in another case filed with the same police station. Investigation revealed that the fraud syndicate had been operating fake Telegram groups under the names of foreign investment platforms, luring victims with promises of high returns in a short time. Syndicate members posted fabricated success stories to gain trust and encourage investments.

DHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS)- The Bangla Academy Literary Award-2025 has been announced today honoring nine distinguished personalities for their significant contributions to the fields of Bangla literature. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to hand over the awards to the awardees at the inaugural ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2026 on February 26, a press release from the academy said today. The fields of Bangla Academy Literary awards cover poetry, fiction, essays, research, children’s literature, translation, science and the Liberation War. The recipients of the Bangla Academy Literary Award-2025 are: Mohan Raihan in poetry, Nasima Anis in fiction, Syed Azizul Haque in essays, Hasan Hafiz in children’s literature, Ali Ahmad in translation, Mustafa Majid and Israel Khan in research, Farsim Mannan Mohammadi in science, and Moidul Hasan for contributions related to the Liberation War. The awards were finalized following recommendations by the Bangla Academy Literary Award-2025 Proposal Committee and in accordance with the decision of the Bangla Academy Literary Award Committee.

DCCI President stated that due to the lack of automation in the country’s overall revenue management system, both individual taxpayers and businesses are often falling victim to unnecessary harassment while paying taxes. Regarding LDC graduation, he said that according to UNCTAD estimates, Bangladesh’s exports may decline by 5.5–7%, amounting to approximately $2.7 billion. Considering global economic instability and the current domestic economic conditions, he mentioned that such a significant negative impact on the export sector would be highly undesirable. In this context, he urged the government to take initiatives to defer Bangladesh’s LDC graduation by at least three years. During the question-and-answer session, DCCI President called upon the newly elected government to take effective measures to eliminate extortion and improve the overall law and order situation in the country.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed held a view-exchange meeting with the heads of various departments in the ministry’s meeting room at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 23 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that orders have been issued to recruit 2,701 constables in the police on an urgent basis to address manpower shortages across the force. I have ordered that these positions be filled urgently through the existing recruitment process, which will begin soon,” he said. The minister made the announcement today after a view-exchange meeting with heads of various departments at the ministry’s meeting room at the Bangladesh Secretariat here. To reduce public suffering at passport offices, the minister revealed plans to appoint “enlisted assistants” following the model of sub-registry offices.

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Monday said the EU is the country’s most reliable and largest commercial partner, as well as a highly significant political ally for the new government. "We look forward to launching a new chapter with intensified relations with Bangladesh," he told reporters after their meetings with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Responding to a question, Ambassador Miller said they are very near to finalising the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA). He said they discussed the very broad nature of Bangladesh -EU relations – trade, development, humanitarian issues and migration. Ambassador Miller said they look forward to exploring the full potential of the EU-Bangladesh relations.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Monday said they see huge confidence in the new government from countries which are willing to engage and work with Bangladesh very closely. Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said the government will establish mutually beneficial relations with all the countries and the issues that both sides have will be resolved respectfully, ensuring national dignity and interest. Dr Khalilur Rahman said the Envoys of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, India, China, Pakistan, the United States and European countries led by the EU Ambassador met him on Sunday and Monday where he outlined the new government's foreign policy. “Foreign policy is a very serious matter,” he told reporters at the state guest house Padma in the evening, seeking objectivity from the media while reporting on foreign affairs. The Foreign Minister said an imprudent or misleading statement can affect international relations and urged journalists to maintain objectivity and avoid rumors.