Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with newly elected Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his Sangsad Bhaban office. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his Sangsad Bhaban office here after he took oath of office as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh this afternoon. Prime Minister's daughter Zaima Rahman, new minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and officials concerned were present during the meeting. Earlier, Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Dhaka today to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new cabinet led by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

DHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) – Joint secretary of public administration ministry Miah Muhammad Ashraf Reza Faridy has been appointed as Prime Minister’s Private Secretary-1 (PS-1). The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification signed by senior assistant secretary Samiul Amin in this regard here today. “The ministry issued the notification and appointed Miah Muhammad Ashraf Reza Faridy as PS-1 in line with the desire of the prime minister,” the notification said. It mentioned that the PS-1 will remain in office for the duration of the Prime Minister's term or subject to his satisfaction from the date of his joining. The order will come into effect immediately, the notification said.

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Though we have spent most of our lives in northwestern Missouri, central Illinois, and especially northeastern Illinois, near Lake Michigan on the Wisconsin state line, we love the south and have visited many times. I hope for my sake (and everyone’s sake) this winter has been unusual because you are not prepared for it. Back in northeastern Illinois, there was an unofficial neighborhood contest to see who could snow blow their driveway first. Email newsletter signupHere, in my neighborhood, we saw hardly a ripple in the snow for a couple of days. Our spring vacation to a little-known barrier island on the gulf coast of southwestern Florida is my mental happy place.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. -Collage PhotoDHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - President of United Arab Emirates (UAE) SheikhMohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today congratulated Bangladesh Prime MinisterTarique Rahman following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's victory in the13th Parliamentary Election. President Nahyan sent a message of congratulations on the occasion of theBangladesh Nationalist Party's victory in the parliamentary elections. Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin RashidAl Maktoum and Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of thePresidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also sent similarcongratulatory messages. Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates enjoy longstanding relations, withcooperation spanning trade, investment, manpower and development sectors.

DHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have stood at $34.54 billion. But, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF) methodology under the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $29.85 billion, according to the latest data of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) released here today.

Gusty winds during the evening. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..TonightPartly cloudy skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Higher wind gusts possible.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. -Collage PhotoDHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his warm congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his electoral victory and expressed his wish to work together for the well being of the two peoples. Indian high commission in Dhaka released the letter where Modi wished new Bangladesh premier every success as he assumed the “high responsibilities of the office”. Modi also pointed out that India and Bangladesh shared a “deep-rooted friendship” based on common history, cultural bonds and shared aspirations” while the friendship. The Indian premier said that as two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies, India and Bangladesh could truly become catalysts for each other’s sustainable growth, security and prosperity.

Indian Lok Sabha (parliament) Speaker Om Birla today met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) – Indian Lok Sabha (parliament) Speaker Om Birla today called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban following the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. The information was shared in a post on X by Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md Riaz Hamidullah, who said the Indian Speaker conveyed good wishes from India and extended an invitation to the Bangladesh Prime Minister to visit India. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also conveyed his greetings to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed optimism about further strengthening people-centric cooperation between Bangladesh and India. Earlier, a high-level Indian delegation led by Birla arrived in Dhaka to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience :Tarique Rahman’s political journey is deeply rooted in Bangladesh’s history. He introduced multiparty democracy before his assassination cut his life short, leaving a young Tarique Rahman without a father in a volatile political landscape. The turning point came in 2008, with political turmoil leading to Tarique Rahman’s exile in London for over 17 years. From Absence to Authority :For supporters, Tarique Rahman’s 17 years in exile represented endurance rather than detachment.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. -Collage PhotoDHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi todaycongratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on assuming office, expressingsupport for Bangladesh's democratic progress and reaffirming Tokyo'scommitment to further strengthening bilateral ties under the existingStrategic Partnership. In a congratulatory letter sent here today, Prime Minister Takaichi extendedher warm congratulations to the Premier Rahman on his assumption of office asPrime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Prime Minister Takaichi expressed her hope to further deepen and expandbilateral relations based on the longstanding "Strategic Partnership" betweenJapan and Bangladesh. Japan remains one of Bangladesh's key development partners, with cooperationspanning infrastructure development, economic growth, trade, investment andpeople-to-people exchanges.

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Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS)- Bangladesh face a stern test in confirming theirdirect berth for the 2027 ODI World Cup given their current situation in the50-over format. However, they have now slipped to 10th, raising a pressingquestion - can Bangladesh secure a direct spot in the 2027 World Cup? Their next assignment is a three-match ODI series athome against Pakistan national cricket team on March 12, 14 and 16. This tournamentmarks the beginning of that process, which is essentially part of ourpreparation for the 2027 World Cup. With the Pakistan series ahead and the larger mission of securing directqualification for 2027, Bangladesh are embarking on a crucial new chapter intheir ODI journey.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. File PhotoCOX’S BAZAR, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) – People in Cox’s Bazar are jubilant as Salahuddin Ahmed, Member of Parliament (MP) from Cox’s Bazar 1 constituency, has been appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs in the newly formed cabinet. Party workers chanted slogans congratulating Salahuddin Ahmed on being entrusted with one of the most important ministries in the new government. In Salahuddin Ahmed’s home area of Pekua, local party supporters also organized processions and sweet distribution, expressing pride in their native son’s elevation to the cabinet. Many residents of Cox’s Bazar expressed optimism about the future, hoping that under Salahuddin Ahmed’s leadership the country’s law and order situation will improve and that long standing challenges, including the Rohingya crisis, will see renewed focus and resolution efforts.

Bangladesh’s 11th Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will begin his first official day in office on Wednesday, focusing on state affairs. He will then proceed to Building-1 of the Secretariat (Cabinet Division building), where he will start his first official activities at 12:30pm. PM’s first-day schedule at the secretariat is as follows:12:30pm: Introductory and brief exchange meeting with Cabinet Division officials. Tarique Rahman was sworn in as 11th prime minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday afternoon at the South Plaza of the Parliament Building. Twenty-five ministers and 24 state ministers also took the oath alongside him.