The DCCI believes that this much-anticipated election has enabled the people to elect their chosen representatives, who will help transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and democratic nation through capable leadership. In this regard, the DCCI urged the newly elected government to take effective and priority-based measures for quick economic recovery and ensure their swift implementation, said a DCCI press release. The DCCI believed that there is no alternative to the role of elected representatives in addressing these challenges and taking effective measures to overcome them promptly. To keep the national economy vibrant and resilient, the Dhaka Chamber earnestly urges the newly elected government to remove the existing constraints in the country’s industrial and commercial sectors on an urgent basis. The DCCI would like to work closely with the government for better economic development of the country.

Tarique Rahman, the Chairman of the BNP, was sworn in as Prime Minister this afternoon at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Complex. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman, elder son of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahaman and late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, took oath as the prime minister. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to Tarique Rahman at the open space of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Complex this afternoon. After the swearing-in, Tarique Rahman signed the oath of office and oath of secrecy.

Department of Agricultural Extension distributes seeds, fertilizers to Shibchar farmers to boost summer onion production and reduce costs. Photo : BSSMADARIPUR, Feb 17, 2025 (BSS) - Free onion seeds, chemical fertilizers and other agricultural inputs were distributed among marginal farmers in Shibchar upazila of the district under a government agricultural incentive programme. The inputs were handed over to farmers at a function held on Tuesday afternoon at the Shibchar Upazila Agricultural Extension Office premises. Each farmer was provided with 1 kilogram of onion seeds, 25 kilograms of urea fertilizer, 25 kilograms of DAP fertilizer, 25 kilograms of MOP fertilizer, 25 kilograms of gypsum fertilizer, 200 kilograms of organic fertilizer, and 7 kilograms of pesticides. Officials of the Department of Agriculture (DAE) expressed hope that the incentive programme would help increase onion production in the area and reduce production costs for farmers.

India is discussing age-based restrictions with social media companies, IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Tuesday, following moves by Australia and other countries to ban young teens from popular platforms. Australia has since December required TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat and a host of other top social media services to remove accounts held by under-16s, or face heavy fines. Last month, French lawmakers passed a bill that would ban social media use for under-15s, which awaits a Senate vote before becoming law. “Right now we are in a conversation regarding deepfakes, regarding age-based restrictions with the various social media platforms and... what is the right way to go about this,” he said. India last week tightened rules regulating artificial intelligence technology, requiring social media platforms to clearly label AI content and comply with takedown requests by authorities within three hours.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a special metro rail schedule for Ramadan. The new timetable will be in effect from the first day of Ramadan until the day before Eid-ul-Fitr. Under the new schedule, the first train from Uttara North to Motijheel will depart at 6:30am, and the last train will leave at 9:30pm. From Motijheel to Uttara North, the first train will depart at 7:15am and the last at 10:10pm. Considering passengers observing fasting, arrangements have been made to carry water during iftar.

His preparedness for taking the charge of the county’s premiership and delivering his job appeared more visible with his intensified and dynamic engagements for greater national harmony and fix the country’s democratic trajectory. Staying away from 8000 kilometers since 2008, Rahman previously secured a long-lasting place in the heart of millions and positioned himself at the forefront of national politics through his pragmatic leadership. Rahman proved his leadership in guiding the party towards its historic victory in the 13th parliamentary election held on Thursday. Education and political engagement :Rahman completed his secondary education at Dhaka Residential Model College and higher secondary studies at Adamjee Cantonment College. In university Rahman got himself involved directly in politics and gained early experience in grassroots organizational activities and public engagement.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman -File photoBy G M Rajib HossainDHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) – It was the night of 12 February, 2026. Yes, it’s the Tarique Rahman, the Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who actually has been the first elected premier by populist votes. Tarique Rahman, son of Independence Proclaimer and slain President Ziaur Rahman and three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, appears to be a true statesman through democratic elections. A natural politician, Tarique Rahman kept his party united, and its grassroots base continues to expand and solidify with mass support. While in exile, Tarique Rahman didn’t stop even for one day in struggle for realizing people’s rights.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has taken the oath as the prime minister of Bangladesh. President Muhammed Sahabuddin administered the oath around 4:15pm on Tuesday. The ceremony took place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. More to follow...

JAMALPUR, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today sentenced a man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) for raping a five-year-old girl in Dewanganj upazila of the district in 2017. The convict, Parvez alias Tempo, 19, son of Md Chhabar Ali of Patharer Char village under Dewanganj upazila of the district, was found guilty in the case. According to the prosecution, the incident took place on May 25, 2017, when the accused lured the minor girl, who was playing near her home, with an offer of litchi. Following the incident, the victim's mother filed a case with Dewanganj Police Station against Parvez. Judge Muhammad Abdur Rahim of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1, Jamalpur, pronounced the verdict after examining 11 prosecution witnesses and reviewing relevant documents.

The newly elected members of parliament from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party will not be taking oath as members of the Constitution Reform Commission. On Tuesday morning, ahead of the oath-taking ceremony at National Parliament, the party’s Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed formally announced the decision. The newly elected MP from Cox’s Bazar-1 said: “None of us have been elected as members of the Constitution Reform Commission, and it is not yet incorporated into the Constitution. According to the referendum, if the Constitution Reform Commission is formed, it must first be included in the Constitution. It must also be determined who will administer the oath to its members.”Salahuddin Ahmed added: “…Once it is constitutionally adopted in the National Parliament, the procedure for swearing in members of the Constitution Reform Commission can be established.

Tarique Rahman has been elected as the leader of the parliamentary party of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). On Tuesday, after 11:30am, the newly elected BNP MPs held a meeting at the parliamentary party room, where Tarique Rahman was chosen as the parliamentary party leader. The information was confirmed to the media by Shayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the party’s media cell. The newly elected members of the parliament (MPs) of the BNP have taken oath at the South Plaza of the National Parliament on Tuesday. After administering the oath to the newly elected MPs, the CEC will also swear in the members of the Constitution Reform Commission.

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. Photo : CA's Press WingDHAKA, Feb 17, 2024 (BSS) - Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here today. During the meeting, Tobgay thanked the Chief Adviser for holding a free, fair, peaceful and credible election at a critical time, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing this afternoon. Tobgay arrived in Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet to be formed this afternoon under the leadership of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. Foreign Adviser M Touhid Hossain received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The newly elected members of parliament from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will not take oath if the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) MPs refuse to do so as members of the Constitution Reform Commission, said Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Muhammad Taher. He said they will attend the ceremony, but if the BNP MPs do not take the oath for the Constitution Reform Commission, Jamaat’s newly elected MPs will not take any oath. Earlier, BNP's Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the newly elected members of parliament from the BNP will not be taking the oath as members of the Constitution Reform Commission. The newly elected MP from Cox’s Bazar-1 said: “None of us have been elected as members of the Constitution Reform Commission, and it is not yet incorporated into the Constitution. According to the referendum, if the Constitution Reform Commission is formed, it must first be included in the Constitution.

Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday to represent the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by Tarique Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The Indian Air Force special aircraft carrying the Indian delegation landed at the Bangladesh Air Force airbase in Dhaka, a senior official told UNB. Earlier, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the swearing-in ceremony as BNP is set to form the government with a landslide victory against an alliance led by Jamaat-NCP. UK Minister Seema to attend Bangladesh govt’s swearing-in ceremony"Delighted to speak with Tarique Rahman. Leaders of other South Asian countries will also join the swearing-in ceremony.

NEW DELHI, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - India is discussing age-based restrictions with social media companies, following Australia's move to ban under-16s from popular platforms, IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Tuesday. "This is something which has now been accepted by many countries that age-based regulation has to be there," Vaishnaw told reporters at the AI Impact Summit. "Right now we are in a conversation regarding deepfakes, regarding age-based restrictions with the various social media platforms and... what is the right way to go about this," he said. Australia in December enforced a ban that required TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat and a host of other top social media services to remove accounts held by young teens, or face heavy fines. India already last week tightened rules regulating artificial intelligence, requiring social media platforms to clearly label AI content and comply with takedown requests by authorities within three hours.