The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has decided to prepare a comprehensive documentation on the activities of foreign observers who participated in the recently held 13th parliamentary election. This is the first time since independence that the EC has taken such an initiative. A 33-member committee has been formed comprising officials from the EC and the Ministry of Information. Senior Assistant Secretary Asma Dilara Jannat has been appointed as the convener, and Deputy Director of the Department of Films and Publications Mamun Or Rashid will serve as the member secretary.

According to an office order signed by EC’s Public Relations Director Md Ruhul Amin Mallik on February 25, the documentation will include photographs and information on the reception, accommodation, and polling center visits of 57 foreign observers who attended the February 12 referendum and national election. The report will be preserved in book form for future reference.

The committee has been tasked with collecting evaluation reports from the observers, compiling write-ups and photographs of their activities, and preparing the final publication.

Member of Parliament Kamruzzaman Kamrul of Sunamganj-1 declared that no extortion will be tolerated in his constituency. Speaking as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting organized by the Madhyanagar Upazila administration on Wednesday, he said that anyone collecting more than the government-fixed market tax will face action. He urged those taking market leases to act responsibly.

The MP noted that the haor region remains underdeveloped compared to other parts of the country and emphasized the need for joint efforts alongside government initiatives to uplift the backward communities. He appealed for sincere cooperation from all sectors to advance the area’s development.

Kamruzzaman added that he wishes to remain close to the people as “their Kamrul,” not as a distant politician, and aims to earn public affection through his work. The meeting, chaired by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ujjal Roy, was attended by representatives of civil society, educators, political leaders, and journalists, who raised issues related to infrastructure, communication, education, and market management.

Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon) has assessed Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election as overall transparent, manipulation-free, and credible. The organization made the observation at a press conference held on February 25, 2026, at the National Press Club, noting that the February 12 election was largely stable, with no major violence or widespread fraud reported. However, Sujon called for serious examination of certain irregularities and limitations observed during vote counting and result announcements in specific constituencies.

Sujon’s central committee member Ekram Hossain stated that while the election day environment was peaceful and marked by cordial gestures between winning and losing candidates, disputes over the Constitutional Reform Council’s oath-taking and the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami boycotting the cabinet oath have created new political uncertainty. He also mentioned delays in counting in some competitive constituencies and allegations of tampering and premature signing of result sheets.

Sujon’s secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said most parties accepted the results, which is positive for democratic continuity, but emphasized that unresolved disputes and legal ambiguities surrounding the “July Charter” could heighten political sensitivity.

Three leaders from the Chittagong University (CU) unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir have been appointed to the organization’s 2026 central committee. The appointments were made during the first general session of the central executive council held on Tuesday at Al Falah Auditorium in Dhaka. The new central leaders took their oath administered by Shibir’s central president, Nurul Islam Saddam.

According to the announcement, former CU unit president and current Dhaka University MPhil student Saidul Islam has been named literary secretary in the 30-member editorial committee. He previously served as human resource management secretary. Mohammad Ibrahim, who led the CU unit during the first half of 2025, has been appointed education secretary, continuing from his previous term in the same role. Ibrahim Hossain Rony, the current CU unit president and Chittagong University Central Students’ Union vice president, has become a member of the central executive council.

The appointments highlight the continued representation of Chittagong University leaders in the national leadership structure of Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar has accused President Md. Shahabuddin of violating his constitutional oath by making misleading and sensitive remarks in a recent interview published in a national daily. In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, Porwar expressed deep concern that the President’s comments had created new controversy and uncertainty in the nation.

Porwar stated that the President’s position is the highest constitutional office in the country, and every statement or action from him carries great significance. He alleged that by disclosing internal and confidential state matters publicly, the President breached his oath and failed to protect state secrets, leading to public confusion and concern. Porwar emphasized that responsible figures must maintain transparency, accountability, and constitutional propriety in governance.

He urged the President to remain respectful of the constitution and law, to speak with restraint, and to act cautiously to preserve the dignity and stability of the state.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar has called for ensuring justice for those involved in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, describing the incident as a conspiracy against Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a discussion organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South, marking the anniversary of the February 25, 2009 BDR mutiny that resulted in the killing of army officers.

Porwar said the tears and grief of the families of the martyrs remain a curse for the nation and urged that the perpetrators be brought under the law without further delay. He also demanded the release and compensation of BDR members allegedly wrongfully convicted in connection with the case. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and MP Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan claimed that the silence of the then prime minister and army chief indicated their involvement in the killings.

Speakers at the event further demanded justice for all killings under the Awami League’s 15-year rule and expressed readiness to cooperate with the government for public welfare while warning of street action if the government acts against the people.

Sri Lanka’s former intelligence chief, retired Major General Suresh Sallay, has been arrested in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed around 279 people. According to police sources cited by Al Jazeera, Sallay was detained early morning in a suburban area of the capital. Investigators said he was arrested on charges of aiding and conspiring in the deadly attacks.

Sallay was promoted to head of the State Intelligence Service after Gotabaya Rajapaksa became president in 2019. The Easter Sunday attacks targeted three churches and three luxury hotels, injuring more than 500 people and killing 45 foreign nationals. Initially, a local armed group was blamed, but Sallay later faced allegations of involvement in planning the attacks.

A 2023 report by Britain’s Channel 4 alleged that Sallay met with the attackers and allowed the bombings to proceed to influence that year’s presidential election in favor of Rajapaksa.

Member of Parliament Abdul Hannan Masud from Noakhali-6 (Hatiya) constituency was attacked on Wednesday afternoon while visiting areas affected by post-election violence. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. at Prokolpo Bazar in Chanandi Union of Hatiya upazila. According to local sources, Masud came to inspect the situation and meet residents when a group of assailants attacked him. Following the attack, clashes broke out between his supporters and the attackers, prompting the MP to take position on the road.

Masud stated that the assault was led by a known local criminal named Belal Majhi, who allegedly injured him and others. He declared he would not leave the site until Belal Majhi was arrested, claiming the same person had attacked former MP Fazlul Azim in 2018. Attempts to contact Belal Majhi were unsuccessful.

Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Alam confirmed his presence at the scene and said police were working to maintain law and order as tensions remained high in the area.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has launched a hotline and website in his electoral area to combat extortion, terrorism, and irregularities. According to his official Facebook post on Tuesday, the initiative has already received 167 complaints through the website and numerous phone calls within five days of launch.

In the same post, the minister urged citizens to avoid calling the hotline unless absolutely necessary and to submit complaints through the website instead. He emphasized that every complaint would be addressed seriously and that the volume of responses reflected a public desire for change.

Earlier, in a Facebook status posted late Thursday night, the minister announced the hotline number 017300-04844 and the website, calling on residents to help keep his constituency free from extortion, terrorism, and all forms of irregularities.

Joint forces arrested Sadiqur Rahman Lincoln, president of the Barisal District Lawyers’ Association, on Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. from a room on the third floor of the association’s annex building. Following the arrest, BNP-affiliated lawyers and association leaders staged protests in the court premises demanding his immediate release.

Earlier, on Monday, BNP-aligned lawyers had announced a boycott of court proceedings at the Barisal Chief Metropolitan and Additional Chief Metropolitan Courts in protest against the granting of bail to an Awami League leader. On Tuesday, they entered the courtroom, damaged benches, chairs, tables, and documents, and forced the judge to leave the bench amid chaos. Some participating lawyers were reportedly assaulted during the incident.

Leaders of the association condemned the arrest as a violation of legal norms, while the Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum threatened tougher programs if Lincoln was not released. The assistant public prosecutor of the Barisal District Judge Court also stated that lawyers would continue boycotting court activities until Lincoln’s release.

Three members of a family were severely burned in a gas line explosion early Wednesday in Hosenpur area of Kachua upazila, Chandpur. The incident occurred while they were preparing for sehri in the kitchen. The victims, identified as Khadija Akter, 30, Mahmudul Hasan, 36, and Shiuli Akter, 40, were first taken to the local health complex and later transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka in critical condition.

Family members said the explosion happened when they tried to light the stove, unaware of a gas leak that had allowed gas to accumulate in the kitchen. The ignition caused a sudden blast, resulting in severe burns to the three individuals. Local residents helped rescue the victims and arranged their immediate transfer to medical facilities.

Police from Kachua station said initial investigations suggest the explosion was caused by a gas line leak. Authorities are examining the incident further, while doctors continue to monitor the victims’ condition.

A fire broke out on the tourist houseboat 'Machhranga' in Tahirpur, Sunamganj, on Wednesday morning around 11 a.m. The incident occurred near the Rakti River by the Anwarpur Bridge. No tourists were on board at the time, and no casualties were reported. The fire is believed to have started from an electrical short circuit at the rear of the vessel.

According to the president of the Tanguar Haor Tourist Boat Association, repair work was underway on the 'Machhranga' and another houseboat when the fire began. Only mechanics and workers were present. Local residents and nearby shopkeepers quickly joined efforts to control the blaze, but much of the boat’s interior equipment was destroyed before the fire was extinguished.

The owner of the 'Machhranga' houseboat, Mohammad Zaman from Dhaka, said the fire started while workers were using a generator for repairs, damaging a refrigerator and other materials. Police have visited the site to investigate the incident.

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States has received more than 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela. He made the statement on Tuesday during his first State of the Union address of his second term, held at the White House. Trump said the oil came after the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing Venezuela as a new friend and partner.

Trump also stated that US oil production has increased by more than 600,000 barrels per day. Earlier in January, he had ordered the arrest of Maduro on charges related to drug trafficking and other crimes. Following that action, the US administration eased oil sanctions on Venezuela to boost production.

The announcement highlights a shift in US-Venezuela relations following Maduro’s removal and indicates Washington’s focus on expanding domestic and imported energy supplies.

Dubai police have arrested 26 beggars of various nationalities during a citywide operation against begging in the first week of the holy month of Ramadan. The campaign was conducted by the General Department of Criminal Investigation’s Anti-Infiltrators and Criminal Behavior Section, coordinating with all police stations across the city.

The operation is part of Dubai’s annual “Anti-Begging Campaign,” which this year continues under the slogan “A Conscious Society Free of Begging.” The initiative aims to raise public awareness, maintain urban discipline, and protect the city’s image. Key partners include the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities.

According to Brigadier Ali Salem Al Shamsi, director of the Anti-Infiltrators and Criminal Behavior Section, the campaign has achieved notable success in previous years. He said consistent legal action against begging has significantly reduced such incidents, and the latest arrests demonstrate the ongoing effectiveness of the initiative.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur said on Wednesday that recent protests and unrest among some central bank officials were being fueled by a vested group seeking to undermine government policy decisions. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the bank’s headquarters, he stated that the recent administrative actions, including staff transfers and show-cause notices, were aimed at preserving institutional and financial stability, not serving personal interests.

Mansur explained that the government and the central bank jointly provided Tk 32,000 crore in support to stabilize seven banks, protecting around 7.6 million depositors. He said the measures, including equity support and special funds for exporters, were restoring stability in the sector. The governor defended the temporary transfers of some officials following social media misinformation and said further actions would depend on their responses.

He dismissed calls to cancel contractual appointments, noting such practices existed before. Mansur added that the bank’s CSR fund of Tk 450–500 crore was being distributed to educational and medical institutions and that the central bank earned Tk 24,000 crore in profit last fiscal year.