Police in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal recovered the body of Mobarak Hawlader, 60, from the Sandhya River two days after he went missing. The body was found floating near the house of Mosharraf Dafadar in Dakshin Shikarpur area on Wednesday afternoon. Locals discovered the body while collecting water spinach and informed the police, who later retrieved it and took it to the police station. Family members later identified the deceased.

According to police and family sources, Mobarak Hawlader, a resident of Mundpasha village and son of the late Wahed Hawlader of Baherchar, had returned to Bangladesh after years of working in Saudi Arabia. He had purchased land and built a home in his village, where he lived with his wife and children. Reports indicate he had been suffering from stroke-related illness for a long time.

Uzirpur Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge Md. Rakibul Islam said the cause of death is under investigation, and further legal procedures will follow.

Bangladesh Bank has reported a rise in the country’s total foreign exchange reserves, which reached 35.31 billion US dollars as of February 25, 2026. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of the central bank, on Wednesday. According to the latest data, the gross reserve stood at 35.31 billion dollars, while under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserve amounted to 30.28 billion dollars.

Just two days earlier, on February 23, the gross reserve was recorded at 34.86 billion dollars, and the BPM6-based reserve stood at 30.10 billion dollars. The net reserve is calculated following the IMF’s BPM6 standard, which deducts short-term liabilities from the total reserve to determine the actual amount.

The increase in reserves indicates a positive shift in the country’s foreign currency position, as reflected in the central bank’s latest update.

Following the cancellation of Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur’s appointment, five senior officials of the central bank were reassigned. The internal order, issued on Wednesday, transferred four directors and one additional director to new departments or offices. The reshuffle included changes between the Human Resources, Financial Institutions Inspection, and Banking Regulations and Policy departments, as well as postings to the Motijheel and Sadarghat offices. The order stated that the transfers would take immediate effect, and officials were instructed to hand over their current duties before joining their new posts.

In a separate order, the bank canceled earlier transfer orders for three officials who had been reassigned after being served show-cause notices. These included the director of the SME and Special Programs Department, an additional director from the Foreign Exchange Policy Department, and a joint director from the Banking Regulations and Policy Department.

The administrative changes come amid broader internal adjustments at Bangladesh Bank following the leadership transition.

An allegation has been raised against Imran Hossain Pradhan, president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal unit at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, for leading an assault on Deputy Registrar Khandaker Ehsan Habib. The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday when a group led by Imran visited the vice-chancellor’s office with various demands. Later, near the medical center, the group allegedly blocked Habib’s path, questioned his visit to the VC office, and warned him not to go there again. When Habib mentioned informing a local MP and syndicate member, Imran and another student, Hridoy, allegedly attacked him. Another deputy registrar, Aminul Islam, was also harassed when he tried to intervene.

Habib is known as a nationalist-leaning officer who previously faced multiple cases under the ICT Act and was dismissed from his job during the Awami League government for criticizing the administration on social media. He was later reinstated by court order. Attempts to contact Imran Hossain Pradhan for comment were unsuccessful.

The incident follows a February 15 allegation that some university officials tried to confine the vice-chancellor in his office.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur left office on Wednesday amid protests and ultimatums from officials. Shortly after his departure, the government canceled his appointment and named businessman Mostakur Rahman as the new governor. Mansur held an emergency press conference at 2 p.m., describing the protests as a conspiracy by vested interests. He said issues such as bank mergers, state policy, and political economy were not matters for employee organizations to debate.

Mansur explained that the merger process aimed to protect the interests of 7.6 million depositors who had been unable to withdraw their funds for two years. He alleged that a group was spreading misinformation to derail the recovery of merged banks and return them to former owners. Responding to questions about resignation demands, he said he came to serve, not for a job, and would act according to administrative procedures.

After the press conference, media outlets reported the government’s appointment of a new governor. Mansur told journalists he had not resigned but left the office after seeing the news of the new appointment on television.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur left office on Wednesday amid protests and internal unrest among bank officials. Following his departure, the government canceled his appointment and named businessman Mostakur Rahman as the new governor. The situation inside the central bank turned chaotic as officials expelled the governor’s adviser Ahsan Ullah and security director Faruk Howlader, prompting additional police deployment.

Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Bank Officers’ Welfare Council held a protest demanding withdrawal of show-cause notices and transfers of three officials. They accused the governor of autocratic behavior and ignoring legitimate demands. Several senior officials criticized Mansur for excessive contractual appointments and questioned his leadership decisions. In response, Mansur held a press conference describing the protests as a conspiracy by vested interests and defended his policies on bank mergers and depositor protection.

Shortly after his press conference, news broke that the government had appointed a new governor. Mansur said he had not resigned but left after learning of the appointment through media reports.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region on Wednesday night, February 25, 2026, at around 10:51 p.m. local time, with tremors felt across Bangladesh including the capital Dhaka. The Meteorological Department’s Seismic Observation Center confirmed the event, noting that the quake originated about 75 kilometers southeast of Myanmar’s Maulike area at a depth of approximately 101 kilometers.

Meteorologist Farzana Sultana stated that the epicenter was in neighboring Myanmar, about 462 kilometers from Dhaka, and described it as a moderate earthquake. The tremors were more noticeable in Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas, where residents in places such as Ukhiya, Teknaf, Ramu, Lama, and Naikhongchhari reported shaking.

Residents in multi-story buildings in Cox’s Bazar said they felt the tremor strongly and were alarmed. This follows an earlier 5.9 magnitude earthquake recorded on February 3 in the same region, indicating continued seismic activity near Bangladesh’s southeastern border.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that Bangladesh is reviewing trade and tariff issues with the United States, describing the situation as still evolving. He made the remarks on Wednesday, February 25, after a meeting with business representatives at the Ministry of Commerce to determine the next steps regarding the trade agreement with the U.S. State Minister for Commerce Md. Shariful Alam, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, senior officials, and business leaders were present.

The minister explained that the U.S. Supreme Court had declared previous tariff rates untenable, leading to new tariffs of 10 percent and later 15 percent for all countries. However, Bangladesh has not yet received any official written communication from the U.S. government. He added that under U.S. law, the new tariff interpretation must be approved by Congress within 150 days. The minister also noted that the previous interim government had signed a trade deal with the U.S., but its implications are still under review.

He emphasized that the agreement remains sensitive and that premature comments could be inappropriate. Business representatives discussed sectoral challenges and market issues during the meeting.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the replacement of the Bangladesh Bank governor is part of a broader set of changes under the new government. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on February 25, 2026, he explained that the government is making adjustments in various institutions to implement its priorities and programs. He described the process as normal and said further changes would occur as needed.

The government recently removed Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur from the post of Bangladesh Bank governor and appointed Md. Mostakur Rahman, F.C.M.A., in his place. According to a notification from the Financial Institutions Division, Rahman will serve a four-year term under the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972, effective immediately. He must sever ties with other organizations before assuming office and will receive salary and benefits from the central bank as per contract terms.

Dr. Mansur had been appointed in August 2024 for a four-year term but was removed after about one and a half years in the position.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard detained eight individuals, including the leader of the notorious Jahangir gang, during an operation in Cox’s Bazar. The raid, conducted near Sonadia Char under Maheshkhali police station on February 24, 2026, followed a report that a fishing boat named “FB Mayer Doa-3” had been attacked by pirates. Coast Guard units from Cox’s Bazar and Maheshkhali launched a rescue mission after receiving the alert through the emergency hotline 16111.

During the operation, the Coast Guard signaled a suspicious fishing boat to stop, but it attempted to flee. Officers fired five blank rounds and pursued the vessel, eventually detaining the suspects. A search of the boat uncovered three homemade firearms, four live cartridges, and six local weapons. Four fishermen who had been held by the pirates were rescued alive. Preliminary questioning revealed that the detainees had been engaged in sea piracy for an extended period.

Authorities stated that legal proceedings regarding the seized items, rescued fishermen, and detainees are underway, and the Coast Guard pledged to continue similar operations in the future.

Nagad has announced a special campaign for users of its Islamic Wallet during the holy month of Ramadan, offering participants the opportunity to perform Umrah. According to the company, users must complete transactions totaling at least 3,000 taka, excluding person-to-person (P2P) transfers, to qualify for the campaign. The initiative will run from the first to the last day of Ramadan, with winners selected through a lottery among eligible participants. Selected winners will be contacted directly by Nagad Islamic’s customer service center.

Professor Dr. H. M. Shahidul Islam Barakati, chairman of the Nagad Islamic Shariah Board, stated that the campaign aims to encourage devout Muslims to use Nagad Islamic for their Ramadan purchases and transactions, offering them a chance to visit the holy Kaaba. Nagad clarified that all campaign-related decisions rest with the company and that participants must have active, fully verified Islamic Wallet accounts.

The company also warned that any attempt to misuse the campaign or engage in suspicious transactions would result in immediate disqualification from the program.

Japanese trading and investment giant Mitsui & Co. has entered into a strategic partnership with ACI Logistics Limited, the operator of Bangladesh’s largest retail chain, Shwapno. The agreement was signed on February 25, 2026, at the ACI Centre in Dhaka, attended by senior executives from both organizations. Under the deal, Mitsui, through its subsidiary, will provide a structured convertible loan facility in foreign currency to ACI Logistics, subject to legal approvals.

Mitsui & Co., a multinational enterprise with operations in over 60 countries, is recognized for its technical expertise, global sourcing capabilities, and extensive industrial experience. The partnership aims to support ACI Logistics in achieving its strategic goals, with Mitsui expressing strong confidence in Shwapno’s leadership, operational efficiency, and ability to deliver quality products and superior shopping experiences to Bangladeshi consumers.

Looking ahead, Mitsui plans to work closely with Shwapno to enhance operational excellence, governance, supply chain optimization, and sustainability within Bangladesh’s modern retail sector.

A 20-year-old woman named Mousumi Akter died after jumping from the sixth floor of the new building at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital on Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. when she came to the hospital with her mother for treatment. Police recovered the body and sent it to the hospital morgue.

According to family sources, Mousumi, daughter of Wazedul Islam from Kamarhia village in Tarakanda upazila, had been suffering from mental instability for a long time. Her brother Yusuf Ali said she had shown some improvement with regular treatment but had relapsed five days earlier, prompting the hospital visit. He also mentioned that he works at a Square establishment in Valuka and was on his way to the hospital after hearing the news.

Assistant Director of the hospital, Dr. Mohammad Main Uddin Khan, stated that preliminary findings suggest the young woman fell on her own. Police have been instructed to take necessary legal action regarding the incident.

China has announced plans to increase its investment in Bangladesh, citing the country’s current political stability. The decision was conveyed by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon. The minister urged Chinese investors to expand their ventures in Bangladesh, emphasizing the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.

During the meeting, both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in security, law enforcement, cybercrime prevention, police training, and trade. The ambassador noted that around 10,000 Chinese nationals are working in various sectors in Bangladesh and stressed the importance of maintaining law and order to support investment growth. He also invited Bangladesh to join China’s proposed International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud.

The Home Minister directed officials to review the expired memorandum on law enforcement training cooperation and informed the ambassador of his intention to visit China at a convenient time. Senior officials from the ministry and the Chinese embassy attended the meeting.

A case has been filed at Kotwali Model Police Station against 12 members of the Barishal District Lawyers Association, including its president and secretary. Following the case, joint forces arrested association president Sadiqur Rahman Linkon from a room on the third floor of the association’s annex building around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. He was later handed over to Kotwali Model Police Station the same afternoon.

The other accused include Barishal District and Sessions Judge Court’s Public Prosecutor Abul Kalam Azad, Metropolitan Court’s PP Nazimuddin Panna, and several other advocates. After the arrest, BNP-aligned lawyers and association leaders protested within the court premises, demanding Linkon’s immediate release. General Secretary Mirza Mohammad Riaz Hossain condemned the arrest inside the court building, calling it a violation of law and demanding the removal of two magistrates he labeled as corrupt.

Members of the Nationalist Lawyers Forum also warned of tougher programs if Linkon was not released and announced a boycott of court hearings until his release.