A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of five savings certificates and five bank accounts belonging to former Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Md Harun Ar Rashid and his wife Fateha Farvin Luna. The accounts and certificates hold a total of Tk 7.35 million. The order was issued on Tuesday afternoon by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, confirmed by court bench assistant Riaz Hossain.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had earlier sought the freeze through an application filed by its Deputy Assistant Director Md Imran Akon. The ACC stated that an investigation is ongoing into allegations that Harun Ar Rashid amassed and laundered illegal assets worth Tk 10 billion. Investigators reportedly found substantial movable assets in the names of the couple without satisfactory sources of income.

According to the ACC’s submission, the couple was attempting to transfer or dispose of the assets, prompting the court to order the freeze to prevent such actions during the ongoing inquiry.

The future of Bangladesh’s mobile financial service provider Nagad will depend on the new government’s policy direction, according to economist Ahsan H. Mansur. Dhaka-14 Member of Parliament Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman shared this after a meeting with the Bangladesh Bank governor on Tuesday. The discussion followed ongoing talks from the previous interim government period regarding potential foreign investment in Nagad.

Arman stated that the current government has not yet finalized its stance on whether Nagad will be handed over to private investors. If the government decides to proceed as the interim administration had planned, the investment process will begin. Acting as a professional lawyer and local representative for foreign investors, Arman said the investors are mainly interested in Bangladesh’s digital banking sector and have expressed willingness to conduct an audit to assess Nagad’s profitability.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed that the central bank will act according to the new government’s decision and remains firm on its position.

A third person has died following a gas explosion at a residential building in Chattogram’s Halishahar area. The deceased, 40-year-old Samir Ahmed, succumbed to burn injuries at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka around noon on Tuesday. According to the institute’s assistant professor Shawon Bin Rahman, Samir had suffered burns on 45 percent of his body and had been admitted the previous day. His death raised the toll from the incident to three.

Earlier, on Monday morning, 16-year-old Shawon, who was Samir’s nephew, died while undergoing treatment at the same institute. Shawon’s mother, Noor Jahan Akhter Rani, aged 40, had died earlier that day. The explosion occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Monday during sehri time at a third-floor flat of a six-story building named Halima Manzil in Halishahar’s H Block. Neighbors reported hearing a loud blast followed by a fire.

Nine members of the same family, including three children, were burned in the explosion. Six of them remain under treatment in Dhaka after being transferred from Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

A Dhaka University student and a journalist were allegedly assaulted by police during an anti-drug operation at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on the night of February 23. Witnesses said anthropology student and leftist student leader Nayeem Uddin was beaten after questioning police actions, and his mobile phone was reportedly seized. Several journalists covering the operation were also injured. The operation was led by a Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer, and the incident occurred in front of DC Masud, according to students.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) strongly condemned the attacks in a statement issued by Vice President Sadiq Kayem. DUCSU said Banglanews24 multimedia journalist Tofayel Ahmed was seriously injured while performing his duty, and Nayeem Ahmed was beaten without provocation. The statement described the attacks as violations of law and human rights, stressing that unprovoked use of force is unacceptable in a lawful state.

DUCSU demanded that the responsible police officers be identified and punished. It also urged authorities to ensure that no student, journalist, or citizen faces harassment during future anti-drug or similar operations.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 is set to hear testimony for the fourth day in the trial of two top leaders of the banned Chhatra League, accused of crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The accused are the organization’s president, Saddam Hossain, and general secretary, Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. The hearing will take place before a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with judges Md Manjurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

In addition to these two, five other accused are facing trial in the same case: banned Awami League general secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader, joint general secretary A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, and general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil. The tribunal had formally framed charges on January 22, and the prosecution began presenting its case on February 17. So far, three witnesses have testified against the accused.

The ongoing proceedings mark a continuation of the tribunal’s effort to address alleged crimes committed during the July Revolution period.

Armed men dressed in military uniforms shot and killed seven people on Monday in western Ecuador, police reported. The attack occurred at a farm in Manabí province, one of nine provinces currently under a state of emergency. The incident took place as the country faces mounting drug-related violence, according to a report from Quito citing AFP.

Authorities said the assailants gathered the victims in a courtyard, interrogated them, and then opened fire with rifles and pistols. Among the dead was a 16-year-old boy. Ecuador, once one of South America’s safest nations, has seen a surge in violence linked to drug trafficking networks fighting for control. President Daniel Noboa has deployed the military in anti-narcotics operations, but killings have continued to rise, reaching a record 9,216 violent deaths last year.

The country’s strategic Pacific coastline has turned it into a key transit point for cocaine from Colombia and Peru bound for the United States and Europe, intensifying competition among international cartels and local gangs.

Widespread violence has broken out across Mexico following the death of notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho'. The clashes have spread to at least 20 of the country’s 32 states, leaving 25 members of the National Guard dead. The unrest began after a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday aimed at capturing Cervantes. According to Mexico’s defense ministry, he died from injuries sustained during intense fighting between his supporters and security forces while being transported to Mexico City.

The news of his death triggered arson attacks, road blockades, and gunfights in multiple regions, quickly escalating into a nationwide crisis. Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla announced the deployment of an additional 2,500 troops to the western region to restore order. The government also confirmed that a total of 9,500 soldiers have been deployed nationwide since Sunday.

Authorities are focusing on stabilizing the affected areas as the violence continues to challenge national security and public safety.

A devastating fire broke out on Monday night in Santa village under Pailgaon Union of Jagannathpur upazila, Sunamganj, destroying five residential houses. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. at the home of Arju Mia. Preliminary estimates suggest losses exceeding 2.5 million taka, including cash, gold ornaments, and furniture. The affected families have been left homeless, with scenes of grief prevailing in the area.

According to local sources, the fire originated from the kitchen stove of Shahid Mia’s house and quickly spread through electrical wires to nearby homes. Houses belonging to Shahid Mia, Arju Mia, Ajid Mia, Ansar Mia, and Rupan Mia were completely burned down. A fire service unit from Jagannathpur rushed to the scene, but locals managed to bring the blaze under control before their arrival.

Jagannathpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam said police responded immediately after receiving the report. Initial investigation indicates the fire started from a kitchen stove, and further inquiry into the incident is ongoing.

Four members of the same family, including a woman and a child, were burned in a gas line explosion early Tuesday in Daudkandi municipality’s Baldakhal area of Comilla. The incident occurred on the ground floor of a three-storey building. The injured were identified as Monowara (60), Jil Haque (37), Umme Humayra (30), and Huram (2). They were admitted to the emergency department of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 6 a.m.

According to hospital sources, Monowara sustained burns on 2 percent of her body, Jil Haque 54 percent, Umme Humayra 65 percent, and the child Huram 6 percent. Locals reported that the building, owned by Peer Hossain, had an illegal gas connection, and a group collected rent for the gas each month. Fire Service Inspector Md. Ershad Hossain said a team was dispatched at 5 a.m., but the victims had already been sent to Dhaka. Preliminary investigation indicated the explosion resulted from a gas leak.

Daudkandi municipal administrator Md. Redwan Isam stated that the gas line leakage issue will be investigated.

A Dhaka University student and student leader was allegedly beaten by police during an anti-drug operation at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Monday night. Witnesses said the incident occurred when anthropology student Naeem Uddin questioned police actions, prompting an officer to remark, “You’re arguing too much,” before assaulting him and seizing his phone. Several journalists, including Banglanews24 multimedia journalist Tofayel Ahmed, were also reportedly injured while covering the raid.

Student organizations and eyewitnesses condemned the incident, calling it a violation of human rights and demanding disciplinary and legal action against the involved officers. Leaders from various student groups said police cannot act as judges on the street and must be held accountable for unlawful behavior. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Shahbagh Police Station officials did not provide immediate comments, and the university administration has yet to respond.

Journalists and students have urged an impartial investigation into the assaults, emphasizing the need for accountability to prevent further abuse of power by law enforcement.

Bangladesh Bank has issued show-cause notices to three of its officials for holding a press conference where they described Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur as an authoritarian figure. The notices were sent by the bank’s Human Resources Department under the governor’s directive, requiring written responses within ten days before further action is taken. The officials involved are Naushad Mostafa, Director of SME and Special Programs; A.K.M. Masum Billah, President of the Officers’ Welfare Council; and Golam Mostafa Shrabon, the council’s General Secretary.

The press conference, held on 16 February, criticized the governor’s decisions on merging weaker banks with EXIM and Social Islami Bank and on issuing digital bank licenses. According to internal sources, the event violated staff regulations requiring prior approval from the governor before public statements. The officials also questioned the agenda of a board meeting held the same day, alleging favoritism in digital banking approvals.

Sources added that a cross-party alliance within the central bank has been formed to push for full institutional autonomy, legal reforms, and promotion-related demands. The show-cause process marks a new phase in internal tensions within Bangladesh Bank.

An abandoned mortar shell was recovered on Monday morning during canal excavation in Durganagar village of Sindurkhan Union, a border area of Sreemangal upazila in Moulvibazar. The discovery caused panic among locals, prompting police to issue a safety alert and urge residents to stay away from the site. The object was first spotted by farmer Sahid Mia while digging, who noticed a heavy metallic item buried underground.

Police from Sreemangal station arrived at the scene, recovered the suspicious object, and cordoned off the area. Moulvibazar Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sreemangal Circle) Wahiduzzaman Raju and Sreemangal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahirul Islam Munna visited the site. The Sylhet Metropolitan Police bomb disposal unit was informed and dispatched to the location.

According to police, the bomb disposal team later examined and neutralized the mortar shell. Authorities confirmed that the area was secured for public safety until the operation was completed.

An Awami League leader named PM Belal was handed over to police by locals after being assaulted in Kahalu upazila of Bogura on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred at the upazila parishad premises, where Belal was reportedly beaten before being taken to the local police station. Police later showed him arrested in a previous case and sent him to jail through the court the same day.

PM Belal serves as the vice-president of the Kahalu upazila unit of the Awami League and chairman of the Sadar Union Parishad. According to local sources, he had arrived at the upazila parishad earlier in the day and was attacked by residents as he was leaving. Kahalu municipal BNP president Anisur Rahman Anis stated that Belal had been in hiding and was suddenly seen at the upazila meeting, prompting locals to alert police.

Bogura district police spokesperson Additional Superintendent of Police Atowar Rahman confirmed the arrest and subsequent court transfer following his handover to police custody.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to introduce a pilot 'Family Card' program to bring marginal and low-income families under social protection. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman will officially inaugurate the initiative on March 10. The decision was made at a committee meeting chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Initially planned for two upazilas, the pilot will now cover 13 wards across 13 upazilas, including areas in Dhaka, Rajbari, Chattogram, Brahmanbaria, Bandarban, Khulna, Bhola, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Bogura, Natore, Thakurgaon, and Dhaka’s Nawabganj.

According to the meeting, the Family Card will structurally assist poor and ultra-poor families, integrating existing programs such as the Food-Friendly Program, TCB Card, and Vulnerable Women Benefit Program. Beneficiary selection will use NID, birth date, and mobile number verification to prevent duplication. Each card will cover five family members, with additional cards for larger households. Female-headed households will receive the cards, and financial support will be distributed through banks or mobile financial services.

Officials expect the initiative to reduce targeting errors—currently estimated at 50 percent—and minimize resource wastage by unifying multiple social safety programs.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to 30.11 billion dollars, according to Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The announcement was made on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Dhaka. The central bank attributed the growth to its purchase of dollars from commercial banks through auctions.

Officials explained that the rise in reserves was supported by a significant increase in remittance inflows through formal banking channels, which boosted the supply of dollars in the market. In January 2026, Bangladesh received 3.17 billion dollars in remittances, the third-highest monthly total in the country’s history and 45.41 percent higher than the same month in 2025, when 2.18 billion dollars was recorded.

A senior central bank official noted that the increased dollar supply prompted the bank to buy dollars through auctions to prevent a sudden drop in the exchange rate. This approach has allowed the central bank to strengthen reserves while maintaining currency stability.