Food, Fisheries and Livestock, and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin-ur-Rashid said that 70 percent of Bangladesh’s population depends on agriculture and that improving this sector will strengthen the country’s economic position. He made the remarks on Friday morning at a meeting with officials from the agriculture, food, and fisheries departments at the Cumilla Circuit House. The minister described the current administration as agriculture-friendly and committed to working for the welfare of the people.

Referring to the 13th parliamentary election, Amin-ur-Rashid claimed that most of the BNP’s pledges were aimed at farmers and marginalized communities, and that implementing these promises would primarily benefit farmers. He thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for assigning him responsibility for the three ministries, saying he was given a portfolio he personally values. He called for cooperation from all concerned to solve problems and advance the sectors.

Speakers at the meeting discussed the progress of ongoing programs, service quality improvement, and field-level challenges and opportunities, providing necessary guidance for resolving issues.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued 55 people, including women and children, and arrested five human traffickers during an operation in Baharchhara, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The operation took place late Thursday night following intelligence that a group was preparing to traffic people by sea to Malaysia. A suspicious boat ignored a signal to stop and attempted to flee, but was later intercepted near the Kachhapia area of Baharchhara.

Upon searching the boat, the Coast Guard found the victims who had been detained for trafficking to Malaysia. Preliminary questioning revealed that an organized trafficking ring had been luring Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals with promises of better living conditions, high-paying jobs, and low-cost travel abroad. The Coast Guard confirmed that legal proceedings against the detainees are underway.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, the Coast Guard’s media officer, stated that the agency will continue similar operations to prevent human trafficking in the future.

A low-cost milk and egg sales program was inaugurated in Naogaon on Friday to ensure relief for residents during the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative was launched at the Naogaon District Livestock premises by Zahidul Islam Dhalu, Member of Parliament for Naogaon-5 (Sadar). According to the District Livestock Office, consumers can purchase one hali (four pieces) of eggs for 28 taka and one liter of milk for 70 taka. The program will continue throughout Ramadan except on government holidays.

The inauguration ceremony was chaired by District Livestock Officer Dr. Mahfuzar Rahman, with Additional Superintendent of Police Joybrata Pal attending as a special guest. In his remarks, MP Zahidul Islam noted that many low-income people cannot afford milk, eggs, or meat, leading to nutritional deficiencies. He emphasized that the Livestock Department’s initiative would help meet their protein needs and suggested adding affordable meat sales.

Following the MP’s suggestion, Dr. Mahfuzar Rahman announced that a similar low-cost meat sales program would be launched soon.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that the government will launch the 'Family Card' program before the upcoming Eid as part of its 180-day priority plan outlined in the election manifesto. Initially, the initiative will be implemented as a pilot project in eight upazilas. The minister made the announcement on February 20 during a visit to Gokunda Bazar in Lalmonirhat, marking his first official tour of his home district after taking oath as minister.

Dulu stated that four cabinet meetings have already been held to advance the 180-day special package. The government is currently identifying genuinely impoverished families to bring them under the Family Card scheme, with plans to expand coverage gradually. He also mentioned joint efforts among the Water Resources, Local Government, and Disaster Management ministries for canal excavation and renovation, and a national plan to plant 25 crore trees, including a target of 5 crore this year.

The minister emphasized maintaining price stability and law and order during Ramadan and ensuring uninterrupted electricity and safe travel for homebound people during Eid.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has called on traders to fully cooperate with magistrates from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection during market inspection drives. He made the appeal on Friday afternoon while briefing journalists at Moulvibazar under Chawkbazar Police Station.

The DMP Commissioner said that such cooperation would help maintain transparency and fair pricing in the markets. He also sought the cooperation of all business leaders to keep commodity prices at a reasonable level during the upcoming Ramadan. Additionally, he emphasized that no adulteration of food products would be tolerated and urged everyone to remain alert and cautious.

The briefing was attended by Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S. N. Md. Nazrul Islam, leaders of the Moulvibazar Business Association, and representatives from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a contractual appointment for the position of Director in its Secretary Department. The appointment will be for a two-year term, according to a notice published on the bank’s website on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Interested candidates must submit their applications by March 15, 2026, either in person, by post, or via email to the Human Resources Department-1 at the bank’s head office in Dhaka.

The position requires a postgraduate degree along with a four-year honors degree in economics, management, marketing, accounting and information systems, finance, banking and insurance, or any other relevant field. Applicants must hold a Chartered Secretary or equivalent qualification and have at least 15 years of experience in a first-class or equivalent position, including a minimum of three years as a board or company secretary in a corporate, banking, or financial institution. The age limit for applicants is between 40 and 55 years, and the salary will be determined through discussion.

The recruitment aims to fill a single director-level vacancy in the Secretary Department under a fixed-term contract, reflecting Bangladesh Bank’s continued focus on experienced leadership in administrative management.

A mobile court in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur conducted a special drive on Friday morning to keep essential commodity prices stable during the holy month of Ramadan. The operation, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shaikha Sultana, fined seven traders a total of Tk 12,000 for irregularities including overpricing, underweight sales, and selling goat and sheep meat at the same rate.

Before launching the drive, the magistrate wore a burqa and visited various shops in disguise as a regular buyer to observe market prices. After identifying violations, she carried out the formal operation under sections 37, 38, and 40 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. Police from Shibchar station assisted in the enforcement.

Authorities warned traders against forming syndicates or creating artificial shortages. Magistrate Sultana stated that such monitoring and enforcement actions would continue throughout Ramadan to protect public interest, with plans to intensify market surveillance in the coming weeks.

Former Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Shafiqul Rahman alias Safiqul Rahman, has been sent to jail in a case filed over the alleged torture of an eleven-year-old domestic worker. The order was issued on Friday by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Albiruni Mir. According to the prosecution, after completion of remand, both Rahman and domestic worker Sufia Begum were produced before the court. While Rahman refused to give a confessional statement, Sufia provided her statement before the magistrate.

The case was filed by hotel worker Golam Mostafa, father of the victim, who alleged that his daughter was severely injured while working at Rahman’s residence in Uttara Sector 9. The child was reportedly burned and beaten by Rahman, his wife Bithi, and unidentified others. Following her rescue, she was admitted to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur. Earlier, Rahman, his wife, and two others had been arrested and placed on remand for interrogation.

The court has now ordered Rahman and Sufia to be sent to jail, while Bithi remains in remand as the investigation continues.

An inmate named Md Abdul Khalek, aged 65, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being brought from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj late Thursday night. Prison authorities transferred him to the hospital around 11:30 p.m. due to illness, accompanied by prison guard Abdullah and several others. The on-duty doctor declared him dead at 12:17 a.m. following medical examination.

Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost, confirmed the death and stated that the body has been kept in the hospital morgue for autopsy. The prison guards who brought him could not immediately specify the case in which Khalek had been imprisoned, saying details would be provided later. The deceased’s father was the late Kofil Uddin.

Further information regarding the cause of death or the nature of the case against Khalek was not available at the time of reporting.

The government has directed all CNG stations across Bangladesh to remain closed for six hours daily, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., starting from the first day of Ramadan until March 14. The decision, announced in a circular signed by Deputy Secretary Muhammad Nazmul Haque of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, aims to address low gas pressure in the distribution network and ensure uninterrupted gas supply to households during the fasting month. Previously, CNG stations were closed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

According to the same circular, all CNG and filling stations will remain open around the clock from March 15 to 25 to facilitate smooth travel and fuel supply on highways during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday period. After March 26, the stations will revert to the earlier closure schedule of 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The directive reflects the government’s effort to balance domestic gas demand during Ramadan with transportation needs around the Eid travel period.

Global oil markets experienced volatility following heightened tensions between the United States and Iran and a temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to Reuters, on Thursday, February 19, Brent futures rose by 24 cents or 0.3 percent to reach $70.59 per barrel. At the same time, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 28 cents or 0.4 percent to $65.47 per barrel, later climbing by $1.16 or 1.8 percent to $66.35 per barrel.

Analysts noted that about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical route for global energy transport. Any disruption in this waterway could significantly affect global supply. Hiroyuki Kikukawa, chief strategist at Nissan Securities, said that while tensions remain, a full-scale armed conflict is unlikely. He added that US President Donald Trump does not favor a sharp rise in crude prices and that any military action would likely be limited and short-term.

Iran’s state media reported that the country had closed the strait for several hours on Tuesday as part of a military exercise. It remains unclear whether normal operations have fully resumed.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie MP announced that a nationwide canal excavation program will begin soon, aiming to be completed within 180 days. Speaking at a meeting with district administration and Water Development Board officials at the Lakshmipur Circuit House on February 20, 2026, he said the initiative will include Lakshmipur. The minister explained that a new project for excavating the Bhulua River and re-excavating the Rahmatkhali Canal in Greater Noakhali has been planned to address long-standing waterlogging problems in Lakshmipur.

Annie stated that feasibility studies are underway to address erosion along the Meghna River and Rahmatkhali canal banks. He emphasized that the government intends to implement the project according to plan to relieve residents from chronic waterlogging issues. During his three-day visit to his home district, he also discussed maintaining law and order, controlling commodity prices during Ramadan, and ensuring healthcare services at the district hospital.

Local officials, including the deputy commissioner and police superintendent, greeted the minister with floral tributes at the Circuit House before the meeting.

The new Bangladesh government has launched multiple initiatives to stabilize essential commodity prices during Ramadan, including nationwide market monitoring and mobile court operations led by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and district administrations. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged traders to avoid profiteering during the holy month and ensure affordability for ordinary citizens. An inter-ministerial committee, headed by the finance minister, was formed to implement a new family card program, expected to provide more than double the financial support of existing schemes.

Ministers and officials have announced strict measures against hoarding and market syndicates, while local administrations in Rajbari, Habiganj, Nilphamari, and Chattogram have conducted raids and imposed fines for irregularities. The government also began distributing affordable protein foods and essential goods through family cards, mobile truck sales, and OMS outlets, targeting over one million families. The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) started selling five key products at reduced prices nationwide.

Business leaders and consumer groups expressed optimism that the government’s strict monitoring and supply measures would help keep prices stable throughout Ramadan.

Two suspected robbers were beaten to death by a mob in Khordd Mojahidpur village of Sadullapur upazila in Gaibandha early Thursday. According to reports, a group of robbers was allegedly preparing for a robbery when local residents noticed them. As villagers raised the alarm and surrounded the group from different directions, the crowd became enraged and began beating the suspects, killing two of them on the spot.

Sadullapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Alim told Amader Desh that the deceased were not robbers but snatchers. He confirmed that police had received information about the incident and were preparing to recover the bodies. As of the time of reporting, the identities of the deceased individuals had not been determined.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between local residents and suspected criminal groups in rural Gaibandha, with law enforcement now investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

In Cumilla city, allegations have surfaced that Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) products distributed at low prices for Ramadan are being given short in weight. At the Racecourse area on Thursday afternoon, a truck operated under dealer Parvin Akter of Faruk Store was found delivering goods with 100 grams less per kilogram, 200 grams less for two kilograms, and about 50 grams less for half a kilogram, despite using digital scales. The TCB package includes sugar, lentils, chickpeas, oil, and dates.

Following complaints, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection inspected the site and confirmed the irregularities. The Faruk Store owner was fined Tk 10,000 for the discrepancy. Each of the five TCB trucks in Cumilla serves 400 families daily, totaling 2,000 households. Reports suggest that around 600 grams of goods are being withheld per person, amounting to about Tk 24,000 in value per truck.

TCB’s deputy director Mamunur Rashid Gazi stated that any allegations of favoritism or corruption against authorized dealers would be investigated and addressed accordingly.