A 21-year-old youth named Sabbir from Urkirchar Union in Raozan remains missing three days after falling into the Halda River in Hathazari, Chattogram. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday near Ramdas Munshir Hat in Madarsha Union’s Ward 7. According to police and local sources, a dispute between two groups of youths at a religious event escalated into an attack while one group was returning home by boat. During the assault, three people fell into the river; two swam to safety, but Sabbir went missing.

Family members, local residents, and police confirmed that rescue operations have been ongoing since the incident. A six-member diving team from the district fire service continues to search the river, but no trace of the missing youth has been found. Sabbir’s relatives have been waiting by the riverbank, hoping for his recovery.

Police officials stated that legal procedures are underway, and efforts to identify and punish those responsible for the attack are in progress.

The temperature in Dhaka rose slightly on Monday, February 16, 2026, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The morning temperature increased to 17.8 degrees Celsius from 16 degrees recorded on Sunday. The department’s 7 a.m. forecast indicated that daytime temperatures in Dhaka and surrounding areas may rise slightly during the day.

The forecast, issued at 6 a.m., reported 73 percent humidity in the capital. It also stated that the weather in Dhaka and nearby regions is expected to remain dry until noon, with temporary cloudiness. Winds from the north or northwest may blow at speeds of 5 to 10 kilometers per hour. Sunset in Dhaka is expected at 5:54 p.m., and sunrise on Tuesday at 6:31 a.m.

The department’s overall outlook suggested that both day and night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged across the country, with generally dry conditions prevailing.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has announced revised trading hours for the holy month of Ramadan. According to a press release issued on Monday, trading will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until 1:40 p.m., followed by a post-closing session from 1:40 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. The DSE also stated that its official office operations will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during this period.

The exchange has requested investors, brokerage houses, and all related stakeholders to follow the new schedule throughout Ramadan. The adjustment aims to accommodate the special circumstances of the month while ensuring smooth market operations.

The announcement reflects the DSE’s periodic practice of modifying trading hours during Ramadan to align with the working patterns and needs of market participants.

Two local leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were seriously injured in an attack by unidentified assailants in Pirojpur district on Sunday night, February 15. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. near Parerhat bus stand in Indurkani upazila. The victims were identified as Mohiuddin Mallik Nasir, former convener of Pirojpur Sadar Upazila BNP, and his nephew Riaz Uddin Mallik Nipu, general secretary of Shankarpasha Union BNP. Both were attacked with sharp weapons while returning home on a motorcycle.

According to Riaz Uddin, a group of 8 to 10 unidentified men on motorcycles intercepted them and launched the assault before fleeing. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Pirojpur District Hospital. Dr. Rajib Paik of the hospital said both sustained deep wounds and were later referred to Khulna for advanced treatment. Additional Superintendent of Police Nasrin Jahan stated that police visited the victims and would take legal action upon receiving a written complaint.

The attack has raised concern in the area, though the motive and identities of the attackers remain unknown.

Urea production at the Jamuna Fertilizer Factory in Jamalpur was halted on Sunday morning after gas pressure fell below the required level. Factory officials said the pressure dropped to 8.2 kilograms around 9:30 a.m., making it impossible to continue normal operations. The factory’s General Manager (Operations), Md. Fazlul Haque, explained that at least 10 kilograms of gas pressure is needed to maintain regular production, and the drop forced a suspension for safety and technical reasons. Production will resume once gas pressure returns to normal.

The Deputy General Manager (Administration) confirmed the temporary shutdown, citing inadequate gas supply pressure. Factory sources emphasized that recurring disruptions caused by low gas pressure could affect fertilizer supply and the agricultural season. They urged swift and effective measures to stabilize gas supply to prevent further interruptions.

Officials indicated that production could restart at any time once gas pressure stabilizes, but no specific timeline was provided for resumption.

Kuakata sea beach in Patuakhali has become nearly deserted during this year’s Valentine’s Day, a time when it usually draws large crowds of tourists. Business owners and local guides report that the ongoing 13th parliamentary election and the approaching Ramadan have sharply reduced tourist arrivals over the past two weeks, raising fears of a collapse in the local tourism economy.

Hotel operators, tour guides, and shop owners describe severe financial losses as hotels remain empty and beachside shops see no customers. Mamun Khan, director of Hotel Sea Crown, said they had prepared for the Valentine’s season but faced major losses due to the lack of visitors. The Kuakata Tour Guide Association reported that 70 trained guides are currently without work, while the Tour Operators Association warned of significant revenue losses for both businesses and the government.

Tourist Police officials said patrols continue across all major beach areas to ensure visitor safety. Many local entrepreneurs believe the situation may not improve before the upcoming Eid, deepening concerns over the region’s tourism-dependent economy.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized a large consignment of Indian textiles and foreign cigarettes worth nearly Tk 9 crore in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The operation took place on Saturday night, February 14, following intelligence that the goods were being smuggled through the Dhaka–Chattogram highway near Chhoto Kumira Bazar. Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque confirmed the seizure on Sunday night.

During the special operation conducted by the Coast Guard Station Bhatiari, officers searched a suspicious covered van and recovered Indian sarees, three-piece suits, lehengas, and 1,298 cartons of foreign cigarettes valued at approximately Tk 8.92 crore. The driver and helper of the van were released after signing written undertakings. The seized goods were later handed over to the Chattogram Customs authorities for legal action.

According to the Coast Guard, similar anti-smuggling operations will continue in the future to prevent illegal trade and protect government revenue.

A 15-year-old madrasa student named Md. Mahim Mia was killed in a stabbing incident in Dhaka’s Jatrabari Kazla area on Sunday night. The attack occurred in the Kazla School Lane, where a group of 10 to 12 youths reportedly intercepted and stabbed him. His friends rescued him in critical condition and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead around 11:15 p.m. The hospital police outpost confirmed the incident and stated that the body was kept in the morgue, with the local police station informed.

According to Mahim’s friend Raihan, the victim was on his way to meet an elder brother when the attack took place. Mahim was a student in the Hifz section of a local madrasa and originally from Betal village in Kishoreganj Sadar upazila. He had been living in the Kazla area with his family. Police have yet to determine who was responsible for the killing or the motive behind it.

Authorities have begun initial procedures, but no suspects or reasons for the attack were immediately known.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for submitting VAT returns for the month of January by one week. As a result, businesses will now be able to file their VAT returns until February 22, 2026, instead of the usual February 15 deadline.

According to NBR sources, the extension was granted because many organizations were unable to complete their VAT submissions on time due to disruptions caused by the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Normally, VAT returns for the previous month must be submitted by the 15th of each month.

The decision aims to provide businesses with additional time to comply with tax obligations affected by the election period.

On the day of the parliamentary election in Feni’s Sonagazi upazila, former assistant coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Shahadat Hasan, alleged that he was abducted and tortured by masked armed men from the Bagishpur Government Primary School polling center. The incident reportedly occurred around noon, when he was taken to an isolated area, beaten with rods, and threatened at gunpoint. He claimed the attackers demanded 500,000 taka in extortion and took 30,000 taka in cash, a mobile phone, and a wristwatch.

Shahadat, a fourth-semester BBA student at Feni University, said the assailants accused him of supporting Jamaat and aiding fake voting, which he denied, stating his family’s allegiance to BNP and the ideals of Ziaur Rahman. He alleged that he was forced to record videos portraying him as a criminal and to give false testimony against others. He also claimed he was threatened with harm if he approached authorities.

Former district coordinator Omar Faruk demanded a proper investigation, while Sonagazi Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge said no formal complaint had been received.

An imam in Shariatpur’s Damudya upazila was attacked after the scale symbol received more votes than the BNP candidate in the recent national election. The incident occurred on Friday, February 13, in the Char-Naraynpur Dewan Bari Mosque area of Purba Damudya Union. The injured, Hafiz Maulana Monir Hossain, serves as the mosque’s imam and teacher. Local sources said that after the election results, local Jubo Dal leader Akib Howlader and others questioned the imam about why the scale symbol had gained more votes. When he denied involvement, they allegedly dragged him out of his room, beat him, and threatened to kill him if he returned to the mosque.

During Friday prayers, worshippers discovered the imam missing and later found him injured. Another local, Shamim Dewan, was also beaten after informing the union chairman about the attack. The incident has caused tension and fear among residents. Locals condemned the assault and demanded a fair investigation. Police said no written complaint had been filed yet but promised action upon receiving one.

RAB-12 in Bogura has uncovered a new method of drug trafficking where narcotic Phensedyl is being sold under different names and packaging resembling cough syrup. On Sunday, the force seized bottles labeled Eskaf, MKDyl, and Fairdyl during a highway search in Shahjahanpur’s Noymail area. Two suspects from Lalmonirhat were arrested while transporting the consignment on a passenger bus bound for Dhaka. Separate cases have been filed under the Narcotics Control Act.

According to RAB-12 company commander Firoz Ahmed ATC, the liquid content of these syrups remains the same as Phensedyl, but traffickers are exploiting new branding to evade detection. Recent raids in Adamdighi and Sonatala upazilas also led to the recovery of similar bottles and the arrest of multiple individuals, including a mother and son involved in the trade. Women have also been found participating in the smuggling network.

The first discovery of Eskaf-branded Phensedyl occurred in October last year near TMSS Medical College Hospital in Bogura. Authorities say the trend of rebranding narcotic syrups is spreading into rural areas, prompting continued anti-drug operations.

Dhaka University sociology professor A K M Jamal Uddin and four others were detained by Dhanmondi police on Sunday, February 15, 2026, after a commotion broke out at Dhanmondi 32. The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. when the professor arrived at the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to pay tribute. Police took him and others into custody following the disturbance.

Earlier that day, Professor Jamal Uddin had announced on his Facebook account that he would visit the historic residence at 4 p.m. to offer tears and tributes to the Father of the Nation, inviting others to join him. A video circulating on social media later showed him being escorted away by police after the situation escalated at the site.

The report did not specify the reasons behind the commotion or the current status of those detained.

Asian MotorspeX Limited, the sole distributor of Chery vehicles in Bangladesh, recently celebrated Valentine’s Day through a special event titled ‘Delivering Loves’ at the Chery showroom. The event aimed to reinforce customer relationships while highlighting Chery’s commitment to innovation and service excellence. Managing Director Dewan Sajedur Rahman attended as the chief guest, emphasizing the company’s dedication to enhancing the Chery brand experience in Bangladesh.

In his remarks, Rahman stated that Chery seeks to be part of customers’ special life moments, reflecting the brand’s focus on creating meaningful experiences beyond vehicle sales. Popular digital influencers Iftikhar Rafsan, Rakin Absar, and Shaumik joined the celebration, interacting with guests and showcasing Chery’s appeal to younger audiences.

The showroom was decorated with a Valentine’s Day theme, offering visitors a warm and comfortable environment to explore Chery’s advanced technology and premium features. A specially designed Chery Tiggo 8 Pro was also displayed across several Dhaka neighborhoods, underscoring the brand’s goal of building a close-knit customer community in Bangladesh.

Two people were killed and at least five to seven others injured when a passenger bus lost control and hit an autorickshaw on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway in Daudkandi, Cumilla. The accident occurred around 3:50 p.m. on Sunday in the Jinglatoli area on the Chattogram-bound lane. Police said the Dhaka-bound Econa Paribahan bus (Dhaka Metro-B 14-6203) veered off control, struck the autorickshaw, and then fell into a roadside ditch. Autorickshaw driver Faruk, 42, and bus passenger Mizanur Rahman, 48, died on the spot. No other passengers were in the autorickshaw.

Injured bus passengers were rescued and taken to the nearby Gouripur Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Traffic on the highway was briefly disrupted after the crash but later returned to normal. Daudkandi Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Iqbal Bahar Majumder said legal procedures regarding the accident are underway, and no arrests have been made so far.