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.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed has alleged that extortion in Bangladesh has increased by 20 to 50 percent during the interim government period. Speaking at a press conference at the DCCI office in Motijheel, Dhaka, he said the rise followed the fall of the Awami League government. When asked who was involved, he mentioned individuals linked to the ruling party, police, and revenue officials among those engaged in extortion.

The press conference, titled “Expectations from the Newly Formed Government to Address the Current Economic Situation,” outlined DCCI’s concerns and recommendations. Ahmed urged the government to identify those responsible for extortion and corruption, warning that businesses might shut down if the situation persists. He called for strong government action to restore law and order, ensure transparency in public administration, and support non-willful loan defaulters with working capital.

He further advised reducing dependence on bank loans by listing quality companies on the capital market and creating a green channel for profitable state-owned enterprises. DCCI also demanded disclosure of trade-related clauses in the tariff agreement with the United States.

A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. The storm has caused widespread travel disruption, with more than 5,000 flights canceled and around 600 delayed across the country, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. New York City has issued a travel ban, while several states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have declared states of emergency.

FlightAware reported that the highest number of cancellations occurred at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia airports. JetBlue Airways said it had already canceled 776 flights and warned passengers of significant disruptions and cancellations through February 24. The National Weather Service forecast that the storm would affect the U.S. Northeast and much of the Canadian Maritimes from Sunday evening through Monday.

Forecasters described the system as potentially the strongest “nor’easter” in nearly a decade, warning of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding across affected areas.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has demanded visible improvements in law and order and a complete end to extortion to keep Bangladesh’s trade and economy functional. At a press conference on February 23 in Motijheel, DCCI President Taskin Ahmed warned that business leaders might shut down operations if the government fails to act. He described widespread extortion affecting factories and transport, saying the situation has become increasingly complex and burdensome for businesses.

DCCI highlighted that corruption and informal transactions have sharply raised business costs and discouraged new investment. The organization presented four key demands: effective improvement of law enforcement, elimination of extortion, corruption-free public institutions, and investment-friendly financial policies. It also called for refinancing non-willful loan defaulters and lowering bank interest rates. Ahmed urged reform of the tax system through automation and separation of the National Board of Revenue, and emphasized activating the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s single-window system to ease business processes.

The chamber expressed concern over unemployment affecting about 2.6 million people and stressed technical education to strengthen the private sector. It also urged review of a recent U.S.-aligned trade agreement and prioritized development of 30 sectors, including leather and light engineering, to boost export diversification.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that Bangladesh’s market situation remains satisfactory and that positive changes in market management will be visible soon. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon after an unannounced visit to Mohammadpur Town Hall kitchen market in Dhaka, where he inspected product prices and supply conditions. The minister stated that there is adequate supply of goods and that legal action will be taken against those manipulating prices ahead of Ramadan.

Muktadir emphasized that several plans have been adopted to make the market stable and consumer-friendly, though implementation will take time. He noted that ten monitoring teams from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection are working regularly, as it is not feasible to deploy inspection teams simultaneously across all markets in Dhaka. The minister urged media cooperation and reminded traders to act ethically during Ramadan, avoiding excessive profit-taking.

He added that the ministry’s efforts through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh have kept import-dependent markets stable, with some product prices even lower than last year. A recent assault on a consumer rights official has led to a filed case, and legal proceedings are underway.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government will introduce a farmer card as soon as possible, similar to the existing family card. He made the statement on Monday after an inter-ministerial meeting on the farmer card held at the Secretariat, chaired by the Prime Minister.

The minister said that the decision to issue farmer cards had been made earlier in principle, and the meeting discussed its implementation. He added that a pilot project would begin soon to distribute the cards. According to him, farmers will receive all production-related benefits through the card, and the initiative aims to prevent middlemen from taking undue advantage.

Swapan further noted that the smart farmer card will gradually be provided to all farmers across the country, ensuring that agricultural support reaches the intended beneficiaries directly.

An article published on February 23, 2026, by Arif Bin Nazrul in Amader Desh explains how every online activity leaves behind a digital footprint. These traces, whether from social media posts, online shopping, or simple searches, remain stored across the internet. The report distinguishes between active footprints, created by deliberate sharing, and passive ones, formed unknowingly through cookies, IP addresses, and browsing data. It emphasizes that the internet rarely forgets, even when users delete content.

The piece highlights that in today’s digital economy, data is power. Large technology companies analyze user behavior to tailor advertisements and content, turning personal information into a valuable commodity. However, when such data falls into the wrong hands through breaches or hacking, it can lead to identity theft, fraud, or financial harm. Algorithms also build behavioral profiles that influence what information users see, potentially narrowing their online experiences.

The article concludes that while erasing digital footprints is nearly impossible, users can control them through awareness, privacy settings, strong passwords, and cautious sharing. Personal responsibility remains key in managing one’s digital presence.

China has called on the United States to unilaterally withdraw tariffs following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated some of former President Donald Trump’s imposed duties. The court, in a six-to-three decision on Friday, ruled that Trump lacked the authority under the 1977 law to impose sudden tariffs on multiple countries. The verdict has had a significant impact on global trade. In response, Trump expressed anger and announced a new 10 percent global import tariff under a different legal authority, later raising it to 15 percent, effective Tuesday for up to 150 days with some exemptions.

China’s Ministry of Commerce said Monday it is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the ruling’s impact and urged Washington to remove the tariffs, warning that trade wars have no winners and protectionism leads nowhere. The Chinese Foreign Ministry added that it is closely monitoring potential U.S. actions such as trade investigations and will safeguard its interests.

The ruling is seen as a major setback for Trump, whose economic policies were often upheld by the judiciary. The decision has also unsettled global trade systems, prompting the European Union and other nations to review the developments.

NASA has postponed its Artemis-2 lunar mission after engineers detected a mechanical fault in the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket during final preparations. The mission, originally scheduled for early March, was intended to send four astronauts around the far side of the Moon and return them to Earth after ten days. It would have been humanity’s longest-distance space journey in over fifty years.

According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the issue was found in the helium flow system, which is essential for pressurizing the rocket’s fuel tanks and cooling systems. The problem emerged after a 50-hour test that had shown no faults, leading the team to believe the launch could proceed by March 6. NASA described the helium insufficiency as a serious technical problem requiring further maintenance.

On February 19, the rocket had been fueled with about 730,000 gallons of propellant, marking a major milestone in launch preparation. NASA hopes that resolving the issue will allow the Artemis-2 mission to proceed successfully, paving the way for Artemis-3, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon for the first time since 1972.

A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. New York City has issued a full travel ban from Sunday night to Monday noon, with Mayor Zohraan Mamdani announcing the closure of all roads, highways, bridges, and schools. Several states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, have declared states of emergency as thousands of flights were canceled due to the blizzard.

The U.S. National Weather Service forecasted that this could be the strongest nor’easter in nearly a decade, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding. New York City is expecting 18 to 24 inches of snow, with temperatures dropping to around minus six degrees Celsius. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide emergency and deployed about 100 National Guard members, warning that Long Island and New York City lie directly in the storm’s path.

Governors across the region have taken precautionary measures, including shutting down public transport in New Jersey and restricting commercial traffic in Connecticut, as the storm continues to intensify through Monday.

Bangladeshi exporters have expressed renewed concern following U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to increase a planned global tariff from 10 percent to 15 percent within 24 hours. The tariff, announced for 150 days after a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated Trump’s earlier reciprocal tariffs, has created uncertainty about when it will take effect. Although the new rate remains below the 19 percent set under the Bangladesh-U.S. trade agreement, exporters say the policy volatility poses long-term risks.

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the previous reciprocal tariff’s cancellation means the current trade deal with the U.S. will also lapse. However, trade experts caution that Bangladesh cannot easily withdraw from such agreements without facing pressure in global forums. Policy Exchange of Bangladesh Chairman Dr. M. Masrur Reaz noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling removes the threat of a 37.5 percent counter-tariff, opening room for renegotiation of unfavorable terms.

Market analysts believe the 15 percent tariff could temporarily benefit Bangladesh’s apparel exports by lowering import costs for U.S. buyers, but competition from China, Vietnam, and India is expected to intensify once the new structure takes effect.

A bumper potato harvest is underway in Bogura, where farmers and agricultural officials expect total production to surpass the district’s target of about 1.235 million tons this season. Favorable weather, use of high-yield varieties, and organic fertilizers have contributed to strong yields across 55,454 hectares of farmland. Early varieties have already reached markets, selling at 40–60 taka per kilogram, while wholesale prices range between 600 and 750 taka per maund.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bogura, potato yields have steadily increased since the 2011–12 season, when production was just over 1.1 million tons. Farmers report healthy crops free from cold injury and late blight disease, with fields in Sadar, Shibganj, Sonatala, Dhunat, and Sherpur still vibrant. The district’s 33 cold storages can hold slightly over 200,000 tons of potatoes.

Officials note that the absence of storms and timely use of land after Aman rice harvest have supported the bumper yield. Farmers are optimistic about profits as stable prices continue throughout the year.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to expedite the launch of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Third Terminal, which has faced years of delay due to management and contractual complications. The directive came after a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka, attended by key ministers and aviation officials. Aviation experts said the terminal could open soon if an operator is appointed promptly or if talks with the Japanese consortium are resumed.

The Third Terminal, 99 percent complete, has been stalled by disagreements over operational terms with a Japanese consortium that sought high landing charges, revenue sharing, and control over commercial spaces. The Anti-Corruption Commission has also decided to investigate allegations of misappropriation of about Tk 4,500 crore from the project. Additionally, an international arbitration board has ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh to pay Tk 1,650 crore to a foreign contractor following a dispute.

Design flaws, including the absence of mobile network coverage inside the terminal, are being corrected, which may take another six to seven months. Once operational, the terminal is expected to double the airport’s passenger and cargo handling capacity.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has expressed a special interest in sending Bangladeshi workers to Japan. The announcement came during a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday, followed by a follow-up session on Sunday at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. The meeting, chaired by Senior Secretary Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, was attended by Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and State Minister Md. Nurul Haque.

Discussions highlighted Japan’s projected need for about 11 million young workers by 2040 and Bangladesh’s current surplus of 2.3 million youth laborers. The meeting focused on transforming unskilled workers into skilled manpower for deployment abroad, particularly to Japan. It was noted that 53 Technical Training Centers (TTCs) are now offering Japanese language and skill training, up from 33 previously, though there remains a shortage of language instructors.

Participants also discussed collaboration with 200 private training centers and recruiting agencies to expand training capacity. A comprehensive action plan is being prepared for submission to the Prime Minister within seven days, with progress reviews scheduled every two working days.