Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat on Monday, February 23, 2026. During the meeting, China expressed its support for Rahman’s ‘Bangladesh First’ foreign policy and reaffirmed its commitment to continue all forms of cooperation to safeguard Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

The ambassador’s remarks followed his earlier meeting with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman on Sunday, February 22, where he conveyed similar sentiments to the media. The discussions underscored China’s willingness to maintain strong bilateral relations and assist Bangladesh in upholding its national interests.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and Beijing, signaling continuity in cooperation and mutual understanding on key foreign policy priorities.

Democratic members of the US Congress have warned President Donald Trump to adhere to legal authority before taking any military action against Iran. They urged Trump to consult with Congress and obtain its approval before making any such decision, emphasizing the importance of legislative oversight in matters of war.

The warning comes amid ongoing nuclear discussions between Iran and the United States, which have raised fears of potential conflict. Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Trump must clearly explain to Congress why Iran poses a threat and why military action would be necessary. She noted that former President George W. Bush sought congressional approval before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Senate leader Chuck Schumer added that the Trump administration has yet to clarify its objectives or seek authorization for any attack on Iran, stressing that only Congress has the constitutional power to declare war.

Senate Armed Services Committee member Jack Reed cautioned that attacking Iran now would be a strategic mistake, warning of uncontrollable consequences and noting that starting a war is easier than ending one.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Ragib Rouf Chowdhury has been appointed as the new Attorney General of Bangladesh. The information was confirmed by the Ministry of Law on Monday, February 23, 2026. Chowdhury is recognized for his long-standing legal career and commitment to justice.

He is the son of the late Abdur Rouf Chowdhury, a language movement veteran and one of the organizers of the Liberation War, described as a selfless and visionary politician. Ragib Rouf completed his SSC from Kushtia Zilla School and HSC from Notre Dame College, Dhaka. He earned his honors in political science from Aligarh Muslim University and a master’s degree from the University of Dhaka. Later, he obtained law degrees from two universities in the United Kingdom and completed his Bar-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn, London.

According to the report, ensuring proper application of law and establishing good governance will be among Barrister Ragib Rouf Chowdhury’s main commitments as Attorney General.

After a gap of 18 months, local leaders and activists raised the national flag at the Shahjahanpur Upazila Awami League office in Bogura. The flag was seen flying on Monday morning at the party office located beside the main highway in the upazila headquarters. According to local residents, the flag was hoisted early in the morning using a GI pipe on the rooftop.

Attempts were made to contact Shahjahanpur Upazila Awami League president and former upazila chairman Sohrab Hossain through WhatsApp, but he did not respond. Sub-Inspector Abu Zarra of Shahjahanpur Police Station stated that the police were unaware of the flag-raising event but would investigate the matter.

The incident marks the first time in a year and a half that the national flag has been displayed at the local Awami League office, drawing attention from residents and prompting official inquiry.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita announced her intention to break the existing airline ticketing syndicate, describing it as a major issue under government attention. She made the remarks on Monday, February 23, 2026, during a discussion with journalists at the Manikganj Circuit House auditorium.

Responding to questions about her ministry’s priorities, the minister said that after only three days in office, her team was already focusing on operationalizing the third terminal at the airport. She added that ensuring smooth travel for upcoming Hajj pilgrims and improving facilities for expatriates were also key priorities. Rita emphasized that returning expatriates should feel a visible improvement at the airport.

During her first visit to Manikganj after winning the election, the minister noted that many pending tasks needed to be understood and addressed gradually, following the Prime Minister’s instructions. Several local officials and press representatives were present at the event, where she was later greeted with floral tributes.

The government has appointed Advocate Aminul Islam as the new Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), replacing Tajul Islam. The appointment was confirmed through a government notification signed by Solicitor Manjurul Hossain on Monday. According to the notification, the Chief Prosecutor will hold the same rank, salary, and privileges as the Attorney General.

Tajul Islam had been appointed in September 2024 by the interim government with the rank of Attorney General. Under his leadership, the prosecution submitted 24 formal charges related to crimes against humanity committed during July–August 2024. Trials for these cases are ongoing in Tribunal-1 and Tribunal-2, with verdicts already delivered in three cases. Among the 26 convicted are former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and senior police officials. Two more verdicts, including one on the killing of Abu Sayeed during the July uprising, are pending, while another verdict is scheduled for March 4.

Trials are also underway for enforced disappearances and torture cases from the Awami League government era, involving several former ministers, MPs, and retired military officers.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman worked for the first time at the Armed Forces Division office located in Dhaka Cantonment on Monday morning. He arrived at the office at 9 a.m., where he was received by the chiefs of the three armed services. The prime minister exchanged greetings with them and, as part of the day’s schedule, conferred rank badges on Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman and Major General Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury.

The event was attended by the prime minister’s defense adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, Defense Secretary Md. Ashraf Uddin, Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, and Private Secretary-2 Md. Mehedul Islam.

This marks the first occasion a sitting prime minister has conducted official duties from the Armed Forces Division office within the Dhaka Cantonment.

A nationwide survey has found that most Americans are dissatisfied with President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court striking down his tariff plan, Trump has imposed a 15 percent tariff citing a different law. The ABC News and Washington Post Ipsos Knowledge Panel survey indicates that public discontent with Trump’s trade measures has grown amid rising international disagreements over U.S. tariffs.

According to the survey, a large portion of Americans are unhappy with Trump’s policies on trade, foreign relations, immigration, and the overall economy. About 65 percent oppose his inflation-control measures, 64 percent reject high import tariffs, and 62 percent consider his foreign policy misguided. Additionally, 58 percent disapprove of his immigration policy, while 57 percent believe his actions are harming the national economy.

Although frustration with Trump is widespread, the survey also shows limited trust in Democrats. Only 33 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Trump, 31 percent in Democrats, and another 31 percent said they trust neither side.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), questioned whether those responsible for casualties during the July 2024 uprising would face justice and why banned Awami League offices were reopening across Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Monday morning in a verified Facebook post, tagging newly elected Comilla-4 MP and NCP organizer Hasnat Abdullah.

In his post, Patwari wrote that the Awami League had started reopening offices despite its activities being banned, adding that elections were over and now reforms and justice should follow. The comments come amid political shifts following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, 2024, after a student–public uprising. An interim government took charge on August 8, and the BNP-led alliance later won a majority in the February 12, 2026, national election.

Hasnat Abdullah won from Comilla-4, while Patwari contested but lost in Dhaka-8. The issue of reopening Awami League offices has raised questions about accountability and the direction of political reforms under the new government.

Amid ongoing discussions with the United States over its nuclear program, Iran has witnessed a resurgence of youth-led protests. On Sunday, for the second consecutive day, citizens gathered in Tehran for rallies and demonstrations. According to AFP, the protests began on Saturday as young anti-government demonstrators demanded justice for those killed by security forces during incidents in December and January.

In response, pro-government groups called for counter-rallies involving young supporters. Iran’s Fars News reported that the protests have spread across three universities in Tehran, with Sharif University emerging as the focal point of the movement. Videos circulating on social media showed students at Sharif University marching with flags from the era of former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and chanting anti-government slogans.

The renewed protests highlight growing generational dissent in Iran even as the government continues sensitive diplomatic negotiations with Washington over its nuclear activities.

The interim government has renamed 879 institutions and establishments that were previously named after the convicted former ruler Sheikh Hasina, her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other members of their family. The changes were implemented over an 18‑month period following the July revolution that ousted Hasina. According to official sources, the highest number of renamings occurred under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which saw 205 institutions renamed, followed by the Secondary and Higher Education Division with 181, and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education with 84.

A prior statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing noted that during the previous 16‑year regime, 977 infrastructures and institutions had been named after Sheikh Hasina, her family, and Awami League politicians. The renamed entities include schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, research centers, military bases, roads, bridges, and other public facilities. Universities such as Sheikh Hasina University in Netrokona and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University in Kishoreganj have been renamed to reflect their respective locations.

The interim government also issued ordinances to rename medical universities and numerous sports complexes, academic buildings, and other public structures, marking a broad administrative overhaul of state‑owned institutions.

Jamaat-e-Islami has started the process of selecting candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the national parliament following the 13th parliamentary election. The party, which won 68 seats, is expected to receive around 12 of the 50 reserved women’s seats. Discussions are ongoing within the party’s women’s wing, which will propose names to the central decision-making forum for final approval by the parliamentary board. The selection aims to include both central and regional leaders as well as qualified professionals.

Party sources indicate that several prominent women leaders and professionals are under consideration, including senior members of the women’s division and notable figures from academia and civil society. Jamaat’s leadership has emphasized that the selection will ensure representation from areas where the party did not win general seats. The process will be finalized after the first parliamentary session, in accordance with the Election Commission’s schedule.

If the number of reserved seats increases from 50 to 100 under the proposed “July Charter,” Jamaat could secure up to 24 seats, expanding its selection plan accordingly.

After a gap of 18 months, local leaders and activists raised the national flag at the Shahjahanpur Upazila Awami League office in Bogura. The flag was seen flying on Monday morning at the party office located beside the main highway in the upazila headquarters. According to local residents, the flag was hoisted early in the morning using a GI pipe on the rooftop.

Attempts were made to contact Shahjahanpur Upazila Awami League president and former upazila chairman Sohrab Hossain through WhatsApp, but he did not respond. Sub-Inspector Abu Zarra of Shahjahanpur Police Station stated that the police were unaware of the flag-raising event but would investigate the matter.

The incident marks the first time in a year and a half that the national flag has been displayed at the local Awami League office, drawing attention from residents and prompting official inquiry.

Indian diplomat and intellectual Jahar Sarkar has offered a detailed analysis of Bangladesh’s recent political changes and election results. Speaking from Kolkata, he advised that India should patiently rebuild its long-standing friendship with Dhaka while avoiding overt involvement in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. Sarkar emphasized that the political deadlock surrounding Sheikh Hasina needs swift resolution so that bilateral relations are not hindered.

According to Sarkar, India’s policy is undergoing a significant shift as Delhi realizes the risks of relying on a single political figure. After a year of distance, India is now showing greater interest in engaging with the BNP, which he observed has adopted a more moderate stance. He also noted that Jamaat-e-Islami is attempting to improve its image despite limited electoral success, with its growing influence in border areas posing concern for India.

Sarkar expressed mixed views on Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, praising institutional reforms and the popular “July Charter” but noting shortcomings in law enforcement and bilateral management. He urged India to normalize border trade, ease visa access, and support Bangladesh’s economic stability under Tarique Rahman’s new government.

The new government has decided to replace International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam with a new appointee. Advocate Aminul Islam is being considered for the position, according to information shared by British journalist David Bergman on his Facebook profile on Sunday night. A source said Tajul Islam has been informally informed about the decision, though he has not made any public comment. Law Minister Mohammad Asaduzzaman reportedly called Tajul Islam to his office on Sunday to convey the government’s interest in appointing a new chief prosecutor.

Aminul Islam previously served as a member of the legal team defending BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in her corruption case, in which she was sentenced to prison. The report indicates that the government’s decision reflects a shift in the leadership of the ICT’s prosecution wing.

Further details on the timing of the appointment or official confirmation from the government were not available at the time of reporting.