Prices of essential commodities in Rangpur city have sharply increased since the start of Ramadan, causing distress among low-income and working-class residents. Consumers allege that traders have formed syndicates to manipulate prices in the absence of effective market monitoring. Field visits to several municipal markets revealed significant price hikes in almost all Ramadan-related goods, particularly dates, chickpeas, spices, and poultry.

Buyers report that traders are charging arbitrary prices, with some varieties of dates selling two to three times higher than last month. Local traders attribute the rise to reduced supply, higher wholesale prices, and increased transport costs. The price of local chicken has doubled, while vegetables, lemons, and spices have also seen steep increases. Consumers demand stronger oversight of wholesale markets to prevent manipulation.

Officials from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection stated that monitoring drives will continue throughout Ramadan, warning of fines and legal action against price gouging. The Rangpur district administration confirmed that executive magistrates are conducting inspections to ensure fair pricing for consumers.

In Chattogram, a total of 186 garment factories have closed over the past 18 months following the July Revolution, according to industry and police data. Of these, 111 factories were permanently shut by owners, while 76 remain temporarily closed. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) confirmed that 19 of the closed factories were large-scale members, including six under the Well Group. Around 27,766 workers lost their jobs, though about 18,000 have since found new employment.

Investigations revealed that eight of the 19 large factories were owned by fugitive Awami League-linked businessmen who fled after the political upheaval, while nine others closed due to banking complications tied to merged and inactive banks. BGMEA officials said the sector’s recovery was hindered by financial instability and weak banking operations, despite improved trade conditions with the United States. Many large factories have shifted to subcontracting, leaving smaller units struggling for orders.

Industry Police reported that 55 more factories are now at risk, with concerns over paying wages and bonuses before Eid. Business leaders expressed cautious optimism that new government policies and revived banking operations could help the sector recover.

Engineer Ramanath Pujari has officially taken charge as the new Managing Director of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), which operates the Rampal Power Plant in Bagerhat. The appointment was announced in a company statement, confirming that he assumed the role on Tuesday.

Before this appointment, Pujari served as Project Director of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (MSTPP) at Rampal. He also held the position of Executive Director at India’s state-owned NTPC Limited, where he contributed to plant management, reliability improvement, efficiency enhancement, and compliance with environmental regulations. Under his leadership, the MSTPP achieved more reliable power generation and maintained environmental standards, while he also supported local social and township development initiatives.

Born in 1968 in Odisha, India, Pujari holds a BE in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar, and an MBA from MDI Gurgaon. He has additional qualifications from IIM Ahmedabad and Harvard Business School and brings about 36 years of experience in the power sector.

Baraka Foundation has launched a low-cost iftar market aimed at supporting low-income and underprivileged people during the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative was inaugurated on Monday at the Shishu Park field in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj. The market offers essential iftar items at significantly reduced prices, such as chickpeas at Tk 60 per kg instead of Tk 80, onions at Tk 25 instead of Tk 40, dates at Tk 200 instead of Tk 300, puffed rice at Tk 80 instead of Tk 90, sugar at Tk 80 instead of Tk 98, and soybean oil at Tk 170 instead of Tk 195. In total, six items worth Tk 950 are being sold for Tk 560.

Buyers expressed relief and appreciation for the initiative, noting that it provides real assistance to families struggling with rising food costs. Locals described the program as a positive example of social responsibility that could inspire others to take similar steps.

According to Baraka Foundation, the project is funded by local expatriates and will continue throughout Ramadan to support poor and low-income communities.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman stated that the final decision on transferring the mobile financial service provider Nagad to the private sector depends on the new government’s policy direction. He made the remarks on Tuesday after a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. Arman said the governor informed him that the government has not yet finalized its stance on Nagad, and investment procedures will begin only if the government decides to allow private investors to take over, as the interim administration had considered.

Arman explained that discussions on bringing foreign investment into Nagad began during the interim government period, and his meeting with the governor continued that dialogue. He clarified that he is working as a professional lawyer and local representative for foreign investors, not in his capacity as a member of parliament. He also noted that potential investors are interested in Bangladesh’s digital banking sector and have expressed willingness to conduct an audit to assess Nagad’s profitability.

Addressing concerns about conflict of interest, Arman said his legal work does not conflict with his political role, emphasizing that his political activities are for public service while his legal practice supports his livelihood.

State Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare Nurul Haque Nur said the government’s top priority over the next three months is to reopen two or more closed labor markets and set fixed migration costs for certain countries. Speaking to reporters at his office in Eskaton, Dhaka, he added that recruiting agencies accused of fraud will have their licenses suspended and accountability among registered agencies will be strengthened.

He explained that Bangladesh is working to reopen labor markets in countries such as Bahrain, Oman, and Malaysia, where restrictions remain. The government has already sent a list of compliant agencies to Malaysia to meet its ten conditions. Nur also highlighted Japan as a promising destination, with an agreement to send 100,000 workers over five years, supported by language training and potential financial aid. The ministry is also considering expanding low-interest loans for skilled workers unable to afford migration costs.

The minister emphasized reducing excessive migration expenses, improving expatriate welfare, and reinstating state-funded repatriation of deceased workers’ bodies to Bangladesh.

The Department of Environment has fined Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Tk 960,000 for illegally cutting a hill in the Joypahar residential area of Jamal Khan, Chattogram. The order was issued on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following a hearing at the department’s Chattogram Metropolitan Office, presided over by Director Sonia Sultana.

Assistant Director Muktadir Hasan confirmed that an on-site inspection and document verification found evidence of hill cutting at the listed location. The inspection report stated that approximately 9,600 cubic feet of hill had been cut, measuring about 150 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. Under Section 6(b) of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010), the act was deemed an offense, and an environmental damage assessment was conducted under Section 7, setting compensation at Tk 100 per cubic foot.

BPC representatives, including DGM S.M. Zobayer Hossain and LDA Md. Shihab Uddin, attended the hearing, while Inspector Muhammad Ashfaqur Rahman and Senior Technician Md. Omar Faruk represented the prosecution.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie announced that prolonged suspension of canal excavation has worsened public suffering due to irrigation shortages and waterlogging across Bangladesh. Speaking at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he said the government will take all necessary measures for public welfare and directed relevant ministries to submit action plans within three days to make the canal excavation program visible and effective.

The minister emphasized sustainable excavation, livelihood support, biodiversity conservation, and modern waste management strategies. State Minister Azad stated that under the government’s electoral pledge, 20,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated and 50 million trees planted over the next five years, with the Water Resources Ministry leading implementation. He called for a coordinated work plan for the current and upcoming fiscal years.

The meeting was attended by state ministers from the agriculture, food, fisheries, local government, and disaster management ministries, which will jointly execute the program.

The European Union Parliament has decided not to finalize its trade agreement with the United States at this time, citing uncertainty created by former President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. The decision follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent annulment of Trump’s earlier tariff measures, after which Trump imposed a new 15 percent export tariff on all goods. This move has led to renewed instability in transatlantic trade relations.

A vote on U.S. industrial export tariffs was expected in the EU Parliament’s trade committee on Tuesday, but it has now been postponed. European Commission spokesperson Olof Zill stated that Brussels cannot make any decision until Washington clarifies its position. He added that the EU expects a proper explanation from the United States regarding the current developments.

The delay underscores the EU’s cautious approach to trade negotiations with the U.S. as both sides navigate the implications of shifting American trade policies and their impact on global commerce.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have crossed 35 billion dollars for the first time in 39 months, according to data from Bangladesh Bank released on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The gross reserve stood at 35.04 billion dollars, while under the BPM6 calculation method, reserves were recorded at 30.30 billion dollars.

Central bank officials attributed the increase to stricter measures against money laundering, which have boosted remittance inflows through legal channels. As a result, dollar supply in banks has risen, prompting the central bank to purchase surplus dollars from the market. Since the beginning of the current fiscal year up to February 23, remittances through banking channels totaled 21.99 billion dollars, marking a 21.90 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

During this period, the central bank purchased 5.46 billion dollars from the market, contributing to the reserve growth. Officials noted that the higher supply of dollars relative to demand has strengthened the reserve position.

The BBC has apologized for broadcasting a racist remark made during the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) ceremony without editing it out beforehand. The incident occurred when guest John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, shouted a racist comment while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. The ceremony was aired two hours after recording, but the offensive remark remained in the broadcast, prompting criticism and an apology from the broadcaster.

BBC representatives said some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language linked to involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, clarifying that the outburst was unintentional. The network admitted the segment had not been edited before airing and confirmed it would be removed from the BBC iPlayer version. Several Black actors and a production designer expressed anger over the unedited broadcast, leading to the BBC’s public apology.

In a separate statement, BAFTA also acknowledged the harm caused by the incident and issued its own apology, emphasizing its intent to inform audiences about what had happened and to express regret.

The government has decided to reopen the country's sick and closed industrial enterprises, following a directive from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary, Atikur Rahman Rumman, who said that relevant ministries have been instructed to work with private entrepreneurs to implement the plan. The initiative aims to create new employment opportunities across the country.

According to the directive, closed jute mills and sugar factories will be reopened while retaining existing workers and generating additional jobs. The move aligns with Prime Minister Rahman’s electoral pledge to revive non-operational industries and expand employment. Ashiq Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), confirmed that a committee led by the Ministry of Industries has already begun work on the initiative.

The reopening of these industries is expected to stimulate economic activity and strengthen collaboration between the government and private sector in industrial revitalization efforts.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced a new email-based one-time password (OTP) system to facilitate online income tax return submissions for Bangladeshi taxpayers living abroad. Announced on Tuesday, the feature allows expatriates to receive OTPs through their registered email addresses instead of mobile phones. The initiative is part of a new 'special registration' process designed for users who previously registered with biometric mobile numbers but are now unable to access mobile OTPs while overseas.

According to NBR, expatriate taxpayers must apply for email verification by sending an email to ereturn@etaxnbr.gov.bd with copies of their passport, national ID, visa page, foreign address, overseas contact number, and proof of departure date. After verification, NBR will approve the request, enabling users to reset passwords, complete registration, and file e-returns using the verified email.

NBR reported that the online filing system has received strong response, with about 3.9 million taxpayers already submitting returns for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The authority urged all taxpayers to file their returns through the e-return system by February 28.

Bangladesh’s revenue shortfall crossed Tk 600 billion in the first seven months (July–January) of the 2025–26 fiscal year, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) report released on 24 February. The deficit stood at around Tk 460 billion by December. During this period, NBR collected Tk 2.24 trillion against a target of Tk 2.84 trillion, achieving 12.9 percent growth compared to the same period last year.

The largest shortfall occurred in the income tax segment, which missed its target by Tk 289.25 billion. Import duties fell short by Tk 156.83 billion, and VAT collections were below target by Tk 155.06 billion. In January alone, revenue collection reached Tk 370.33 billion against a target of Tk 525.45 billion, leaving a monthly gap of about Tk 150 billion.

At the beginning of the fiscal year, NBR’s total revenue target was Tk 4.99 trillion, later revised upward to Tk 5.54 trillion by the Budget Monitoring and Resource Committee on 10 November, the report noted.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for February 2026. The price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder has been lowered by 15 taka to 1,341 taka. The new rate took effect from 6 p.m. on February 23, following an official announcement on February 24. This adjustment follows the last revision on February 2, when the price was increased by 50 taka to 1,356 taka per cylinder.

According to BERC, the price reduction aligns with recent fiscal changes by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), which withdrew the existing 7.5 percent VAT at the local production and trading levels and the 2 percent advance tax on imports. Instead, a 7.5 percent VAT has been imposed at the import stage. In the same notice, BERC also reduced the price of autogas by 0.28 taka per liter, setting the new consumer price, including VAT, at 61.86 taka per liter.

The adjustments aim to keep LPG prices affordable for consumers and stabilize the domestic energy market, as stated in the regulatory announcements.