India has come under criticism for a new trade deal with the United States, announced this month, aimed at addressing the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Critics have described the deal as a ‘surrender’ to Washington. The agreement has sparked concern among India’s influential farmer groups, who fear that cheaper US imports could harm domestic producers. Over 700 million Indians are engaged in agriculture. The full details of the deal have not been released, though a joint statement and a White House fact sheet were published. New Delhi said an interim agreement could be finalized by the end of March.

A key controversy surrounds India’s expressed ‘intention’ to buy US goods worth 500 billion dollars over five years, compared to 45 billion dollars in imports last fiscal year. Analysts have called the target unrealistic, noting that even large aircraft purchases would fall short. Another disputed issue is Washington’s claim that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, after which the US lifted a 25 percent tariff. However, India has neither confirmed nor denied such a commitment.

Analysts say the deal remains fragile and politically contentious, with uncertainty over its durability and implications for India’s growth outlook.

The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) has extended congratulations to all newly elected members of the 13th National Parliament. The message was conveyed during a board meeting held on Monday at a hotel in Dhaka, where the association also congratulated ten members from the housing sector who were elected as MPs. REHAB described their election as a significant milestone for the industry.

During the meeting, the board noted that increased representation of the housing sector in Parliament could help address long-standing policy challenges, including tax reforms, urban planning, Detailed Area Plan (DAP) implementation, utility connections, and approval complexities. REHAB President Md. Wahiduzzaman said the election of ten members from the association marks both personal success and a strong foundation for the national housing industry, which contributes notably to employment, construction growth, and revenue.

The president also congratulated the incoming government expected to form in two days, as well as the opposition. The meeting concluded with wishes for the MPs’ good health and effective roles in national development.

The Taliban government has introduced sweeping reforms in Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical market to improve drug quality and boost domestic production. The move follows a November announcement to end long-standing dependence on medicine imports from Pakistan after deadly border clashes. Importers were given three months to find alternative legal sources, but traders report major challenges in ending old contracts and completing customs procedures.

Pharmacists in Kabul say prices of several medicines have risen while some drugs are unavailable, causing hardship for patients. Transport costs have surged by up to 30 percent as imports shift to routes through Iran and other countries. The Health Ministry cites counterfeit Pakistani medicines as a key reason for the reform and says new supply links are being built with Iran, India, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Turkey, China, and Belarus. Local firms now produce about 600 types of medicines, including antibiotics.

Experts caution that Afghanistan remains dependent on imported raw materials and faces high energy costs and limited infrastructure, making full self-sufficiency unrealistic in the short term. Doctors warn that the transition is complicating treatment and delaying patient care.

The Government of Bangladesh has introduced a free Freelancer ID Card to officially recognize the country’s freelance professionals. Applications are being processed through the official website freelancers.gov.bd under the Information and Communication Technology sector. The initiative aims to create a national database of genuine freelancers and bring their profession under formal state recognition.

Previously, freelancers faced difficulties proving their professional identity for banking, taxation, and institutional purposes. The new government-issued ID card is expected to serve as a credible identity document, potentially easing access to financial and government services. Applicants must be Bangladeshi citizens with a national ID, verifiable freelance income from international clients, and proof of completed work.

Authorities have warned applicants not to provide false information, as fraudulent submissions could lead to legal complications. The government expects that the collected data will help design future training, incentives, and financial support programs, marking a significant step toward institutionalizing Bangladesh’s growing freelancing sector.

The first meeting of the committee formed to implement Bangladesh’s proposed ninth national pay scale has been held, according to interim government press secretary Shafiqul Alam. The meeting, held on Sunday, discussed the implementation process of the new pay structure. The committee, headed by the then cabinet secretary, includes senior secretaries from key ministries such as public administration, defense, finance, education, health, and law, along with the comptroller general of accounts. It will review salary-related recommendations from the National Pay Commission 2025, Judicial Service Pay Commission 2025, and Armed Forces Pay Committee 2025 before submitting its report to the government.

The interim government had formed the ninth National Pay Commission on July 27 of the previous year, led by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan. The commission submitted its report to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on January 21, proposing to raise the minimum salary from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000, reducing the pay ratio from 1:9.4 to 1:8. The proposal also includes health insurance, pension reform, and restructuring of the government employees’ welfare board.

Government employees have begun organizing to press for the implementation of the new pay scale and plan to meet the incoming head of government to present their demands.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will start selling essential commodities from open trucks across the country on Tuesday, ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative will offer five key products—edible oil, sugar, chickpeas, lentils, and dates—at prices lower than the market rate. Sales will also continue through the family card distribution system. According to TCB, all preparations have been completed, and designated dealers have been instructed to deposit funds before collecting goods.

The TCB spokesperson, Shahadat Hossain, said the truck-based sales aim to help stabilize the market during Ramadan. Around 400 trucks will operate nationwide, each serving about 400 consumers. The sales will take place every day except Friday in all districts, city corporations, and divisional cities. Regular items will be available along with chickpeas and dates to meet seasonal demand.

The program is expected to support consumers by ensuring access to essential goods at affordable prices during the high-demand Ramadan period.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a new directive warning against the use of sample notes or paper resembling real currency in social media and marketing campaigns. The central bank’s Department of Communications and Publications announced on Sunday that such activities are legally punishable and increase the risk of counterfeit currency circulation. The notice highlighted that videos and images on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have shown marketing content using large-sized sample notes similar to genuine ones.

The bank stated that producing, using, or distributing paper resembling legal tender is a criminal offense under Section 489(E) of the Penal Code, 1860. It also warned that spreading false or misleading information through digital media could be punishable under Section 25 of the Cyber Security Act, 2023. The directive urged the public to remain cautious, avoid unauthorized promotional activities, and verify the authenticity of banknotes.

Bangladesh Bank advised citizens to learn about the security features of real notes and ensure safe transactions by visiting its official website for detailed information on currency identification.

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.

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 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.

The U.S.-based social media platform X has removed blue verification badges from several senior Iranian officials’ accounts following allegations that it provided paid services to individuals under U.S. sanctions. The action came after a report by the Tech Transparency Project claimed that X’s paid subscription service, X Premium, was available to sanctioned Iranian figures.

Among those whose verification was revoked are Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. Under U.S. sanctions law, American companies are prohibited from conducting business with certain individuals and entities. X has not issued any official comment on the matter.

The platform, owned by Elon Musk, had previously faced criticism for altering the design of the Iranian flag emoji on its web platform during protests in Iran, replacing the Islamic Republic emblem with the older “lion and sun” symbol associated with monarchist groups.

Astronomical observers in Bangladesh have reported that February 18 will offer a roughly 50-minute favorable window for moon sighting after sunset. According to the Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT), the moon will remain visible in the western sky for about 50 to 51 minutes after sunset, which is considered a suitable period for naked-eye observation. The new moon will form on the night of February 17, but it will not be visible that day due to its young age.

BWOT stated that sunset in Bangladesh on February 18 will occur at approximately 5:58 p.m., and moonset at around 6:49 p.m., giving a 50-minute observation opportunity. By that time, the moon will be about 24 hours old, making visibility more likely if weather conditions are clear. However, visibility will depend on atmospheric clarity, cloud cover, air pollution, and the observer’s location.

The report also noted that some Middle Eastern countries may attempt moon observation using advanced telescopes. If successful, fasting could begin there on February 18; otherwise, it may start on February 19.

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.