Bangladesh’s long-held strong position in the European Union apparel market has weakened, according to recent Eurostat and Export Promotion Bureau data. Despite overall EU apparel imports rising 2.10% in 2025 to reach USD 90 billion, average unit prices fell 10.27%. Bangladesh’s exports to the EU totaled USD 9.46 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2025–26, down 4.14% from the same period a year earlier. In December 2025 alone, export earnings dropped 12.05% year-on-year as prices fell despite stable shipment volumes.

Analysts attribute the intensified competition to exporters from several countries redirecting goods to Europe after the United States imposed higher tariffs on multiple nations. This surge in supply has driven down prices and increased pressure on Bangladeshi exporters. The situation is further complicated by the newly announced India-EU free trade agreement, which will eliminate around 12% tariffs on Indian apparel once it takes effect in 2027, giving India a cost advantage.

Industry leaders from BGMEA and EAB warned that without timely policy support, efficiency upgrades, and product diversification, Bangladesh risks losing market share in Europe to more aggressive competitors such as China, India, and Vietnam.

The tenure of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain ends today, Sunday, February 22, 2026. The government has not yet announced how the city corporation will be administered from Monday. Dr. Shahadat, who has been urging for a new city election, has expressed willingness to contest again if his party nominates him. According to the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, elections should have been held between November 22, 2025, and February 22, 2026, but that schedule was not maintained.

Following the new government’s swearing-in, the Ministry of Local Government expressed interest in holding elections for all city corporations, including Dhaka and Chattogram. Political parties such as BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and Islami Andolon have begun preparing candidate lists for mayor and councillor positions. The ministry has also sent a letter to the Election Commission to initiate preparations.

Sources indicate the government may consider keeping Dr. Shahadat in office until the next election under Section 6 of the Local Government Act. Meanwhile, parties are finalizing their strategies, with Jamaat and its allies yet to decide whether to contest jointly or separately.

Awami-leaning journalists held a public demonstration in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday, marking their first open gathering since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government a year and a half ago. Led by Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) leaders Sajjad Alam Khan Tapu and Akhtar Hossain, participants formed a brief human chain and later paid tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar. They demanded reopening of the locked DUJ office and release of detained journalists, sharing photos and videos of the event on social media.

The demonstration came four days after the formation of a new government and amid reports that banned Awami League activists were reopening party offices and organizing small rallies. The July Revolutionary Journalists Alliance (JRJA) strongly condemned the event, accusing the participants of trying to reintroduce “Mujibism” and destabilize the country’s new democratic order. JRJA demanded the arrest of those involved, alleging many were accused in genocide cases.

The incident reflects renewed activity among Awami-affiliated groups despite ongoing bans on their political and organizational operations following the 2024 uprising that toppled Hasina’s 15-year rule.

The 30-year Ganges water-sharing treaty signed in 1996 between India and Bangladesh is set to expire in December 2026, and no formal renewal talks have begun. Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told parliament that discussions will start only after Bangladesh’s new government is formed. The agreement, originally signed by H. D. Deve Gowda and Sheikh Hasina, governs dry-season water distribution at the Farakka Barrage and has long symbolized bilateral cooperation.

Experts cited in the report warn that India may use the Farakka Barrage as diplomatic leverage, while Bangladesh seeks to link water, trade, and transit issues in negotiations. The political shift in Dhaka following Sheikh Hasina’s fall and the rise of a new BNP-led government has reshaped regional dynamics. West Bengal’s internal politics and environmental concerns over salinity and river flow further complicate renewal prospects.

Analysts suggest that failure to reach a new deal by December could intensify debates over sovereignty and regional economic interdependence, with both sides balancing strategic interests and domestic pressures.

The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament is expected to begin in the second week of March, likely around March 12. According to multiple sources from Bangabhaban, the Parliament Secretariat, and both ruling and opposition parties, preparations for the session have been completed. The Secretariat has already informed the President’s Office, and the President may call the session soon under Article 72 of the Constitution. The session must be held by March 14, within 30 days of the publication of the election gazette on February 13.

The session will open without a sitting Speaker or Deputy Speaker, as the previous Speaker resigned and the Deputy Speaker is in jail. A senior member or the Chief Election Commissioner may preside over the first meeting until a new Speaker is elected. The President will deliver his constitutional address at the opening session. Opposition leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami have pledged constructive participation, while government ministers have called for cooperative politics.

The first meeting will elect a new Speaker and possibly a Deputy Speaker, followed by the President administering the oath. Subsequent sittings will include condolence motions, the President’s speech, and presentation of ordinances issued since the last Parliament.

Bangladesh A will take on India A today in the final of the Rising Stars Women's Asia Cup in Bangkok, with the match scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Both teams reached the final as unbeaten group champions. Bangladesh A, led by Fahima Khatun, defeated Pakistan A in the semifinal, while India A overcame Sri Lanka A to secure their spot in the title clash.

Bangladesh’s key strength throughout the tournament has been its spin bowling, with captain Fahima Khatun and Sanjida Akter Meghla consistently providing breakthroughs. However, the team’s batting remains a concern, as strong starts have not been sustained in the later overs. Meghla said the team’s progress was due to collective performance and expressed hope for another strong team effort in the final.

India A, which batted first only once in the tournament, has shown strength while chasing. Bangladesh A will aim to overcome its batting weaknesses and contain India’s batters to claim the title, especially after losing last year’s final to India A by 31 runs in Hong Kong.

Nearly a week after their abduction, 20 fishermen kidnapped by pirates in the Bay of Bengal remain captive. The abductors have demanded Tk 350,000 per fisherman, totaling Tk 7 million, through mobile communication with the boat owners. According to the Forest Department, negotiations are ongoing between the pirates and the owners over the ransom amount. The pirates have not set a payment deadline but have threatened severe consequences if the ransom is not paid soon.

The fishermen were abducted on the night of February 16 while fishing near the Dublar Char area, including Alorkol and Narikelbariya fishing villages, by the notorious Jahangir and Suman pirate groups. Following the incident, regular fishermen in the Sharankhola range of the eastern Sundarbans stopped fishing for safety reasons, leading to a severe fish shortage at the country’s largest dry fish production center and heavy financial losses for traders.

Fishing activities partially resumed on February 21, with the Forest Department instructing trawlers to stay close to shore and return daily due to ongoing security concerns.

A shop in Charfassion, Bhola, that had been seized by miscreants using the name of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was recovered following the intervention of Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan, the BNP Member of Parliament for Bhola-4 (Charfassion and Monpura). The operation took place late on Friday, February 20, at Tulatuli Bazar in Jahangpur Union, near the Meghna River. The shop, long under illegal occupation, was returned to its rightful owner, local businessman Mahe Alam.

According to the report, Mahe Alam had been running his business at the site for several years. Before the 13th National Election, a group of local miscreants allegedly branded him as an Awami League supporter and took over his shop while demanding extortion money in the name of BNP. After Alam informed MP Nayan by phone, the lawmaker instructed local party leaders to act. Youth front members verified the complaint, broke the lock, and handed the shop back to Alam.

The recovery has brought relief among local traders, who have demanded strict action against those involved in the illegal occupation.

A clash broke out between two factions of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday afternoon, leaving one activist named Arafat injured. The incident occurred on Gulshan Road in the area. Arafat alleged that the attack was carried out by Siam, Biplob, Noman, Russell, and Sabbir at the instigation of NCP leader Alif Dewan, claiming it was a planned assault.

According to Arafat, the dispute stemmed from his donation of 50,000 taka directly to Shapla symbol MP candidate Abdullah Al Amin before the election. He claimed Alif Dewan was angered because he wanted the donation to go through him. However, Alif Dewan denied the allegations, asserting that Arafat was not an NCP member and had been extorting money using the party’s name after the election. Dewan also claimed that Arafat and his associates attempted to assault their worker Biplob at a rolling mill before locals intervened.

Local NCP leader Tarikul Islam has taken responsibility for mediating the matter. Arafat stated he would pursue legal action if justice is not ensured.

In Tanore upazila of Rajshahi, potato prices have dropped sharply this season, with new potatoes selling for Tk 8 to 9 per kilogram, and in some places even lower. Farmers report being forced to add an extra 5 kilograms per sack as ‘dholon,’ increasing their losses. One farmer, Raihan Kabir, said he harvested 40 to 45 sacks per bigha, selling each for Tk 550 to 650, earning Tk 22,000 to 28,000 per bigha against production costs of Tk 60,000 to 65,000, resulting in losses exceeding Tk 30,000 per bigha. Another farmer, Mejbaul, said his expenses were Tk 45,000 per bigha, but he earned only about Tk 25,000.

Farmers allege that although each sack weighs 70 kilograms, they are paid for only 65 kilograms, losing about 250 kilograms per bigha. Traders claim the extra weight compensates for natural loss during transport and storage. The local agriculture officer, Saifullah Ahmed, said 12,190 hectares were cultivated this year, with 150 hectares already harvested and yields satisfactory. He added that coordination is underway to help farmers with storage and marketing, expressing hope that prices will improve soon.

At Islamic University in Kushtia, student leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) protested late Friday night after the name of former president Ziaur Rahman was not mentioned during a prayer and supplication held to mark Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. The event took place around 12:30 a.m. at the university’s central Shaheed Minar, following floral tributes and a minute of silence for the martyrs.

According to reports, the prayer included references to language martyrs and other national heroes but omitted Ziaur Rahman and his family. JCD activists objected immediately, arguing that Zia was not only a former president but also the university’s founder. They demanded an explanation from university officials. A second prayer was later conducted by the central mosque’s imam, who then included Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Arafat Rahman Koko, and Tarique Rahman by name.

The incident led to heated exchanges between student groups and university administrators, including the pro-vice-chancellor and leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement. The confrontation continued near the Diana Chattar area before subsiding.

On February 21, 2026, Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, faced public criticism after comments he made during a Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day event in Sirajganj. Speaking as the chief guest at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium, he said that to truly embrace Bengali as the mother tongue, the slogan 'Inquilab Zindabad' should not be used, as it is not part of the Bengali language.

Following his remarks, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and Nasiruddin Patwari posted Facebook statuses protesting the minister’s statement. Asif Mahmud questioned whether the minister felt discomfort hearing 'Inquilab Zindabad' but not 'Bangladesh Zindabad', while Nasiruddin Patwari wrote a post supporting the disputed slogan and criticizing extortion. Earlier, Hasnat Abdullah had also posted a similar protest on Facebook.

The incident drew attention on social media, highlighting differing opinions on linguistic expression and national identity during the observance of International Mother Language Day.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Tarique Rahman secured a two-thirds majority in the 13th national election held on February 12, 2026, following the 2024 student-led uprising. With the Awami League barred from participation, Rahman was sworn in as prime minister on February 17. Analysts note that his political success will depend on reviving the struggling economy amid youth discontent over jobs and corruption.

BNP has pledged to double the economy by 2034, raising GDP from USD 460 billion to USD 1 trillion, requiring 9% annual growth. The party also promised major increases in education and health spending but lacks a credible revenue plan. Economists warn that high interest rates, structural distribution issues, and weak private investment pose serious risks. Agriculture employs 44% of the workforce, and Rahman must ensure fair prices for farmers while controlling food costs.

Remittance inflows have surged to USD 30 billion in 2025, but dependence on Gulf labor markets and corruption in overseas employment remain concerns. Economist Khan Ahmed Sayeed Murshid urged pragmatic reforms and reliable energy supply. Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from LDC status in November 2026 adds further pressure on exports and economic stability.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee called for collective efforts in nation-building despite political differences. Speaking as the chief guest at a civic gathering organized by the Lakshmipur Press Club at the Town Hall auditorium on Saturday, he emphasized that opposing every issue for the sake of opposition hinders progress. He warned that those who create mobs and chaos, obstructing Bangladesh’s development, would become enemies of the country.

Anee, the newly elected Member of Parliament from Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar), took oath as a full minister on February 17. He serves as Joint Secretary General of the BNP central committee and convener of the Lakshmipur district BNP. Although previously elected to parliament twice, this is his first time joining the cabinet.

His remarks highlighted a call for cooperation across political lines to ensure stability and progress, reflecting his new ministerial role following the 13th parliamentary election.

A police officer named Shah Alam, aged 33, was stabbed during a bag search at a checkpoint in the Kutubkhali area of Dhaka’s Jatrabari on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. when four young men approached the checkpoint. Police became suspicious of one of their bags, and as officers attempted to search it, one of the men attacked Shah Alam above his left eye with a knife before fleeing the scene.

The injured officer was first taken to Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. According to Jatrabari Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Raju, efforts are underway to identify the attackers. He added that the assailants also detonated a crude explosive device at the scene. Police have seized the bag involved in the incident, and a case is being prepared.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to locate the suspects and determine the motive behind the attack.