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.

Dhaka University’s nationalist teachers’ group, Sada Dal, has strongly protested a tribute paid at the Central Shaheed Minar under the banner of the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association. In a statement issued on Saturday, Sada Dal leaders Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan, Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, and Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar denounced the act as unethical and audacious, arguing that the association currently has no functional committee.

The statement alleged that a few teachers, rejected by most colleagues after the July 2024 mass uprising, used the association’s name to lay wreaths in honor of language martyrs. Sada Dal leaders claimed these individuals lack moral and legal legitimacy, accusing them of opposing student movements during the uprising and playing controversial roles in that political period. They further noted that after the August 5 political change, the group was labeled “publicly discredited,” and a high-level university investigation is ongoing.

Sada Dal urged the university administration to take exemplary disciplinary action based on the inquiry report and to prevent politically controversial teachers or groups from using sensitive university spaces for political activities.

Bangladesh Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan and Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hasan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday. The meeting was disclosed through a post on the verified Facebook page of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

During the meeting, the chiefs of the air and naval forces discussed key issues related to the overall security of the country's airspace and maritime boundaries, the blue economy, protection of marine resources, and the modernization and capacity enhancement of both forces. The Prime Minister praised the professionalism, patriotism, and tireless efforts of the Bangladesh Air Force and Navy in safeguarding the nation’s maritime areas.

The discussion highlighted the government’s focus on strengthening defense capabilities and ensuring the security of national resources, as reflected in the Prime Minister’s appreciation of the armed forces’ contributions.

Bithi, wife of former Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director Shafiqul Rahman, confessed in court to charges of abusing an eleven-year-old domestic worker. Her statement was recorded on Saturday, February 21, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ismail Hossain, who subsequently ordered her to be sent to jail. The confession followed her remand period, after which she voluntarily agreed to give a statement, confirmed by the complainant’s lawyer S.M. Piarul Islam Nasim.

According to the case, the child’s father, Golam Mostafa, had placed his daughter in the Rahman household in June of the previous year. He last saw her healthy on November 2, but later discovered severe injuries on her body when she was returned on January 31. The child alleged that Shafiqul Rahman, Bithi, and others had repeatedly beaten and burned her with heated utensils. Mostafa filed the case on February 1, leading to the arrests of Shafiqul, Bithi, and two others.

Earlier, both Shafiqul and Bithi were placed on remand, and several co-accused, including domestic workers, also gave statements or were sent to jail following interrogation.

Serious allegations of irregularities have surfaced in the construction of a road guide wall under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur. Locals discovered that banana trees were used beneath the brickwork of the wall instead of solid soil or concrete beams. The incident occurred at Char Kakir intersection in Ward 7 of Shiruyail Union and spread widely on social media, drawing strong criticism from residents.

According to local sources, the guide wall construction on the road from Sadekabad through Sipaikandi to Munshikandi began about six months ago and has faced complaints of slow progress and substandard materials. Contractor Alomgir Jamaddar denied ordering such work and promised to rebuild the section properly. LGED officials acknowledged possible irregularities during the election period and said the faulty section would be redone. District Executive Engineer Badal Chandra Kirtania stated that such negligence in government work would not be tolerated, while the Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed that necessary actions were being taken.

Authorities are investigating the incident, and corrective construction has been promised to ensure compliance with proper standards.

Hasnat Abdullah, the newly elected Member of Parliament from Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) and chief organizer of the NCP, posted a short message on his verified Facebook account on February 21, 2026. The post contained only two words, which quickly drew attention and spread rapidly across social media platforms.

Following the post, widespread discussion emerged online, with both supporters and critics reacting to the message. The brief statement became a viral topic, generating significant debate and engagement among users across different political and social circles.

The incident highlights how even minimal social media activity by political figures can trigger large-scale public discourse in Bangladesh’s digital space.