The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) has released the schedule for the written examinations of the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS). According to a notice published on Wednesday on the BPSC website, the exams will begin on April 9 and continue on April 12, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 across eight divisional cities: Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh. The first day will feature the Bangla paper, a three-hour exam worth 100 marks.

The notice stated that written tests for compulsory subjects will follow the announced schedule, while the timetable for post-specific subjects will be released later. Details regarding exam halls, seating arrangements, and other important instructions will be published in due course on the BPSC and Teletalk Bangladesh Limited websites.

Candidates can access the full schedule, including dates and times for compulsory subjects, directly from the BPSC website.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has responded to questions about whether joining the BNP-led cabinet after serving in the interim government creates a conflict of interest. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday evening at the Padma State Guest House, he said he joined voluntarily and that perceptions about individuals can change over time. Earlier, Rahman and State Minister Shama Obaid met with visiting Nepali Foreign Minister Bala Nand Sharma.

Rahman, who previously served as National Security Adviser during the interim government, stated that Bangladesh is returning to the foreign policy approach of former President Ziaur Rahman. He emphasized that the country will act strictly in line with its national interests and that efforts on Rohingya repatriation will not slow down but rather intensify. He also reiterated Bangladesh’s intention to maintain good relations with all countries while safeguarding its interests.

Addressing allegations of “election engineering” in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Rahman urged critics to recount the votes if they believe the counting was flawed.

The Ministry of Education has officially announced that all government and private secondary and lower secondary schools in Bangladesh will remain closed during the holy month of Ramadan. The revised holiday schedule was released on Wednesday, confirming that schools will close from Thursday and reopen after March 26. As March 26 falls on a Thursday, teachers and staff will enjoy holidays until March 28.

Earlier, the High Court had ordered schools to remain closed for the entire month of Ramadan following a writ petition. However, an appeal against that order led to a stay, creating confusion among students and parents about the holiday schedule. The ministry’s new announcement resolves that uncertainty.

Before this decision, educational institutions had already been closed for five consecutive days due to the 13th national election, a referendum, and the Shivratri observance. Classes had resumed on Monday. Meanwhile, madrasa holidays for Ramadan and Eid will continue until March 28, and colleges will reopen on March 29 according to their respective calendars.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh has announced a holiday for all government primary schools starting Thursday, February 19, and continuing until March 26. The decision was detailed in a circular issued on Wednesday, February 18. The ministry stated that the holiday period covers several important religious and national occasions, including the holy month of Ramadan, the appearance day of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur, Shab-e-Qadr on March 17, Jummatul Wida on March 20, Eid-ul-Fitr on March 21, and Independence and National Day on March 26.

According to the official notice, the extended closure aims to accommodate observances of multiple religious and national events occurring in close succession. The announcement applies specifically to government-run primary schools across the country.

The ministry’s circular provides clarity for students, teachers, and guardians regarding the academic schedule during this period, ensuring alignment with national and religious observances.

The holy month of Ramadan has begun in Bangladesh after the sighting of the new moon for the Hijri year 1447. According to the report, Muslims across the country will start fasting from Wednesday night. The announcement marks the beginning of a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for the nation’s devout Muslims.

Popular Islamic scholar Shaykh Ahmadullah welcomed the arrival of Ramadan through a message on his verified Facebook page. He described the month as a long-awaited period for believers and urged everyone to dedicate each moment to worship. He encouraged Muslims to enlighten their hearts with piety and the teachings of the Qur’an.

In his concluding remarks, Shaykh Ahmadullah prayed for divine guidance so that all believers may understand the significance of Ramadan and increase their good deeds during the holy month.

Bangladesh’s new government has begun its work with three key priorities: controlling commodity prices, improving law and order, and ensuring stability in the power and energy sectors. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced these priorities on Wednesday after a cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat. He said the government has adopted a 180-day priority plan during its first cabinet session.

According to Salahuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged all secretaries and government officials to perform their duties in accordance with the Constitution and the law. The minister emphasized that the government’s initial focus is on maintaining economic stability and public security while ensuring uninterrupted services in essential sectors.

The announcement reflects the administration’s intent to address immediate challenges facing citizens and to establish a foundation for effective governance in the early months of its tenure.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Bangladesh will directly participate in the 2028 T20 World Cup. Although Bangladesh opted out of the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup due to security concerns, its ranking position ensures automatic qualification for the next edition. The ICC stated that the top eight teams from the 2026 Super Eight stage, along with the host nation and the next three highest-ranked teams, will qualify directly, making a total of twelve teams.

The 2026 Super Eight teams include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, West Indies, England, South Africa, and New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand will co-host the 2028 tournament, with Australia joining as host since New Zealand already qualified through the Super Eight. The remaining three spots go to the highest-ranked teams outside the top nine, currently Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Ireland. As no matches are scheduled before March 9, rankings will remain unchanged, confirming Bangladesh’s place.

This decision secures Bangladesh’s return to the global stage in 2028, maintaining its presence among the top cricketing nations.

The newly formed cabinet of Bangladesh, established following the 13th National Parliament election, held its first meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. The meeting focused on implementing a 180-day priority program, with ministers and state ministers sharing details afterward. The government will announce a 180-day roadmap to execute adopted programs on a priority basis.

State Minister for Finance and Planning Md. Jonaid Saki said the prime minister instructed officials to ensure a comfortable environment during Ramadan and maintain stable electricity supply. He also mentioned that proposals for a media commission are under consideration. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid stated that the prime minister emphasized fulfilling public expectations, while State Minister for Labour and Employment Md. Nurul Haque Nur said directives were given to ensure visible, corruption-free work and to expand labor markets in the Middle East.

Adviser to the Prime Minister Zahedur Rahman added that the prime minister instructed authorities to control commodity prices during Ramadan and ensure smooth travel for citizens during Eid.

Police have deposited Tk 7.4 million, two mobile phones, and clothing belonging to Thakurgaon district Jamaat-e-Islami chief Belal Uddin Pradhan to the Nilphamari Chief Judicial Magistrate Court treasury. Nilphamari Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam confirmed the submission on Wednesday, a day before the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Belal Uddin Pradhan, a teacher and resident of Hajipara in Thakurgaon Sadar, was detained on February 11 after arriving at Saidpur Airport from Dhaka on a US-Bangla flight. During a routine security check, authorities found the large sum of cash in his possession. Unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source and purpose of the money, he was taken into custody by a joint security team. He later fell ill and was admitted to Saidpur Hospital before being transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Belal Uddin Pradhan claimed the money was legally earned from his business and that he had a no-objection certificate from Dhaka Airport authorities.

The holy month of Ramadan began in Bangladesh on Thursday after the moon was sighted on Wednesday evening. The National Moon Sighting Committee confirmed the sighting during a meeting at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, chaired by the new Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad. Following the announcement, Muslims across the country performed Taraweeh prayers and began fasting with the pre-dawn meal, marking the start of the month of mercy, forgiveness, and salvation.

According to the committee’s decision, Ramadan will be counted from Thursday, and the holy night of Lailatul Qadr will be observed nationwide on March 16. The decision was based on reports from district administrations, the Islamic Foundation, the Meteorological Department, and SPARRSO. Office hours have been adjusted from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the month, while educational institutions remain open. Some residents in Bangladesh began fasting earlier, following Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis extended greetings to the nation, urging unity, compassion, and government action to control commodity prices and ensure uninterrupted electricity during Ramadan.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and 25 others for alleged loan fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering involving about Tk 1,325 crore. The case was announced at a press briefing at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on Wednesday afternoon by ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhter Hossain. According to the ACC, the accused colluded to violate banking rules and credit risk management guidelines to approve and disburse loans under the name of Bashundhara Multi Food Products Limited.

The complaint states that loans were approved without proper collateral, stock reports, or verification of repayment capacity. Of the Tk 575 crore funded loan, Tk 503.12 crore was allegedly transferred to various Bashundhara Group accounts and used for purposes including salary payments at East West Property Development (Pvt) Ltd. The transactions were allegedly intended to conceal the illegal origin and ownership of the funds.

The case was filed under sections of the Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act. A joint investigation team led by ACC Deputy Director Md Jahangir Alam includes officials from the ACC, CID, Customs, VAT, and the National Board of Revenue.

RAB-12 in Bogura has arrested three suspected drug traffickers and seized a large quantity of narcotics from a passenger bus on the Rangpur-Dhaka highway. The operation, conducted Tuesday night near the Nabil Highway Restaurant in Sonka area of Sherpur upazila, led to the recovery of 60 bottles of Phairdeal, 2 bottles of Eskaf, and 29 kilograms of cannabis. The detainees were handed over to Sherpur police station.

According to RAB-12 company commander Firoz Ahmed ATC, the first suspect, Mamunur Rashid, was traveling from Dinajpur to Dhaka with the drugs when he was apprehended. In a separate operation Wednesday morning near a filling station in Hamchapur village, two others—Sumon Mia from Cumilla and Saiful Islam from Nilphamari—were caught transporting 29 kilograms of cannabis from Cumilla to Thakurgaon. Cases have been filed against all three under the Narcotics Control Act.

RAB stated that both operations were based on secret intelligence and aimed at curbing drug trafficking along the Rangpur-Dhaka highway corridor.

In Cumilla, lemon prices have risen sharply at the start of the holy month of Ramadan, with retail traders reportedly reducing prices when cameras appear. The incident occurred at Rajganj market on Wednesday afternoon, where a trader sold lemons at Tk 120 per four instead of Tk 140 after noticing a camera, selling out his stock within ten minutes. Across Rajganj, Ranir Bazar, Tomchom Bridge, Badsha Mia, and Chawk markets, lemons were selling at Tk 30–40 per piece, up from Tk 6–30 just three days earlier.

Trader Shahid Mia said lemon supply had dropped as it was not the harvest season, leading to higher prices and disputes with buyers. Consumers such as college teacher Rahim Mirza and resident Asaduzzaman Monir criticized the price hikes and urged government monitoring. Officials from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection confirmed that lemon and eggplant prices were high due to low production but warned traders against excessive profit. The district administration said all traders had been cautioned not to raise prices during Ramadan and that regular market monitoring was underway.

Authorities also fined three businesses for lacking price lists and pledged continued inspections to stabilize the market.

Several activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League have been accused of occupying the Awami League office in Burichang upazila of Cumilla. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when a group of activists were seen cleaning and repairing the office premises while chanting slogans, according to local sources. A video lasting about two minutes and eleven seconds reportedly shows them taking part in the activity at the office, which had been vandalized on August 5 following the July mass uprising.

Leaders of the Burichang unit of the Chhatra Dal questioned how members of the banned organizations could hold a rally and occupy the office in the heart of the municipality. They demanded a proper investigation and necessary action from the administration. Burichang Police Station Officer-in-Charge Lutfor Rahman confirmed that the activities of the Chhatra League are banned and said the matter would be investigated and appropriate measures taken.

The incident has created political tension in the area, though police stated that the law and order situation remains under control.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has accepted the testimony of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi as evidence in the case concerning killings during the July uprising. The prosecution submitted the request on Wednesday before a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, which approved it. The case involves seven accused, including suspended Awami League general secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader, all of whom remain absconding.

In his statement given to the investigating officer on June 18 of the previous year, Hadi described his background as a university teacher and activist involved in cultural movements. He recounted events surrounding the 2024 mass uprising, alleging violent suppression of protesters by ruling party affiliates and law enforcement. Hadi’s testimony also mentioned earlier quota reform movements and his views on systemic inequality.

The tribunal’s acceptance of Hadi’s deposition follows a similar decision by Tribunal-1, which had earlier accepted a statement by Badruddin Omar against Sheikh Hasina. The case continues under the jurisdiction of Tribunal-2, with all accused still at large.