The White Panel, a group of teachers at Jagannath University who believe in Bangladeshi nationalism, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his newly formed cabinet. The message followed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) sweeping victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, where the party formed a government on its own. The congratulatory statement was issued on Tuesday by Professor Mostafa Hasan, vice-president of the panel, and Professor Md. Roich Uddin, its general secretary.

According to the statement, the White Panel leaders praised the spontaneous participation of the Bangladeshi people in the election, held after 17 years, and viewed the result as a restoration of voting rights and freedom of expression. They expressed optimism that under the new prime minister’s leadership, the government would work for the welfare of the people, uphold national history and heritage, and foster new national unity.

The leaders also expressed hope that Jagannath University, founded by the new prime minister’s mother, would see significant development under his leadership.

Former national football captain Aminul Haque has officially taken charge as Bangladesh’s State Minister for Youth and Sports. After being sworn in at the National Parliament on February 17, 2026, he held a press conference at his Mirpur residence, announcing his goal to build a sports-friendly Bangladesh. He emphasized collaboration among sports journalists, athletes, organizers, and the public to promote a culture of sports across the nation.

Aminul outlined plans to make sports compulsory from the fourth grade, incorporating five events including cricket and football, while prioritizing three other disciplines with potential for success in the Asian Games and Olympics. He also discussed the future of cricketers Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, describing them as legendary players and expressing hope for a state-level resolution to facilitate their return to the country.

The new minister said he would soon meet with all sports federations and journalists to develop coordinated plans and assign responsibilities for implementing his sports development agenda.

A Jamaat supporter named Abbas Uddin, aged 55, died on Tuesday afternoon while undergoing treatment at the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Dhaka, five days after being severely burned in an arson attack at his fish farm in Lakshmipur. The incident occurred last Wednesday night at Jitu Agro Fish Farm in Char Ramani Mohan Union of Sadar upazila, where unidentified assailants allegedly set fire to the house on the farm. Abbas’s wife and other family members escaped, but he was trapped inside and sustained serious burns before being taken to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

According to his son, Elahi Prince, Abbas was a member of Jamaat in Lakshmipur Municipality’s Ward 6, while his wife, Sultana Razia Lucky, serves as the local women’s wing president. Prince claimed his father was targeted for his political affiliation and described him as a martyr. Lakshmipur Jamaat city leader Abul Farah Nishan said the attack occurred on the eve of the election and confirmed Abbas’s political involvement. Police said they were aware of the incident but had not yet received a formal complaint.

Authorities stated that legal action would follow once a written complaint is filed.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has issued a gazette announcing the dissolution of the current interim government. The order, signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani on behalf of the President, was published on the division’s website on Tuesday night. According to the gazette, the President has appointed Tarique Rahman, a member of parliament who commands the confidence of the majority in the 13th National Parliament, as the new Prime Minister under Article 56(3) of the Constitution.

The gazette further states that with the formation of the new government under Rahman’s leadership, the advisory council of the interim administration will be considered dissolved. A separate gazette has also been issued confirming Rahman’s appointment as Prime Minister.

Following the announcement, preparations were reported underway at the Secretariat to welcome the new Prime Minister, while his official Facebook page of the Chief Adviser’s Office was declared closed.

Dr. Atiq Mujahid, Member of Parliament for Kurigram-2 and Joint Convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), visited the grave of martyr Osman Hadi on Tuesday night, February 17, 2026, after taking his parliamentary oath. Standing beside the grave around 9 p.m., he offered prayers and became emotional during the visit.

During the prayer, Dr. Mujahid asked for divine guidance to embody the ideals, honesty, courage, and competence of martyr Osman Hadi. He expressed hope that he and others could contribute effectively to building a just, humane, and prosperous Bangladesh inspired by Hadi’s vision. He also prayed for the emergence of qualified and dedicated representatives across all 300 constituencies who would serve the nation with integrity and commitment to truth and justice.

Several NCP leaders, including Joint Convener Nizam Uddin, Joint Member Secretary Zainal Abedin Shishir, Joint Chief Coordinator Mahabub Alam, and member Konok, were present during the visit.

Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has appointed his Personal Secretary-1, Assistant Personal Secretary-1, and Protocol Officer-1. The Ministry of Public Administration issued three separate notifications on Tuesday announcing the appointments. Joint Secretary Miah Muhammad Ashraf Reza Faridi has been named as Personal Secretary-1, Senior Assistant Secretary Mohammad Mamun Shibli as Assistant Personal Secretary-1, and Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Uzzal Hossain as Protocol Officer-1. Each appointment will remain effective as long as the Prime Minister holds office or wishes to retain them in their respective positions.

The appointments come on the same day the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formed a new government after winning more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th parliamentary election. The new cabinet consists of 50 members, including 25 ministers and 24 state ministers. This marks the BNP’s fourth term in government and the first time its chairperson, Tarique Rahman, has assumed the role of Prime Minister.

The administrative appointments signal the beginning of the new Prime Minister’s office operations following the formation of the BNP-led government.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has accused the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of violating its commitment by not taking the oath for the Constitutional Reform Council. Speaking at a post-oath press briefing in the National Parliament complex on Tuesday, he said BNP’s refusal disregarded the referendum result that supported constitutional reform and breached a key public promise.

Nahid Islam argued that the BNP’s decision created both legal and constitutional complications, as the July National Charter Order clearly required that members of parliament and the reform council take their oaths together if the referendum’s “yes” vote prevailed. He noted that BNP had signed and accepted this order but was now offering contradictory explanations about the referendum’s legitimacy.

He further criticized the inclusion of Dr. Khalilur Rahman in the BNP cabinet, calling it unethical and evidence of election engineering. Jamaat-e-Islami’s deputy leader Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher echoed this view, while opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other MPs were present at the briefing.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has criticized the inclusion of Khalilur Rahman in the new government’s cabinet, saying it exposes the political ‘engineering’ behind the constitutional reform process. He made the remarks on Tuesday after taking oath as a member of the National Parliament and the Constitutional Reform Council.

Nahid Islam stated that by not taking oath in the Constitutional Reform Council, the government broke its promise on the very first day of formation. He added that this breach not only violated political commitments but also created legal complications. He further said that the explanation given by the BNP regarding its participation in the referendum after signing the constitutional reform order was unacceptable.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher also commented that Khalilur Rahman’s joining the BNP-led government, after serving as security adviser in the interim administration, was unethical.

French-inspired artisan bakery and café brand La Delicia has launched a new outlet in Dhaka’s Aftabnagar. The opening ceremony took place on Tuesday with the participation of the company’s Chief Executive Director Mannujan Nargis, representatives from the marketing and sales departments, invited guests, loyal customers, and media personnel.

According to Mannujan Nargis, customers in the Aftabnagar area had long requested a local outlet, prompting the company to open this new branch to strengthen its connection with the community. The outlet will offer La Delicia’s signature products, including classic and customized cakes, fresh pastries, handcrafted donuts, artisan cookies, premium desserts, and a variety of savory items.

To mark the opening, the Aftabnagar outlet is offering a 10 percent savings promotion on February 17 and 18. Customers can shop directly at the outlet or place online orders through the brand’s website and Facebook page for home delivery of cakes and other baked goods.

Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has been appointed as Bangladesh’s new Education Minister, along with responsibility for the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. The appointment came on February 17, 2026, shortly after he took oath as a Member of Parliament. Milan won the Chandpur-1 (Kachua) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, contesting under the ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol. He secured 133,162 votes across 110 polling centers, defeating his nearest rival Abu Nasar Ashrafi, who received 67,077 votes.

Milan is a politician, writer, and former State Minister for Education who previously served in that role from 2001 to 2006. Born in Kachua, Chandpur, in 1957, he completed his education in Bangladesh and the United States, earning an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology and later a PhD in Political Science from the International Islamic University Malaysia. His doctoral research focused on the role of technical and vocational education in Bangladesh’s socio-economic development.

He first entered parliament in 1996 as a Bangladesh Nationalist Party nominee and currently serves as the party’s International Affairs Secretary.

A controversy has erupted at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur after Registrar Dr. Harunur Rashid was dismissed from his post. The decision was made during the university’s 120th syndicate meeting held last Monday, shortly after the reopening following the 13th parliamentary election recess. Sources within the university alleged that Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shawkat Ali removed the registrar without cause, labeling him as Jamaat-affiliated to safeguard his own position.

Several unnamed teachers and officials told Amader Desh that the vice-chancellor acted out of fear after both pro-Awami and pro-BNP teachers began accusing him and the registrar of Jamaat links on social media. Dr. Harun claimed his removal followed his efforts to expose fake appointments and forged certificates within the university. He said he had initiated disciplinary actions against several employees and filed a case over the killing of student Abu Sayeed during the July uprising, naming university staff and police officers as accused.

Vice-Chancellor Shawkat Ali stated that Dr. Harun was on a contractual appointment and that the contract had simply been terminated.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the graves of his parents, late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, on Tuesday night. Following his swearing-in ceremony as prime minister at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, he went to the Zia Uddyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, accompanied by his family members.

At the gravesite, Tarique Rahman placed floral wreaths, recited prayers, and took part in a special munajat. His wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, and his late brother Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Shamila Rahman were present during the visit. The prime minister stood silently for a while to pay his respects.

The visit marked Tarique Rahman’s first public appearance after assuming office as prime minister, symbolizing a personal and familial tribute immediately following his official oath-taking ceremony.

President Md. Shahabuddin and newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged floral greetings on Tuesday night at the National Parliament Building. Earlier that afternoon, Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took oath as the country’s 11th Prime Minister, administered by President Shahabuddin.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, outgoing Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus exchanged greetings with Prime Minister Rahman. The event was attended by a large number of local and foreign guests, including representatives from various South Asian countries. This year, the oath-taking ceremony for the Prime Minister and cabinet members was held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building instead of the traditional venue at Bangabhaban.

The new Prime Minister is scheduled to pay respects at the National Martyrs’ Memorial, marking his first official act following the assumption of office.

Salahuddin Ahmed, Member of Parliament for Cox’s Bazar-01 (Chakaria-Pekua), was sworn in as a full minister of the Bangladesh government on February 17, 2026, at Bangabhaban before President Md. Shahabuddin. According to the report, he has been assigned the portfolio of Home Minister. This marks the first time since independence that the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar, known as the country’s tourism capital, has received a full ministerial appointment. Salahuddin previously served as State Minister for Communications during the BNP-led four-party alliance government.

A senior member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) National Standing Committee, Salahuddin won the 13th National Parliamentary Election by defeating Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abdullah Al Farukh by 95,830 votes. His political career spans decades, including earlier parliamentary victories in 1996 and 2001. He endured abduction and exile in 2015 and returned to Bangladesh in August 2024 after nearly a decade abroad.

Local BNP leaders described his appointment as a historic and proud moment for Cox’s Bazar, expressing hope that his leadership will contribute to the district’s and the nation’s development.

Former Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman has been appointed as the new Law Minister in the BNP government led by Tarique Rahman. He took oath on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, administered by President Md. Shahabuddin. Asaduzzaman was elected as a Member of Parliament from Jhenaidah-1 constituency under the BNP’s symbol, marking his first election victory with 171,598 votes, defeating his nearest rival Abu Saleh Md. Matiar Rahman, who received 55,577 votes.

Born in January 1971 in Baripara village of Shailkupa, Jhenaidah, Asaduzzaman completed his SSC and HSC under the Jessore Board before earning his LLB (Honours) and LLM degrees from the University of Dhaka. He began his legal career in 1995 and later became a Supreme Court lawyer, working with prominent legal figures including Barrister Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed. He also served as the BNP’s central executive committee’s human rights secretary and as an adviser to party chairperson Khaleda Zia.

His appointment marks a significant inclusion of a legal professional with extensive court experience in the new BNP cabinet.