Lawyers in Barishal began a court boycott on Thursday morning to protest the arrest of Barishal District Lawyers Association president and former BNP city convening committee member Sadikur Rahman Linkon. The protesting lawyers demanded his immediate release and withdrawal of cases filed against other lawyers. Although some lawyers initially joined court hearings, they later left under pressure from BNP-leaning colleagues, causing severe disruption for hundreds of litigants.

To restore normalcy, the Metropolitan Sessions Judge held a meeting with three neutral lawyers at noon, but the outcome was not disclosed. Security forces were deployed in large numbers around the court premises from the morning to maintain order. Members of the Nationalist Lawyers Forum and other BNP-affiliated lawyers gathered in front of the Bar Association building to demonstrate.

The ongoing discussions between the judge and selected lawyers aimed to resolve the deadlock, but as of the latest report, no resolution had been reached.

A Dhaka court has ordered steps to issue an Interpol red notice for the arrest of fugitive corruption case accused Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana. The order was given on Thursday afternoon by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the directive. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s assistant director A.K.M. Mortuza Ali Sagar had earlier applied for the notice, which the court approved after a hearing.

According to the ACC’s petition, Tulip is accused of abusing power to obtain a flat from Eastern Housing Limited without payment, using her political connections and influence over Rajuk’s legal officials. The case alleges she unlawfully received the flat as part of a criminal conspiracy.

Investigators stated that Tulip left the country before the case was filed and has been attempting to destroy evidence. The court noted that since she is abroad, issuing a red notice through Interpol is necessary to ensure her arrest.

The High Court has granted bail to former Cox’s Bazar Member of Parliament Abdur Rahman Bodi in a murder case related to incidents that occurred between July and August. The court issued the bail order on Thursday afternoon, according to the report published on February 26, 2026.

Bodi, who previously represented the Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhiya-Teknaf) constituency, was arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on August 20, 2024. At that time, RAB stated that he had been detained in Chattogram’s Panchlaish area in connection with an attempted murder case in Teknaf. Bodi was elected as an Awami League lawmaker in the 2014 general election but was later replaced by his wife, Shahin Akter, as the party’s nominee amid controversy over alleged involvement in drug-related activities.

The High Court’s decision marks a new development in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the former MP, who has faced multiple allegations over the years.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has announced its new central committee, including the Secretariat and Executive Council, for the 2026 session. The formation was completed on February 24 at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka during the organization’s first general session of the central executive council. The announcement was made to the media on Wednesday night. The new structure includes 62 members in the central executive council and 30 in the secretariat, with several new inclusions and reshuffles from the previous committee.

Earlier in December, Nurul Islam was elected as the central president and Sibgatullah as the secretary general for the 2026 session through member voting. The newly appointed secretariat members include Azizur Rahman Azad as office secretary, Mu. Mutasim Billah Shahedi as media secretary, and several others overseeing departments such as education, research, information technology, and student welfare.

The committee also includes representatives from major universities and city units across Bangladesh, such as Dhaka University, Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, and others, reflecting a nationwide organizational structure.

A feature published on February 26, 2026, in Amar Desh presents reflections from several students of Eden Mohila College, Dhaka, on the courageous participation of women in the 1952 Language Movement. The article recounts how women defied Section 144, joined rallies, created posters, treated the injured, and faced arrests while demanding recognition of Bangla as the state language. Figures such as Rawshan Ara Bachchu, Sufia Kamal, and others are remembered for their leadership and sacrifice.

The students describe the movement as a symbol of identity, dignity, and resistance, emphasizing that women’s determination and humanity strengthened the struggle. They note that women’s involvement extended from the streets of Dhaka to districts like Chattogram and Satkhira, where many faced imprisonment. The article also connects the spirit of the movement to ongoing struggles for women’s rights and equality.

According to the reflections, the legacy of the Language Movement continues to inspire Bangladeshi women to stand against injustice, linking the historic fight for linguistic rights to broader movements for social and gender justice.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a drug smuggler with 100 bottles of Indian Eskaf during an operation at the Shibganj border in Chapainawabganj early Thursday morning. The arrest took place in the Jaminnpur area under Telkupi Border Outpost (BOP) of Binodpur Union. The detainee was identified as Sakibul Hasan, 20, son of Monirul Islam from Jaminnpur. The operation was confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Golam Kibria, commander of the 59 BGB Mahananda Battalion.

According to BGB, the raid was conducted based on secret information. During the operation, three other suspected smugglers managed to flee the scene. The arrested individual and the seized drugs were later handed over to Shibganj Police Station for further legal action.

The incident highlights ongoing anti-smuggling efforts by BGB along the Bangladesh-India border, particularly in areas known for cross-border drug trafficking.

An earthquake was felt across several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, at 12:04 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026. The tremor occurred just 13 hours after a previous quake in the country. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Earthquake Observation and Research Center of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the quake measured 4.8 on the Richter scale.

Authorities reported that the epicenter was located in India’s Sikkim region, approximately 455 kilometers northwest of Dhaka. The report did not mention any casualties or damage. The event marks the second seismic activity within a short span, drawing attention to regional tectonic movements.

Further details on the impact or aftershocks were not provided in the initial reports.

Police in Gazipur’s Tongi area arrested Abdullah Al Mamun Hawlader, a 44-year-old candidate for the presidency of the Tongi West Volunteer Team, on Wednesday night. The arrest took place in the Uttar Auchpara Khan-para area following a police operation based on a tip-off. Authorities stated that Hawlader was wanted in a drug-related case and had multiple other cases filed against him at Tongi West Police Station.

According to police sources, a team from Tongi West Police Station conducted the raid around 10:30 p.m. after receiving confidential information about his location. Officer-in-Charge Md. Shaheen Khan confirmed the arrest and said that legal procedures were underway. After completing the necessary formalities, the accused would be sent to the Gazipur court on Thursday.

The arrest highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts in Gazipur to apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants, particularly those linked to narcotics cases.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Thursday afternoon at around 3:15 p.m. The event, delayed three times due to scheduling and publisher demands, has finally opened to visitors with a vibrant cultural atmosphere. Special arrangements have been made as the fair coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, including a three-tier security system established by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Publishers expressed mixed reactions to the timing. Rafiqul Islam of Ruhama Publications said holding the fair during Ramadan carries spiritual significance, emphasizing knowledge and discipline. However, Ashrar Masud of Progoti Publications feared economic losses, predicting lower turnout during the fasting month.

DMP officials reported no specific security threats but confirmed heightened vigilance. Police monitoring will continue 24 hours a day, with uniformed and plainclothes teams, bomb disposal units, and SWAT on standby. Traffic restrictions have been imposed around Dhaka University, and strict cleanliness and no-smoking measures are in place to maintain a safe and orderly environment.

A teenage girl named Rozina Sarker Pakhi from Naogaon’s Sapahar upazila died by suicide on Wednesday in a rented house near Kader Mondol Mor in Rajshahi city. According to police, she went live on Facebook and hanged herself from a ceiling fan. The incident reportedly followed emotional distress linked to her troubled relationship with an Indian youth.

Before her death, Rozina posted several emotional messages on her Facebook profile, indicating despair and a farewell to her friends. Police arrived at the scene after being informed and recovered her body. The Rajpara Police Station officer-in-charge confirmed the incident and said initial evidence suggested suicide.

Authorities are investigating whether the suicide was directly connected to her romantic relationship. The body has been sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 to nine distinguished individuals during the inauguration ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 on Thursday at 2:50 p.m. The event marked the official opening of the annual fair and the recognition of notable contributions to Bangla literature and related fields.

This year’s awardees include Mohan Raihan for poetry, Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children’s literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammadi for science, and Moeedul Hasan for contributions to the Liberation War. The ceremony highlighted the diversity of literary and intellectual achievements across multiple disciplines.

The presentation of the awards at the book fair underscores the continued importance of literary recognition in promoting Bangla language and culture nationwide.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the Ekushey Padak award ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday morning, walking there from the Secretariat. He left the Cabinet Division office through Gate No. 5 after presiding over the first cabinet meeting of the new government. The event recognized individuals and an institution for their outstanding contributions in various fields.

According to the report, the Prime Minister entered the Secretariat at 9:04 a.m. and chaired the cabinet meeting at 9:30 a.m. He began walking toward the Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 10:47 a.m. to attend the ceremony, where he presented the country’s second-highest civilian honor.

This year, the government decided to confer the Ekushey Padak on nine distinguished individuals and one institution. The ceremony was attended by award recipients or their representatives, cabinet members, senior military and civil officials, and invited guests.

A fisherman from Kutubdia upazila in Cox’s Bazar was shot dead by sea pirates while fishing in the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday afternoon. The attack occurred when the fishing boat FB Azufa Akhtar Manu, owned by Jasim Uddin of North Dhurung Akrabali Ghat, came under fire. The victim, identified as Shahadat Hossain Khokon, was taken ashore but died on the way. Police confirmed that his body was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

According to the boat owner, the vessel had gone to sea three days earlier with 19 crew members. The Kutubdia Fishermen’s Association president, Md. Zainal Abedin, said sea robberies have increased over the past month, leaving fishermen fearful to go fishing. He claimed that despite informing the Navy and Coast Guard, no effective action has been taken.

Fishermen’s leaders have urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed to intervene to ensure safety at sea.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has accused the BNP government of enabling large-scale financial mismanagement by removing Ahsan H. Mansur from the position of Bangladesh Bank governor. In a statement issued Wednesday night, he said Mansur’s reform initiatives had begun restoring discipline in the banking sector and curbing money laundering, but his dismissal disrupted that progress and undermined the central bank’s autonomy.

Nahid Islam claimed that Mansur had coordinated with international financial institutions to recover laundered funds and had taken steps to prevent illicit transfers through trade. He also said Mansur sought to make Bangladesh Bank a constitutional body to ensure independence from political interference. According to Islam, BNP- and Awami League-aligned officials later created instability inside the central bank, even assaulting the governor’s adviser.

He further alleged that the government replaced Mansur with a controversial businessman who had previously defaulted on a large bank loan, calling the move undemocratic and dangerous for the financial sector. The NCP condemned the decision and demanded that an honest and experienced economist lead the central bank.

Md. Mostakur Rahman has officially joined Bangladesh Bank as its new governor. He arrived at the central bank’s headquarters on Thursday morning around 10:45 a.m., where he was received by deputy governors and senior officials. Before entering the building, Rahman briefly told reporters that work would come before words.

His appointment came a day earlier, on Wednesday, when Ahsan H. Mansur was removed from the position and businessman Mostakur Rahman was named as the new governor for a four-year term. According to the report, he has taken up the role after stepping away from his business affiliations.

The report also notes that Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest regarding the new governor’s appointment, while the interim government period has seen a rise in domestic borrowing by Tk 1.13 trillion. The central bank spokesperson confirmed that Rahman assumed his duties free from business ties.