Bangladesh Bank has issued show-cause notices to three of its officials for holding a press conference where they described Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur as an authoritarian figure. The notices were sent by the bank’s Human Resources Department under the governor’s directive, requiring written responses within ten days before further action is taken. The officials involved are Naushad Mostafa, Director of SME and Special Programs; A.K.M. Masum Billah, President of the Officers’ Welfare Council; and Golam Mostafa Shrabon, the council’s General Secretary. The press conference, held on 16 February, criticized the governor’s decisions on merging weaker banks with EXIM and Social Islami Bank and on issuing digital bank licenses. According to internal sources, the event violated staff regulations requiring prior approval from the governor before public statements. The officials also questioned the agenda of a board meeting held the same day, alleging favoritism in digital banking approvals. Sources added that a cross-party alliance within the central bank has been formed to push for full institutional autonomy, legal reforms, and promotion-related demands. The show-cause process marks a new phase in internal tensions within Bangladesh Bank.

The European Union (EU) has congratulated the Election Commission of Bangladesh, led by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, for successfully conducting the 13th parliamentary election in a free, fair, and acceptable manner. The EU’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, conveyed the message during a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner at the Election Commission building on Monday, February 23, where Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed was also present. During the meeting, Ambassador Miller appreciated the Chief Election Commissioner’s expression of gratitude for the EU’s support in the electoral process. He noted that the Election Commission’s work continues with upcoming by-elections and local government polls covering 12 city corporations, 495 upazilas, and 4,582 union councils. The EU pledged to maintain its assistance for these future elections as well. The 13th national parliamentary election was held on February 12, marking another milestone in Bangladesh’s electoral process under the current commission’s leadership.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that human rights are under full-scale attack worldwide, often led by the most powerful figures. Speaking on Monday at the opening session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he said the rule of law is being replaced by the rule of force and that these assaults are happening openly, not from the shadows. Guterres criticized Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, noting that more than 15,000 civilians have been killed in four years of violence, and called for an immediate end to the bloodshed. He also highlighted blatant violations of human rights, human dignity, and international law in the occupied Palestinian territories, warning that the situation is undermining prospects for a two-state solution. He urged the international community not to allow such trends to continue. He emphasized that human rights are being deliberately and strategically sidelined worldwide and called for urgent collective action to protect the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international human rights law without compromise.

Prime Minister’s Office Chief Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar has issued a public notice warning against fake social media accounts created in his name. In a statement sent to the media on Monday, he announced that he has decided to stop using his personal Facebook and Instagram accounts, which have now been deactivated. The Chief Secretary cautioned that any individual using his name or designation to create or operate fake social media accounts with the intent to spread misinformation or cause confusion will face legal action. He clarified that he will not be responsible for any such activities. The notice urged the public and media to rely only on official sources for accurate information. The statement serves as a preventive measure to curb the misuse of official identities on social media and to ensure that communication from government officials remains authentic and verifiable.

An abandoned mortar shell was recovered on Monday morning during canal excavation in Durganagar village of Sindurkhan Union, a border area of Sreemangal upazila in Moulvibazar. The discovery caused panic among locals, prompting police to issue a safety alert and urge residents to stay away from the site. The object was first spotted by farmer Sahid Mia while digging, who noticed a heavy metallic item buried underground. Police from Sreemangal station arrived at the scene, recovered the suspicious object, and cordoned off the area. Moulvibazar Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sreemangal Circle) Wahiduzzaman Raju and Sreemangal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahirul Islam Munna visited the site. The Sylhet Metropolitan Police bomb disposal unit was informed and dispatched to the location. According to police, the bomb disposal team later examined and neutralized the mortar shell. Authorities confirmed that the area was secured for public safety until the operation was completed.

The Bangladesh government has cancelled the contractual appointments of nine secretaries through separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday night. The orders, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Nur‑e‑Alam, state that the remaining tenure of each official’s contractual appointment is hereby terminated. The decision takes immediate effect in the public interest. According to the ministry notifications, the affected officials include Md. Saidur Rahman (Secretary, Health Services Division), Shish Hayder Chowdhury (Secretary, ICT Division), Siddiq Zobayer (Director General, National Academy for Planning and Development), Mohammad Yusuf (Senior Secretary, Land Appeal Division), Momtaz Ahmed (Senior Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs), Dr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman (Senior Secretary, Planning Commission), M A Akmal Hossain Azad (Senior Secretary, Planning Commission), Begum Sharifa Khan (Alternate Executive Director, World Bank), and Dr. Kaiyum Ara Begum (Secretary, Planning Commission). The notifications emphasize that the decision has been made in the public interest and is effective immediately, though no further explanation or reaction was provided in the source.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has accused the ruling party of lacking the courage to hold local elections after reviewing vote figures in divisional and district cities. In a Facebook post on Monday evening, he alleged that the government, which once criticized the interim administration as unelected, is now appointing unelected mayors across the country. His remarks followed the government’s decision on Sunday to replace civil servants with political appointees as administrators in six major city corporations, including Dhaka North and South. Bhuiyan, a former adviser to the outgoing interim government, also expressed concern that similar unelected appointments could soon extend to upazila chairmen and other local government positions. He warned that upcoming appointments might include unelected union parishad chairmen, members, and ward councillors. Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir dismissed these concerns earlier on Monday, stating that despite the appointment of administrators in six city corporations, local government elections would be held on schedule.

A counter-case has been filed against supporters of Member of Parliament Rumin Farhana in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, following an earlier complaint over an altercation at the local Shaheed Minar. The new case was lodged on Sunday night, February 22, by Tamim Mia, an employee of a local business establishment, only hours after Farhana’s supporter Md. Ahad filed the first case alleging obstruction and assault during a floral tribute. The counter-case names 17 individuals and includes 100 to 150 unidentified persons as accused. According to the case statement, the incident occurred early on February 21 near Anwar Hossain’s business, Farzana Anwar Diagnostic Center, and his residence, where the accused allegedly gathered, hurled abuses, and assaulted the complainant when he protested, also snatching money from him. The report notes that tensions began over slogans at the Shaheed Minar. Earlier, Ahad’s case had named BNP leader Anwar Hossain Master as the main accused, who has since been granted bail. Sarail Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Manjur Kader Bhuiyan confirmed the filing of both cases. The dispute originated when Rumin Farhana faced obstruction while attempting to lay flowers at the Shaheed Minar in her constituency on February 21, prompting her to leave without paying tribute.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Monday at 12:30 p.m. During the meeting, the ambassador conveyed warm greetings and congratulations from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang and extended an invitation for the Prime Minister to visit China. The information was shared by the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Humayun Kabir, who briefed reporters after the meeting. Kabir stated that no discussion was held regarding the schedule of the visit, as the Prime Minister is currently focused on several domestic priorities. He added that the invitation would be considered when the Prime Minister begins his foreign visits. The adviser noted that China recognized the new government’s two-thirds majority mandate and that the ambassador’s visit was primarily to congratulate the newly elected Prime Minister. Kabir described Bangladesh-China relations as historic, originating during the tenure of late President Ziaur Rahman. He emphasized that China remains a key development partner and that the current government aims to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit.

Bangladesh’s President Md. Shahabuddin has revealed that full support from the opposition BNP helped him remain in office during the turbulent period following Sheikh Hasina’s government collapse in August 2024. Despite widespread administrative and judicial changes, Shahabuddin—elected during the Awami League era—retained his position through the interim government and administered the oath to the new prime minister on February 17, 2026. In an interview with the daily Kaler Kantho, he said BNP leaders and the armed forces assured him of their backing, emphasizing constitutional continuity. During the interim government, protests and demands for Shahabuddin’s resignation intensified, but BNP publicly opposed his removal, citing risks of political instability and constitutional crisis. Senior BNP leaders argued that ousting the president could delay elections and worsen the national situation. Political analyst Mohiuddin Ahmed noted that BNP’s stance was driven by its desire for quick elections under constitutional order. Shahabuddin also accused the interim administration of undermining his office, including shutting down his press wing and excluding him from diplomatic communications, but former officials declined to comment on his claims.

An Awami League leader named PM Belal was handed over to police by locals after being assaulted in Kahalu upazila of Bogura on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred at the upazila parishad premises, where Belal was reportedly beaten before being taken to the local police station. Police later showed him arrested in a previous case and sent him to jail through the court the same day. PM Belal serves as the vice-president of the Kahalu upazila unit of the Awami League and chairman of the Sadar Union Parishad. According to local sources, he had arrived at the upazila parishad earlier in the day and was attacked by residents as he was leaving. Kahalu municipal BNP president Anisur Rahman Anis stated that Belal had been in hiding and was suddenly seen at the upazila meeting, prompting locals to alert police. Bogura district police spokesperson Additional Superintendent of Police Atowar Rahman confirmed the arrest and subsequent court transfer following his handover to police custody.

India and Israel have built a strong strategic partnership based on shared interests in defense, technology, agriculture, and counterterrorism since normalizing relations in 1992. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have described the relationship as a powerful alliance, with Modi scheduled to visit Israel on February 27–28, 2026, during his third term. Israel has become India’s top defense supplier, while India serves as a major market for Israeli technology. Critics argue that this growing partnership marks a departure from India’s historic anti-colonial and pro-Palestinian stance, aligning it with Israel’s militarized and occupation-based policies. Concerns have been raised about the use of Israeli surveillance and drone technologies in India and their implications for human rights. The collaboration has also been linked to rising Islamophobia and the marginalization of minorities. Despite strengthening military ties with Israel, India continues to maintain diplomatic and humanitarian relations with the Palestinian Authority. Recent statements suggest India is attempting to rebalance its Middle East policy by reaffirming support for a two-state solution and criticizing Israeli actions in the West Bank.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon announced that the government has a plan to enhance the dignity and respect of journalists in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Monday at an event held at the Department of Films and Publications auditorium, where checks from the Journalist Welfare Trust were distributed to the children of 402 journalists. Swapon said the government is prioritizing the recognition of journalists and their contributions to society. The minister noted that some media outlets are engaged in spreading misinformation and disinformation instead of providing accurate information. He emphasized the need for monitoring to ensure the public receives free and reliable information. Swapon also said the ministry’s focus will remain on journalists and their families, including initiatives for healthcare support through agreements with hospitals or medical universities. Managing Director of the Journalist Welfare Trust M Abdullah stated that financial assistance was provided to 402 journalist families and discussions were held with the minister regarding medical support for senior journalists, which is expected to be implemented soon.

India’s campaign in the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage suffered a major setback after a 76-run loss to South Africa. Despite entering the match as favorites, India collapsed for 111 runs while chasing a 188-run target. The defeat left India’s net run rate at –3.800, making their path to the semifinals significantly harder. To qualify, India must now win both remaining Super Eight matches against West Indies and Zimbabwe. Two wins would give them four points, which usually secures a semifinal spot, but other results could complicate the scenario. If South Africa lose one of their remaining games and West Indies or Zimbabwe also beat them, three teams could finish with equal points, leaving net run rate as the deciding factor. If India win only one of their next two matches, qualification becomes even more difficult. Their semifinal chances would then depend on South Africa winning all their matches and India’s victory coming against the right opponent. The large margin of defeat has left India’s campaign hanging on delicate mathematical possibilities.

Dr. Atik Mujahid, the newly elected MP from Kurigram-2 under the 11-party alliance and leader of the NCP, declared that no government official or employee involved in corruption would be spared. He made the statement on Monday at 11 a.m. during a meeting with local government officials and employees at the Fulbari Upazila Parishad conference room. Mujahid emphasized that officials must serve as public servants and that there would be zero tolerance for drugs. He stated that he considers himself a representative of the people rather than any political party and aims to present the issues and potential of Fulbari, Rajarhat, and the broader Kurigram district in the national parliament. Mujahid expressed his vision to advance the underdeveloped Kurigram district through cooperation with all political and administrative sectors. The meeting was attended by Fulbari UNO Dilara Akter, Officer-in-Charge Mahmud Hasan Naim, Assistant Land Commissioner Anwar Hossain, and officials from education, health, engineering, fisheries, electricity, information, and youth development departments, who discussed local challenges and opportunities.