Nine writers have been selected for the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025, according to a press release signed by Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, on Monday. The awards will be formally presented by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the inauguration ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair organized by the academy on February 26. The recipients are 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 Liberation War literature. The academy’s executive council approved the awards based on recommendations from the proposal and award committees. Traditionally, the Prime Minister presents the awards at the opening of the month-long book fair each year. However, this year the fair did not begin on February 1 due to the 13th national parliamentary election, leading to the rescheduled inauguration on February 26.

Al-Azhar University in Egypt has organized daily iftar gatherings for 6,000 to 7,000 international students during Ramadan, including around 4,000 Bangladeshis studying there. The event takes place at the historic Al-Azhar Mosque, where students enter through the east gate using tokens issued after verifying their university identity. The arrangements are supervised by Dr. Muhammad Al-Duwaini, the university’s undersecretary, with staff preparing the meals well before sunset. The mosque’s serene interior, surrounded by tall minarets, accommodates both male and female students in separate sections. The iftar begins with dates and water at the call to prayer, followed by traditional Egyptian dishes such as rice, local bread, chicken fry, kofta, vegetables, and desserts. A recitation from the Qur’an precedes the meal, adding to the spiritual atmosphere. Bangladeshi student Abu Sawban Akand expressed that sharing iftar with thousands from different countries creates a unique sense of unity and gratitude toward the university. The initiative has become a symbol of brotherhood, compassion, and spiritual connection among students from around the world.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that a new commission will be formed to thoroughly review the BDR killings and ensure justice based on the commission’s recommendations. He made the statement on Monday at the Secretariat after a meeting with heads of various departments. The minister said the initiative aligns with the government’s election manifesto and emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear chain of command within law enforcement agencies. Salahuddin criticized the previous lottery-based appointment process for police officers, saying it lacked transparency and did not consider service records. He warned that any illegal interference in police work, whether political or social, would face immediate action. The minister also stated that police operations would be monitored to prevent public inconvenience. He added that the government is working to reform the police and restore morale after what he described as institutional damage during a previous authoritarian period. Salahuddin said he plans to visit different divisions to motivate officials and guide them toward forward-looking governance.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman stated that foreign representatives have expressed deep confidence in Bangladesh’s new government and a strong willingness to work together. He made the remarks on Monday, February 23, 2026, while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following meetings with U.S. Ambassador Brent Christensen and European Union ambassadors in Dhaka. Dr. Rahman said he had met several foreign ambassadors, including those from Saudi Arabia, China, India, Pakistan, the United States, and the European Union. During these meetings, he outlined Bangladesh’s foreign policy priorities, emphasizing the principle of “Bangladesh First.” He reaffirmed that the government’s activities would be guided by independence, sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and national dignity, aiming to build mutually beneficial relations with all countries. The minister added that Bangladesh seeks to resolve bilateral issues through mutual respect and dignity to ensure the protection of all parties’ interests.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on Abul Kalam Azad, former principal secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office and former Member of Parliament for Jamalpur-5. The order was issued on Monday, 23 February 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision. According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) petition, Azad is under investigation for alleged irregularities and corruption. The ACC stated that credible sources indicated he might attempt to flee abroad to evade the inquiry. To ensure a fair and uninterrupted investigation, the commission requested the court to restrict his foreign travel. After the hearing, the judge granted the ACC’s request. The court’s order prevents Azad from leaving Bangladesh while the corruption investigation continues, reflecting ongoing judicial measures to support the ACC’s inquiries.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that 2,701 constables will be recruited urgently to fill vacancies in the police force. He made the statement on Monday after a meeting with heads of law enforcement agencies at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka. The minister said the recruitment process will begin soon to address manpower shortages across all levels of the police. Ahmed emphasized that the government’s main objective is to manage law enforcement agencies in line with public expectations. He also stated that firearm licenses issued during the previous fascist government will be reverified to ensure they were granted through proper procedures. Licenses given for political purposes will be canceled, and the associated weapons’ permissions will also be revoked. The home minister expressed hope that both the recruitment and verification processes could be completed within a short period, aiming to strengthen law enforcement capacity and accountability.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that no one will be allowed to interfere in police work and that immediate action will be taken against anyone obstructing law enforcement. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon after a meeting with heads of law enforcement agencies at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The minister emphasized that neither political nor social actors can hinder legitimate police duties and that police operations should avoid causing public suffering. Responding to questions, he said the government has begun efforts to make the police truly a friend of the people. He noted that during the previous fascist regime, political interference had damaged many institutions, including the police, and that reforms are now underway to rebuild morale and restore effectiveness. Salahuddin added that the country is recovering from institutional damage caused during that period and must now work in line with public expectations following the mass uprising. He said he will visit different divisions to motivate officers and guide them toward forward-looking goals.

The upcoming Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 has been postponed by one day and will now begin on February 26, continuing until March 15. The decision was made at a meeting held Sunday night at the Shahid Munir Chowdhury Auditorium of Bangla Academy, attended by State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyum, Secretary Md. Mofidur Rahman, Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, Secretary Dr. Md. Selim Reza, and representatives of various publishing houses. The organizers also decided that there will be no pavilions at this year’s fair. According to Dr. Selim Reza, publishers who had previously been allotted pavilions have agreed to remove them with the support of BAPUS leaders. Earlier, on February 18, the fair committee decided to waive stall rental fees for all participating publishers. Meanwhile, the publishers’ association ‘Prokashok Oikko’, which had earlier withdrawn from the fair over unresolved demands, announced its participation at a press conference held Monday at the National Press Club in Dhaka. Representatives of several major publishing houses attended the press conference, where they said the government had responded positively to several of their conditions, prompting their decision to rejoin the fair.

In Mymensingh’s Valuka upazila, the previously banned Awami League office of Mallikbari Union No. 7 was reopened as local leaders raised the national flag and displayed photos of top party figures. The reopening was accompanied by chants of 'Joy Bangla' and celebrations, with videos of the event circulating on social media. Reports indicate that other union and upazila offices are also preparing to reopen. Local sources said the reopening occurred soon after the national election. Business owners noted that following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 during a mass uprising, local activists reopened the office without obstruction. A local Awami League leader, requesting anonymity, stated that they had supported the BNP candidate in the election and maintained good relations with BNP members, facing no resistance after reopening. Police said they visited the site after the video spread online but found the office locked. Authorities are attempting to identify those involved and have pledged legal action once they are located.

Aminul Islam, the newly appointed Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, pledged to assist the tribunal’s ongoing and upcoming trials in line with the aspirations of the July martyrs. He made the statement on Monday during a press briefing at the tribunal premises after formally assuming his new role. Islam emphasized that those who have not committed any wrongdoing will not face harassment from the prosecution, while genuine offenders will receive due punishment. Responding to a question from journalists about whether the tribunal’s pace might slow under the new government, Islam expressed optimism that the trials would proceed even faster under an elected administration. Earlier in the day, he officially took charge at the Chief Prosecutor’s office, where outgoing Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam welcomed him with flowers. His remarks underscored a commitment to fairness and efficiency in the tribunal’s judicial process, signaling continuity and renewed momentum in the prosecution of war crimes cases.

Advocate Talukder Md. Yunus, general secretary of Barishal District Awami League, has been granted bail in a case over the vandalism of BNP’s district and metropolitan offices and the assault of its activists. The bail was approved on Monday afternoon by Judge Sarafatullah of the Barishal Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The case was filed after political changes in August 2024, concerning an attack that took place on January 5, 2017, during protests against an allegedly illegal election. The case, filed by BNP leader Sarowar Alam, named Sadiq Abdullah as the prime accused and listed 213 individuals. Most of the accused remain absconding, though several Awami League leaders, including former MP Jebunnesa Afroz and others, have already received bail. Assistant Public Prosecutor Hafiz Ahmed Bablu expressed shock and anger at the repeated bail approvals, questioning how Yunus obtained bail despite multiple ongoing political cases. Yunus’s lawyer, Advocate Kaiyum Hossain, stated that the court granted bail considering his client’s illness and the nature of the case, allowing him to remain free until trial.

The High Court has issued a rule and ordered an investigation into alleged recruitment irregularities at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project following a report published in the newspaper Amar Desh. The order came after a public interest writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Sakina Begum was heard by the bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar. The court directed the formation of a high-level committee led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology to submit a full investigation report within eight weeks. The Amar Desh report, published on August 27 of the previous year, alleged that several key positions at the Rooppur project were filled through non-transparent processes, fake certificates, and favoritism. It raised questions about the professional qualifications and experience of some appointees. The petition argued that despite serious allegations, authorities had failed to initiate an effective inquiry, prompting judicial intervention. The court instructed that the investigation review the transparency of the recruitment process, verification of candidates’ qualifications, administrative approvals, and compliance with relevant policies to ensure accountability and integrity in the project’s staffing practices.

An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after attempting to illegally enter former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, according to the Secret Service. Officials said the suspect, identified as Austin T. Martin of Cameron, North Carolina, breached the secured perimeter carrying a shotgun and a container of fuel. No security personnel were injured, and Trump was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the incident. Authorities reported that Secret Service agents ordered Martin to drop his items, but he allegedly pointed the shotgun before being shot. The FBI has launched an investigation, collecting evidence from the scene and reviewing whether the weapon was purchased en route from North Carolina. Law enforcement confirmed that Martin had no prior criminal record and no link to previous attacks targeting Trump. Following the incident, Secret Service Director Sean Curran visited the site and announced steps to strengthen security vigilance. The Mar-a-Lago estate remains under tight two-tier protection involving both local police and Secret Service agents.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 41 bank accounts belonging to former acting mayor of Gazipur City Corporation Asadur Rahman (Kiran) and his family. The accounts reportedly hold a total of 3,725,934 taka. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, according to court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s Deputy Director, Alomgir Hossain, filed the petition seeking to block the accounts, citing that unusually large and suspicious sums were deposited under the names of Kiran and his family members. The petition stated that the funds were allegedly obtained through misuse of power, irregularities, and corruption during Kiran’s tenure. The court was told that there was a risk the money could be withdrawn and transferred abroad or concealed. After a hearing, the judge approved the request to freeze the accounts pending further investigation.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet, built with indigenous technology, was involved in an accident on February 7 at a key military base, according to an IAF statement released on Monday. The single-seat aircraft was returning from a training flight when its brakes failed during landing, causing it to veer off the runway and sustain damage. The pilot ejected safely, and no casualties were reported. The Tejas, developed by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was formally inducted into the IAF on January 17, 2015. The crashed jet belonged to a batch of about 30 single-seat Tejas aircraft currently in service. Following the incident, all aircraft from the same batch have been temporarily grounded for inspection. This marks the third Tejas crash to date. The first occurred in March 2024 near Jaisalmer, and the second during the Dubai Air Show, which resulted in the death of Wing Commander Naman Sale. The February 7 crash is the latest in this sequence.