Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for several hours on Tuesday, according to the country’s state media. The closure was described as a partial shutdown of one of the world’s most critical oil export routes. It remains unclear whether the strait has fully resumed normal operations following the temporary restriction.

State media reported that the measure was taken to ensure the safety of maritime traffic during a military exercise conducted by Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the area. The drills coincided with the temporary closure, which officials characterized as a precautionary step.

The Strait of Hormuz holds major strategic importance for global trade and energy supply, as a significant portion of Middle Eastern oil exports pass through this narrow waterway to reach international markets.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest banking update report reveals a sharp rise in loan defaults, particularly among large borrowers. As of June last year, 48.2 percent of loans exceeding Tk 50 crore were classified as defaulted, compared to 17.1 percent during the same period in 2024. The report indicates that loan classification ratios have increased significantly across all lending categories between the 2023–24 and 2024–25 fiscal years, signaling mounting pressure on the banking sector’s loan portfolio.

The analysis shows that default rates stood at 16 percent for loans up to Tk 1 crore, 26.1 percent for loans between Tk 1 crore and Tk 10 crore, and 45.7 percent for loans between Tk 10 crore and Tk 20 crore. Sector-wise, business and trade loans had the highest default rate at 44.7 percent, followed by industrial loans at 35.9 percent and construction loans at 27 percent. The overall national default rate rose from 34.6 percent in June to 35.73 percent in September.

Bankers noted that the actual scale of defaults is now more accurately reflected, as previous underreporting during the former Awami League government has ceased. They warned that the default rate may continue to rise in the coming months.

Prices of key consumer goods have increased in markets across Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming Ramadan, with the highest jumps seen in dates, green chilies, bananas, cucumbers, and lemons. The Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) attributed the rise to reduced government monitoring and recent disruptions in product transportation, which created supply shortages. CAB’s senior vice president S.M. Nazrul Hossain said controlling the market is a major challenge for the new government, as unscrupulous traders often exploit the season.

Traders, however, blamed international price hikes and instability at Chattogram port for the increase, particularly in dates. Field visits to major Dhaka markets found Zahidi dates selling at Tk 280 per kg, up from Tk 180 last year, while green chilies rose by Tk 40 per kg. Imported fruits such as apples, oranges, and grapes also became costlier by Tk 20–60 per kg. Despite higher imports of fresh dates this fiscal year, prices remain elevated.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) said the country has sufficient stocks of edible oil, sugar, onions, and lentils, urging authorities to curb extortion in supply chains and consumers to avoid panic buying to maintain market stability.

Engineer Lutfullah El Majed Babu, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Mymensingh-8 (Ishwarganj), has announced a strict stance against irregularities in market rent collection. On the evening of February 17, he posted on his verified Facebook account that anyone collecting rent outside the approved chart or beyond legal limits would face extortion charges. He instructed that all markets in Ishwarganj must display the official rent chart and directed that marginal farmers should not be charged more than five percent.

The post quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion across Ishwarganj. Many users shared screenshots of the post, describing it as a bold and timely initiative. Within two hours, the post received over seven hundred comments, most of which welcomed the move positively. Commenters praised the MP’s commitment to transparency and accountability in local market operations.

The announcement has drawn significant local attention, with residents expressing hope that the directive will curb irregular rent practices and protect small traders and farmers from exploitation.

Former Bangladesh national football team captain and SAFF Championship winner Aminul Haque was sworn in yesterday as the state minister for youth and sports. The ceremony took place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building. With this appointment, Aminul becomes the third footballer and athlete to join the cabinet, following Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin and Arif Khan Joy. He was appointed under the technocrat quota by Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman.

Aminul Haque’s football career spanned from 1992 to 2013, during which he captained Bangladesh to the 2003 SAFF title. After retiring, he joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 2014 and faced multiple legal and political challenges during the Awami League government. Despite not winning the 2026 general election from Dhaka-16, his party entrusted him with the ministerial role due to his experience and dedication.

The BNP government expects Aminul’s leadership and deep understanding of sports to help reform the national sports sector. His appointment has raised public expectations that he will bring the same success to sports administration that he once brought to the football field.

Bogura-2 constituency’s newly elected Member of Parliament Mir Shahe Alam was sworn in on Tuesday as the State Minister for the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. The appointment ended a long wait for ministerial representation from Bogura, creating a festive atmosphere across the district.

Mir Shahe Alam, who contested under the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol, won the Bogura-2 (Shibganj) seat with 145,000 votes, defeating Jamaat candidate Abul Azad Mohammad Shahadatuzzaman, who received 93,000 votes. Known as a grassroots organizer, Alam serves as president of Shibganj Upazila BNP and vice-president of the district BNP. He was elected chairman of Shibganj Upazila Parishad in 2009. Earlier, the BNP alliance had nominated Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Nagorik Oikya, but later replaced him with Alam.

Bogura had not had a minister since 1991, when Advocate Mojibur Rahman served as state minister for finance. All seven BNP-nominated candidates in Bogura won in the recent election, including Abdul Mohit Talukdar from Bogura-3 and Morshed Milton from Bogura-7, both former upazila chairmen.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India will not obstruct the broader advancement of Bangladesh-India relations. He made the remarks in an interview with Indian newspaper The Hindu, given at the BNP’s Gulshan office in Dhaka. Fakhrul emphasized that bilateral ties should not be confined to any single issue and that Bangladesh will continue to implement its own development projects while strengthening its partnership with India.

The BNP leader stated that although there is a strong public demand in Bangladesh for Hasina to face justice for alleged human rights violations, her non-extradition should not affect trade or other areas of cooperation. He also noted that issues such as the renewal of the Ganges water-sharing treaty and border killings need to be addressed through dialogue, not conflict. Fakhrul further criticized the interim government formed after the August 2024 uprising for failing to achieve national reconciliation, citing limitations placed on Professor Muhammad Yunus by coup leaders.

Bangladesh’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will begin his first full day in office on Wednesday by paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar. He took the oath of office on Tuesday as the country’s 11th prime minister, alongside newly elected members of parliament and cabinet ministers.

According to the Cabinet Division, Rahman will lay a wreath at the memorial at 10 a.m. before heading to the Secretariat at 12:30 p.m. to begin his official duties. His first day will include meetings with senior officials, an introductory session with Cabinet Division staff, and a special meeting with new cabinet members at 3 p.m. Although no specific agenda has been set, the meeting will serve as the government’s first formal policy discussion. Later, at 4 p.m., he will meet secretaries from various ministries to outline the new administration’s priorities.

The 13th parliamentary election results show the BNP winning 209 of 297 seats, forming a clear majority to lead the new government.

Muslims in Saudi Arabia began fasting on Wednesday after the country's authorities confirmed the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon on Tuesday evening. The announcement followed sunset at 6:41 p.m. local time, when officials in the Eastern Province reported the start of the 1447 Hijri Ramadan moon sighting. Observation teams monitored the sky to verify the beginning of the holy month before the confirmation was made.

According to a report published by the English-language outlet Gulf News from the United Arab Emirates, most Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, also began fasting on Wednesday after eating their pre-dawn meal the previous night. The confirmation marked the official start of Ramadan across much of the region.

The synchronized start of fasting across Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries underscores the shared religious observance and coordination among Islamic authorities in the Middle East during the holy month.

Eighteen sealed ballot papers were discovered at Islmapur Malipara Government Primary School in Baraigram, Natore, during post-election cleaning. The acting head teacher, Champa Begum, burned the papers without informing authorities, mixing them with other documents. The incident, which occurred on Monday morning, became known in the area the following day, causing local commotion.

Champa Begum confirmed the discovery and said the ballots included six marked with the scale symbol, one with the hand fan, one with the paddy sheaf, four 'yes' votes, two 'no' votes, and four invalid ballots. She stated that she burned them thinking they were of no further use. Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Laila Jannatul Ferdous said she was aware of the matter and that action would be taken after investigation.

Local authorities have initiated a review of the incident to determine how the sealed ballots remained at the school after the election and whether any procedural lapses occurred.

The Election Commission (EC) has temporarily suspended Kallol Biswas, the Upazila Election Officer of Daulatpur in Kushtia, following allegations of embezzling government funds. The suspension order, signed by EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday, stated that a departmental case had been filed against Biswas, and an investigation found the allegations to be true. Based on the committee’s recommendation, the EC suspended him under the Government Service Act, 2018. Despite the suspension, he will continue to receive subsistence allowance and other legal benefits.

According to EC sources, the allegations involve misappropriation of VAT and tax funds related to the 12th National Parliamentary Election. The report also noted that the EC recently dismissed Faridpur’s Additional Regional Election Officer Mahfuzur Rahman and terminated Senior Assistant Secretary Sudhanshu Kumar Saha for irregularities and bribery during his tenure in Cumilla.

The EC’s recent disciplinary actions indicate a continued effort to address corruption and irregularities within the election administration.

Activists of the banned Awami League have reopened several closed party offices across Bangladesh, including in Chattogram and Barishal, defying restrictions on their political activities. In Chattogram, party members were seen reopening an office near a police station, cleaning a sculpture of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and chanting slogans. In Barishal, Chhatra League activists entered the district and city Awami League offices late at night, hung banners with pro-party messages, and left quickly. By the next morning, the banners had been removed by unknown persons.

Videos of these incidents circulated on social media, sparking widespread reaction. In Chattogram, student groups later set fire to the reopened office building after protests. Opposition figures and civic groups questioned how banned party activists could gather near police offices without intervention. Police said no arrests had been made but that they were working to identify those seen in the videos.

Political observers cited in the report said the incidents suggest renewed Awami League activity nationwide following the national election, raising concerns about potential instability if authorities fail to act decisively.

A new teachers’ organization named 'Sonali Dal' was launched at Sylhet Agricultural University (Sikribi) on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The group, composed of teachers who identify with nationalist ideals, announced its formation during a meeting at the university library. Professor Dr. M. Rashed Hasnat was elected president and Professor Dr. Md. Mashudur Rahman general secretary, with several other professors appointed to key positions.

During the meeting, the committee leaders alleged that teachers associated with the 'Sada Dal' group had instigated mob violence that injured the vice-chancellor, proctor, a hall provost, and security staff. They said the new group was formed in protest against these incidents and to uphold the university’s values. The leaders condemned recent events as premeditated and harmful to the institution’s reputation.

The statement also claimed that the long-standing 'Sada Dal' leadership had ignored calls for democratic renewal after its committee’s term expired in December. The founders of 'Sonali Dal' said their initiative aims to ensure quality improvement in education, research, and the overall academic environment at the university.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has accused the ruling party of disregarding the July reform oath, saying it reflects a stance against public aspirations. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday after the oath-taking of Jamaat and 11-party alliance MPs, he said the ruling party took only the parliamentary oath, ignoring the reform oath linked to the July referendum. He described this as disrespect toward the July movement and its ideals.

Dr. Rahman stated that the February 12 national election and referendum followed the July uprising, which had raised hopes for a fair and festive vote. He expressed disappointment that those expectations were not fully met. He added that Jamaat members took both oaths out of respect for the July mandate and democratic continuity, despite receiving late notice about the ceremony.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam also criticized interim government member Dr. Khalilur Rahman’s inclusion in the new cabinet, calling it unethical and alleging election engineering to prevent reforms.

On the first day of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh’s (TCB) discounted product sales for Ramadan, long queues and chaotic scenes were observed across multiple points in Dhaka. Crowds gathered behind TCB’s mobile trucks, with reports of pushing, shoving, and even scuffles as people tried to buy goods. Many customers left empty-handed after waiting for hours. The sales began at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and will continue until March 12, excluding Fridays and public holidays.

Witnesses at Topkhana Road, Suritola School, the Secretariat area, and Karwan Bazar reported disorderly lines and alleged favoritism in distribution. Several buyers complained that influential individuals and associates of local leaders were purchasing multiple packages, while ordinary citizens struggled to obtain any. A newspaper vendor described the process as lacking proper regulation and urged government action to restore order.

According to TCB, each truck serves 400 buyers daily, offering a package of five essential items—edible oil, lentils, sugar, chickpeas, and dates—for 590 taka. The program operates through 450 mobile trucks nationwide, including 50 in Dhaka and 20 in Chattogram.