The leader of Myanmar’s Arakan Army, Twan Mrat Naing, has sent a congratulatory message to Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman. According to officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the first time the armed group has extended such greetings to a Bangladeshi foreign minister. The message expressed hope that under Rahman’s leadership, both sides would continue working together to find practical, sustainable, and realistic solutions to shared issues.

Twan Mrat Naing, who also chairs the United League of Arakan, wrote that the current goodwill between Bangladesh and Arakan could serve as a foundation for building a new kind of friendship. The message reflects a gesture of cooperation from the Arakan side at a time of political transition in Bangladesh’s foreign affairs leadership.

Earlier, Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Than Shwe had also sent congratulations to Khalilur Rahman the day after he was sworn in, marking continued diplomatic communication between the two neighboring countries.

A compromise meeting was held in Barishal on Thursday between judges and lawyers to ease the ongoing court deadlock following the arrest of Barishal District Lawyers Association president and former BNP convening committee member Sadikur Rahman Linkon. Lawyers had been boycotting all court proceedings since Thursday morning, demanding his release. The boycott caused a three-day disruption in court activities, leaving litigants in severe distress.

According to sources, the Metropolitan Sessions Judge met with three non-accused lawyers to discuss a resolution. Both sides reportedly agreed to pursue a settlement, with assurances that Linkon’s bail and related issues would be discussed with the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court has already issued show-cause notices to 12 accused lawyers. Joint security forces were deployed in large numbers around the court premises to maintain order amid heightened tension.

If Linkon’s bail and case withdrawal proceed as expected on Sunday, normal court operations are likely to resume, sources indicated.

Barrister Rumin Farhana, Member of Parliament for Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj and two unions of Bijoynagar), has issued demi-official (DO) letters requesting the excavation of 15 canals in her constituency. The letters were sent on Thursday, February 26, 2026, to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and the Ministry of Water Resources, urging prompt action on the matter.

In the letter to the Disaster Management and Relief Minister, she sought excavation of canals including Bemalia Khal in Bijoynagar, Dagrisal Khal and Bhabanipur Khal in Ashuganj, and several others in Sarail. The letter to the Water Resources Minister requested excavation of canals such as Deora Boro Khal, Lakhou River, Jafar Khal, and others across Sarail, Ashuganj, and Bijoynagar. The initiative aims to improve water flow and benefit local farmers, fishers, and residents.

According to the letters, the canal excavation is expected to bring significant advantages to the local population by enhancing agricultural and livelihood conditions.

China will begin their title defense in the Women's Asian Cup on March 3 against Bangladesh in Group B, with the tournament starting in Australia on March 1. The Chinese team, nine-time Asian Cup champions and former FIFA World Cup and Olympic runners-up, are considered the strongest opponents in Bangladesh’s group. Bangladesh, ranked 112th in FIFA rankings, will be making their debut in the competition, while China currently holds the 17th position.

Chinese coach Ante Milicic stated that his team will approach the match with respect for Bangladesh, acknowledging their first-ever appearance in the Asian Cup. Since winning the 2022 title, China’s women’s team has struggled in major tournaments, exiting the 2023 World Cup in the group stage and missing the Paris Olympics. They also suffered an 8–0 defeat to England in a friendly last November.

Milicic said the team has worked hard to prepare for the upcoming tournament and is now focused on performing well in the main competition.

At least 14 people, including children, were injured after being bitten by several rabid dogs in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari district on Wednesday evening. Four of the victims, who were seriously injured, were sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. The situation worsened as the upazila health complex ran out of rabies vaccines, leaving the injured in distress.

According to locals, the dogs attacked people in different markets between 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., spreading panic across the area. One of the dogs was later beaten to death by residents. Victims and their families complained that they had to buy vaccines from private pharmacies at high prices due to the unavailability at the hospital. The upazila health officer confirmed that the health complex had no vaccine stock and advised patients to seek treatment at the district hospital.

Local residents expressed deep concern over the sudden dog attacks and vaccine crisis, urging authorities to ensure immediate vaccine supply and take effective measures to control stray dogs.

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Md. Nahid Islam warned that no new autocracy would be allowed to emerge in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at the first founding anniversary of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti held at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka. Nahid Islam said students have always stood by the state and the people during national crises, but political parties repeatedly betrayed them after movements.

He recalled that students played a decisive role in the 1990 uprising against autocracy, yet their expectations were not fulfilled, and a similar pattern was visible after the 2024 uprising. Nahid accused the government of interfering in the judicial process, alleging that the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal was removed without cause and that witnesses were being pressured. He also criticized the appointment of a new Bangladesh Bank governor, claiming the previous one was ousted by mob pressure.

Nahid further alleged that election results were manipulated through engineering and that the ruling party was trying to control parliament and the judiciary. He warned that any attempt to establish a new dictatorship would be resisted.

The Bangladesh Army has announced a new round of high-level transfers involving six senior officers. The order was issued from Army Headquarters on Thursday, February 26, 2026, according to an army source. This follows an earlier reshuffle on February 22, when six other officers were reassigned to new positions.

Under the latest changes, Lieutenant General Mohammad Shaheenul Haque, Commandant of the National Defence College, has been appointed Quartermaster General, while Lieutenant General Md Faizur Rahman, the current Quartermaster General, will take over as Commandant of the National Defence College. Major General Nasim Parvez, Commandant of the Military Institute of Science and Technology, has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Major General Mohammad Hossain Al Morshed, GOC of the 19th Infantry Division, becomes Adjutant General, replacing Major General Hakimuzzaman, who will now serve as Commandant of MIST. Major General Md Kamrul Hasan, GOC of the 66th Infantry Division, has been posted to the Dhaka Cantonment Logistic Area.

The February 22 reshuffle included the appointment of Lieutenant General Mainur Rahman as Chief of General Staff and the transfer of Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as ambassador.

A man named Sheikh Sohel, 45, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Afil Gate area under Khanjahan Ali Police Station in Khulna on Thursday afternoon. According to local sources, Sohel was sitting at a motorcycle garage when attackers arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire, leaving him dead on the spot. He was the son of Bacchu Sheikh from the same area and was involved in internet service and fish farming businesses.

Police from Khanjahan Ali Station recovered the body and began an initial investigation, while a CID team collected evidence and verified information at the scene. Officer-in-Charge Hawlader Sanwar Hossain Mashum confirmed that Sohel was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants and that senior police officials were present during the investigation.

Authorities stated that the deceased was a member of the extremist group Purbo Bangla Communist Party and had multiple murder cases filed against him. The investigation into the killing is ongoing.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested Mohammad Al Said, the Project Implementation Officer of Sonagazi Upazila in Feni, along with his office assistant, for allegedly taking bribes. The arrest took place on Thursday at the local Project Implementation Office, where an eight-member ACC team conducted a raid and caught them red-handed with bribe money.

According to ACC Noakhali regional office Deputy Director Md Faruk Ahmed, the officials were detained with Tk 1 lakh in cash during the operation. He also stated that Mohammad Al Said had previously taken Tk 5 lakh from various projects in Sonagazi and demanded Tk 12 lakh in bribes for the construction of five bridges in the area.

The ACC official confirmed that the suspects have been detained, necessary paperwork is being processed, and they will be handed over to the police for further legal action.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam warned that people would take to the streets if the already settled issue of police killing during the July uprising was reopened for debate. He made the statement on Thursday afternoon at the first founding anniversary of NCP’s student wing, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, held at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka. Nahid Islam said that any renewed investigation into the police killing must first ensure justice for those injured or killed during the uprising.

He accused the current government of acting like the previous Awami League administration in matters such as vote engineering and warned against the rise of new authoritarianism. Nahid alleged interference in the International Crimes Tribunal, including the removal of its chief prosecutor without cause, and claimed that witnesses and victims were under pressure. He emphasized that the tribunal must operate independently and that victims and witnesses must be protected.

Nahid also announced that NCP leaders would soon travel across the country to engage with students, asserting that students are the driving force behind the party’s reform movement and must safeguard democratic rights on campuses.

The High Court has granted bail to former MP Abdur Rahman Bodi of Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya-Teknaf constituency in a murder case related to the July-August incidents. Former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy also received six months of interim bail in five separate cases involving murder allegations. Following these developments, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem expressed strong criticism on Thursday, February 26, through a verified Facebook post.

In his post, Kayem accused the authorities of releasing what he termed as ‘public enemies’ while detaining July movement activists. He warned that ignoring the ‘Protection Ordinance’ and using police murder investigations to erase the July movement was a dangerous move. He further alleged that after a sudden change in the Bangladesh Bank governor’s position, institutions controlled by government-linked individuals were receiving undue advantages.

Kayem cautioned that continuing such practices would lead the nation toward subjugation and urged for wisdom to prevail, warning that no one would escape accountability in history’s judgment.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern over whether the newly appointed governor of Bangladesh Bank can perform his duties independently and free from conflicts of interest. In a statement issued on Thursday, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman questioned the impartiality of a governor who is a businessman involved in the ready-made garment and housing sectors, and who previously rescheduled loans for his own enterprises. TIB noted that the appointment was made hastily and raised doubts about the governor’s ability to act independently of business lobbies and loan defaulters.

The statement further highlighted that a large portion of parliament members and cabinet ministers are businesspersons, many of whom are loan defaulters. TIB warned that appointing a businessperson with a history of loan rescheduling to lead the central bank could send a negative signal nationally and internationally. The organization also argued that the appointment contradicts the ruling party’s electoral pledge to ensure good governance and transparency in the banking sector.

TIB cautioned that the decision could undermine efforts to restore stability, curb inflation, and strengthen financial discipline, especially at a time when the economy faces significant challenges.

Uttara Region continued their dominant run in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) with a six-wicket victory over South Region in Rajshahi on February 26, 2026. Batting first, South Region collapsed early, losing four wickets for just 19 runs before Mohammad Mithun’s 55 off 79 balls helped them reach 144. Meherob Hasan and Nahid Rana each took three wickets for Uttara. In reply, Uttara chased down the 145-run target with six wickets in hand, led by Liton Das’s 55 off 65 balls and Towhid Hridoy’s 33 off 46. Mustafizur Rahman claimed three wickets for 23 runs for South Region.

In another match in Bogura, Central Region defeated East Region by five wickets. East Region posted 237 for nine, with Zakir Hasan scoring 45 and Rakibul Hasan taking three wickets for 27 runs. Central reached the target with 27 balls remaining, powered by Naim Sheikh’s 83 and Abu Hider Rony’s quickfire 66 off 42 balls.

With this win, Uttara Region moved a step closer to the BCL final and will face Central Region in their final league match.

Road Transport, Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said the ministry is working to ensure accountability in the road sector. Speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Thursday about road safety during Eid travel, he emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining safe roads and addressing irregularities in transport oversight.

Responding to a question about toll collection, the minister explained that he personally contributes to various organizations such as mosque committees and associations, which he described as legitimate. He clarified that while truck owners’ associations may collect funds for their welfare, any unauthorized roadside toll collection is illegal. He urged anyone aware of such illegal practices to report them so that necessary action can be taken.

Regarding preparations for Eid travel, Sheikh Robiul Alam said the ministry aims to ensure a smooth travel experience. Although there have been no major changes in the transport sector or living standards, he stated that efforts are being made to make travel conditions more effective and comfortable for passengers.

An unapproved LPG filling station owned by an Awami League leader exploded in Cox’s Bazar’s Kalatali area on Wednesday night, injuring at least 15 people and damaging over 50 nearby houses and shops. The newly built ‘N Alam Filling Station’ caught fire while gas was being unloaded. Fire service, army, BGB, police, and air force units jointly brought the blaze under control after seven hours of effort.

Ten of the injured were admitted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, while six were later transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital and Dhaka’s Burn Institute for advanced treatment. A three-member investigation committee led by Additional District Magistrate Mohammad Shahidul Alam has been formed and has already visited the site.

Fire officials stated that the station was operating without approval or safety measures and that legal action would be taken against its owner, Nurul Alam, who is known to be active in Awami League politics. Local authorities confirmed that several houses and vehicles were damaged before the fire was contained.