BNP lawmaker Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan from Cumilla-10 constituency has instructed party activists to divorce their wives if they voted for the scale symbol, associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, during the 13th national election. He made the remarks last Tuesday at a gathering in Bagmara Bazar of Lalmai upazila. A one-minute-forty-four-second video of his speech has since circulated on social media.

In the video, Bhuiyan is heard saying that any wife who disobeys her husband or supports another party should be divorced. Addressing party members, he accused some BNP activists of hypocrisy, claiming they supported Jamaat financially and that some leaders’ wives also voted for Jamaat. He further criticized those who opposed him before the election but later sought to associate with him publicly.

Attempts to reach Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer phone calls, according to the report.

Awami League leader and former chairman Sohel Jahan Chowdhury of Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar, was released on bail on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Shortly after his release, he met with Lutfor Rahman Kajol, the newly elected BNP Member of Parliament for Cox’s Bazar-3, presenting him with a floral garland. The meeting took place in the presence of another recently bailed individual, Firoz Ahmad, along with BNP and affiliated organization leaders. Photos of the encounter quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion.

Local political observers noted that Sohel Jahan Chowdhury’s meeting with a BNP lawmaker could signal new political realignments within the upazila’s BNP circles. The event follows earlier controversy when, on January 28, Chowdhury publicly campaigned for the BNP’s election symbol, the paddy sheaf, across several areas of Eidgaon. The next morning, on January 29, he was detained from his home by a joint force.

The incident has drawn attention to shifting political dynamics in Eidgaon, where cross-party interactions are becoming increasingly visible.

Newly appointed State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque stated that Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza would be welcomed back if they are found innocent in their ongoing legal cases. He made the remarks while distributing iftar among underprivileged people at Vidyaniketan School in Pallabi, Dhaka, on February 25, 2026.

Aminul described both cricketers as legendary figures of Bangladesh and emphasized that their legal matters are part of state decisions. He said that if they face the legal process and return to the field after being cleared, the ministry will fully support their comeback. The minister reiterated that the government would remain flexible in such circumstances.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, Shakib has been unable to return from abroad and is accused in a murder case, while Mashrafe remains in hiding after his home in Narail was set on fire. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has already begun efforts to bring Shakib back to the national team.

Bangladesh Bank has reported a rise in the country’s total foreign exchange reserves, which reached 35.31 billion US dollars as of February 25, 2026. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of the central bank, on Wednesday. According to the latest data, the gross reserve stood at 35.31 billion dollars, while under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserve amounted to 30.28 billion dollars.

Just two days earlier, on February 23, the gross reserve was recorded at 34.86 billion dollars, and the BPM6-based reserve stood at 30.10 billion dollars. The net reserve is calculated following the IMF’s BPM6 standard, which deducts short-term liabilities from the total reserve to determine the actual amount.

The increase in reserves indicates a positive shift in the country’s foreign currency position, as reflected in the central bank’s latest update.

Following the cancellation of Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur’s appointment, five senior officials of the central bank were reassigned. The internal order, issued on Wednesday, transferred four directors and one additional director to new departments or offices. The reshuffle included changes between the Human Resources, Financial Institutions Inspection, and Banking Regulations and Policy departments, as well as postings to the Motijheel and Sadarghat offices. The order stated that the transfers would take immediate effect, and officials were instructed to hand over their current duties before joining their new posts.

In a separate order, the bank canceled earlier transfer orders for three officials who had been reassigned after being served show-cause notices. These included the director of the SME and Special Programs Department, an additional director from the Foreign Exchange Policy Department, and a joint director from the Banking Regulations and Policy Department.

The administrative changes come amid broader internal adjustments at Bangladesh Bank following the leadership transition.

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Habiganj-4 (Madhabpur-Chunarughat) Syed Md. Faisal declared that there will be no compromise with irregularities, corruption, or extortion. Speaking as the chief guest at a public reception organized by Madhabpur Upazila and Municipal BNP and its affiliated organizations on Wednesday afternoon, he warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in such activities. Faisal emphasized that even if his stance causes temporary discomfort, he will prioritize public interest above all.

He stated that nearly six lakh residents of Madhabpur and Chunarughat elected him with great expectations, and ensuring their peace, happiness, and security is his moral duty. Faisal also pledged to protect the rights of tea workers and members of the Hindu community, who he said have long been deprived of their due rights. He promised to create an environment where all communities can live peacefully and warned that anyone mistreating them would face legal action. He further called for collective efforts to make the area free from drugs, aligning with the BNP government’s anti-drug stance under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

An allegation has been raised against Imran Hossain Pradhan, president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal unit at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, for leading an assault on Deputy Registrar Khandaker Ehsan Habib. The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday when a group led by Imran visited the vice-chancellor’s office with various demands. Later, near the medical center, the group allegedly blocked Habib’s path, questioned his visit to the VC office, and warned him not to go there again. When Habib mentioned informing a local MP and syndicate member, Imran and another student, Hridoy, allegedly attacked him. Another deputy registrar, Aminul Islam, was also harassed when he tried to intervene.

Habib is known as a nationalist-leaning officer who previously faced multiple cases under the ICT Act and was dismissed from his job during the Awami League government for criticizing the administration on social media. He was later reinstated by court order. Attempts to contact Imran Hossain Pradhan for comment were unsuccessful.

The incident follows a February 15 allegation that some university officials tried to confine the vice-chancellor in his office.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that his government will work to strengthen and modernize Bangladesh’s national security framework to prevent future tragedies like the Pilkhana massacre. He made the statement on Wednesday, February 25, during a discussion at the Cantonment’s Multi-Purpose Hall marking the BDR Massacre Martyrs’ Day. The prime minister described the Pilkhana tragedy as a major blow to national security and said it exposed serious weaknesses in the country’s defense structure.

Rahman emphasized that remembering the Pilkhana massacre with state honor is a moral duty of the government. Speaking as both a public representative and a member of a military family, he reflected on the long struggle of the victims’ families, who had been deprived of justice for 17 years. He paid deep respect to the martyrs and praised the patience and courage of their families.

The prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that such an incident never happens again by reinforcing the country’s security institutions and modernizing the border forces.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur left office on Wednesday amid protests and ultimatums from officials. Shortly after his departure, the government canceled his appointment and named businessman Mostakur Rahman as the new governor. Mansur held an emergency press conference at 2 p.m., describing the protests as a conspiracy by vested interests. He said issues such as bank mergers, state policy, and political economy were not matters for employee organizations to debate.

Mansur explained that the merger process aimed to protect the interests of 7.6 million depositors who had been unable to withdraw their funds for two years. He alleged that a group was spreading misinformation to derail the recovery of merged banks and return them to former owners. Responding to questions about resignation demands, he said he came to serve, not for a job, and would act according to administrative procedures.

After the press conference, media outlets reported the government’s appointment of a new governor. Mansur told journalists he had not resigned but left the office after seeing the news of the new appointment on television.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has warned that his party will build a strong nationwide resistance if extortion is not stopped. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event organized by Jamaat’s Kafrul North and South units at Monipur High School in Mirpur, Dhaka, he said the people, especially the youth, voted for change in the February 12 election, but the results were altered through election engineering. He pledged to guard every polling center in the next election and defend citizens’ voting rights even at the cost of life.

Dr. Rahman stated that Jamaat will speak for the people in parliament and turn Dhaka-15 into a model constituency. He thanked the ruling party for following Jamaat’s pledges on refusing tax-free cars and government plots and for ensuring respectful repatriation of expatriate bodies. The event was chaired by Mohammad Selim Uddin, who said Jamaat aims to play a meaningful opposition role in parliament.

The gathering was attended by central and local Jamaat leaders, labor representatives, and community members from the Mirpur area.

Bangladesh’s Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque announced that students from private kindergarten schools will now be eligible to sit for the fifth-grade scholarship examination, expanding beyond government school students. The decision was made following a High Court order concerning the previous policy that limited the exam to government institutions.

At a press conference held at the Secretariat, the minister stated that the same question paper will be used for all participants. He explained that 80 percent of the scholarships will be allocated to government school students, while 20 percent will go to private kindergarten students. The minister also detailed that talent pool scholarship recipients will receive a one-time payment of 225 taka and a monthly stipend of 300 taka, while general grade recipients will receive 225 taka per month.

He added that efforts will be made to increase the number of scholarships in the coming year.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen at the minister’s office in the Secretariat on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The meeting focused on bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China. Muktadir described China as a long-standing and trusted partner and urged for increased Chinese investment in Bangladesh.

The minister highlighted challenges in fertilizer production due to gas shortages and invited Chinese investors to participate in LNG-based fertilizer projects, assuring that the government would purchase the produced fertilizer. He also called for Chinese investment in closed jute mills. Additionally, Muktadir emphasized potential cooperation in digital infrastructure, e-learning centers, and artificial intelligence development to strengthen bilateral relations.

Ambassador Yao Wen congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on its electoral victory and Muktadir on his ministerial appointment. He expressed China’s intention to expand investment in Bangladesh to create jobs and anticipated major changes under the new BNP government. The ambassador also invited the minister to visit China.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur left office on Wednesday amid protests and internal unrest among bank officials. Following his departure, the government canceled his appointment and named businessman Mostakur Rahman as the new governor. The situation inside the central bank turned chaotic as officials expelled the governor’s adviser Ahsan Ullah and security director Faruk Howlader, prompting additional police deployment.

Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Bank Officers’ Welfare Council held a protest demanding withdrawal of show-cause notices and transfers of three officials. They accused the governor of autocratic behavior and ignoring legitimate demands. Several senior officials criticized Mansur for excessive contractual appointments and questioned his leadership decisions. In response, Mansur held a press conference describing the protests as a conspiracy by vested interests and defended his policies on bank mergers and depositor protection.

Shortly after his press conference, news broke that the government had appointed a new governor. Mansur said he had not resigned but left after learning of the appointment through media reports.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will begin on Thursday, February 26, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurating the event at 2 p.m. The fair’s theme this year is “Multidimensional Bangladesh.” During the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister will also present the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025. The event will be chaired by Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque, President of Bangla Academy, with speeches from Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, and State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam.

The fair will remain open daily from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., except on holidays when it will open at 11 a.m. Entry will close at 8:30 p.m. A total of 549 publishing houses will participate, including 81 at the Bangla Academy premises and 468 at Suhrawardy Udyan, with 1,018 units in total.

Organizers aim to make this year’s fair environmentally conscious and “zero waste,” banning polythene and smoking. Stalls and materials will use eco-friendly items such as jute, cloth, and paper, with regular cleaning and mosquito control measures in place.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has described the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy as an attempt to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty and emphasized the need to commemorate it with state honor. Speaking on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at a discussion in Dhaka Cantonment marking National Martyred Soldiers Day, he said that failing to give the events of February 25 and 26 due state recognition would be an injustice to history and future generations.

Rahman paid tribute to the 74 people, including 57 army officers, who were killed in the 2009 incident, calling it a deep wound in the nation’s history. He also recalled the sacrifices of martyrs from the Liberation War, the 1990 mass movement, and the 2024 uprising. The prime minister said the government would work with the armed forces to preserve the memory of the tragedy and ensure long-term welfare for the victims’ families.

He further stated that the Pilkhana incident exposed weaknesses in national security and pledged to modernize and strengthen the country’s defense structure to align with global standards.