Another 175 Bangladeshi nationals returned home from Libya on Thursday. They arrived at Dhaka at 8am on a Burak Air chartered flight, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The repatriation was coordinated by the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Most of the returnees had entered Libya with the intention of traveling illegally to Europe via human traffickers. Officials from the foreign ministry and the IOM welcomed the returnees at the airport and requested them to share their difficult experiences to raise public awareness.

About 25,000 children in Kunar province are still living in makeshift tents six months after a devastating earthquake struck the region, international aid group Save the Children said on Thursday. According to its report, families are using traditional wood- or coal-burning heaters inside tarpaulin shelters to stay warm, which increases the risk of fire. More than half of nearly 1,300 classrooms assessed were either completely or partially destroyed. Even before the disaster, around 50,000 primary school-aged children in Kunar — the worst-hit province — were already out of school, the report noted. A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan on August 31 last year, causing widespread devastation mainly in Kunar and becoming one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country’s recent history.

China and Germany on Wednesday pledged to strengthen ties despite major differences, including over Russia’s war in Ukraine, as both sides seek stability in a turbulent global environment. The commitment came as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met separately in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. He also noted that the world is facing the most profound changes since World War II. Merz responded that while challenges and disagreements exist, both countries should focus on shared interests and tackle global challenges together. On his first China visit since taking office in May, Merz highlighted Beijing’s key role in addressing global issues, including the Ukraine conflict.

Addressing the meeting, the minister said passenger pressure on river routes rises sharply during Eid, making safety and comfort a top priority. Carrying extra passengers or cargo, as well as allowing passengers on launch rooftops, will be strictly prohibited. Approved fare charts must be visibly displayed at all river ports, terminals, ghats and on vessels. Mobile courts will operate regularly at ferry ghats, launch terminals and speedboat stations. Adequate BRTC feeder bus services will be arranged to facilitate onward travel from launch and ferry terminals.

The government has decided to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000, in line with the BNP’s electoral manifesto pledge. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held on Thursday at the secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani told reporters after the meeting. He said the government approved the waiver of agricultural loans — along with accrued interest — up to Tk10,000 in the crop, fisheries and livestock sectors. He added that the waiver is also expected to improve farmers’ credit records, allowing them to access low-interest agricultural loans from banks in the future and reduce reliance on high-interest informal lenders. Officials recalled that during the 1991–1996 tenure of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, agricultural loans of up to Tk5,000 were waived, which helped ease farmers’ hardships and contributed to increased agricultural production.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - International Master (IM) Mohammad Fahad Rahman and IM Manon Reja Neer have advanced to the final of the Spectrum Bangladesh National Cup Chess eliminating their respective rivals in the semifinal play-off matches held at Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room today (Thursday). In the semi-final playoff matches, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman faced FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia in a thrilling contest. The match was ultimately decided in a sudden-death game, where IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman secured victory against FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia to book his place in the final. On the other hand, Manon Reja Neer advanced to the final after getting walkover against IM Minhaj Uddin in his playoff match. The final will be held tomorrow (Friday) at the same venue at 2 pm.

Rony, Naim star in Central's victory over East Zone in BCLDHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - Opener Naim Sheikh and Abu Haider Rony struck two contrasting fifties as Central Zone thrashed East Zone by five wickets in their second match in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day format tournament today at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra. Asked to bat first, East Zone piled up a challenging 237-9 but Central Zone got over the line with incredible ease, reaching 240-5 for a victory. Opener Naim Sheikh provided the platform with 98 ball-83, a knock studded by five fours and two sixes. Earlier, most of the East Zone batter got the desired start but couldn't convert it to big knock which denied them posting a healthy total. Rakibul Hasan claimed 3-27 to be the standout bowler from Central Zone while Taskin Ahmed and Ripon Mondol grabbed two wickets apiece.

DHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - Liton Das hit an unbeaten half-century as North Zone secured a six-wicket victory over South Zone in low-scoring game of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day format at Rajshahi Divisional Stadium today. Put into bat first, South Zone were bowled out for 144 in 30.5 overs, a total North Zone overhauled in just 25.4 overs, reaching 145-4, thanks to an 55 not out from Liton. This was North Zone’s second straight victory, having earlier thrashed East Zone by 54 runs. South Zone pacer Mustafizur Rahman, however, jolted North Zone with a brilliant bowling with the new ball, giving the side a glimmer of hope to win the game despite paltry total on the board. He claimed three wickets in his first two overs, leaving North Zone to a precarious 37-3 in just fifth over.

However, mango orchard areas have decreased in Rajshahi district this year, while they have expanded in Naogaon. Nearly all mango trees in the Rajshahi region have produced blossoms to varying degrees this season. In Rajshahi district, mango orchards cover 19,062 hectares, down from 19,603 hectares last year—a reduction of 541 hectares. Chapainawabganj has 37,487 hectares of mango orchards, slightly down from 37,504 hectares last year—a reduction of 17 hectares. Kazi Zulfikar Ali, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Rajshahi, said farmers are cutting down mango trees mainly because profitability has declined.

LONDON, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The economic impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs was "much lower" than expected last year, Europe's development bank said Thursday, as it raised its growth forecast for 2026. But for countries where the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development operates, these developments will only bring "very limited" changes, chief economist Beata Javorcik told AFP. "The impact of the US tariffs for our countries of operation has been limited, much lower than anticipated," Javorcik said. In its latest report released on Thursday, the EBRD forecast growth to accelerate to 3.6 percent this year and rise further to 3.7 percent in 2027. "There are some countries that potentially could gain to see lower tariffs, like Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova or Tunisia, but overall the picture is unchanged," Javorcik said.

Bangladesh shines in US apparel market despite overall import declineDHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - Despite an overall contraction in the United States apparel import market in 2025, Bangladesh registered strong growth, reinforcing its position as a key supplier to the world’s largest consumer market. According to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), total US apparel imports stood at $77.88 billion during January–December 2025, marking a 1.74 percent decline compared to the same period in 2024. Among other major suppliers to the US market in 2025, Vietnam accounted for 21.50 percent of total apparel imports, followed by China with 13.66 percent. While China continues to lose ground in the US apparel market, Bangladesh and Vietnam displayed similar trends in terms of value growth, unit price movement and volume performance. The data also show that growth in the second half of 2025 was weaker than in the first half for the overall US apparel market.

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Photo: PMODHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) – At the instruction of the Prime Minister, the government has decided to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including accrued interest, benefiting 12 lakh farmers across the country. According to the Cabinet Secretary, around 12 lakh farmers will directly benefit from the decision. Both the principal amount—up to Tk 10,000—and the full accrued interest on such loans will be waived. The Cabinet Secretary noted that the immediate impact of the loan waiver could include reduced rural-to-urban migration and easing rural inflationary pressures. According to Bangladesh Bank, as of February 25, farmers owed approximately Tk 1,550 crore, including interest, to public commercial banks, specialised banks and private commercial banks.

A cabinet meeting held in the conference room of the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo : PMODHAKA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - A cabinet meeting was held in the conference room of the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat here today. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting, said Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly.

Amid the tense backdrop of his appointment, Bangladesh Bank’s new Governor Mostaqur Rahman has made his first visit to the finance minister, following preliminary discussions with senior central bank officials. He went to Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury’s office at 3:34pm on Thursday. Accompanied by Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarak, Mostaqur later held a private meeting with Khosru while Mobarak waited nearby.