However, handmade puffed rice, produced mostly by women in Tangail district, is drawing increasing attention countrywide for its unique taste. In Daulatpur village of Kalihati upazila, nearly 200 families are engaged in producing handmade puffed rice throughout the year. Using clay stoves, large iron works and wooden stirrers, families produce puffed rice in a traditional way. With assistance from her husband and son, she produces between 25 and 30 kilograms of puffed rice daily. Call for government supportDespite the growing demand, producers say they have yet to receive government assistance.

The government has divided portfolios between the two state ministers assigned to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, the Ministry of Railways, and the Ministry of Shipping. A notification issued Wednesday by the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges confirmed the allocation. According to the notification, Habibur Rashid will be responsible for the Road Transport and Highways Division as well as the Ministry of Railways. The cabinet, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, comprises 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers, in addition to the prime minister. Under the Rules of Business, the prime minister is responsible for assigning portfolios to ministers and state ministers.

Reading time: about 5 minutesThere is no feeling quite like nostalgia when watching films. I love watching movies and being hit by a wave of yearning for different, better days. However, I’ve realized that some of my favorite films involve a different type of nostalgia: longing to experience a time in which I’ve never lived. In modern films, producers use a variety of techniques to place films in past decades, from physical appearances to film grain and coloring. These production techniques create a haziness to films that bring the past to life, transporting contemporary viewers into past generations.

Photo: PMODHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said his government will further modernise and consolidate the border force so that its members can carry out their duties with patriotism and professional excellence. On issues concerning the country, we will further modernise and consolidate the border force. And our (border force) members will perform their duties with patriotism and professional excellence," he said. Referring to the historic roots of the border force, he said that they are embedded in the nation's independence. Later, the premier said, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman placed special emphasis on strengthening the border force through infrastructural development and reforms.

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Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend its iftar programme along with his family. The invitation was formally extended on Wednesday when Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar handed over the invitation letter to the prime minister at the Secretariat. The prime minister cordially accepted the invitation and assured that he would attend, according to party leaders. At one point, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spoke over the phone with Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition, inquiring about his health. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim was also present during the meeting and subsequent press briefing.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) – This year the minimum fitra rate has been fixed at Taka 110, while and maximum at Taka 2,805 per person. The decision was taken at the National Fitra Fixation Committee meeting held in the conference room of the Islamic Foundation at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here this morning. President of National Fitra Fixing Committee and Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Maulana Mufti Abdul Maleque presided over the meeting, an Islamic Foundation press release said. Last year, the minimum amount of fitra was also fixed at Taka 110 and maximum Taka 2,805 per person. The fitra has been fixed as per the current market price of flour, barley, dates, raisin and cheese collected from all the divisions.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) - Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, who led a delegation of EU representatives, met with Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at his office at Bangladesh Secretariat today. During the meeting, the two sides discussed in details various aspects of trade, investment and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the European Union. The Commerce Minister said the European Union is an important trading partner for Bangladesh and the government will continue working to further strengthen bilateral trade relations in the coming years, said a Commerce Ministry press release. Ambassador Michael Miller said the European Union is keen to further enhance trade relations with Bangladesh. The EU delegation included the Ambassadors of Spain, Denmark, France, Sweden, Italy and Germany, as well as EU Trade Adviser Abu Sayeed Belal.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Shinichi Saida today paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the Foreign Ministry. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Shinichi Saida conveyed the invitation during a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the Foreign Ministry here on Tuesday, said a foreign ministry's press release today. During the meeting, the Ambassador congratulated Dr. Rahman on his assumption of office and reiterated Japan's commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation. Dr. Rahman underscored the importance of improving access to information and proposed the development of a digital matchmaking platform to facilitate recruitment of skilled Bangladeshi workers by Japanese employers. Earlier in the day, Ambassador Saida also paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman -File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to distribute Ekushey Padak 2026 at a ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium here at 11 am tomorrow. Earlier, the government announced the names of nine eminent citizens and one music band for the country's second-highest civilian award Ekushey Padak 2026 in recognition of their outstanding contribution in various fields. The recipients are: Farida Akhtar Babita (Film), Professor Md Abdus Sattar (Fine Arts), Marina Tabassum (Architecture), Ayub Bachchu (Music), Arthy Ahmed (Dance), Islam Uddin Palakar (Palagan), Shafik Rehman (Journalism), Professor Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar (Education), Tejosh Haldar Josh (Sculpture), and Warfaze (Music Band).

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali has stepped down from his post amid a reshuffle in the police ranks after the new government assumed office. Sazzat sent a letter to the Police Headquarters, requesting to be relieved of his duties, citing “personal and family reasons”. “My contract runs until November, but I have submitted my resignation today,” he said. The resignation comes a day after a reshuffle at the top of the police administration, including changes to the post of inspector general of police.

The primary scholarship examination, postponed last year over legal complications, will be held in the first week of April ahead of Eid ul-Azha. Students from private schools and kindergartens will join the competition, bdnews24.com reports. According to the minister, until last year, the primary scholarship exam was designated only for students of government primary schools. The general scholarship will provide a one-time payment of Tk 225 and a monthly stipend of Tk 225. Of them, 33,000 will receive talent pool scholarships and 49,500 general scholarships.

Newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman has signalled that “restoring trust” in the banking sector will be his top priority, alongside efforts to lower interest rates. Commenting on his vision for the central bank, Mostaqur said: “As you know, the economy and the banking sector face challenges. “God willing, I will first sit in the bank, consult with everyone, and with cooperation, focus on the primary task -- trust-building in banking, restoring discipline. Credit growth is slowing, as you know, so we will work to lower interest rates and stimulate lending.”Mostaqur is the first businessman in Bangladesh’s history to become central bank governor. Before his appointment, he served as chairman of the Bangladesh Bank Standing Committee under the BGMEA, representing garment exporters since July 2025.

COLOMBO, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Sri Lanka's criminal investigators arrested the country's former intelligence chief on Wednesday in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 279 people, police said. Sallay, who was promoted to State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief in 2019 after Gotabaya Rajapaksa became president, had been accused of involvement in the coordinated suicide bombings, a charge he has denied. Two days after the bombings, Rajapaksa declared his candidacy and went on to win the November vote in a landslide after promising to stamp out Islamist extremism. In the aftermath, officials blamed a local jihadist group for the suicide bombings on three churches and three hotels, but Sallay was also accused of orchestrating the attack. The UN has asked Sri Lanka to publish parts of previous inquiries into the bombings that were withheld from the public.

Reading time: about 6 minutesDearest Gentle Reader,It has come to the author’s attention that Her Majesty the Queen has once again chosen eight ‘Diamonds of the Season’. College of Architecture, Art and PlanningHowever, CALS is not the only inventor of the season; let this author present to you AAP. College of Arts and SciencesAs of late, there have been scandalous accounts of suitors changing their very selves to succeed in courtship this season. Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public PolicyOur final Diamond in contest: The Brooks School. Tis’ I shan’t allow there to be eight diamonds this season.