The Cabinet Division has directed all officials and employees of government, semi-government and autonomous institutions to strictly follow prescribed office hours in a move to strengthen good governance. Field-level officials and employees must obtain prior approval from the appropriate authority before leaving their workplace on weekly or other holidays, the letter said. On Monday, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a separate office order declaring unauthorised absence, late arrival and early departure to be punishable offences. Under the order, officials and employees are required to be present at their respective offices by 9:00am on working days and may not leave before the end of official hours. The directive further states that officials seeking to leave the office for official or urgent reasons must obtain prior permission from the head of the relevant sub-division, such as a Joint Secretary or Solicitor.

The government has reduced the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for February following a revision in the Value Added Tax (VAT) structure. In a notification issued on Tuesday, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced that the price of a widely used 12kg LPG cylinder has been lowered by Tk 15, from Tk 1,356 to Tk 1,341. At that time, BERC had set the February price of a 12kg cylinder at Tk 1,356, up from Tk 1,306 in January. The new rate, inclusive of VAT, has been fixed at Tk 108.04 per kg, down from Tk 109.29 per kg. Additionally, the price of autogas has been cut to Tk 61.86 per litre from Tk 62.14 per litre, the notification said.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the decision on whether local government elections will be held under party symbols will be taken in Parliament. “It will be decided in the Parliament,” he said when asked whether local government polls would be held with party symbols. Fakhrul came up with the remarks while talking to reporters at the Secretariat after newly appointed administrators of six city corporations joined their offices. When asked for his personal opinion as an experienced politician and minister on holding local polls with party symbols, he said there was no scope for personal views. After joining office, the six newly appointed administrators pledged to work on mosquito control, traffic congestion, road repairs and other civic issues to reduce public suffering.

In the Halishahar area of Chittagong, 40 years old Samir Ahmed, who was severely burned in a gas cylinder explosion at his home, has died while undergoing treatment. With his death, the toll from the fire has risen to three. Residential surgeon Dr Shawon Bin Rahman confirmed the death, stating that about 45% of Samir’s body had been burned. According to sources at the Burn Institute, six other people injured in the same incident in Halishahar are currently receiving treatment at the hospital. On Monday, the fire broke out following a gas cylinder explosion in a residential building in Halishahar, Chittagong.

Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam today said infrastructure projects would play a vital role in accelerating the country's economic growth, enhancing regional connectivity and expanding international trade. A three-member JICA delegation, led by its Bangladesh Office Chief Representative Ichiguchi Tomohide, attended the meeting. The projects discussed included the Matarbari Deep Sea Port Development Project, metro rail operated under the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, Chattogram-Cox's Bazar development project, construction of the second Kanchpur Bridge, second Meghna Bridge, second Gumti Bridge and the Jamuna Railway Bridge, among others. The delegation briefed the minister on the implementation status, progress, timelines and future work plans of the projects. Railways Secretary Md Fahimul Islam, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque and Shipping Secretary Dr Nurunnahar Chowdhury, among other senior officials of the concerned ministries, were present at the meeting.

The DAE official data shows that at least 92 percent sunflower cultivation was completed until February 23 in the region. Talking to BSS, farmer Abdul Haque said the main objective of sunflower cultivation is oil production. Currently, sunflower oil is selling at a minimum of Tk 250 per litre, while the cultivation cost per bigha does not exceed Tk 3,500, he added. Additional Director of DAE in Khulna Region, Md Rafiqul Islam told BSS this afternoon that 10,650 farmers have been brought under incentive support this season. “All 240 farmers also have received BARI-3 sunflower seeds, DAP and MOP fertlisers and pesticides from the government,” he said.

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed today spoke at a press briefing at the Election Commission building in Agargaon. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) – The Election Commission (EC) has formally announced the schedule for by-elections in the Sherpur-3 and Bogura-6 constituencies, fixing the date of polling for April 9. Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed disclosed the official directive today during a press briefing at the Election Commission building in Agargaon. To facilitate the democratic process in these two areas, the Election Commission Secretariat has outlined a rigorous timeline for candidates and administrative officials. According to the Senior Secretary, voting will take place on April 9 from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM without any interruption.

Three dead in US strike on boat in CaribbeanWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A US strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean Sea killed three people on Monday, the US military said. The United States began targeting alleged smuggling boats in early September, and the latest strike brings the death toll from the campaign to at least 150. US Southern Command, which is responsible for Washington's forces in the region, said the boat was "transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations." Southern Command's post on X included a video of a stationary boat being destroyed in an explosion. International law experts and rights groups say the strikes likely amount to extrajudicial killings as they have apparently targeted civilians who do not pose an immediate threat to the United States.

Russia says new US nuclear tests could spur dangerous 'domino effect'GENEVA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Moscow voiced alarm Tuesday at Washington's assertion it will resume nuclear testing to match alleged secret explosions by China and Russia, warning such a move would spark a dangerous "domino effect". Speaking before the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Russian ambassador Gennady Gatilov decried US President Donald Trump's announcement last year that his country was prepared to stage its first nuclear test since 1992. "As the president has said, the United States will return to testing on a -- quote -- 'equal basis,'" Yeaw said at the Hudson Institute think tank. The United States has also accused Russia of secretly conducting low-yield tests. "The situation around the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty remains challenging," Gatilov said, warning that "actions by the US administration... raise additional doubts about the prospects of the CTBT's entry into force".

Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen today met with LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at his office at the Secretariat. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) – Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen today met LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at his office at the Secretariat. After the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul, who is also the BNP Secretary General, told reporters that several Chinese-funded projects are currently underway in Bangladesh. The minister said Bangladesh has long been seeking a solution to the Teesta River issue. Describing Bangladesh’s relations with China as historic, Mirza Fakhrul said China is a major development partner of Bangladesh and the relationship will deepen further in the future.

In a major administrative reshuffle after the BNP took administrative office, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has appointed a new director general to its Central Intelligence Cell (CIC). The Commissioner of Taxes, Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit, Mohammod Abdur Raquib, will lead the CIC. Lutfunnahar Begum, commissioner of taxes, Dhaka Tax Zone-19, will succeed Raquib in his previous position. According to a notification issued Tuesday, Sahena Akhter, the tax commissioner of the e-Tax Management Unit, has been moved to lead the Tax Zone-19. This marks the first major reshuffle at the commissioner level under the new administration, following earlier reassignments of junior officials.

Land Minister Md Mizanur Rahman Minu visited the Citizen Care Center and the Land Ministry’s call center (16122) at the Bhumi Bhaban in the capital. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - Land Minister Md Mizanur Rahman Minu today said transparency and accountability must be ensured in land services to dispel public doubt and mistrust. “The call center needs wider publicity so that marginalised people are not deprived of land services,” he said while visiting the Citizen Care Center and the Land Ministry’s call center (16122) at the Land Bhaban in Tejgaon here. During the visit, the minister and the state minister inspected various activities of the Citizen Care Center and the call center and gave directives to modernise and improve service delivery. Senior officials of different departments under the Land Ministry were present on the occasion.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. File photoDHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that approval has been granted to withdraw 1,202 additional political harassment cases filed against opposition party leaders, activists, and individuals from various professions during the previous 17-year government tenure. He stated that earlier approval had been given to withdraw 1,006 political harassment cases. Salahuddin Ahmed clarified that only cases identified as political harassment are being considered for withdrawal. “We have taken the initiative to withdraw several more political harassment cases.

Thai army spokesman Winthai Suvaree accused Cambodia of violating their ceasefire deal, which ended three weeks of clashes. - 'Fabricated' -Neth Pheaktra said the claims that its military fired on patrolling Thai troops were "fabricated and grossly distort the facts". "Cambodian officials explicitly informed their Thai counterparts that Cambodian forces did not fire any weapons as alleged," Maly Socheata said in a statement. Under the December truce, Cambodia and Thailand pledged to cease fire, freeze troop movements and cooperate on demining efforts along their border. Since the latest round of heavy fighting, Cambodia has said Thai forces captured several areas in border provinces -- contrary to their agreements -- and has demanded their withdrawal.

The government has allocated portfolios to 10 advisers under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The notification stated that the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assigned the responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and the Rules of Business. Of the 10 advisers, five have been granted the status of full ministers, while the remaining five have been given the rank of state ministers. The 10 advisers were appointed following the swearing-in of the new Cabinet led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on February 17. On the same day, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman took the oath of office as Prime Minister alongside 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers.