Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - The Ministry of Labour and Employment today held a workshop in the capital to finalize its action plan for implementing the government's electoral manifesto 2026. According to an official handout, the ministry presented a 22-point action plan at the workshop, held at its conference room in Dhaka. The ministry also aims to formulate a comprehensive labour policy, enact child labour legislation and eliminate forced labour in line with the Bangladesh Labour Act by June 30, 2026. The workshop further set a deadline of August 30, 2026, for operationalizing the Directorate of Employment to launch government-run employment exchanges at district and upazila levels. In addition, participants decided that the National Employment Strategy paper would be enacted and relevant committees formed in line with the National Employment Policy 2022 by June 30, 2026.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman today pinned the rank badge of ‘Major General’ on new Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury. Photo : ISPRDHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman today pinned the rank badge of ‘Major General’ on new Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury at a ceremony at the Armed Forces Division (AFD) in Dhaka Cantonment here. A release of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate said this afternoon. Adviser in Charge at the Ministry of Defence Brigadier General (retd) Shamsul Islam, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan were also present on the occasion, the ISPR added.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 23 (BSS) - Foreign Minister (FM) Dr. Khalilur Rahman today said Dhaka seeks to build mutually beneficial relations with every country and strengthen partnerships on the basis of equality and respect, while firmly upholding national sovereignty and non-interference principles. The Foreign Minister said the government has begun consultations with Bangladesh's ambassadors posted abroad to brief them on the outline of its foreign policy. Khalilur Rahman said Dhaka is committed to fostering mutually beneficial relations with all countries and enhancing cooperation grounded in equality and mutual respect. The Foreign Minister voiced hope that Bangladesh would be able to deepen ties with countries in the region and other friendly nations across the globe.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, MP, spoke at a views-exchange meeting held in the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner's conference room. Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu MP has said that gaining people's trust is the main goal of the present government. The Rangpur Divisional Commissioner's Office organised the meeting presided over by Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam. The Disaster Management and Relief Minister said that Rangpur division has been facing various challenges for a long time. The Disaster Management and Relief Minister said that the officials and employees of the republic will follow government orders.

Md Aminul Islam, the newly appointed chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), has pledged to ensure that offenders face the full force of the law while protecting the innocent from harassment. Speaking after formally taking over from his predecessor, Md Tajul Islam, on Monday, he underscored the prosecution’s responsibility to act with integrity, fairness and impartiality. Asked whether he had received any instructions or directives from the law minister or government officials, Aminul said: “The tribunal operates strictly under the law. Nothing beyond it can be acceptable, and no directive outside the law will be acceptable during my tenure. He also expressed gratitude to the late president Ziaur Rahman, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

I was born in the 1980s, only a few years after Myanmar’s military regime stripped the Rohingya of citizenship. Today, as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) weighs Myanmar’s responsibility for genocide, international law has become my last remaining hope for justice. Human rights groups have documented forced recruitment, village burnings, and killings by both sides. The question before the world is simple: Will international law protect a people facing erasure -- or merely record their disappearance? Since 2012, he has been documenting human rights violations carried out by the Myanmar authorities against the Rohingya in Myanmar.

A woman who suffered burns in a gas explosion at a Chattogram Halishahar flat has died on the way to Dhaka. The victim, 40-year-old Nurjahan Akter Rani, had suffered 100 percent burns, doctors said. On Monday evening, nine burn victims were transferred from Chattogram Medical College Hospital to the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka. Rani, Pakhi, and Sakhawat suffered 100 percent burns, Shipon 80 percent, Sumon and Shawon 45 percent, Aiman and Anas 25 percent, and Ayesha 20 percent. Alamgir Hossain, deputy assistant director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence (Zone-1), told bdnews24.com: “It appears gas had accumulated in the kitchen.

Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, president of the Sylhet district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been appointed administrator of the Sylhet City Corporation. The government earlier removed the mayor and councillors elected to Sylhet City Corporation on August 5, 2024. Qayyum Chowdhury was elected Sylhet district BNP president on March 29, 2022. In the 13th National Parliament election, he sought BNP nomination for the Sylhet-3 constituency, comprising South Surma and Fenchuganj upazilas. Speaking to reporters, Qayyum Chowdhury said he would fulfill the responsibility entrusted to him by the party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS)- Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said that even though administrators have been appointed, local government elections will be held at the right time. He said according to the established government procedures, some local bodies’ terms yet to end while some of have expired. The minister made these remarks in response to journalists' questions about whether local government elections are being delayed due to the appointment of administrators in 6 city corporations. Fakhrul arrived at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan at 10:30 am today. This was his first visit to the BNP office since taking charge as the Local Government Minister.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today presided over the meeting at his special meeting room at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo : PMODHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today chaired an inter-ministerial meeting on launching 'Farmer Card' aimed at ensuring fair prices for crops produced by farmers. The Prime Minister presided over the meeting at his special meeting room at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat here, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told BSS.

The Secretariat of the National Parliament has submitted the voter list for reserved women’s seats for the 13th National Parliament election to the Election Commission (EC). According to sources, as per the law, the voter list for reserved women’s seats must be sent from the Parliament Secretariat to the Election Commission within three working days of the gazette publication of the election results. Under the law governing women’s seat elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is entitled to 34.66 seats, rounded to 35 seats, in the National Parliament. Regarding the election, Election Commissioner (EC) Abdur Rahmanel Masud stated that voting for the reserved women’s seats has already begun, as it is essentially an internal election for parties represented in the Parliament. The 13th National Parliament election was held on February 12, along with a referendum.

The Ministry of Law has taken a strict stance against irregularities in office attendance, warning officials and employees of disciplinary action for late arrival, unauthorised absence, or leaving office early without permission. In an office order issued on Monday, the Law and Justice Division of the ministry cited the ‘Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019’, declaring absence without permission, late attendance and early departure as punishable offences. During the month of Ramadan, officials and employees are prohibited from leaving office before 3:30pm, while after Ramadan, departure before 5:00pm will not be permitted. Besides, it has been made mandatory to record departures in the office leaving register and ensure digital attendance in accordance with the ‘Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019’. The order further warned that any violation of these rules will result in disciplinary action under the ‘Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019’ and the ‘Government Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018’.

The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain why its failure to regulate recruitment practices that discriminate on the grounds of gender and religion should not be declared unlawful and in violation of the petitioner’s constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights, and why it should not be directed to ensure that all public and private workplaces adopt non-discriminatory recruitment guidelines. The writ was filed by advocate Anamika Nahrin following the publication of a job circular dated 26 January 2026 by IBN SINA Pharmaceutical Industry PLC for the post of Executive/Senior Executive (Legal Affairs), which restricted applications to “male” and “practising Muslim” candidates only. In the petition, the petitioner contended that excluding candidates solely on the basis of gender and religion for a position involving legal and compliance functions is arbitrary, unreasonable and unrelated to the nature of the post. The rule and directions were issued by a High Court Division bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar. Senior advocates Sara Hossain and Dr Sharif Bhuiyan, along with advocates Karishma Jahan and Priya Ahsan Chowdhury, appeared for the petitioner.

The Ministry of Public Administration has instructed candidates, provisionally recommended under the freedom fighter quota in the 45th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) recruitment, to submit their freedom fighter certificates for verification. According to the notice, candidates who were temporarily recommended by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission under the freedom fighter quota in the provisional results of the 45th BCS Examination–2022 are required to fill out a prescribed form and submit their freedom fighter certificates along with other relevant documents for verification. The documents must be sent by post or delivered in person to the designated branch of the ministry by March 2. The final results of the 45th BCS examination were published on November 27 last year. A total of 1,807 candidates were provisionally declared successful and recommended by the Public Service Commission for appointment to various BCS cadres.

The United Kingdom will issue only electronic visas (e-visas) for Bangladeshi applicants from February 25, the British High Commission in Dhaka said in a message on Monday. After a visa is granted, applicants will need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to link their passport details and access their e-visa. The High Commission said it is important to verify and update this information before travelling. Travellers will be allowed to enter the UK only after their passport details are updated in their UKVI account. Further details are available at: www.gov.uk/eVisa