13th Parliament to sit in first session on March 12: SalahuddinHome Minister Salahuddin Ahmed spoke to journalists after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat today. DHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS)- Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the 13th Jatiya Sangsad will sit in its first session on March 12. Election to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be first agenda of the sangsad session, he said. Home Minister said, a summary regarding the session will be sent from the National Parliament Secretariat to the Prime Minister’s Office and subsequently to the President. The President will then formally summon the parliament session in consultation with the Prime Minister.

Photo : BSSKHULNA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS)- State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam has said the government will take stringent measures against piracy in the Sundarbans. A coordinated drive will begin soon to free the mangrove forest from pirates,” he said adding the cabinet will soon take decision in this regard. Faridul Islam said this while exchanging views with stakeholders on the ‘Measures to Prevent Water Piracy in the Sundarbans’ at Khulna Circuit House Conference hall here today. Expressing deep concern over recent rise in unlawful activities of the forest-based criminals, Faridul Islam said law enforcement agencies were asked to take stringent steps for effective implementation of anti-piracy measures. But, the present government is firmly committed to curb piracy from Sundarbans.

SYLHET, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - A total of nine people were arrested in Jaflong for illegal sand mining during a Sylhet taskforce operation, with around 55,000 cubic feet of sand seized. The operation was conducted from morning to afternoon today in Jaflong, Jumpara, and Ballaghat areas. Authorities said 80-90 small wooden boats (barki) and 15 engine-powered boats used for illegal sand mining were destroyed during the raid. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Omar Faruk, with police officers, including the OC (Investigation), and members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) participating. Authorities said such operations will continue to protect rivers and the environment, with strict legal action against offenders.

DHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) – Though the overall European Union (EU) import growth has been modest over the last five years, Bangladesh has performed better than several key competitors in the EU market. During this two-year period, imports from Bangladesh grew by 5.97% to €19.41 billion. Rubel added, “Compared to China and Turkey, Bangladesh has strengthened its relative position over the long run. ”He said even though Bangladesh showed positive overall growth for the year, the second half was very tough and turned negative. However, the difference is that the negative result for Bangladesh was much stronger than for China and a few other competitors.

Approval given to withdraw 1,006 harassment cases filed during fascist rule: Home MinisterHome Minister Salahuddin Ahmed -File photoDHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said that approval has been given to withdraw 1,006 cases filed against opposition party leaders and activists during the 17 years of the previous fascist government. According to the minister, the cases were politically motivated and were used to harass opposition figures and suppress dissent. A review process was conducted before the decision was finalized, he said. The withdrawal process will now proceed in accordance with legal procedures, with relevant authorities instructed to take necessary steps. The government stated that the move aims to ensure justice and restore democratic practices.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has invited applications for Customs Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agent licences under the newly formulated Customs Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agent Licensing Rules, 2026. According to a press release issued today, the new licensing process has been introduced in line with Section 243 of the Customs Act, 2023, replacing the previous Customs Agent Licensing Rules, 2020. The NBR said the new rules were formulated to ensure a competitive environment and improve service quality for importers and exporters. Previously, there was no separate regulation for C&F agents, and licences were issued under the Customs Agent Licensing Rules, 2020. To make C&F operations more streamlined and time-appropriate, a separate set of rules has now been enacted.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today presided over a meeting on "Building a Healthy Bangladesh," held at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat this afternoon. Photo: PMODHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today presided over a meeting on 'building a healthy Bangladesh'. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's special meeting room at Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat here this afternoon. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani and Prime Minister's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar were present at the meeting.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan spoke at a view-sharing meeting at the Gournadi Upazila Parishad Auditorium in Barisal on Sunday. Photo: BSSBARISHAL, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said a culture of accountability must be established to ensure good governance in the country. He made these remarks today while speaking as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting and iftar mahfil with government officials and employees working under the Gournadi upazila administration at the Upazila Parishad auditorium. Swapan said the practice of independence in the legislative and judiciary branches must be ensured. The minister said this would enhance accountability and transparency and further strengthen the democratic structure.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) – The price of furnace oil has been reduced by Tk 14.90 per litre, as the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) fixed the new price at Tk 70.10 per litre. “Now the price of per litre furnace oil will be Taka 70.10 dropped from Taka 86 across the country,” BERC secretary Md Nazrul Islam Sarkar said today. The BERC announced the new price in a notification saying that the new price of the furnace oil would be effective from tonight (12 midnight) February 22.

Over 1,000 poor patients received free treatment and necessary medicines at a free medical camp in Tangail on Friday. A team of more than 30 physicians and technologists, led by renowned kidney specialist and KAMPS Chairman Prof Dr MA Samad, treated patients throughout the day. Addressing the event, speakers appreciated the initiative taken by KAMPS to honour the language martyrs and provide free medical treatment and medicines to underprivileged patients. In his keynote speech, Prof Dr MA Samad stressed the need to formulate policies to ensure widespread awareness programmes across the country, mainly aimed at preventing kidney disease. The session was presided over by KAMPS Chairman and Head of the Department of Nephrology at Anwer Khan Modern Hospital, Prof Dr MA Samad.

Civil society and community representatives in Rajshahi have called for an immediate declaration of rooftop solar technology as a national priority to ensure sustainable energy security, environmental protection, and a revolutionary transformation of the power sector. In contrast, rooftop solar offers a clean, accessible, and low-cost solution, but it remains underprioritized at the policy level. “Rooftop solar is not just a power-generation technology; it is a tool for ‘energy democracy’ that empowers ordinary people,” the speakers said. Community-based solar initiatives could also save foreign currency, create local employment, and provide affordable, equitable energy access for women and low-income families. At the end of the programme, participants presented a five-point demand to local government bodies and administration officials.

Twenty-two more dengue patients were hospitalized across the country in the past 24 hours, with no deaths reported during the period, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Sunday. Of the new cases, nine were reported from Barisal division, five from Chittagong division, five from Dhaka division, one from Dhaka North City Corporation and two from Dhaka South City Corporation. During the same period, 21 patients were discharged from hospitals. So far this year, 1,432 dengue cases and four deaths have been recorded, while 1,341 patients have recovered. Of the 1432 dengue cases, 64% are male and 36% female.

Humanity must remain the core strength of the nation, not division or discord, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said at a program marking Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. The minister attended as the chief guest, while State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam joined as special guest. He noted that during the 1971 Liberation War, a strong cultural movement played a vital role in inspiring the nation. State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam called for making the cultural arena more dynamic and vibrant. Cultural activists, poets, writers and people from different professions attended the program.

collage-BSSDHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar today held a telephone conversation with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, congratulating him on his recent appointment and reaffirming commitment to stronger bilateral ties. During the conversation, Mohammad Ishaq Dar felicitated Dr. Khalilur Rahman on assuming office as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and conveyed his best wishes for success in his new role, according to the Pakinstan foreign ministry. The two leaders expressed their shared desire to further strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, guided by a common vision of peace, stability and prosperity in the region. They agreed to expand cooperation across diverse sectors and enhance engagement in multilateral fora, with a view to building a forward-looking partnership for the welfare of the people of the two countries.

Senior journalist Saleem Samad passed away on Sunday morning while he was undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in Dhanmondi, the capital (Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji'un). The news of Saleem Samad's death was confirmed to Prothom Alo by his close friend, prominent columnist and writer Mohiuddin Ahmad. Mohiuddin Ahmad told Prothom Alo, "Saleem Samad was admitted to the hospital in a very critical condition. I went to see him last Friday. He passed away this morning."