United News of Bangladesh

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday arrested a Project Implementation Officer (PIO) in  Sonagazi upazila of Feni while he was taking bribe of Tk 100,000. The arrested official is Md Al-Sayeed, Project Implementation Officer of Sonagazi Upazila office. His associate, office assistant Abu Naser, was also arrested during the operation. According to the complaint, a contractor completed work on five projects under Sonagazi Upazila Project Implementation Office through sub-contract agreements and submitted the bills for payment. ACC files 2 cases against ex-Jessore-1 MP Sheikh Afil Uddin, wife As a condition for releasing the bills, Al-Sayeed allegedly demanded Tk 12 Lakh as bribe. Finding no other option, the complainant agreed to pay part of the bribe money  and subsequently filed an application with the ACC’s Noakhali district office seeking a trap operation. Following approval from the Commission, an ACC team conducted the operation and caught Md Al-Sayeed red-handed while accepting Tk 100,000 in cash. Abu Naser was arrested at the same time for his involvement. ACC to file case over Tk 1,325cr loan scam involving Bashundhara Group, National Bank officials ACC officials said legal proceedings are underway and the accused will be produced before a court after filing a case.

Police have detained 100 people in a special drive aimed at curbing crimes of teen gangs, extortion and mugging in the capital’s Mohammadpur and Adabor areas. The special drive was conducted from 10:00pm on Wednesday until 2 am on Thursday in different parts of Mohammadpur and Adabor in the city. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ibne Mizan of Tejgaon Division told the media that the drive was conducted to put an end to the growing activities of juvenile gangs, extortionists and muggers in the area. DMP to provide escort service for transport of cash and valuables ahead of ramadan, Eid He said the objective of the operation was to ensure that such criminal elements cannot further deteriorate the law and order situation. The DC also said police operations will continue so that no criminal or organised group can take advantage of the situation during the holy month of Ramadan and the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Law enforcers will remain vigilant to ensure overall security and public safety in the capital.

The cabinet has approved a plan to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including accrued interest, in a move aimed at easing pressure on small-scale farmers and strengthening rural resilience. The decision was taken at the first cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Thursday morning, said Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani. Briefing reporters, Gani said the waiver aligns with the government’s election manifesto and is intended to provide social protection to marginal farmers. The measure will cover agricultural credit of up to Tk 10,000 taken for crops, fisheries, livestock and other farming activities, along with accumulated interest, he said. PM Tarique Rahman presides over first cabinet meeting  Data from Bangladesh Bank show that outstanding dues eligible under the scheme, including interest, total about Tk 1,550 crore as of February 25, Gani said, adding, that the loans were disbursed by state-owned commercial banks, specialised banks and private commercial lenders. The waiver is expected to directly benefit around 1.2 million farmers nationwide once implemented, according to the cabinet secretary. The initiative comes as policymakers seek to help out vulnerable rural borrowers from mounting repayment pressures and reinforce the agricultural sector, which remains a key pillar of Bangladesh’s economy and employment base.  

A Natore court on Thursday convicted two people and sentenced them to life imprisonment for killing a young man over previous enmity in 2014. Natore Additional District and Session Judge Md Delwar Hossain handed down the punishment. The lifers are—Masud Rana and Mizanur Rahman. The court also fined them Tk 10 lakh each, in default, to suffer, three years more in rigorous imprisonment. According to the prosecution, the convicts killed Abdul Kahar, son of Abdur Rashid of Borogram in Singra upazila over previous enmity. A case was filed with Singra Police Station. Later, police submitted the chargesheet against them.  

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has once again extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for individual taxpayers for 2025–2026 tax year until 31 March, 2026. In an order issued under Section 334 of the Income Tax Act, 2023, the revenue authority said the decision was taken in the public interest. Under the earlier schedule, the deadline for submitting returns was set for 28 February. Officials said the extension is expected to facilitate compliance and ease pressure on taxpayers who may require additional time to finalise their documentation. The NBR urged taxpayers to take advantage of the extended timeline and ensure timely submission of returns within the new deadline to avoid any penalties under the law.

Dhaka University Metro Rail Station remained closed for two hours on Thursday afternoon due to special security arrangements for the inauguration of Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd issued a notice on Thursday in this regard. The DU metro station remained closed from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated Amar Ekushey Book fair at 2 pm. Special security measures were put in place centring the programme. The Dhaka Metro Rail authority expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to commuters.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, the annual gathering for book lovers and publishers, in the capital. The Prime Minister opened the country’s largest book fair around 3:12 pm, joining the inaugural ceremony at the Bangla Academy premises. The Bangla Academy organised the fair at its premises and the adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan. The fair will remain open from 2 pm to 9 pm on regular days, with entry closing at 8:30 pm. On holidays, it will run from 11 am to 9 pm. Fridays and Saturdays will feature a dedicated Children’s Corner from 11 am to 1:30 pm, hosting 63 institutions across 107 units. At the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister presented the Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar 2026 to eight distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to Bangla literature. This year’s recipients are Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children’s literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammedy for science, and Moidul Hasan for works on the Liberation War. Unlike previous years, the fair began at the end of February instead of February 1 due to the national election held on February 12. The ceremony began at 2 pm with the national anthem and a recitation of religious scriptures. A one-minute silence was observed in tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and the July mass uprising. Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Chairman of Bangla Academy, chaired the inaugural session. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, and Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam, among others, addressed the programme. Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman were present. Cabinet members, members of parliament, notable citizens, writers, publishers, and senior civil and military officials also attended. Organisers promised a 'zero-waste' and environmentally conscious edition of the country’s largest literary gathering. This year’s fair carries the theme 'Multidimensional Bangladesh' and will continue until 15 March. The traditional book fair remains a central feature of Bangladesh’s cultural calendar, celebrating the spirit of the Language Movement and the wider observance of Amar Ekushey. According to the organisers, 549 publishing houses are participating this year, with 81 stalls at the Bangla Academy and 468 at Suhrawardy Udyan, making a total of 1,018 units. A 'Little Magazine Corner' has been arranged under the trees near the open stage at Suhrawardy Udyan, featuring 87 little magazines. The overall layout remains largely unchanged from last year, though some structural adjustments have been made.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday presented the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 to nine distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to Bangla literature. This year’s recipients are Mohan Roy for poetry, Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children’s literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammedy for science and Moidul Hasan for works on the Liberation War. The Prime Minister handed over the awards to the recipients at the inaugural function of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 on the Bangla Academy premises. PM distributes Ekushey Padak 2026 The ceremony, organised by Bangla Academy, began at 2pm with the national anthem and a recitation of religious scriptures. A one-minute silence was observed in tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Liberation War and the July mass uprising. Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Chairman of Bangla Academy, presided over the inaugural session.  

Md. Mostaqur Rahman took over as the 14th Governor of Bangladesh Bank on Thursday. Senior officials and staff received the new governor when he reached the central bank headquarters around 11 am. “I have arrived; let me start the work first, then we can talk,” he told reporters while entering the office. Mostaqur, a Fellow of Cost and Management Accountants (FCMA), was appointed for a four-year term by the government replacing ex-governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. The appointment was announced in a notification issued by the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday. As per the official gazette, the appointment was made under Section 10(5) of the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972, which requires the new governor to sever all other professional affiliations. Mostaqur served as Chairman of the BGMEA Standing Committee on Bangladesh Bank and was a member of the Chittagong Stock Exchange Ltd, according to a central bank press release. He has involved with several leading trade and business bodies, including Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). He served on various important committees in these organisations. Mostaqur Rahman is an entrepreneur and businessman, and a senior financial governance specialist with over 30 years of leadership experience in corporate finance, export economics, institutional governance, and financial systems management. He has demonstrated expertise in financial oversight, regulatory compliance, banking-sector engagement, and capital management, it said. Moreover, he has extensive leadership experience across multiple sectors including manufacturing, real estate, agro-based enterprises, and industrial ventures, with responsibility for financial planning, investment oversight, and governance frameworks. In his various roles in industry and trade associations, he has significantly contributed to structured dialogue on financial stability, industrial financing, and economic sustainability, said the press release. Mostaqur was born in a renowned Muslim family in 1966. He obtained B.Com (Hons.) and Masters Degree from the Department of Accounting, University of Dhaka. Later, he qualified as a Cost & Management Accountant from the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB). He is also involved in various charitable and community development activities.

Nine distinguished citizens and one organisation on Thursday received the Ekushey Padak this year in recognition of their outstanding contributions to various fields. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman handed over the Ekushey Padak 2026, the country’s second highest civilian award, to the recipients and their representatives at a ceremony held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the morning. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs announced the names of the awardees on February 5, 2026, on the occasion of Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day. Each recipient received a gold medal weighing 35 grams, Tk 400,000 in cash and a certificate of honour. The Ekushey Padak is awarded for significant contributions to various fields, including the Language Movement, the Liberation War, arts, journalism, literature and education. In the field of arts, actress Farida Akhter Babita received the award for film, Prof Dr Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabassum for architecture, Arthy Ahmed for dance, Islam Uddin Palakar for pala music, and Tejos Haldar Josh for sculpture. In music, the late Ayub Bachchu received the award posthumously. His wife, Ferdous Akhter Chandana, received the award on his behalf. In band music, the band Warfaze was honoured with the Ekushey Padak this year. The award was received by the band’s leader, Sheikh Monirul Alam. Shafik Rehman received the award in journalism, while Prof Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar was honoured in education. Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at the venue around 10:53 am. The ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury presided over the function, while Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani conducted the award-giving ceremony and read out the citations of the awardees. State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam spoke as the special guest, while Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman delivered the welcome speech. Cabinet members, Members of Parliament, noted citizens, diplomats, senior civil and military officials and other dignitaries were present at the function.