A new report by the United Nations Human Rights Office accuses Israel of actions that may amount to ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Released on Thursday, the report says Israel’s military campaign and blockade have made life in Gaza “increasingly incompatible with Palestinians’ continued existence as a group.” It cites intensified attacks, destruction of neighborhoods, and denial of humanitarian aid as evidence of an apparent effort to cause a permanent demographic shift. Covering the period from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, the report documents systematic unlawful force, arbitrary detention, and home demolitions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The report highlights widespread famine and the killing of unprecedented numbers of civilians in Gaza, noting that at least 463 Palestinians, including 157 children, starved to death during the 12-month period. It attributes these deaths to Israeli government actions that blocked food access. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue air strikes and demolitions across Gaza, violating a ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025. Violence has also surged in the West Bank, with settlers attacking Palestinian communities under military protection.

The report warns that these policies are altering the demographic composition of Palestinian territories and deepening humanitarian collapse.

Pakistan and New Zealand will open the Super Eights stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Saturday, February 21, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Both teams, considered dark horses for the title, are looking to make a strong start in this crucial phase of the tournament. Pakistan enter the match after a commanding 102-run victory over Namibia that secured their Super Eights berth, while New Zealand finished their group stage with an eight-wicket win against Canada.

Pakistan’s Shadab Khan expressed confidence that his side could go on to win the World Cup, calling their recent performance a sign of progress after earlier setbacks, including a heavy defeat to India. He cautioned, however, that the Super Eights will be tougher, with England and co-hosts Sri Lanka also awaiting Pakistan. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is expected to return after illness, with spin likely to play a key role in Colombo’s conditions.

This will be the 50th T20 meeting between the two nations, with Pakistan narrowly leading the head-to-head record 24–23. Both sides hope to establish early momentum in their pursuit of the title.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez announced on Thursday that the state has reopened its investigation into possible illegal activity at Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch near Stanley. The decision follows the release of more than three and a half million government files by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30, which included previously sealed FBI documents. Torrez’s office said the new revelations warranted further examination of the earlier state probe, which was halted in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York, the same year Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges.

The renewed investigation coincides with the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, a former UK royal, on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to allegations of sharing confidential documents with Epstein. The Epstein scandal has triggered political fallout in the UK but not in the U.S., where critics have accused the Justice Department of lacking transparency. In New Mexico, lawmakers have formed a truth commission to investigate Epstein’s ties to the state and why he was not registered as a sex offender there after his 2008 conviction.

Torrez’s office said it will cooperate with the commission and seek full access to unredacted federal case files to determine whether further legal action is warranted.

Emails released in newly published United States Department of Justice files reveal that Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender, was offered the chance in 2016 to buy into a large building complex tied to the Department of Defense. The 84,710-square-metre site, located about one mile from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, was described as a mission-critical property capable of meeting the Defense Department’s infrastructure needs. The proposed $116 million deal would have made Epstein a co-owner and landlord to the U.S. government, though there is no evidence the transaction occurred.

The documents also show Epstein’s extensive ties to Israel, including a decade-long relationship with former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and financial support for Israeli organizations such as Friends of the Israeli Army and the Jewish National Fund. An FBI informant memo described Epstein as a “Mossad agent.”

The Pentagon-linked offer was forwarded by businessman David Stern, who also proposed a separate 2015 investment in FBI field offices and courthouses. Both property proposals were originated by real estate investor Jonathan D Fascitelli.

The United States trade deficit widened sharply in December, reaching a five-month high of $70.3 billion, according to the Commerce Department. The goods trade shortfall for 2025 hit a record $1.24 trillion, despite tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on foreign-manufactured products. Imports rose 3.6 percent in December to $357.6 billion, driven by higher purchases of industrial supplies, copper, crude oil, and capital goods such as computer accessories and telecommunications equipment. Exports fell 1.7 percent to $287.3 billion, though semiconductor and pharmaceutical shipments increased.

The report showed that trade made little or no contribution to fourth-quarter GDP growth. American companies boosted imports of computer chips and other technology goods from Taiwan to support large-scale investments in artificial intelligence. While the goods trade deficit with China dropped nearly 32 percent to $202 billion amid ongoing tensions, trade shifted toward Taiwan and Vietnam, where deficits rose sharply. Factory employment declined by 83,000 jobs between January 2025 and January 2026, underscoring limited benefits from tariffs.

Economists noted that strong imports may reflect robust business investment, particularly in AI-related infrastructure such as data centers, suggesting continued demand for technology equipment.

The United Nations announced that the United States has paid about $160 million toward its nearly $4 billion in outstanding dues. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the payment will go to the organisation’s regular operating budget. The move comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has questioned its commitment to the UN and cut funding for international programmes. However, during the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington, DC, Trump said he intended to help ensure the UN remains viable.

According to the UN, the US owes about $2.196 billion to its regular budget, including $767 million for the current year, and another $1.8 billion for peacekeeping operations. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently warned that the UN faces an “imminent financial collapse” unless member states pay their dues, noting that the regular budget could be depleted as early as July. The US, as the largest donor, accounts for roughly 95 percent of the arrears.

Trump’s creation of the Board of Peace, officially tasked with overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, has drawn criticism from those who see it as a rival to the UN Security Council. Critics argue it could undermine the UN’s authority and global operations.

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran has about 10 to 15 days to reach an agreement with Washington or risk further military strikes. Speaking at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC, Trump linked last year’s joint Israeli-US strikes on Iran to the Gaza ceasefire and said those attacks paved the way for regional peace. He added that his aides Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had held productive meetings with Iranian representatives, emphasizing the need for a “meaningful deal.”

The warning follows a second round of indirect US-Iran talks in Geneva, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said both sides made good progress and reached broad agreement on guiding principles. Despite this, the US continues to build up military assets in the Gulf, while Iran insists its missile program is non-negotiable and denies seeking nuclear weapons. Washington opposes any uranium enrichment by Tehran.

Tensions have remained high since late 2025, when Trump vowed to strike Iran again if it rebuilt its nuclear or missile programs. Although negotiations resumed in Oman in February, both sides continue to exchange threats amid fragile diplomacy.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has instructed all Polish citizens currently in Iran to leave the country without delay. In a warning issued on Thursday, he said that due to the growing risk of armed conflict, it might become impossible to evacuate citizens within hours if the situation deteriorates. Tusk urged Poles not to travel to Iran under any circumstances.

The warning followed a report published Wednesday by U.S. media outlet Axios, which suggested that the likelihood of military conflict between the United States and Iran was much higher than most Americans believed. The report also indicated that a large-scale attack could begin within weeks.

Tusk’s directive reflects heightened international concern over potential instability in the region, with governments closely monitoring developments that could affect their nationals in Iran.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has congratulated Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In a letter shared by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media platform X on Thursday, Starmer expressed his desire to strengthen the Bangladesh–UK partnership and advance shared priorities.

In his message, Starmer highlighted the long-standing and close relationship between the two countries, expressing confidence that cooperation would deepen under Rahman’s leadership. He emphasized expanding trade and investment ties, noting the UK’s position as one of Bangladesh’s largest foreign investors. Starmer also welcomed opportunities for collaboration in tackling illegal migration, combating climate change, and enhancing defense and security relations.

The UK Prime Minister further commended Bangladesh for its generosity in hosting Rohingya refugees and reaffirmed the UK’s continued support. He said he looked forward to the next chapter of partnership between the two nations.

Nahid Islam, Chief Whip of the Opposition in Bangladesh’s National Parliament and convener of the National Congress Party (NCP), stated that if the referendum is annulled, the recent election will also become questionable. He made the remarks on Thursday at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. Islam urged the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to make the parliament functional as soon as possible and to take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council before convening the next session.

He alleged that although the voting process in the 13th national election was fair, manipulation occurred in the results. Despite this, he said the NCP accepted the outcome in the interest of democracy and national stability. Islam also accused the BNP of deceiving the people by not taking oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, claiming that this act betrayed both the citizens and those supporting constitutional reform.

The remarks reflect ongoing political tension over the legitimacy of the election and the functioning of key parliamentary and constitutional bodies.

A Sylhet court has issued a show-cause notice to District Commissioner Md. Sarowar Alam for failing to provide information about the executive magistrate who allegedly ordered gunfire during an anti-discrimination student movement in Golapganj. The order was given by Senior Judicial Magistrate Sudipta Talukdar of Sylhet Amli Court No. 2 on February 8, and the matter became public on February 19, 2026.

The court noted that the district commissioner’s failure to supply the requested information and documents to the investigating officer has delayed the investigation of a case filed on August 29, 2024. The delay has prevented the start of judicial proceedings. The court described the non-compliance as a punishable offense amounting to contempt of court. The notice directed the district commissioner to explain in writing within 15 days why legal or departmental action should not be taken against him.

Md. Sarowar Alam acknowledged hearing about the show-cause order and said a response would be submitted to the court.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the party would stand for the country’s 180 million people if any action went against their interests. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Thursday, February 19, he stated that Jamaat, as a responsible opposition, would fully support the government in advancing national progress and building a corruption-free country.

Rahman emphasized that neither the government nor the opposition should allow any situation that harms the public. He said the opposition was prepared to resist if national interests were undermined. He added that Jamaat would cooperate with the government in all positive initiatives but would build resistance where necessary, while hoping such circumstances would not arise.

According to Rahman, the opposition seeks to cooperate with the government but remains vigilant to ensure accountability whenever national interests are at risk.

The Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has announced that the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination form fill-up will start on March 1 and continue until March 9. The notice, published on February 19 on the board’s official website, states that students can complete the process online. Those who miss the initial deadline may submit their forms with a late fee between March 11 and March 18. Fees can be paid through Sonali Seba until March 18.

According to the announcement, only students with valid registrations are eligible to fill out the form. Any candidate attempting to sit for subjects outside their registration will have those exams canceled without further communication. The notice also mentions that physically disabled, cerebral palsy, or special-needs students registered with the Department of Social Services may be exempted from participating in selection tests. Educational institutions may arrange subject-based model tests to enhance student preparation, but participation is not mandatory, and no additional fees may be charged.

The board’s directive aims to ensure a transparent and accessible process for all eligible HSC candidates under the 2026 examination cycle.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced three top priorities for Bangladesh’s education sector: creating an environment to bring students back to classrooms, reviewing the national curriculum, and modernizing technical education. He made the announcement on Thursday during a press briefing at the Ministry of Education in Dhaka, where he also addressed questions from journalists.

The minister said teacher transfers within the ministry will be managed through an automatic app-based system to prevent corruption, ensuring merit-based and transparent processes. He added that the transfer process for MPO-listed teachers would be launched as soon as possible. Regarding teacher movements for demands, he urged teachers to focus on teaching rather than protests, assuring that legitimate demands would be considered.

State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj outlined twelve plans of the new government, emphasizing education as the state’s primary investment and the foundation for nation-building. These include implementing a “One Teacher, One Tab” policy, introducing a third language, making sports compulsory at the secondary level, reforming curriculum and examinations, and strengthening accountability in higher education.

Road Transport and Communications Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that money collected from transport operators on roads through mutual understanding should not be considered extortion, but if anyone is forced to pay, that constitutes extortion. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon during a press briefing at his office in the Secretariat while responding to journalists’ questions.

The minister explained that transport owners’ and workers’ associations collect funds for their welfare, describing it as an unwritten practice rather than extortion. He acknowledged that there may be debate over how the money is used but emphasized that the process is based on mutual consent. He also noted that influence often depends on which group or party is in power, giving dominance to affiliated labor organizations.

Robiul Alam further said that no external group is allowed to exert pressure or collect money within areas under the ministry’s jurisdiction. If owners collect funds by agreement, the ministry will review whether anyone is being deprived or if the funds are being misused. He also discussed traffic congestion caused by roadside markets and said measures will be taken to bring order.