State Minister for Education and newly elected Member of Parliament for Dhaka-13, Bobby Hajjaj, announced on Sunday his decision to take legal action against Mamunul Haque, a rival candidate in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Hajjaj accused Haque of orchestrating attacks on BNP activists and attempting to seize polling centers on election day. The announcement came after Hajjaj visited Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital in Dhaka to review the condition of those injured in the election-day violence.

According to Hajjaj, Haque’s supporters tried to take control of polling centers under his direction, leading to clashes when BNP supporters resisted. Over a hundred BNP activists were reportedly injured, including Haidar Ali, who remains in critical condition in the hospital’s ICU due to brain hemorrhage. Hajjaj stated that Haque was present at the scene and directly ordered the attacks, prompting the decision to name him as the main accused in the forthcoming case.

Hajjaj also outlined several initiatives to curb drugs and crime in Mohammadpur, including installing CCTV cameras, police boxes, and increasing patrol teams.

Two Indian police officers were found dead from gunshot wounds at a security checkpoint near the Pakistan border in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district. The incident occurred on Sunday in Adian village under Dorangla police station. The deceased were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Ashok Kumar and Head Constable Gurnam Singh, who were on duty at the border post. Their bodies were discovered after gunfire was heard near the checkpoint, and they were declared dead at Gurdaspur Civil Hospital.

Senior police officials and a forensic team have launched an investigation at the scene. Gurdaspur’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Aditya, is leading the inquiry, and the area has been sealed off. Forensic experts collected weapons, cartridge shells, and other evidence to determine the source and direction of the gunfire.

With no eyewitnesses, investigators are examining whether the shooting resulted from an internal dispute or the involvement of a third party. Given the proximity to the international border, security agencies have intensified patrols and issued alerts to nearby posts. Police have yet to release an official statement, confirming only that the investigation is ongoing.

A court in Cumilla has sent a local BNP leader to jail for allegedly assaulting his wife and college-going daughter. The accused, Moniruzzaman, serves as the general secretary of the Borkanda Union BNP in Meghna upazila. On Sunday, the judicial court rejected his bail petition in a case filed over charges of physical assault, sexual harassment, and snatching of gold ornaments.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred on February 20 around 3:30 p.m. in Borkanda village. Victim Lovely Begum was returning home from Rampur Bazar by autorickshaw when she and her daughter were attacked by Moniruzzaman and several others wielding local weapons. Both were injured and later received treatment at Meghna Upazila Health Complex. Lovely Begum alleged that the attack stemmed from a long-standing family and land dispute and that she had faced prior threats.

The court ordered Moniruzzaman’s detention after denying bail. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful, as he could not be contacted by phone.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has announced plans to complete the postponed parliamentary by-elections for Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 constituencies before Pahela Baishakh, which falls on April 14. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Ma’shud confirmed the decision on Sunday, stating that the commission aims to finish the voting process before the start of the Bengali New Year celebrations.

According to the commissioner, the EC is working to ensure that all pending electoral activities are concluded on time. In Bogura, expatriate voters who have already registered have cast their votes, and the commission will send ballots to them again. Additional time of a few days may be given to include any new voters who were left out. Alongside these by-elections, the process for reserved women’s seats has also begun through party nominations.

The commissioner added that the formalities for the reserved women’s seats will be completed within 90 days of the gazette publication, with the EC expecting to finish that election within the stipulated period.

On February 12, 2026, Bangladesh held its 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum. According to the Election Commission, voter turnout stood at 59.44 percent. However, analysis of the results shows that 15 members of parliament were elected after securing less than 40 percent of the total votes cast in their respective constituencies.

Among the winners, BNP candidates, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, and several independents prevailed in closely contested races. For example, BNP’s Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman won in Mymensingh-10 with 34.56 percent of votes, while Jamaat’s Kamrul Hasan took Mymensingh-6 with 33.03 percent. Other low-margin victories included BNP’s Jahandar Ali Jahan in Madaripur-2 with 32.38 percent and independent Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal in Kishoreganj-5 with 38.50 percent. Several constituencies, including Gopalganj, Natore, and Dinajpur, also saw winners with similar vote shares.

The data highlights a fragmented electoral outcome, with multiple candidates dividing the vote in many constituencies. The Election Commission’s overall turnout figure contrasts with the narrow winning margins, suggesting highly competitive local races across the country.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government has planned to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh. He made the statement on Sunday while inaugurating a canal re-excavation program at Sharikal Union in Gournadi upazila of Barishal. The initiative is part of the Barishal, Bhola, Jhalakathi, and Pirojpur district irrigation development project. The minister said the program aims to ensure tidal water reaches farmers’ lands directly, improving agricultural productivity.

Swapan recalled that the canal excavation program initiated by Shaheed Ziaur Rahman had previously increased food production, but lack of maintenance later reduced its benefits. He said the new program, launched under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, seeks to restore those gains. Alongside canal re-excavation, a tree planting campaign has also begun as part of the broader environmental effort.

The minister emphasized that the government would not be partisan and that bureaucrats and police should be enabled to serve the public effectively. He added that the nationwide canal excavation program would be formally inaugurated soon, with local administration officials present at the Barishal event.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that his country will not yield to US pressure regarding its nuclear program. He made the statement during a ceremony honoring members of Iran’s Paralympic team. His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said he was considering limited military strikes to pressure Iranian leaders into reaching a nuclear control agreement.

Responding to Trump’s comments, Pezeshkian said Iran would not bow to any challenges or coordinated efforts by world powers to force compliance. The statement underscored Tehran’s defiance as indirect talks between Iran and the United States resumed earlier this month in Oman, followed by a second round in Switzerland last week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Friday that a diplomatic solution was within reach and that a draft agreement could be finalized within two to three days for submission to Washington.

A Dhaka court has sentenced two men, Md Siddiq and Md Shanto Mia, to death for the planned murder of Tejgaon College student Ikram Hossain Molla. The verdict was delivered on Sunday by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Faiz. In addition to the death penalty, both convicts received seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 taka each for concealing the body, with an additional three months of simple imprisonment in case of non-payment. Siddiq was present in court during the verdict, while Shanto Mia remains absconding, prompting the court to issue arrest and sentencing warrants against him.

According to the case details, on May 4, 2023, the two convicts lured Ikram from his home under the pretext of returning borrowed money. They took him to the Bashundhara sand field area between Patira and Dumni under Khilkhet Police Station, where they attacked him with a hammer and sharp weapons before slitting his throat. The body was later dumped in a nearby pond and covered with water hyacinths. Police recovered the body on May 6, 2023.

Ikram’s father, Md Kabir Hossain Molla, filed the murder case with Khilkhet Police Station. Police submitted the charge sheet on November 26, 2023, and charges were framed on February 29, 2024. The court heard testimonies from 17 of 27 witnesses before delivering the verdict.

Libya’s Ramadan festivities, marked by fireworks and family gatherings, have been dampened by soaring inflation, currency devaluation, and deep political divisions. Fifteen years after the fall of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, the country remains split between eastern and western administrations. Despite vast oil and gas reserves, shortages of fuel and essential goods have disrupted daily life, with supermarkets rationing products and ATMs running out of cash in Tripoli.

Residents report worsening economic conditions, blaming currency traders for the dinar’s sharp decline. Prices of cooking oil have doubled, while meat and poultry costs have risen by about 50 percent. Gas cylinders, officially priced at 1.5 dinars, are selling for up to 75 dinars on the black market. The western central bank recently devalued the dinar by 15 percent for the second time in less than a year, a move Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah admitted has increased public hardship.

UN envoy Hanna Tetteh warned that rising poverty and social pressure could combine with fragile security to create new political and security challenges. Analysts say the lack of a unified budget and reduced oil revenues continue to strain Libya’s divided economy.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita) said the Prime Minister has given instructions to expedite the opening of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. She made the statement on Sunday afternoon after a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the terminal project. When asked about the possible opening date, the minister said no specific timeline could be given yet, as discussions and investigations are ongoing to determine how to accelerate the process.

The third terminal project was initiated in 2017 by the then Awami League government, with construction beginning on December 28, 2019, at an estimated cost of about Tk 21,398 crore. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina partially inaugurated the terminal on October 7, 2023, and the Civil Aviation Authority had expected full operations in 2024, which did not happen. The interim government also attempted to launch the terminal but failed due to unresolved issues over ground handling, operational decisions, and technical faults inside the building.

The Prime Minister’s latest directive aims to overcome these obstacles and ensure the terminal becomes operational soon, though no date has been confirmed.

Member of Parliament for Bagerhat-2, Manjurul Haque Rahad, led a large-scale cleanliness campaign across important areas of Bagerhat municipality on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The drive covered busy locations including the court premises, Bagerhat Sadar Hospital compound, and several municipal roads and public spaces. Local dignitaries, municipal workers, and residents participated, distributing leaflets and delivering short speeches to raise public awareness about cleanliness.

During the event, MP Rahad emphasized the importance of maintaining order and hygiene in society, stating that a clean city is a shared responsibility. He highlighted that keeping hospitals and public gathering places clean is vital for public health. Rahad announced plans to improve waste management, ensure regular cleaning, and enhance civic awareness to transform Bagerhat into a modern and healthy city.

Local residents welcomed the initiative, noting that the direct involvement of their elected representative had given new momentum to cleanliness efforts. They expressed hope that consistent monitoring and coordinated action would bring visible improvements to the municipal environment.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has returned to his previous workplace after completing his tenure as the chief adviser of the interim government. On Sunday morning, he arrived at the Yunus Centre located in the Telecom Building in Mirpur, where his long-time colleagues warmly welcomed him with flowers. The information was shared through a post on his verified Facebook page.

According to the post, upon his return, Dr. Yunus held a meeting with the managing directors and advisers of Grameen organizations and the Yunus Centre. The discussion focused on resuming various activities that had been on hold during his public service and on outlining future plans. His return marks the end of an 18-month period since he left the Yunus Centre to lead the interim government during a critical phase in the country’s politics.

The meeting at the Yunus Centre signaled the restart of organizational operations and planning for upcoming initiatives under Dr. Yunus’s guidance.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned and protested the remarks made by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud regarding the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. In a statement sent to the media on Sunday, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its central publicity and media department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, expressed deep concern, calling the minister’s comments inconsistent and a denial of historical, linguistic, and public realities.

Zubair stated that although the word ‘Inquilab’ has Arabic roots, it has long been used in the subcontinent’s independence movements and struggles for democratic rights. He argued that labeling any word as anti-Bangla based on its origin contradicts linguistic principles. He further said that the slogan symbolizes resistance against oppression and injustice, not the property of any particular group.

Jamaat urged the minister to withdraw his statement immediately, warning that otherwise the people would respond appropriately. The party reiterated that the Bengali language embodies diverse linguistic influences and called on all to avoid divisive rhetoric over language or slogans.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sent a letter to the United Arab Emirates’ National Security Adviser Tahnoon bin Zayed, expressing concerns about Abu Dhabi’s policies in Yemen and Sudan. The letter, sent several weeks ago, raised allegations regarding the UAE’s activities in both conflict zones, according to Middle East Eye citing multiple U.S. and Western officials.

In the message, the Saudi Crown Prince reportedly described Riyadh’s military involvement in Yemen as necessary for national security and indicated that Saudi Arabia views Yemen as part of its sphere of influence. The letter also proposed mediation through Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi defense minister and brother of the Crown Prince.

Neither Saudi Arabia nor the United Arab Emirates has publicly commented on the report, which was first published by Middle East Monitor.

Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, has formally submitted his resignation to Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon on Saturday afternoon. The university’s protocol officer, Mohammad Firoz, confirmed that the resignation letter was handed over in the morning. However, the ministry has not yet issued an official notification accepting it. Once approved, further administrative procedures will follow. According to the Ministry of Education, Khan mentioned personal and administrative reasons for his decision, which requires presidential approval to become final.

Professor Khan was appointed Vice-Chancellor on August 27, 2024, following political changes after the fall of the Awami League government in that year’s upheaval. Earlier, on February 10, just two days before the national election, he had publicly expressed his intention to step down from the position.

Born in 1966, Khan holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Wales, Swansea, and has served in various academic and advisory roles, including with UNDP, ADB, PKSF, and international organizations.