The High Court has ordered an investigation into allegations of irregularities, corruption, and nepotism in staff recruitment at the under-construction Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna. The order was issued on Tuesday at 11 a.m. by a bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar.

The court directed the formation of a high-level committee led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology to conduct the investigation and submit a report within two months. The directive followed a writ petition filed seeking a judicial inquiry into reports of unprecedented irregularities, corruption, fraud, and favoritism in the recruitment process. The petition included newspaper reports related to the alleged recruitment fraud.

According to the petitioner’s lawyer, Masud Ahmed Saeed, the High Court’s order aims to ensure accountability in the recruitment process at the national nuclear power project.

Freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam has formally assumed responsibility as the administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The handover took place on Tuesday when he received the charge from Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. His appointment was made by presidential order on Monday, with the official notification signed by Joint Secretary Mahbuba Irene.

According to relevant sources, the appointment aims to strengthen DSCC’s administrative operations and enhance citizen service delivery. Abdus Salam is expected to lead ongoing development initiatives and urban management efforts under the corporation’s jurisdiction.

The new administrator’s leadership is anticipated to bring greater dynamism to DSCC’s service and development programs, focusing on improved governance and efficiency in city management.

A Dhaka University student and a journalist were allegedly assaulted by police during an anti-drug operation at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on the night of February 23. Witnesses said anthropology student and leftist student leader Nayeem Uddin was beaten after questioning police actions, and his mobile phone was reportedly seized. Several journalists covering the operation were also injured. The operation was led by a Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer, and the incident occurred in front of DC Masud, according to students.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) strongly condemned the attacks in a statement issued by Vice President Sadiq Kayem. DUCSU said Banglanews24 multimedia journalist Tofayel Ahmed was seriously injured while performing his duty, and Nayeem Ahmed was beaten without provocation. The statement described the attacks as violations of law and human rights, stressing that unprovoked use of force is unacceptable in a lawful state.

DUCSU demanded that the responsible police officers be identified and punished. It also urged authorities to ensure that no student, journalist, or citizen faces harassment during future anti-drug or similar operations.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 is set to hear testimony for the fourth day in the trial of two top leaders of the banned Chhatra League, accused of crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The accused are the organization’s president, Saddam Hossain, and general secretary, Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. The hearing will take place before a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with judges Md Manjurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

In addition to these two, five other accused are facing trial in the same case: banned Awami League general secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader, joint general secretary A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, and general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil. The tribunal had formally framed charges on January 22, and the prosecution began presenting its case on February 17. So far, three witnesses have testified against the accused.

The ongoing proceedings mark a continuation of the tribunal’s effort to address alleged crimes committed during the July Revolution period.

Bangladesh Land Minister Md. Mizanur Rahman Minu stated that the government aims to eliminate bribery and corruption in public service delivery, assuring that action will be taken upon receiving complaints. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning while speaking to journalists after visiting the Land Service Call Center and Citizen Care Center at the Land Bhaban in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

During the visit, the minister emphasized that land services will be made more citizen-friendly and acknowledged that working in the ministry is challenging but requires collective effort. State Minister for Land Barrister Kaiser Kamal, who was also present, said that those responsible for the ministry over the past 17 years had made it controversial both nationally and internationally. He declared a zero-tolerance policy against bribery and corruption within the ministry.

The statements reflect the ministry’s renewed commitment to transparency and accountability in land administration, signaling stricter oversight and reform efforts in service delivery.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit India this week, aiming to double bilateral trade and normalize long-strained relations between the two countries. According to AFP, Carney will arrive in New Delhi on February 26, where he will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening trade, investment, and strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region.

This marks Carney’s first visit to the Asia-Pacific region as prime minister. Following his India trip, he will also visit Australia and Japan. His broader diplomatic agenda seeks to reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States by expanding alternative trade and diplomatic partnerships. Carney recently visited Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of this outreach.

Carney stated that the U.S.-led global order is weakening and that returning to the pre-Trump structure is unrealistic. He emphasized that Canada must focus on controllable priorities and build new international partnerships to secure stability, security, and prosperity, particularly in light of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

Armed men dressed in military uniforms shot and killed seven people on Monday in western Ecuador, police reported. The attack occurred at a farm in Manabí province, one of nine provinces currently under a state of emergency. The incident took place as the country faces mounting drug-related violence, according to a report from Quito citing AFP.

Authorities said the assailants gathered the victims in a courtyard, interrogated them, and then opened fire with rifles and pistols. Among the dead was a 16-year-old boy. Ecuador, once one of South America’s safest nations, has seen a surge in violence linked to drug trafficking networks fighting for control. President Daniel Noboa has deployed the military in anti-narcotics operations, but killings have continued to rise, reaching a record 9,216 violent deaths last year.

The country’s strategic Pacific coastline has turned it into a key transit point for cocaine from Colombia and Peru bound for the United States and Europe, intensifying competition among international cartels and local gangs.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the decision on whether local government elections will be held under party symbols will be made by the Parliament. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon after administrators of six city corporations, including the two in Dhaka, formally joined the Local Government Ministry.

The minister said that city elections would be held first where the current term has ended, adding that political administrators would perform better than bureaucrats. He also clarified that the government has no plan to appoint political administrators in municipalities.

The statement came during an official event marking the assumption of duties by newly appointed city administrators, highlighting the government’s approach to managing local governance transitions.

Widespread violence has broken out across Mexico following the death of notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho'. The clashes have spread to at least 20 of the country’s 32 states, leaving 25 members of the National Guard dead. The unrest began after a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday aimed at capturing Cervantes. According to Mexico’s defense ministry, he died from injuries sustained during intense fighting between his supporters and security forces while being transported to Mexico City.

The news of his death triggered arson attacks, road blockades, and gunfights in multiple regions, quickly escalating into a nationwide crisis. Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla announced the deployment of an additional 2,500 troops to the western region to restore order. The government also confirmed that a total of 9,500 soldiers have been deployed nationwide since Sunday.

Authorities are focusing on stabilizing the affected areas as the violence continues to challenge national security and public safety.

A total of 45,200 students are set to receive junior scholarships this year, according to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE). The results of the scholarship examination are expected to be published on February 25, as confirmed by Kamrun Nahar, Assistant Director of DSHE’s Planning and Development Wing. The scholarships are divided into talent pool and general categories, distributed across education boards.

The junior scholarship examination was held from December 28 to January 5, with 315,160 students who passed eighth grade in 2025 participating. The Dhaka Education Board is processing the results. Talent pool recipients will receive an annual one-time payment of 560 taka and a monthly stipend of 450 taka, while general scholarship recipients will get 350 taka annually and 300 taka monthly for two years.

Under the board-wise quota, Dhaka board will award 3,635 talent pool and 7,790 general scholarships, while other boards including Rajshahi, Chattogram, and Dinajpur will distribute varying numbers of awards based on their allocations.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, and former MP Jahangir Kabir Nanak are being named as accused for the first time in the explosives case linked to the 2009 BDR tragedy. Chief Public Prosecutor Md. Borhan Uddin confirmed the development on Tuesday morning, stating that witness testimonies have mentioned the names of several Awami League leaders, including former ministers and MPs. Legal provisions allow their inclusion, and action is expected on February 26.

The explosives case, filed under the Explosives Act, currently lists around 800 accused and 1,200 witnesses, with testimony from about 300 already recorded. Witness statements reportedly contain information implicating Sheikh Hasina and others. The case remains at the testimony stage, and about 200 accused have been granted bail since August 2024.

The related murder case from the 2009 BDR mutiny saw 152 sentenced to death and 160 to life imprisonment in 2013. The High Court upheld 139 death sentences, and the case is now pending in the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division.

A devastating fire broke out on Monday night in Santa village under Pailgaon Union of Jagannathpur upazila, Sunamganj, destroying five residential houses. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. at the home of Arju Mia. Preliminary estimates suggest losses exceeding 2.5 million taka, including cash, gold ornaments, and furniture. The affected families have been left homeless, with scenes of grief prevailing in the area.

According to local sources, the fire originated from the kitchen stove of Shahid Mia’s house and quickly spread through electrical wires to nearby homes. Houses belonging to Shahid Mia, Arju Mia, Ajid Mia, Ansar Mia, and Rupan Mia were completely burned down. A fire service unit from Jagannathpur rushed to the scene, but locals managed to bring the blaze under control before their arrival.

Jagannathpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam said police responded immediately after receiving the report. Initial investigation indicates the fire started from a kitchen stove, and further inquiry into the incident is ongoing.

A new European study under the 'Toxfree Life for All' project has found harmful chemicals in popular headphone brands, including Bose, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sennheiser. Researchers tested 81 in-ear and over-ear headphones and discovered endocrine-disrupting substances such as Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Bisphenol-S (BPS), which can interfere with the human hormone system. The study warns that prolonged headphone use may increase the risk of cancer and other serious diseases.

According to the findings, nearly 98 percent of the tested headphones contained BPA, while more than three-quarters contained BPS. Some samples showed chemical levels as high as 315 milligrams per kilogram, far exceeding the European Chemicals Agency’s safety limit of 10 milligrams per kilogram. Experts explained that these chemicals can slowly leach from the plastic parts of headphones and be absorbed through the skin.

Emese Gulyas, head of the Toxfree Life for All project, urged European policymakers to ban all hormone-disrupting chemicals to protect consumers. Researchers cautioned that long-term use could allow these substances to enter the body through skin contact.

Saudi academic Dr. Ahmad Al-Tuwaijri published a controversial article criticizing Israel and the United Arab Emirates, accusing Abu Dhabi’s rulers of aligning with Zionists and acting as a ‘Trojan horse’ for a wider Israeli project in the Middle East. The article, printed in a newspaper close to Saudi authorities, was briefly removed following protests from Tel Aviv and Washington, and accusations of antisemitism from pro-Israel networks in the United States. It was later restored, with claims that it had never been withdrawn.

The publication marked an unprecedented public critique of the UAE by a Saudi figure, highlighting growing friction between the two allies. Al-Tuwaijri argued that a deep regional rift has emerged, rooted in Israel’s actions in Gaza and Yemen’s ongoing conflict. He said Saudi Arabia feels humiliated by Israel’s conduct and has shifted its tone, recognizing that peace with Israel is unlikely under current conditions.

The episode underscores a possible strategic divergence between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, as Saudi Arabia seeks closer ties with Turkey and reconciliation with Iran while reassessing its regional alliances.

Four members of the same family, including a woman and a child, were burned in a gas line explosion early Tuesday in Daudkandi municipality’s Baldakhal area of Comilla. The incident occurred on the ground floor of a three-storey building. The injured were identified as Monowara (60), Jil Haque (37), Umme Humayra (30), and Huram (2). They were admitted to the emergency department of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 6 a.m.

According to hospital sources, Monowara sustained burns on 2 percent of her body, Jil Haque 54 percent, Umme Humayra 65 percent, and the child Huram 6 percent. Locals reported that the building, owned by Peer Hossain, had an illegal gas connection, and a group collected rent for the gas each month. Fire Service Inspector Md. Ershad Hossain said a team was dispatched at 5 a.m., but the victims had already been sent to Dhaka. Preliminary investigation indicated the explosion resulted from a gas leak.

Daudkandi municipal administrator Md. Redwan Isam stated that the gas line leakage issue will be investigated.