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.

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.

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 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.

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.

A Dhaka University student and student leader was allegedly beaten by police during an anti-drug operation at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Monday night. Witnesses said the incident occurred when anthropology student Naeem Uddin questioned police actions, prompting an officer to remark, “You’re arguing too much,” before assaulting him and seizing his phone. Several journalists, including Banglanews24 multimedia journalist Tofayel Ahmed, were also reportedly injured while covering the raid.

Student organizations and eyewitnesses condemned the incident, calling it a violation of human rights and demanding disciplinary and legal action against the involved officers. Leaders from various student groups said police cannot act as judges on the street and must be held accountable for unlawful behavior. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Shahbagh Police Station officials did not provide immediate comments, and the university administration has yet to respond.

Journalists and students have urged an impartial investigation into the assaults, emphasizing the need for accountability to prevent further abuse of power by law enforcement.

An abandoned mortar shell was recovered on Monday morning during canal excavation in Durganagar village of Sindurkhan Union, a border area of Sreemangal upazila in Moulvibazar. The discovery caused panic among locals, prompting police to issue a safety alert and urge residents to stay away from the site. The object was first spotted by farmer Sahid Mia while digging, who noticed a heavy metallic item buried underground.

Police from Sreemangal station arrived at the scene, recovered the suspicious object, and cordoned off the area. Moulvibazar Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sreemangal Circle) Wahiduzzaman Raju and Sreemangal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahirul Islam Munna visited the site. The Sylhet Metropolitan Police bomb disposal unit was informed and dispatched to the location.

According to police, the bomb disposal team later examined and neutralized the mortar shell. Authorities confirmed that the area was secured for public safety until the operation was completed.

An Awami League leader named PM Belal was handed over to police by locals after being assaulted in Kahalu upazila of Bogura on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred at the upazila parishad premises, where Belal was reportedly beaten before being taken to the local police station. Police later showed him arrested in a previous case and sent him to jail through the court the same day.

PM Belal serves as the vice-president of the Kahalu upazila unit of the Awami League and chairman of the Sadar Union Parishad. According to local sources, he had arrived at the upazila parishad earlier in the day and was attacked by residents as he was leaving. Kahalu municipal BNP president Anisur Rahman Anis stated that Belal had been in hiding and was suddenly seen at the upazila meeting, prompting locals to alert police.

Bogura district police spokesperson Additional Superintendent of Police Atowar Rahman confirmed the arrest and subsequent court transfer following his handover to police custody.

One person was killed and ten others injured in a clash between two rival groups in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj on Monday, February 23, 2026. The violence erupted in Komlapur village over a long-standing dispute for local dominance between the groups led by Anwar Munshi and Nur Islam, both reportedly linked to BNP politics. The deceased was identified as Nilu Munshi, 50, son of Anwar Munshi.

According to police and local sources, the conflict began when Anwar Munshi’s sons attacked Nur Islam near a hospital gate, injuring him. In retaliation, Nur Islam’s supporters attacked Anwar Munshi’s house, leading to a violent confrontation involving both sides. At least eleven people, including women, were injured. Severely injured victims were taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where Nilu Munshi was declared dead by doctors.

Muksudpur Police Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed the incident and said police, army, and RAB personnel were deployed to maintain order. The area remains tense following the clash.

A youth leader named Anwarul Islam Babu, aged 40, was arrested in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha after a raid at his home uncovered a large quantity of Tapentadol tablets. The operation was conducted late Sunday night around 11:30 p.m. by a team from the Department of Narcotics Control led by Sub-Inspector Jewel Islam. Officers found 2,850 tablets hidden in a plastic bag inside a drawer in Babu’s bedroom. Following the seizure, he was taken into custody.

Authorities confirmed that a case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act at Gobindaganj Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque stated that Babu was sent to Gaibandha District Jail through the court on Monday. In response to the incident, the local unit of Jubo Dal expelled Babu from his position as member secretary of the Sapmara Union Jubo Dal, citing activities contrary to party ideals.

The arrest and expulsion mark a disciplinary move by the party amid ongoing enforcement actions against illegal drug possession in the region.

Bangladeshi singer Mainul Ahsan Nobel was arrested again on Monday, February 23, 2026, in connection with a fraud case following a court order. Police detained him from the Bottola area of Siddhirganj in Narayanganj after allegations that he lured a young woman with a promise of marriage, confined her, and attempted to create objectionable photos. Demra Police Inspector (Investigation) Murad Hossain confirmed the arrest, stating that Nobel is currently in custody and will be sent to court after legal procedures.

According to the case filed by complainant Anannya Shabnam on August 13 of the previous year, Nobel and the woman had been engaged with family consent. The complaint alleges that during a visit to Nobel’s Demra residence, he confined her in a studio room, attempted to force physical contact, and recorded objectionable images and videos, later threatening to release them online. The court issued arrest warrants on February 2, 2026, against Nobel, his wife Israt Jahan Priya, his mother Nazma Hossain, and his assistant Munem Shah Soumik.

Nobel had previously faced multiple cases. The last known arrest occurred on May 19, 2025, in another case involving rape and assault allegations, after which he was released on bail.

An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after attempting to illegally enter former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, according to the Secret Service. Officials said the suspect, identified as Austin T. Martin of Cameron, North Carolina, breached the secured perimeter carrying a shotgun and a container of fuel. No security personnel were injured, and Trump was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the incident.

Authorities reported that Secret Service agents ordered Martin to drop his items, but he allegedly pointed the shotgun before being shot. The FBI has launched an investigation, collecting evidence from the scene and reviewing whether the weapon was purchased en route from North Carolina. Law enforcement confirmed that Martin had no prior criminal record and no link to previous attacks targeting Trump.

Following the incident, Secret Service Director Sean Curran visited the site and announced steps to strengthen security vigilance. The Mar-a-Lago estate remains under tight two-tier protection involving both local police and Secret Service agents.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 41 bank accounts belonging to former acting mayor of Gazipur City Corporation Asadur Rahman (Kiran) and his family. The accounts reportedly hold a total of 3,725,934 taka. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, according to court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain.

The Anti-Corruption Commission’s Deputy Director, Alomgir Hossain, filed the petition seeking to block the accounts, citing that unusually large and suspicious sums were deposited under the names of Kiran and his family members. The petition stated that the funds were allegedly obtained through misuse of power, irregularities, and corruption during Kiran’s tenure.

The court was told that there was a risk the money could be withdrawn and transferred abroad or concealed. After a hearing, the judge approved the request to freeze the accounts pending further investigation.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has begun a four-day hearing against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity. The proceedings, which started on Monday, aim to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to initiate a full trial over alleged extrajudicial killings carried out during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. The 80-year-old former leader faces three cases linked to at least 76 killings.

Prosecutors allege that the crimes occurred between 2013 and 2018, when Duterte served as mayor of Davao City and later as president of the Philippines. Independent estimates suggest that up to 30,000 people may have been killed during his six-year anti-drug drive. Although ICC judges declared Duterte physically fit, they granted his lawyers’ request to excuse him from appearing in person.

Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the court ruled it retains full jurisdiction over crimes committed between 2011 and 2019. Judges have 60 days after the hearing to decide whether to proceed with a formal trial.