Nepali police have arrested an Indian citizen in connection with a balloon explosion that injured Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister, Bishnu Poudel, during a tourism event. Authorities stated that Kamlesh Kumar was responsible for filling the balloons with highly flammable hydrogen gas. The incident occurred during the inauguration of the “Visit Pokhara Year 2025” campaign when the Deputy PM lit a candle, igniting the gas-filled balloons and causing an explosion. Poudel was airlifted to Kathmandu for medical treatment.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator without elections” and urging immediate action to “save the country.” Zelensky dismissed Trump’s remarks, accusing him of being misled by Russian propaganda. In response, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the denial of Ukraine’s democratic legitimacy, while British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed support for Zelensky during a phone call. Sweden’s Prime Minister criticized Trump’s statement, and Canada reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine. Meanwhile, controversy is growing over the recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, which excluded Ukraine and Europe.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has issued a statement regarding the joint forces’ operation in the Mohammadpur’s Chand Udyan area. According to the statement, security personnel surrounded both sides of a narrow alley when militants suddenly opened fire from the rooftop of a single-story building. In response, the forces returned fire in self-defense. Five suspected militants were arrested, and two bodies were recovered from the premises. Authorities also seized a pistol, four bullets, and a machete. The arrested individuals have been handed over to Mohammadpur Police Station for further investigation.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has declared that the nation is now stronger, more energetic, and more creative than ever before. Speaking at an event honoring recipients of the prestigious Ekushey Padak, he praised the younger generation for their bold aspirations, which he described as more ambitious than those of previous generations. He also emphasized that the spirit of the language movement played a crucial role in awakening the nation’s quest for self-determination.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has firmly rejected any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their homeland. During a meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he reiterated the UAE’s opposition to such proposals. The UAE emphasized the importance of rebuilding Gaza and advancing a two-state solution for regional stability. Previously, the U.S. had proposed relocating Gazans to two Arab nations as part of a plan to seize control of Gaza, a proposal that has been widely rejected across the Arab world.

The body of a five-year-old child, Ibrahim Khalil Naim, was recovered from a pond in Nangalkot, Comilla. The child's family has alleged that he was murdered. Naim, son of expatriate Mohammad Ali, went missing around 11 AM. Locals searched for him and made public announcements via loudspeakers. His body was found floating in the pond at 3 PM, and he was rushed to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. The grieving mother claims her son was suffocated and then thrown into the pond, as there were visible injury marks on his body. The local police chief has stated that legal action will be taken if a formal complaint is filed.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has presented the Ekushey Padak to 18 distinguished individuals and the SAFF-winning women’s football team for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The ceremony was held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 11 AM. Award recipients include Mehedi Hasan Khan, Mahmudur Rahman, Shahidul Alam, Moinul Hasan, Niaz Zaman, Ferdous Ara, Nasir Al Mamun, Rokeya Sultana, Tanbin Islam, and Shabab Mustafa. Posthumous awards were received by representatives of the deceased honorees. The Ekushey Padak is awarded annually in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement.

The Department of Narcotics Control has arrested two drug traffickers with 428 bottles of banned alcohol in Chuadanga’s Badrganj area. Two motorcycles used for smuggling were also seized. The arrestees, Abul Kalam (43) and Russell (25), were caught in an operation based on secret intelligence. Inspector Nazmul Hossain Khan confirmed the incident, stating that the alcohol was found in two cartons strapped to the motorcycles. The seized alcohol is reported to be highly toxic.

A massive fire broke out at a sales center of Guardian Publications in Bangla Bazar, Old Dhaka, causing the loss of books worth millions. The fire started at around 4 AM on Thursday. Nazmul Huda, General Manager of the publishing house, confirmed the incident. According to him, the fire was reported to the fire service at 5 AM, and firefighters managed to extinguish it by 7:30 AM. The fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage for further details.

In recognition of outstanding contributions in various fields, the Ekushey Padak will be awarded to 18 distinguished individuals and the SAFF-winning Bangladesh women's football team this year. The Chief Adviser will present the awards at a special ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Thursday at 11 AM. The event will be broadcast live on BTV. Established in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Ekushey Padak has been awarded annually since 1976 to prominent figures in literature, journalism, arts, education, research, economics, and other fields.

A shocking incident in Shreepur, Gazipur, saw a police officer being dragged for nearly a kilometer by an auto-rickshaw after attempting to impound the unauthorized vehicle. The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media. The arrested driver, 24-year-old Jony Ahmed, ignored repeated pleas from passengers to stop the vehicle while the uniformed officer clung to the rickshaw’s metal frame. Local residents and police eventually intercepted and detained the driver at a traffic jam. Authorities have confirmed that legal action will be taken against him.

Gunmen have shot and killed a police officer tasked with providing security for a polio vaccination team in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pakistan remains one of the few countries still combating polio, and vaccination drives have been targeted by militants for years. Due to its location near conflict-prone areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen repeated attacks on polio workers and their security personnel. Despite heightened security measures, assailants arrived on motorcycles and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

Bangladesh police have arrested 532 individuals in the last 24 hours as part of ‘Operation Devil Hunt.’ Additionally, 1,151 others were arrested in connection with separate cases, bringing the total number of arrests to 1,683. The police headquarters reported that law enforcement recovered one foreign-made pistol, a magazine, steel machetes, rusted knives, a kirich (curved blade), and two Burmese daggers during the operation. Since the operation began on February 8, a total of 6,414 individuals have been detained, including several leaders and members of ruling party affiliates.

Two people were killed in a joint forces operation in the Basila area of Mohammadpur, Dhaka. At least five others were injured in the incident, which occurred around 1 AM on Wednesday. According to Abdur Rab, a wireless operator at Mohammadpur police station, the army was conducting routine patrols when armed assailants opened fire on them. The army retaliated, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. No military personnel were injured in the exchange, and the identities of the deceased have yet to be confirmed.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued traffic guidelines for International Mother Language Day on February 21. According to an official notice, the Central Shaheed Minar will be open to the public from 12:45 AM. Visitors paying tribute will not be allowed to carry bags, cartons, or flammable substances. Pedestrians must follow a designated route: entering via Palashi Crossing, Sculpture Crossing, and Jagannath Hall Crossing, and exiting through Romana Crossing and Doel Chattar. Additionally, from 6 PM on February 20, traffic movement will be restricted in Shahbagh, Nilkhet, Shahidullah Hall, Chankharpul, Palashi, and Bakshibazar to ensure smooth observance of the event.