A tragic bus accident in Kashiani, Gopalganj, claimed the lives of a driver and a supervisor, leaving 12 others injured. The incident occurred around 11 AM on Saturday in Hironnakandi when a Tungipara Express bus rear-ended a Sohaag Paribahan bus traveling from Dhaka to Khulna, causing it to crash into a tree. Emergency responders rushed the injured to hospitals, where two succumbed to their injuries. Eyewitnesses fear the death toll may rise as authorities continue rescue efforts.

A violent clash broke out between two BNP-affiliated groups—Swechchhasebak Dal and Jubo Dal—over smuggling activities in Feni’s Parshuram. The confrontation left Arif Hossain (40), a member of Swechchhasebak Dal, and Tanveer, a Jubo Dal leader, critically injured with severe head wounds. The incident occurred in the West Saheb Nagar area around 10 p.m. on Friday. Both victims were rushed to Parshuram Hospital. Authorities confirmed the incident stemmed from illegal border activities, including soil excavation and sale.

For the first time, a freight train has been launched from Mongla Seaport, marking a new milestone in cargo transportation. On Friday, a train carrying 1,050 metric tons of molasses imported from Pakistan departed for Baghabari, Sirajganj. The cargo was loaded from United Refinery & Bulk Storage Limited via pipeline into 30 wagons. This new railway link will reduce transport costs and boost trade at Mongla Port. Officials see it as a major step in enhancing the port’s efficiency in handling exports and imports.

A fire erupted at a shop in the Karail slum of Mohakhali, Dhaka, around 12:45 AM on Friday. Ten Fire Service units battled the blaze for an hour before it was brought under control by 1:45 AM. The cause of the fire and damage details remain unknown. Earlier, a fire at a sawmill in Khilgaon was extinguished after two hours. No casualties were reported in either incident, according to Fire Service officials.

In a crackdown on mineral theft along the Jadukata River in Tahirpur, Sunamganj, six individuals have been arrested and sentenced to three months in prison. They were caught stealing sand and stones from the riverbanks. A mobile court, led by Tahirpur’s Upazila Executive Officer, also fined trawler owners 150,000 taka for transporting the stolen materials. The operation was carried out with support from district authorities, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel.

Police arrested two individuals, including a banned Chhatra League leader, during a raid in Ashulia’s Gazirchat Ariyara Mor on Friday evening. The arrestees are Md. Sabuj Uddin Khan (26), a leader of the banned student organization, and Selim Reza (25), an active member of Jubo League. Sabuj Uddin Khan is facing charges related to a student-public murder case. The arrests were part of the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt. Both suspects will be presented in court on Saturday.

Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the abduction of 25 rubber plantation workers in Lama, Bandarban. On February 16, armed criminals kidnapped the workers from Murung Jhiri, Fasiakhali Union, and later released them after extorting 10 lakh taka in ransom. Following the incident, Jasim Uddin filed a case at Lama Police Station. The arrested individuals are from Thanchi, Ruma, and Lama. OC Shahadat Hossain confirmed the arrests and stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

At the 55th BGB-BSF conference in New Delhi (Feb 17-20), Bangladesh and India’s border forces agreed on six key issues, including reducing border killings to zero through joint patrols, regulating border infrastructure, curbing cross-border crimes, strengthening surveillance, combating human trafficking, and enhancing bilateral cooperation. BGB urged BSF to prevent unnecessary border violence, while BSF reaffirmed its commitment to a non-lethal approach. Discussions also covered flood prevention, waste management in border canals, and security concerns regarding separatist groups. A joint declaration formalized these agreements.

Police have recovered the hanging body of a student from a dormitory at Rajshahi University. The incident took place on Friday evening at Tuhin Hall, where the body was discovered.

Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman confirmed the matter. The deceased has been identified as Md. Sifat Sifatullah, a student of the Fisheries Department from the 2022-23 academic session.

His body has been sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Describing him as a devout and well-mannered individual, his classmate Hasib Chowdhury said, “He had been suffering from depression for some time, but he never shared it with us.”

Two individuals were shot dead by assailants in Shailkupa, Jhenaidah, late on Friday night, February 21st. The incident occurred around 11:30 PM. The officer-in-charge of Shailkupa Police Station, Masum Khan, confirmed the details, adding that the situation has caused unrest in the local community. Residents have expressed deep concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, calling for swift action from the interim government to address the growing instability.

A prisoner has died from burns sustained in an accident while cooking at Rajshahi Central Jail. The incident occurred on Friday morning at around 9:30 AM, and the prisoner succumbed to his injuries at the burn unit of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The deceased, Bipul Kumar, was a resident of Mahadebpur, Naogaon, and had been serving a life sentence since 2010 for a drug-related crime. Doctors reported that 20% of his body was burned. Although he was referred to Dhaka for further treatment, he passed away before reaching the capital. The jail superintendent declined to comment further, confirming only the prisoner’s death at the medical facility.

The nation solemnly observed Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day, remembering those who sacrificed their lives for the right to speak Bengali. Thousands walked barefoot to the Central Shaheed Minar, singing “Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushe February,” as a mark of respect. Security was tight, yet the atmosphere remained peaceful. People from all walks of life, including students and political leaders, paid tribute. The day also reinforced the commitment to a discrimination-free society, emphasizing the importance of linguistic and cultural rights.

A court has issued an order to frame charges against Additional Police Superintendent Mohammad Nazmul Hasan Rajib in a dowry-related case involving his second wife. The plaintiff’s lawyer, Zulfiqar Ali, informed that the court passed this order during the hearing on Thursday. According to the allegations, on October 26, 2023, Nazmul married the plaintiff while concealing his first marriage. He allegedly took a dowry of 21 lakh 40 thousand Taka and subjected the plaintiff to abuse when she refused to meet further demands. This led to the filing of the case. Additionally, there is an ongoing case against him for fetal homicide.

A group of current and former students from Dhaka University staged a protest against a rape incident that took place on a moving bus en route to Rajshahi. The demonstration was supported by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Bangladesh Student Rights Council.

Protesters blamed the government for a culture of impunity regarding sexual violence and demanded the resignation of the Home Adviser. Sumaiya Akter, one of the protestors, stated, “Even though we have fought for an equal Bangladesh, we still have to take to the streets against violence against women on February 21.”

She further criticized the Home Adviser for remaining silent while perpetrators escape justice. Protesters also alleged that rapists often receive protection from political leaders, allowing them to evade legal consequences.

Malaysia has lifted the ban on Indian Islamic scholar and speaker Dr. Zakir Naik from delivering public speeches. The restriction, imposed temporarily in 2019, is no longer in effect, according to Malaysian media.

During a parliamentary session, a member of parliament questioned the Home Minister about whether the ban on Naik was still in place. In response, the minister confirmed that the restriction was temporary and has since been lifted.

Al Jazeera reports that Zakir Naik remains on India’s wanted list over allegations of money laundering and promoting hate speech. In 2019, Malaysia took a stance against him after his controversial remarks about Malaysian Hindus and Chinese communities sparked outrage.