Residents of West Ulon in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area staged a protest on Wednesday night, surrounding the local police station after the body of six-year-old Tahedi Akter was discovered in stagnant water at an under-construction building. The demonstrators demanded justice and blocked nearby roads, alleging foul play in the child’s death. Police said the body was recovered on Tuesday night and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Tahedi, daughter of Md. Liton Mia from Comilla’s Titas upazila, lived with her family in West Ulon. Her uncle reported that she went missing while her mother was praying, and was later found unresponsive in the water pit. Family members expressed suspicion about the cause of death, citing inconsistencies such as the absence of water in her stomach and biscuit crumbs in her mouth. Hatirjheel Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Mortuza confirmed that a murder case was being filed, though no suspects were named. He said the investigation was being treated with high priority.

At least 15 people were injured in a clash between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Magura municipality on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. in the Shibrampur and Bhatikadanga areas, reportedly over the distribution of government-allocated rice ahead of Eid. Police detained three individuals for questioning following the violence. According to local sources, the dispute began between Ward No. 8 BNP president Tarikul Sheikh and local BNP leader Abu Mia over the rice distribution process. Their supporters engaged in a chase and counter-chase that escalated into a violent confrontation. Several injured individuals were admitted to Magura 250-bed hospital for treatment, and the office of the ward president was reportedly vandalized during the incident. Additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain order, and authorities reported that the situation is now under control, though tension remains high in the locality.

Saudi Arabia has announced a new record for the highest number of Umrah pilgrims in a single day during the holy month of Ramadan. On Saturday, February 21, 2026, a total of 904,000 people performed Umrah, surpassing the previous record of 500,000 pilgrims set on March 7, 2025. The surge in attendance at the Grand Mosque in Mecca prompted authorities to implement strict safety and crowd management measures. To manage the large influx, the open marble courtyard around the Kaaba, known as the Mataf area, was reserved exclusively for Umrah pilgrims throughout the day. Saudi authorities reported that the Grand Mosque experiences particularly heavy crowds during Friday prayers and the Maghrib, Isha, Tarawih, and late-night Tahajjud prayers in the last ten days of Ramadan. Worshippers were urged to follow official guidance and pray in designated open areas when the mosque reaches capacity. Authorities also enforced directional signage for entry and exit, banned gatherings on walkways and roads, and introduced special traffic controls around the mosque. Unauthorized motorcycles and bicycles were prohibited, and improperly parked vehicles posing safety risks faced legal action under traffic laws.

A massive fire at a newly built LPG gas station in the Kalatali area at the entrance of Cox’s Bazar city was brought under control after seven hours of continuous effort. The blaze, which began around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the ‘N Alam Filling Station,’ was contained at about 1:45 a.m. Thursday through a joint operation by ten units from the Fire Service, Army, BGB, Police, and Air Force. At least 15 people were burned, with nine transferred to hospitals in Chattogram and Dhaka for advanced treatment. Around 50 nearby houses and shops were damaged. District Commissioner Md. A. Mannan confirmed that several homes and vehicles were affected, and financial assistance will be provided to the injured. Police coordinated with other agencies to keep onlookers safe and minimize losses. Witnesses reported that the fire started from a gas leak and reignited after an explosion around 10 p.m., spreading to nearby structures. Fire officials stated that the station was under construction and operating without formal approval or safety measures when the incident occurred.

A feature article by Dr. Tawhidul Islam, published on February 26, 2026, explores how Islam entered and expanded in Bengal through economic and trade connections rather than solely through conquest. The piece traces the process from Muhammad bin Qasim’s Sindh campaign in 712 CE to Bakhtiyar Khalji’s conquest of Bengal in 1204 CE, emphasizing that commercial motives and political ambitions often underpinned these military movements. The article highlights that Arab merchants had established strong trade ties with the Bengal region long before Islam’s arrival, facilitating cultural and social exchanges. These interactions, combined with the later arrival of Sufi preachers, helped spread Islamic ideals among local populations. The author argues that economic interests, maritime trade, and social contact were the main driving forces behind the religious and political establishment of Islam in Bengal. The analysis concludes that Islam’s foundation in Bengal was primarily shaped by economic motivations and sustained trade relations, which fostered both cultural integration and religious transformation across the subcontinent.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a deal with the United States to avoid war is now within reach. He made the remarks ahead of a scheduled meeting between the two countries in Geneva, Switzerland. Araghchi referred to ongoing threats of attack from U.S. President Donald Trump and said Tehran is moving toward a historic agreement, depending on how much Washington prioritizes diplomacy. In a statement on social media, Araghchi reiterated that Iran will never produce nuclear weapons under any circumstances but maintains its right to benefit from peaceful nuclear technology. The upcoming Geneva meeting on Thursday marks the third round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, with Oman mediating the discussions. Muscat has expressed hope for positive progress toward finalizing the agreement. Araghchi is leading the Iranian delegation, while the U.S. side is represented by White House special envoy Steve Utkov and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Russia has issued a strong warning that it may consider using non-strategic nuclear weapons if Western countries provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons or related technology. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former president, stated via the Max Messenger app that Russian intelligence indicates Britain and France are planning to transfer nuclear technology to Ukraine. He said such a move would dramatically alter the ongoing war and that Russia reserves the right to use any necessary weapons, including nuclear ones, to protect its security. Medvedev also warned that countries supplying such weapons could become potential targets. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that preventing nuclear proliferation in Europe is crucial amid the current conflict. He said transferring nuclear weapons or technology to Ukraine would clearly violate international law and nuclear non-proliferation agreements. Earlier, Russia’s foreign intelligence agency SVR alleged that Britain and France were showing interest in supplying nuclear weapons to Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv’s position in peace talks. No immediate official response was reported from Britain, France, or Ukraine regarding these allegations.

Rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah, the 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu, has become a leading contender for Nepal’s next prime minister ahead of the general election scheduled for March 5. Shah, popularly known as Balen, rose to prominence after a youth-led uprising in September last year toppled the government of then–Prime Minister K. P. Oli, an event in which 77 people were killed. Through a social media post, Shah urged young voters to prepare to lead the country, declaring that the time of their oppressors was over. Constitutional law expert Bipin Adhikari noted Shah’s immense popularity, saying that buses entering Kathmandu often display stickers reading “Heading to Balen’s city.” Shah’s National Independent Party (RSP), a new centrist force, has pledged to maintain balanced foreign relations with Nepal’s two large neighbors. Reuters reported that Shah, who first entered politics as mayor in 2022, is now seen as the most likely candidate for prime minister. As mayor, Shah earned praise for improving infrastructure, waste management, and health services in Kathmandu, though groups such as Human Rights Watch criticized him for using police to evict street vendors and the homeless. He resigned as mayor in January to contest the election.

The United States and Iran are set to begin their third round of nuclear discussions in Geneva today, focusing on finding a diplomatic solution to ongoing disputes over Iran’s nuclear program. The talks come as Washington has recently imposed new sanctions on Tehran and continues to expand its military presence in the Middle East, according to Al Jazeera. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Wednesday and met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who is mediating the indirect negotiations scheduled for Thursday. Before departing for Geneva, Araghchi stated that a fair and balanced agreement was within reach, emphasizing that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons and will not relinquish its right to peaceful nuclear technology. Earlier, U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused Iran of attempting to restart its nuclear program following American strikes on Iranian facilities. He reiterated that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons and said President Trump prefers a diplomatic resolution but retains other options.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has described the recent situation at Bangladesh Bank as the formal beginning of a government-backed 'mob culture'. In a verified Facebook post on Thursday morning, he expressed concern over the reported humiliation of the central bank’s governor and adviser, calling the incident unfortunate and unacceptable. He urged people from all political backgrounds to speak out against such disorder. In his post, Dr. Rahman said that the country’s economy is already under severe strain due to corruption, extortion, and syndicates, and that continued misconduct at top state institutions like Bangladesh Bank could destroy what remains of the economy. He alleged that mobs are being created within state institutions to harass competent and patriotic officials. He called on the government to immediately stop such activities and to ensure that appointments to key positions are made based on merit and patriotism rather than party loyalty.

Authorities in Gafargaon, Mymensingh conducted an eviction drive on Wednesday afternoon at the historic Saltia Bazar area, reclaiming government land valued at approximately Tk 25 crore. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Amir Salman Rony, who oversaw the demolition of illegal structures and unauthorized shop extensions built on public land. The recovered land, located at the heart of the municipal area, will now be available for use by local residents and traders for market activities. The Gafargaon police and municipal authorities provided full support during the operation, ensuring the removal of all encroachments. According to the Assistant Commissioner (Land), similar drives to remove illegal establishments and recover government property will continue in the future.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the Ekushey Padak 2026, one of Bangladesh’s highest civilian honors, to distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The ceremony took place on Thursday morning at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The awardees include Farida Akhter Bobita for film, Professor Md. Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabassum for architecture, Ayub Bachchu (posthumously) for music, Islam Uddin Palakar for theatre, Shafik Rehman for journalism, Professor Mahbubul Alam Majumdar for education, Tejas Halder Josh for sculpture, and Orthi Ahmed for dance. The band Warfaze received the award as a musical group. The event was presided over by Prime Minister Rahman and attended by cabinet members, senior military and civil officials, and invited dignitaries. The Ekushey Padak is awarded annually to recognize exceptional contributions to national life and culture. The ceremony highlighted the government’s continued recognition of excellence across diverse creative and professional sectors, reinforcing the importance of cultural and intellectual achievements in national development.

Khan Akram Hossain of Bagerhat, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War, has been acquitted. The verdict was delivered on Thursday morning by a five-member appellate bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury. Previously, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 had sentenced Sheikh Sirajul Haque alias Siraj Master to death and Khan Akram Hossain to life imprisonment on August 11, 2015. The tribunal found Siraj guilty on five of six charges and Akram guilty on one of three charges. Following the tribunal’s decision, Akram appealed to the higher court seeking acquittal. According to official records, Akram was born in 1955 in Morrelganj, Bagerhat, and later worked in the agriculture department until his retirement in 2011. The acquittal marks a significant development in the ongoing judicial review of war crimes cases from Bangladesh’s 1971 conflict.

Cambridge University has invested over £140 million from its £4.2 billion endowment fund into a portfolio that includes companies accused of involvement in Israeli human rights violations in Gaza. The revelation came after analysis of recent filings submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, reported by Middle East Eye. The investment was made by Cambridge University Investment Management in the ‘iShares ESG Select Screened S&P 500’ fund during the last quarter of the previous year. Through this fund, the university indirectly holds shares in Palantir Technologies, Caterpillar, and GE Aerospace—companies accused of aiding Israeli military operations and forced evictions in Palestinian territories. Cambridge reportedly owns about £800,000 in Palantir shares and £900,000 in GE Aerospace shares, linking it to suppliers of Israeli defense technology and aircraft engines. The disclosure follows earlier criticism of the university’s lack of transparency and its delayed decisions on divesting from arms manufacturers. The report noted growing ethical and legal pressure on Cambridge, especially as Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has already divested from Caterpillar over similar human rights concerns.

Pakistan’s security forces have killed at least 34 militants described as India-backed during operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released on February 26, 2026. The operations were carried out over several days based on intelligence reports targeting two groups identified as Fitna al-Kharij and Fitna al-Hindustan. The ISPR said that on February 24, four separate clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in the deaths of 26 members of Fitna al-Kharij, while eight militants from Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in an operation in Sambaza, Balochistan. One of the deceased was identified as an Afghan national. Additional operations were conducted in Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and North Waziristan districts, where further militants were killed after intense exchanges of fire. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, according to the ISPR statement. The operations are part of Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts in its northwestern and southwestern regions.