Elon Musk, currently the world’s richest person, is projected to become the highest individual taxpayer in history. According to his own statement, he expects to pay more than 500 billion dollars in taxes over his lifetime. Musk’s total wealth now stands at about 852 billion dollars, placing him far ahead of other billionaires. The surge in Musk’s wealth follows the recent merger between his rocket company SpaceX and artificial intelligence firm xAI, which created a new entity valued at 1.25 trillion dollars. The merger alone added 84 billion dollars to Musk’s personal fortune in a single day. Responding humorously on social media platform X, Musk said he had already paid over 10 billion dollars in taxes and joked that he deserved a small trophy for it. Musk currently leads the race to become the world’s first trillionaire, with his closest rivals holding between 100 and 250 billion dollars. The source notes that if Tesla’s new incentives and stock targets are achieved, his wealth could multiply further over the next decade.

Pakistan’s military carried out airstrikes across several areas of Afghanistan, killing at least 17 people, according to Afghan sources cited by Al Jazeera. The Pakistani government said the strikes targeted seven hideouts of Fitna al-Kharij’s affiliates and Daesh-Khorasan along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Islamabad described the operation as a response to a recent suicide attack in the Pakistani capital. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense condemned the strikes in a statement on Sunday, saying they hit a religious school and residential homes in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, causing civilian casualties including women and children. The attacks have placed a fragile ceasefire between the two neighbors under serious strain. Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated on social media that the military targeted camps and secret bases of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and allied groups, as well as an Islamic State affiliate near the border. The ministry added that Islamabad had repeatedly urged the Taliban government to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory for attacks but claimed Kabul had failed to act.

Saudi Arabia has arrested more than 19,000 illegal expatriates during a nationwide security campaign conducted from February 12 to 18, 2026. The joint operation targeted violations of labor, residency, and border security regulations, according to Khaleej Times. Among those detained, 12,153 were held for residency violations, 2,845 for labor law breaches, and 4,103 for border security offenses. Additionally, 663 people were caught attempting to cross the border illegally, most of them Yemeni and Ethiopian nationals. The Saudi Ministry of Interior stated that 28 individuals accused of assisting violators through transportation, shelter, or employment were also detained. Of the arrested expatriates, 14,893 have been deported, 1,389 were instructed to correct their travel documents, and 15,585 were ordered to obtain proper documentation. Authorities warned that anyone aiding border violators could face up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to one million riyals. The ministry also announced that vehicles and residences used for transporting or harboring violators would be confiscated as part of the enforcement measures.

University students across Iran launched large-scale anti-government demonstrations on Saturday, marking the first major wave of protests since last month’s deadly crackdown. Rallies and sit-ins took place at several campuses in Tehran, including Sharif University of Technology, where hundreds of students marched peacefully with national flags. Verified videos showed chants calling for the end of dictatorship, reportedly directed at Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Pro-government supporters held a counter-rally nearby, leading to brief scuffles between the two groups. Similar protests were reported at Shahid Beheshti and Amirkabir universities, while students in Mashhad demanded freedom and rights. The unrest follows last month’s economic crisis that escalated into nationwide anti-government protests, described as the largest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) claimed at least 6,159 people were killed, including protesters, children, and government personnel, while Iranian authorities reported over 3,100 deaths, mostly security forces and civilians. Tensions with the United States have further complicated the situation. President Donald Trump said progress had been made in nuclear talks but warned that within ten days it would be clear whether a deal or military action would follow.

Saudi authorities have announced new guidelines for Umrah pilgrims during Ramadan to ensure safety, order, and smooth worship at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The measures include crowd control, transportation management, and health and safety protocols as the number of worshippers increases during the holy month. Digital indicators have been installed at mosque entrances to show space availability, with green indicating open areas and red indicating full capacity. Authorities have restricted the use of private cars to reduce congestion and encouraged the use of buses, taxis, and the Haramain High-Speed Railway. Motorcycles, bicycles, and unauthorized vehicles are banned in central areas. Separate prayer areas and electric carts have been arranged for elderly and special-needs worshippers, while families are advised not to bring children into crowded zones. Additional instructions include staying hydrated, taking rest, following fire safety rules, and obtaining mandatory digital permits. Carrying weapons, begging, unauthorized selling, and obstructing movement are strictly prohibited under the new directives.

The once-mighty Padma River in Rajbari has turned into a narrow channel as vast stretches have dried up, exposing numerous sandbars across nearly fifty kilometers. The shrinking river has reduced navigability and created acute water shortages for hundreds of families living in the char areas. Locals report that the river has become so shallow that crossing it on foot may soon be possible. Residents recall that three decades ago, the river maintained strong flow even in dry seasons. Now, farmers struggle to transport crops and goods from the opposite bank, often resorting to walking or using animal carts. Livestock owners travel long distances to bathe and water their cattle as nearby ponds have dried up, and tube wells no longer yield water. According to Subrata Kumar, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board’s Rajbari Sadar Division, reduced upstream flow and lower surface-level capacity have caused the drying. He added that decreased water release from the Farakka Barrage is a major factor. A survey is underway to determine the full extent of the problem.

Farmers in Panchagarh have intensified Boro rice cultivation this season, encouraged by stable paddy prices in recent years. The district, which typically plants Boro seedlings later than other regions, is now witnessing widespread transplanting activity. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, the target for this year’s Irri-Boro season covers 33,994 hectares across five upazilas, including 9,021 hectares of hybrid and 24,973 hectares of Ufshi varieties. So far, seedlings have been transplanted on 14,490 hectares, with completion expected within two weeks. Boda and Debiganj upazilas have seen the largest cultivation areas, totaling over 21,000 hectares. Farmers report favorable weather and manageable pest conditions, raising hopes for another bumper harvest. Some, however, have shifted portions of their land to maize and peanut cultivation due to previous losses from Aman rice. Agricultural officials noted that last season’s Boro crop achieved high yields despite pest attacks, and similar conditions this year could lead to strong production again. If current weather patterns persist and proper care continues, the district’s farmers anticipate a productive harvest season ahead.

A severe shortage of drinking water has gripped Charfassion in Bhola as groundwater levels have fallen sharply, leaving thousands of deep tube wells dry. According to the report published on February 22, 2026, water is no longer coming from about 12,000 deep tube wells across Charfassion municipality and 21 unions. Residents are now forced to collect water from ponds, canals, and ditches, causing widespread suffering. The lack of clean water has disrupted daily life, including prayer activities in mosques, and raised health concerns due to the use of contaminated surface water. The Department of Public Health Engineering in Charfassion stated that around 10–12 thousand government-installed deep tube wells exist in the area, along with over a hundred thousand privately owned ones. Of these, about 2,500 government-funded and more than 40,000 private tube wells are currently nonfunctional. Officials said the groundwater level has been dropping by about two feet each year, worsened by irrigation-related extraction. The Upazila administration has advised contacting the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation to address the issue. The crisis has heightened risks of waterborne diseases, particularly among children, as residents rely on unsafe water sources.

Tensions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program have intensified, according to a report by Axios. The report claims that if Iran fails to provide assurances of permanently halting nuclear weapons development, the U.S. may consider extreme measures, including removing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba Khamenei. The Pentagon has reportedly presented several strategic options to President Donald Trump, one of which involves dismantling Iran’s religious leadership structure. Trump has not yet made a final decision and is said to be keeping all options open. The report adds that if Iran commits to permanently stopping weapons production, limited uranium enrichment could be allowed, though no final decision has been made. Diplomatic efforts have so far yielded little progress, raising fears of military confrontation. Several Gulf states and Israel believe conflict is more likely than compromise. The U.S. has assembled its largest military presence in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq war, though Trump has not authorized military action. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that both sides have agreed on some basic principles and that Tehran will soon submit a written proposal. The White House confirmed that significant gaps remain before any agreement can be reached.

Bangladesh’s long-held strong position in the European Union apparel market has weakened, according to recent Eurostat and Export Promotion Bureau data. Despite overall EU apparel imports rising 2.10% in 2025 to reach USD 90 billion, average unit prices fell 10.27%. Bangladesh’s exports to the EU totaled USD 9.46 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2025–26, down 4.14% from the same period a year earlier. In December 2025 alone, export earnings dropped 12.05% year-on-year as prices fell despite stable shipment volumes. Analysts attribute the intensified competition to exporters from several countries redirecting goods to Europe after the United States imposed higher tariffs on multiple nations. This surge in supply has driven down prices and increased pressure on Bangladeshi exporters. The situation is further complicated by the newly announced India-EU free trade agreement, which will eliminate around 12% tariffs on Indian apparel once it takes effect in 2027, giving India a cost advantage. Industry leaders from BGMEA and EAB warned that without timely policy support, efficiency upgrades, and product diversification, Bangladesh risks losing market share in Europe to more aggressive competitors such as China, India, and Vietnam.

Nine people, including six female skiers and three professional guides, were killed in a massive avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, described as the most deadly avalanche in the United States in 45 years. The victims were on a three-day backcountry skiing expedition under the supervision of experienced guides when the avalanche struck on Tuesday morning as they prepared to return. A snow layer the size of a football field collapsed suddenly, burying them within seconds. Rescue teams faced severe wind and near-zero visibility, delaying operations. Six people were rescued alive, but nine others could not be saved. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether negligence played a role. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reported that the site remains dangerous, with one person still missing. The tragedy has cast a shadow of grief over the community. Psychologist Sara Boylen said the incident has caused deep emotional trauma for mountain enthusiasts, turning a place of peace into one of loss.

The tenure of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain ends today, Sunday, February 22, 2026. The government has not yet announced how the city corporation will be administered from Monday. Dr. Shahadat, who has been urging for a new city election, has expressed willingness to contest again if his party nominates him. According to the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, elections should have been held between November 22, 2025, and February 22, 2026, but that schedule was not maintained. Following the new government’s swearing-in, the Ministry of Local Government expressed interest in holding elections for all city corporations, including Dhaka and Chattogram. Political parties such as BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and Islami Andolon have begun preparing candidate lists for mayor and councillor positions. The ministry has also sent a letter to the Election Commission to initiate preparations. Sources indicate the government may consider keeping Dr. Shahadat in office until the next election under Section 6 of the Local Government Act. Meanwhile, parties are finalizing their strategies, with Jamaat and its allies yet to decide whether to contest jointly or separately.

Awami-leaning journalists held a public demonstration in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday, marking their first open gathering since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government a year and a half ago. Led by Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) leaders Sajjad Alam Khan Tapu and Akhtar Hossain, participants formed a brief human chain and later paid tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar. They demanded reopening of the locked DUJ office and release of detained journalists, sharing photos and videos of the event on social media. The demonstration came four days after the formation of a new government and amid reports that banned Awami League activists were reopening party offices and organizing small rallies. The July Revolutionary Journalists Alliance (JRJA) strongly condemned the event, accusing the participants of trying to reintroduce “Mujibism” and destabilize the country’s new democratic order. JRJA demanded the arrest of those involved, alleging many were accused in genocide cases. The incident reflects renewed activity among Awami-affiliated groups despite ongoing bans on their political and organizational operations following the 2024 uprising that toppled Hasina’s 15-year rule.

The 30-year Ganges water-sharing treaty signed in 1996 between India and Bangladesh is set to expire in December 2026, and no formal renewal talks have begun. Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told parliament that discussions will start only after Bangladesh’s new government is formed. The agreement, originally signed by H. D. Deve Gowda and Sheikh Hasina, governs dry-season water distribution at the Farakka Barrage and has long symbolized bilateral cooperation. Experts cited in the report warn that India may use the Farakka Barrage as diplomatic leverage, while Bangladesh seeks to link water, trade, and transit issues in negotiations. The political shift in Dhaka following Sheikh Hasina’s fall and the rise of a new BNP-led government has reshaped regional dynamics. West Bengal’s internal politics and environmental concerns over salinity and river flow further complicate renewal prospects. Analysts suggest that failure to reach a new deal by December could intensify debates over sovereignty and regional economic interdependence, with both sides balancing strategic interests and domestic pressures.

The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament is expected to begin in the second week of March, likely around March 12. According to multiple sources from Bangabhaban, the Parliament Secretariat, and both ruling and opposition parties, preparations for the session have been completed. The Secretariat has already informed the President’s Office, and the President may call the session soon under Article 72 of the Constitution. The session must be held by March 14, within 30 days of the publication of the election gazette on February 13. The session will open without a sitting Speaker or Deputy Speaker, as the previous Speaker resigned and the Deputy Speaker is in jail. A senior member or the Chief Election Commissioner may preside over the first meeting until a new Speaker is elected. The President will deliver his constitutional address at the opening session. Opposition leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami have pledged constructive participation, while government ministers have called for cooperative politics. The first meeting will elect a new Speaker and possibly a Deputy Speaker, followed by the President administering the oath. Subsequent sittings will include condolence motions, the President’s speech, and presentation of ordinances issued since the last Parliament.