Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned and protested remarks by Road, Rail and Water Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam that the party claims effectively legitimized extortion in the name of compromise. In a statement issued to the media on Saturday, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its publicity and media division, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, expressed deep concern and described the minister’s comments as undesirable, unethical, and harmful to the rule of law. The statement said extortion is a criminal offense and poses a serious threat to society, the economy, and governance. It warned that legitimizing such acts could encourage further crimes and undermine justice, transparency, and accountability. Jamaat urged the government to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against extortion and corruption and to take visible and effective measures against those involved. The party demanded that the minister withdraw his remarks, issue a public explanation, and avoid similar statements in the future. Jamaat also called on the government to ensure citizens’ safety and to take strict legal action to prevent extortion, warning that failure to do so could lead to a united public resistance against such crimes.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a temporary 10% global tariff after the Supreme Court declared his earlier trade policy invalid. The order, signed late Friday local time, will apply to all countries for the next 150 days under Section 122 of the 1974 U.S. Trade Act. Trump also directed his administration to explore whether previous tariff systems could be reinstated under other legal provisions. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States has several strong alternatives that could generate more revenue and strengthen the country. The move follows his earlier tariff policy announced on April 2, 2025, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which introduced a 10% baseline tariff and reciprocal tariffs on trade partners. According to the report, the United States earned an additional 13.35 trillion dollars in the past year from tariffs under Trump’s previous policy.

Meta has announced that the standalone Messenger.com website will stop operating from April 6, 2026. After that date, users attempting to access Messenger.com will be automatically redirected to facebook.com/messages. This means that web-based messaging will only be available through Facebook’s main site. The Android and iOS mobile Messenger apps will continue to function as usual without any changes. The company had previously discontinued the Messenger desktop applications for Windows and Mac, and this latest move extends that consolidation to the web version. Users who relied on Messenger.com without a Facebook account will now need to log in to Facebook to view or send messages. Small businesses, community groups, and individuals who preferred using the browser-based Messenger will have to switch to Facebook’s main desktop interface for chatting. Meta’s decision marks another step in its broader integration strategy, bringing Messenger more tightly under the Facebook platform. Desktop users are advised to have their Facebook login credentials ready, as logging in will become mandatory for web-based messaging once the change takes effect.

Sweden has advised its citizens to leave Iran immediately due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. On Friday, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard posted on social media platform X, warning that the situation in Iran and the region is highly uncertain. She urged Swedish nationals to avoid traveling to Iran and for those currently there to depart as soon as possible. Stenergard noted that it remains possible to leave Iran via air and land border crossings and encouraged citizens to use these routes. The minister further stated that individuals choosing to remain in Iran must do so on their own responsibility, as the Swedish Foreign Ministry will not be able to assist with evacuation. The advisory follows heightened nuclear-related tensions between Washington and Tehran. According to the report, the US President told reporters at the White House that limited strikes against Iran were being considered to maintain pressure, while warning that failure to reach a fair agreement could lead to serious consequences. The situation underscores growing instability in the region, prompting Sweden to take precautionary measures to protect its nationals abroad.

At least 50 people were killed when armed assailants attacked a village in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria, late Thursday night. The gunmen, riding on motorcycles, stormed the village in the Bukuyum area, setting houses on fire and abducting several women and children. The assault continued until Friday morning, leaving widespread devastation across the community. Hamisu A. Faru, a legislator representing southern Bukuyum, said the exact number of abducted individuals remains unclear as local officials are still compiling a list of the missing. A local resident, 41-year-old Abdullahi Sani, reported that villagers had alerted security forces a day earlier after spotting more than 150 motorcycles carrying armed men, but no action was taken. The attack follows a similar incident last week in Niger State’s Borgu area, where at least 46 people were killed, including 38 in Konkoso village, marking another wave of deadly violence in Nigeria’s northwest.

US Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee stated that he would have no objection if Israel took control of the entire Middle East. In an interview with commentator Tucker Carlson on Wednesday, Huckabee claimed that the Bible grants Israel the right to occupy lands across the region, including parts of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Huckabee expressed support for the Jewish belief that much of the Middle East constitutes a divinely promised land, saying Israel is a land given by God to His chosen people through Abraham. However, he later clarified that the Israeli government is not currently seeking to expand to those ancient borders. When Carlson asked whether he would approve such expansion, Huckabee replied that Israel does not intend to seize the region. The US State Department did not respond to Al Jazeera’s inquiry about whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio agrees with Huckabee’s views on Israel’s right to expand its borders.

Apple is developing three new artificial intelligence–based devices, including smart glasses, a pendant, and camera-equipped AirPods, according to a Bloomberg report cited by Amar Desh Online on February 21, 2026. The devices will feature built-in cameras and connect with iPhones to interpret the user’s surroundings and perform contextual tasks. Production is targeted to begin in December this year, with Apple’s first smart glasses expected to reach the market in 2027. The report states that Apple will design its own frame for the glasses, emphasizing premium build quality and advanced camera technology. Unlike Meta’s Ray-Ban partnership model, Apple’s glasses will not include a built-in display but may feature speakers, microphones, and high-resolution cameras. Users will be able to make calls, interact with Siri, and listen to music. The glasses will analyze the environment to provide information such as identifying food ingredients, recognizing landmarks for navigation, and offering reminders. Earlier prototypes required a cable connection to an iPhone, but newer versions integrate components within the frame. The AI-powered pendant and AirPods will also work with iPhones to enable Siri to respond to visual context in real time.

Three people were killed when US forces carried out a strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to a report citing Al Jazeera. The attack took place in international waters, and Washington claimed the vessel was involved in drug trafficking but did not provide supporting evidence. The US Southern Command, responsible for military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, described the incident as a 'lethal dynamic strike' conducted on Friday. The report stated that with this latest incident, the number of people killed in US attacks on vessels in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea has risen to at least 148 since early September, during which the US military has conducted around 43 strikes. Latin American leaders, legal experts, and human rights activists have questioned the legality of these operations, accusing US forces of carrying out extrajudicial killings in international waters. The growing criticism highlights increasing regional unease over US military actions beyond its territorial jurisdiction, raising calls for accountability and transparency in future operations.

The Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Chattogram North District branch has strongly condemned an armed attack on Md. Jihad, secretary of the organization’s Bauria Union unit in Sandwip upazila, while he was performing Tarawih prayers. In a joint statement issued to the media on Saturday, branch president Shawkat Ali and secretary Main Uddin Raihan expressed deep concern and protest over the incident, as confirmed by central publicity secretary Azizur Rahman Azad. According to the statement, the attack was allegedly led by a local drug dealer and BNP leader known as ‘Yaba Jamal,’ along with several armed associates. The Shibir leaders described the assault as a violation of religious sanctity and basic human rights, claiming it stemmed from political vengeance. They said the attackers dragged Jihad out of the mosque and beat him brutally, questioning his political affiliation. The organization demanded a neutral investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible and urged the local administration to ensure justice. They also wished for the quick recovery of the injured leader.

Various districts across Bangladesh observed National Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day on 21 February 2026 with solemn tributes and cultural programs. Local administrations, political leaders, freedom fighters, teachers, students, and citizens participated in wreath-laying ceremonies at central Shaheed Minars in areas including Rajbari, Lakshmipur, Gopalganj, Barishal, Bagerhat, Gaibandha, Rajshahi, and Khagrachhari. Events began at one minute past midnight with floral tributes, flag hoisting, and prayers for the language martyrs. In many upazilas, including Baliakandi, Raipur, Goaland, Uzirpur, and Kachua, daylong programs featured discussions, blood donation, art and essay contests, and cultural performances. Officials and local representatives emphasized the historical significance of the 1952 language movement and the importance of preserving the Bengali language for future generations. In Rajshahi, a new Shaheed Minar was inaugurated, and Indian Assistant High Commissioner Manoj Kumar paid tribute. Across the country, government offices, schools, and organizations lowered the national flag and held prayers, highlighting unity and respect for the martyrs’ sacrifice.

The United States has withdrawn hundreds of troops from major military bases in Qatar and Bahrain amid concerns over a possible war in the Middle East. The New York Times reported on Friday, citing Pentagon sources, that several hundred soldiers were pulled from Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base and from the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. However, American forces remain stationed in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. The move is being viewed as a precautionary measure in anticipation of a potential US strike on Iran. Analysts cited in the report suggest that if Washington attacks, Tehran could retaliate by targeting US forces deployed across the region. In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Iran’s mission chief warned that any attack on Iran would make all enemy bases and assets in the region legitimate targets, holding the United States fully responsible for any resulting consequences. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest US military installation in the Middle East, hosting around 10,000 troops and serving as a key hub for regional air operations.

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a proposal to designate a large portion of the occupied West Bank as “state property,” marking the first such move since Israel’s 1967 occupation. The decision targets Area C, which constitutes 60 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli control, with plans to establish settlements there by 2030. The move is seen as part of Israel’s broader effort to expand illegal settlements and assert sovereignty over the territory. Jordan has condemned the decision, calling it a direct threat to its national security and to King Abdullah’s stability. The Jordanian monarch has previously warned that any displacement of Palestinians or dissolution of their national rights would cross his “red lines.” The move has also drawn condemnation from Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, other Arab and Muslim nations, the European Union, and the United Nations. U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to annexation but stopped short of condemning the decision. Analysts in Jordan view the move as sealing the fate of the Oslo Accords and accelerating the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. It could force Jordan to choose between accepting displaced Palestinians or suspending its peace treaty with Israel, a step that could reshape regional geopolitics.

At least 12 people, including a Hezbollah commander, were killed in Israeli air and drone strikes across eastern and southern Lebanon, according to reports on February 21, 2026. The attacks targeted areas in the Bekaa Valley, where initial reports said six people were killed and over 25 injured, later revised to 10 dead and at least 30 wounded. The strikes hit a building in the city of Rayak in Bekaa Governorate, where rescue operations continued to search for survivors under the rubble. The Israeli military stated that it targeted a Hezbollah command center in the Baalbek area, while a Hezbollah source confirmed to AFP that one of its military leaders was among the dead. Separately, an Israeli drone strike hit the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon in southern Lebanon, killing at least two people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israel said the attack was in response to repeated ceasefire violations and aimed at a Hamas command center, while Hamas condemned the strike, saying civilians were among the casualties.

Bangladesh’s Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that the country’s education system will be restructured to become more employment-oriented, skill-based, and modern. Speaking as chief guest at a discussion in Mirpur on February 21, 2026, marking Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day, he said the current traditional education model increases unemployment and fails to align with job market demands. He emphasized that education should reduce unemployment and build skilled human resources. The minister noted that the spread of vocational education remains insufficient and urged prioritizing real employment needs and market relevance over opening new institutions or subjects. He also highlighted the importance of preserving the Bengali language while improving English proficiency to compete globally. State Minister Bobby Hajjaj, speaking at the same event, pledged strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy against corruption in all ministry departments and stressed strengthening the education foundation for sustainable development. The event was chaired by Secretary Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana and attended by senior officials, teachers, students, and parents.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament ATM Azharul Islam has accused the ruling party of disregarding the July Charter immediately after assuming power. Speaking to journalists at Syedpur Airport on Saturday, he said the issue would be discussed in parliament once sessions begin, as the charter was endorsed through a public referendum where the majority voted in favor. He noted that political parties had previously pledged to implement the charter but have now ignored it after gaining power. Azharul Islam emphasized that rejecting the July Charter equates to rejecting the election itself, as the movement behind it enabled the current democratic environment. He expressed gratitude to the people of Badarganj and Taraganj for electing him with overwhelming support and pledged to work for development without political vengeance or discrimination. He also called for unity among all communities, stressing that power is temporary and public trust must be preserved. He further stated that as a central leader, he would focus on national development while ensuring equal treatment for all residents of his constituency.