Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the Ekushey Padak award ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday morning, walking there from the Secretariat. He left the Cabinet Division office through Gate No. 5 after presiding over the first cabinet meeting of the new government. The event recognized individuals and an institution for their outstanding contributions in various fields. According to the report, the Prime Minister entered the Secretariat at 9:04 a.m. and chaired the cabinet meeting at 9:30 a.m. He began walking toward the Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 10:47 a.m. to attend the ceremony, where he presented the country’s second-highest civilian honor. This year, the government decided to confer the Ekushey Padak on nine distinguished individuals and one institution. The ceremony was attended by award recipients or their representatives, cabinet members, senior military and civil officials, and invited guests.

A fisherman from Kutubdia upazila in Cox’s Bazar was shot dead by sea pirates while fishing in the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday afternoon. The attack occurred when the fishing boat FB Azufa Akhtar Manu, owned by Jasim Uddin of North Dhurung Akrabali Ghat, came under fire. The victim, identified as Shahadat Hossain Khokon, was taken ashore but died on the way. Police confirmed that his body was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. According to the boat owner, the vessel had gone to sea three days earlier with 19 crew members. The Kutubdia Fishermen’s Association president, Md. Zainal Abedin, said sea robberies have increased over the past month, leaving fishermen fearful to go fishing. He claimed that despite informing the Navy and Coast Guard, no effective action has been taken. Fishermen’s leaders have urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed to intervene to ensure safety at sea.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has accused the BNP government of enabling large-scale financial mismanagement by removing Ahsan H. Mansur from the position of Bangladesh Bank governor. In a statement issued Wednesday night, he said Mansur’s reform initiatives had begun restoring discipline in the banking sector and curbing money laundering, but his dismissal disrupted that progress and undermined the central bank’s autonomy. Nahid Islam claimed that Mansur had coordinated with international financial institutions to recover laundered funds and had taken steps to prevent illicit transfers through trade. He also said Mansur sought to make Bangladesh Bank a constitutional body to ensure independence from political interference. According to Islam, BNP- and Awami League-aligned officials later created instability inside the central bank, even assaulting the governor’s adviser. He further alleged that the government replaced Mansur with a controversial businessman who had previously defaulted on a large bank loan, calling the move undemocratic and dangerous for the financial sector. The NCP condemned the decision and demanded that an honest and experienced economist lead the central bank.

Md. Mostakur Rahman has officially joined Bangladesh Bank as its new governor. He arrived at the central bank’s headquarters on Thursday morning around 10:45 a.m., where he was received by deputy governors and senior officials. Before entering the building, Rahman briefly told reporters that work would come before words. His appointment came a day earlier, on Wednesday, when Ahsan H. Mansur was removed from the position and businessman Mostakur Rahman was named as the new governor for a four-year term. According to the report, he has taken up the role after stepping away from his business affiliations. The report also notes that Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest regarding the new governor’s appointment, while the interim government period has seen a rise in domestic borrowing by Tk 1.13 trillion. The central bank spokesperson confirmed that Rahman assumed his duties free from business ties.

Four people were killed and six others injured when Cuban security forces clashed with a US-registered speedboat near the island’s northern coast. The incident occurred about one mile northeast of Cayo Falcones, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Cuba’s Interior Ministry. The ministry claimed the vessel entered Cuban waters and opened fire on its security forces. Cuban authorities said the speedboat was registered in Florida and alleged that those on board were Cuban residents of the United States attempting to infiltrate the country for terrorist activities. The ministry confirmed it had the vessel’s registration number but did not release details about the individuals involved. Following the incident, the United States announced it would conduct its own verification of the events. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the operation was not a US government mission and that no government personnel were involved. He added that authorities were checking whether those aboard were US citizens or permanent residents.

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for two Muslim members of Congress, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, to be expelled from the country. The demand came after both lawmakers shouted in protest during Trump’s State of the Union address at a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening. Trump later reiterated his stance on his social media platform Truth Social, writing that people who act in such a way and are known to be corrupt politicians harmful to the country should be sent back to where they came from. According to the report, Ilhan Omar was born in Somalia but has been a U.S. citizen for nearly three decades, while Rashida Tlaib, of Palestinian descent, was born in Detroit, Michigan, making her a citizen by birth. The report notes that there is no legal basis to deport either of them to their ancestral countries. As Trump left the House chamber, the two congresswomen shouted, accusing him of causing the deaths of Americans, further intensifying the confrontation during the high-profile event.

A fisherman named Shahadat Hossain was shot dead by sea robbers while fishing off the coast of Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday afternoon. The attack occurred when a fishing boat carrying 20 fishermen came under fire after robbers attempted to board but failed. Shahadat, aged 17, sustained critical injuries and was taken to Kutubdia Hospital around 11:30 p.m., where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Tasnimul Abedin Rahat. According to Nasir Uddin, the owner of the fishing boat, the incident took place around 2 p.m. while the crew was fishing in the sea. Kutubdia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbubul Alam confirmed that Shahadat’s body was recovered and sent to the district hospital morgue on Thursday morning. The report did not mention whether any suspects were identified or if an investigation had been launched following the attack.

Real Madrid secured a place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after defeating Benfica 2-1 in the second leg of the playoff, winning 3-1 on aggregate. Despite missing Kylian Mbappé due to injury, Real overcame an early setback when Rafa Silva scored for Benfica. Aurélien Tchouaméni equalized with a long-range strike before Vinícius Júnior sealed victory with a late goal, marking his sixth in five matches. Real’s potential next opponent will be either Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon. Paris Saint-Germain also advanced after a 2-2 home draw with Monaco, progressing 5-4 on aggregate. Monaco led early but were reduced to ten men after Mamadou Koulibaly’s red card. Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored for PSG before Monaco’s stoppage-time equalizer. PSG will face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the next round. Atalanta produced a remarkable comeback, defeating Borussia Dortmund 4-1 to win 4-3 on aggregate, while Juventus were eliminated by Galatasaray, who triumphed 7-5 overall. The teams advancing from the playoff round include Atalanta, Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodø/Glimt, Newcastle, Galatasaray, PSG, and Real Madrid.

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.