A team of the Detective Branch (DB) police in Netrokona came under attack by smugglers during an operation in the border area of Kolmakanda upazila on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred in Terotopa village of Rangchhati Union, leaving six DB members, including two sub-inspectors and one assistant sub-inspector, injured. Local police later rescued the injured officers and detained 15 individuals allegedly involved in the assault. Authorities recovered 4.65 million taka, five Indian cows, five bottles of Indian liquor, 20 yaba tablets, an unregistered motorcycle, and a money-counting machine from the scene. According to police and local sources, the detained group is part of an organized network engaged in smuggling Indian cattle, sugar, cumin, and cosmetics across the Kolmakanda border. The DB team, led by Sub-Inspector Abdul Jalil, launched the operation following intelligence about illegal cattle trading and money exchange at the home of Sarful Islam in Terotopa village. The smugglers reportedly incited locals to attack the officers with iron rods and sticks. Police are preparing multiple cases over the incident, confirmed Additional Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) Hafizul Islam.

The once fast-flowing Karangi River in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj district has dried up, turning into a dead canal. The riverbed has lost navigability, creating an acute water shortage for residents of three unions who depend on it for agriculture and daily needs. The drying of the river has also endangered local biodiversity. Farmers who previously relied on the river for irrigation during the Boro season are now dependent on mechanical irrigation systems. Environmentalists allege that no government initiative has been taken to restore the river’s flow, and that unplanned embankments built upstream in Chunarughat have worsened the water crisis downstream. Local farmers and residents report difficulties in farming, livestock rearing, and domestic water use. Community representatives and social workers have called for immediate dredging to revive the river. The Bahubal Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that discussions with the Water Development Board are underway to take necessary measures under government planning.

A case has been filed in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, over an armed attack on three journalists working for national and regional newspapers. The case, lodged on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, by journalist A K M Iqbal Faruk of Dainik Amar Desh and Dainik Purbodesh, names 11 individuals including alleged illegal sand miner and hill grabber Nazim Uddin, along with 14 to 15 unidentified others, totaling 26 accused. Chakaria Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Monir Hossain confirmed the filing. The attack occurred on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in the Ichachhari area of Harbang Union while the journalists were documenting illegal sand extraction. The assailants, led by Nazim Uddin, allegedly beat and hacked the journalists, leaving them seriously injured and temporarily detained at the suspect’s house. Locals later rescued them and took them to hospital for treatment. In response, local journalists held a human chain and protest rally in Chakaria town on Tuesday, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved. Police said no arrests had been made yet but efforts were ongoing to detain the named suspects.

Residents of Sreebardi municipality in Sherpur are facing severe hardship due to the absence of a designated dumping station. Household and market waste is being dumped into a leased private pond in the Purbo Chhonkanda area, as well as scattered along roads and open spaces. The situation has led to environmental pollution, foul odors, and health risks for nearby residents. Local people complain that despite repeated objections, the municipality has not taken effective action. The pond used for dumping is surrounded by densely populated homes, causing unbearable stench and mosquito infestations. Environmental group Sabuj Andolon’s Sherpur unit criticized the worsening waste management, urging the establishment of an eco-friendly sanitary landfill. Municipal administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Monisha Ahmed stated that due to the lack of municipal land, waste is temporarily being dumped on rented private property. She added that under the upcoming “32 Municipality Project,” plans are in place to build a modern dumping station to resolve the issue.

River erosion has intensified in Jotpara area of Chauhali upazila in Sirajganj as the water level of the Jamuna River begins to recede. The erosion, reportedly caused by the movement of sand-laden bulkheads near the eastern embankment, has put a multi-crore taka river protection structure at serious risk. Locals have staged repeated protests demanding a halt to bulkhead operations to save their homes and farmland. According to residents, continuous bulkhead traffic along the eastern bank has endangered around 500 households and large areas of cropland, as well as public institutions including the upazila complex, schools, and markets. In Bagutia Union, geo-bag dumping along a three-kilometer stretch has been damaged due to bulkhead movement close to the bank, threatening nearby villages. Local authorities, including the Chauhali police and the assistant commissioner (land), have intervened to stop bulkhead movement after residents gathered to block them. Officials confirmed that bulkhead operations have been halted, though a few vessels remain stuck due to navigability issues.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 begins today, Thursday, February 26, in Dhaka after multiple schedule changes and months of debate among publishers and organizers. The fair, organized by Bangla Academy, will run until March 15 and is being inaugurated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. This year’s event coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, prompting special arrangements including fair pricing for iftar, prayer facilities, and extended evening hours. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has implemented a three-tier security plan for the fairgrounds. Earlier, the fair’s start date was shifted several times due to the national election and Ramadan. Publishers’ groups had protested the delays and even held a symbolic fair on February 1. Following negotiations led by the new cultural affairs minister and state minister, the fair was rescheduled with waived stall fees and no pavilions. A total of 549 publishing houses are participating across 1,018 units, including 87 little magazines and 63 children’s publishers. Security measures include 24-hour police monitoring, special patrols, and traffic restrictions around the fair area. Organizers have also pledged to maintain a clean, smoke-free, and polythene-free environment throughout the event.

Bangladesh has imported fruits worth around Tk 5,000 crore during the ongoing Ramadan season, as local fruits are not in season. Despite a 30 percent increase in import volume compared to last year, retail fruit prices have risen by at least 30 percent per kilogram. Prices continue to climb daily by Tk 5 to Tk 8. Chattogram port data show large imports of apples, grapes, oranges, and dates, with total customs revenue exceeding Tk 2,500 crore. Importers and traders attribute the high prices to heavy import duties of up to 136 percent, high transport and refrigeration costs, and additional port handling expenses. The Chattogram Fruit Traders Association argues that fruits are treated as luxury goods, urging the government to reduce duties during Ramadan when domestic supply is low. Port officials note that over a thousand refrigerated containers of fruits remain undelivered, which could ease prices once released. Consumer rights advocates allege that market syndicates are manipulating supply to inflate prices, warning that without stricter monitoring, imported fruits will remain unaffordable for ordinary consumers.

The first session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament is scheduled to begin on March 12, when President Md. Shahabuddin will deliver his address. According to cabinet sources cited by Amar Desh, the speech will emphasize alleged corruption, irregularities, and misrule during Sheikh Hasina’s 15-and-a-half-year tenure. It will also include descriptions of human rights violations and the July movement that led to the fall of Hasina’s government. The address will reflect the current BNP-led government’s election manifesto. As per the constitution, the president delivers an address at the first session of a new parliament and at the first session each year. The Cabinet Division prepares the draft speech based on information from ministries, which is then approved by the cabinet. Officials confirmed that the draft for this session has been finalized and is under review. The speech is expected to be about 150 pages long, though the president will read only selected portions. The address will also recount the context of the February 12 parliamentary election and the interim government’s assumption of power after Hasina’s ouster on August 5, 2024. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Law Minister Asaduzzaman declined to comment on the upcoming speech.

Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and one of the world’s most-wanted drug traffickers, was killed in a Mexican military operation on Sunday in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The raid, supported by information from U.S. authorities, resulted in Oseguera and two others dying from injuries sustained during the mission. Four cartel members were killed at the scene, and three Mexican soldiers were injured. The U.S. State Department urged American tourists in affected areas to shelter in place as violence erupted across multiple states. Following the operation, suspected cartel members torched buses, blocked roads, and attacked businesses in Jalisco, Michoacán, and Guanajuato. Flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara were canceled, leaving travelers stranded, though airports later resumed operations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the military’s coordination and said most of the country remained calm. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called Oseguera’s death a major development for both nations. The operation marks a significant security milestone for Mexico amid pressure from the Trump administration to curb drug trafficking, though Sheinbaum has previously warned that targeting cartel leaders can trigger further violence.

Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been quietly developing military options for potential strikes on Iran while seeking to avoid direct conflict with President Donald Trump. According to multiple officials, Caine has expressed concerns about the scale and risks of a major operation against Iran, even as Trump has pressed for aggressive plans ranging from targeting missile sites to regime change. Caine has convened secret meetings with senior military leaders outside the Pentagon’s usual secure rooms to prevent leaks and maintain discretion. Caine’s approach contrasts with that of his predecessor, Gen. Mark Milley, who often clashed with Trump. Determined to maintain influence, Caine has adopted a reserved posture, offering professional advice without overtly challenging the president. Despite his caution, he has overseen the largest US military buildup in the Middle East since the Iraq invasion. Pentagon and White House spokespeople have defended Caine’s conduct, describing him as a disciplined officer who provides unbiased military counsel. Caine’s balancing act reflects his effort to preserve military nonpartisanship while navigating Trump’s politicized leadership style. His discretion has earned him Trump’s trust but also raised questions among officers about his assertiveness.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that Israel killed at least 84 journalists and media workers in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for the global news media. The watchdog’s annual report, released Wednesday, found that a total of 129 media workers were killed worldwide, with Israel responsible for more than two-thirds of the deaths. Most of those killed by Israel were Palestinian, though Israeli air strikes also killed 31 staff members at Yemeni newspaper offices. The CPJ said Israel carried out 38 of 47 targeted killings globally, which the group classifies as murders, and noted a “persistent culture of impunity” within Israel’s military regarding attacks on the press. The organization warned that the actual number of journalists killed could be higher due to press restrictions and destroyed evidence during Israel’s war on Gaza. Five Al Jazeera journalists, including Anas al-Sharif and Hossam Shabat, were listed among those killed. According to monitoring site Shireen.ps, Israel has killed nearly 300 journalists since the start of the war. The CPJ also recorded journalist deaths in Sudan, Mexico, and Ukraine in 2025.

Polish prosecutors have filed criminal charges against two former intelligence chiefs for using Israeli-made Pegasus spyware in their official duties, alleging the act endangered sensitive state information. The National Prosecutors’ Office announced on Wednesday that Piotr P, former head of the ABW internal security agency, and Maciej Materka, former head of the SKW military counterintelligence service, lacked the required IT security accreditation to operate the software. Both face up to three years in prison for alleged dereliction of duty. Prosecutors said the men denied the accusations and refused to provide explanations during questioning. Materka publicly identified himself and condemned the charges, asserting that all operations under his leadership were legally authorized and that he had served Poland with an impeccable record. The case forms part of a broader investigation into the use of Pegasus spyware by Polish officials. Former Justice Minister and Attorney General Zbigniew Ziobro also faces separate charges, including abuse of power and misuse of funds intended for crime victims to purchase Pegasus, allegedly to monitor political opponents.

Iran and the United States are set to begin a third round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, with Oman acting as mediator. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived on Wednesday and met Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi ahead of Thursday’s session. Both sides have expressed a preference for diplomacy, though Washington has imposed sweeping new sanctions targeting more than 30 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Iran’s oil sales and weapons programs. The talks come as the US expands its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional aircraft carriers, destroyers, and fighter jets. The negotiations follow earlier rounds in Oman and Geneva, where only a tentative understanding on broad principles was reached. US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have accused Tehran of rebuilding its nuclear program and developing long-range missiles, while Iran insists on its right to peaceful nuclear technology and rejects US allegations. Iranian officials have warned that any US attack would trigger retaliation across the region. Analysts note that major gaps remain over uranium enrichment and sanctions relief, leaving uncertainty about whether diplomacy can prevent further escalation between Washington and Tehran.

Bangladesh’s Qawmi religious network, encompassing thousands of madrasas and influential clerics, is facing intensified internal political divisions ahead of the country’s 13th parliamentary election in February 2026. Despite its vast social influence, the Qawmi leadership remains fragmented over ideological, generational, and strategic differences. The divisions have become more visible through disputes over leadership, political alliances, and the role of the state in religious education. Historically rooted in the Deobandi tradition, the Qawmi movement has seen repeated splits since the 1980s, particularly after events such as the 2017 state recognition of Dawra-e-Hadith degrees, the death of Allama Ahmad Shafi in 2020, and subsequent leadership changes within Hefazat-e-Islam. Prominent Qawmi parties—including Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis—remain divided over participation in electoral politics and relations with major political blocs. Scholars interviewed by *Amar Desh* cited organizational weakness, leadership rivalries, and power ambitions as key causes of disunity. In the 2026 election, Qawmi-linked parties collectively secured a small share of votes and a few parliamentary seats, underscoring their inability to form a unified political front. Analysts suggest that these internal fractures will continue to shape Bangladesh’s religious and electoral landscape.

Argentine football star Lionel Messi has revealed that his biggest regret is not paying enough attention to his studies as a child, particularly not learning English. Speaking on the Mexican podcast 'Miro de Atras' with former Argentina goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman, Messi said he had time to study but failed to use it properly. The 2022 World Cup winner admitted that he often feels uncomfortable when language barriers arise, especially in conversations with prominent people, making him realize how much time he wasted. Messi, who has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, said he now uses this life lesson to guide his three children. He encourages them to seize every opportunity and value education, emphasizing that they have even more chances than he did. Despite his unmatched football success, Messi’s reflection highlights a personal side rarely seen in public. During the same podcast, Messi also mentioned that his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still uncertain but expressed a wish to avoid facing Mexico in the tournament.