U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Iran would never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, speaking during his State of the Union address on Tuesday. He said that although Iran had shown interest in making a deal, it had not yet committed to halting its nuclear weapons ambitions. Trump referenced the 2025 U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, saying Tehran had been warned not to restart its weapons program but continued pursuing nuclear ambitions.

Trump added that he preferred resolving the issue through diplomacy but emphasized that Iran would not be permitted to possess nuclear arms under any circumstances. His remarks underscored a firm stance on Iran’s nuclear activities and a continued focus on preventing Tehran from advancing its weapons program.

Iranian officials, however, have repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting their nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes. Before Trump’s speech, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media that Iran would never build nuclear weapons under any condition.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, former MP Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and several Awami League ministers and MPs may be named as accused in the explosives case linked to the 2009 BDR mutiny. The case, filed under the Explosives Act, has remained pending for 17 years. Chief Public Prosecutor Borhan Uddin indicated that witness statements have mentioned these names, and legal provisions allow their inclusion pending discussions with higher authorities.

The case is being heard at the temporary court of Dhaka Special Tribunal-1, located in Keraniganj Central Jail, under Judge Dr. Md. Alamgir. As of now, 302 out of 1,345 witnesses have testified, with some implicating senior Awami League figures. The case currently lists 822 accused, about 250 of whom are on bail. The next hearing is scheduled for February 26.

The 2009 Pilkhana tragedy killed 74 people, including 57 army officers. While the murder case has reached the Supreme Court, the explosives case remains under trial. Defense lawyers have urged for a speedy verdict and renewed bail applications for the accused.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tehran is prepared to take any necessary step to reach an agreement with the United States. Both countries are preparing for renewed negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Geneva. The talks will include US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner meeting with the Iranian delegation.

The United States has continued discussions with Iran while also issuing threats of possible attacks. In response, Iran warned it would retaliate against American bases in the region if the US takes military action. Ravanchi emphasized that Iran is ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible and will approach the Geneva talks with sincerity and good faith.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated that President Trump’s first preference is diplomacy but that he remains willing to use force if necessary. She added that any attack or aggression against Iran would be met with a response according to US defense plans.

A section of the M A Goni Road in Burichang, Comilla, collapsed only 18 days after partial repair work was completed. The road repair project, costing Tk 18 crore, has drawn allegations that the contractor used substandard materials and ignored tender conditions. Locals reported that minimal bitumen was used, and no retaining wall was built along parts of the road. Some sections were resurfaced over old carpeting, and the new layer was thinner than required.

The repair work began about two months ago, covering the stretch from Shashongachha to Burichang. Residents claimed that the contractor’s team worked at night using poor-quality pitch, which easily peeled off. In some areas, the carpeting was only 20–25 millimeters thick instead of the specified 50 millimeters. Contractor Mohammad Abul Hossain attributed the collapse to soil displacement and promised repairs, while the Roads and Highways Department’s executive engineer Khondaker Golam Mostafa said the work was ongoing and any irregularities would be investigated.

Authorities have pledged to redo the damaged sections and take action if negligence is confirmed.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has requested a Tk 14,000 crore soft loan from Bangladesh Bank to address a severe cash shortage ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The appeal was made during a meeting with Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, attended by deputy governors and BGMEA leaders. BGMEA Vice President Shihab Udduja Chowdhury said the funds are needed to cover two months of wages and bonuses for workers, and the governor responded positively to the proposal.

BGMEA cited multiple challenges, including political instability, labor unrest, the 2024 movement, election-related uncertainty, and tariff issues, which have led to seven consecutive months of negative export growth. The association also urged the release of pending export incentives worth about Tk 5,700 crore to improve cash flow. Bangladesh Bank data show that Tk 2,500 crore in incentives has been disbursed so far in fiscal year 2025–26.

BGMEA proposed that the loan be repayable over 12 months with a three-month grace period, a 7% interest rate, and expansion of the pre-shipment credit refinancing scheme to Tk 10,000 crore until 2030. The group warned that delays in payments could trigger unrest and urged swift government action to protect workers and sustain the industry.

At least 23 inmates escaped from a prison in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, after armed men attacked the facility. The incident occurred amid widespread unrest following the death of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera. During the assault, one prison guard was killed. Authorities have since recaptured most of the escaped prisoners, but 23 remain missing.

The violence erupted after Oseguera’s death during a military operation, sparking clashes across at least 20 of Mexico’s 32 states. In these confrontations, at least 25 members of the National Guard were killed. In Puerto Vallarta, members of the CJNG gang blocked roads, attacked police stations, and set vehicles on fire.

Tensions in Puerto Vallarta have eased in recent days, with the CJNG gang reopening previously blocked roads. However, the search for the remaining escaped inmates continues as authorities work to restore full order in the city.

Farmers under the Aricha Kashadah Irrigation Project in Shibalaya, Manikganj, are facing fears of an irrigation crisis during the peak Irri-Boro cultivation season. The concern arises after large sandbars emerged in the Jamuna River, obstructing water flow to the project area. The project, launched on December 1, 1979, by Shahid President Ziaur Rahman under a canal excavation program, initially irrigated 1,500 acres using 20 power pumps. Currently, only three pumps remain operational, barely sustaining the system.

The project, which has supported around 2,000 farmers across 12 villages for 46 years, provides low-cost irrigation with iron-free river water, preserving soil fertility. Despite government investments of about 210 million taka for canal re-excavation and infrastructure upgrades, siltation and riverbed rise have severely reduced water availability. Farmers and local leaders warn that without dredging the newly formed sandbars, Boro cultivation could halt, leading to food shortages in the area.

Shibalaya Upazila Executive Officer Monisha Rani Karmakar said the site has been inspected and priority projects will be initiated in consultation with the agriculture department to address the crisis.

The Bangladesh government has announced the formation of a new and stronger investigation commission to ensure justice for the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, one of the most tragic chapters in the nation’s history. The announcement came on the 17th anniversary of the incident, which took place on February 25–26, 2009, at the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Dhaka, now known as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The massacre claimed the lives of 57 army officers and 17 others, including women and children.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed made the announcement after a meeting of the law and order committee at the Secretariat. He said the government is committed to a thorough reinvestigation to identify those responsible and to ensure justice for the victims. The minister added that the decision aligns with the government’s election manifesto, which promised a fresh probe into the event. The new commission’s findings will guide subsequent actions, though further details were not disclosed due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Severe rainfall in Brazil’s southeastern Minas Gerais state has caused devastating floods, killing at least 23 people and leaving more than 40 missing, according to local authorities. The worst-hit area is Juiz de Fora municipality, where 18 deaths have been confirmed. Rescue teams are searching for survivors trapped under mud and debris, while nearby Ubá city reported seven additional fatalities. At least 440 residents have been displaced as floodwaters and landslides destroyed homes and infrastructure.

Juiz de Fora’s mayor, Margarida Salomão, said the city experienced over 180 millimeters of rain in just four hours, triggering at least 20 landslides. She described the event as the most tragic day of her administration. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pledged full government support, emphasizing humanitarian aid, restoration of essential services, and assistance for displaced families.

The national meteorological agency warned that rainfall may continue in the coming days, potentially complicating ongoing rescue and relief operations across the affected regions.

Two more victims of the gas explosion in a residential building in Chattogram’s Halishahar area have died, bringing the total death toll to five. The incident occurred early Monday when accumulated gas in the kitchen of a third-floor apartment at Halima Manzil exploded. The latest victims, Md. Sakhawat Hossain, 46, and his sister-in-law Ashura Akter Pakhi, 35, died Tuesday night while undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka. Doctors said the remaining four burn victims are in critical condition.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sakhawat’s brother Samir Ahmed Suman, 40, and his 16-year-old son Safayat Hossain Shawon died from their injuries, following the death of Sakhawat’s wife, Nurjahan Akter Rani, 40, on Monday. All five deceased were members of the same family. The explosion severely injured several others, including two children and another brother of Sakhawat.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the cause of the gas accumulation or the current condition of the survivors.

The verdict in the illegal wealth case against former Dhaka South Jubo League president Ismail Hossain Chowdhury, known as Samrat, is scheduled to be delivered today, Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Dhaka Special Judge Court-6, presided over by Judge Md Zakaria Hossain. Court bench assistant Fakir Zahidul Islam confirmed the schedule. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer Nure Alam concluded arguments on February 9, after which the court fixed the date for the verdict. As Samrat remains absconding, no self-defense hearing was held.

According to court sources, witness testimony in the case concluded on February 2, with all 21 witnesses listed in the charge sheet testifying before the court. The ACC filed the case on November 12, 2019, accusing Samrat of acquiring illegal assets worth Tk 29.48 million. Following investigation, the charge sheet was submitted on November 26, 2020. The court framed charges on July 17 last year and issued an arrest warrant after canceling Samrat’s bail due to his absence.

Samrat was previously arrested in Cumilla on October 6, 2019, during the anti-casino drive and was released on bail on August 22, 2022.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) faces complex political and ideological challenges after assuming state power following the July–August 2024 mass uprising that ended one and a half decades of authoritarian rule. The new government must navigate the difficult process of democratic consolidation while confronting internal weaknesses in political culture and organizational structure. The party’s ideological position remains uncertain as it struggles between liberal democratic ideals and populist tendencies rooted in traditional nationalism.

The article highlights BNP’s internal identity crisis, balancing between secular liberalism and Islamic values that historically shaped its political foundation. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s emphasis on justice-based governance inspired by prophetic principles reflects a tension between religious morality and Western secular democracy. The party must reconcile these competing visions to maintain both its traditional support base and its democratic credibility.

BNP also faces internal disorder, with allegations of extortion and violence by some activists threatening its image. Unless the party curbs such behavior and strengthens institutional accountability, the spirit of the July revolution could be undermined, risking the erosion of public trust and political stability.

Mahmudur Rahman’s report in *Amar Desh* on February 25, 2026, examines the unresolved murder of Sharif Osman Hadi in Bangladesh, noting that while the shooter’s identity is known, the masterminds, motives, and support network remain undisclosed. The article questions whether police investigations are progressing and highlights suspicions of involvement by Indian intelligence agency ‘R’ and local sleeper cells.

Rahman draws parallels between Hadi’s killing and two earlier incidents abroad: the June 2023 assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and a failed plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States. Both cases allegedly involved Indian operatives and professional hitmen. The report details how Hadi’s suspected killers fled toward India shortly after the attack, with conflicting accounts from police and social media sources about whether they crossed into Meghalaya or Assam.

The article concludes that uncovering the truth behind Hadi’s murder is a key test for Bangladesh’s newly elected government. It suggests that cooperation with the United Nations, FBI, and Canadian intelligence could ensure a credible and transparent investigation.

Bangladesh women’s football team is completing final preparations in Sydney ahead of their first-ever Asian Cup appearance. The team will play a closed-door friendly match today against Australian A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers. Head coach Peter Butler said he will use the match to assess the team’s strength, player mentality, and tactical options. The 26-member squad includes both experienced and young players, and Butler emphasized the need for a stronger mindset to perform well in the tournament.

In a video message released by the Bangladesh Football Federation, Butler praised the team’s dedication and training environment in Sydney, noting that he found no faults in their effort. He highlighted that mental readiness is now the key to success. The coach also expressed satisfaction with the facilities and food arrangements at Valentine’s Park, saying the players are enjoying the supportive atmosphere.

The Asian Cup begins on March 1 in Australia, with Bangladesh starting their campaign on March 3 against China. They are placed in Group B alongside North Korea and Uzbekistan, facing a tough challenge in their debut appearance.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has submitted all legal documents related to Shakib Al Hasan’s cases to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, marking the start of the process to bring him back to the country. BCB Chief Executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury Sujon handed over the papers, and board director Asif Akbar confirmed the submission, expressing optimism that Shakib could return before the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan.

The government is reportedly taking a positive stance on Shakib’s situation, following earlier remarks from State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque about keeping sports and politics separate. Although Shakib’s return to Bangladesh appears likely, his participation in the Pakistan series will depend entirely on the national selectors. Meanwhile, Shakib is working on his fitness in the United Arab Emirates, signaling his eagerness to rejoin the national team.

Bangladesh’s home series against Pakistan will feature three ODIs at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on March 11, 13, and 15. Fans are anticipating Shakib’s return to home cricket after nearly two years.