NASA has postponed its Artemis-2 lunar mission after engineers detected a mechanical fault in the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket during final preparations. The mission, originally scheduled for early March, was intended to send four astronauts around the far side of the Moon and return them to Earth after ten days. It would have been humanity’s longest-distance space journey in over fifty years.

According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the issue was found in the helium flow system, which is essential for pressurizing the rocket’s fuel tanks and cooling systems. The problem emerged after a 50-hour test that had shown no faults, leading the team to believe the launch could proceed by March 6. NASA described the helium insufficiency as a serious technical problem requiring further maintenance.

On February 19, the rocket had been fueled with about 730,000 gallons of propellant, marking a major milestone in launch preparation. NASA hopes that resolving the issue will allow the Artemis-2 mission to proceed successfully, paving the way for Artemis-3, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon for the first time since 1972.

Iran and the United States are set to resume discussions in Geneva on Thursday, confirmed Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi. He announced the meeting in a social media post on Sunday, stating that the talks aim to achieve positive progress toward finalizing an agreement. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera.

The development comes as the United States continues to expand its military presence in the Middle East, a move that has heightened fears of a full-scale conflict with Iran. Just hours before Oman’s confirmation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is ready to implement a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure its nuclear program remains peaceful, which could help ease tensions.

Speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Araghchi emphasized that despite military risks, Iran intends to enrich uranium domestically rather than purchasing it abroad, citing national pride and the value of its scientists’ achievements.

Greenland has rejected a proposal by US President Donald Trump to send a floating hospital to the autonomous Danish territory. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen said the island does not need such a facility, noting that its citizens already receive free medical care under the existing public health system. He urged Trump to engage in direct dialogue rather than making announcements on social media.

The plan was announced by Trump on his Truth Social account on Saturday, where he said he was working with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to send a large hospital ship to Greenland to treat people lacking adequate medical services. The ship, according to Trump, had already departed.

The move comes amid growing tension between NATO allies Denmark and the United States. Their traditionally strong bilateral relationship has been under pressure in recent months, as Trump has expressed interest in gaining control over the mineral-rich and strategically important Arctic island.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), questioned whether those responsible for casualties during the July 2024 uprising would face justice and why banned Awami League offices were reopening across Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Monday morning in a verified Facebook post, tagging newly elected Comilla-4 MP and NCP organizer Hasnat Abdullah.

In his post, Patwari wrote that the Awami League had started reopening offices despite its activities being banned, adding that elections were over and now reforms and justice should follow. The comments come amid political shifts following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, 2024, after a student–public uprising. An interim government took charge on August 8, and the BNP-led alliance later won a majority in the February 12, 2026, national election.

Hasnat Abdullah won from Comilla-4, while Patwari contested but lost in Dhaka-8. The issue of reopening Awami League offices has raised questions about accountability and the direction of political reforms under the new government.

A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. New York City has issued a full travel ban from Sunday night to Monday noon, with Mayor Zohraan Mamdani announcing the closure of all roads, highways, bridges, and schools. Several states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, have declared states of emergency as thousands of flights were canceled due to the blizzard.

The U.S. National Weather Service forecasted that this could be the strongest nor’easter in nearly a decade, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding. New York City is expecting 18 to 24 inches of snow, with temperatures dropping to around minus six degrees Celsius. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide emergency and deployed about 100 National Guard members, warning that Long Island and New York City lie directly in the storm’s path.

Governors across the region have taken precautionary measures, including shutting down public transport in New Jersey and restricting commercial traffic in Connecticut, as the storm continues to intensify through Monday.

Amid ongoing discussions with the United States over its nuclear program, Iran has witnessed a resurgence of youth-led protests. On Sunday, for the second consecutive day, citizens gathered in Tehran for rallies and demonstrations. According to AFP, the protests began on Saturday as young anti-government demonstrators demanded justice for those killed by security forces during incidents in December and January.

In response, pro-government groups called for counter-rallies involving young supporters. Iran’s Fars News reported that the protests have spread across three universities in Tehran, with Sharif University emerging as the focal point of the movement. Videos circulating on social media showed students at Sharif University marching with flags from the era of former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and chanting anti-government slogans.

The renewed protests highlight growing generational dissent in Iran even as the government continues sensitive diplomatic negotiations with Washington over its nuclear activities.

Iran marked the 47th anniversary of its Islamic Revolution on 11 February amid escalating tensions with the United States and Israel. US President Donald Trump has threatened regime change in Tehran over its nuclear program and reportedly considered limited strikes targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior officials. Washington has deployed aircraft carriers and additional fighter jets near Iran, while Israel has placed its defense forces on high alert and prepared for potential missile retaliation.

Khamenei, now 86 and in power for 36 years, is confronting one of the gravest crises of his rule. Iran’s economy remains crippled by sanctions, and recent protests over inflation and shortages have left thousands dead after violent crackdowns. Meanwhile, Iran’s regional influence has waned following the weakening of allies such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, and the loss of key military infrastructure in Israeli and US strikes.

Despite these setbacks, Khamenei has vowed to defend the Islamic Republic, warning that Iran could sink US warships if attacked. The outcome of this standoff may determine the future of Iran’s revolutionary system and its role in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

At least 17 people were killed and 24 others injured when a passenger bus fell into the Trishuli River in Nepal’s Dhading district on Sunday. The bus was traveling from Pokhara to the capital, Kathmandu, when it lost control and plunged into the river, according to a report by TRT World. Police said a large number of security personnel joined the rescue operation, and efforts were underway to identify the victims. The injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The cause of the accident remains unclear.

The report noted that Nepal frequently experiences road accidents due to weak infrastructure, old vehicles, and the country’s challenging mountainous terrain. Authorities have not yet provided further details about the circumstances leading to the crash.

Rescue operations continued at the site as officials worked to recover bodies and assist survivors, highlighting ongoing safety concerns on Nepal’s hilly roads.

Pakistan’s military claimed that more than 80 militants were killed and several others injured in overnight airstrikes across Afghanistan’s border regions. The strikes, conducted early Sunday, targeted militant bases in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces, according to a military source quoted by AFP. Islamabad said the operation was carried out in response to recent suicide attacks inside Pakistan.

Security officials stated that the death toll could rise further as assessments continue. The strikes reportedly destroyed seven hideouts linked to the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and killed members of a group identified as ‘Fitna al-Khawarij.’ Among the destroyed sites were several centers in Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika provinces. AFP noted that the exact number of casualties in Afghanistan could not be independently verified.

Authorities said the operation was based on credible intelligence about militant activity in the border areas and that a full damage assessment and intelligence review would be released later.

The interim government has renamed 879 institutions and establishments that were previously named after the convicted former ruler Sheikh Hasina, her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other members of their family. The changes were implemented over an 18‑month period following the July revolution that ousted Hasina. According to official sources, the highest number of renamings occurred under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which saw 205 institutions renamed, followed by the Secondary and Higher Education Division with 181, and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education with 84.

A prior statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing noted that during the previous 16‑year regime, 977 infrastructures and institutions had been named after Sheikh Hasina, her family, and Awami League politicians. The renamed entities include schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, research centers, military bases, roads, bridges, and other public facilities. Universities such as Sheikh Hasina University in Netrokona and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University in Kishoreganj have been renamed to reflect their respective locations.

The interim government also issued ordinances to rename medical universities and numerous sports complexes, academic buildings, and other public structures, marking a broad administrative overhaul of state‑owned institutions.

Bangladeshi exporters have expressed renewed concern following U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to increase a planned global tariff from 10 percent to 15 percent within 24 hours. The tariff, announced for 150 days after a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated Trump’s earlier reciprocal tariffs, has created uncertainty about when it will take effect. Although the new rate remains below the 19 percent set under the Bangladesh-U.S. trade agreement, exporters say the policy volatility poses long-term risks.

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the previous reciprocal tariff’s cancellation means the current trade deal with the U.S. will also lapse. However, trade experts caution that Bangladesh cannot easily withdraw from such agreements without facing pressure in global forums. Policy Exchange of Bangladesh Chairman Dr. M. Masrur Reaz noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling removes the threat of a 37.5 percent counter-tariff, opening room for renegotiation of unfavorable terms.

Market analysts believe the 15 percent tariff could temporarily benefit Bangladesh’s apparel exports by lowering import costs for U.S. buyers, but competition from China, Vietnam, and India is expected to intensify once the new structure takes effect.

Three people were injured in a violent attack on business establishments at Paghar Jhinu Market in Tongi, Gazipur, on Sunday afternoon. The victims, identified as businessman Shahadat Hossain, Firoz Mia, and shop employee Rohan, were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Witnesses said a group of assailants fired several blank shots during the incident, spreading panic across the area. Police from Tongi East Station visited the scene following the attack.

According to local residents, the assault followed an earlier attack on Saturday on a local studio owner, allegedly by a group led by Jasim alias Chor Jasim. On Sunday, the same group reportedly launched another assault on Liton Enterprise, looting around seven lakh taka and several mobile phones. When shop owners tried to resist, the attackers allegedly stabbed several people before fleeing after firing blank rounds.

Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan confirmed the firing of blank shots and said legal action is in process. He suggested the incident may have stemmed from previous enmity.

A bumper potato harvest is underway in Bogura, where farmers and agricultural officials expect total production to surpass the district’s target of about 1.235 million tons this season. Favorable weather, use of high-yield varieties, and organic fertilizers have contributed to strong yields across 55,454 hectares of farmland. Early varieties have already reached markets, selling at 40–60 taka per kilogram, while wholesale prices range between 600 and 750 taka per maund.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bogura, potato yields have steadily increased since the 2011–12 season, when production was just over 1.1 million tons. Farmers report healthy crops free from cold injury and late blight disease, with fields in Sadar, Shibganj, Sonatala, Dhunat, and Sherpur still vibrant. The district’s 33 cold storages can hold slightly over 200,000 tons of potatoes.

Officials note that the absence of storms and timely use of land after Aman rice harvest have supported the bumper yield. Farmers are optimistic about profits as stable prices continue throughout the year.

Jamaat-e-Islami has started the process of selecting candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the national parliament following the 13th parliamentary election. The party, which won 68 seats, is expected to receive around 12 of the 50 reserved women’s seats. Discussions are ongoing within the party’s women’s wing, which will propose names to the central decision-making forum for final approval by the parliamentary board. The selection aims to include both central and regional leaders as well as qualified professionals.

Party sources indicate that several prominent women leaders and professionals are under consideration, including senior members of the women’s division and notable figures from academia and civil society. Jamaat’s leadership has emphasized that the selection will ensure representation from areas where the party did not win general seats. The process will be finalized after the first parliamentary session, in accordance with the Election Commission’s schedule.

If the number of reserved seats increases from 50 to 100 under the proposed “July Charter,” Jamaat could secure up to 24 seats, expanding its selection plan accordingly.

After a gap of 18 months, local leaders and activists raised the national flag at the Shahjahanpur Upazila Awami League office in Bogura. The flag was seen flying on Monday morning at the party office located beside the main highway in the upazila headquarters. According to local residents, the flag was hoisted early in the morning using a GI pipe on the rooftop.

Attempts were made to contact Shahjahanpur Upazila Awami League president and former upazila chairman Sohrab Hossain through WhatsApp, but he did not respond. Sub-Inspector Abu Zarra of Shahjahanpur Police Station stated that the police were unaware of the flag-raising event but would investigate the matter.

The incident marks the first time in a year and a half that the national flag has been displayed at the local Awami League office, drawing attention from residents and prompting official inquiry.