Narsingdi Detective Branch police have arrested Hazrat Ali, accused in the rape and murder of a teenage girl in Madhabdi, from Gouripur in Mymensingh. He was detained on Friday night while drinking tea at Sohagbazar intersection in Chilimpur village under Achintapur Union. The arrest was confirmed by Gouripur Police Station’s investigation officer Salah Uddin Karim, who said the suspect’s location was traced using advanced technology before the operation.

According to local sources, Hazrat Ali, a van driver from Madhabdi, had taken shelter in the area through acquaintances working in garment factories. Sub-Inspector Jamal Uddin stated that the suspect had earlier discarded his SIM card in a nearby upazila to avoid detection. Based on his information, police later recovered his mobile phone from a local residence.

The victim’s body was found in a mustard field between Bilpara and Dorikandi areas of Mahishashura Union last Thursday. The incident sparked nationwide outrage, prompting rapid police operations that led to multiple arrests, including Hazrat Ali.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the objective of the attack on Iran is to bring down its ruling regime. In an eight-minute video statement, he urged the Iranian people to take advantage of the situation and assume control of their country. Trump also warned the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, calling on its members to surrender their weapons in exchange for fair treatment and safety, warning of certain death otherwise.

Addressing the Iranian public, Trump said that their time for freedom was approaching and advised them to stay indoors as bombings would occur across the country. He assured that once the operation was complete, the Iranian people would take control of their nation. Trump described this as an opportunity for Iranians to shape their destiny and build a prosperous and proud future.

The statement was reported by The Times of Israel and reflects escalating tensions surrounding U.S. actions toward Iran and the future of its leadership.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel and the United States have launched a joint operation aimed at eliminating threats posed by what he described as Iran’s 'terrorist regime.' In a statement, he thanked US President Donald Trump for his leadership and said the Iranian leadership has long incited violence against Israel and the United States. Netanyahu emphasized that Iran’s rulers must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, which he said would endanger humanity.

Netanyahu added that the joint action seeks to empower the Iranian people to reclaim their future. He called on all ethnic groups in Iran—Persian, Kurdish, Azeri, Baluchi, and Ahwazi—to unite for a free and peaceful Iran. Addressing Israeli citizens, he urged them to follow Home Front Command instructions as the operation, named “The Roar of the Lion,” proceeds.

The statement concluded with Netanyahu calling for patience and determination in the coming days, asserting that unity would ensure Israel’s enduring security.

Pekua is on track to become the fifth municipality in Cox’s Bazar district, following directives from the Local Government Ministry. The initiative fulfills an electoral promise by Salahuddin Ahmed, who previously upgraded Pekua to an upazila during an earlier BNP government. Now serving as the Home Minister, Ahmed’s commitment to municipalize Pekua is being implemented soon after the formation of the new BNP government.

According to local administration sources, a boundary survey has already been conducted in the proposed municipal area under the supervision of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahbub Alam Mahbub, as per an order from the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner. The UNO confirmed that the ministry has requested necessary data, and field activities have begun accordingly.

Currently, Cox’s Bazar district has four municipalities—Cox’s Bazar, Chakaria, Teknaf, and Maheshkhali. Pekua’s inclusion would make it the fifth. Another new upazila named Matamuhuri is also being planned, aligning with Salahuddin Ahmed’s additional electoral pledges.

The United States embassies in Qatar and Bahrain on Saturday directed their staff to move to safe shelters following joint US and Israeli airstrikes in Iran. The embassies also advised American citizens residing in both countries to take similar precautions until further notice. In separate statements, the missions confirmed that they were implementing a shelter plan for all personnel.

According to the report, Iran has vowed a strong response to the attacks, with an Iranian official telling Reuters that the retaliation would be severe and destructive. Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s National Security Commission, warned the United States and Israel that they had embarked on a path beyond their control. International media reported that at least 30 key sites in Iran, including the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were targeted in the strikes.

The situation has heightened regional tensions, prompting US diplomatic missions to take precautionary measures while Iran prepares for a potential counterattack.

Israel launched an attack near the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei early Saturday, according to a government official cited by Reuters. The report stated that Khamenei was not in the capital Tehran at the time and had been moved to a secure location. The strike was described by Israel as a 'preemptive defensive attack.'

The assault took place in the early hours of Saturday and involved both Israeli and U.S. forces. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the objective of the operation was to bring down Iran’s ruling system. He also warned Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, urging them to surrender their weapons.

The situation follows escalating tensions in the region, with Iran reportedly nearing an internet blackout and vowing an 'uncontrollable response' to the Israeli-American offensive.

Police in Narsingdi have arrested seven of nine accused in connection with the rape and murder of a teenage girl named Amena in Madhabdi. Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Faruk disclosed the information at a press conference held at his office on February 28, 2026. The main accused, Noor Mohammad Noora, and another suspect, Hazrat Ali, were arrested from Gazipur and Mymensingh respectively. Earlier, five others were detained in separate operations by RAB and district police.

According to the case details, Amena was abducted and repeatedly raped on February 10 by four men, including Noora, who later threatened her to remain silent. When the incident came to light, several local figures allegedly tried to suppress it and pressured the victim’s family to leave the area. On February 25, Amena was abducted again in front of her stepfather, and her body was found the next morning in a mustard field in Char Darikandi.

Police said operations are ongoing to arrest the remaining two suspects involved in the case.

Iran fired several missiles toward Israel following reported Israeli attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, according to a report published on February 28, 2026. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they detected missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory and activated air raid sirens across multiple areas. The IDF said its air force was working to intercept the threats and, if necessary, strike back to neutralize them. Authorities urged civilians to follow Home Front Command instructions, emphasizing that the defense system was not completely impenetrable.

The counterattack came after Israel, reportedly in coordination with the United States, carried out strikes across Iran, including in Tehran, where explosions and smoke were observed. A U.S. official confirmed the joint operation, while Iran’s Fars news agency reported that several missiles hit Tehran’s University Street and Jomhouri areas.

The exchange marks a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two countries, with both sides warning of further action amid ongoing regional tensions.

Leaders and activists of the Awami League in Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola hung a party banner and the national flag at their local office, which locals noticed on Saturday morning. A nearby restaurant owner said the banner and flag appeared to have been placed overnight.

A source close to the Tazumuddin upazila Awami League stated that it was not unusual for the party to keep its office active, given its national prominence. However, local BNP president Golam Mostafa Mintu claimed the building in question was an abandoned union council office in Chandpur Union and said his party would consult local authorities about the matter. Chandpur Union panel chairman Md. Shahjahan Mia confirmed hearing about the incident and said the issue would be reported to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

UNO Md. Rezaul Islam said the administration was aware of the situation and would take action through the assistant commissioner (land) if the site was found to be government-owned land.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Advocate Md. Asaduzzaman stated that the government is determined to bring fascists to justice through lawful means. He made the remarks on Saturday at a meeting with heads of government offices at the Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner’s conference room, followed by a briefing with journalists.

The minister emphasized that all government allocations must be spent properly for public benefit and warned that any official involved in corruption would face both job termination and legal action. He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on drugs, terrorism, political violence, and social unrest, instructing the administration to act impartially. Asaduzzaman said the government remains committed to the rule of law, justice, and human rights, noting that Bangladesh has progressed on a democratic path after the fall of fascist forces.

He also announced that strict measures would be taken against perpetrators of rape and violence against women and children across the country, including Narayanganj, and warned that anyone providing shelter to such offenders would face severe consequences.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian is completely unharmed and safe following joint attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran. Explosions were heard in several cities, including Tehran, where the highly secured Pasteur district—home to the presidential office and the supreme leader’s residence—experienced multiple blasts. Authorities quickly confirmed the president’s safety after the incidents.

US President Donald Trump stated that the United States had launched a “major military operation” in Iran. In a video message on his social media platform Truth Social, he said the US had repeatedly sought an agreement but was now moving to destroy Iran’s missiles and missile factories, describing the campaign as a total destruction effort.

The report also noted that Iran was nearing an internet blackout and vowed an “uncontrollable response” to the US-Israel assault, signaling a potential escalation in regional tensions.

US President Donald Trump has called on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to surrender their weapons, warning of severe consequences if they refuse. According to a BBC Persian report cited by the source, Trump stated that those who comply would be treated fairly and guaranteed safety, while those who resist would face certain death. He said the United States aims to eliminate what he described as an imminent threat from Iran.

The statement came as Israel and the United States launched attacks in Iran on Saturday morning. The development marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Tehran and Washington, following a series of confrontations in the region.

The situation remains volatile, with Iran reportedly vowing an “unrelenting response” to the joint strikes, according to related reports referenced in the source.

The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has formally accepted Bangladesh’s request to delay its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category by three years and has begun reviewing the proposal. The matter was discussed during the CDP’s five-day meeting in New York, and officials indicated that a final decision could take several weeks. Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, head of the Enhanced Monitoring Mechanism subcommittee, confirmed receipt of the government’s letter but clarified that acceptance of the request does not mean approval, as the committee will first assess the justifications provided.

The Economic Relations Division sent the formal application on February 18, citing global and domestic disruptions that hindered preparation for graduation. The letter referenced the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Middle East instability, global financial tightening, and slow trade recovery. Domestically, it mentioned financial irregularities, political changes in July 2024, and pressure from hosting displaced Myanmar nationals, all contributing to economic instability.

According to CDP sources, a preliminary assessment report may be ready within two weeks, with a final recommendation expected by September following approval from the UN General Assembly.

US President Donald Trump stated that the joint military strike by the United States and Israel on Iran was carried out to protect the American people. The attack began on Saturday morning, targeting what Trump described as an imminent threat from the Iranian regime. Following the assault, both Israel and Iran closed their airspace to civilian flights.

Trump explained that the operation was a major military campaign intended to eliminate Iran’s looming threat. He emphasized that the goal was to safeguard US citizens by neutralizing dangers posed by Tehran. The president’s comments came amid frustration over the slow pace of negotiations between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

A day earlier, Trump told reporters at the White House that he was dissatisfied with the progress of talks but remained open to further discussions. He added that while he did not prefer the use of military force, it was sometimes necessary to achieve national objectives.

Israel and Iran have both closed their airspace to civilian flights following attacks in Iran. According to the report, Israel carried out strikes on Tehran and several other locations in Iran on Saturday morning. Smoke was seen rising from central Tehran, and the Associated Press reported that one of the strikes occurred near the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It remains unclear whether he was present at the time of the attack.

In response to the developments, Iraq’s Ministry of Transport announced the closure of its airspace after the attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran. Air traffic at Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq has also been suspended. The situation has led to widespread disruption of civilian aviation across the region.

The closure of multiple airspaces in the Middle East signals heightened regional tension and potential escalation following the strikes, though further details about the extent of the attacks and casualties were not immediately available.