Independent candidate Dr. Tasnim Jara has announced that she will return donations made to her election campaign fund for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. She made the announcement on Tuesday night, February 24, 2026, through a verified post on her Facebook page. In the post, she expressed gratitude to supporters who had contributed and provided links to online forms for refund requests. Donors who contributed via bank or mobile payment platforms were instructed to fill out specific forms, with the submission deadline set for March 10, 2026.

Dr. Jara clarified that even those who lost their deposit slips could apply for refunds, which would be processed after additional verification. She thanked her supporters for their trust and affection. In the recently held Dhaka-9 constituency election, Dr. Tasnim Jara secured 44,684 votes, finishing third. The seat was won by Habibur Rashid of the “Dhaner Shish” symbol with 111,212 votes, while Javed Mia Rasin of the “Shapla Koli” symbol came second with 53,460 votes.

The refund initiative marks a rare gesture of transparency following the conclusion of the Dhaka-9 election contest.

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Madaripur-1 (Shibchar), Pirzada Said Uddin Ahmad Hanzala, has warned that any transport worker or owner demanding extra fares or engaging in extortion from passengers will face strict legal action. During a visit on Tuesday to the Patchar roundabout bus station along the Dhaka–Bhanga Expressway, he instructed that anyone caught overcharging should be detained immediately and reported to him. He emphasized that ensuring passenger safety and comfort in public transport is a government priority.

Hanzala spoke directly with passengers, transport staff, and labor leaders during his inspection of the Patchar passenger shelter. He advised drivers not to stop vehicles randomly on the highway for boarding or dropping passengers. The MP also directed the local administration to increase regular monitoring to reduce public suffering at stations.

Administrative officials, police from Shibchar Police Station, and Highway Police were present during the inspection. Hanzala reaffirmed that no extortionist or violator would be spared if found harassing passengers or charging beyond the approved fare list.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that no new investigation commission will be formed regarding the Pilkhana massacre. He stated that the government will focus on implementing the recommendations made by the existing independent commission and ensuring justice for the victims. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday morning after attending the National Martyrs’ Day for Soldiers ceremony at Banani Military Cemetery.

Ahmed assured the families of the victims that justice would be served so that such incidents do not recur. He described the massacre as an attempt to weaken the army and said only those who do not believe in the country’s independence and sovereignty could commit such acts. He also noted that the event is one of the most brutal killings in the world.

Earlier, on February 23, the minister had said that the 2009 BDR massacre would be reviewed thoroughly following the commission’s recommendations, aligning with the government’s election manifesto commitment to uphold justice.

Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on the import of poultry and eggs from Bangladesh and 39 other countries to protect public health and ensure food safety in its domestic market. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority confirmed that the restriction also includes partial bans on specific regions in 16 additional countries. The decision was announced on February 25, 2026.

According to reports, the list of restricted and partially restricted countries will be reviewed regularly based on global health updates and epidemiological data. Some of the bans have been in place since 2004, while others were added gradually following risk assessments and international reports. The authority identified the widespread outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza as the main reason for the restrictions.

The Saudi authority clarified that the temporary ban does not apply to heat-treated poultry and related products that meet approved health and safety standards. Such products must be accompanied by official certificates confirming that avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses have been fully destroyed during processing and that they originate from approved facilities in the exporting countries.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered its fifth year, with the conflict causing massive destruction and loss of life but little territorial change. Recent data indicate Moscow’s military advances have slowed significantly, averaging about 70 meters per day near Pokrovsk and 23 meters near Kupiansk. In 2025, Russia captured roughly 1,865 square miles, only 0.8 percent of Ukraine’s total territory.

Observers argue that Russian claims of Ukraine’s imminent defeat do not align with the situation on the ground. Ukraine has reorganized its strategy and achieved limited counter-successes, reclaiming about 40 square miles in Zaporizhzhia and retaking the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv region. However, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with over one million people suffering from power, heat, and water shortages amid subzero temperatures following Russian missile and drone strikes.

Despite continued Western support, Ukraine faces air defense shortages, making it difficult to repel Russian attacks. Analysts describe the war as largely stalemated, with Russia’s ambitions in Donetsk uncertain and Ukrainians showing no sign of surrender.

Bengaluru police detained 18 individuals on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals and later transferred them from Karnataka to West Bengal, according to a report published on February 25, 2026. The group includes women and children. Police sources cited by Anandabazar said the detainees were behaving suspiciously and lacked valid documents. They were taken to West Bengal on Tuesday afternoon, but their next destination remains unclear.

According to the report, except for the children, the detainees had been working as migrant laborers in Bengaluru for a long time. Police began questioning them after their recent activities raised suspicion. When asked to show legal papers, they failed to produce any. After being brought to Howrah station, authorities did not disclose where they would be taken next.

Police officials have not provided further details about the investigation or the detainees’ legal status, leaving uncertainty about the next steps in the case.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, has called for an impartial and objective investigation into the 2009 Pilkhana killings in Dhaka. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, he said that 57 army officers and a total of 74 people were brutally murdered on February 25, 2009, describing it as one of the most tragic events in history. He noted that such an incident, involving the deaths of army officers in a nation’s capital, is extremely rare.

According to the statement, no neutral or objective investigation has yet been conducted into the massacre. The identities and motives of those involved remain unclear. Islami Andolan Bangladesh urged that after so many years, further delay is unacceptable and that a fair investigation must be carried out swiftly to bring the real perpetrators to justice.

Mufti Rezaul Karim also prayed for the souls of the slain army officers and soldiers and expressed sympathy for their bereaved families.

At least 16 people, including eight women and children, were killed in a collision between a bus and a truck in southern Yemen. The accident occurred on Tuesday in the Lahmar area of Al-Mahfad district. The impact caused a fire that engulfed the small bus, leaving no survivors among the passengers.

According to a statement cited by Reuters from security officials, the crash took place on a dangerous curve of the road. Following the collision, a gas cylinder in the bus exploded, igniting a fire that spread rapidly and prevented passengers from escaping. The report also recalled that last year, 17 people died in a similar accident on a mountainous road in Abyan province.

Yemen’s road network has deteriorated severely after more than a decade of conflict between government forces and Houthi rebels, contributing to frequent and deadly traffic accidents across the country.

President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the fallen soldiers at the Banani Military Cemetery on Wednesday morning, marking National Martyrs’ Day. They placed floral wreaths separately after 10 a.m. and observed a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs. A smart contingent of the armed forces rendered a formal salute, accompanied by the sound of the bugle, followed by a special prayer seeking eternal peace for the departed souls.

National Martyrs’ Day, observed on February 25, commemorates the tragic events of 2009 when 57 army officers, including then Border Guard Bangladesh (formerly BDR) Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed, were brutally killed during a mutiny at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka. Several civilians, including Shakil Ahmed’s wife, were also murdered during the two-day violence.

The day serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the armed forces and civilians during the Pilkhana tragedy, with national leaders continuing to honor their memory annually.

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.