More than 7,000 languages are spoken globally, but at least 3,000—around 40 percent—are endangered, according to Ethnologue. Of the 7,159 known living languages, 3,193 are endangered, 3,479 are stable, and 487 are institutional, meaning they are used by governments, schools, and media. About 88.1 million people speak an endangered language as their mother tongue, and just 25 countries account for 80 percent of these languages. Oceania has the highest concentration of endangered languages, followed by Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Examples include Yugambeh in Australia, which is being revitalized through community programs and learning apps; Ainu in Japan, a critically endangered language with very few speakers; Ongota in Ethiopia, spoken by only a handful of elders; Louisiana Creole in the United States; Leco in Bolivia; and Cornish in England, which was revived after being declared extinct. Languages become endangered when communities shift to more dominant tongues, often passing them to younger generations as second languages.

The data highlight the global urgency of language preservation, with revitalization efforts emerging in some regions to sustain cultural identity and linguistic diversity.

Defending champions India will face South Africa in the T20 World Cup Super Eights on Sunday, February 22, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match is a repeat of the 2024 final, which India won by seven runs. Both teams advanced unbeaten through the group stage of the 2026 edition and are considered strong contenders for the semifinals. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said the team will focus on taking early wickets against South Africa’s in-form top order, while South Africa’s Quinton de Kock emphasized handling pressure as the key to victory.

India topped their group with four wins, including a 61-run victory over Pakistan and a 93-run win against Namibia. South Africa also dominated, defeating Canada, New Zealand, and the UAE, and surviving a Super Over against Afghanistan. Despite India’s strong record, inconsistency in their batting lineup, particularly opener Abhishek Sharma’s three consecutive ducks, has drawn attention. Morkel expressed confidence that Sharma will soon return to form.

South Africa, still seeking their first T20 World Cup title, have also announced a new squad with five uncapped players for a post-tournament tour of New Zealand in March.

The Super Eights opener between Pakistan and New Zealand at the 2026 T20 World Cup was abandoned due to persistent rain in Colombo. The match, scheduled at R Premadasa Stadium, was called off without a ball being bowled after Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bat first on Saturday. Despite efforts by more than 60 ground staff to protect the playing surface, the umpires officially abandoned the Group 2 match at 9:05pm local time (15:35 GMT).

The rain began immediately after the toss, and with forecasts predicting continued showers, both teams were forced to leave the field. Even a shortened five-over contest was not possible before the 10:16pm (16:46 GMT) cut-off time. As a result, both Pakistan and New Zealand were awarded one point each in the standings.

The tournament continues on Sunday, with co-host India facing South Africa in Ahmedabad for the first Group 1 match, while co-host Sri Lanka meets England in Group 2 action at Pallekele.

United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has drawn widespread condemnation from Arab and Muslim countries after suggesting that Israel has the right to expand its territory across much of the Middle East. In a televised interview with commentator Tucker Carlson, Huckabee, a self-described Christian Zionist, said it would be acceptable if Israel claimed land stretching from the Euphrates River in Iraq to the Nile River in Egypt. The ambassador later described his statement as hyperbolic, clarifying that Israel seeks only security within its current borders.

The remarks prompted sharp rebukes from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the League of Arab States. Saudi Arabia called the comments “extremist rhetoric” and demanded clarification from the US State Department. Egypt denounced them as a violation of international law, while Jordan labelled them “absurd and provocative.” The League of Arab States warned that such statements inflame regional and religious tensions.

Huckabee, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2024, has previously rejected the two-state solution and denied the existence of an Israeli occupation. His comments come amid ongoing disputes over Israel’s undefined borders and its occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories.

Manchester City secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday, driven by a first-half double from Nico O’Reilly. The 20-year-old midfielder struck in the 14th minute and restored City’s lead in the 27th with a header from Erling Haaland’s cross after Lewis Hall had equalised. The result reduced Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points, with Pep Guardiola’s side now on 56 points from 27 games.

Arsenal, who drew with bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the week, face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday under increased pressure from City. Despite dominating early, City had to defend resolutely in the second half as Newcastle pressed for an equaliser. Haaland, though not on the scoresheet, contributed defensively and creatively, exemplifying the team’s determination.

O’Reilly expressed delight at his performance and the team’s progress, saying the win was vital to closing the gap and maintaining belief in their title ambitions. Elsewhere, Aston Villa drew 1-1 with Leeds United, Chelsea were held 1-1 by Burnley, Brighton’s James Milner broke the Premier League appearance record, and West Ham drew with Bournemouth.

Hundreds of far-right protesters marched through Manchester on Saturday in a demonstration organised by Britain First, a political party calling for the deportation of migrants and Muslims from the United Kingdom. Chanting anti-immigration slogans and insults directed at Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the group was met by a much larger counterprotest of antifascist demonstrators carrying antiracist banners and Palestinian flags. Police flanked both groups as tensions escalated when the two marches converged in the city centre.

Several counterprotesters described the event as a reflection of growing racism in the UK. Ruby, a student from South London, said her grandparents from the Windrush generation now feel increasingly unwelcome, while others reported a rise in racial abuse. Members of Jewish Action for Palestine and other groups criticised police for allowing the far-right march to proceed, accusing authorities of protecting extremist groups.

Police said the day required extensive planning due to multiple simultaneous events, including a Ukraine rally and football matches, which stretched local resources and complicated crowd control efforts.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has stated that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should be tried in Venezuela rather than in the United States, where he is currently being held following his abduction by the US military. In an interview, Lula said that restoring democracy in Venezuela should be the priority and insisted that the country’s issues must be resolved by its own people without foreign interference. He criticised the idea of one nation invading another to capture its president.

Lula’s remarks come as Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, works to release hundreds of political prisoners detained during Maduro’s presidency, which began in 2013. The Brazilian leader has openly condemned the abduction of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a US military operation ordered by then-President Donald Trump on January 3. Maduro was flown to New York after a violent raid in Caracas and now faces US charges related to drug trafficking.

The Trump administration has justified its actions as part of anti-drug efforts, though US data does not list Venezuela among major drug producers. Trump has also expressed interest in Venezuelan oil reserves and invited US companies to exploit them.

The White House announced that U.S. President Donald Trump will visit China from March 31 to April 2, marking the first official trip to Beijing by a U.S. president since Trump’s own visit in 2017. The dates were confirmed by a White House official, and both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have recently described communication between their countries as positive. Trump commented that the visit would be a major event, calling for a grand display during his stay.

The announcement came shortly before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down tariffs previously imposed by Trump on multiple countries, a policy tool he had used to influence international support for his agenda. Trade issues, including tariffs and China’s reduced purchases of U.S. soybeans, are expected to feature prominently in discussions. Beijing has recently hosted other Western leaders, such as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who announced new trade deals and lifted restrictions on Chinese-made electric cars.

China’s growing exports of electric vehicles and investments in renewable energy contrast with Trump’s continued emphasis on fossil fuels. The visit will also be Trump’s first to China since the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he had criticized Beijing’s handling of the outbreak.

The Iranian government has rejected international claims about the scale of killings during last month’s nationwide protests, insisting that “terrorists” were responsible for the deaths. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Tehran had released a list of 3,117 people described as victims of “recent terrorist operations,” including about 200 security personnel. He challenged critics to provide evidence disputing the figures, after US President Donald Trump claimed that 32,000 people were killed and said Iranians had “lived in hell” under the current establishment.

UN special rapporteur Mai Sato and 30 other human rights experts said more than 20,000 civilians may have been killed, though they noted that information remains limited due to heavy internet restrictions. The US-based HRANA reported documenting over 7,000 deaths and investigating thousands more. The experts urged Iran to reveal the fate of those arrested or missing and to stop executions linked to the protests, warning that the true scale of the crackdown remains unclear.

Meanwhile, tensions persist across Iran, with student clashes at Tehran’s Sharif University and teachers striking over the killing of children. Families continue to hold independent memorials for victims, defying official mourning events promoted as symbols of “unity and empathy.”

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will raise global tariffs on imported goods to 15 percent after the United States Supreme Court struck down his previous trade measures. The ruling has triggered widespread concern and responses from governments and markets, as countries assess the legal and economic implications of the decision and Trump’s new tariff plan.

In South Korea, the presidential office said it would review its trade deal with the US, while India faces uncertainty over a recently signed framework agreement that includes major purchases in defence, energy, and artificial intelligence. China’s response was muted, though analysts said the ruling could ease tariff pressure on its exports. Canada and Mexico both welcomed the court’s decision but noted that some tariffs remain in place. European leaders, including those from France and Germany, emphasized the importance of legal checks and signaled coordinated responses within the European Union.

Legal experts described the Supreme Court’s ruling as a landmark moment, asserting that the court acted to reaffirm constitutional limits on presidential authority rather than to decide on economic policy.

A shop in Charfassion, Bhola, that had been seized by miscreants using the name of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was recovered following the intervention of Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan, the BNP Member of Parliament for Bhola-4 (Charfassion and Monpura). The operation took place late on Friday, February 20, at Tulatuli Bazar in Jahangpur Union, near the Meghna River. The shop, long under illegal occupation, was returned to its rightful owner, local businessman Mahe Alam.

According to the report, Mahe Alam had been running his business at the site for several years. Before the 13th National Election, a group of local miscreants allegedly branded him as an Awami League supporter and took over his shop while demanding extortion money in the name of BNP. After Alam informed MP Nayan by phone, the lawmaker instructed local party leaders to act. Youth front members verified the complaint, broke the lock, and handed the shop back to Alam.

The recovery has brought relief among local traders, who have demanded strict action against those involved in the illegal occupation.

A clash broke out between two factions of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday afternoon, leaving one activist named Arafat injured. The incident occurred on Gulshan Road in the area. Arafat alleged that the attack was carried out by Siam, Biplob, Noman, Russell, and Sabbir at the instigation of NCP leader Alif Dewan, claiming it was a planned assault.

According to Arafat, the dispute stemmed from his donation of 50,000 taka directly to Shapla symbol MP candidate Abdullah Al Amin before the election. He claimed Alif Dewan was angered because he wanted the donation to go through him. However, Alif Dewan denied the allegations, asserting that Arafat was not an NCP member and had been extorting money using the party’s name after the election. Dewan also claimed that Arafat and his associates attempted to assault their worker Biplob at a rolling mill before locals intervened.

Local NCP leader Tarikul Islam has taken responsibility for mediating the matter. Arafat stated he would pursue legal action if justice is not ensured.

In Tanore upazila of Rajshahi, potato prices have dropped sharply this season, with new potatoes selling for Tk 8 to 9 per kilogram, and in some places even lower. Farmers report being forced to add an extra 5 kilograms per sack as ‘dholon,’ increasing their losses. One farmer, Raihan Kabir, said he harvested 40 to 45 sacks per bigha, selling each for Tk 550 to 650, earning Tk 22,000 to 28,000 per bigha against production costs of Tk 60,000 to 65,000, resulting in losses exceeding Tk 30,000 per bigha. Another farmer, Mejbaul, said his expenses were Tk 45,000 per bigha, but he earned only about Tk 25,000.

Farmers allege that although each sack weighs 70 kilograms, they are paid for only 65 kilograms, losing about 250 kilograms per bigha. Traders claim the extra weight compensates for natural loss during transport and storage. The local agriculture officer, Saifullah Ahmed, said 12,190 hectares were cultivated this year, with 150 hectares already harvested and yields satisfactory. He added that coordination is underway to help farmers with storage and marketing, expressing hope that prices will improve soon.

At Islamic University in Kushtia, student leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) protested late Friday night after the name of former president Ziaur Rahman was not mentioned during a prayer and supplication held to mark Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. The event took place around 12:30 a.m. at the university’s central Shaheed Minar, following floral tributes and a minute of silence for the martyrs.

According to reports, the prayer included references to language martyrs and other national heroes but omitted Ziaur Rahman and his family. JCD activists objected immediately, arguing that Zia was not only a former president but also the university’s founder. They demanded an explanation from university officials. A second prayer was later conducted by the central mosque’s imam, who then included Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Arafat Rahman Koko, and Tarique Rahman by name.

The incident led to heated exchanges between student groups and university administrators, including the pro-vice-chancellor and leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement. The confrontation continued near the Diana Chattar area before subsiding.

On February 21, 2026, Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, faced public criticism after comments he made during a Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day event in Sirajganj. Speaking as the chief guest at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium, he said that to truly embrace Bengali as the mother tongue, the slogan 'Inquilab Zindabad' should not be used, as it is not part of the Bengali language.

Following his remarks, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and Nasiruddin Patwari posted Facebook statuses protesting the minister’s statement. Asif Mahmud questioned whether the minister felt discomfort hearing 'Inquilab Zindabad' but not 'Bangladesh Zindabad', while Nasiruddin Patwari wrote a post supporting the disputed slogan and criticizing extortion. Earlier, Hasnat Abdullah had also posted a similar protest on Facebook.

The incident drew attention on social media, highlighting differing opinions on linguistic expression and national identity during the observance of International Mother Language Day.