Dhaka-20 (Dhamrai) Member of Parliament Tamiz Uddin announced that no extortion will be allowed from any factory in the area. He stated that after August 5, several factories had faced extortion through motorcycle showdowns carried out under the name of the BNP. He emphasized that such activities will no longer be tolerated in Dhamrai.

The MP made these remarks on Friday at a reception and iftar event organized by Sharifbagh Islamia Kamil Madrasa in Dhamrai. The event was attended by former secretary and madrasa governing body president Md. Abdus Sabur, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Education Mirza Mohammad Ali Reza, Dhamrai Police Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rafi, Dr. Md. Nasim Sarkar, the madrasa principal, and other local dignitaries, scholars, and political leaders.

The statement reflects a local political stance against extortion and aims to ensure law and order in the industrial areas of Dhamrai.

China has advised its citizens to leave Iran as security risks in the Middle East escalate. In a social media statement on Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Chinese nationals in Iran to strengthen safety measures and prepare to depart the country as soon as possible. The ministry also advised against traveling to Iran under current conditions. Chinese embassies and consulates in Iran and neighboring countries will assist citizens in relocating via commercial flights or land routes.

Additionally, Chinese citizens in Israel have been instructed to remain on high alert. State broadcaster CCTV reported that they were advised to avoid unnecessary outings and to familiarize themselves with nearby bomb shelters and evacuation routes. On the same day, the United States authorized the withdrawal of non-essential embassy staff from Israel as Washington reinforced its military presence in the region, including the expected arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford near Israel’s coast.

Despite mediation efforts between Iran and the United States through Oman, hopes for easing tensions remain uncertain.

The UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw for the 2025–26 season was held in Nyon, producing several high-profile matchups. Real Madrid and Manchester City will face each other for the fifth consecutive season, continuing their intense rivalry in Europe’s top club competition. Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea will also meet again, recreating last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final in a battle for a quarterfinal spot.

Other fixtures include Barcelona against Newcastle, Liverpool facing Galatasaray, and Atlético Madrid taking on Tottenham Hotspur. Bayern Munich will meet Atalanta, Arsenal will play Bayer Leverkusen, and Sporting CP will face Bodø/Glimt. Arsenal appears to have a relatively favorable path, with a potential quarterfinal against the winner of Sporting CP and Bodø/Glimt if they overcome Leverkusen.

The first-leg matches of the quarterfinals are scheduled for March 10 and 11, with the return legs on March 17 and 18, according to the draw details.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said his party did not lose the recent election but was deliberately made to lose. Speaking on Friday afternoon at the closing session of the Sylhet District Jamaat’s Shura and Executive Council members’ training camp, he stated that people across the country were telling them they had been deprived of victory. He alleged that results in some constituencies were intentionally manipulated, with announcements halted in certain areas.

Dr. Rahman instructed party members to prepare for upcoming local government elections, describing them as the next phase of their political struggle. He said the party aimed to ensure no area remained vacant in the local polls and emphasized the need for dedicated and prudent leadership at the grassroots level.

Highlighting what he called Jamaat’s greatest success in parliamentary politics, Rahman noted that for the first time, the party had led a meaningful alliance and been recognized as the main opposition. He alleged that six opposing forces could not have defeated them without external support, citing similar observations from organizations such as TIB and Sujan.

The government has imposed a two-month ban on all fishing activities in six rivers of Chandpur, including the Padma and Meghna, to conserve juvenile hilsa (jatka) and boost overall hilsa production. The restriction begins after midnight on February 28 and will remain in effect throughout March and April. During this period, 9,100 fishermen in Matlab North upazila will receive 160 kilograms of rice each in four installments, while they focus on repairing boats and nets.

The ban, in place annually since 2006, covers a 30-kilometer stretch from Shatnol to Amirabad Bazar and a 70-kilometer area up to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar. Fishing, trading, storing, or transporting fish is strictly prohibited. Violators face one to two years in jail, fines up to 5,000 taka, or both. Joint enforcement drives will be conducted by the local administration, fisheries department, naval police, coast guard, and navy.

Experts noted that while the ban helps protect jatka, ensuring long-term benefits requires financial security for fishermen. Authorities have pledged strict monitoring throughout the sanctuary period.

Pakistan’s military said it has killed 274 Taliban and other armed group members in Afghanistan under an operation named “Ghazab-lil-Haq.” The announcement came from Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during a press briefing on Friday. He stated that Pakistan’s forces destroyed 73 Taliban military posts, captured 18, and destroyed 115 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery weapons.

The operation followed a deadly cross-border attack late Thursday night, when Afghan forces reportedly killed at least 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured several others at a post near the Durand Line in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attack was in retaliation for Pakistan’s February 21 airstrikes in Nangarhar and Paktia provinces, which killed more than 80 people.

Pakistan launched its counteroffensive at 3:45 a.m. Friday, conducting extensive airstrikes in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar as part of the ongoing operation.

Jamaat-e-Islami central Majlis-e-Shura member and Nilphamari-1 lawmaker Maulana Abdus Sattar stated that his party does not oppose the government merely for the sake of opposition. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar gathering in Syedpur, Nilphamari, on Friday, he said they would speak against the government only when its actions go against national or public interests. The event was organized jointly by Syedpur upazila and town Jamaat at the Syedpur municipal community center, with Nilphamari-4 MP Hafiz Abdul Muntakim presiding.

Sattar compared the opposition’s role to a brake that controls a vehicle, saying that if the government acts against the country’s interests, the opposition will act immediately to stop it. He emphasized that after being elected, they represent all citizens, not just their party, and are committed to establishing good governance and maintaining zero tolerance against corruption.

He added that any instance of corruption would be firmly resisted to ensure accountability and protect the interests of the people.

An iftar and discussion meeting with young leaders was held in Uttara, Dhaka, on Friday at the Istikutum Community Center. The event, organized by the social organization Blood Connection, brought together representatives of the young generation in a lively atmosphere. Muhammad Selim Uddin, a central executive council member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Ameer of Dhaka North Metropolitan, attended as the chief guest.

The meeting was presided over by Blood Connection Chairman Kamrul Hasan, with special guests including Dr. Mostafa Faisal Parvez, Secretary of the International Islamic Students Organization (IFSU), and Habibullah Muhammad Iqbal, Chairman of the Tanzimul Ummah Foundation. Other attendees included Ibrahim Khalil, Ameer of Uttara Model Police Station, and Mazharul Islam, Ameer of Uttara West Police Station.

Speakers discussed the role and responsibility of youth leadership in national development, moral society building, and social service. They urged young people to take a more active role in the welfare of the nation, emphasizing that youth power is essential for building a prosperous country.

Member of Parliament for Madaripur-2, Jahandar Ali Mia, announced a firm stance against corruption, drug abuse, extortion, and land grabbing. He made the declaration on Friday while addressing an iftar gathering in Amgram, Rajoir. During his speech, he emphasized that Ramadan is a month of self-purification and urged everyone to pledge to avoid corruption and unlawful earnings.

Jahandar Ali directly instructed the Officer-in-Charge of Rajoir Police Station to prepare separate lists of drug dealers and users. He warned that anyone involved in extortion should be arrested, even if they belong to his own political party, and that anyone attempting to intervene should also face legal action. He further stated that there would be no compromise with land grabbers and called for necessary measures to curb the activities of juvenile gangs, including conducting operations if required.

The event highlighted his call for moral reform and stronger law enforcement to build what he described as a new Bangladesh free from corruption and criminal influence.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged greetings with children and teenagers after performing Friday prayers at the central mosque of the Naval Headquarters in Banani on February 27, 2026. According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, the Prime Minister’s wife, Zubaida Rahman, offered prayers in the women’s section of the same mosque.

After the prayers, the Prime Minister approached the children, spoke with them, and asked about their well-being. During the interaction, a child asked him if he observed fasting, to which he replied affirmatively. He shook hands with the children, patted some on the head, and asked if they were fasting too. The children responded together that they were also fasting. One child mentioned missing only one fast, while another said they had kept all, prompting the Prime Minister to praise them.

Before leaving the mosque, the Prime Minister bid farewell to the children with “Allah Hafez,” and the children requested prayers for them.

The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RACSU) organized a protest march and rally on Friday, February 27, 2026, condemning recent incidents of rape and murder, including the killing of a teenage girl in Narsingdi. The demonstration began after Friday prayers in front of the university’s central mosque and moved through various campus roads. Protesters demanded swift investigation, arrest of those involved, and maximum punishment for the perpetrators.

During the rally, RACSU Vice President Mostakur Rahman Zahid criticized the silence of the administration and judiciary over crimes allegedly committed by members of a particular political group. He urged authorities to ensure justice even if offenders belong to their own party, warning that failure to do so would reflect authoritarian tendencies. Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy Hall VP Kawsar Habib described the recent violence, including the abduction and killing of a girl, as crimes against humanity.

Speakers called on the newly formed government to ensure women’s safety, uphold justice, and take strict action against criminals to restore law and order. They warned that students and conscious citizens would unite in protest if justice is not served.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the regional situation amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the discussion focused on recent regional developments, particularly the state of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.

During the call, Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan’s response to what he described as unprovoked aggression was measured but firm. He highlighted that under “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” Pakistan’s armed forces had carried out a successful operation to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministry’s statement added that both leaders emphasized the importance of regional peace and stability and agreed to maintain communication as the situation evolves.

The continued diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Cairo is being viewed as part of efforts to manage and contain the current tensions in the region.

Pakistan launched airstrikes early Friday on Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika in Afghanistan, prompting retaliatory attacks by the Taliban. Islamabad declared it was now in an 'open war' with Afghanistan’s Taliban government, while Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan forces were conducting large-scale operations along the Durand Line in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes.

The United Nations expressed deep concern over escalating violence and urged both sides to uphold international law and protect civilians. Iran offered to mediate, reaffirming its support for dialogue between Kabul and Islamabad. Russia called for an end to cross-border attacks and emphasized diplomatic solutions. India condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes, while Turkey, Qatar, China, and the United Kingdom all pressed for de-escalation and dialogue. Pakistan’s defense minister blamed the Taliban for instability, asserting that the country’s patience had run out. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai vowed national unity in defending Afghanistan.

The continued fighting and international appeals highlight fears of a broader regional crisis if hostilities persist without diplomatic resolution.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that preliminary work for a medical college in Thakurgaon has begun and construction of Thakurgaon University will start soon. He made the remarks on Friday, February 27, 2026, while attending an iftar event organized by the NGO ESDO in Thakurgaon.

The minister also stated that initiatives to establish an airport and an export processing zone (EPZ) in the district are underway. He mentioned that farmers’ agricultural loans of 10,000 taka, including interest, have been waived. According to him, these steps reflect the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises and advancing national development after the recent mass uprising.

Mirza Fakhrul emphasized the need for national unity to build a new Bangladesh, urging collective effort in nation-building and reaffirming determination to continue progress without giving up.

The women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a human chain protest in Dhaka to denounce the growing incidents of violence against women and children across the country. The event is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. in front of the National Press Club. The announcement was made by Nazmun Nahar Nilu, the central publicity and media secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami women’s division.

According to the statement, the demonstration aims to draw attention to the increasing number of abuse cases and to urge the authorities to strengthen law enforcement efforts to improve public safety. Central and metropolitan leaders of the party are expected to attend the event.

The initiative reflects the organization’s attempt to highlight social and security concerns affecting women and children, while pressing for administrative action to address these issues.