The world's largest US aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, has arrived off the coast of Israel as regional tensions rise over fears of a possible attack on Iran. Israel's Channel 12 reported the development on Friday, though the US military has not yet issued an official statement. The Anadolu Agency also confirmed the report.

According to the report, twenty US refueling aircraft landed in Israel on Thursday night. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said four KC-46A Pegasus refueling planes arrived at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. These moves are being viewed as part of a broader effort by the United States to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East amid growing concerns about potential conflict with Iran.

Analysts described the deployment as significant in light of the recent regional tensions, suggesting it underscores Washington's heightened readiness in the area.

Al-Azhar University celebrated its 1086th founding anniversary on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, with a grand ceremony held at its main mosque in Cairo. The event highlighted the institution’s long-standing role as a symbol of Islamic scholarship, worship, and civilization. Egypt’s Grand Mufti, Professor Dr. Nazir Ayyad, emphasized that Al-Azhar was built on the strength of knowledge rather than political power, grounded firmly in the Quran and Sunnah. University President Professor Dr. Salama Juma Daud described Al-Azhar’s scholars as vast oceans of knowledge who enriched generations with their encyclopedic wisdom.

Historical accounts note that construction of Al-Azhar began soon after the founding of Cairo under Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz li-Dinillah in 969 CE. The mosque was completed in 27 months, and the first congregational prayer was held on June 21, 972 CE. In 1172 CE, Sultan Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi transformed Al-Azhar into a central Sunni institution representing the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence, shaping its evolution into a global hub of Sunni scholarship.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman performed Friday prayers at the central mosque of the Navy Headquarters in Banani on February 27, 2026, following his return from London. After the prayers, he exchanged greetings with children and teenagers gathered outside the mosque. His wife, Zubaida Rahman, offered prayers in the women’s section of the same mosque, according to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

During the interaction, a child asked the Prime Minister if he observed fasting, to which he replied affirmatively with a smile. He shook hands with several children, patted some on the head, and asked if they were fasting as well. The children responded together that they were. One child mentioned missing only one day of fasting, while another said they had fasted every day, prompting the Prime Minister to praise them warmly.

The exchange created a cheerful atmosphere as the children expressed joy at meeting the Prime Minister. Before leaving with his wife, Tarique Rahman waved goodbye, saying “Allah Hafez,” while the children requested his prayers for them.

Cultural Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury announced that the government will provide allowances to distressed artists and construct a full-fledged Shilpakala Academy building in Magura district. He also stated that, under the government’s plan, two canals will be excavated in each upazila. The minister made these remarks on Friday afternoon at the Magura Circuit House hall room, where he was welcomed with flowers by representatives of various political and cultural organizations.

During his address, the minister emphasized that government employees involved in bribery or corruption will face justice. He added that the government will maintain a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, extortion, and drug-related offenses among the general public as well. The announcement reflects the government’s broader commitment to cultural development and integrity in public service.

The initiatives aim to strengthen local cultural infrastructure while ensuring social welfare support for underprivileged artists, aligning with the government’s ongoing development agenda.

WhatsApp is introducing a new message scheduling feature that allows users to write and set messages in advance for automatic delivery at a chosen date and time. The feature is currently being tested in the iOS beta version 26.710.72, with an Android rollout expected soon. Users can schedule greetings, reminders, or work-related messages without needing to be online when the message is sent.

The new option, available under the 'Chat Info' screen, lets users view all scheduled messages, edit their content, or delete them before sending. This feature aims to help users manage busy schedules and avoid forgetting important dates or communications. It marks the first time in WhatsApp’s 17-year history that users can schedule messages directly within the app.

By automating message delivery, WhatsApp seeks to make personal and professional communication more convenient, reducing the need for external reminders or third-party scheduling tools.

Chhatra Dal central president Rakibul Islam Rakib has explained his actions after a video circulated on social media showing him running to salute Prime Minister Tareq Rahman. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon at the Bangla Academy premises in Dhaka, where the prime minister attended the inauguration of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Following criticism online, Rakib posted a statement on Facebook on Friday clarifying the situation.

In his post, Rakib stated that he and other Chhatra Dal leaders were present at the venue for three hours before and during the event. He described greeting the prime minister upon arrival, accompanying him throughout the program, and presenting the organization’s magazine. Rakib said that after the event, he briefly ran toward the prime minister’s car to exchange a final courteous salute at the request of security personnel.

He criticized sections of the media for focusing only on a few seconds of the incident, calling it an example of negative reporting that ignored his longer involvement during the event.

In Pabna’s Bhangura upazila, police have been accused of assaulting the wife, brother, and sister-in-law of a check dishonor case suspect after failing to find him at home. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday night in Jhobjhobiya village. According to local sources, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Anis conducted a raid to arrest Abdur Rahim Rubel, a warrant-listed suspect and local Jamaat activist. When the family delayed opening the door, officers allegedly broke in.

Family members claimed that Rubel’s wife, Fazila Khatun, showed bail documents, but police verbally abused and beat her, Rubel’s brother Roni Islam, and sister-in-law Swapna Khatun, accusing them of helping Rubel escape. The injured were admitted to Bhangura Upazila Health Complex. Jamaat-e-Islami’s upazila leader Dr. Mohir Uddin visited the victims and condemned the incident, demanding punishment for those responsible.

Officer-in-Charge S.M. Mostafizur Rahman denied the allegations, stating that the family obstructed the arrest and behaved aggressively, injuring two police members who received treatment that night.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that the party’s next major political effort will focus on the upcoming local government elections. Speaking on Friday at a district Jamaat-organized ‘Shura and Working Committee Members’ Training Camp’ in Sylhet, he said the party’s first battle was the national election, and the second will begin with the local polls. He instructed party members to ensure full participation in the upcoming contests.

Dr. Rahman stated that Jamaat-e-Islami achieved three gains in the recent election: forming a meaningful alliance under its own leadership for the first time, being entrusted with the role of main opposition, and confronting six opposing forces simultaneously. He emphasized that the party now understands the combined strength of those forces.

The event, presided over by district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Habibur Rahman, also highlighted Dr. Rahman’s vision of a future Bangladesh shaped by Islamic values and freedom-seeking citizens.

Several Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Palestine, and Gambia, have expressed full support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The assurance came during meetings held in Jeddah on the sidelines of an emergency session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman met with diplomats from these nations.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, senior officials from the supporting countries conveyed their backing and discussed bilateral and mutual interests with the Bangladeshi delegation. The government of Bangladesh has nominated Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman as its candidate for the UNGA presidency election scheduled for June. OIC representatives also congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his party’s electoral victory and expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s political stability and development under his leadership.

The ministry statement added that the participating leaders praised Bangladesh’s steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause and reaffirmed their collective support for its UN candidacy.

The Asian Human Rights Organization has expressed deep concern over reports of killings, rape, and attacks across Bangladesh linked to the upcoming 2026 parliamentary election. In a statement issued on Friday, the organization highlighted the growing political violence following the announcement of the election schedule and urged authorities to ensure the safety of women, children, and the general public.

Secretary General Nazrul Islam Babul referenced the student protests of August 2024, noting that over two thousand students had lost their lives in earlier movements against inequality. He warned that Bangladesh could face long-term consequences if the aspirations of the student movement are ignored. Babul also cited recent incidents, including the killing of a student in Dhaka and the gang rape and murder of a woman in Narsingdi, as signs of a deteriorating situation.

The organization condemned remarks by ruling party lawmaker Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan, who allegedly threatened collective divorce against supporters of opposition candidates, calling such statements clear human rights violations. It urged the government to take strong action to uphold human rights and public safety.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat announced that the government is committed to ensuring halal animal protein such as meat, milk, and eggs reach people at affordable prices. He made the statement on Friday, February 27, 2026, while inaugurating a distribution program at Dewanganj Kamil Madrasa field in Jamalpur, aimed at supporting low-income families during the holy month of Ramadan.

The minister explained that demand for animal products rises during Ramadan, increasing financial pressure on poor households. To address this, the government has launched the initiative to make these essential items available at fair prices. Temporary sales centers have been set up across the upazila to distribute the products daily within fixed hours.

According to the announcement, the program will continue until the 27th of Ramadan, ensuring that a large number of people can access affordable meat, milk, and eggs throughout the period.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh has expressed deep concern and outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a child in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. In a statement issued to the media on Friday, the organization’s president Shaikhul Hadis Maulana Ubaidullah Faruq and secretary general Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi strongly condemned the incident and demanded the immediate arrest and maximum punishment of the perpetrators.

The leaders described the crime as a grave affront to humanity, morality, and law, saying it has shocked and saddened the entire nation. They emphasized that ensuring children’s safety is a paramount duty of both the state and society, and called for a fair, swift, and influence-free judicial process to prevent such heinous acts in the future.

The statement urged all sections of society to unite in a social movement against child abuse and violence, stressing the importance of moral education, religious values, and family awareness. The leaders prayed for the deceased child’s soul and requested the government to ensure a fair investigation, speedy trial, and protection for the victim’s family while strengthening child protection nationwide.

Siam alias Imon, arrested in connection with the murder of schoolgirl Shahriar Sharmin Binti in Hazaribagh, has confessed to the crime before a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate court on Friday, February 27, 2026. The confession was recorded by Magistrate Dilruba Afroz Tithi, confirmed by SI Abul Basar of the prosecution division. Siam was arrested by the Detective Branch police on Thursday morning from the Kathalbagan area and later produced before the court, where he voluntarily admitted his involvement.

According to the case details, Binti, a student of Rayerbazar High School, was attacked on Wednesday night near Haidar Hotel in Hazaribagh. CCTV footage showed her walking with Siam shortly before the incident. During an argument, Siam allegedly stabbed her multiple times with a sharp knife and fled the scene. Locals rescued the injured girl and took her to Sikder Medical and later to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Following the incident, Binti’s father, Md. Billal Hossain, filed a murder case at Hazaribagh Police Station on February 26, 2026.

A Delhi court on Friday granted major legal relief to former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the excise policy corruption case. The court refused to accept the chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and discharged both leaders from the case. Along with them, former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s daughter K. Kavitha and 21 others were also given a clean chit.

The CBI announced it would immediately appeal the trial court’s decision before the Delhi High Court, arguing that several key aspects of the investigation were overlooked. During the hearing, Special Judge Jitendra Singh criticized the CBI’s investigation, noting inconsistencies and lack of strong evidence against Kejriwal and Sisodia. The court observed that the charges were inconsistent with the rule of law and lacked concrete proof.

Following the verdict, Kejriwal became emotional outside the Rouse Avenue Court and said the judgment proved both he and Sisodia were honest, describing the Aam Aadmi Party as a “deeply honest” organization.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has stated that teachers cannot engage in any other profession without prior permission from the relevant authorities. He warned that if anyone is found involved in another profession without approval, investigations will be conducted and necessary actions will follow. The minister made these remarks on Friday after attending a monthly coordination and law and order committee meeting at the Kachua Upazila Parishad auditorium in Chandpur.

During his discussion with journalists, the minister expressed hope that teachers would devote full attention to classrooms to ensure quality education for students. Addressing the issue of teacher recruitment, he said that the previous government had not appointed enough teachers for a long time, which continues to affect the education system. He added that there are specific rules governing the education sector and requested two to four months to bring visible changes.

The minister’s comments highlight the government’s focus on improving teacher accountability and strengthening the education system through stricter adherence to professional regulations.