Officials and employees of Bangladesh Bank have warned they will begin a symbolic pen-down strike from Thursday if their demands, including withdrawal of show-cause notices and transfers of three officials, are not met. The announcement came Wednesday during a protest meeting held under the banner of the Bangladesh Bank Officers’ Welfare Council at the central bank’s 30-storey building. Council president A.K.M. Masum Billah declared that if the demands remain unfulfilled, they will escalate their movement to demand the resignation of Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur.

Speakers at the protest accused the governor of authoritarian behavior and ignoring repeated appeals from staff. They alleged that contractual appointments have increased while effective economic policies remain absent, and that the governor’s remarks have negatively affected the banking sector. Director and assistant spokesperson Shahriar Siddiqui and executive director Mofizur Rahman Khan Chowdhury both urged the governor to accept the employees’ legitimate demands.

If the issues are not resolved by Thursday, officials plan to hold further discussions on Sunday to decide their next course of action.

Four people were killed in a stabbing attack on Tuesday morning near Tacoma, Washington, when a man attacked multiple individuals outside a house on the Key Peninsula. The suspect was later shot dead by police officers. According to local authorities, deputies from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at 8:41 a.m. after reports that the suspect had violated a no-contact order.

Deputies obtained a copy of the order but found it was not yet effective because the suspect had not been formally served. As they proceeded to deliver it, the suspect began stabbing people outside the residence. Witnesses reported seeing the attack around 9:30 a.m. The first deputy arrived within minutes, and the suspect was shot at 9:33 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene.

Three victims died at the location, and a fourth succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is investigating both the stabbing and the police shooting.

A Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Balikesir, killing the pilot, according to local media reports citing the Ministry of Defense. The incident occurred late Tuesday night when the aircraft lost radio and tracking contact soon after departing at 12:56 a.m. local time. Rescue teams later located the wreckage, and authorities confirmed the pilot’s death.

The Defense Ministry stated that an investigation team will determine the exact cause of the crash and expressed condolences to the pilot’s family. The incident adds to a series of recent F-16 accidents worldwide. In January, an F-16 crashed into the sea during a routine mission in Taiwan, and in August, another crashed during an air show rehearsal in Poland, both resulting in pilot fatalities.

Last November, Turkey had suspended flights of its C-130 cargo planes following a crash in Georgia that killed all 20 passengers returning from Azerbaijan.

On February 25, 2026, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing Bangladesh’s friendly relations with other countries by prioritizing sports as a key area of cooperation.

Discussions highlighted the potential for improving bilateral relations through sports exchanges, international competitions, and mutual collaboration. Both ministers also exchanged views on developing a long-term action plan to effectively use sports diplomacy in promoting Bangladesh’s positive image on the global stage.

According to related sources, one of the main discussion points was using sports as a diplomatic tool to expand Bangladesh’s presence and acceptance internationally.

The High Court is set to hear a writ petition today seeking suspension of activities under the July National Charter 2025. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir confirmed the hearing schedule through a social media post, stating that the case will be heard at Court No. 14 between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m. The petition was filed by Supreme Court lawyer Yunus Ali Akand on February 18, requesting a stay on the charter’s implementation.

According to the petition, the July National Charter 2025 has been challenged on grounds of being inconsistent with the Constitution. The petitioner sought a rule asking why the charter should not be declared unconstitutional and requested that its activities remain suspended until the rule is resolved. The High Court is expected to hold further hearings on the matter next week.

The July National Charter 2025 was signed on October 17, 2024, by the interim government formed after the August 5, 2024, mass uprising that led to the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The charter serves as a political document outlining consensus-based reforms across various sectors of the state.

Iraq’s Ministry of Transport announced the temporary suspension of flights at Baghdad International Airport, citing an emergency technical fault rather than any security threat. The decision was made after the issue was detected, prompting immediate precautionary measures and the start of repair work.

Following the closure, speculation spread on social media, leading authorities to clarify that the suspension was entirely technical. Ministry spokesperson Metham Al-Safi told the state news agency that maintenance and testing were underway and that the airport would reopen within a few hours once the final checks were completed.

Al-Safi dismissed claims of internal or foreign security risks as baseless and urged media outlets to verify information through official sources.

Pakistan has warned that it will deliver a strong response if attacked without provocation from Afghanistan. The warning came from Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi, who posted the statement on social media on Tuesday night. Zaidi claimed that the Afghan Taliban government initiated gunfire in the Torkham and Tirah sub-sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting an immediate and effective response from Pakistani security forces. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to protect its citizens and territorial integrity.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban government to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Earlier, Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghan border areas, claiming to have killed more than 80 “terrorists.” Officials said the strikes targeted seven militant hideouts in response to recent suicide bombings inside Pakistan. However, Afghan authorities stated that the attacks hit several civilian homes and a religious school.

The renewed warning underscores rising tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where both sides have exchanged accusations over cross-border violence and militant activity.

Erosion has begun along the eastern bank of the Jamuna River in Jotpara area of Chauhali upazila, Sirajganj, as water levels start to recede. The erosion, reportedly caused by the movement of sand-laden bulkheads, has put a Tk 107 crore embankment built in 2016 by the Tangail Water Development Board at serious risk. Local residents have staged repeated protests demanding a halt to bulkhead movement to protect the riverbank and the upazila headquarters.

According to the report, over 500 homesteads and farmlands, as well as the upazila parishad, educational institutions, union councils, and local markets, are under threat. The area remains geographically isolated due to poor communication and recurring river erosion. Residents claim that unrestricted bulkhead traffic is the main cause of the current erosion.

Authorities have intervened to stop bulkhead movement after locals gathered to block the river route. Police and administrative officials confirmed that operations were halted, though a few bulkheads remain stranded due to navigability issues.

A Dhaka court has sentenced former Dhaka South Jubo League president Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat to 20 years in prison for amassing illegal wealth. The verdict, delivered by Judge Md Zakaria Hossain of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-6 on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, includes two separate 10-year sentences under different sections, along with a fine of 2 million taka. In default of payment, Samrat will serve an additional one year of imprisonment. The court also issued an arrest warrant as Samrat remains absconding.

According to court sources, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on November 12, 2019, accusing Samrat of acquiring 29.48 million taka in unexplained assets. The ACC submitted its charge sheet on November 26, 2020, and the court framed charges on July 17 of the previous year. All 21 witnesses listed in the charge sheet testified before the court. Samrat was previously arrested during an anti-casino drive in October 2019 and later released on bail in August 2022.

The judgment concludes a long-running corruption case that began over six years ago, marking a significant development in the ACC’s ongoing anti-graft efforts.

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.