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.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government will take steps to protect citizens from misinformation. He made the statement on Friday at the Barishal Circuit House after a law and order meeting with district-level officials. The minister said that accountability and maximum freedom of information will be ensured based on input from journalists and other stakeholders.

Swapan added that the government has made a policy decision to waive agricultural loans and will soon launch pilot projects for family and agriculture cards. He attended the meeting to advise on the swift and accurate implementation of these initiatives in the district. He also discussed the district’s law and order situation and said he would speak with the law minister about a recent incident involving lawyers and a judge in Barishal court.

The minister noted that the information ministry was established before the rise of technology-based media and that adaptation to the modern digital ecosystem has been slow. He emphasized the need to ensure free access to information through gradual policy discussions.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) organized a protest rally and assembly on Friday demanding exemplary punishment for recent incidents of rape, murder, and violence across Bangladesh, including Narsingdi, and called for stronger measures to ensure women’s safety. The rally began after Friday prayers at the university’s central mosque and ended at the Raju Memorial Sculpture, where student leaders expressed deep concern over the country’s law and order situation.

DUCSU Vice President Abu Sadiq Kayem said that after the recent election, citizens expected rule of law and security from the new government, but rising incidents of rape, murder, extortion, and terrorism have created fear. He alleged that some influential political figures were protecting offenders and demanded impartial investigations and exemplary punishment. Other DUCSU leaders, including GS S.M. Farhad and AGS Mohiuddin Khan, criticized the government’s inaction and urged the media to focus on investigative reporting.

Speakers warned that if visible progress in justice is not achieved soon, students nationwide would launch a mass movement demanding accountability and protection for women.

Bangladesh has strongly condemned Israel’s new law aimed at annexing occupied Palestinian territories. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman made the statement while addressing the open executive committee meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the ministerial level in Jeddah. The condemnation was detailed in a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, February 27, 2026.

The minister said the law seeks to alter the legal and demographic character of Palestinian lands, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and expressed deep concern that measures such as easing land purchases and opening land registration in the West Bank expose Palestinian landowners to intimidation and harassment. He reaffirmed that establishing an independent and sovereign State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders, is the only sustainable solution to the ongoing crisis.

He also called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted access for humanitarian workers, and urgent aid delivery to affected civilians. On the sidelines, the minister held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Pakistan, Gambia, Palestine, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, who congratulated Bangladesh on its recent national election and expressed interest in closer cooperation.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee MP visited the crop protection embankments at Sonamrol and Chandrasonarthal haors in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj on February 27, 2026. During the inspection, he emphasized that the embankment project is vital for the haor region and that retaining water through irrigation could significantly boost agricultural productivity. He stated that the government is committed to ensuring the project is completed efficiently and free from corruption.

The minister noted that several submerged embankments in the haor areas require annual repairs, which have already contributed to increased crop yields. He said the government attaches top priority to the project as the haor region plays a key role in achieving national food self-sufficiency. Acting on the Prime Minister’s directive, he personally inspected the work to ensure quality and progress.

He added that public vigilance and cooperation are essential to prevent corruption and protect the government’s reputation. The minister expressed optimism that all development work would be implemented responsibly and in close connection with local communities.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that local government elections in Bangladesh will be held on schedule. He made the statement on Friday, February 27, 2026, while speaking to journalists after inaugurating the foundation stone of a multistoried building at Hajipara Hafezia Madrasa in Thakurgaon.

Mirza Fakhrul said the new government is working to make long-deteriorated state institutions functional and institutional again. He criticized the previous government, describing it as fascist and accusing it of weakening and disabling various state bodies. The minister emphasized that rebuilding these institutions, ensuring accountability, and restoring good governance are major challenges for the current administration.

He also expressed gratitude to the people of Thakurgaon for their support and trust, saying he intends to work responsibly to repay their confidence through dedicated service.

Turkey has stepped up diplomatic efforts in response to rising tensions along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border. According to a Turkish diplomatic source cited by Reuters, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate phone conversations on Friday with his counterparts from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to discuss the latest developments. The talks were reportedly prompted by concerns over a possible deterioration in regional security.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry stated on social media that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Fidan about the current regional situation, focusing particularly on the growing strain between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The discussions come after renewed clashes along the border between the two neighboring countries.

Analysts view the increased diplomatic engagement by regional powers as an attempt to contain the situation. The involvement of Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia suggests that the issue is being closely monitored across the Muslim world, raising prospects for a multilateral initiative to ease tensions.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that Bangladesh must increase taxes and boost investment to manage the country’s difficult economic situation. Speaking on Friday afternoon while inspecting land for a government hospital near the Marine Drive area of Patenga in Chattogram, he emphasized that without investment, employment opportunities cannot be created. He said the BNP government’s major program focuses on generating employment and that both domestic and foreign investments are being encouraged.

The minister added that the government is also working to improve education quality and bring major reforms to the health sector, fulfilling promises made before the election. He mentioned that the upcoming budget will prioritize employment creation. Plans include establishing a general hospital with specialized units, a nursing institute, and a technologist institute in the Marine Drive area to address shortages in these sectors.

He further noted that several potential sites are under consideration for the hospital project, and the government will select the most suitable one after evaluating all factors.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast a gradual rise in temperature across the country starting from March 1. According to its regular bulletin issued on February 27, both daytime and nighttime temperatures are expected to increase slightly, with fluctuations in nighttime temperatures during the first week of March. The department also noted that the heat will intensify gradually as the month progresses.

Meteorologist Kazi Zebunnesa stated that temperatures are already increasing, with Sandwip recording the highest temperature of 33 degrees Celsius the previous day. She added that the feeling of heat will become more noticeable from early March and may rise further in the latter half of the month as the spring season continues. The department also indicated the possibility of rain or thundershowers in parts of the Sylhet division in early March.

The lowest temperature recorded in the country on February 27 was 13.1 degrees Celsius, while Dhaka’s minimum temperature stood at 19 degrees Celsius, according to the department’s report.

Pakistan has claimed that its airstrikes in Afghanistan, following a declaration of war against the country, have killed at least 228 Afghan soldiers and injured 314 others. The Pakistani military spokesperson said that 74 Afghan border posts were destroyed and 18 others captured during the operations.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan, however, reported a significantly lower toll, stating that eight of its soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in the attacks. According to Al Jazeera journalist Kamal Hyder reporting from Peshawar, heavy clashes continued along the border on Friday afternoon, with Pakistan conducting air raids while attacks were also coming from inside Afghanistan.

Both sides have reportedly suffered heavy losses, and the situation remains tense. Pakistan has announced that it will continue retaliatory strikes, signaling a possible escalation of the conflict.

Bangladesh experienced three earthquakes within a span of 39 hours, with tremors felt across the country including the capital Dhaka. The latest quake struck on Friday at 1:53 p.m., registering a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the epicenter was in Satkhira, while the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a similar magnitude of 5.3.

Earlier, on Thursday at 12:04 p.m., another earthquake was felt in various parts of the country, originating in India’s Sikkim region, about 455 kilometers northwest of Dhaka. That event measured 4.6 on the Richter scale. A day before, on Wednesday night, another quake of magnitude 5.1 was recorded. Additionally, a mild 4.0 magnitude tremor had been felt in Sylhet on February 10.

Assistant meteorologist Farzana Sultana described the latest quake as moderate, noting that its epicenter was in Ashashuni, Satkhira, approximately 188 kilometers southwest of Dhaka. Authorities have not reported any major damage or casualties so far.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged greetings with children outside a mosque after performing Friday prayers at the Naval Headquarters on February 27, 2026. The interaction took place following the conclusion of the prayer service, where the Prime Minister took time to meet and greet children gathered outside the mosque premises. After the exchange, he proceeded to the Gulshan area.

The information was confirmed by Atiqur Rahman Rumman, the Prime Minister’s additional press secretary. The event was part of the Prime Minister’s regular public engagements following religious observances. No further details about the nature or duration of the interaction were provided in the report.

The brief encounter highlighted the Prime Minister’s outreach to the public, particularly to children, during his official and religious activities.

China has removed 19 officials from its list of lawmakers ahead of the country’s most important annual political meeting scheduled for next week. The announcement was made by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the nation’s top legislative body. Among those removed are nine military officers, including Li Qiaoming, commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force, and former navy commander Shen Jinlong. Several provincial officials, including former Inner Mongolia party chief Sun Shaochong, were also excluded.

State media did not specify reasons for the removals. However, the move follows the recent dismissal of top general Zhang Youxia for “serious violations of discipline and law,” a phrase often associated with corruption cases. Since taking power in 2013, President Xi Jinping has intensified anti-corruption efforts, describing corruption as a major threat to the Communist Party.

The decision comes just before the “Two Sessions,” to be held in Beijing from March 4 to 11, where the government will outline policy priorities and economic targets for the year.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the pilot phase of the Family Card program in Bogura on March 10. The announcement was made by State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam during a brief address before Friday prayers at the Shah Sultan Balkhi (R.) shrine in Mahasthangarh, Bogura. The initiative marks the beginning of a new government social security program.

For the pilot phase, Ward No. 3 of Shakharia Union in Bogura Sadar Upazila has been selected. Field-level data collection has already begun to identify potential beneficiary families. To ensure smooth implementation, separate district and upazila committees have been formed, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer respectively, along with additional committees at union and ward levels for monitoring and coordination.

Under the program, one woman from each eligible family will be registered as the cardholder. The pilot will run for four months, with plans to gradually expand the initiative to all upazilas across the country.