BNP to move forward imbued with ideals of ‘52, 71, 90 and 24’: Mirza FakhrulBNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today spoke as the chief guest at an Iftar programme in Thakurgaon. Photo : BSSTHAKURGAON, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) – BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the party-BNP will move forward being inspired with the principles of 1952, 71, 90 and 2024. “The government is only 15 days old, yet we are steadily moving towards our goals,” Mirza Fakhrul said, announcing the start of implementing his electoral promises in the district. Mirza Fakhrul said a team has already arrived to implement the Thakurgaon Medical College project as announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Parliament members from Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Dinajpur, government and NGO officials, politicians and dignitaries were also present.

Local media reported that US Border Patrol agents dropped him off five days earlier at a restaurant. Shah Alam, described as almost blind and unable to speak in English, was found dead four miles (six kilometers) away. Border Patrol agents "seemingly abandoned him in the cold far from his home without telling his loved ones," alleged Chuck Schumer, the top US Senate Democrat. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan also called for answers and labeled the death "deeply disturbing and a dereliction of duty" by immigration agents. US Border Patrol arrived at the detention center before Shah Alam was released from custody, the sheriff's office said.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today spoke at a memorial programme organized by the Barishal Press Club. Photo : BSSBARISHAL, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said the media will define the boundaries of accountability while the state will ensure freedom within those limits. Speaking at a memorial programme organized by the Barishal Press Club, he said, "Journalistic institutions must define the profession themselves. Barishal Press Club President Asinul Islam Khasru presided over the programme while General Secretary SM Zakir Hossain conducted it. Several senior officials and media personalities, including Barishal Range DIG Manjur Morshed Alam and former National Press Club General Secretary Elias Khan, attended the event.

Mamdani meets Trump to ask for $21 bn funding for NYC homesWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - New York Mayor ZohranMamdani met President Donald Trump on Thursday to urge him to release $21billion in federal grants to build 12,000 affordable housing units andinfrastructure. Mamdani posted an image of himself at the White House presenting Trump with amock newspaper front-page that read: "Trump to city: Let's build". The amount includes funding for affordable housing units and infrastructurein a Queens neighborhood, including parks, schools and health centers,according to a statement from Mamdani's office. "I had a productive meeting with President Trump this afternoon," Mamdaniwrote in a post on X after Thursday's talks. Following the meeting, Mamdani said Trump had also agreed to the release of aColumbia University student detained by federal immigration agents earlier inthe day.

Prices of most essential commodities have remained stable, with several key items witnessing a decline ahead of Ramadan, offering relief to consumers. Potatoes are being sold at Tk 15 to Tk 20 per kg, and onions at Tk 40 to Tk 45 per kg. Chickpeas are now being sold at Tk 80–100 per kg, down from Tk 100–110 at the beginning of Ramadan. Market visits indicate that mutton is now being sold at Tk 1,200 per kg, down from Tk 1,250–1,300 before Ramadan. Beef prices remain unchanged at Tk 800 per kg, a rate that has remained stable for several weeks ahead of Ramadan.

The Trump administration has since tightened the decades-old US embargo, threatening tariffs on any country supplying oil to Cuba. The US Treasury has said it may allow limited oil sales for humanitarian and commercial purposes, but shortages remain severe. The fuel crisis has triggered long daily blackouts, disrupted hospital services, closed schools and halted waste collection across the island. Cuban economist Ricardo Torres says the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy is aimed at regime change, exploiting internal crisis to weaken the socialist system from within. Former US ambassador to Cuba Jeffrey DeLaurentis says the revolution’s survival may depend on whether other countries step in with tangible support.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) staged a protest procession demanding justice for those involved in incidents of rape and violence committed across the country, including in Narsingdi, and warned of building mass resistance if justice is not delivered. The protest procession began at 1:45pm on Friday from the central mosque of Dhaka University. He warned that the current government must declare a zero-tolerance policy against “this killer Hasina” and her associates, referring to Sheikh Hasina. Ducsu General Secretary SM Farhad, addressing the prime minister, said that if he wishes to remain in power, he must become serious about taking action against extortionists and rapists. If he does not, and if leaders at every level of his party continue to shelter them, the protest from the Raju Sculpture will spread to the grassroots.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said taxes need to be increased to revive the economy, stressing that this measure will help boost investment. The minister made the remarks after inspecting land in Patenga, Chittagong, earmarked for a new hospital. “Without investment, employment cannot grow. The finance minister visited land acquired by the Bangladesh Navy in the Muslimabad area adjacent to Marine Drive, located on the west side of Banouja Ulka’s cultivation area-2. During the visit, Rear Admiral Moinul Hasan, commander of the Chittagong Naval Area, briefed the minister in detail on the land’s location, geographical features, connectivity, surrounding infrastructure, and future development potential.

Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul on Friday, with Islamabad’s defense minister declaring the neighbors at “open war” following months of tit-for-tat clashes. Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denies. Most of the attacks have been claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that has stepped up assaults in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power. The military operation follows recent Pakistan strikes on Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, which the UN mission in Afghanistan said killed at least 13 civilians. Besides military operations, there has been a series of deadly suicide blasts in Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent months.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar has urged the government to take strict and impartial measures to prevent violence before and after elections, citing repeated incidents targeting his party. Speaking at the Rokon Conference of the city Jamaat at Advocate Tarek Memorial Auditorium in Mymensingh on Friday afternoon, Professor Parwar expressed hope that the newly formed government would act to curb post-election violence. “The same kind of violence that occurred before the elections is now being repeated against Jamaat,” he alleged. Professor Parwar also called on party leaders and activists to uphold patience, discipline, and steadfast adherence to their ideological principles. Leaders and activists of Jamaat from its central, district, and metropolitan units attended the event, with the participation from both male and female members.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul on Friday, with Islamabad's defence minister declaring the neighbours at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat clashes. Pakistan's latest operation came after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops on Thursday night over earlier air strikes by Islamabad. Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denies. Most of the attacks have been claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that has stepped up assaults in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. Besides military operations, there has been a series of deadly suicide blasts in Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent months.

Reading time: about 0 minutesFor the fourth time in five years, women’s hockey is set to face Colgate in the ECAC Hockey tournament. The two teams have become fierce rivals in recent years, with each season adding new fuel to the rivalry. You can follow him on X @Eli_Fastiff and reach him at efastiff@cornellsun.com. Christopher Walker Christopher Walker is a member of the Class of 2026 in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is the games editor of the 143rd Editorial Board.

ICT Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam today exchanged views with district-level officials at the Tangail Deputy Commissioner's office. Photo : PIDTANGAIL, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - Posts, Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam today said the government will introduce free Wi-Fi facilities at all airports, railway stations and high-speed vehicles across the country. "The ICT sector is currently the most important sector and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has undertaken extensive plans for its further development. "We want to ensure internet connectivity at every household and create greater employment opportunities in the ICT sector," he said. During the meeting, Anam provided directives on ongoing development programmes, modernisation of communication infrastructure and progress in the ICT sector.

Milon for stern action against teachers engage in other professions without approvalEducation Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today spoke to journalists after attending the monthly coordination meeting and law and order committee meeting at Kachua Upazila Parishad auditorium in Chandpur. Photo : BSSCHANDPUR, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS)– Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today said teachers must obtain prior permission from the appropriate authorities before engaging in any profession outside their teaching duties, warning that action will be taken against those found violating the rule. Describing teaching as a responsible and full-time profession, the minister said teachers must devote full attention to classroom activities to ensure quality education for students. Highlighting the role of the media, Dr Milon said responsible and objective reports published by the media would be given due importance. Party leaders and activists, upazila administration officials and members of law enforcement agencies were present at the meeting.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today spoke to journalists after visited the site designated for a proposed government hospital in the Jele Para area near Patenga Police Station in Chattogram. Photo : BSSCHATTOGRAM, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today said education, health and employment would be prioritised in the upcoming budget. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury made the remarks this afternoon while visiting the site designated for a proposed government hospital in the Jele Para area near Patenga Police Station in the city. He later inspected 14.2190 acres and another 2.7 acres of land earmarked for the construction of the proposed hospital in Patenga. Sources said the proposed hospital, if approved, would significantly improve healthcare access for residents of Patenga and surrounding areas, further strengthening Chattogram's medical infrastructure.