A discussion titled "Implementation of the Law to Control Smoking Scenes in Films: Duties of Stakeholders" was held at the Information Building on February 25, 2026. In a statement, the Board said the headline 'No National Award if Smoking Scenes in Films' and the misrepresentation of speeches by guests created confusion among the public. The clarification followed a discussion titled “Implementation of Law to Control Smoking Scenes in Films: Duties of the Stakeholders,” held at the Tathya Bhaban on February 25, 2026. It categorically stated that no decision was taken at the meeting that films portraying smoking scenes would be barred from receiving National Film Awards. He did not say that steps would be taken to stop smoking scenes in films.

Bangladesh are set for a daunting yet historic challenge as they begin their maiden campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup against some of Asia’s most formidable sides. The debutants have been drawn in Group B alongside defending champions China, three-time winners North Korea, and Uzbekistan. China remain the most successful team in Asian Cup history, having lifted the trophy nine times. “It will be a massive challenge,” said Milicic, who previously led Australia at the 2019 World Cup. Coached by Ri Song Ho, their squad features several members of the team that won the Women’s Under-17 World Cup last year, following their triumph at the Under-20 World Cup in 2024.

Police have arrested five people in connection with the rape and subsequent killing of a teenage girl in Narsingdi, allegedly carried out to conceal the crime. A case has been filed against nine accused, while the prime suspect remains at large. He said the victim’s mother, Fahima Begum, filed the case naming nine people. So far, five people -- former local member Ahmad Ali Dewan, his son Md Imran Dewan, Mohammad Aiyub, cousin of the prime accused, along with Ebadullah and Gaffar of the Hossain Bazar area -- have been arrested. The victim’s mother said it is still undecided where the body will be buried.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon has warned that teachers found engaging in other professions without official permission will face formal investigation and appropriate action. Speaking to journalists in his electoral constituency of Kachua on Friday afternoon, the minister also stressed the importance of teachers’ accountability. If such cases come to our notice, action will be taken according to regulations after proper investigation,” he said. Later, the Education Minister attended a development coordination and law-and-order committee meeting at the Kachua Upazila Parishad auditorium. Among others, Upazila Nirbahial Officer Mahmudul Hasan Rasel, Upazila BNP President Khairul Abedin Swapan, the local police station officer-in-charge Borhan Uddin, and various departmental officials and political leaders, were present.

People from all walks of life welcomed Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan as he visits Rangamati after assuming office as a minister. Photo: BSSRANGAMATI, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan today said the main goal of the government is to reach the benefits of development to every person in the hilly region. “We will work with everyone to accelerate the balanced development of the Chattogram Hill Tracts. Our main goal is the overall development of all sectors, including education, health, agriculture and infrastructure,” he said. Work will be done on a priority basis in areas where development has not reached for many years.”Addressing BNP leaders and activists, Dipen Dewan said, “Serving the people is our main goal.

GENEVA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The UN rights chief decried Friday mountingthreats to women's rights worldwide, highlighting rampant femicide andhorrific abuse exposed in cases like that of US predator Jefferey Epstein. "Violence against women, including femicide, is a global emergency. Around50,000 women and girls worldwide were killed in 2024, most by familymembers," Volker Turk told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Denmark first EU country to halt mother-to-child HIV transmission: WHOCOPENHAGEN, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Denmark has become the first EU countryto eliminate the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) said Friday. "The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis marks amajor public health achievement for Denmark," WHO chief Tedros AdhanomGhebreyesus said in a statement. The international health body said Denmark had met its required targets forelimination from 2021 to 2024, "including low transmission rates and highcoverage of prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant women." According to WHO figures, Denmark has low rates of HIV and syphilis amongpregnant women. Around 5,950 people are living with HIV in Denmark, and less than 0.1 percentof pregnant women are affected.

Cultural ties with 80 countries to be strengthened: Nitai RoyCultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury. File PhotoMAGURA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhurytoday announced that the government is going to strengthen cultural ties withapproximately 80 countries to build a robust, knowledge-based nation. In his speech, the minister emphasized a shift toward cultural enhancementand the expansion of knowledge-based education beyond standard diplomaticrelations. Nitai Roy also pledged to enforce a new social order and ensure public safetyby eliminating systemic criminal activities. The ultimate goal of these efforts is the realization of a 'ModernBangladesh' through the successful implementation of the Prime Minister'svision, he added.

World must not normalise use of force: UN rights chiefGENEVA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The UN rights chief voiced alarm Friday atthe normalisation of the use of force to resolve disputes, saying armedconflicts had almost doubled since 2010. "We must not revert to violence as an organising principle," Volker Turk saidas he provided an update on rights situations around the world to the UnitedNations Human Rights Council. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned that "the threat and use offorce to solve disputes is becoming more frequent and normalised". Turk said there was the increasingly relentless competition for power forpower's sake, to the detriment of rights everywhere. "The world cannot stand by as the edifice of international humanitarian andhuman rights law is dismantled before our eyes".

MUMBAI, India, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneylanded in India on Friday where he hopes to reset ties and double trade,offsetting the damage from his country's fracturing relations with the UnitedStates. Carney's visit is a key step forward in ties that effectively collapsed in2023 after Ottawa accused New Delhi of orchestrating a deadly campaignagainst Sikh activists on Canadian territory. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government further alleged India haddirected a campaign of intimidation against Sikh activists across Canada. Ties improved after Carney took office in March 2025, and envoys have sincebeen restored. After India, Carney will travel on to Australia and Japan, part of a broadeffort to pivot the Canadian economy away from excessive reliance on itssouthern neighbour.

Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam Speaking after an exchange of views with district-level officials at the Tangail Deputy Commissioner's office on friday. Photo: BSSTANGAIL, Feb 27, 2025 (BSS) - Posts, Telecommunications and InformationTechnology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam today announced that all airports,railway stations and high-speed vehicles across the country will be equippedwith free Wi-Fi facilities, in line with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman'svision for the ICT sector. Speaking after an exchange of views with district-level officials at theTangail Deputy Commissioner's office this morning, the minister saidinformation and communication technology (ICT) is the most vital sector inthe present era and the Prime Minister has outlined many plans for itsadvancement. Mahbub Anam said the government is committed to implementing developmentactivities, modernising communication systems and realising future plans inthe IT sector. During the meeting, the minister provided guidelines on governmentdevelopment initiatives, communication modernisation and ICT progress.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, MP speaking as the chief guest at an exchange of views meeting with district-level officials at Barishal Circuit House this morning. Photo: BSSBARISHAL, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, MP today said family cards must be distributed with transparency by avoiding nepotism so the real beneficiaries can receive government assistance. Through this team, the eligibility of beneficiaries must be verified and family cards distributed in a completely non-partisan manner ensuring transparency, he added. Maintaining accuracy in statistics requires precise data collection, proper data preservation and prompt dissemination of information, he observed. Stressing the need to modernize healthcare services in Barishal, the information minister said that despite being the capital of southern Bangladesh, the region still lacks advanced medical facilities.

The UN rights chief said Friday he was “extremely alarmed” at the risk of a regional escalation around Iran, which is facing repeated threats of US strikes. “I am extremely alarmed about the potential for regional military escalation and its impact on civilians,” Volker Turk told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. US President Donald Trump last week gave Tehran 15 days to reach a deal, as the US continued its largest military build-up in the Middle East in decades. Turk also highlighted Iran’s domestic situation, after Tehran last month launched a mass crackdown on nationwide protests, killing thousands of people according to rights groups. I urge independent, impartial, and transparent investigations, fair trial guarantees, and an immediate moratorium on the death penalty.”

DHAKA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS)-Bangladesh women's national football team continuedtheir preparations in Sydney following the recent closed-door match againstthe Western Sydney Wanderers FC. Team's assistant coach Mahmuda Akter Annoa through a video message today(Friday) said players are enjoying their training session. Today marked the team's fifth training session since arriving in Sydney andtheir first session at the official training ground allocated by the AFC. Following the session, the team checked into the AFC allocated hotel inParramatta, Sydney. The team will resume training tomorrow (Saturday) at Jubilee Stadium from9:00am to 11:00am as preparations continue, the Team's assistant coachconcluded.

Govt bans fishing in Meghna for two months to protect jatkaPhoto: BSSLAKSHMIPUR, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) – The government has imposed a two-month ban on catching all types of fish in the Meghna River from March 1 to April 30 in a bid to conserve jatka and boost hilsa production. During the ban period, each fisherman will receive 160 kilograms of VGF rice over four months, including the restriction period. According to the district fisheries office and fishermen, there are 52,000 fishermen in the district, of whom 43,000 are registered. The district administration and the district fisheries department have continued awareness campaigns, including miking and poster distribution, in river and coastal areas to inform fishermen about the restrictions. Deputy Commissioner SM Mehdi Hasan said a taskforce coordination committee, led by the district and upazila administrations, is working to implement the two-month ban to conserve jatka and increase hilsa production.