After the political changeover on August 5, 2024, the number of cases filed across Bangladesh increased sharply. Despite various reform initiatives following the July uprising, HRSS said incidents of human rights violations, particularly linked to violence, remained clearly visible and expressed concern over the overall deterioration of the country’s law-and-order situation and human rights conditions. Police sources said charge sheets have already been submitted in 30 to 40% of the cases filed during the interim government period, while slightly more than 20% of the cases remain under investigation. Additional Inspector General of Police Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said most cases were filed by victims, including cases that could not be lodged earlier. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated that vested groups had implicated many ordinary and innocent people in several cases filed after August 5, 2024, and said police had been instructed to review the cases and submit reports.

It was carnage at Chepauk as India posted 256/4 against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight clash on Thursday. Stung by the defeat to South Africa in the previous match, the defending champions came out all guns blazing and registered the highest total of this edition, and the second-highest in T20 World Cup history. During the innings, India also struck 17 sixes, another high in T20 World Cups for the Men in Blue. Despite a valiant 97 not out by Brian Bennett, India held Zimbabwe to 184/6 to complete a 72-run victory. Zimbabwe's carefully mounted World Cup challenge unravelled in the Super Eights.

DHAKA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today predicted that weather would remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country in next 24 hours commencing 9 am. Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged and day temperature may rise slightly over the country, a Met office bulletin said. The highest temperature on Thursday was recorded 33.1 degrees Celsius at Sandwip under Chattogram division and today's minimum temperature is 13.1 degrees Celsius in Tetulia under Rangpur division. The sun sets at 6.00 pm today and rises at 6.23 am tomorrow in Dhaka.

In December, Trump ordered a "blockade" of sanctioned oil vessels heading to and from Venezuela. Then on January 3, US special forces detained Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a daring raid, bringing them to the United States to stand trial on criminal charges. "Let the blockade and sanctions against Venezuela end now," interim leader Delcy Rodriguez said in a speech on state television. "President Trump, as friends, as partners, we are opening a new agenda of cooperation with the United States." In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump said the United States had received more than 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela, "our new friend and partner."

Production and trade of date palm turned into a thriving business in RajshahiPhoto: BSSBy Md Aynal HaqueRAJSHAHI, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS)- Production and trade of date palm jaggery (khejurer gur) in Rajshahi have turned into a thriving business worth several hundred crores of Taka. Bagha, Arani, Jhalmolia of Puthia, Nawhata, Katakhali, Belpukur, and Bhalukgachhi are the main wholesale and retail markets for date palm jaggery. Prices of date palm jaggery and patali vary depending on quality, and at the wholesale level it is considered a large-scale business. This year, I sold date palm jaggery for over Taka 100 per kilogram. This year, date palm jaggery worth Taka 9.6 billion will be traded in the district.

BRASILIA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US tech giant Meta filed lawsuits Thursday against several individuals and companies in Brazil and China who used celebrity deepfakes to advertise products on its platforms, the company said in a statement. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, filed "lawsuits against four scam advertisers who impersonated well-known celebrities and brands to deceive and defraud people," the statement said. "They earn billions by spreading this and ensuring the video reaches as many people as possible," he told the newspaper. The US company also sued Vitor Lourenco de Souza and Milena Luciani Sanchez for similar practices in Brazil. The tech giant also sued Vietnamese company Ly Van Lam for publishing fraudulent advertisements for Longchamp luxury handbags.

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HONG KONG, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Markets stuttered Friday as traders took their foot off the pedal at the end of a healthy week in Asia, where tech firms rallied on a reassessment of AI investments. That was highlighted this week by another Wall Street sell-off, despite Nvidia reporting quarterly profits more than doubled, projecting more strong growth for the coming period. "There are also concerns related to stretched valuations and Nvidia's dependence on capital spending by large technology companies investing in AI infrastructure. Hong Kong, Singapore and Wellington edged up, while Sydney and Shanghai shifted between gains and losses. But Seoul sank more than one percent, having chalked up gains of around 8.5 percent this week thanks to a surge in market heavyweights Samsung and SK hynix.

SARLAHI, Nepal, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Nepali student leader-turned-politician Gagan Thapa has sought to rejuvenate his party's stale image, campaigning on generational change ahead of the Himalayan nation's first elections since a deadly youth-led uprising. "We need energy for Nepal's change," the 49-year-old aspiring prime minister told AFP, saying his candidacy represented a break from decades of rule by a tight-knit and ageing elite. The protests toppled Marxist leader KP Sharma Oli's government, in which Thapa's centrist Nepali Congress party had the biggest share of seats. Thapa's home and party office were among the buildings set alight during the two days of violence last year. He has since led an internal revolt and was elected party leader in January, ending the decade-long grip of former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, 79, who had defied calls for reform.

BARCELONA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Barcelona host high-flying Villarreal on Saturday aiming to tighten their grip on pole position in La Liga amid concerns about the form of strikers Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Coach Hansi Flick has rotated between the veteran Pole and the Spaniard this season to lead the attack, but neither has fully convinced. Lewandowski has five goals in his last 18 games, but seems less mobile than before and a peripheral presence at times. Barca still lead La Liga for goals scored, with 67, but they are coming from everywhere -- 10 different players have scored two or more, and nobody has more than Torres on 12. Flick's side lead La Liga by a point ahead of Villarreal's visit.

Speaking to AFP and other media hours after returning from Italy on Thursday, Kobel said the Bayern clash may be the tonic a wounded Dortmund need. Sometimes it's easier said than done, but you just have to keep going and focus on the next game," said Kobel. Like Bayern, Dortmund have lost just once in the Bundesliga this season, but they trail Vincent Kompany's league leaders by eight points. Some players may look to distract themselves to shut out the nerves, but the 28-year-old Kobel welcomes the butterflies in his stomach. "What we can do is focus on us, try to improve as a team, try to get better and compete with them.

BARCELONA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The giant Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade fair for telecoms kicks off for its 20th annual edition in Barcelona on Monday, with firms racing to pump AI into their systems even as debate rages over the technology's regulation. - Race for sovereignty -"Sovereign AI will be a big discussion item" at this year's MWC, GSMA analysts told journalists this week. - 'Remarkable resilience' for smartphones -Global smartphone sales are picking up steam again, powered by a slew of new models offering innovative new features -- many of them from Chinese manufacturers. "Despite a challenging year marked with tariffs volatility, supply chain disruption and persistent macroeconomic headwinds across several markets, the global smartphone market demonstrated remarkable resilience," IDC research director Nabila Popal said. In market share, Apple accounted for 19.7 percent of global smartphone sales in 2025, a nose ahead of Samsung at 19.1 percent.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman held a series of bilateral meetings with key counterparts on the sidelines of the OIC Executive Meeting on Palestine in Jeddah, reaffirming Bangladesh’s stance on Palestine and boosting diplomatic engagement. The Foreign Minister handed over an invitation letter to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to visit Bangladesh after Ramadan. The Saudi Vice Foreign Minister expressed hope that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would visit the Kingdom soon and invited Dr Rahman to Riyadh. Elkhreiji also sought Bangladesh’s support for reform initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the OIC Secretariat. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabi was also present during the meetings.

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Gaza's civil defence ministry said Israeli strikes killed at least five people on Friday. A drone strike in the south of the strip shortly after midnight killed three and injured several more people, the agency added. Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authorities, has previously said at least 601 people had been killed since the truce began. The Israeli military says at least four of its soldiers have been killed in the same period. Media restrictions and limited access in Gaza have prevented AFP from independently verifying casualty figures or freely covering the fighting.

Marseille look for way out of crisis against bitter rivals LyonPARIS, France, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Away from Paris Saint-Germain's quest to hold off Lens and retain the Ligue 1 title, Marseille and Lyon are fighting it out for France's last automatic Champions League qualifying berth and face off in a huge game on Sunday. Marseille have not been champions since 2010 while Lyon won the last of their seven straight titles in 2008. "It is no big drama, we just have to accept it," said Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca after last week's game. Key stats3 - Marseille have won their last three home meetings with Lyon, and have lost just one of their last six. Fixtures (times GMT)FridayStrasbourg v Lens (1945)SaturdayRennes v Toulouse (1600), Monaco v Angers (1800), Le Havre v Paris Saint-Germain (2005)SundayParis FC v Nice (1400), Lille v Nantes, Lorient v Auxerre, Metz v Brest (all 1615), Marseille v Lyon (1945)