German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, hoping to bolster ties with his country’s largest trade partner and high-tech rival as Europe’s biggest economy struggles. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to developing closer strategic relations, with Merz saying he saw the trip as a “great opportunity” to boost economic ties. Export-dependent Germany needs “economic relations all over the world,” Merz said before leaving for Beijing with a large business delegation in tow. Germany’s trade deficit with China hit a record 89 billion euros last year. On Thursday, Merz is to visit Beijing’s Forbidden City, then a Mercedes plant where autonomous driving vehicles will be presented.

The unrest killed at least 77 people and left parliament in flames. Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including 800,000 taking part for the first time. They will elect members to the 275-seat House of Representatives, the lower house, with 165 via a direct vote and 110 through proportional representation. Election Commission official Suman Ghimire told AFP the body was in its “final stage of election preparation.”Ghimire said support from other nations included neighboring China and India. “An election atmosphere is taking shape,” said Kritika Mishra, 23, a prospective voter in Nepal’s southern Sarlahi district.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that proper justice will be ensured in the Pilkhana Massacre case. He made the remarks on Monday after a views-exchange meeting with heads of different departments at the Secretariat. The minister stated that the issue is also included in the government’s election manifesto, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring justice. He also said that in several cases filed on August 5, certain opportunistic groups implicated many innocent people, causing harassment. However, police accountability will be ensured so that people do not face harassment.

After an exciting group phase, eight teams - the Super Eight - remain in contention for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 crown. India, 0 points, -3.800The loss against South Africa was India’s first in 13 matches at the T20 World Cup. But co-hosts Sri Lanka could not get a partnership going and were bowled out for 95 in 16.4 overs. With England already through, two wins for New Zealand over Sri Lanka and England would end Pakistan's campaign, irrespective of a win over Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, 0 points, -2.550Since beating Australia in Kandy last week, Sri Lanka have struggled to maintain the momentum.

DHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) - The National Martyred Army Day was observed with due dignity today commemorating the 17th martyrdom anniversary of the army officers who were killed in the 2009 BDR (now BGB) carnage. A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, including its DG, were killed during the carnage at the Pilkhana headquarters of the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on February 25-26, 2009. Earlier on February 23, 2025, the government declared February 25 as ‘National Martyred Army Day’ to honor the sacrifices of army officers who lost their lives in the Pilkhana tragedy. After paying homage, a one-minute silence was observed in solemn respect for the martyrs while the serving members of the armed forces were honored salute, the ISPR said. Special prayers were held in the mosques of the armed forces of the country on the occasion, the ISPR added.

Ramanath Pujari MD of BIFPCLEngr. Ramanath Pujari has joined as Managing Director of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt.) Prior to joining this position, he was serving as Project Director at Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (MSTPP), Rampal, BIFPCL and as Executive Director in NTPC Ltd. He was responsible for plant operation, plant reliability, improving plant efficiency and engaging environmental compliances of MSTPP. Mr. Ramanath Pujari was born in 1968 in Odisha, India.

TOKYO, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was under pressure Wednesday after it emerged she gave congratulatory gift catalogues to lawmakers from her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) following its landslide election victory this month. More than 300 lawmakers were given the option to choose an item from the catalogue "as an expression of appreciation for their success at this very tough election", Takaichi wrote in a post on X, saying that no taxpayer money was used. The news of the catalogues "could easily lead people to say, 'Prime Minister Takaichi, you too?'" She said on X that she also hoped the lawmakers' gifts "would be of use in their future work as legislators". Bunshun Online, a web version of the weekly tabloid Shukan Bunshun, reported that the gift catalogue came from the well-known Kintetsu Department Store.

Photo: CollectedKYIV, Ukraine, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Lead Ukrainian negotiator RustemUmerov will meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday, Kyiv hasannounced, ahead of fresh trilateral talks with Russia expected in earlyMarch. "Tomorrow he will meet with American negotiators Witkoff and (Jared)Kushner," Ukrainian President Zelensky told a group of reporters, includingfrom AFP. Umerov's adviser told reporters separately that the meeting on Thursday willbe in Geneva, which hosted talks with Russian, Ukrainian, and US officialsearlier this month. Other issues on the agenda for Thursday are prisoner-of-war exchanges and a"prosperity package" for the reconstruction of Ukraine, Zelensky said. Witkoff confirmed the talks earlier this week saying the aim was to "exploredifferent iterations about how we might get to a peace deal."

PM adorns new IGP Ali Hossain with rank badgePrime Minister Tarique Rahman today adorned newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir with the rank badge at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today adorned newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir with the rank badge. The premier pinned the rank badge at a ceremony at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here, said sources at Prime Minister’s Office. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Home Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury were present on the occasion.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, BCB Women's Wing Chairperson RubabaDowla said the tournament is expected to feature several prominentinternational players. There will be no country-specific restrictions, as the tournament is open toall eligible overseas players, she added. The Women's Wing Chairperson expressed hope that the tournament would providea strong platform for local players to gain exposure and experience, helpingthem reach greater heights. "We want to encourage them and provide a platform where they gain visibilityand proper recognition. We are holding regular meetings, and since time isshort, we will try to execute everything as planned," she concluded.

Bangladesh women's national football team played a closed-door friendly match against Western Sydney Wanderers FC at the club's Field 3 training ground in Sydney as a part of preparation of their AFC Women's Asian Cup tourney. The match formed an important part of the Tigresses' ongoing preparation camp in Australia, providing valuable competitive exposure against a top-tier A-League Women side, according to a message received here from Bangladesh Football Federation on Wednesday afternoon. As part of the structured recovery plan, there will be no field training session tomorrow (Thursday). Instead, the squad will undertake a swimming pool recovery session at Valentine Sports Park, emphasizing regeneration and physical maintenance following the day's competitive outing. Bangladesh will compete in the AFC Women's Asian Cup for the first time in history.

The government is giving top priority to tackling dengue and has intensified mosquito control efforts across the capital, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhaowat Hossain said on Wednesday. He urged citizens to actively cooperate with the ongoing anti- mosquito drives to ensure their effectiveness. The minister made the remarks while visiting Dhalpur in Dhaka to inspect mosquito control operations and assess the effectiveness of insecticides used by the Dhaka South City Corporation. He said the government has adopted a series of plans to provide swift relief to city dwellers from the mosquito menace. The minister said several samples of imported insecticides have been collected and will be tested promptly to determine their effectiveness.

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe will miss the Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica on Wednesday because of a knee injury, AFP learned on Tuesday from a source close to the team. Madrid hold a 1-0 lead over Benfica from the first leg in Lisbon last week, in a match which was disrupted by alleged racial abuse aimed at Los Blancos winger Vinicius Junior. Mbappe's coach Alvaro Arbeloa said earlier on Tuesday that the player was "prepared to play" in the second leg and that he "valued his commitment" in playing through pain, but it was later decided that the forward would not feature against Benfica. Mbappe leads the Champions League scoring charts with 13 goals this season, despite an issue with the ligaments on the outside of his left knee which has troubled him since before the Christmas break. The forward did not appear to be moving as freely as usual during Real's 2-1 defeat to Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.

General Daily Insight for February 25, 2026 We’re gaining speed as we chase our dreams! That said, the road could be a bit rough as the Moon squares Venus, potentially making small slights feel larger than they are. Name your real need and acknowledge what it will require from you. Cooperation brightens conversations as the moody Moon in your connection sector trines punchy Mars in your 3rd House of Messages. The intuitive Moon is in your 5th House of Creativity, where she trines fiery Mars in your creative sign.

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