What followed took her completely by surprise: She saw herself appointed minister — not as a flesh-and-blood politician, but as an avatar. “Diella,” whom Rama introduced as the world’s first virtual minister, had Bisha’s face and voice. The image of a virtual minister portrayed Albania as a pioneer in the use of artificial intelligence in governance. Bisha has asked the Administrative Court to suspend the use of her image and voice until a final ruling is issued. After being appointed minister, “Diella” appeared on a large screen in Albania’s parliament to address lawmakers as minister for artificial intelligence.

Four lives changed by four years of Russia-Ukraine warKYIV, Ukraine, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Tens of thousands of civilians and hundreds of thousands of soldiers have been killed in the Russia-Ukraine war. As February 24 marks four years since Russia invaded, AFP looks at how the lives of just four people were forever changed by the war. Their story -- the Glodan family -- has become a symbol of the enormous price paid by Ukrainian civilians since Russia invaded. Speaking to AFP again this January, Volodymyr recalled the incident, his recovery and how he was desperate to help the Ukrainian war effort once again. Despite his unwavering determination to fight, Volodymyr had "some hope" an agreement to end the war can be reached soon.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. File photoDHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to distribute the 'Ekushey Padak 2026' at a ceremony on Thursday. The award distribution ceremony will be held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital at 11 am on February 26, a handout said. The government has already announced the names of nine eminent citizens and one music band for the country's second-highest civilian award 'Ekushey Padak 2026' in recognition of their outstanding contribution in various fields. The recipients are: Farida Akhtar Babita (Film), Professor Md Abdus Sattar (Fine Arts), Marina Tabassum (Architecture), Ayub Bachchu (Music), Arthy Ahmed (Dance), Islam Uddin Palakar (Palagan), Shafik Rehman (Journalism), Professor Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar (Education), Tejosh Haldar Josh (Sculpture), and Warfaze (Music Band).

DHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - The government has cancelled the remaining contractual tenure of nine secretaries, including senior secretaries and equivalent rank. The Ministry of Public Administration issued separate notifications in this regard yesterday. The officials whose appointments have been cancelled are Planning Commission members Mokhles Ur Rahman, SM Akmal Hossain and Qaiyum Ara Begum; Alternate Executive Director at the World Bank Begum Sharifa Khan; Secretary of the Health Services Division Md Saidur Rahman; Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Division Shish Haider Chowdhury; Director General (Senior Secretary) of the National Academy for Planning and Development Siddique Zobair; Chairman of the Land Appeal Board Mohammed Yousuf; and Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Mumtaz Ahmed. The notifications said the government cancelled their contracts for the remaining tenure with immediate effect.

University students have the right to protest but everyone must “understand the red lines,” the Iranian government’s spokeswoman said Tuesday, in the first official reaction to renewed rallies on campuses since the weekend. “Sacred things and the flag are two examples of these red lines that we must protect and not cross or deviate from, even at the height of anger,” Fatemeh Mohajerani said. Protests first began in December sparked by economic woes in the sanctions-hit country, but grew into nationwide demonstrations on January 8 and 9. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) has recorded more than 7,000 deaths, while warning the full toll is likely far higher. Mohajerani on Tuesday said a fact-finding mission is investigating “the causes and factors” of the protests and will provide reports.

Photo: BSSSYLHET, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - Noman Foysal and Nur Alam have been elected president and general secretary respectively in the 21st executive committee election of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) press club. The election to the journalists' body was held on Monday at the Press Club office on the university campus. Noman Foysal, university correspondent of Prothom Alo, was elected president while Nur Alam, university correspondent of bdnews24.com secured the post of general secretary. The other elected members of the new committee are: vice-president Shaikat Mahabub (Bangladesh Bulletin), joint secretary Sagor Hasan Shuvro (Daily Ittefaq), treasurer Sagor Hosen Jahid (Jago News24) and office secretary Md. Iqbal Hossain (Daily Naya Diganta), Mayeen Uddin (Daily Amar Desh) and Nadir Ahmed (The Daily Janakantha) were elected as executive members 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman-File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman today sought views from SAARC Secretary General Md. Golam Sarwar on revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and enhancing Bangladesh’s proactive role in the regional body. Tge discussion was held when the SAARC Secretary General paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this afternoon. “I met the Foreign Minister and presented a detailed overview of SAARC to him,” he said. Responding to a query about the SAARC Summit, Golam Sarwar said, “All issues were discussed.”On Monday, the SAARC Secretary General also called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the foreign ministry.

Despite assurances from the authorities of an uninterrupted gas supply during the holy month, it is disappointing to see the gas crisis persisting well into the first week of Ramadan. Households across the country are facing severe shortages of both piped gas and LPG cylinders, making the simple act of preparing iftar and sehri a daily challenge for millions. It seems that pipeline gas has not increased despite rising demand, and the LPG market remains volatile, with cylinder prices far above regulated levels. The most damaging element of this gas crisis, aside from the shortage itself, is the gap between official assurance and lived experience: Prior to this widespread disruption, authorities had signaled that the situation was under control. Promises of stability mean nothing if they are not backed by realistic planning, investment in energy infrastructure, and transparent communication.

When violence, especially of this level, intrudes into such ordinary spaces, public confidence is bound to crumble. Equally, if not more, crucial is sustained community efforts, ensuring not only that residents feel protected, but also that the core reasons of such extreme actions are identified and dealt with effectively. Long-term solutions must be designed to address the root causes of rising street violence, including youth unemployment and organized criminal activity. Public safety is a foundation of a successful nation. If residents cannot feel secure in their own neighbourhoods, the social fabric of the city begins to fray.

A deputy assistant agricultural officer was killed Tuesday morning after being struck by a high-speed train while crossing a railway line in Munshiganj’s Sreenagar Upazila. Ziaur Rahman, 38, of Shreenagar Upazila Agriculture Office, was returning from inspecting a canal-digging project site when the incident occurred in the Kerutkhali area of Sholghar Union. He was reportedly talking on his mobile phone as he crossed the tracks when an express train bound for Jessore, which had departed from Dhaka, hit him. Habibur Rahman, deputy director (agriculture) of the Munshiganj Agriculture Extension Department, said Ziaur had served at Shreenagar Upazila Agriculture Office for 13 years. He lived in Shreenagar with his wife and two children in a rented house.

A baby macaque named Punch has become a major attraction at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo after winning hearts online with his emotional story and adorable videos. Over 100 visitors gathered at the zoo on Friday, taking photos and cheering as the six-month-old cautiously approached other monkeys in the enclosure. Punch went viral on social media after clips showed him clinging to zookeepers and dragging around a stuffed orangutan toy for comfort, reports UNB Citing BBC. Zoo officials said, Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, possibly due to inexperience or summer heat stress. According to the zoo, Punch has recently started integrating with other monkeys.

US President Donald Trump threatened nations Monday with punishing tariff hikes if they “play games” after his trade policy setback before the Supreme Court -- hours before newduties were set to kick in. The high court struck down Trump’s global tariffs last Friday, ruling that he had exceeded his authority in tapping emergency economic powers to impose them. This dealt a sharp blow to Trump’s economic agenda, of which tariffs -- and his ability to impose them rapidly -- have been a key feature. In a notice posted late Sunday, US Customs and Border Protection said it would stop collecting tariffs struck down by the court starting Tuesday. After the Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s country-specific tariffs last week, the US leader turned to a separate law to sign an order for broad 105 duties on imports, taking effect Tuesday.

“But if you ask the people, perhaps a little bit of authoritarianism is needed to fight those corrupt people… Corruption is still widespread. Last summer, youth-led nationwide protests erupted in Indonesia over state corruption and wealth inequality. It also ranks near the top in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index. The bellwether Corruption Perceptions Index doesn’t include data on illicit financial flows, money laundering, or private-sector corruption, Pozsgai noted. Several Southeast Asian states show that authoritarianism can produce dramatic clean-ups when applied against corruption.

North Korea’s ruling party has elevated leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful younger sister to a top position, state media said Tuesday, a sign of her far-reaching influence within the reclusive nation. “Kim Yo Jong is one of the very few people Kim Jong Un can trust and rely on,” said Ahn Chan-il, a researcher originally from North Korea. Remarkably little is known about Kim Yo Jong given her prominent role in North Korea’s dealings with the outside world. There is keen interest in whether the congress might also promote leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae. But the North Korean leader has so far largely shunned efforts to resume top-level diplomatic dialogue.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam has stressed maintaining cleanliness at all airports across the country to ensure passenger comfort and safety. She directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to spray mosquito repellents at airports and in surrounding areas. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, who was present at the meeting, said the trolley shortage at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport must be resolved quickly to improve passenger services. “Initiatives should be taken to procure 1,000 new trolleys as soon as possible. All concerned must work in a coordinated manner so that passengers can travel without any harassment,” he said.