Police said on Monday they are investigating "abhorrent" racist abuse directed online at four Premier League footballers last weekend. Kick It Out, a British-based charity aiming to combat racism in football, condemned late on Sunday an "appalling weekend" of abuse and calling for meaningful action. The Premier League warned of "serious consequences" for those found guilty of abuse, insisting: "Football is for everyone – there is no room for racism." An official spokesman for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the "abhorrent" abuse and said the government would put pressure on technology companies to provide greater protection. Meanwhile, Scottish giants Rangers condemned Monday the "simply unacceptable" racial abuse directed towards Djeidi Gassama and Emmanuel Fernandez.

Residents of Jalisco cautiously peeked their heads out Monday after waves of retaliatory cartel violence rocked the Mexican state over the weekend following the death of a major drug kingpin. The powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel died from his wounds in a shootout with authorities Sunday, sparking a wave of retaliatory violence including a prison break. On the road to Tapalpa, the city where Oseguera fought his last stand, cartel members still manned roadblocks. Authorities have said the worst of the violence has passed, with most blockades ending across the country. Though Oseguera’s death is being hailed as a victory, the wave of violence over the weekend was perhaps a harbinger of things to come.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax documents of Dr Shafique Ahmed Siddique, husband of Sheikh Rehana, the younger sister of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with a corruption case. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz passed the order on Tuesday following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). ACC Assistant Director Ismail Hossain submitted the application seeking the seizure of Siddique’s income tax records. The ACC said it is necessary to seize and review Siddique’s income tax records from the 2013-14 to 2024-25 fiscal years to verify the accuracy of his declared income and expenditure and to determine whether he owns any undisclosed assets. The application cited Section 19 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 and Rule 20 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Rules, 2007 in support of the request.

US President Donald Trump has warned that countries attempting to back away from recent trade commitments could face steeper tariffs, following a Supreme Court ruling that blocked most of the broad import levies he imposed last year. The ruling said the statute did not give the president authority to impose the sweeping measures, reports UNB citing BBC. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump cautioned countries against using the court decision to retreat from deals negotiated in response to last year’s tariffs. He said any nation that “plays games” with the ruling would be met with tariffs higher than those recently agreed. Trump, however, has insisted he does not need congressional approval to impose tariffs, signaling that trade tensions are likely to persist in the coming months.

Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan received eye treatment on Tuesday, according to a hospital statement, although a spokesman for the ex-cricket star complained he was not allowed to see his personal doctor. Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for a second dose of eye injections, the hospital said. Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, maintain that the cases against him are politically motivated. Khan's lawyer, Salman Safdar, told a news conference on February 12 that "one of Khan's eyes has only 15% vision", following a jail visit. The former premier's son, Kasim Khan, said his father's condition was the result of "medical neglect" during his confinement.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government has approved the withdrawal of 1,202 more politically motivated cases filed against opposition party leaders and activists during the 17-year rule of the fascist Awami League. The decision came after a thorough review process to assess allegations that the cases were used to harass opposition figures and suppress dissent, said an official brief message sent to media on Tuesday. Earlier, the government approved the withdrawal of 1,006 similar cases, rising its total number to 2,208. The ministry sources said the withdrawal process will proceed in accordance with legal procedures, and the relevant authorities have been instructed to take necessary steps. According to the government, the move is aimed at ensuring justice, upholding democratic values, and restoring confidence in the legal system.

Official T20 World Cup broadcaster Star Sports has quietly deleted a controversial promotional video following India's humiliating 76-run defeat to South Africa in Sunday's Super Eight clash in Ahmedabad. The promo, which aired days before the match, depicted an Indian and a South African fan reaching for the last cupcake in a cafe. In the video, the Indian fan aggressively mocked South Africa's reputation as "chokers" and taunted them over their loss in the 2024 World Cup final. The advertisement drew immediate ire, not just for its overt arrogance, but because "Cupcake" is also the popular nickname of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. South African influencers quickly capitalized on the moment, with one viral post showing an actor happily eating a cupcake next to the final match scorecard with the caption, "So sweet!"

But Nigel Farage's anti-immigrant Reform UK party and left-wing populists the Greens are hopeful of exploiting widespread disaffection with Starmer, already raising doubts about his longevity. "I'm not voting for Labour this time because they're absolutely useless," said long-time Labour voter Sue, who has a homemade Vote Reform UK poster in her window for Thursday's parliamentary by-election. "It is going to be so close between us and Reform," Green party hopeful, Hannah Spencer, 34, told AFP. "Hand on heart it'll be Reform," said Ron, 69, a former Labour councillor who still plans to vote for the party. "Labour's majority looks huge on paper, but in an election like this that could melt away like snow in spring."

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan received eye treatment on Tuesday, according to a hospital statement, although a spokesman for the ex-cricket star complained he was not allowed to see his personal doctor. Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for a second dose of eye injections, the hospital said. Khan was prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before being removed in a no-confidence vote during a political crisis over tensions between his government and Pakistan's powerful military establishment. Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, maintain that the cases against him are politically motivated. The former premier's son, Kasim Khan, said his father's condition was the result of "medical neglect" during his confinement.

KYIV, Ukraine, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to take over Ukraine when he invaded four years ago, but he failed to achieve this and other war goals, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday. In a video address marking the four-year anniversary of Russia's invasion, Zelensky added that Ukraine was ready to do "everything" it could to secure a strong, lasting peace. "Putin has not achieved his goals. He did not win this war. We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to achieve peace -- and to ensure there is justice," Zelensky said.

Mexico's Jalisco cautiously tries returning to normal after cartel violenceGUADALAJARA, Mexico, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Residents of Jalisco cautiously peeked their heads out Monday after waves of retaliatory cartel violence rocked the Mexican state over the weekend following the death of a major drug kingpin. The powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel died from his wounds in a shootout with authorities Sunday, sparking a wave of retaliatory violence including a prison break. On the road to Tapalpa, the city where Oseguera fought his last stand, cartel members still manned roadblocks. Authorities have said the worst of the violence has passed, with most blockades ending across the country. Though Oseguera's death is being hailed as a victory, the wave of violence over the weekend was perhaps a harbinger of things to come.

SEOUL, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - 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. - Rapid rise -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.

LAGOS, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A fire broke out Monday afternoon at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport, injuring six people and causing a temporary suspension of flights, Nigerian airport authorities said. The fire, which affected control tower operations, was brought under control and traffic resumed shortly afterwards, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said. Fourteen people trapped in the control tower were rescued unharmed after emergency teams deployed a crane to evacuate them, according to FAAN. FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku said a temporary control tower had been activated to restore operations. An Air France flight that left Paris for Lagos at around 3:00 pm (1400 GMT) turned back to the French capital.

DHAKA, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced a new facility enabling Bangladeshi taxpayers residing abroad to receive One-Time Passwords (OTP) through their registered email addresses instead of mobile phones to facilitate submission of online income tax returns. Under the new system, expatriate taxpayers seeking email verification must apply to the NBR by sending an email to [email protected] from their own email address. Upon verification of the submitted documents and information, the NBR will approve the email verification request. Taxpayers will then be able to use the OTP sent to their verified email address to reset passwords, complete registration and perform other e-return related activities smoothly. The revenue authority has urged all individual taxpayers to submit their income tax returns for the 2025-2026 tax year through the e-return system by February 28.

KATHMANDU, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Nepal's police said Tuesday that three foreign nationals -- British, Chinese and Indian citizens -- were among the 19 people who died a day earlier in a Himalayan bus crash. Police on Monday confirmed 19 were killed, but on Tuesday released more details of the dead, saying a 24-year-old British tourist, a Chinese woman and an Indian man were among the victims. There were 44 people on board at the time of the accident, including five foreigners. In July 2024, two buses with more than 50 people on board were swept off the highway into the same river after a landslide. Deadly crashes are relatively common in the Himalayan republic because of poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.