KHULNA, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) arrested an active member of the notorious Karim Sharif gang along with arms and ammunition from the Sundarbans on Friday afternoon. Lieutenant Commander Siam-Ul-Haq, Media Officer of the Coast Guard, confirmed the information this morning, said a BCG press release. The arrested person was identified as Badsha Sheikh, 25, a resident of Rampal upazila under Bagerhat district. During preliminary interrogation, he confessed that he had long been involved with the Karim Sharif gang, assisting in robbery activities and supplying arms, ammunition and logistics to the group. Legal procedures against the arrested person are now underway, the release said.

The Supreme Court has overwhelmingly sided with Trump since he took office in January of last year and the tariffs ruling was the first major setback for the Republican president before the conservative-dominated court. Trump heaped praise on the conservative justices who voted to uphold his authority to levy tariffs -- Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump appointee. "They have a lot of influence over the Supreme Court, whether it's through fear or respect or friendships, I don't know," he said. Asked by a reporter if he had evidence of foreign influence on the court, Trump replied: "You're going to find out." Vice President JD Vance added his voice to the condemnation of the tariffs ruling, calling it "lawlessness from the court, plain and simple."

VIENNA, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A major snowstorm hit Austria on Friday, leaving five people dead and causing power outages and transport chaos, officials said. One man, aged 53, was crushed to death when a snow plough fell down steps in a "residential complex" in the northern city of Linz, police said. Up to 40 centimetres (16 inches) of snow fell on the Alpine nation since Thursday, prompting alerts for southeast Austria, notably in the region around the city of Graz. Electric companies reported power outages in several regions in the south and east, including Styria, where 30,000 homes lost electricity. In neighbouring Slovenia, 40,000 households were affected, according to local media, which reported major disruptions in the country's northeast.

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Lebanon said Israeli strikes on the country's east and south killed 12 people on Friday, with Israel's army saying it targeted militant group Hezbollah and its Palestinian ally Hamas. A statement from Hezbollah in the eastern Bekaa Valley said a "commander" from the Iran-backed group had been killed in the raids there. "Israeli enemy strikes" on several locations in the Bekaa Valley "killed 10 people and wounded 24", Lebanon's health ministry said, adding that three children were among the wounded. The state-run National News Agency had earlier reported six dead and 25 wounded after "heavy strikes" hit in the region. - Hamas -The Israeli army said in a statement that its forces "struck a Hamas command centre from which terrorists operated" in the Ain al-Helweh area.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman released commemorative stamp at Prime Minister's Office. Photo : PIDDHAKA, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today released a commemorative postage stamp, an opening envelope and a canceller on the occasion of the great Martyrs’ Day and the International Mother Language Day. He released the commemorative postage stamp at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the city’s Tejgaon area. Earlier, Tarique Rahman assumed his office at the PMO this morning for the first time as he performed his official duties at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat here since he took charge as the country’s 11th Prime Minister on February 17. Before starting his official work at the PMO, the Prime Minister planted a ‘Swarna Chapa’ flower sapling on the office premises.

DHAKA, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS) - The University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) today paid rich tributes to the Language Martyrs by placing floral wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar on the occasion of the Martyrs' Day and the International Mother Language Day. In the morning, UGC members, officers and employees, along with leaders of the UGC Officers' Association and the UGC Employees' Union, laid wreaths there and remembered the Language Martyrs with due solemnity. UGC members Prof Dr Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Prof Dr Masuma Habib and Prof Dr Md Saidur Rahman, UGC Secretary Dr Md Fakhrul Islam and Director of the ICT Division and President of the UGC Officers' Association Md Omar Faruque were present, among others, on the occasion.

CARACAS, Feb 21, 2026 (AFP) - Venezuelan authorities have granted amnesty to 379 political prisoners, a lawmaker said Friday, after a new law was enacted by interim authorities following the US toppling of former leader Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela's National Assembly unanimously adopted the law a day before, providing hope that hundreds of political prisoners behind bars may soon be released. National Assembly deputy Jorge Arreaza, the lawmaker overseeing the amnesty process, said in a televised interview on Friday that the 379 prisoners "must be released, granted amnesty, between tonight and tomorrow morning." - A long wait -Many relatives of prisoners across Venezuela have waited outside jails for weeks for the potential release of their loved ones. He called for all other political prisoners to be freed and exiles to be allowed to return.

Those who destroy communal harmony will not be spared: LincolnShamim Kaisar Lincoln visits Sree Sree Radha Gobinda Kali Mondir, pledges protection of communal harmony. Photo : BSSGAIBANDHA, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS) - Newly elected BNP lawmaker from Gaibandha-4 constituency (Gobindaganj upazila), Shamim Kaisar Lincoln, today warned that those who attempt to destroy communal harmony in the country will not be spared. He said the religious structure, being built at the initiative of Horidas Babu, would be used for religious purposes and stressed that ensuring its safety and preservation is a collective responsibility. Temple founder Horidas Babu briefed the lawmaker on the design and overall plan of the structure and thanked him for visiting the site. Lincoln assured him of necessary support for the overall development of the temple.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman officially assumed his office at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the city's Tejgaon area today. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today officially began his office at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the city's Tejgaon area as he planted a sapling on the office premises following his swearing-in ceremony on February 17. "Prime Minister Tarique Rahman entered the PMO through the main gate around 10:10 am and started his work after planting a "Swarna Chapa" flower sapling," PM's Press Secretary Saleh Shibli told BSS. Before entering his office at the main building, Tarique Rahman exchanged greetings with the officials serving at the PMO. The assumption of office by Tarique Rahman as the premier marks a significant political shift in Bangladesh, with the new administration prioritizing economic reforms, regional diplomacy, and national stability.

General Daily Insight for February 21, 2026 When we can’t find stable ground, we must build it ourselves. Be honest when something hurts, and trust your loved ones to do the same. They just have to work for you and your loved ones! Seeking shared clarity allows you and your loved ones to grow in tandem. Maybe you no longer have toys to share during playdates, but you could have an appliance or power tool to lend to your loved ones.

The Villages, FL (32162)TodaySunny. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..TonightClear this evening. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers developing after midnight. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman paid rich tributes to the 1952 Language Movement martyrs by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city on the occasion of Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day. At 12:22am on Saturday, marking the first hour of Ekushey February, he placed a wreath at the altar of the Shaheed Minar in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Bangla language. He was accompanied by Opposition Whip and Convener of National Citizen Party Nahid Islam, and NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain. Top leaders of the 11-party alliance were also present. After paying homage at the Central Shaheed Minar, Dr Shafiqur Rahman went to the Azimpur graveyard, where he offered prayers and sought eternal peace for the souls of the language martyrs.

Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) has increased gold prices in the domestic market, effective from 10:15am on Saturday. Under the new rates, 22-carat hallmarked gold has been fixed at Tk258,824 per bhori, up by Tk3,266 from the previous price of Tk255,558 set last Wednesday. Bajus said the adjustment was made due to a rise in the prices of pure gold and silver in the market. Per gram, the price of 22-carat hallmarked gold has been set at Tk22,190, 21-carat hallmarked gold at Tk21,185, 18-carat hallmarked gold at Tk18,155, and traditional gold at Tk14,860. For silver, the price per gram of 22-carat hallmarked silver has been fixed at Tk575, 21-carat at Tk550, 18-carat at Tk470, and traditional silver at Tk350.

Bangladesh women’s football team reached Sydney safely on Friday night to participate in the final stage of AFC Women’s Asian Cup scheduled to be held in Australia from March 1 to 21, confirmed Bangladesh Football Federation. Bangladesh community living in Sydney and representives from Bangladesh High Commission in Sydney came at the Airport to receive the team. Earlier, in the wee hours of on Friday, the Bangladesh women’s team departed here for Australia to take part in the tournament. The women in red and green are going to participate in the final stage of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, grouped with strong China, North Korea and Uzbekistan. Bangladesh will start their campaign taking on nine-time champion China on March 3 at Western Sydney Stadium, Sydney and will play their second match against three-time champion North Korea on March 6 at the same venue before facing Uzbekistan on March 9 at Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth.

Former Brazil captain Neymar said he is thinking of retiring at the end of the year after being hampered by injuries but hopes to go to the World Cup first. The ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker returned in January 2025 to his boyhood club Santos from Saudi club Al-Hilal. After an injury-interrupted first season he extended his contract until the end of 2026 but then missed the start of the Brazilian season in January after undergoing knee surgery in late December. "I don't know what will happen from now on, I don't know about next year," the striker told Brazilian online channel Caze. "This year is a very important year, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it's a World Cup year, and for me too," Neymar said.