Rumeen Farhana, newly elected independent MP from Brahmanbaria-2 and a former BNP leader, was allegedly obstructed from paying tribute at the Shaheed Minar in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, early Friday. Following the incident, around 12:30am, her supporters blocked the Dhaka–Sylhet highway in Shahbazpur under Sarail upazila by setting fire to tree trunks and bamboo. During the blockade, her supporters alleged that a group led by former Sarail upazila BNP general secretary Anwar Hossain Master brought out a procession and created chaos at the Shaheed Minar premises, preventing the MP from paying tribute. Speaking to reporters at her village home in Shahbazpur, Rumeen Farhana claimed that a “planned attempt” had been made to attack her. Sarail Police Station Officer-in-Charge Manjur Quader Bhuiyan said legal action would be taken and those responsible would be brought to justice.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Saturday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 223 at 10:25am. The city’s air was classified as "very unhealthy", indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season.

The altar of the Shaheed Minar was covered in flowers at dawn on Friday as people thronged the site to pay tribute to the Language Movement martyrs on Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day. People from all walks of life, including representatives of various organisations and educational institutions, lined up in long queues to place wreaths at the memorial. Among the institutions seen paying homage were Eden Women’s College, Brac University, Chhayanaut, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Bangladesh Scouts, Udichi and Bangladesh Chhatra Union. Abdul Haque, who came to pay tribute, said: “This day is our inspiration. Such sacrifice is rare in history.”As the morning progressed, the number of people visiting the Shaheed Minar continued to increase.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday night said Ekushey had remained confined under a fascist regime, but this time it is free, creating an opportunity to build a just and discrimination-free democratic Bangladesh. “Ekushey had long remained restricted under a fascist rule, but this time it is free. “We expect to fulfil people’s aspirations in the coming days by building a truly democratic society in Bangladesh based on justice under a democratic government,” Fakhrul said. He said the core spirit of Ekushey was to build a discrimination-free society and state in Bangladesh. We believe that with the inspiration of this new Ekushey we will be able to work for people’s welfare, enrich our mother language and culture, and consolidate the independence, sovereignty and democracy of Bangladesh,” Fakhrul added.

BERLIN, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The 76th Berlin Film Festival draws to a close on Saturday after 10 days in which the 22 films in competition were often overshadowed by a row over the role politics should play in filmmaking. On Tuesday, a letter signed by dozens of film industry figures, including Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton and Adam McKay, condemned the Berlin festival's "silence on the genocide of Palestinians". She called for "cool heads in hot times" and expressed fears that the controversy was crowding out conversation about the films. Set in Chen's native Singapore, the film is a moving family drama which playfully satirises the yawning social disparities to be found in the city-state's glittering skyscrapers. People are not even allowed to mourn their loved ones," Panahi told a talk organised as part of the festival.

Three dead in latest US strike on alleged drug boat: PentagonWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US forces on Friday launched a strike against alleged drug traffickers in the Eastern Pacific, killing three people, the military said. The post included black and white video of the strike that showed an aerial view of a boat before it is bombed and engulfed in flames. The United States began targeting alleged smuggling boats in early September, killing nearly 150 people in total and destroying dozens of vessels since then. The strikes are part of a campaign that Trump's administration has insisted is needed to combat drug trafficking. Maduro is incarcerated in the US awaiting trial for drug and weapons charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

US trading partners that reached tariff deals with Trump's administration will now also face a 10 percent duty, despite higher levels they may have agreed on previously, the White House said. But a White House official told AFP that the Trump administration would seek ways to "implement more appropriate or pre-negotiated tariff rates" down the line. Still, it marked Trump's biggest defeat at the Supreme Court since returning to the White House 13 months ago. - Doubts on refunds -The Trump administration in court arguments said companies would receive refunds if the tariffs were deemed unlawful. Canada, which has faced repeated tariff threats as Trump questioned the sovereignty of the northern neighbor, said the Supreme Court showed the levies were "unjustified," but the country braced for more turbulence.

LOS ANGELES, United States, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman fired impressive seven-under par 64s on Friday to share the US PGA Tour Genesis Invitational halfway lead, one stroke in front of world number two Rory McIlroy. England's Penge posted seven birdies without a bogey on the way to a 12-under par total of 130 at Riviera Country Club, where Bridgeman birdied the last three holes to join him. Penge, Bridgeman and McIlroy were among the four players who emerged from the weather-hit first round sharing the lead on five-under. McIlroy and Bridgeman finished their rounds on Thursday, while Penge and Aaron Rai had to pull double-duty on Friday. His three-over par first round at Riviera marked the third straight event in which he was over par through 18 holes.

NEW DELHI, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to meet in New Delhi on Saturday, seeking to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths. India, seeking to cut its dependence on top exporter China, has been expanding domestic production and recycling while scouting for new suppliers. Officials have said that in talks with Modi on Saturday, the two leaders are expected to sign a memorandum on critical minerals and discuss efforts to increase trade links. Rishabh Jain, an expert with the Delhi-based Council on Energy, Environment and Water think tank, said India's growing cooperation with Brazil on critical minerals complements recent supply chain engagements with the United States, France and the European Union. While these partnerships grant India access to advanced technologies, finance and high-end processing capabilities, "Global South alliances are critical for securing diversified, on-ground resource access and shaping emerging rules of global trade", Jain told AFP.

DHAKA, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard has rescued 55 people, including women and children, during an anti-human trafficking operation in Baharchhara under Teknaf upazila. Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq disclosed the information on Friday. He said that acting on a tip-off, separate teams from Coast Guard Outpost Baharchhara, Shahporir Dwip and Teknaf Station carried out a joint operation in the area around 10:00 pm on Thursday. During the operation, the Coast Guard intercepted a boat and rescued 55 victims who were being trafficked to Malaysia by sea. The media officer added that the Coast Guard would continue its operations to curb human trafficking and ensure maritime security in the region.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS)- The government has asked to keep Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations close for six hours from 3 pm to 9 pm every day. The decision was taken to ensure uninterrupted gas supply in the power plants in the evening time during the holy month of Ramadan. Nazmul Haque said the decision was taken due to low pressure of gas in the distribution network. CNG and filling stations will remain open round the clock from March 15 to 25 to ensure fuel supply for vehicles on the highways during Eid vacation. After Eid-Ul-Fitr the CNG stations will remain open as usual with closure for only three hours from 6 pm to 9 pm everyday from March 26.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin urged all the Bangla-speaking people to be ever more mindful in its proper practice and in preserving its quality and dignity. As Bangla was earned through immeasurable sacrifice and the sacred blood of martyrs', we must be ever more mindful in its proper practice and in preserving its quality and dignity,” he said in a message on the Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day being celebrated tomorrow. “Through supreme sacrifice, they secured the right to their mother tongue, giving birth to our distinct national consciousness. The Language Movement was, in essence, a struggle to safeguard our national identity, individuality, and cultural uniqueness,” said President Shahbuddin.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, MP joined a view-exchange meeting with divisional and district-level officials of Rajshahi Division at the conference room of the Circuit House on friday. Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS) - Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, MP, hassaid that there is no question of any irregularity or corruption. The Land Minister said receiving ministerial responsibility from the RajshahiSadar constituency after a long 46 years is an honor for all the people ofRajshahi. Later, the Land Minister met with senior officials of the divisional anddistrict administrations at the Circuit House conference room. Earlier, the Land Minister was greeted with floral wishes by the RajshahiDivisional Administration, District Administration, DIG, and the PoliceCommissioner's office.

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Mayor Mikes Bordes speaks with The Laconia Daily Sun after his first few weeks in office at City Hall on Wednesday. (Gabriel Perry/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)