Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain today provided free medical services to poor and underprivileged patients. Photo : BSSDINAJPUR, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) –Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain today provided free medical services to poor and underprivileged patients during a visit to his constituency in Dinajpur. After offering Jummah prayer or Friday, he began attending patients who had gathered at his residence seeking treatment. Local resident Ahmed Ali expressed gratitude, saying that despite his busy schedule, the minister came to his village and provided treatment to locals . Elderly women Sahera Begum and Rafiza Bewa also received treatment and medicines from the minister and thanked him for the initiative.

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) has expressed deep concern over the abduction and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Narsingdi, who was reportedly targeted after seeking justice for sexual assault. In a press release issued Friday, MJF highlighted that the incident underscores the severe threats to the safety of women and children in the country. According to media reports, the girl was sexually assaulted 15 days ago by a group of five to six men led by a local criminal. When her family sought justice by approaching a former union council member, they were reportedly denied any remedy and allegedly asked to leave the area. “MJF strongly believes that exemplary punishment for these crimes is essential to deter future perpetrators and uphold justice and dignity for women in society.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to inaugurate the Family Card program in Bogra Sadar Upazila on March 10, in line with his electoral promise. Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Media Cell, disclosed the information, quoting BNP Standing Committee member and Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain. He said the program will be formally launched in Bogra Sadar upazila through the prime minister’s inauguration. Detailed schedules of the event will be announced later.

Police’s Anti-Terrorism Unit has filed a charge sheet against 25 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in a case over the killing of 24-year-old Abuzar Sheikh in Gulshan during the July movement. The unit’s investigation officer, SI Israel Hossain, submitted the charge sheet on February 18. Prosecution Division SI Moktar Hossain confirmed the development on Friday, saying that an application had been made for arrest warrants against 22 accused, including Hasina, as they remained absconding. Others named in the charge sheet include former road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former textiles and jute minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former information and broadcasting minister Mohammad A Arafat, former MP Mirza Azam, and former Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik. Following the incident, Abuzar’s mother Chhobi Khatun filed a murder case at Gulshan Police Station on November 16, 2024.

They also emerged victorious in the semi-finals in 2022 with City winning at the same stage the following year. Chelsea progressed straight to the last 16 after finishing sixth in the league phase. Liverpool will have a last-16 rematch against Galatasaray, the Turkish giants having defeated the Anfield club 1-0 in September in the league phase. The teams who qualified directly for this stage after finishing in the top eight in the league phase will all be at home in the return matches. This season's Champions League final will take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has congratulated Bangladesh's newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In a message, the Algerian leader praised Tarique’s election win and expressed confidence in his leadership and vision for the country’s future. President Tebboune also reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Bangladesh, highlighting shared goals in promoting cooperation and mutual benefit.

Bangladesh Women’s National Football Team shifted to their official training venue on Friday as preparations intensified for their debut AFC Women’s Asian Cup fixture in Sydney. The Tigresses held their first practice session at the ground allocated by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), following a closed-door match against Western Sydney Wanderers FC earlier this week. It was the team’s fifth training session since arriving in Sydney and their first at the official training ground, having relocated from Valentine Sports Park to Jubilee Stadium. The session concluded with a competitive 20-minute 11-a-side practice match among the players, providing the coaching staff with an opportunity to assess tactical shape and match readiness. All players are fully fit and committed to their training programme as they gear up for their tough challenge.

A discussion titled "Implementation of the Law to Control Smoking Scenes in Films: Duties of Stakeholders" was held at the Information Building on February 25, 2026. In a statement, the Board said the headline 'No National Award if Smoking Scenes in Films' and the misrepresentation of speeches by guests created confusion among the public. The clarification followed a discussion titled “Implementation of Law to Control Smoking Scenes in Films: Duties of the Stakeholders,” held at the Tathya Bhaban on February 25, 2026. It categorically stated that no decision was taken at the meeting that films portraying smoking scenes would be barred from receiving National Film Awards. He did not say that steps would be taken to stop smoking scenes in films.

Bangladesh are set for a daunting yet historic challenge as they begin their maiden campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup against some of Asia’s most formidable sides. The debutants have been drawn in Group B alongside defending champions China, three-time winners North Korea, and Uzbekistan. China remain the most successful team in Asian Cup history, having lifted the trophy nine times. “It will be a massive challenge,” said Milicic, who previously led Australia at the 2019 World Cup. Coached by Ri Song Ho, their squad features several members of the team that won the Women’s Under-17 World Cup last year, following their triumph at the Under-20 World Cup in 2024.

Police have arrested five people in connection with the rape and subsequent killing of a teenage girl in Narsingdi, allegedly carried out to conceal the crime. A case has been filed against nine accused, while the prime suspect remains at large. He said the victim’s mother, Fahima Begum, filed the case naming nine people. So far, five people -- former local member Ahmad Ali Dewan, his son Md Imran Dewan, Mohammad Aiyub, cousin of the prime accused, along with Ebadullah and Gaffar of the Hossain Bazar area -- have been arrested. The victim’s mother said it is still undecided where the body will be buried.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon has warned that teachers found engaging in other professions without official permission will face formal investigation and appropriate action. Speaking to journalists in his electoral constituency of Kachua on Friday afternoon, the minister also stressed the importance of teachers’ accountability. If such cases come to our notice, action will be taken according to regulations after proper investigation,” he said. Later, the Education Minister attended a development coordination and law-and-order committee meeting at the Kachua Upazila Parishad auditorium. Among others, Upazila Nirbahial Officer Mahmudul Hasan Rasel, Upazila BNP President Khairul Abedin Swapan, the local police station officer-in-charge Borhan Uddin, and various departmental officials and political leaders, were present.

People from all walks of life welcomed Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan as he visits Rangamati after assuming office as a minister. Photo: BSSRANGAMATI, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan today said the main goal of the government is to reach the benefits of development to every person in the hilly region. “We will work with everyone to accelerate the balanced development of the Chattogram Hill Tracts. Our main goal is the overall development of all sectors, including education, health, agriculture and infrastructure,” he said. Work will be done on a priority basis in areas where development has not reached for many years.”Addressing BNP leaders and activists, Dipen Dewan said, “Serving the people is our main goal.

GENEVA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The UN rights chief decried Friday mountingthreats to women's rights worldwide, highlighting rampant femicide andhorrific abuse exposed in cases like that of US predator Jefferey Epstein. "Violence against women, including femicide, is a global emergency. Around50,000 women and girls worldwide were killed in 2024, most by familymembers," Volker Turk told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Denmark first EU country to halt mother-to-child HIV transmission: WHOCOPENHAGEN, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Denmark has become the first EU countryto eliminate the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) said Friday. "The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis marks amajor public health achievement for Denmark," WHO chief Tedros AdhanomGhebreyesus said in a statement. The international health body said Denmark had met its required targets forelimination from 2021 to 2024, "including low transmission rates and highcoverage of prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant women." According to WHO figures, Denmark has low rates of HIV and syphilis amongpregnant women. Around 5,950 people are living with HIV in Denmark, and less than 0.1 percentof pregnant women are affected.

Cultural ties with 80 countries to be strengthened: Nitai RoyCultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury. File PhotoMAGURA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) - Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhurytoday announced that the government is going to strengthen cultural ties withapproximately 80 countries to build a robust, knowledge-based nation. In his speech, the minister emphasized a shift toward cultural enhancementand the expansion of knowledge-based education beyond standard diplomaticrelations. Nitai Roy also pledged to enforce a new social order and ensure public safetyby eliminating systemic criminal activities. The ultimate goal of these efforts is the realization of a 'ModernBangladesh' through the successful implementation of the Prime Minister'svision, he added.