SARLAHI, Nepal, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Nepali student leader-turned-politician Gagan Thapa has sought to rejuvenate his party's stale image, campaigning on generational change ahead of the Himalayan nation's first elections since a deadly youth-led uprising. "We need energy for Nepal's change," the 49-year-old aspiring prime minister told AFP, saying his candidacy represented a break from decades of rule by a tight-knit and ageing elite. The protests toppled Marxist leader KP Sharma Oli's government, in which Thapa's centrist Nepali Congress party had the biggest share of seats. Thapa's home and party office were among the buildings set alight during the two days of violence last year. He has since led an internal revolt and was elected party leader in January, ending the decade-long grip of former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, 79, who had defied calls for reform.

BARCELONA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Barcelona host high-flying Villarreal on Saturday aiming to tighten their grip on pole position in La Liga amid concerns about the form of strikers Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Coach Hansi Flick has rotated between the veteran Pole and the Spaniard this season to lead the attack, but neither has fully convinced. Lewandowski has five goals in his last 18 games, but seems less mobile than before and a peripheral presence at times. Barca still lead La Liga for goals scored, with 67, but they are coming from everywhere -- 10 different players have scored two or more, and nobody has more than Torres on 12. Flick's side lead La Liga by a point ahead of Villarreal's visit.

Speaking to AFP and other media hours after returning from Italy on Thursday, Kobel said the Bayern clash may be the tonic a wounded Dortmund need. Sometimes it's easier said than done, but you just have to keep going and focus on the next game," said Kobel. Like Bayern, Dortmund have lost just once in the Bundesliga this season, but they trail Vincent Kompany's league leaders by eight points. Some players may look to distract themselves to shut out the nerves, but the 28-year-old Kobel welcomes the butterflies in his stomach. "What we can do is focus on us, try to improve as a team, try to get better and compete with them.

BARCELONA, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The giant Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade fair for telecoms kicks off for its 20th annual edition in Barcelona on Monday, with firms racing to pump AI into their systems even as debate rages over the technology's regulation. - Race for sovereignty -"Sovereign AI will be a big discussion item" at this year's MWC, GSMA analysts told journalists this week. - 'Remarkable resilience' for smartphones -Global smartphone sales are picking up steam again, powered by a slew of new models offering innovative new features -- many of them from Chinese manufacturers. "Despite a challenging year marked with tariffs volatility, supply chain disruption and persistent macroeconomic headwinds across several markets, the global smartphone market demonstrated remarkable resilience," IDC research director Nabila Popal said. In market share, Apple accounted for 19.7 percent of global smartphone sales in 2025, a nose ahead of Samsung at 19.1 percent.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman held a series of bilateral meetings with key counterparts on the sidelines of the OIC Executive Meeting on Palestine in Jeddah, reaffirming Bangladesh’s stance on Palestine and boosting diplomatic engagement. The Foreign Minister handed over an invitation letter to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to visit Bangladesh after Ramadan. The Saudi Vice Foreign Minister expressed hope that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would visit the Kingdom soon and invited Dr Rahman to Riyadh. Elkhreiji also sought Bangladesh’s support for reform initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the OIC Secretariat. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabi was also present during the meetings.

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Gaza's civil defence ministry said Israeli strikes killed at least five people on Friday. A drone strike in the south of the strip shortly after midnight killed three and injured several more people, the agency added. Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authorities, has previously said at least 601 people had been killed since the truce began. The Israeli military says at least four of its soldiers have been killed in the same period. Media restrictions and limited access in Gaza have prevented AFP from independently verifying casualty figures or freely covering the fighting.

Marseille look for way out of crisis against bitter rivals LyonPARIS, France, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Away from Paris Saint-Germain's quest to hold off Lens and retain the Ligue 1 title, Marseille and Lyon are fighting it out for France's last automatic Champions League qualifying berth and face off in a huge game on Sunday. Marseille have not been champions since 2010 while Lyon won the last of their seven straight titles in 2008. "It is no big drama, we just have to accept it," said Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca after last week's game. Key stats3 - Marseille have won their last three home meetings with Lyon, and have lost just one of their last six. Fixtures (times GMT)FridayStrasbourg v Lens (1945)SaturdayRennes v Toulouse (1600), Monaco v Angers (1800), Le Havre v Paris Saint-Germain (2005)SundayParis FC v Nice (1400), Lille v Nantes, Lorient v Auxerre, Metz v Brest (all 1615), Marseille v Lyon (1945)

Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul, on Friday, with Islamabad's defence minister declaring the neighbours at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat clashes. Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denies. Both militaries said they killed dozens of soldiers in the latest round of border violence, which followed multiple Pakistani strikes on Afghanistan and clashes along the frontier in recent months. The Afghan defence ministry reported eight of its soldiers had been killed in the land offensive. After repeated breaches of the initial ceasefire, Saudi Arabia intervened this month, mediating the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured by Afghanistan in October.

SATKHIRA, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized one kilogram of Indian crystal meth ice smuggled from India during a special drive in the Akhrakhola area of Sadar upazila of the district. Acting on a tip-off, a BGB patrol team of Satkhira 33 battalion conducted drive in the area on Wednesday night and seized the crystal meth ice wrapping with polythene from the spot, said a BGB source. However, the smugglers managed to flee sensing the presence of the team. Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Ashiqur Rahman said a general diary (GD) was filed with the Department of Narcotics Control. The seized drug was deposited at the battalion seizure store for public destruction.

TOKYO, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Sumo has been hit with another bullying scandal after media reported Friday that a retired grand champion who is now a stablemaster had reported himself to the sport's authorities for violent behaviour. He told reporters that he had apologised to his own wrestlers for the incident and that "the responsibility lies with me". Sumo has been dogged by multiple scandals, including allegations of bullying, illegal betting and links to organised crime. In 2007, a 17-year-old sumo apprentice died after a hazing incident involving his stablemaster and senior wrestlers. Terunofuji won 10 tournaments in his wrestling career and became the 73rd grand champion in the centuries-old history of sumo.

Japan's Takaichi says opposes changes to imperial family male succession rulesTOKYO, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on Friday that she opposes changing the imperial family's male succession rules. Takaichi said she respected the conclusion of a panel of experts who had discussed the issue and found it "appropriate to limit eligibility to those who are male-line male descendants belonging to the imperial lineage". "The government, and I, myself as well, respect this report." The premier previously said that revising the imperial family's rules was "an urgent matter". Even though tradition dictates only a man can carry on the imperial line -- which goes back 2,600 years according to legend -- opinion polls have shown high public support for a woman taking the throne.

Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid. "If young officers adopt a field-oriented approach, the country's agricultural potential can be converted into economic strength, while ensuring food security and supporting socio-economic development," he said. Amin Ur Rashid said that many countries remain snow-covered for four to eight months a year. Addressing the young officers, he said, "You are entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people. Later, the Minister distributed certificates to the meritorious young officers.

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], February 26 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday received the Finance Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Gillis Roth, along with his delegation, in Gandhinagar. Not only this, he discussed and deliberated on the benefit of Luxembourg's expertise in the field of green bonds and green financing in this context. Shri Gilles Roth expressed Luxembourg's eagerness for more investments in the international financing sector in GIFT City. Luxembourg Finance Minister Shri Gillis Roth extended a cordial invitation to the Chief Minister and the delegation of the Gujarat Government to visit the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Industries Commissioner P Swaroop and Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikrant Pandey also participated in this courtesy visit.

They made the remarks at a programme organised by the Bangladesh High Commission in London to mark International Mother Language Day 2026, held in a committee room of the House of Commons, according to a message received here today. In her address, Bangladesh High Commissioner Abida Islam reflected on Bangladesh's pioneering role in securing global recognition for International Mother Language Day. She said the country's Language Movement was instrumental in shaping the international agenda for cultural and linguistic preservation. "Mother language learning is a space for intercultural and multilingual imagination for our shared future. "Unity in diversity - diversity is an asset.

The new governor of Bangladesh Bank Mostakur Rahman announced an 11-point plan on his first day in office on Thursday aimed at restoring economic momentum and accelerating growth. After joining the central bank at 10:40 am, he held a meeting with deputy governors and executive directors. To revive factories and commercial enterprises that have shut down over the past 18 months, the central bank will provide policy support and incentives. Tackling interest ratesThe governor identified high interest rates as a major obstacle to investment. The central bank will adopt either tight or accommodative measures as needed to protect purchasing power.