At least 19 people were killed after a passenger bus veered off a mountain highway and plunged down a hillside in Nepal shortly after midnight, police said. The bus was travelling from Pokhara to the capital Kathmandu when it fell off the Prithvi Highway. China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, quoting the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, reported earlier that another Chinese national remained missing. Road accidents involving buses are frequent in Nepal, often attributed to poor road conditions and inadequate vehicle maintenance. In 2024, two buses carrying 65 passengers plunged into the same river, with most of those on board either killed or still missing.

Within a week of assuming office, the BNP government has removed previous administrators and appointed new administrators in six city corporations, including Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation. Dhaka South City CorporationAbdus Salam has been appointed administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Salam is currently president of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP and a member of the BNP chairperson’s advisory council. Gazipur City CorporationShaukat Hossain Sarkar, president of Gazipur Metropolitan BNP, has been appointed administrator of Gazipur City Corporation. Narayanganj City CorporationSakhawat Hossain Khan, senior vice-president of Narayanganj Metropolitan BNP, has been appointed administrator of Narayanganj City Corporation.

Lt Gen Mir Mushfiqur Rahman took charge on Monday as the principal staff officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally presented him with the rank badge of Lieutenant General at the Armed Forces Division, according to the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR). The ceremony was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman; Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan. Lt Gen Mir Mushfiqur Rahman was commissioned into the Corps of Infantry of the Bangladesh Army on June 21, 1991. He has served in several key positions, including General Officer Commanding of the 24th Division, Military Secretary, and Director General of the Directorate of Defence Procurement.

Photo : BSSBy Md Mamun IslamRANGPUR, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) – A bumper harvest of the popular fruit is primarily predicted for the current season as mango trees bloom profusely, delighting farmers in all five districts of the Rangpur agricultural region. “Enthusiastic farmers have already started taking care of their blossoming mango trees. They are expecting excellent yields and more profits this season,” said Md Shirajul Islam, Additional Director of DAE's Rangpur region. About 85 percent of mango trees have already bloomed and 95 percent of mango trees are likely to sprout by the first week of March this season. “I am earning excellent returns every year for the last 16 years from my mango orchard where seven labourers are currently working to take extensive care of the blooming mango trees,” he said.

EU eager for new chapter in Bangladesh relationsAn European Union (EU) delegation, led by EU Ambassador to Dhaka Michael Miller, met with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the Foreign Ministry. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - The European Union (EU) is eagerly awaiting the beginning of a new chapter in its relations with Bangladesh, EU Ambassador to Dhaka Michael Miller said today. He made the remarks to reporters following a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the foreign ministry here. "As a very important partner of the newly-elected government, I came to meet the Foreign Minister and the State Minister. The EU is eagerly awaiting the start of a new chapter in EU-Bangladesh relations," he said.

Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS)- Barind Multipurpose Development Authority(BMDA) has installed a deep tube well at the agricultural project ofUniversity of Rajshahi (RU). Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib inaugurated the tube wellthis morning at the Budhpara field of the RU Agricultural Project. Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Mohammad Main Uddin, Pro-VC (Academic) ProfFarid Uddin Khan and members of the Agricultural Project Advisory Committeewere present, among others. With the installation of this deep tube well, nearly 100 acres of land havecome under irrigation coverage. The tube well has been installed through a partnership between the Universityof Rajshahi and the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Rajanish Kakade, an Associated Press photographer whose images documented India ’s politics, culture and everyday hustle and bustle of the city of Mumbai for nearly two decades, has died. He joined the AP in 2008 and was based in Mumbai, from where he helped shape the visual record of India's financial capital. Through his mentorship, he shaped countless careers, always encouraging young photographers to pursue the truth with courage and compassion,” the Mumbai Press Club said in a statement. A third-generation photographer, Kakade followed his grandfather and father, both of whom were photojournalists. At the AP, Kakade covered a wide range of assignments across India — from major political events, elections and sports to the deadly 2008 Mumbai militant attacks and the coronavirus pandemic .

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) – Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said they have decided to launch a smart “Farmer Card” for all farmers across the country alongside the “Family Card”. He said the Prime Minister has directed the relevant ministries to begin work immediately on distributing the smart farmer cards. “The Prime Minister has instructed all relevant ministries to start the process of distributing smart farmer cards. Swapan noted that the government had previously decided to introduce the smart farmer card and that Monday’s meeting marked the first formal step toward implementation. Responding to questions about the benefits of the card, Swapan said that all production-related facilities would be brought under the smart system.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS)- Bangladesh Women's National Football Teamcontinued their training in full swing as they successfully completed theirfourth training session today at Valentine Sports Park (Field 4), as part oftheir ongoing preparations in Sydney for their AFC Asian Cup engagement. The coaching staff placed particular emphasis ontactical organisation, compact defending, and attacking transitions. The intensity and discipline displayed on the pitch reflected the team'sgrowing confidence and tactical understanding, according to a messagereceived from Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). The coaching staff expressed satisfaction with the squad's sharpness and theplayers' clear understanding of their respective roles within the system. She expressed confidence in the squad's unity and determination as they builttowards the tournament.

US stocks drop after Trump ramps up his tariffs and worries flare about potential AI losersU.S. stocks are falling after President Donald Trump took little time to ramp up his newest tariffs, and as investors continue to punish companies seen as potential losers from the AI revolution

General Daily Insight for February 23, 2026 We can step up to handle uncertain schedules. The temperamental Moon and radical Uranus are embracing in your loyal sign, inviting you to dance to your own tune. Leo July 23 – August 22 Unpredictable events could actually have a positive impact. Libra September 23 – October 22 The horizon holds even more enticing mysteries than usual. With Luna flying into your ever-curious 9th house, you’re being energized to look beyond what you already know.

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - More than 3,000 Eritrean refugees have been detained in Egypt this year and some have reported sexual violence and torture, a human rights NGO said Monday. Eritrea, a Horn of Africa country of approximately 3.5 million inhabitants, has one of the most repressive governments in the world. A report published by Human Rights Concern - Eritrea (HRCE) said more than 3,000 refugees from the country have been arrested in Egypt since January 10. Egypt and Eritrea have grown closer in recent months due to shared difficulties with Ethiopia. HRCE says there are more than 10,000 prisoners of conscience in Eritrea, including journalists, dissidents, and members of religious minorities.

DHAKA, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS)-The inaugural edition of the Women's BangladeshPremier League (WBPL) T20 is all set to start on April 4, the BangladeshCricket Board (BCB) approved the date after a Board of Directors meeting onSunday. The board revealed that the first edition of the tournament will be held fromApril 4-14 with matches scheduled in Dhaka and Chattogram. The WBPL will mark Bangladesh's first-ever franchise-based Twenty20competition for women. Franchises will also be permitted to sign overseas professional players,providing an opportunity for international participation, global exposure andenhancement of the tournament's competitive standard. The WBPL Governing Council will be chaired by Rubaba Dowla, BCB Director andChairperson of the BCB Women's Wing.

"The rule of law is being outmuscled by the rule of force," he told theopening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. He also highlighted the "blatant violations of human rights, human dignityand international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory". "Around the world, human rights are being pushed back deliberately,strategically and sometimes proudly," he said. The crisis of respect for human rights "mirrors and magnifies every otherglobal fracture", he said, pointing for instance to how "humanitarian needsare exploding while funding collapses". "We must defend our shared foundations, without compromise," he said,insisting that "the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,and the instruments of international human rights law are not a menu".

Reading time: about 3 minutesQahwah House, a Yemeni coffee shop chain, plans to open a new location at 139 Dryden Rd. Qahwah House was founded by Ibrahim Alhasbani, who opened its first Yemeni coffee shop in Dearborn, Michigan. The coffee shop will offer its popular Arabic coffee, pastries and traditional Yemeni desserts, as well as “high-quality” organic Yemeni coffee beans and spiced drinks. He has also enjoyed watching people stop by and express their excitement as the Qahwah House location developed. Albahri noted that people can keep up with Qahwah House Ithaca through their TikTok page, where they will share updates regarding their opening.