US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Saturday that President Donald Trump is questioning why Iran has not “capitulated” in the face of Washington’s military build-up aimed at pressuring them into a nuclear deal. I don’t want to use the word ‘capitulated,’ but why they haven’t capitulated,” he said. “I met him at the direction of the president,” Witkoff said, without providing further details. Trump said on Thursday that Iran had at most 15 days to make a deal on concerns starting with its nuclear program. As talks between the two nations continued in Geneva, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday said that Trump would not succeed in destroying the Islamic Republic.

Somaliland is willing to give the United States access to its minerals and military bases, a minister has told AFP, as the breakaway region of Somalia seeks international recognition. “We are willing to give exclusive (access to our minerals) to the United States. Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States,” Khadar Hussein Abdi, minister of the presidency, told AFP in an interview on Saturday. And Khadar Hussein Abdi said he could not rule out the possibility of also allowing Israel to set up a military presence. Somaliland officials have said their soil is rich in lithium, coltan and other sought-after resources, though independent studies are lacking.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah on Sunday said that his country has issued 750,000 work visas and altogether 1.4 million visas for Bangladeshi citizens in 2025. The ambassador conveyed greetings from his government and expressed his commitment to further strengthening Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh bilateral relations. Welcoming the ambassador, the foreign minister described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and longstanding partner of Bangladesh. The foreign minister expressed appreciation for the Saudi leadership’s role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and across the Muslim Ummah. The Saudi ambassador expressed his support to the present government and the intention to work with the government to enhance the current bilateral relations to a comprehensive relationship.

Officials in northern Thailand are working urgently to control a disease outbreak that has killed 72 captive tigers in Chiang Mai this month. Authorities have since launched emergency measures, including disinfecting enclosures and preparing vaccinations for the remaining tigers, reports UNB citing The Guardian. The outbreak has impacted facilities in two Chiang Mai districts — Mae Rim and Mae Taeng — both known for their mountainous terrain. Following the deaths, Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai — a well-known tourist destination where visitors can interact closely with tigers — has temporarily shut its doors. Authorities are continuing efforts to prevent the virus from spreading further while investigations into the outbreak remain ongoing.

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, locked in a conflict with the regular army, said Saturday that they had seized the town of Al-Tina on the Chad border. Previously, the town was thought to have been held by the Joint Forces, allied to the army, which has been at war with the RSF since April 2023. Alongside a statement posted to social media, the RSF shared a video of some of its fighters celebrating under a banner reading “District of Al-Tina.”The army did not immediately comment, but the pro-army governor of Darfur, Minni Minnawi, denounced what he called “repeated criminal behavior embodying the worst offences against the innocent.”Since it broke out, Sudan’s civil war has killed tens of thousands of people and forced 11 million to flee their homes, triggering what the UN says is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. On Thursday, The United Nations’ independent fact-finding mission on Sudan said the RSF’s storming of Darfur hub El-Fasher last October bore “the hallmarks of genocide.”Since the fall of El-Fasher, the paramilitaries have carried out several operations near the Chad border and at the end of last year two Chadian soldiers were killed.

He further stated that although the word “Inquilab” has Arabic origins, it has been widely used for decades in the subcontinent’s independence movements, anti-autocracy struggles, and movements for establishing people’s rights. Language, he said, is not confined within narrow boundaries; it evolves, develops, and assumes its own form through public usage. Zubair also noted that the Bangla language itself has evolved into its present form by incorporating words from numerous languages, including indigenous, Sanskrit-derived, Arabic, Persian, Portuguese, and English sources. Therefore, labeling a word as “anti-Bangla” based on its origin contradicts the fundamental principles of linguistics, he said. He added that creating division in the name of language and attempting to polarize the nation is not expected from a responsible individual.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan -File photoBARISHAL, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people will be the government’s foremost objective. Therefore, fulfilling all expectations of the people will be our sole goal,” he said while exchanging greetings with BNP leaders and activists of Gournadi-Agailjhara at the Gournadi Bus-stand auditorium here. Addressing leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, he described the administration under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a people-friendly government. Referring to the country’s economy, the minister observed that Bangladesh remains largely agriculture-based. Along with garment industry and remittances, agriculture forms a major pillar of the country’s economy as a significant portion of population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture, he said.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon today exchanged views with representatives of the Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS)- Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon has said the new government is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the country’s education sector. The education minister said this while exchanging views with representatives of the Teachers-Employees Unity Alliance at the Bangladesh Secretariat today. State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj was present. “The main goal of the ministry is to keep the education sector free from two curses- politics and corruption”, Bobby Hajjaj said.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS)—Despite a stellar performance from captain Fahima Khatun, Bangladesh suffered a crushing 46-run defeat to India i in the Asia Cup Rising Stars final game at Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok today. Tejal Hasabins and captain Radha Yadav steadied the innings and in doing so propelled the side past100-run mark, adding 69-run for the fifth wicket. Fahima dismissed Radha for 36 to break the partnership but Hasabins played till the last to stay not out on 51. Farjana Easmin and Fatema Jahan took one wicket apiece to complement captain Fahima. They thereafter beat Pakistan by 54 runs in the semifinal match to set up final against India.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr Abdullah Zafer H. bin Abiyah, met with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman today at his office in the capital. The remarks came as Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H. bin Abiyah paid a courtesy call on the foreign minister at his office here, said foreign ministry’s press release here. Welcoming the envoy, Dr Rahman described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and longstanding partner of Bangladesh. The foreign minister expressed appreciation for the Saudi leadership’s role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and across the Muslim Ummah. Earlier in the day, the Saudi ambassador also called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms Shama Obaed Islam to greet her on her appointment.

The Election Commission is awaiting a parliamentary decision on whether the upcoming local government elections will be contested under party symbols, according to Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud. “Parliament will sit soon. Whether party symbols remain in local polls will depend on the position adopted in Parliament. Mashud also said the schedule for elections to the reserved women’s parliamentary seats would be announced soon. The process has already begun, he added, noting that parties represented in Parliament have started nominating candidates.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a meeting regarding the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo: BNP Media CellDHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS): Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today directed authorities concerned to expedite steps for opening the long-awaited Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), aiming to enhance passenger handling capacity and operational efficiency. The directive came at a meeting held at the Cabinet Conference Room of the Secretariat with the Prime Minister in the chair, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam told reporters afterwards. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for civil aviation and tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat and Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal Md. The civil aviation minister said the Prime Minister has instructed the authorities to take necessary measures so that the Third Terminal can be made operational at the earliest.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS)- North Zone captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is aiming for a winning start in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day format tournament, which begins tomorrow (Monday). Expecting a high-quality contest, Shanto said the Bogura surface traditionally offers assistance to both batters and bowlers, setting the stage for a competitive encounter. "The Bogura surface usually produces high-quality cricket. I'm expecting a very good and competitive match," Shanto told reporters in Bogura today. Shanto will once again work alongside North Zone head coach Hannan Sarkar.

DHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS)- Captain Fahima Khatun claimed 4-25 with her wilyleft-arm spin as Bangladesh A Women's team restricted India A Women to 134-7in the Asia Cup Rising Stars final game at Terdthai Cricket Ground inBangkok, Thailand today. Bangladesh now need 135 to clinch the trophy for the first time in theirhistory. Tejal Hasabins and captain Radha Yadav steadied the innings and in doing sopropelled the side past the 100-run mark, adding 69-run for the fifth wicket. Bangladesh A Women's team earlier emerged as group B champion after winningall three matches against Sri Lanka, hosts Thailand and Malaysia. Theythereafter beat Pakistan by 54 runs in the semifinal match to set up finalagainst India.

DHAKA, Feb 22, 2026, (BSS)— As many as 23 Bangladesh cricketers have registered for the England’s popular franchise tournament. The Hundred auction 2026, which will take place at Piccadilly Lights in central London on March 11 and 12. Pacer Mustafizur Rahman has the highest base price among the Bangladeshi players at £100,000. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain has the second-highest base price of £75,000, while the remaining 21 players have set their base price at £31,000 each. This will be the first time in The Hundred’s history that players will be selected through an auction.