Philippine Vice President and newly declared presidential candidate Sara Duterte has been hit with a fourth impeachment complaint, according to documents obtained by AFP on Thursday. The complaint, filed Wednesday just hours after she announced her 2028 presidential bid, accuses Duterte of misusing public funds and improperly handling undeclared assets. Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, was impeached by the House of Representatives last year, but the Supreme Court dismissed that case due to procedural errors.

Under the Philippine constitution, if the impeachment is accepted, the Senate will begin a trial. A conviction would disqualify Duterte from politics and end her presidential ambitions. Lawmaker Paolo Ortega of La Union province, one of two supporters of the complaint, said the issue concerns constitutional accountability and undisclosed wealth. Another supporter, Leila de Lima, described the new filing as an improved version of the case dismissed last year.

Analysts cited in the report said Duterte’s 2028 candidacy aims to unify her allies and strengthen her faction’s chances of returning to power.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed during a parliamentary discussion on Tuesday that Palestinians kill each other and that the Israeli government bears no responsibility. His remarks, reported by Middle East Eye, triggered widespread anger and condemnation. The debate arose as Palestinian lawmakers, including Iman Khatib-Yassin, argued that Smotrich’s proposed 1.5 percent property tax on vacant land would harm Palestinians, who own property but are not permitted to develop it.

The lawmakers accused the government of failing to curb rising violence within Palestinian communities. In response, Smotrich said the government could not be blamed for killings among Palestinians and urged education and condemnation of terrorism, calling for Hamas to be defined as a terrorist organization. His comments were denounced as hateful and racist by opponents.

According to the human rights group Abraham Initiatives, 51 Palestinians have been killed in Israel so far this year, following 252 killings in 2025 across 218 incidents—a record figure nearly four times higher than the previous decade’s average.

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, central general secretary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, has called for financial assistance to organize iftar events at mosques, madrasas, and orphanages in Babuganj and Muladi upazilas of Barishal. He made the appeal on February 18 through a video message posted on his Facebook page, emphasizing the need for prayers and financial cooperation to ensure smooth iftar arrangements during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

Fuad stated that his constituency, Barishal-3, includes more than 600 mosques, madrasas, and orphanages where iftar is regularly arranged every Ramadan. He noted that providing for these institutions, many located in remote and river-surrounded areas, often becomes difficult. Therefore, he urged affluent individuals and expatriates to come forward with support.

In his message, Fuad also referenced the ongoing process of building a new Bangladesh following the 2024 mass uprising. He called for unity in creating a humane and just society inspired by the sacrifices of martyrs and encouraged participation in social and cultural initiatives promoting justice and freedom.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad is prepared to launch new attacks in Afghanistan if Kabul fails to provide credible assurances of peace. Speaking to France 24 on Wednesday, Asif said that despite efforts by several allied countries to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid rising tensions, those attempts have not produced results. The warning follows an unprovoked terrorist attack from Afghan territory on a Pakistani border post in October last year, which led to subsequent clashes along the border.

Asif accused the Afghan Taliban of failing to act against terrorist groups despite multiple rounds of talks. He also alleged that India, Kabul, and militant organizations share a common stance and blamed New Delhi for waging a “proxy war” against Pakistan through militant attacks. Asif further stated that since the May 2025 war between India and Pakistan, there has been no direct or indirect contact between the two countries.

He dismissed the possibility of establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, saying such a move could only be considered if an independent homeland for Palestinians is ensured. Asif added that Pakistan is ready to contribute to Trump’s international peace force if conditions become favorable.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman held an inter-ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Division in Dhaka on Thursday to finalize the implementation plan for the government’s proposed Family Card distribution program. The meeting began around 11:30 a.m. at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat, marking his second day in office. Earlier in the morning, he met separately with the directors general of the NSI and DGFI, as well as the chiefs of the three armed forces.

According to the Prime Minister’s schedule, the Family Card meeting was part of a series of official engagements aimed at launching new national initiatives. Later in the day, at 2:00 p.m., another inter-ministerial meeting was scheduled to discuss a five-year plan to plant 2.5 billion trees and to undertake dredging and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country.

The meetings reflect the new administration’s focus on social welfare and environmental restoration programs, as outlined in its early policy agenda.

The Chittagong University Nationalist Teachers Forum has congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman on being elected the country’s 11th Prime Minister following the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The message of congratulations was issued on Wednesday in a statement signed by Forum President Professor Dr. Mohammad Al Amin, General Secretary Professor Mohammad Zahedur Rahman Chowdhury, and Organizing Secretary Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam.

In the statement, the Forum said that after 17 years, Bangladesh has witnessed a fair, neutral, and participatory national election in which the BNP achieved a landslide victory with an absolute majority. The Forum described the election as a milestone in the country’s democratic journey, crediting the people for securing their voting rights and choosing change under Tarique Rahman’s visionary and development-oriented leadership.

The statement further expressed optimism that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Bangladesh will achieve economic freedom, modernization of education, youth employment, and a just society. It added that the new government will work for all citizens regardless of political affiliation and that the Forum will continue to play a constructive role in sustaining democracy and national progress.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced the formation of the 'Imran Khan Release Force' to campaign for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023. The announcement was made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and close Khan ally Sohail Afridi during a press conference outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Afridi said Khan had tasked him with leading a street movement for his release.

Imran Khan was ousted from power through a parliamentary vote in 2022 and later faced multiple legal cases, resulting in his imprisonment. PTI maintains that the charges are politically motivated. Recently, concerns have grown over Khan’s health after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court revealed that he retains only 15 percent vision in his right eye.

Following the report, PTI intensified its campaign for Khan’s release, while the government insists that the former prime minister is receiving the best possible medical care.

Two sisters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have alleged a plot to kill him, accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and Field Marshal Asim Munir of orchestrating it. Speaking to reporters on February 18, Uzma Khan and Aleema Khan claimed that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also part of the conspiracy, which they described as a 'lethal plan.' Uzma said that during her recent visit to Adiala Jail, Imran told her that if anything happened to him, Asim Munir would be responsible.

Uzma further alleged that Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board, had threatened their family. She warned of severe retaliation if any harm came to Imran or their family. Aleema expressed concern about Imran’s deteriorating eyesight and said he was being denied access to his trusted medical team. Another sister, Naureen Khan, criticized Asim Munir for hypocrisy and accused the authorities of inhumane treatment of Imran.

The government rejected the sisters’ allegations and dismissed concerns about Imran’s health, stating that a two-member medical board regularly monitors him and has reported partial vision in his right eye and near-normal vision in his left.

The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir has formed its new committee for the 2026 session. In a direct vote by members, Masud Rana Tuhin, a student of the Bangla Department from the 2016–17 academic year, was elected president. Mujahidul Islam, a student of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department from the 2018–19 academic year, was nominated as secretary. The announcement was made on Wednesday through an official statement from the organization.

According to the statement, a members’ assembly was held at the university branch on Wednesday, conducted by central publicity secretary Azizur Rahman Azad. The event was attended by central secretary general Sibgatullah as the chief guest, with central college affairs secretary Hafez Yusuf Islahi and former SUST branch president Tarek Monowar also present. During the assembly, members cast votes to elect the new president, and after counting, Tuhin was declared the winner and took the oath administered by the chief guest. Based on members’ consultation, Mujahidul Islam was later nominated as secretary.

The new committee marks the beginning of the 2026 session’s organizational activities for the SUST branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir.

A BNP leader in Gouripur, Mymensingh, was allegedly humiliated by having his head forcibly shaved after supporting a rival candidate in the Mymensingh-3 parliamentary constituency. The incident reportedly occurred around 2 p.m. on Wednesday near the No. 2 rail crossing bus stand area of Gouripur town. Photos of Abdul Mannan Talukdar with a shaved head later went viral on social media, drawing public attention. Talukdar claimed that Gouripur municipal Krishak Dal president Kaziyeel Hajat Shahi Munshi dragged him from a CNG vehicle, verbally abused and assaulted him, and ordered a nearby salon to shave his head and cut his eyebrow.

Talukdar said he was targeted for backing the independent candidate with the horse symbol instead of the BNP’s official candidate. He expressed hope that the state minister and the public would ensure justice. In response, Shahi Munshi denied the allegations, calling them fabricated and politically motivated. Mymensingh district Krishak Dal president Advocate Abul Bashar Akand stated that he had informed the central committee and that organizational action would follow if the allegations proved true.

The interim government headed by Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus has peacefully handed over power to the BNP-led administration after completing its 18-month tenure. Formed on August 8, 2024, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, the government claimed success in organizing a free, fair, and credible national election on February 12, 2026, and leaving behind a foreign reserve of 34 billion dollars. Analysts credited the administration for stabilizing a near-bankrupt economy and maintaining law and order despite facing over 1,600 protests and internal administrative challenges.

The government’s key achievements included the July Charter reforms, the trial and sentencing of Sheikh Hasina and associates for crimes against humanity, and the withdrawal of nearly 24,000 politically motivated cases affecting about 500,000 opposition activists. It also reviewed India-linked transit agreements and reclaimed 900 acres of land in Mirsarai known as the “Feni Chicken Neck.” Transparency International Bangladesh and the EU observer mission described the election as participatory and credible, marking a milestone in Bangladesh’s democratic process.

According to official statements, the interim government implemented 130 new laws and 600 executive orders, achieving about 84 percent execution, and claimed 90 percent success in decision-making and implementation.

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced a pardon for 1,856 prisoners ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The directive orders their release from correctional and punitive institutions in Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed serves as the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates as well as the ruler of Dubai.

Dubai’s Attorney General, Chancellor Essam Issa Al-Humaidan, stated that the pardon reflects Sheikh Mohammed’s humanitarian outlook. He explained that the initiative aims to bring joy to the prisoners’ families and help the released individuals start a new life and reintegrate into society. The Dubai Public Prosecution has already begun coordinating with Dubai Police to implement the legal procedures for the release.

According to the report, such humanitarian gestures are undertaken annually by UAE rulers during Ramadan, carrying a positive message across society.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman continued his second day in office by holding a series of high-level meetings in Dhaka on Thursday. In the morning, he met separately with the Directors General of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Later, he held a meeting with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Following these security discussions, the Prime Minister attended an inter-ministerial meeting at 11:30 a.m. to finalize the implementation plan for the upcoming ‘Family Card’ program. The initiative aims to streamline government support for families across the country. In the afternoon, he was scheduled to chair another inter-ministerial meeting focused on a five-year plan to plant 250 million trees and to discuss nationwide dredging and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and water bodies.

The meetings reflect the Prime Minister’s early emphasis on national security coordination, social welfare planning, and environmental restoration programs as part of his government’s initial agenda.

The holy month of Ramadan 1447 began in Bangladesh on Thursday, February 19, 2026, following the moon sighting announcement on Wednesday evening. From the first day of Ramadan, new working hours took effect for government offices, courts, banks, and the stock market. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification after approval from the advisory council on February 8, setting hours based on sahri and iftar times.

Government offices will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a prayer break from 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., maintaining Friday and Saturday as weekly holidays. The Supreme Court administration announced that lower courts will function from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with the same prayer break. Bangladesh Bank’s February 10 circular set banking hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with transactions until 2:30 p.m. and a similar prayer break, requiring alternative arrangements for uninterrupted customer service.

The stock market will trade from 10:00 a.m. to 1:40 p.m., followed by a 10-minute post-closing session. Essential services such as hospitals, railways, and state industries will adjust schedules according to their respective regulations and public interest.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the government will take steps to organize district council, upazila council, and municipal elections as soon as possible. He made the statement on Wednesday at the Secretariat during his first working day after taking oath as minister. Responding to a journalist’s question, he said that decisions on these elections will be made quickly.

Following the July uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government, the interim administration removed all city corporation, district, upazila, and municipal mayors—most of whom were Awami League leaders—and appointed administrators in their place. These administrators are still performing their duties. The minister declined to comment on alleged irregularities by former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, saying he would review the matter first.

Mirza Fakhrul added that law and order and the economy have improved compared to the past, and that the banking sector is now under control. He said the country is recovering from the political upheaval following the fall of the previous government.