Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has expressed his expectation to develop a modern and time-appropriate education system through a comprehensive curriculum review. He made the remarks on Wednesday while exchanging views with journalists at his office in the Secretariat, where State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj was also present.

Earlier in the day, ministry officials welcomed the minister and state minister with flowers upon their arrival at the Secretariat. During the discussion, Minister Milan emphasized the need for significant progress in education, stating that the sector requires continuous leaps forward rather than small steps. He also mentioned plans to work closely with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, describing him as someone who values education deeply.

State Minister Bobby Hajjaj added that the Prime Minister’s vision for the nation includes major improvements in education. He stressed the necessity of rebuilding every part of the education system and implementing plans with the help of skilled officials.

Residents of Jamalpur erupted in celebration after Nazrul Islam Khan was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Adviser and M Rashiduzzaman Millat became the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism in the new government. The news sparked widespread joy among BNP leaders, activists, and people from various professions across the district, with processions, sweet distributions, and prayer gatherings held in multiple locations.

According to local reports, BNP supporters in Jamalpur city and surrounding areas organized thanksgiving prayers and shared sweets with the public. The celebrations intensified after Millat took his oath as state minister, and later, when Khan’s name appeared on the list of ten advisers to the Prime Minister. People from Dewanganj, Bakshiganj, and Islampur also joined the festivities, expressing gratitude to party leadership for honoring local leaders with key government roles.

Many residents voiced optimism that having two prominent figures from Jamalpur in the government would accelerate the district’s development under the new BNP administration.

The government of Bihar, India, has decided to prohibit the open sale of fish and meat across the state. The policy decision, approved under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership, was reported by Indian media on February 17. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha stated that once the new rule takes effect, fish and meat can only be sold in licensed, designated shops. He added that the restriction will apply to everyone, and strict action will be taken against violators. However, the government has not yet announced when the rule will come into force or what penalties will apply.

The report noted that the move follows a similar 2025 decision by Uttar Pradesh to ban meat sales within 500 meters of religious sites. Central Minister Giriraj Singh has expressed support for Bihar’s decision and urged district administrations to take prompt action. The state already enforces a ban on alcohol sales, and this new measure extends its regulatory approach to food sales.

The decision marks another step in Bihar’s tightening of public commerce regulations, though details of implementation remain pending.

The Dhaka College Journalists’ Association (Dhaksas) has completed its executive committee election for the 2026–27 session. Farhad Bin Noor, a reporter and presenter at Ekhon Television, was elected president, while Faisal Ahmed, a reporter at Daily Janakantha, became general secretary. Imran Hossain of Daily Amar Desh was elected vice president. The voting took place on Wednesday, February 18, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dhaksas office, with nine positions contested. The newly elected committee will serve for one year.

Other elected members include Al Zobayer Badsha as joint general secretary, Saidur Rahman Noman as finance secretary, and Mahadi Hasan as office, publicity, and publication secretary. Executive members are Walid Hasan, Obaidul Islam, and Rabbi Al Rahid. Chief Election Commissioner Delwar Hossain, senior reporter of Samakal, oversaw the election, assisted by Kefayet Shakil of Banglavision and Delwar Hossain Dolon of Channel 24.

Established on December 18, 1999, the Dhaka College Journalists’ Association has been promoting objective journalism and advocating for journalists’ rights. The organization holds annual elections to form new executive committees.

Sri Lanka’s parliament has voted to abolish pension benefits for its members, fulfilling a key election pledge of the ruling leftist government. The vote took place on Tuesday, with 154 lawmakers supporting the bill and only two opposing it, while the rest were absent. Previously, legislators were entitled to a pension after serving a five-year term. Under the new law, payments to those already receiving or eligible for pensions have also been halted.

The reform follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s 2024 election victory, which was based on promises of economic restructuring amid a prolonged financial crisis. Since taking office, Dissanayake has successively removed housing, vehicle, and security privileges for members of parliament. The pension cancellation marks another step in his administration’s effort to reduce state expenses and demonstrate fiscal discipline.

The move is presented as part of the government’s broader plan to overcome the economic crisis and restore public confidence in political accountability.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally began his official duties a day after being sworn in as the head of the new government. On Wednesday at around 12:30 p.m., he arrived at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat and presided over his government's first cabinet meeting. Cabinet Secretary Dr. Nasimul Gani and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A. B. M. Abdus Sattar welcomed him upon arrival.

According to the state news agency BSS, the meeting began at 3 p.m., where the Prime Minister exchanged greetings with cabinet members and instructed them to align their work with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) electoral commitments. The meeting marked the formal start of the new administration’s activities under his leadership.

The event signaled the beginning of the new government’s policy direction, with emphasis on implementing the pledges made during the election campaign.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat announced plans to stop harassment at airports and dismantle the syndicate formed around airline ticketing. He said necessary measures would also be taken to ease passenger suffering related to luggage handling. Rashiduzzaman made these remarks on Wednesday at the Secretariat.

He had taken oath as the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism on Tuesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, administered by President Md. Shahabuddin. Rashiduzzaman Millat, a BNP candidate, was elected from Jamalpur-1 (Dewanganj-Bakshiganj) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, securing 173,656 votes. He serves as the treasurer of the BNP’s central executive committee.

His nearest rival, Advocate Mohammad Nazmul Haque Sayeedi of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, received 96,783 votes. The ministry’s new leadership aims to address long-standing issues in the aviation sector, focusing on transparency and passenger convenience.

In Chattogram city, activists of the banned Awami League have once again hung a signboard and party flag at their office in Darul Fazal Market. Several individuals gathered, displayed banners, and recorded videos of the act, which were later shared from the social media account of fugitive former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel. The videos were subsequently circulated online by others. Police reportedly became aware only after the incidents occurred.

According to the report, Nowfel posted a video on Wednesday morning claiming that the Chattogram Metropolitan Awami League office had raised party and national flags after 18 months. The banners were reportedly placed by members of the banned Chhatra League. Similar incidents occurred earlier at the North District Awami League office near Kotwali Police Station and at Mirsharai Upazila Awami League office. Police have yet to arrest anyone involved.

Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aftab Uddin said the activists appeared suddenly, hung banners, and left quickly. He added that police are trying to identify those seen in the videos.

Bangladesh has launched an official Facebook page titled 'PMO Bangladesh- প্রধানমন্ত্রীর কার্যালয়' to share updates from the government led by the country’s 11th Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman. The page was inaugurated on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, marking the first working day of the new administration. The display picture of the page features the Prime Minister’s photograph.

According to the report, the launch followed the swearing-in of newly elected members of parliament in the morning and the cabinet in the afternoon on February 17. Later that night, a gazette notification formally dissolved the interim government. On the morning of February 18, a post from the ‘Chief Advisor GOB’ page announced the closure of all its previous activities.

The new Facebook page is intended to serve as the official digital platform for disseminating government information and updates directly to the public.

Advocate Yunus Ali Akand has filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking suspension of the July National Charter, claiming it is unconstitutional and invalid. The petition, filed on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, names the Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, National Consensus Commission, and Chief Election Commissioner as respondents. The hearing on the petition may take place next week before a bench led by Justice Rajik Al Jalil.

The filing follows another petition submitted a day earlier by Supreme Court lawyer A B M Ataul Majid Touhid, who challenged the legality of a referendum held on February 13 and requested cancellation of its results. Both petitions question the legitimacy of recent political and constitutional developments surrounding the July National Charter.

The High Court’s upcoming hearing will determine whether the July National Charter’s implementation will remain in effect or be temporarily halted pending judicial review.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the government will uphold its commitments to the people and focus on public service. He made the remarks on Wednesday after joining his office at the Secretariat. Expressing gratitude to the interim government, he stated that the new administration’s main task is to strengthen democracy and advance the country by prioritizing public needs.

Responding to questions from journalists, Mirza Fakhrul said the law and order and economic situation are not as bad as perceived. He emphasized that the government’s focus now is to move the country forward. When asked whether the new government would take action regarding alleged irregularities by some members of the interim administration, he replied that it was unnecessary since they had served under special circumstances and completed their duties successfully.

The minister reiterated that the government remains accountable to the people and committed to building an inclusive economy with participation from all citizens.

Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Awami League announced the resumption of activities at the party’s Habiganj district office early Wednesday morning. Around 10 to 12 activists gathered in front of the office in the town hall area of Habiganj city, chanted party slogans, and entered the premises to mark the reopening.

According to the report, the office had been vandalized and set on fire on August 4, 2024, during student and public protests. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the office remained abandoned, and no party activities were conducted as many leaders went into hiding. This marks the first time since the formation of a BNP-led government after the 13th national election that Awami League activists have resumed operations at the district office.

Habiganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Delwar Hossain said he was not aware of the incident when contacted.

Haji Aminur Rashid Yasin, adviser to the BNP chairperson, has been appointed minister for agriculture, food, and fisheries and livestock. He took oath on Tuesday evening at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, administered by President Md. Shahabuddin. Yasin, a former MP from Cumilla-9, received the position under the technocrat quota despite not being an elected member of parliament.

In a phone interview, Yasin said the three ministries are interrelated and that improving agriculture is key to strengthening Bangladesh’s economy. He emphasized that 70 percent of the population depends on agriculture and that better agricultural performance would improve living standards. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for entrusting him with the responsibility and vowed to work hard to fulfill expectations.

Yasin previously served in various BNP leadership roles and withdrew his independent candidacy for Cumilla-6 at Rahman’s request to support the party’s nominee. Observers believe his loyalty and long service to the party led to his ministerial appointment.

Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman stated that the trials for crimes against humanity related to the July massacre will continue at a normal pace. He made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking to journalists after joining his ministry.

The minister emphasized that the sacrifices of those who gave their lives during the July uprising for the establishment of democracy will be honored. He also pledged to strengthen the foundation of democracy in line with the aspirations of the July uprising.

The statement underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining the judicial process concerning the July massacre while upholding democratic values and recognizing the contributions of those involved in the movement.

A group of Awami League-affiliated activists broke the lock of the Noakhali District Awami League office, hung a banner on the main gate, chanted slogans, and quickly fled the scene on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026, in Maijdee’s Town Hall area. The incident caused local commotion, and a video of the event was later shared on social media. Police reported that the banner was removed shortly afterward.

According to local accounts, the event revived memories of the July 2024 mass uprising, during which armed groups linked to the then-ruling party and law enforcement allegedly carried out widespread repression against protesting students and citizens across Noakhali. The same party office had reportedly been vandalized and locked by protesters just before the fall of the previous government.

Police from Sudharam Model Station later detained five individuals connected to the incident, stating that they were already facing multiple cases. The detainees were sent to court on Wednesday afternoon.