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.

The prosecution has filed a petition with Tribunal-2 to accept the statement given by Sharif Osman Hadi to the investigation officer as evidence in the war crimes case against seven accused, including suspended Awami League General Secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader. Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim confirmed the submission on Wednesday, explaining that Hadi had provided his statement to investigators before being killed, prompting the request for its admission as testimony.

The case concerns killings during the July uprising, with all seven accused currently absconding. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and joined by judges Md. Manjurul Basit and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, will hear the petition. The trial began after formal charges were framed on January 22, and the first witness testimony was recorded following the prosecution’s opening statement. The accused include senior leaders from the Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League.

Earlier hearings detailed allegations of incitement and orders to kill protesters, while defense lawyers denied involvement and sought dismissal due to lack of evidence. The tribunal had previously appointed state defense lawyers after the accused failed to appear.

Sanae Takaichi has been re-elected as Japan’s 105th Prime Minister following a parliamentary vote on Wednesday. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader secured her position during a plenary session of the House of Representatives. She is set to form her second cabinet today and has decided to retain all current ministers without any changes.

Takaichi first assumed office as Japan’s 104th Prime Minister in late October of the previous year. On January 23, she dissolved the parliament, leading to a general election held on February 8. The LDP achieved a sweeping victory, winning more than two-thirds of the seats, which paved the way for her re-election.

A separate nomination vote was also held in the House of Councillors. As the lower house’s decision takes precedence in case of differing results, Takaichi’s reappointment as Prime Minister was confirmed. Her decision to maintain the existing cabinet signals continuity in her administration’s policies and leadership approach.

Denmark’s King Frederik X will begin a three-day visit to Greenland on Wednesday, according to the royal palace. The trip, seen as a symbol of support for the autonomous Danish territory, includes stops in Nuuk, Maniitsoq, and Kangerlussuaq, where the king will visit a Danish military Arctic training center. The visit was announced in late January, when the 57-year-old monarch expressed solidarity with the island’s roughly 57,000 residents.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions between Denmark, the United States, and the European Union over Greenland’s vast mineral resources. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously threatened to use force to gain control of the island but later withdrew that threat, though he remains interested in its ownership. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen noted that Trump views Greenland as strategically vital for U.S. and NATO security against Russia and China.

A joint U.S.-Denmark-Greenland working group has been formed to discuss Washington’s Arctic security concerns, though no further details have been disclosed.

Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Bangladesh’s National Parliament and newly elected MP from Comilla-11 (Chouddagram), has traveled to Singapore on a private visit. He was accompanied by his wife, Professor Dr. Habiba Akhter Chowdhury Sweety. Their flight departed for Singapore at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, according to Chouddagram Upazila Jamaat Secretary Belal Hossain.

Dr. Taher, a central Naib-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, was elected MP on February 12, 2026, and took oath as a member of parliament and as a member of the July Certificate Implementation Council on February 17. During his stay in Singapore, he is scheduled to undergo routine medical checkups and meet with important local figures and expatriates. He has requested prayers from the people of Chouddagram.

According to the report, Dr. Taher plans to return to Bangladesh on February 25, 2026, after completing his personal engagements in Singapore.

Newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, accompanied by members of his cabinet, paid tribute at the graves of late President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia on Wednesday afternoon. The prime minister placed floral wreaths and offered prayers at the site at 12:05 p.m., marking his first homage visit since assuming office.

Earlier in the day, Tarique Rahman visited the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to honor the heroes of the Liberation War. He laid wreaths at the memorial around 11:00 a.m., observed a minute of silence, and later planted a parijat sapling in memory of the martyrs. Cabinet members joined him in paying respects through additional floral offerings.

The visits to both the memorial and the gravesites symbolized the new government’s acknowledgment of national history and leadership legacies, as reported by Amar Desh Online.

Public support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policy has fallen to its lowest level since he began his second term in the White House, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released after a four-day survey ending Monday. Only 38 percent of respondents said Trump is doing a good job on immigration, down from 39 percent in January. Earlier in his second term, his approval on this issue had reached around 50 percent.

The report notes that Trump’s popularity among male voters has declined sharply in recent weeks compared with late last year. During the 2024 election, male voters played a major role in his victory, and throughout 2025, about half of them supported his immigration stance. The latest poll shows that only 41 percent of men now back his policy, while support among women has dropped from about 40 percent last year to 35 percent.

Trump had pledged during his 2024 campaign to launch one of the largest deportation drives in decades and ordered extensive anti-immigration operations after returning to power in January 2025.

The Rajshahi branch of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has received approval for a new convening committee. The announcement was made on Tuesday through a statement signed by the organization’s central president Rifat Rashid, chief coordinator Yunusul Islam, and organizational secretary Muinul Islam. The committee has been approved for a six-month term.

According to the statement, Nahidul Islam Saju has been appointed as convener and Anjuman Ara Haque Arshi as member secretary. Shah Sohanur Rahman will serve as media secretary. Senior joint convener Md. Saffat Ahmed Titas and joint conveners Fa-Ardin Rahman, Shamim Hossain, and Md. Bari have been named. Senior joint member secretary Mamunur Rashid and joint member secretaries Iman Raj, Tanvir Hossain Ruonok, Raju Ahmed, and Abu Yakub have also been appointed.

Khaled Hasan Milu has been named chief organizer, while Moklesur Rahman Bijoy will serve as senior organizer. Ashraful Islam Azim has been appointed spokesperson, and Urmi Khatun as deputy spokesperson. The statement instructed that a full committee be formed within seven working days.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and members of his cabinet are set to begin their first official working day at the Secretariat on Wednesday. Ahead of their arrival, new nameplates have been installed on the office doors of ministers and state ministers, and the rooms have been newly decorated. Officials working at the Secretariat expressed happiness about the new prime minister’s first day in office.

According to a Land Ministry official, the minister will first pay tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar before starting office work at the Secretariat. Relevant authorities said all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure the smooth conduct of the prime minister’s regular official activities, with security measures strengthened across the premises.

The report also mentions that the prime minister is expected to hold a special meeting with cabinet members and an exchange session with secretaries on this first working day.

The official Facebook page of the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has been formally declared closed. The announcement was made on Wednesday through a post on the page itself, stating that the page will no longer remain active. The post, issued on behalf of Yunus, included a message of gratitude for the support, interest, and participation received over the past 18 months.

According to the statement, the team expressed sincere thanks to all followers, noting that their support, cooperation, and criticism had enriched the journey of the page. The closure marks the end of the page’s activity, which had served as an official communication channel for the interim government led by Yunus.

The interim government was formed on 8 August 2024 after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, which was ousted on 5 August 2024 following a student and public uprising.

Newly elected Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman entered the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by members of his cabinet. They arrived through Gate 5 shortly after 12:30 p.m. Earlier in the day, Rahman and his ministers paid tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial, followed by laying wreaths and offering prayers at the graves of former President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia.

The Secretariat saw heightened activity since morning as offices prepared to welcome the new prime minister. Security was tightened with members of the Special Security Force stationed inside. The Prime Minister’s Office on the third floor of the Cabinet Division was cleaned and prepared, while new nameplates were installed in ministers’ offices across ministries.

According to Cabinet Division sources, Rahman was scheduled to hold introductory meetings with officials, have lunch at the Secretariat, and chair a special cabinet meeting at 3 p.m., followed by a discussion with secretaries at 4 p.m. Newly appointed ministers and state ministers also began their first day by assuming office, meeting officials, and reviewing ongoing activities.

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Comilla-4 (Debidwar) Hasnat Abdullah has issued a stern warning against extortion in his constituency. On Tuesday night, responding to complaints from shop owners in the New Market area, he told a market leaseholder over the phone that collecting money outside the designated raw market area would not be tolerated. He stated that if anyone attempted to collect illegal tolls, the public might resist, and he would not take responsibility for the consequences.

During the phone conversation, MP Hasnat emphasized that leaseholders must collect fees only within the approved market area and warned that law enforcement would take strict measures to maintain order. He also directed business owners to detain and hand over to police any person, identified as Shah Alam, who collects money outside the permitted zone. Hasnat Abdullah further cautioned that those sheltering extortionists would face legal action.

After taking oath, the MP has been visiting villages in his constituency, engaging with residents, and reaffirming his commitment to fulfill election pledges, including ensuring employment for needy families by March.

Newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial on Wednesday at 11 a.m. He observed a minute of silence after laying a wreath. Later, accompanied by members of his cabinet, he placed another floral wreath to honor the heroic martyrs of the Liberation War.

The tribute followed his swearing-in as Prime Minister on Tuesday. After Rahman took his oath, ministers and state ministers of the new government were also sworn in. President Md. Shahabuddin administered the oaths at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building after 4 p.m. This marked the beginning of a new government under Tarique Rahman’s leadership and the return of a BNP-led administration after nearly two decades.

The events at the National Martyrs’ Memorial symbolized the new government’s formal start and its acknowledgment of the nation’s liberation legacy.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has retained control of one ministry and two divisions under his direct supervision. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday night, February 17, he has kept the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Defence, and the Armed Forces Division under his own charge. The rest of the ministries and divisions have been distributed among other members of the cabinet in accordance with the Rules of Business.

The announcement came shortly after Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took oath as prime minister on Tuesday afternoon following his party’s absolute majority in the 13th National Parliament election. He subsequently appointed 25 ministers and 24 deputy ministers to his new cabinet.

The Cabinet Division has already issued the official gazette allocating portfolios to the ministers and state ministers, marking the formal beginning of the new administration’s work.