The crescent moon marking the start of the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijri was sighted in Bangladesh on Wednesday evening, February 18, 2026. Following the sighting, the National Moon Sighting Committee announced that fasting will begin on Thursday. According to the decision, the holy night of Lailatul Qadr will be observed across the country on the night of March 16.

The announcement came after a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at the Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram office in Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad MP, the new Minister for Religious Affairs and Chairman of the committee. The decision was based on reports from district administrations, the Islamic Foundation’s offices, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO).

Senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Islamic Foundation, and other government agencies attended the meeting, confirming the start of Ramadan across Bangladesh from Thursday.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu announced his commitment to adopting eco-friendly policies aimed at building a pollution-free Bangladesh. Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Wednesday, his first day in office, he said the goal is to ensure that citizens can breathe clean air. He emphasized that the environment is an important sector with many opportunities for work, but it requires time and dedication.

Mintu was elected from Feni-3 (Sonagazi, Daganbhuiyan) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, securing 157,425 votes. His appointment marks the first time in 36 years that Feni district has a full minister since Zafar Imam, excluding former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who was elected from Feni-1 multiple times. With the formation of the BNP government following the 13th election, residents of Feni have once again gained ministerial representation.

The minister’s remarks signal the new administration’s focus on environmental governance and sustainable policy implementation under his leadership.

Bangladesh Bank reported that the country received $1.807 billion in remittances during the first 16 days of February 2026, marking a 21 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The central bank stated on Tuesday that the rise in remittance inflows prompted it to purchase dollars from commercial banks, which contributed to an increase in the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.

According to official data, between February 1 and 16, 2025, remittances totaled $1.49 billion, while in the same period of 2026 the figure rose to $1.807 billion. On February 16 alone, $152 million was received. As a result, total foreign exchange reserves reached $34.53 billion, equivalent to $29.85 billion under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method. On February 7, reserves stood at $34.06 billion, or $29.47 billion under the same method.

The increase in remittance inflows and reserves reflects stronger foreign currency earnings early in the month, according to Bangladesh Bank data.

A Jamalpur court has sentenced two men to life imprisonment and fined each Tk 100,000 in connection with the abduction of rickshaw driver Majnu Mia. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday afternoon by Judge Muhammad Abdur Rahim of the Jamalpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1. The convicts are Sohel from Chandonpur village in Islampur upazila and Selim Islam from Distapara village in Birganj, Dinajpur. Selim was present during the verdict, while Sohel remains absconding.

According to the prosecution, Majnu Mia went missing on June 12, 2012, after leaving his home in Islampur with his rickshaw. Sohel abducted him and confined him in Gazipur. Later, the family received a phone call demanding Tk 50,000 as ransom. On June 17, Majnu’s father, Khalek Mia, filed a case with Islampur Police Station against unidentified persons. Police investigation later confirmed the involvement of Sohel and Selim, leading to the submission of a charge sheet.

The court delivered the judgment based on witness testimony and evidence. The prosecution was represented by Public Prosecutor Fazlul Haque, while Advocate Ismail Hossain defended the accused.

Newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will travel in his own car instead of using an official vehicle, according to BNP media cell member Atikur Rahman Ruman. He will not claim any expenses for fuel or driver as part of his official privileges. On Wednesday, his first day after taking oath, the Prime Minister used his personal white Toyota car to visit Savar National Memorial and later Sher-e-Bangla Nagar before attending the first cabinet meeting at the Secretariat.

Ruman said the Prime Minister has reduced his motorcade from 13–14 vehicles to four, considering Dhaka’s traffic congestion. He also instructed that the usual deployment of uniformed police along his travel route be discontinued. The Prime Minister decided to hold most cabinet meetings at the Secretariat instead of the Prime Minister’s Office to avoid traffic disruptions caused by VIP movement.

During official state events or visits by foreign guests, the national flag will be displayed on his car, but not during regular activities, Ruman added.

Fisheries, Livestock, Agriculture and Food Minister Mohammad Amin-ur Rashid has said that agriculture, fisheries and livestock are the main pillars of Bangladesh’s economy. Speaking at a meeting with ministry officials on Tuesday, he emphasized that integrated planning and effective implementation could make the national economy stronger and more sustainable. He noted that Bangladesh’s fertile land and favorable climate offer year-round production opportunities, urging collective efforts to transform the country into a prosperous state.

The minister highlighted that rice and fish are integral to Bengali food culture and identity, calling for coordinated efforts among officials and experts to elevate Bangladesh’s agricultural production to a globally respected position. He added that the government is committed to public welfare and ready to extend support, but success depends on sincerity and professionalism within the administration.

State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku said a democratic government has been established through a fair election and pledged to serve with honesty. He expressed concern over the filling and encroachment of water bodies, urging their restoration and preservation to protect fisheries resources.

At a central executive meeting held at its Paltan headquarters on February 17, 2026, Khelafat Majlis leaders expressed deep concern that the winning party, BNP, and its coalition partners in the 13th National Parliament had not taken oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. They said this stance went against public expectations and undermined the spirit of the July uprising. The party emphasized that, since the people voted 'yes' in the referendum, the government must promptly implement the July Charter and accelerate constitutional reform.

The leaders also alleged widespread irregularities in vote counting and result announcements during the 13th parliamentary election. Khelafat Majlis demanded a recount in constituencies including Narayanganj-05 and Khulna-04 and announced plans to file a petition with the High Court, expecting justice. The meeting further called for control of commodity prices and improvement of law and order ahead of Ramadan, urging restraint from activities that could harm the sanctity of the holy month. A national election review committee was also formed.

The meeting was chaired by Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and conducted by Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has emphasized that Bangladesh’s economy must be inclusive and participatory for all citizens. Speaking on February 18, 2026, at the Finance Ministry’s conference room during a reception for newly appointed ministers and state ministers, he said that a level playing field should be ensured so that every person can contribute to and benefit from the national economy.

The minister noted that after August 5, there has been a significant shift in public sentiment, requiring economic activities aligned with this change. He stressed the need to reform underperforming state institutions by restoring professionalism, transparency, and efficiency. He also called for transforming the patronage-based economy into a democratic one through deregulation and liberalization, expanding beyond manufacturing to include sports, culture, and other professions.

State Minister Zonayed Saki, in his remarks, said the country’s economic system should be built in line with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s 31-point program. Senior officials, including the Bangladesh Bank governor and secretaries from various departments, attended the event.

Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that former Major General Ziaul Ahsan, accused in cases of enforced disappearances and killings, was a serial killer and that he had opposed Ahsan’s promotion. Bhuiyan made the statement on Wednesday during cross-examination by Ahsan’s lawyer, Aminul Gani Tito. The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar with two other members, is hearing the case.

Bhuiyan said Ahsan received one promotion from lieutenant colonel to colonel between 2012 and 2015, when he was army chief. He stated that most board members recommended Ahsan’s promotion out of self-interest, despite his own opposition. Bhuiyan added that Ahsan lacked the qualifications for promotion, having neither completed staff college nor commanded a battalion. He also claimed that Major General Momen, who presented his objections at the promotion meeting, was later reassigned to Bahrain as ambassador in what Bhuiyan described as a punitive posting.

The tribunal adjourned the incomplete cross-examination and scheduled the next session for February 23.

The Rangpur district administration and the Department of Livestock have launched a month-long program to sell eggs, milk, and broiler chickens at fixed prices throughout the city during Ramadan. The initiative was inaugurated on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the DC Mor area by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan. The sale is taking place at seven locations, including Shapla Chattar and Payera Chattar, with eggs priced at 33.25 taka per four pieces, milk at 70 taka per liter, and dressed broiler chicken at 225 taka per kilogram. Trading began immediately after the inauguration, alongside the launch of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) product sales in the city.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, the initiative aims to ensure safe food and stabilize market prices during Ramadan. He stated that strict monitoring is being conducted in coordination with business owners and relevant government departments to maintain supply, quality, and fair pricing. The administration also urged traders to act responsibly in selling goods during the holy month.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed that electricity supply remain uninterrupted during sehri, iftar, and tarawih prayers in the upcoming Ramadan. The instruction came on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during the first cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat under his chairmanship. After the meeting, State Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque Nur briefed reporters about the decisions.

According to the state minister, the Prime Minister reminded cabinet members that the government enjoys strong public support and must uphold good governance and accountability. He urged ministers to perform their duties free from influence or favoritism and to maintain a firm stance against corruption. The Prime Minister also emphasized keeping commodity prices stable during Ramadan and ensuring law and order.

Additionally, the meeting discussed implementing visible progress on government commitments such as family cards, farmer cards, and health cards, which were highlighted during election campaigns.

The Ministry of Education has issued a new policy titled 'Financial Transparency and Accountability Policy for Educational Institutions' to curb financial irregularities and strengthen transparency and accountability across the country's educational institutions. The directive, released on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, by the Secondary and Higher Education Division, states that no institution may collect re-admission fees from enrolled students under any circumstances.

According to the policy, private institutions including schools, school and colleges, higher secondary colleges, and degree colleges at the higher secondary level may only charge tuition fees as specified in the 'Tuition Fee Policy 2024'. Institutions are prohibited from creating new categories of fees or collecting money beyond approved heads. All income and expenditure must follow existing government financial regulations, and accounts must be jointly operated by the head of the institution and the governing body president.

The policy further requires that all fees and donations be deposited through scheduled banks, preferably state-owned ones, or via government-approved payment gateways such as the Sonali Payment Gateway. Any financial irregularities will make both the governing body president and the institution head jointly responsible under prevailing regulations.

German football star Mesut Özil and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son Bilal Erdoğan visited Dhaka University on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. They arrived at 3 p.m. to inaugurate development activities at the university’s Shaheed Murtuza Medical Center. According to Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders, the Turkish government’s development agency TIKA is supporting the project, which has already received about 27.5 million taka in assistance.

Özil arrived in Bangladesh on February 17 and is scheduled to attend an iftar program at a Rohingya camp before leaving the country the following night. Prior to the university event, he met Bilal Erdoğan at a hotel in Dhaka, and they later joined the inauguration together.

Some students expressed mixed reactions, saying the university administration did not formally announce Özil’s visit in advance. They learned about it only through social media posts shortly before the event, leaving many fans disappointed. Students urged the administration and DUCSU to ensure better communication and transparency for future visits by international figures.

The government has relieved Sheikh Bashir Uddin from his position as chairman of the board of directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited. The decision was formalized through a gazette notification issued on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, by order of the President. The notification was signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Mosammat Shakila Parvin of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

According to the notification, Sheikh Bashir Uddin was released from his duties at his own request. The government exercised its authority under Section 30(g) of the Bangladesh Biman Order, 1972 (reinstated and amended by the Bangladesh Biman Order Reinstatement and Amendment Act, 2023). The order was issued in the public interest and took effect immediately from the date of issuance.

The announcement marks an official change in leadership at the national flag carrier, though no successor or further administrative details were mentioned in the government order.

Dr. Reza Kibria, the BNP candidate who won the Habiganj-1 (Nabiganj-Bahubal) constituency by a large margin, has not been included in the newly formed cabinet, causing disappointment among his supporters and local residents. The absence of his name, despite his reputation as an internationally recognized economist, has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many had expected him to be appointed as a minister, particularly in a key economic role.

Local BNP leaders expressed frustration, saying that the people of Nabiganj-Bahubal had voted with the hope of seeing Dr. Kibria in the cabinet. Gajnaipur Union BNP president Safiul Alam Bajlu described the exclusion as a setback for both the constituency and merit-based leadership. Upazila BNP general secretary Majidur Rahman and senior joint secretary Oliur Rahman echoed similar sentiments, urging the party leadership and the prime minister to reconsider the decision.

The disappointment reflects broader expectations in Habiganj district, where no representative was given a cabinet position, leaving voters disheartened after their strong electoral support.