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.

Two drivers were killed in a head-on collision between an army truck and a passenger bus in Phulpur, Mymensingh, on Wednesday morning around 10:45 a.m. The accident occurred near Kakli Rice Mill at Balia Mor on the Mymensingh-Haluaghat road. The bus was heading toward Sherpur when the collision left seven to eight passengers seriously injured. The bus driver, who was critically hurt, died while receiving treatment at Phulpur Upazila Health Complex.

Army truck driver Sergeant Rezaul was rescued and taken to Tarakanda Upazila Health Complex, where he also died during treatment. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Mamun, army personnel were returning from the Phulpur camp to Mymensingh when the crash occurred. Army, police, and fire service teams promptly reached the site to conduct rescue operations and clear the traffic congestion.

Authorities reported that traffic on the Mymensingh-Haluaghat road has since returned to normal, and legal procedures related to the incident are underway.

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.

Five Bangladeshi fishermen were reportedly taken away along with their trawler by Myanmar’s Arakan Army from the Naf River near Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday night. The incident occurred in the Naikhyangdia area, where the Naf River meets the Bay of Bengal, adjacent to Shah Porir Island. The detained fishermen were identified as residents of Jaliapara in Shah Porir Island, aged between 18 and 40.

Trawler owner Mohammad Ullah confirmed the incident, stating that his vessel was returning from a fishing trip near Saint Martin’s Island when it anchored at Naikhyangdia after nightfall. Shortly afterward, armed members of the Arakan Army reportedly arrived by speedboat and took the fishermen and trawler away. Families of the detained fishermen are said to be deeply anxious following the incident.

When contacted, Coast Guard officer Lt. Commander Rifat said he had no information about the matter but would look into it and take necessary action.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued nine fishermen alive after their fishing boat drifted in the deep sea near Saint Martin due to engine failure. The incident occurred about 10 nautical miles from the island, and the rescue was carried out by the Coast Guard ship Joy Bangla following an emergency alert through the 16111 hotline. The operation was confirmed by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siamandul Haque.

According to the Coast Guard, the fishing boat’s engine malfunctioned on Monday, leaving it stranded in the deep sea. Upon receiving the distress information, a special rescue operation was immediately launched. All nine fishermen were rescued alive along with their boat.

After the rescue, the fishermen were provided with food and primary medical care before being handed over to their boat owner. The Coast Guard emphasized the prompt response and coordination that ensured the safe recovery of the crew.

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.

A long traffic jam has formed on the Narayanganj section of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, stretching from Signboard to Langalbandh Bridge. Police reported that the congestion intensified on February 18, 2026, as truck movement on the Asian Highway in the Madanpur area increased sharply following the end of election holidays. The combination of heavy truck traffic and morning office-hour vehicles caused severe delays around Kanchpur Bridge and nearby areas.

Passengers and drivers said it is taking nearly twice the usual time to cover a few kilometers. Commuters described being stuck for hours, with some reporting physical discomfort from sitting in stationary vehicles. Truck drivers noted that several parts of the Asian Highway in Madanpur are badly damaged, forcing them to drive slowly and worsening the backlog.

Kanchpur Highway Police Traffic In-Charge Bishnupada Sharma stated that multiple teams are working to manage the situation. He attributed the congestion to the sudden increase in industrial and freight transport activity and the poor road conditions in parts of the Asian Highway.

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.

Colleges across Bangladesh have started their holidays for the holy month of Ramadan from Wednesday, February 18, 2026. According to the Ministry of Education’s official holiday calendar for government and private colleges, institutions will remain closed from February 18 to March 25, combining Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and summer vacations. Colleges will also observe a one-day closure on March 26 for Independence and National Day, followed by the regular weekend on March 27 and 28. Classes are scheduled to resume on Sunday, March 29.

The calendar further outlines a 10-day break from May 24 to June 5 for Eid-ul-Azha, a 10-day holiday from October 18 to 29 for Durga Puja, Bijoya Dashami, Prabarana Purnima, and Laxmi Puja, and an 11-day winter vacation from December 17 to 31. Additionally, three discretionary holidays have been reserved for institutional heads to allocate as needed.

Meanwhile, primary and secondary schools will begin their Eid-ul-Fitr holidays on March 8, as the High Court’s earlier order to keep schools closed throughout Ramadan has been suspended, maintaining the previously set schedule.