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.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a revised metro rail schedule for the capital during the holy month of Ramadan. The new timetable, effective from the first day of Ramadan until the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, was set to match the altered working hours of government offices. According to a DMTCL office order issued on 16 February, the first train from Uttara North to Motijheel will depart at 6:30 a.m., with the last train leaving at 9:30 p.m. In the opposite direction, the first train from Motijheel will depart at 7:15 a.m., and the final one at 10:10 p.m. Train intervals, or headways, will range between 5 and 20 minutes depending on passenger demand, with peak-hour services operating every 5.5 to 6 minutes. To accommodate iftar time, passengers are now allowed to carry up to a 250-milliliter water bottle inside stations or trains, though other food items remain prohibited. DMTCL has instructed passengers to dispose of empty bottles in designated bins. The company added that weekend and public holiday operations will continue under the previous schedule, with the new timing applicable only on working days.

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.

The United States has decided to withdraw all its remaining troops from Syria within the next two months, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News. Around 1,000 American soldiers currently stationed across several bases in Syria will be brought home, marking the end of nearly a decade of U.S. military presence in the country. Earlier this year, U.S. forces had already withdrawn from the Al Tanf garrison in southern Syria and the Al Shaddadi base in the northeast. The U.S. established multiple military bases in Syria about a decade ago during the rise of ISIS, deploying around 2,000 troops in 2014 to support efforts against the militant group. A senior Pentagon official told The Wall Street Journal that while ISIS remains a global threat, its strength in Syria has diminished and the country now has a more stable government. He added that some troops have already been withdrawn and certain bases handed over to the Syrian government. The official emphasized that U.S. forces remain ready to respond to any future ISIS threats in the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the country’s Home Front Command and various rescue agencies to prepare for a possible war with Iran. Israeli media reported on February 18 that maximum alert has been declared across security agencies. A planned security cabinet meeting on February 19 was postponed to February 22 without explanation. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel believes U.S. President Donald Trump may soon launch a large-scale military operation against Iran after Tehran rejected Washington’s negotiation demands. Israeli intelligence assessments suggest that if the U.S. attacks, Iran could retaliate by firing missiles at Israel, regardless of whether Israel participates directly. Former military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said Israel is now closer to a potential strike than ever before. Reports from Israel Hayom and CNN Arabic indicate that Israel’s military has been placed on high alert as coordination with the U.S. intensifies. Washington has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group near Iran, with the USS Gerald R. Ford en route and additional fighter jets being positioned. Meanwhile, U.S. and Iranian officials described recent Geneva talks as constructive but unresolved.

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.

US President Donald Trump has held a meeting with national security officials to discuss preparations for a possible military strike on Iran. The meeting took place on Wednesday, February 18, and focused on readiness to carry out an attack by Saturday, February 21. According to a CBS report citing an unnamed official, security officials indicated they could be ready to act before the end of the week, though the president has not yet made a final decision. The official described the discussions as fluid and ongoing, noting that the White House is analyzing potential Iranian responses and the broader impact on the Middle East. Multiple sources said some US troops are being temporarily relocated from the Middle East to Europe or the United States to ensure their safety if a strike is ordered. Another source cautioned that troop movements do not necessarily indicate an imminent attack, explaining that the US often repositions forces to secure personnel before any potential military action.

Police in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, arrested a woman named Ayesha Begum with 70,000 yaba pills during a raid on February 18 in the Khuniapalong Union’s Chadirkata area. The operation was conducted based on information that a fugitive accused, Abdullah, had stored a large quantity of yaba with the help of his sister for sale. The raid took place at the residence of Ziaur Rahman in the same area. According to Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) Alok Biswas, officers recovered 50,000 pills from a chicken coop on the north side of the house and another 20,000 pills from under dry bamboo leaves on the south side. Ayesha Begum, a resident of Ward 5 in Khuniapalong Union, was detained at the scene. Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam Bhuiya stated that legal proceedings under the Narcotics Control Act are underway in connection with the seizure.

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.

A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activist, Mohammad Delwar Hossain Chowdhury, 60, was hacked to death by unidentified assailants in Barishal Sadar upazila’s Raypasha-Karapura union on Wednesday night. His body was found in a roadside ditch near Shibpasha Badamtala Bridge. Police from Barishal Metropolitan Airport Station recovered the body and sent it to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Local residents said they discovered an abandoned bicycle and scarf on the road, prompting a search for the owner. Shortly afterward, they found a body floating in the nearby ditch and informed police. According to local BNP leaders, Delwar was an active party worker who had disputes with several individuals in the area. They suspect the killing may have stemmed from those conflicts. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mizanur Rahman stated that Delwar was struck on the left side of his head with a sharp weapon and that a murder case is being prepared as part of an ongoing investigation.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has imposed restrictions on carrying or consuming iftar and other food items inside metro trains and stations during the holy month of Ramadan. Passengers will only be allowed to carry a 250-milliliter water bottle for drinking during iftar time, and empty bottles must be disposed of in designated bins. The directive, signed by DMTCL Director (Administration) A.K.M. Khairul Alam on February 16, also instructs passengers to avoid spilling water and to maintain cleanliness. The notice includes a revised metro rail schedule to align with Ramadan office hours. Starting Thursday, February 19, trains will operate under the new timetable until the day before Eid-ul-Fitr. The first train from Uttara North to Motijheel will depart at 6:30 a.m. and the last at 9:30 p.m., while the first train from Motijheel to Uttara North will leave at 7:15 a.m. and the last at 10:10 p.m. The directive reiterates that similar restrictions were in place in previous years, maintaining consistency in Ramadan operations for the metro service.

All schools, colleges and madrasas across Bangladesh have closed from Thursday, February 19, in observance of the holy month of Ramadan. The Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued separate revised notifications on Wednesday night confirming the closure. The decision extends to all government and private primary, lower secondary and secondary institutions. According to the revised schedule, the holiday will continue until March 26. As March 26 falls on a Thursday, the following Friday and Saturday weekly holidays will allow teachers and staff to enjoy an extended break. Earlier, under a notification issued on January 19 by the Technical and Madrasa Education Division, madrasas had already been closed from February 15 to March 26. Classes in all affected institutions are scheduled to resume on March 29, following the end of the holiday period.

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.