A mobile court in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur conducted a special drive on Friday morning to keep essential commodity prices stable during the holy month of Ramadan. The operation, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shaikha Sultana, fined seven traders a total of Tk 12,000 for irregularities including overpricing, underweight sales, and selling goat and sheep meat at the same rate. Before launching the drive, the magistrate wore a burqa and visited various shops in disguise as a regular buyer to observe market prices. After identifying violations, she carried out the formal operation under sections 37, 38, and 40 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. Police from Shibchar station assisted in the enforcement. Authorities warned traders against forming syndicates or creating artificial shortages. Magistrate Sultana stated that such monitoring and enforcement actions would continue throughout Ramadan to protect public interest, with plans to intensify market surveillance in the coming weeks.

Former Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Shafiqul Rahman alias Safiqul Rahman, has been sent to jail in a case filed over the alleged torture of an eleven-year-old domestic worker. The order was issued on Friday by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Albiruni Mir. According to the prosecution, after completion of remand, both Rahman and domestic worker Sufia Begum were produced before the court. While Rahman refused to give a confessional statement, Sufia provided her statement before the magistrate. The case was filed by hotel worker Golam Mostafa, father of the victim, who alleged that his daughter was severely injured while working at Rahman’s residence in Uttara Sector 9. The child was reportedly burned and beaten by Rahman, his wife Bithi, and unidentified others. Following her rescue, she was admitted to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur. Earlier, Rahman, his wife, and two others had been arrested and placed on remand for interrogation. The court has now ordered Rahman and Sufia to be sent to jail, while Bithi remains in remand as the investigation continues.

The central committee of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has suspended Atiqur Rahman Atiq, joint convener of the Comilla University unit, for two months following allegations of involvement in a violent clash over hall seat allocation and bringing outsiders into the dormitory. The incident reportedly left a party activist injured, with his nose fractured. The decision was announced in a press release issued by the JCD central committee on Friday, February 20, 2026. According to the statement, Atiqur Rahman was suspended on specific charges of violating organizational discipline. The decision was approved by JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. Other accused individuals include joint convener and former student Mohammad Saiful Islam, as well as students Tarikul and Sifat from later academic sessions. The injured activists were identified as Mazharul Islam Abir from the Anthropology Department, Tofayel Ahmed Nibir from the Economics Department, and Saurav Kabya from the Accounting and Information Systems Department. All are reportedly involved in JCD politics at the university.

A video showing the hoisting of party and national flags at the banned Awami League city office adjacent to Faridpur Kotwali police station went viral on social media on Friday, February 20, 2026. Several leaders and activists of the district’s Jubo League and Chhatra League reportedly took part in the event around 7:30 a.m. The video shows former city Jubo League general secretary Asibur Rahman Farhan, former Rajendra College Chhatra League VP Kawsar Akand, district Jubo League members Himel and Mahfuz, and former district Chhatra League vice president Debashish Nayan raising the flags and chanting slogans. Witnesses said a brief gathering followed the flag-raising. All participants are listed as fugitives in a murder case related to the July Movement. In the video, Debashish Nayan is heard saying the office was reopened under the direction of Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon and leadership of Farhan and Kawsar. When contacted, Faridpur Kotwali police officer-in-charge Mohammad Shahidul Islam said he was unaware of the incident, despite the office being located next to the police station.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim called Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday, February 20, at 3 p.m. to convey his congratulations and best wishes. During the phone conversation, the Malaysian leader expressed his commitment to working together with Bangladesh on various bilateral issues in the future. In response, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman thanked Anwar Ibrahim for his warm greetings and emphasized his determination to advance the development and prosperity of both nations through mutual cooperation. The exchange highlighted a shared intention to strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia. The conversation underscored both leaders’ willingness to deepen collaboration in areas of mutual interest, signaling continuity in friendly ties between the two countries.

Severe restrictions were enforced on worshippers attending prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on the first Friday of Ramadan, according to Al Jazeera journalist Nour Odeh. She reported that out of 3.3 million residents in the occupied West Bank, only 10,000 were granted permission to enter. Historically, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have spent time at the site during Ramadan as part of a centuries-old tradition. Speaking from the Qalandiya checkpoint, Odeh described the limited access as symbolic of broader restrictions, noting that in previous years up to 250,000 worshippers gathered for a single Friday prayer. This year, attendance is expected to be far lower, with entry mainly granted to Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and inside Israel. She also reported that hundreds were being held at the checkpoint, prevented from reaching the mosque. Odeh said the new restrictions weaken social and religious ties among Palestinians, calling the inability to break fast in Jerusalem another means of separating East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied West Bank.

Bangladesh Health Minister Sardar Sakat Hossain Bokul announced that the government will work to free the healthcare sector from syndicates and corruption. He made the statement on Friday afternoon while speaking to journalists at his home in Monohardi, Narsingdi, after a meeting with local administration officials and party leaders. The minister emphasized that medical services must reach people’s doorsteps so that citizens no longer have to chase doctors; instead, doctors should reach out to patients. Bokul said the government bears equal responsibility toward all citizens, regardless of whether they voted for the ruling party. He called for unity beyond political divisions to build a prosperous Bangladesh aligned with the spirit of the Liberation War. The minister also announced plans to establish medical colleges in Narsingdi and other areas where needed, and expressed his intention to set up two ICU units in Narsingdi. This was his first visit to his constituency, Narsingdi-4, after assuming office as health minister. Local residents, party members, freedom fighters, and administrative officials welcomed him with flowers.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman has warned that any attempt to cause public suffering or hold citizens hostage in the name of protests or demands will be strictly prevented. He made the statement on Friday, February 20, during a briefing at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, ahead of International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Day. The RAB chief emphasized that ensuring citizens’ freedom of movement and normal life remains the top priority of law enforcement agencies. Rahman noted that law and order had been somewhat fragile in the past year and a half, particularly after July and August, but said the situation was brought under control and a fair election was successfully held. He assured that law and order will continue to improve and that crime control efforts will be strengthened. Regarding security preparations for February 21, he said intensified patrols, intelligence surveillance, and technology-based monitoring began on the night of February 20 across the country. Multi-layered security perimeters, observation posts, CCTV monitoring, and bomb disposal units have been deployed to ensure safety at Shaheed Minars nationwide.

An inmate named Md Abdul Khalek, aged 65, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being brought from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj late Thursday night. Prison authorities transferred him to the hospital around 11:30 p.m. due to illness, accompanied by prison guard Abdullah and several others. The on-duty doctor declared him dead at 12:17 a.m. following medical examination. Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost, confirmed the death and stated that the body has been kept in the hospital morgue for autopsy. The prison guards who brought him could not immediately specify the case in which Khalek had been imprisoned, saying details would be provided later. The deceased’s father was the late Kofil Uddin. Further information regarding the cause of death or the nature of the case against Khalek was not available at the time of reporting.

Several suspended leaders of the Jubo Mohila League placed a national flag and a portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the gate of the Awami League president’s political office in Dhanmondi on Friday morning. Around 8:30 a.m., about 10 to 12 activists were seen in front of the building located at 51 Road 3/A, Dhanmondi. The three-storey building has served as the Awami League president’s political office since 2002. It previously housed rooms for the party president, general secretary, office secretary, and presidium members. The second floor contained the office of the party’s publication “Uttaran,” while the third floor was used by the party’s election management committee. The report also recalls that the Awami League’s 15-year rule ended on August 5, 2024, following a student and public uprising.

On February 20, 2026, final preparations were completed at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka ahead of International Mother Language Day. The monument area has been cleaned and decorated with traditional alpana art by students of the Faculty of Fine Arts, creating a red-and-white ambiance symbolizing the spirit of February 21. The preparations aim to honor the language martyrs with dignity and order. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan inspected the site on February 19, accompanied by senior university officials and faculty members. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali stated that a multi-layered security plan involving 15,000 police personnel has been implemented, supported by SWAT, dog squads, bomb disposal teams, and cyber monitoring. He urged the public to maintain discipline and respect the sanctity of the monument. RAB Director General Additional IGP A.K.M. Shahidur Rahman announced that the official observance will begin at 12:01 a.m. on February 21. The area has been divided into security sectors with CCTV surveillance, and similar safety measures have been taken nationwide to ensure peaceful commemorations.

Fisheries, Livestock, Agriculture and Food Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that ensuring the welfare of marginal farmers is one of the main election commitments of the current government. Speaking on Friday at a meeting with officials from the fisheries, livestock, agriculture and food departments at Cumilla Circuit House, he said improving the livelihoods of the majority population is possible through this commitment. The minister emphasized that the government gives top priority to agricultural development since about 70 percent of the population is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. He urged field-level officers to raise awareness among farmers about soil health, pH levels, fertilizer efficiency and modern technology. He noted that maintaining proper soil pH can reduce fertilizer use and production costs. Rashid also highlighted efforts to integrate agriculture, food management, fisheries and livestock sectors under a coordinated structure to address previous gaps. He added that establishing the Cumilla division and stopping illegal soil extraction from the Gomti River are among his priorities, announcing a zero-tolerance policy on illegal soil cutting and calling for strict administrative enforcement.

The government has directed all CNG stations across Bangladesh to remain closed for six hours daily, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., starting from the first day of Ramadan until March 14. The decision, announced in a circular signed by Deputy Secretary Muhammad Nazmul Haque of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, aims to address low gas pressure in the distribution network and ensure uninterrupted gas supply to households during the fasting month. Previously, CNG stations were closed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. According to the same circular, all CNG and filling stations will remain open around the clock from March 15 to 25 to facilitate smooth travel and fuel supply on highways during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday period. After March 26, the stations will revert to the earlier closure schedule of 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The directive reflects the government’s effort to balance domestic gas demand during Ramadan with transportation needs around the Eid travel period.

Two expatriates from Katiadi upazila in Kishoreganj district were killed in separate accidents in Saudi Arabia, according to local reports on February 20, 2026. Hamir Uddin, 57, from Ghilakandi village under Bongram Union, died in a road accident in Riyadh when a lorry hit him from behind while he was returning home after iftar on Thursday. In another incident, Hridoy Mia, 22, from Purba Baherchar village under Lohajuri Union, died after falling from the roof of a five-storey building in Mecca on Wednesday morning while working as a construction laborer. Relatives said Hamir Uddin had been working in Saudi Arabia for about 20 years to support his family, leaving behind a wife, a son, and a daughter. Hridoy Mia had gone to Saudi Arabia a year earlier for the same reason. Their families were informed of the deaths by phone from fellow workers. Local residents and relatives have urged the government to take necessary steps to bring the bodies home quickly. The sudden deaths of the two main breadwinners have cast a pall of grief over their villages in Katiadi.

Global oil markets experienced volatility following heightened tensions between the United States and Iran and a temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to Reuters, on Thursday, February 19, Brent futures rose by 24 cents or 0.3 percent to reach $70.59 per barrel. At the same time, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 28 cents or 0.4 percent to $65.47 per barrel, later climbing by $1.16 or 1.8 percent to $66.35 per barrel. Analysts noted that about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical route for global energy transport. Any disruption in this waterway could significantly affect global supply. Hiroyuki Kikukawa, chief strategist at Nissan Securities, said that while tensions remain, a full-scale armed conflict is unlikely. He added that US President Donald Trump does not favor a sharp rise in crude prices and that any military action would likely be limited and short-term. Iran’s state media reported that the country had closed the strait for several hours on Tuesday as part of a military exercise. It remains unclear whether normal operations have fully resumed.