Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to consolidating the progress of democracy in Bangladesh. In a message issued on Friday ahead of the observance of Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day 2026, he said that democratic values, people’s rights, and equality were the core spirit of the 1952 Language Movement, through which democracy has now been reestablished in the country. Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, including Abul Barkat, Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, and Abdul Jabbar, whose sacrifices laid the foundation for the liberation of then East Bengal. He noted that the movement not only secured linguistic rights but also strengthened the basis of Bengali self-determination, democracy, and cultural identity. He highlighted that UNESCO’s recognition of February 21 as International Mother Language Day honors this legacy. Calling for the preservation of linguistic diversity and proper use of Bangla, the prime minister urged all to uphold the dignity of all languages and cultures. He also wished success for all programs marking the national observance.

A low-cost milk and egg sales program was inaugurated in Naogaon on Friday to ensure relief for residents during the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative was launched at the Naogaon District Livestock premises by Zahidul Islam Dhalu, Member of Parliament for Naogaon-5 (Sadar). According to the District Livestock Office, consumers can purchase one hali (four pieces) of eggs for 28 taka and one liter of milk for 70 taka. The program will continue throughout Ramadan except on government holidays. The inauguration ceremony was chaired by District Livestock Officer Dr. Mahfuzar Rahman, with Additional Superintendent of Police Joybrata Pal attending as a special guest. In his remarks, MP Zahidul Islam noted that many low-income people cannot afford milk, eggs, or meat, leading to nutritional deficiencies. He emphasized that the Livestock Department’s initiative would help meet their protein needs and suggested adding affordable meat sales. Following the MP’s suggestion, Dr. Mahfuzar Rahman announced that a similar low-cost meat sales program would be launched soon.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will place a floral wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar at 12:01 a.m. on Friday to honor the language martyrs on the occasion of Shaheed Dibosh and International Mother Language Day. The information was confirmed by Mujibul Alam, senior publicity assistant of Jamaat’s central publicity department. Newly elected members of parliament from the 11-party alliance will accompany Dr. Rahman during the tribute. Following the ceremony, he will visit the Azimpur graveyard to pay respects at the graves of the language martyrs and offer prayers for their souls. The event marks Jamaat-e-Islami’s formal participation in the national observance of the day, reflecting the party’s acknowledgment of the historical significance of the language movement.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s new government has assigned specific portfolios to eight advisers holding ministerial and state minister ranks. The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Friday, February 20, 2026, confirming the distribution of responsibilities. Earlier in the week, ten advisers had been appointed to the new administration. According to the notification, Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed were named political advisers with ministerial rank. Md. Ismail Jabiullah was assigned to the Ministry of Public Administration, while Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir received the Ministry of Finance portfolio. Among advisers with state minister rank, Brigadier General (Retd.) Shamsul Islam was given the Ministry of Defence, Mahdi Amin was assigned to the Education, Primary and Mass Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Labour and Employment ministries, and Rehan Asif Asad was given responsibility for the Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Science and Technology ministries. The order is expected to make the administrative and policy functions of the respective ministries more dynamic, according to the announcement.

The National Revolutionary Council’s convener, Khomeni Ihsan, announced a six‑month ultimatum to ensure the trial and punishment of those accused in the July massacre. Speaking after Friday prayers at a protest rally near the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, he also demanded the abolition of what he called the fascist constitution and a legal ban on the Awami League and similar organizations. Ihsan warned that if justice was not delivered within six months, nationwide protests and parliamentary blockades would follow. During the rally, Ihsan accused the ruling BNP of betraying the July revolution’s martyrs by allowing the Awami League to reopen offices and by avoiding constitutional reform. He alleged that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Law Minister Asaduzzaman had shown reluctance to outlaw the Awami League. Other speakers, including Naeem Ahmad and Syed Kutub, criticized the 1972 constitution as an obstacle to democratic progress and called for a new people‑oriented charter. The council urged all pro‑democracy groups to unite for a mass movement to draft a new constitution, warning of intensified street action if their demands remain unmet.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that the government will launch the 'Family Card' program before the upcoming Eid as part of its 180-day priority plan outlined in the election manifesto. Initially, the initiative will be implemented as a pilot project in eight upazilas. The minister made the announcement on February 20 during a visit to Gokunda Bazar in Lalmonirhat, marking his first official tour of his home district after taking oath as minister. Dulu stated that four cabinet meetings have already been held to advance the 180-day special package. The government is currently identifying genuinely impoverished families to bring them under the Family Card scheme, with plans to expand coverage gradually. He also mentioned joint efforts among the Water Resources, Local Government, and Disaster Management ministries for canal excavation and renovation, and a national plan to plant 25 crore trees, including a target of 5 crore this year. The minister emphasized maintaining price stability and law and order during Ramadan and ensuring uninterrupted electricity and safe travel for homebound people during Eid.

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a limited military strike against Iran as part of a strategy to pressure Tehran into agreeing to a new nuclear deal, according to a report published Thursday. The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, said that if approved, an initial operation could begin within days, targeting a limited number of Iranian military or government sites. The goal would be to increase pressure while avoiding a full-scale war. The report added that Trump has warned of broader military action if Iran does not halt its uranium enrichment activities, and that destabilizing Tehran’s government could also be among the objectives. One source indicated that the president may pursue a phased escalation strategy—starting with limited strikes and expanding if necessary—to compel Iran to abandon its nuclear program or weaken its regime. Several U.S. officials and analysts have cautioned that such action could provoke Iranian retaliation, potentially drawing the United States into a wider regional conflict and endangering allied nations.

A mass signature campaign demanding that Qadianis be declared non-Muslims by the state was launched in Dhaka on Friday. The event took place at the north gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, organized by religious groups including the Sammilito Khatme Nabuwat Parishad. Various clerics such as Maulana Mohiuddin Rabbani, Maulana Rashid Ahmad, and others attended the inauguration, where participants from different professions joined the initiative. Speakers at the event stated that public opinion on this issue has existed for a long time and that the collected signatures will be formally submitted to the relevant government authorities. They emphasized that the campaign will continue across different districts of the country, with plans to submit all collected signatures within a set timeframe. Religious leaders at the event argued that declaring Qadianis as non-Muslims would protect the core identity of Islam and end long-standing religious and social confusion. They cited examples of other Muslim-majority countries where similar declarations have been made.

A two-day Amar Ekushey Book Fair has begun in Rajshahi, organized by the Rajshahi Writers Collective. The event started on Friday at the city’s Batar Mor area. Organizers said the fair is dedicated to commemorating the martyrs of the historic Language Movement. The fair will remain open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. According to the organizers, the celebration aims to honor the spirit of the Language Movement through books, poetry, and discussions. Alongside works by local authors and publishers from Rajshahi, books from writers and publishers across the country are being displayed. Some rare publications are also featured at the fair. Writers and poets from the region attended the inauguration ceremony, marking the beginning of two days of literary exchange and remembrance in Rajshahi.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmed Sohel Manzur Suman has directed the local administration to take strict measures against extortion and ensure that prices of essential commodities remain stable during Ramadan. He emphasized that no dishonest group should be allowed to create an artificial crisis to increase public suffering. The instructions were given on Friday morning at a discussion meeting held at the Pirojpur Circuit House, focusing on law and order, market monitoring, and ongoing development activities. During the meeting, the minister announced integrated initiatives for infrastructural development, road repairs, government building construction, and river erosion prevention across the seven upazilas of Pirojpur district. He said visible development would be ensured through coordinated planning, with special emphasis on education, health, and communication sectors. The meeting was attended by the Pirojpur Superintendent of Police Mohammad Manzur Ahmed Siddiqui, Deputy Commissioner Abu Sayeed, and local political leaders. The Deputy Commissioner assured stronger market monitoring and mobile court operations, while the Superintendent of Police pledged maximum vigilance to maintain law and order.

Opposition Chief Whip of the National Parliament, Nahid Islam, will pay tribute to the language martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar on the occasion of Shaheed Dibas and International Mother Language Day. According to the announcement, he will place a floral wreath at midnight on Friday, marking the beginning of the observance. Following his tribute, the National Citizen Party (NCP) will lay another wreath on behalf of the party at 12:30 a.m. Party leaders and activists are scheduled to proceed from Palashi intersection to the Shaheed Minar at that time. The information was officially released by the NCP on Friday evening. The event is part of the nationwide observance of the historic day, which honors those who sacrificed their lives for the Bengali language. The NCP’s participation underscores its respect for the martyrs and commitment to preserving the spirit of the language movement.

Meghmallar Basu, former president of the Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra Union and organizer of Network for Peoples Action, reportedly attempted suicide on Friday afternoon. He was admitted to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka in critical condition after consuming around 20 sleeping pills. Hospital sources said his condition deteriorated rapidly before he was taken to the hospital, where doctors placed him under intensive observation. The latest reports indicate that his condition has become somewhat stable. Multiple sources confirmed the incident. Jaber Ahmed Jubel, general secretary of Biplobi Chhatra Maitri, said Basu is currently under treatment. However, the reason behind his action remains unclear. Anik Roy, another organizer of Network for Peoples Action and former general secretary of Chhatra Union, stated that Basu had been physically unwell since an operation. He took some sleeping pills on Thursday night and lost consciousness before being hospitalized. Roy added that Basu is now out of danger. No official explanation has yet been provided by his organization regarding the cause of the incident.

Bangladesh Women’s ‘A’ team advanced to the final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament after a commanding 54-run victory over Pakistan Women’s ‘A’ team in Bangkok. Batting first, Bangladesh posted 110 for 8 in 20 overs, with captain Fahima Khatun leading from the front by scoring an unbeaten 40 off 32 balls. Despite regular wickets falling at the other end, she anchored the innings effectively, while Sharmin Sultana contributed 15 runs. Pakistan struggled in their chase, losing early wickets and managing only 21 runs in the first six overs. Fahima Khatun turned the match decisively with the ball, taking two wickets for just four runs in her first two overs. Pakistan’s batting collapsed to 56 all out in 16.4 overs, with Sanjida Akter emerging as the most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for six runs. Fahima Khatun was named player of the match for her all-round performance. Bangladesh Women’s ‘A’ team will face India Women’s ‘A’ team in the tournament final on Sunday.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has called on traders to fully cooperate with magistrates from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection during market inspection drives. He made the appeal on Friday afternoon while briefing journalists at Moulvibazar under Chawkbazar Police Station. The DMP Commissioner said that such cooperation would help maintain transparency and fair pricing in the markets. He also sought the cooperation of all business leaders to keep commodity prices at a reasonable level during the upcoming Ramadan. Additionally, he emphasized that no adulteration of food products would be tolerated and urged everyone to remain alert and cautious. The briefing was attended by Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S. N. Md. Nazrul Islam, leaders of the Moulvibazar Business Association, and representatives from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

Jaima Rahman, daughter of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, shared an emotional post on Facebook on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 4 p.m. In her verified page post, she described her father as the most hardworking and dedicated person she has ever known, calling him her first and greatest role model in life. In the post, Jaima reflected on childhood beliefs about fathers being capable of everything and said her father embodies that ideal. She expressed deep trust in him, stating that he is the one person she can always rely on in any situation. Toward the end of her message, she expressed hope that the people of Bangladesh would soon witness his exceptional qualities and that his love and patriotism for the country had brought him to his current position. Jaima concluded by expressing her belief that these qualities would establish Tarique Rahman as a true Prime Minister of the nation, reflecting her admiration and confidence in his leadership.