Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir emphasized the urgent need for collective effort to build a successful and just state. Speaking at a views exchange meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday, he said individuals, society, and the state are deeply interconnected, and working as a team beyond divisions is essential for achieving development, good governance, and justice. He noted that the government is implementing the Prime Minister’s vision amid a damaged economy and weakened state system. Emphasizing accountability to citizens, he said the government has launched multiple initiatives to restore the effectiveness and public trust of state institutions that had become weak or dysfunctional over the past fifteen years. Strengthening these institutions, he added, is key to building a sustainable and development-oriented state. State Minister Mir Shah Alam highlighted that the ministry is directly linked to the public and must work collectively to uphold democracy and development. He described the 31-point program and election manifesto as a social contract with citizens, urging all to prioritize public interest over party interest for a welfare-oriented and sustainable state.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any US attack on Iran would have dangerous consequences, describing such an action as 'playing with fire'. He made the remarks in an interview with Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions. His comments came a day after indirect talks between Iranian and US negotiators in Geneva aimed at easing tensions between Tehran and Washington. Lavrov said that attacks had been carried out on Iranian nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, posing a serious risk of a nuclear accident. He noted that he had closely observed the stance of Arab and Gulf governments regarding a possible strike on Iran and found that none were willing to escalate tensions, recognizing the grave risks involved. According to Lavrov, further escalation could reverse recent positive developments, including the restoration of friendly relations between Iran and neighboring countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu announced that the government will launch the Family Card program on a pilot basis before Eid, during the upcoming Ramadan. The decision was made at an inter-ministerial meeting held on Thursday at the Secretariat, after which the minister briefed reporters about the plan. Mintu said the Family Card initiative was included in the government’s election manifesto, and discussions are ongoing about how to implement it effectively. He explained that the program is intended to be universal, without restrictions, though a committee has been formed to determine the rollout process. Initially, the cards may be distributed to the ultra-poor, followed by the poor and middle-income families. When asked about political implications, the minister dismissed concerns raised by the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), which warned of electoral consequences if the program was delayed. He assured that the project would indeed begin before Eid and that the government is finalizing the operational mechanism.

Bangladesh’s Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that the ministry will focus on three key priorities: encouraging students to attend classes, reviewing and refining the national curriculum, and improving technical education. He made the announcement during a press briefing at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, where State Minister for Education and Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj also presented the ministry’s new agenda. The minister said the government will examine how to bring English-medium schools under legal oversight, ensuring that all educational institutions operate within the law. He emphasized that schools must obtain proper authorization before opening and ensure student safety. Milan added that preparations are underway to hold the upcoming SSC examinations smoothly and expressed hope that anti-cheating drives would no longer be necessary. He further stated that teachers should not leave classrooms for protests and that steps will be taken to prevent such situations. The minister also pledged to address complaints about retirement benefits for private teachers and review the MPO system for necessary action.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has expressed concern over the show-cause notices issued to four journalists of Ekhon Television and the reported harassment of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director Mahbub Morshed. In a statement signed by the party’s media cell member Sadia Farzana Dinar on Thursday, February 19, 2026, the NCP warned that failure to learn from the fate of past autocrats could lead to similar consequences for new ones. The statement said the incidents reflect worrying signs for freedom of expression under the new government, which had been formed just a day earlier. According to the NCP, the journalists were questioned for expressing support for reform and referendum on Facebook, while a mob was allegedly mobilized to remove the BSS chief. The party accused media owners of exerting pressure and appointing partisan figures to control editorial positions. The NCP demanded reinstatement of the Ekhon TV journalists and retention of the BSS editor, emphasizing that the democratic right to free expression, achieved through the July uprising, must not be lost.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the future of artificial intelligence (AI) must not depend on the will of a few wealthy individuals or countries. Speaking at a global AI conference in New Delhi, he proposed the creation of a $3 billion “Global Fund on AI” to ensure fair participation in the rapidly advancing technology. Guterres called on leading tech billionaires to contribute to the fund, emphasizing that AI should serve everyone. He cautioned that without timely action, AI could deepen global inequality, but if used responsibly, it could revolutionize healthcare, education, food security, climate response, and public services. Guterres also expressed concern that unregulated AI use could lead to bias, discrimination, and harm. He announced that the UN has formed a global scientific advisory committee to help countries develop AI policies and stressed protecting people from exploitation and preventing children from being used in uncontrolled technology testing. Guterres urged the use of eco-friendly energy in data centers as AI expansion increases electricity and water demand, warning that without proper investment and safeguards, many nations risk being left behind in the AI revolution.

Residents of Matlab North and South upazilas in Chandpur observed February 19 as a day of mourning, marking 21 years since the MV Maharaj launch disaster. On this day in 2005, the vessel capsized in a storm near Pagla in Narayanganj while traveling from Dhaka’s Sadarghat to Matlab, carrying more than two hundred passengers. The accident claimed the lives of over two hundred men, women, and children from Chandpur, Shariatpur, Bhola, and other districts. Among the victims were several prominent local figures, including teachers, engineers, and businesspeople. Survivors recalled the tragedy as an unimaginable ordeal. Unidentified bodies were buried as unclaimed at the Riyazul Jannat graveyard in Matlab South, where families still visit to pray for their loved ones. Each year, locals and relatives hold prayers, memorials, and mourning gatherings to honor the victims. Families of the deceased have renewed their call for stronger river transport safety measures to prevent similar disasters in the future, emphasizing that February 19 remains a painful reminder that time has not erased.

Israel is reportedly preparing to launch an attack on Iran’s ballistic missile system, pending a possible green light from the United States. The report, citing Israel’s state broadcaster Kan and Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, emerged on Wednesday night amid heightened discussions over whether U.S. President Donald Trump will authorize a strike on Iran. According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, security assessments over the past 24 hours suggest that the likelihood of a U.S. attack on Iran has increased following recent talks between Washington and Tehran. Meanwhile, President Trump has held a meeting with U.S. security officials to discuss preparations for a potential strike, which could take place by Saturday. The developments indicate growing military tension in the region as both Israel and the United States evaluate their next steps regarding Iran’s missile capabilities.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Sansila Zebrin Priyanka has demanded the cancellation of the Sherpur-1 (Sadar) constituency result and called for a re-election. She made the demand at a press conference held on Thursday at the Sagar-Runi auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity. In the thirteenth parliamentary election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Hafez Md Rashedul Islam was declared the winner in the constituency. Priyanka alleged that many result sheets lacked polling agents’ names, signatures, and national identity numbers, and in some cases, presiding officers’ seals were missing. She claimed that presiding officers themselves filled in polling agents’ names and signatures, and overwriting was used to replace names. She also accused local officials, including the returning officer and assistant returning officer, of accepting incomplete documents and failing to act on repeated complaints. Priyanka further alleged post-election violence against polling agents who tried to present evidence of irregularities. She urged the Election Commission to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation into the allegations and take legal action. Priyanka also claimed that slow voting and interference by Jamaat supporters disrupted polling in areas where her support base was strong.

A high-level Turkish delegation led by Necmettin Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday for a one-day visit to observe the current situation of Rohingya refugees who fled from Myanmar. The 11-member team includes former German World Cup-winning footballer Mesut Ozil. They were received at Cox’s Bazar airport by local officials before visiting the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner’s office and meeting with government representatives and Turkish aid organizations working in the camps. During a brief press briefing, Bilal Erdogan emphasized the need for continued international efforts to ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya people to their homeland. He noted that Turkey has been actively involved in humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the 2017 Rohingya crisis and expressed gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for their support. The delegation later visited the Balukhali Camp No. 9 in Ukhiya, inspected Turkish-run facilities, and planned to join a charity football match and iftar with Rohingya refugees before returning to Dhaka at night.

A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of abusing power and leading a plan to impose military rule in December 2024. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, according to The Japan Times. Under South Korean law, the maximum punishment for masterminding a rebellion is either death or life imprisonment. The country last issued a death sentence in 2016 but has not carried out any executions since 1997. The 65-year-old former president received the sentence for his failed attempt to declare military rule. Yoon is expected to appeal the verdict, and any decision by the appellate court could later be challenged in the Supreme Court. He is already serving a sentence for issuing an order to impose military rule, while two other cases against him remain pending. Hundreds of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse during the verdict announcement, with the crowd reportedly larger than during a previous ruling last month.

An oil-carrying train derailed early Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Amnura in Chapainawabganj while en route from Khulna to the Amnura Power Plant. Following the incident, a relief train from Ishwardi arrived at the site around 10 a.m. but also derailed shortly after beginning rescue operations, causing further complications. According to Amnura Railway Station Master Hasibul Islam, the relief train was later recovered through the efforts of railway officials. He confirmed that the rescue work for the derailed oil train is still ongoing. The double derailment has suspended rail communication between Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj and disrupted several train schedules. Railway authorities are repairing the damaged track and working to remove the derailed train. Normal train operations on the route are expected to resume once repairs are completed. Passengers have experienced travel difficulties since the morning due to the sudden disruption.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has inaugurated the country’s first Election Lab, dedicated solely to election-based research. The initiative, led by the Department of Political Studies, was formally launched on February 19, 2026, at the Social Science Building by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury. The lab aims to conduct systematic and empirical studies on elections, voting behavior, and electoral processes. The Vice-Chancellor expressed hope that the lab would help improve future elections through data collection and analysis. The inauguration ceremony was attended by university officials, including Treasurer Professor Dr. Md. Ismail Hossain and department faculty members. Election Lab Director Professor Dr. Md. Shahabul Haque stated that the lab seeks to produce reliable research outcomes through scientific analysis of election-related data and to strengthen democratic practices. Following the launch, a seminar titled “Analysis of the 13th National Parliamentary Election Results” was held, where teachers and students discussed voting trends, political significance, and overall impacts. The lab was approved on February 1, 2026, to unify prior departmental research on electoral surveys and candidate data. It is supported by the development and civic organization Impact Initiative.

The Government of Bangladesh has decided to award the Ekushey Padak 2026 to nine distinguished individuals and one organization for their significant contributions in various fields. The announcement was made on Thursday, February 19, through a press release issued by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs’ event division. The honorees include Farida Akhtar Bobita for acting, Professor Dr. Md. Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabassum for architecture, Ayub Bachchu (posthumously) for music, Orthy Ahmed for dance, Islam Uddin Palakar for folk performance, Shafik Rehman for journalism, Professor Dr. Mahbubul Alam Majumdar for education, and Tejas Halder Jos for sculpture. The band Warfaze will also receive the award in the music category. The Ekushey Padak, instituted in 1976, is Bangladesh’s second-highest civilian honor, recognizing exceptional contributions by individuals and institutions in fields such as language, literature, arts, education, research, journalism, economics, and social service.

Philippine Vice President and newly declared presidential candidate Sara Duterte has been hit with a fourth impeachment complaint, according to documents obtained by AFP on Thursday. The complaint, filed Wednesday just hours after she announced her 2028 presidential bid, accuses Duterte of misusing public funds and improperly handling undeclared assets. Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, was impeached by the House of Representatives last year, but the Supreme Court dismissed that case due to procedural errors. Under the Philippine constitution, if the impeachment is accepted, the Senate will begin a trial. A conviction would disqualify Duterte from politics and end her presidential ambitions. Lawmaker Paolo Ortega of La Union province, one of two supporters of the complaint, said the issue concerns constitutional accountability and undisclosed wealth. Another supporter, Leila de Lima, described the new filing as an improved version of the case dismissed last year. Analysts cited in the report said Duterte’s 2028 candidacy aims to unify her allies and strengthen her faction’s chances of returning to power.