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.

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States in Geneva, ended abruptly on Wednesday without any tangible progress. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the discussions as difficult and accused Russia of deliberately prolonging the process. He claimed on social media that Moscow was using tactics to delay reaching a final peace agreement. According to Russian state media, the meeting concluded shortly after Zelensky’s remarks. Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said another round of talks would be held soon, though no date was set. The talks reportedly lasted about two hours, while some Russian sources described them as highly tense and lasting up to six hours in multiple formats. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the dialogue brought meaningful progress toward ending the war, and both sides agreed to continue discussions. However, Russia maintained its demand for Ukrainian troop withdrawal from parts of eastern Ukraine, which Kyiv rejected outright. Separately, Zelensky announced sanctions against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, accusing him of aiding in the killing of Ukrainians. Russian official Nikolai Patrushev warned that Moscow could deploy its navy if Western nations attempted to seize Russian oil tankers under sanctions.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the government will take steps to organize district council, upazila council, and municipal elections as soon as possible. He made the statement on Wednesday at the Secretariat during his first working day after taking oath as minister. Responding to a journalist’s question, he said that decisions on these elections will be made quickly. Following the July uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government, the interim administration removed all city corporation, district, upazila, and municipal mayors—most of whom were Awami League leaders—and appointed administrators in their place. These administrators are still performing their duties. The minister declined to comment on alleged irregularities by former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, saying he would review the matter first. Mirza Fakhrul added that law and order and the economy have improved compared to the past, and that the banking sector is now under control. He said the country is recovering from the political upheaval following the fall of the previous government.

Bangladesh’s new Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman announced that the country’s foreign policy will prioritize national interests under the motto “Bangladesh First.” Speaking to journalists after meeting visiting Nepalese Foreign Minister Bala Nand Sharma at the Padma State Guest House on Wednesday evening, he said the government would return to the foreign policy principles of late President Ziaur Rahman. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s diplomacy will be guided by sovereignty, mutual respect, non-interference, national dignity, and mutual benefit. Rahman stated that the government led by Tarique Rahman intends to revive the foreign policy approach of the late president, recalling Ziaur Rahman’s initiatives such as Bangladesh’s election to the UN Security Council, the founding of SAARC, and his role in the Al Quds Committee. He said Bangladesh aims to reclaim its active role in regional and global peace efforts. On the Rohingya issue, the minister said monitoring of Myanmar will be strengthened, with continued communication with Myanmar and the Arakan Army to seek a prompt resolution. He also urged the media to act responsibly to avoid misinformation that could harm diplomatic relations.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has welcomed the ruling party’s announcement to forgo duty-free car and government plot privileges, calling it a timely and hopeful step toward ending discriminatory state practices. In a statement issued Wednesday, TIB described the move as an important beginning in building a transparent and accountable governance system. The organization urged the government to develop a comprehensive national anti-corruption strategy based on the BNP’s 31-point reform outline, the election manifesto, the July Charter, and the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission’s report. TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the July uprising and the 13th parliamentary election reflected the people’s desire for a corruption-free Bangladesh. He emphasized that preventing corruption is essential for fulfilling the new coalition government’s political, economic, and social commitments. TIB also called for all public representatives and government employees to annually disclose their and their families’ income and assets online. The organization further recommended constitutional amendments to curb abuse of power and urged inclusion of all political parties and institutions in implementing the national anti-corruption strategy.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Abu Zafar Mohammad Zahid Hossain said that the true picture of development can only be understood by observing conditions on the ground. Speaking as chief guest at a meeting with ministry officials and employees on Wednesday, he emphasized that walking along the 'highway of development' reveals how far the country still lags behind. He called for working beyond partisan interests to implement the public mandate. The minister pledged to remain frugal and continue supporting the ministry’s development in all aspects. Expressing his commitment to nation-building under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, he recalled the sacrifices made during the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising, noting that today’s Bangladesh was achieved through great sacrifice. He urged officials to cooperate in fulfilling the people’s trust. State Minister Farzana Sharmin said she was honored to serve in a ministry where her father had also worked and sought everyone’s cooperation to make its activities more dynamic. Earlier, ministry secretaries and officials welcomed the newly appointed minister and state minister with flowers.

Arsenal were denied a crucial Premier League victory after Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a dramatic 2–2 draw on February 19, 2026. Teenage debutant Tom Edozie scored in added time to rescue a point for Wolves, leaving Mikel Arteta’s team frustrated. Arsenal had led 2–0 through goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapié, but Hugo Bueno’s strike and Edozie’s late effort changed the outcome. With 58 points from 27 matches, Arsenal remain top, though their lead over Manchester City—who have played one more game—has narrowed to five points. Arteta admitted disappointment after the match, saying his team failed to maintain their level in the second half and missed key moments. Saka echoed that view, noting the difference in performance between the two halves. For Wolves, who sit near the bottom with just 10 points from 27 matches, the draw was a morale boost and a sign of resilience. The result means Arsenal have won only three of their last eight league games, increasing pressure in their pursuit of the title.

Tribunal-2 has accepted the testimony of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi as evidence in the crimes against humanity case concerning killings during the July Revolution. The case names Awami League General Secretary and former Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and six other accused. The decision followed a prosecution request, and Hadi had given his statement on June 18 of the previous year. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, approved the application on Wednesday. The other accused are Awami League Joint General Secretary A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan. All defendants are currently absconding. Earlier, Tribunal-1 had accepted a statement by Badruddin Umar as evidence in a separate case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In his testimony, Hadi described his background, involvement in student activism, and detailed accounts of alleged violence during the 2024 uprising, accusing political and organizational leaders of orchestrating attacks on protesters.

Police detained five activists in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, on Wednesday after they attempted to reopen a banned Awami League office. The detainees—Akhtar Hossain, Sajjad Hossain, Gouranga Roy, Mozammel Haque, and Bablu Sarkar—were sent to jail following a police operation led by Officer-in-Charge Faruk Hossain. Authorities said the arrests followed tensions surrounding the reopening attempt, and a case was filed against the individuals. Similar incidents occurred in Chattogram, Narayanganj, and Barguna, where activists of the banned Awami League reopened offices, hoisted national and party flags, and displayed banners. In Chattogram, a video posted by Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel showed the reopening of the city Awami League office after 18 months. Police in multiple districts said they were identifying those involved and investigating the incidents. Local police officials in Narayanganj and Barguna confirmed that investigations were underway, while opposition representatives in Barguna reported the incidents to the administration, urging swift action.