The newly formed cabinet of Bangladesh, established following the 13th National Parliament election, held its first meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. The meeting focused on implementing a 180-day priority program, with ministers and state ministers sharing details afterward. The government will announce a 180-day roadmap to execute adopted programs on a priority basis. State Minister for Finance and Planning Md. Jonaid Saki said the prime minister instructed officials to ensure a comfortable environment during Ramadan and maintain stable electricity supply. He also mentioned that proposals for a media commission are under consideration. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid stated that the prime minister emphasized fulfilling public expectations, while State Minister for Labour and Employment Md. Nurul Haque Nur said directives were given to ensure visible, corruption-free work and to expand labor markets in the Middle East. Adviser to the Prime Minister Zahedur Rahman added that the prime minister instructed authorities to control commodity prices during Ramadan and ensure smooth travel for citizens during Eid.

Police have deposited Tk 7.4 million, two mobile phones, and clothing belonging to Thakurgaon district Jamaat-e-Islami chief Belal Uddin Pradhan to the Nilphamari Chief Judicial Magistrate Court treasury. Nilphamari Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam confirmed the submission on Wednesday, a day before the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Belal Uddin Pradhan, a teacher and resident of Hajipara in Thakurgaon Sadar, was detained on February 11 after arriving at Saidpur Airport from Dhaka on a US-Bangla flight. During a routine security check, authorities found the large sum of cash in his possession. Unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source and purpose of the money, he was taken into custody by a joint security team. He later fell ill and was admitted to Saidpur Hospital before being transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Belal Uddin Pradhan claimed the money was legally earned from his business and that he had a no-objection certificate from Dhaka Airport authorities.

The holy month of Ramadan began in Bangladesh on Thursday after the moon was sighted on Wednesday evening. The National Moon Sighting Committee confirmed the sighting during a meeting at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, chaired by the new Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad. Following the announcement, Muslims across the country performed Taraweeh prayers and began fasting with the pre-dawn meal, marking the start of the month of mercy, forgiveness, and salvation. According to the committee’s decision, Ramadan will be counted from Thursday, and the holy night of Lailatul Qadr will be observed nationwide on March 16. The decision was based on reports from district administrations, the Islamic Foundation, the Meteorological Department, and SPARRSO. Office hours have been adjusted from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the month, while educational institutions remain open. Some residents in Bangladesh began fasting earlier, following Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis extended greetings to the nation, urging unity, compassion, and government action to control commodity prices and ensure uninterrupted electricity during Ramadan.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and 25 others for alleged loan fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering involving about Tk 1,325 crore. The case was announced at a press briefing at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on Wednesday afternoon by ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhter Hossain. According to the ACC, the accused colluded to violate banking rules and credit risk management guidelines to approve and disburse loans under the name of Bashundhara Multi Food Products Limited. The complaint states that loans were approved without proper collateral, stock reports, or verification of repayment capacity. Of the Tk 575 crore funded loan, Tk 503.12 crore was allegedly transferred to various Bashundhara Group accounts and used for purposes including salary payments at East West Property Development (Pvt) Ltd. The transactions were allegedly intended to conceal the illegal origin and ownership of the funds. The case was filed under sections of the Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act. A joint investigation team led by ACC Deputy Director Md Jahangir Alam includes officials from the ACC, CID, Customs, VAT, and the National Board of Revenue.

RAB-12 in Bogura has arrested three suspected drug traffickers and seized a large quantity of narcotics from a passenger bus on the Rangpur-Dhaka highway. The operation, conducted Tuesday night near the Nabil Highway Restaurant in Sonka area of Sherpur upazila, led to the recovery of 60 bottles of Phairdeal, 2 bottles of Eskaf, and 29 kilograms of cannabis. The detainees were handed over to Sherpur police station. According to RAB-12 company commander Firoz Ahmed ATC, the first suspect, Mamunur Rashid, was traveling from Dinajpur to Dhaka with the drugs when he was apprehended. In a separate operation Wednesday morning near a filling station in Hamchapur village, two others—Sumon Mia from Cumilla and Saiful Islam from Nilphamari—were caught transporting 29 kilograms of cannabis from Cumilla to Thakurgaon. Cases have been filed against all three under the Narcotics Control Act. RAB stated that both operations were based on secret intelligence and aimed at curbing drug trafficking along the Rangpur-Dhaka highway corridor.

Iran and Russia are set to conduct a joint naval exercise on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, according to Iranian Navy Commander Captain Hassan Maqsoodlou, as reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA. The exercise aims to expand maritime cooperation and strengthen coordination in planning and executing combined operations between the two nations’ navies. IRNA noted that the drill highlights the importance of monitoring regional conditions in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean. It also reflects both countries’ commitment to enhancing maritime collaboration, opposing unilateral actions, and ensuring the security of regional maritime trade. Russian Navy Commander Captain Alexei Sergeyev stated that Russia is ready to hold joint exercises in any region. The announcement comes as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began a separate military drill in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week, amid heightened tensions with the United States. The exercise coincided with indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington in Geneva, mediated by Oman.

In Cumilla, lemon prices have risen sharply at the start of the holy month of Ramadan, with retail traders reportedly reducing prices when cameras appear. The incident occurred at Rajganj market on Wednesday afternoon, where a trader sold lemons at Tk 120 per four instead of Tk 140 after noticing a camera, selling out his stock within ten minutes. Across Rajganj, Ranir Bazar, Tomchom Bridge, Badsha Mia, and Chawk markets, lemons were selling at Tk 30–40 per piece, up from Tk 6–30 just three days earlier. Trader Shahid Mia said lemon supply had dropped as it was not the harvest season, leading to higher prices and disputes with buyers. Consumers such as college teacher Rahim Mirza and resident Asaduzzaman Monir criticized the price hikes and urged government monitoring. Officials from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection confirmed that lemon and eggplant prices were high due to low production but warned traders against excessive profit. The district administration said all traders had been cautioned not to raise prices during Ramadan and that regular market monitoring was underway. Authorities also fined three businesses for lacking price lists and pledged continued inspections to stabilize the market.

Several activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League have been accused of occupying the Awami League office in Burichang upazila of Cumilla. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when a group of activists were seen cleaning and repairing the office premises while chanting slogans, according to local sources. A video lasting about two minutes and eleven seconds reportedly shows them taking part in the activity at the office, which had been vandalized on August 5 following the July mass uprising. Leaders of the Burichang unit of the Chhatra Dal questioned how members of the banned organizations could hold a rally and occupy the office in the heart of the municipality. They demanded a proper investigation and necessary action from the administration. Burichang Police Station Officer-in-Charge Lutfor Rahman confirmed that the activities of the Chhatra League are banned and said the matter would be investigated and appropriate measures taken. The incident has created political tension in the area, though police stated that the law and order situation remains under control.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has accepted the testimony of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi as evidence in the case concerning killings during the July uprising. The prosecution submitted the request on Wednesday before a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, which approved it. The case involves seven accused, including suspended Awami League general secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader, all of whom remain absconding. In his statement given to the investigating officer on June 18 of the previous year, Hadi described his background as a university teacher and activist involved in cultural movements. He recounted events surrounding the 2024 mass uprising, alleging violent suppression of protesters by ruling party affiliates and law enforcement. Hadi’s testimony also mentioned earlier quota reform movements and his views on systemic inequality. The tribunal’s acceptance of Hadi’s deposition follows a similar decision by Tribunal-1, which had earlier accepted a statement by Badruddin Omar against Sheikh Hasina. The case continues under the jurisdiction of Tribunal-2, with all accused still at large.

Police detained five Awami League leaders and activists in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur following tension surrounding the opening of a party office in the New Bazar area. The operation took place around noon on Wednesday, led by Officer-in-Charge Faruk Hossain of Parbatipur Model Police Station. The detainees were identified as Akhtar Hossain, Sajjad Hossain, Gouranga Roy, Mozammel Haque, and Babul Sarkar. According to police, the arrests were made to prevent possible unrest and maintain law and order after tensions arose over the party office opening. A political case was later filed against the detainees, who were subsequently sent to jail custody. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to ensure stability. Authorities reported that while some tension remains in the locality, the overall situation is currently under control, and law enforcement continues to monitor developments closely.

Newly appointed Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government aims to completely end mob culture in Bangladesh. He stated that no one will be allowed to engage in mob actions in the name of demands, though peaceful rallies, processions, and submission of memorandums for legitimate causes will remain permitted. He emphasized the continuation of democratic practices in the country. Speaking on his first working day at the Secretariat during an introductory meeting with ministry officials, Ahmed said the police must become friends of the people and restore their damaged image. He pledged to make the Home Ministry free from corruption, ensuring transparency and accountability among officials. He warned that no illegal lobbying would be tolerated and that any member of the security forces found involved in crimes would face immediate investigation and action. The meeting was chaired by Acting Secretary Md. Delwar Hossain and attended by officials from various levels of the ministry. Upon arrival, the minister was greeted with flowers and given a guard of honor.

A mobile court in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram conducted a market monitoring drive on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, and imposed fines totaling Tk 10,500 in eight separate cases. The operation took place at Mithanala Bazar, Sadar Union, and Mirsarai municipal market, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Alauddin Kader. The cases were filed under relevant sections of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, for failing to display price lists and for selling goods underweight. Eight traders were fined, but no one received a jail sentence. During the operation, traders were cautioned to sell goods at fair prices with reasonable profit margins and to display price lists visibly, especially ahead of the upcoming Ramadan. Officials from the police department, union parishad administration, and union land office were present during the drive, which aimed to ensure transparency and protect consumer rights in local markets.

Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and head of the central publicity and media department of Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed deep concern over the killing of party activist Abbas Uddin in Lakshmipur Sadar. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, he said Abbas Uddin was burned to death after miscreants set fire to Jitu Agro Fish Farm in Ward No. 1 of Char Ramani Mohan Union. He condemned the incident as a brutal act of political vengeance. Zubair urged the government to conduct a free, fair, and impartial investigation to identify and punish those responsible for the killing. He described the incident as an inhumane act against an innocent person and demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators. He also prayed for Abbas Uddin to be accepted as a martyr and extended his condolences to the bereaved family, praying for their strength to endure the loss.

Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh has called for closing hotels and restaurants during daytime in the holy month of Ramadan to maintain its sanctity. The appeal was made by the organization’s Secretary General Sultan Mahmud at a rally held on Wednesday afternoon at Paltan intersection in Dhaka, organized to welcome Ramadan. During his address, Sultan Mahmud emphasized that Ramadan is a month of self-purification, restraint, and morality for Muslims. He urged the government to take effective measures to control market syndicates, ensure the supply of adulteration-free food, and keep essential commodities affordable for the public. He also called on the administration to take strict action if necessary to uphold the sanctity of Ramadan. Mahmud further requested that all educational institutions provide quality and affordable meals for students. Leaders at the rally encouraged unity to foster social harmony, morality, and human values in building a welfare-oriented society during Ramadan.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a colorful rally and gathering in Rajshahi city on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to welcome the holy month of Ramadan and demand control of essential commodity prices. The event began at 10 a.m. from the city’s Museum Mor and concluded at Zero Point after passing through key streets. Participants carried banners and festoons, chanting slogans to mark the occasion. Speakers at the gathering alleged that dishonest business syndicates and hoarders create artificial crises during Ramadan, pushing prices beyond the reach of ordinary people. They urged the government to take strict monitoring measures and effective action against such groups. Rajshahi Metropolitan Shibir President Imran Nazir said profiteering through hoarding contradicts the spirit of Ramadan, while Secretary Dr. Sakhawat Hossain called for a zero-tolerance policy against hoarders. The event concluded with prayers for the prosperity of the nation, unity of the Muslim Ummah, and peace for oppressed Muslims worldwide. A large number of Shibir leaders and general citizens attended the rally.