Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that former Major General Ziaul Ahsan, accused in cases of enforced disappearances and killings, was a serial killer and that he had opposed Ahsan’s promotion. Bhuiyan made the statement on Wednesday during cross-examination by Ahsan’s lawyer, Aminul Gani Tito. The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar with two other members, is hearing the case. Bhuiyan said Ahsan received one promotion from lieutenant colonel to colonel between 2012 and 2015, when he was army chief. He stated that most board members recommended Ahsan’s promotion out of self-interest, despite his own opposition. Bhuiyan added that Ahsan lacked the qualifications for promotion, having neither completed staff college nor commanded a battalion. He also claimed that Major General Momen, who presented his objections at the promotion meeting, was later reassigned to Bahrain as ambassador in what Bhuiyan described as a punitive posting. The tribunal adjourned the incomplete cross-examination and scheduled the next session for February 23.

The Rangpur district administration and the Department of Livestock have launched a month-long program to sell eggs, milk, and broiler chickens at fixed prices throughout the city during Ramadan. The initiative was inaugurated on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the DC Mor area by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan. The sale is taking place at seven locations, including Shapla Chattar and Payera Chattar, with eggs priced at 33.25 taka per four pieces, milk at 70 taka per liter, and dressed broiler chicken at 225 taka per kilogram. Trading began immediately after the inauguration, alongside the launch of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) product sales in the city. According to the Deputy Commissioner, the initiative aims to ensure safe food and stabilize market prices during Ramadan. He stated that strict monitoring is being conducted in coordination with business owners and relevant government departments to maintain supply, quality, and fair pricing. The administration also urged traders to act responsibly in selling goods during the holy month.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed that electricity supply remain uninterrupted during sehri, iftar, and tarawih prayers in the upcoming Ramadan. The instruction came on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during the first cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat under his chairmanship. After the meeting, State Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque Nur briefed reporters about the decisions. According to the state minister, the Prime Minister reminded cabinet members that the government enjoys strong public support and must uphold good governance and accountability. He urged ministers to perform their duties free from influence or favoritism and to maintain a firm stance against corruption. The Prime Minister also emphasized keeping commodity prices stable during Ramadan and ensuring law and order. Additionally, the meeting discussed implementing visible progress on government commitments such as family cards, farmer cards, and health cards, which were highlighted during election campaigns.

The Ministry of Education has issued a new policy titled 'Financial Transparency and Accountability Policy for Educational Institutions' to curb financial irregularities and strengthen transparency and accountability across the country's educational institutions. The directive, released on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, by the Secondary and Higher Education Division, states that no institution may collect re-admission fees from enrolled students under any circumstances. According to the policy, private institutions including schools, school and colleges, higher secondary colleges, and degree colleges at the higher secondary level may only charge tuition fees as specified in the 'Tuition Fee Policy 2024'. Institutions are prohibited from creating new categories of fees or collecting money beyond approved heads. All income and expenditure must follow existing government financial regulations, and accounts must be jointly operated by the head of the institution and the governing body president. The policy further requires that all fees and donations be deposited through scheduled banks, preferably state-owned ones, or via government-approved payment gateways such as the Sonali Payment Gateway. Any financial irregularities will make both the governing body president and the institution head jointly responsible under prevailing regulations.

At least 12 people were killed in an explosion at a fireworks shop in Xiangyang city, located in central China’s Hubei province, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control. The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown, and investigators are currently examining the incident. The blast occurred during the Lunar New Year period, when fireworks are widely used across China. However, their use frequently leads to accidents. This was the second major fireworks-related explosion reported in the same week. On Sunday, a similar incident in Jiangsu province killed eight people and injured two others after a resident ignited fireworks near a shop. China’s Ministry of Emergency Management issued a statement on Tuesday warning that fireworks remain a major safety risk during the Spring Festival and urged authorities to strengthen safety measures to protect the public.

German football star Mesut Özil and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son Bilal Erdoğan visited Dhaka University on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. They arrived at 3 p.m. to inaugurate development activities at the university’s Shaheed Murtuza Medical Center. According to Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders, the Turkish government’s development agency TIKA is supporting the project, which has already received about 27.5 million taka in assistance. Özil arrived in Bangladesh on February 17 and is scheduled to attend an iftar program at a Rohingya camp before leaving the country the following night. Prior to the university event, he met Bilal Erdoğan at a hotel in Dhaka, and they later joined the inauguration together. Some students expressed mixed reactions, saying the university administration did not formally announce Özil’s visit in advance. They learned about it only through social media posts shortly before the event, leaving many fans disappointed. Students urged the administration and DUCSU to ensure better communication and transparency for future visits by international figures.

The government has relieved Sheikh Bashir Uddin from his position as chairman of the board of directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited. The decision was formalized through a gazette notification issued on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, by order of the President. The notification was signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Mosammat Shakila Parvin of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. According to the notification, Sheikh Bashir Uddin was released from his duties at his own request. The government exercised its authority under Section 30(g) of the Bangladesh Biman Order, 1972 (reinstated and amended by the Bangladesh Biman Order Reinstatement and Amendment Act, 2023). The order was issued in the public interest and took effect immediately from the date of issuance. The announcement marks an official change in leadership at the national flag carrier, though no successor or further administrative details were mentioned in the government order.

Dr. Reza Kibria, the BNP candidate who won the Habiganj-1 (Nabiganj-Bahubal) constituency by a large margin, has not been included in the newly formed cabinet, causing disappointment among his supporters and local residents. The absence of his name, despite his reputation as an internationally recognized economist, has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many had expected him to be appointed as a minister, particularly in a key economic role. Local BNP leaders expressed frustration, saying that the people of Nabiganj-Bahubal had voted with the hope of seeing Dr. Kibria in the cabinet. Gajnaipur Union BNP president Safiul Alam Bajlu described the exclusion as a setback for both the constituency and merit-based leadership. Upazila BNP general secretary Majidur Rahman and senior joint secretary Oliur Rahman echoed similar sentiments, urging the party leadership and the prime minister to reconsider the decision. The disappointment reflects broader expectations in Habiganj district, where no representative was given a cabinet position, leaving voters disheartened after their strong electoral support.

A meeting of the market monitoring committee was held in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to ensure control over the prices and quality of essential commodities during the holy month of Ramadan. The meeting, organized by the upazila administration at the Upazila Parishad conference room, was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Abdul Khalek Patwari. In his remarks, the UNO announced that regular market monitoring would continue throughout Ramadan to keep commodity prices reasonable and protect consumer interests. He urged all concerned parties to work together and reaffirmed a strict stance against artificial crises, hoarding, and overpricing. The meeting was attended by local officials, political representatives, journalists, and businesspeople. Speakers emphasized maintaining normal supply of essentials during Ramadan, ensuring visible price lists in shops, and taking effective action against adulteration, manipulation, and hoarding.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam stated that Sajib Wazed Joy, son of the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak were among the masterminds of the July genocide. He made the remarks on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during a press briefing at the tribunal premises, where the prosecution presented its opening statement in the crimes against humanity case against Joy and Palak. According to Tajul Islam, the genocide took place during the July–August 2024 student uprising, when protesters were allegedly massacred after internet services were shut down. He said both Joy and Palak, who were responsible for ICT affairs at the time, played key roles by facilitating the internet shutdown that enabled the killings. The Chief Prosecutor further claimed that Palak had consulted with then–Prime Minister’s Adviser Salman F Rahman regarding assistance in the genocide, and that the prosecution had presented evidence of their alleged conspiracies and planning in court.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, has declared transparency and accountability as the guiding principles for the country’s ICT sector. Speaking on 15 February at the ICT Division’s conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka, during a reception organized by the division, he emphasized that professionalism and sincerity of officials are essential for implementing government policies effectively. Anam described ICT as a vital and promising sector, highlighting the government’s priority to expand ICT services to every upazila and make technology accessible to all citizens. He urged officials to work responsibly and collaboratively, noting that the new government seeks to earn public trust through visible progress and effective initiatives. He added that his main goal is to advance the ICT sector under a new vision and policy framework in a transparent and dynamic environment. ICT Division Secretary Shish Haydar Chowdhury welcomed the new minister, affirming that the division serves as the hub of the country’s digital transformation and is implementing projects on ICT laws, data centers, hi-tech parks, digital services, startups, cybersecurity, and skilled workforce development.

More than fifty people, including children and the elderly, were injured after being bitten by a stray dog in Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The attacks occurred between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. across several areas of Shibnagar Union, including Chakkobir, Palpara, Daspara, Rambhadrapur, Purbo Bajitpur, Dadpur Abashon, and Malipara. One elderly woman, 70-year-old Mohiful Begum, was seriously injured and transferred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Locals later killed the dog responsible for the attacks. According to hospital sources, 51 people received treatment at the Phulbari Upazila Health Complex, including 34 from Chakkobir village. All victims were given anti-rabies vaccines and primary care. The hospital reported having 300 anti-rabies vaccines in stock and requested 200 more. Residents said the suspension of government dog control drives had increased stray dog incidents, urging authorities to take immediate action. Medical Officer Nawroz Hasan confirmed adequate vaccine supplies and advised immediate washing of bite wounds with soapy water before seeking medical care. The assistant commissioner described the situation as alarming and said necessary measures would be taken after consulting livestock officials.

Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that Bangladesh’s current education curriculum will not be changed but will undergo a review. He made the statement on Wednesday, during the new government’s first working day, at a press conference held at the Secretariat. State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj was also present at the briefing. Responding to journalists’ questions, Milon emphasized that the curriculum would be reviewed rather than replaced. The minister recalled his previous tenure as state minister for education during the BNP–Jamaat coalition government, noting that measures taken then had curbed exam malpractice and question paper leaks. He expressed confidence that such problems would not recur. His comments came a day after his oath-taking, when he drew attention for energetically entering the National Parliament premises by jumping over an iron boundary. When asked if similar bold moves would be seen in the education sector, Milon replied that the sector would need not just a “high jump” but a “pole vault jump,” signaling his intent for ambitious reforms through review rather than overhaul.

Bangladesh’s new Commerce Minister Khondaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the government will take steps to defer the country’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on February 18, he said all necessary actions will be taken to pursue the deferral and coordination has already begun between the Ministry of Commerce and the Economic Relations Division (ERD). He emphasized that the government has started working on the issue immediately, even though there is no formal deadline for submitting a request. Muktadir noted that business organizations have long demanded a delay in LDC graduation, and the government is giving the matter top priority. He also discussed the country’s narrow export base, with about 85 percent of exports dependent on a single product, and stressed the need for diversification and new market expansion. On domestic issues, he assured that essential goods are adequately stocked for Ramadan and that temporary price hikes are due to short-term demand surges. The minister further highlighted that stable conditions are essential for investment and warned that prolonged stagnation could pose risks to employment and the economy.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power and Energy, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, stated that ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply during the upcoming Ramadan and summer season is one of the government’s biggest challenges. He made the remarks on Wednesday during a briefing held at his office in the Secretariat on his first day in the position. The minister emphasized that preventing corruption and maintaining discipline in the power sector are also key priorities for the government. His comments highlight the administration’s focus on improving reliability in electricity distribution during periods of high demand, particularly for religious and seasonal needs. The government has also issued directives to ensure continuous electricity during sahri, iftar, and tarawih prayers, reflecting its commitment to stable power supply during Ramadan.