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.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the newly elected government will work toward three main goals: controlling commodity prices, ensuring stable electricity, fuel and gas supply, and improving law and order to ease public safety concerns. He made the statement on February 18, 2026, emphasizing that these priorities are central to the new administration’s agenda. The minister said the government will take swift measures to address the major challenges it faces. He highlighted that maintaining price stability during the upcoming Ramadan, keeping essential utilities affordable, and restoring public confidence in security are immediate objectives. Earlier that morning, the Prime Minister and cabinet members paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing flowers at the National Memorial in Savar.

India and France have upgraded their relationship to a 'special global strategic partnership' following a high-level meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai. During Macron’s three-day official visit, the two nations finalized over 20 agreements across defense and civilian sectors, including joint production of 'Hammer' air-to-ground missiles and a deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets. The leaders also inaugurated an H-125 helicopter assembly plant in Karnataka, built jointly by Airbus and Tata Group. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the new agreements extend existing defense cooperation by another decade. The H-125 facility, India’s first private helicopter manufacturing plant, will assemble aircraft capable of operating at Mount Everest’s altitude. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the project involves an investment of about 10 billion rupees and will generate significant employment. Modi emphasized that the partnership will advance global stability and progress, while Macron highlighted the deepening cooperation over the past eight years. The Rafale and missile deals mark India’s largest recent defense acquisitions and align with its 'Make in India' initiative to boost domestic production of advanced military equipment.

A prisoner named Md. Mamun Sheikh, aged 34, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday morning. He was brought to the hospital’s emergency department from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj after falling ill. According to hospital authorities, duty doctors examined him and declared him dead at 10:35 a.m. The incident was confirmed by Inspector Md. Faruk, in charge of the hospital police outpost, who said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy. Prison guards, including one named Robin, escorted Mamun Sheikh to the hospital under the direction of prison authorities. They could not immediately provide details about the case in which he had been imprisoned but said further information would be available later. The deceased’s father was identified as Md. Salam. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death, and further details about the prisoner’s case are expected to be disclosed later.

Newly appointed Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has declared that Bangladesh’s economy must become democratic and inclusive, rejecting the continuation of a patronage-based system. Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Finance on his first day in office on Wednesday, he emphasized that the country’s economy should serve all citizens, ensuring transparency, accountability, and reactivation of state institutions. He noted that many state institutions are currently in poor condition and must first be recovered. Chowdhury stressed the need to bring professionalism, transparency, and efficiency into these institutions, warning that without such reforms, even large-scale programs would fail to deliver results. He also called for serious deregulation and liberalization, arguing that Bangladesh has become over-regulated due to long-standing patronage politics. The minister said his goal is to create a level playing field where every citizen has equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the economy, marking a shift toward a more open and accountable economic system.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held his first cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, directing ministry and department heads to prioritize three key issues: controlling essential commodity prices, improving law and order, and ensuring stable electricity supply during Ramadan and the upcoming summer season. The meeting marked his first official engagement after taking office as Bangladesh’s 11th prime minister. The meeting was attended by 25 ministers, 24 state ministers, and 10 advisers. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the cabinet’s initial focus would be on maintaining price stability, public safety, and uninterrupted power supply. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said relevant ministries and agencies would soon submit progress reports on implementing the prime minister’s directives. Tarique Rahman urged secretaries to implement the pledges made in the BNP’s election manifesto and assured that merit and competence would be valued in the administration. The new BNP-led government, formed after the 13th national election, began its first day with tributes at the National Memorial and the graves of former leaders before convening at the Secretariat.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticized India’s Election Commission, urging it to take lessons from Bangladesh’s recently concluded 13th national parliamentary elections, which she described as peaceful and fair. Speaking at a press conference in Nabanna on Tuesday, she said that despite fears of unrest, Bangladesh’s election was conducted smoothly and without violence. She added that any weakness in conducting elections in a democratic country like India would be a matter of shame for the commission. Banerjee labeled the Election Commission as a “Tughlaqi Commission,” accusing it of acting under the direction of a particular political party and undermining democracy through what she called “politics of intimidation.” She claimed such behavior was unprecedented even in monarchies and posed a serious threat to democratic governance. With assembly elections approaching in West Bengal and four other Indian states, Banerjee alleged that the commission was interfering unnecessarily in state affairs, disrupting constitutional balance and weakening the federal structure. Her remarks have sparked fresh political debate in India, intensifying verbal clashes between ruling and opposition parties ahead of the upcoming state elections.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has expressed his expectation to develop a modern and time-appropriate education system through a comprehensive curriculum review. He made the remarks on Wednesday while exchanging views with journalists at his office in the Secretariat, where State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj was also present. Earlier in the day, ministry officials welcomed the minister and state minister with flowers upon their arrival at the Secretariat. During the discussion, Minister Milan emphasized the need for significant progress in education, stating that the sector requires continuous leaps forward rather than small steps. He also mentioned plans to work closely with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, describing him as someone who values education deeply. State Minister Bobby Hajjaj added that the Prime Minister’s vision for the nation includes major improvements in education. He stressed the necessity of rebuilding every part of the education system and implementing plans with the help of skilled officials.

Residents of Jamalpur erupted in celebration after Nazrul Islam Khan was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Adviser and M Rashiduzzaman Millat became the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism in the new government. The news sparked widespread joy among BNP leaders, activists, and people from various professions across the district, with processions, sweet distributions, and prayer gatherings held in multiple locations. According to local reports, BNP supporters in Jamalpur city and surrounding areas organized thanksgiving prayers and shared sweets with the public. The celebrations intensified after Millat took his oath as state minister, and later, when Khan’s name appeared on the list of ten advisers to the Prime Minister. People from Dewanganj, Bakshiganj, and Islampur also joined the festivities, expressing gratitude to party leadership for honoring local leaders with key government roles. Many residents voiced optimism that having two prominent figures from Jamalpur in the government would accelerate the district’s development under the new BNP administration.

Eighty-five United Nations member states have jointly condemned Israel’s plan to expand its occupation and register land in the occupied West Bank. On February 17, Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour issued a joint statement on behalf of the countries, calling Israel’s unilateral decision a violation of international law and demanding its immediate cancellation. The plan involves registering land in Area C, which covers about 60 percent of the West Bank, marking the first such move since 1967. Countries signing the condemnation include Australia, Canada, China, France, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, with the European Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation also expressing support. UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced deep concern, warning that the plan could increase the risk of Palestinian displacement and further destabilize the region. He recalled the 2024 International Court of Justice ruling that declared Israel’s presence and settlements in the West Bank illegal. The report also noted that a 13-year-old Palestinian boy was killed and two others injured by an explosion from leftover Israeli military ordnance in the Jordan Valley. Observers warned that Israel’s expansion plan could endanger the comprehensive peace initiative aimed at halting the Gaza war.

A Dhaka court has again postponed the submission of the investigation report in the Bangladesh Bank reserve theft case, marking the 93rd delay. On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam set a new date of April 9 for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to file the report. The CID failed to submit the report on the previously scheduled date, prompting the court to extend the deadline once more. The case stems from the February 5, 2016 theft of 81 million US dollars from Bangladesh Bank’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The funds were fraudulently transferred using the SWIFT system and later moved to the Philippines. Investigators believe a hacker group, possibly aided by local collaborators, was involved in laundering the stolen money. Following the incident, on March 15, 2016, Zobayer Bin Huda, Deputy Director of the Accounts and Budgeting Department of Bangladesh Bank, filed a case under the Money Laundering Prevention Act and the Information and Communication Technology Act. The CID continues to investigate the matter.