The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has begun the trial of Sajib Wazed Joy, son of Sheikh Hasina and ICT adviser, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, in connection with alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July killings. The prosecution opened its introductory statement on Wednesday, marking the formal start of proceedings. The tribunal set February 25 for witness testimony, while Palak, who is under arrest, was brought from prison to the court. Formal charges had been framed against both accused on January 21. According to the prosecution, three charges were brought against the two. The first alleges that Palak incited violence through social media posts between midnight and 1 a.m. on July 14, 2024, following Joy’s instructions, leading to attacks on protesters the next day. The second charge claims both ordered internet shutdowns and encouraged the use of lethal force, resulting in 28 deaths. The third accuses them of aiding killings in Uttara, where several victims, including a six-year-old, were reportedly killed. Defense lawyers for both accused sought discharge, arguing insufficient evidence, while prosecutors maintained that the charges were based on credible proof to be demonstrated during trial.

The government of Bihar, India, has decided to prohibit the open sale of fish and meat across the state. The policy decision, approved under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership, was reported by Indian media on February 17. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha stated that once the new rule takes effect, fish and meat can only be sold in licensed, designated shops. He added that the restriction will apply to everyone, and strict action will be taken against violators. However, the government has not yet announced when the rule will come into force or what penalties will apply. The report noted that the move follows a similar 2025 decision by Uttar Pradesh to ban meat sales within 500 meters of religious sites. Central Minister Giriraj Singh has expressed support for Bihar’s decision and urged district administrations to take prompt action. The state already enforces a ban on alcohol sales, and this new measure extends its regulatory approach to food sales. The decision marks another step in Bihar’s tightening of public commerce regulations, though details of implementation remain pending.

The Dhaka College Journalists’ Association (Dhaksas) has completed its executive committee election for the 2026–27 session. Farhad Bin Noor, a reporter and presenter at Ekhon Television, was elected president, while Faisal Ahmed, a reporter at Daily Janakantha, became general secretary. Imran Hossain of Daily Amar Desh was elected vice president. The voting took place on Wednesday, February 18, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dhaksas office, with nine positions contested. The newly elected committee will serve for one year. Other elected members include Al Zobayer Badsha as joint general secretary, Saidur Rahman Noman as finance secretary, and Mahadi Hasan as office, publicity, and publication secretary. Executive members are Walid Hasan, Obaidul Islam, and Rabbi Al Rahid. Chief Election Commissioner Delwar Hossain, senior reporter of Samakal, oversaw the election, assisted by Kefayet Shakil of Banglavision and Delwar Hossain Dolon of Channel 24. Established on December 18, 1999, the Dhaka College Journalists’ Association has been promoting objective journalism and advocating for journalists’ rights. The organization holds annual elections to form new executive committees.

Sri Lanka’s parliament has voted to abolish pension benefits for its members, fulfilling a key election pledge of the ruling leftist government. The vote took place on Tuesday, with 154 lawmakers supporting the bill and only two opposing it, while the rest were absent. Previously, legislators were entitled to a pension after serving a five-year term. Under the new law, payments to those already receiving or eligible for pensions have also been halted. The reform follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s 2024 election victory, which was based on promises of economic restructuring amid a prolonged financial crisis. Since taking office, Dissanayake has successively removed housing, vehicle, and security privileges for members of parliament. The pension cancellation marks another step in his administration’s effort to reduce state expenses and demonstrate fiscal discipline. The move is presented as part of the government’s broader plan to overcome the economic crisis and restore public confidence in political accountability.

State Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, and Food Sultan Salahuddin Tuku announced that work on the promised farmer card program will begin soon. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon at the Secretariat during the first working day of the new government, speaking to journalists about his ministry’s upcoming plans. Tuku said he would hold meetings with officials from the three ministries under his responsibility to plan and initiate future activities. He also sought cooperation from members of the press in carrying out the ministry’s work. The announcement marks one of the first policy steps under the new administration. The farmer card initiative was mentioned as a commitment, and the minister’s remarks indicate the government’s intention to move forward with its implementation in coordination with relevant departments.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally began his official duties a day after being sworn in as the head of the new government. On Wednesday at around 12:30 p.m., he arrived at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat and presided over his government's first cabinet meeting. Cabinet Secretary Dr. Nasimul Gani and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A. B. M. Abdus Sattar welcomed him upon arrival. According to the state news agency BSS, the meeting began at 3 p.m., where the Prime Minister exchanged greetings with cabinet members and instructed them to align their work with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) electoral commitments. The meeting marked the formal start of the new administration’s activities under his leadership. The event signaled the beginning of the new government’s policy direction, with emphasis on implementing the pledges made during the election campaign.

Israel has decided to resume land registration in the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967, a move that several Israeli NGOs say could effectively expand the boundaries of occupied Jerusalem. The decision, taken under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, has raised concerns among rights groups that it marks a significant shift in territorial control. According to Israeli NGO Ir Amim researcher Aviv Tatarsky, the process amounts to a practical expansion of Jerusalem, as new settlements would bring residents under Jerusalem’s jurisdiction. Human rights organizations argue that the legal process is designed to displace Palestinians from ancestral lands and formally integrate parts of the West Bank into Israel. The registration process, suspended since 1984, could make it easier for Israel to claim ownership of lands where Palestinians lack official documentation. The housing rights group Bimkom reports that about 70 percent of West Bank land remains unregistered. Many Palestinians, displaced by war or lacking formal papers, may lose ownership claims, leaving large areas to default to Israeli state control.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat announced plans to stop harassment at airports and dismantle the syndicate formed around airline ticketing. He said necessary measures would also be taken to ease passenger suffering related to luggage handling. Rashiduzzaman made these remarks on Wednesday at the Secretariat. He had taken oath as the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism on Tuesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, administered by President Md. Shahabuddin. Rashiduzzaman Millat, a BNP candidate, was elected from Jamalpur-1 (Dewanganj-Bakshiganj) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, securing 173,656 votes. He serves as the treasurer of the BNP’s central executive committee. His nearest rival, Advocate Mohammad Nazmul Haque Sayeedi of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, received 96,783 votes. The ministry’s new leadership aims to address long-standing issues in the aviation sector, focusing on transparency and passenger convenience.

Ukrainian and Russian delegations are set to resume their second round of peace talks in Geneva on Wednesday, mediated by the United States. Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, neither side has indicated progress toward ending what has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. The war, now nearing its fourth year, has killed hundreds of thousands, displaced millions, and devastated large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Previous rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi failed to yield results, and sources close to the Russian delegation described the latest Geneva session as tense, lasting six hours. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is ready to move toward an “honorable agreement” but questioned Russia’s sincerity, accusing Moscow of prioritizing missile strikes over real diplomacy. Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, and demands full control of Donetsk. Kyiv has rejected Moscow’s territorial demands and insists on security guarantees before signing any deal. Analysts note that while Russia faces growing economic strain, Ukrainian forces recently regained 201 square kilometers in their fastest advance in over two years.

In Chattogram city, activists of the banned Awami League have once again hung a signboard and party flag at their office in Darul Fazal Market. Several individuals gathered, displayed banners, and recorded videos of the act, which were later shared from the social media account of fugitive former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel. The videos were subsequently circulated online by others. Police reportedly became aware only after the incidents occurred. According to the report, Nowfel posted a video on Wednesday morning claiming that the Chattogram Metropolitan Awami League office had raised party and national flags after 18 months. The banners were reportedly placed by members of the banned Chhatra League. Similar incidents occurred earlier at the North District Awami League office near Kotwali Police Station and at Mirsharai Upazila Awami League office. Police have yet to arrest anyone involved. Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aftab Uddin said the activists appeared suddenly, hung banners, and left quickly. He added that police are trying to identify those seen in the videos.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Tuesday that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is not beneficial for either Africa or Somaliland. Speaking at a press conference in Addis Ababa, he emphasized Turkey’s commitment to protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region and warned against the emergence of new conflicts. Erdogan recalled that in December he had described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991, as illegal and unacceptable. He accused Israel of attempting to create instability in the Horn of Africa. Erdogan reiterated that regional nations should resolve their own issues and that the Horn of Africa should not become a field for competition among foreign powers. He stressed that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland would not bring any advantage to Somaliland or the Horn of Africa, underscoring Turkey’s opposition to actions that could heighten regional tensions.

Bangladesh has launched an official Facebook page titled 'PMO Bangladesh- প্রধানমন্ত্রীর কার্যালয়' to share updates from the government led by the country’s 11th Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman. The page was inaugurated on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, marking the first working day of the new administration. The display picture of the page features the Prime Minister’s photograph. According to the report, the launch followed the swearing-in of newly elected members of parliament in the morning and the cabinet in the afternoon on February 17. Later that night, a gazette notification formally dissolved the interim government. On the morning of February 18, a post from the ‘Chief Advisor GOB’ page announced the closure of all its previous activities. The new Facebook page is intended to serve as the official digital platform for disseminating government information and updates directly to the public.

Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) became tense again on the anniversary of the 2025 campus violence. Late on the night of February 17, 2026, unidentified youths vandalized the 'Bloodied KUET Corner' exhibition, which had been set up by injured students with university approval to commemorate the previous year’s attack. CCTV footage reportedly showed a group led by a student leader from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal entering the exhibition room at 12:32 a.m. and leaving five minutes later. The incident followed earlier unrest, including the blockade of the vice-chancellor’s residence and banners declaring him unwelcome on campus. KUET’s Student Welfare Director, Professor B.M. Ikramul Haque, said the same group involved in the February 13 disturbance appeared in the footage and accused them of trying to destabilize the campus again. He announced a meeting to decide next steps. Vice-Chancellor Professor Maksud Helali said he had only been verbally informed about the commemorative program. Chhatra Dal leader Safwan Ahmed Ifaz denied involvement, claiming the exhibition space had been misused and that students had merely “freed” it. The renewed unrest has raised concern among students and staff just weeks after the national election, with fears of further instability on campus.

Bangladesh women’s cricket team finished the group stage in commanding fashion, defeating Malaysia by 90 runs in Bangkok on Wednesday. The victory, powered by Lata Mondol’s all-round performance, ensured Bangladesh’s third consecutive win and confirmed their place as group champions with six points. The team will face Pakistan in the semifinals on Friday. Bangladesh’s campaign began with narrow wins, edging Sri Lanka by four runs in the opener and beating hosts Thailand by three wickets in a dramatic finish. Against Malaysia, however, the team displayed complete control. After early setbacks, Lata Mondol and captain Fahima Khatun built a 55-run partnership that set up a strong total near 150. Mondol scored 58 off 44 balls, while Sadia Akter’s quick 19 runs boosted the innings. In reply, Malaysia faltered early as Fatema Jahan took two wickets in the third over, finishing with three for ten. Sharifa Khatun claimed two wickets, and Mondol added one more, sealing Bangladesh’s dominant win and momentum heading into the semifinals.

Advocate Yunus Ali Akand has filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking suspension of the July National Charter, claiming it is unconstitutional and invalid. The petition, filed on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, names the Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, National Consensus Commission, and Chief Election Commissioner as respondents. The hearing on the petition may take place next week before a bench led by Justice Rajik Al Jalil. The filing follows another petition submitted a day earlier by Supreme Court lawyer A B M Ataul Majid Touhid, who challenged the legality of a referendum held on February 13 and requested cancellation of its results. Both petitions question the legitimacy of recent political and constitutional developments surrounding the July National Charter. The High Court’s upcoming hearing will determine whether the July National Charter’s implementation will remain in effect or be temporarily halted pending judicial review.