The Government of Bangladesh has decided to award the Ekushey Padak 2026 to nine distinguished individuals and one organization for their significant contributions in various fields. The announcement was made on Thursday, February 19, through a press release issued by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs’ event division.

The honorees include Farida Akhtar Bobita for acting, Professor Dr. Md. Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabassum for architecture, Ayub Bachchu (posthumously) for music, Orthy Ahmed for dance, Islam Uddin Palakar for folk performance, Shafik Rehman for journalism, Professor Dr. Mahbubul Alam Majumdar for education, and Tejas Halder Jos for sculpture. The band Warfaze will also receive the award in the music category.

The Ekushey Padak, instituted in 1976, is Bangladesh’s second-highest civilian honor, recognizing exceptional contributions by individuals and institutions in fields such as language, literature, arts, education, research, journalism, economics, and social service.

Philippine Vice President and newly declared presidential candidate Sara Duterte has been hit with a fourth impeachment complaint, according to documents obtained by AFP on Thursday. The complaint, filed Wednesday just hours after she announced her 2028 presidential bid, accuses Duterte of misusing public funds and improperly handling undeclared assets. Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, was impeached by the House of Representatives last year, but the Supreme Court dismissed that case due to procedural errors.

Under the Philippine constitution, if the impeachment is accepted, the Senate will begin a trial. A conviction would disqualify Duterte from politics and end her presidential ambitions. Lawmaker Paolo Ortega of La Union province, one of two supporters of the complaint, said the issue concerns constitutional accountability and undisclosed wealth. Another supporter, Leila de Lima, described the new filing as an improved version of the case dismissed last year.

Analysts cited in the report said Duterte’s 2028 candidacy aims to unify her allies and strengthen her faction’s chances of returning to power.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed during a parliamentary discussion on Tuesday that Palestinians kill each other and that the Israeli government bears no responsibility. His remarks, reported by Middle East Eye, triggered widespread anger and condemnation. The debate arose as Palestinian lawmakers, including Iman Khatib-Yassin, argued that Smotrich’s proposed 1.5 percent property tax on vacant land would harm Palestinians, who own property but are not permitted to develop it.

The lawmakers accused the government of failing to curb rising violence within Palestinian communities. In response, Smotrich said the government could not be blamed for killings among Palestinians and urged education and condemnation of terrorism, calling for Hamas to be defined as a terrorist organization. His comments were denounced as hateful and racist by opponents.

According to the human rights group Abraham Initiatives, 51 Palestinians have been killed in Israel so far this year, following 252 killings in 2025 across 218 incidents—a record figure nearly four times higher than the previous decade’s average.

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, central general secretary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, has called for financial assistance to organize iftar events at mosques, madrasas, and orphanages in Babuganj and Muladi upazilas of Barishal. He made the appeal on February 18 through a video message posted on his Facebook page, emphasizing the need for prayers and financial cooperation to ensure smooth iftar arrangements during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

Fuad stated that his constituency, Barishal-3, includes more than 600 mosques, madrasas, and orphanages where iftar is regularly arranged every Ramadan. He noted that providing for these institutions, many located in remote and river-surrounded areas, often becomes difficult. Therefore, he urged affluent individuals and expatriates to come forward with support.

In his message, Fuad also referenced the ongoing process of building a new Bangladesh following the 2024 mass uprising. He called for unity in creating a humane and just society inspired by the sacrifices of martyrs and encouraged participation in social and cultural initiatives promoting justice and freedom.

A new study published in The Lancet Global Health has confirmed that more than 75,000 people were killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli attacks. The report, titled “Gaza Mortality Survey,” found that between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025, a total of 75,200 violent deaths occurred, representing about 3.4 percent of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.2 million. The findings indicate that the death toll has exceeded earlier official statistics.

The study also supports the Gaza Health Ministry’s data, suggesting that its figures were not exaggerated. As of February 16, the ministry reported at least 72,063 deaths since the war began, including 603 deaths after a ceasefire was declared on October 10, 2025. Israel has repeatedly questioned the ministry’s numbers, but an Israeli military officer reportedly acknowledged in January that around 70,000 people had been killed during the conflict.

The Lancet’s confirmation of the scale of casualties underscores the devastating human cost of the prolonged conflict and may influence future assessments of humanitarian and reconstruction needs in Gaza.

The Road Safety Foundation reported that 487 people were killed and 1,194 injured in 559 road accidents across Bangladesh in January 2026. The organization also recorded six deaths and seven injuries in four waterway accidents, and 32 deaths with 17 injuries in 41 railway accidents. The data was released on Thursday morning through a press statement.

According to the foundation, motorcycle accidents were the most frequent, accounting for 208 incidents and 196 deaths, representing 40.24 percent of total fatalities. Regionally, Dhaka Division saw the highest number of accidents, with 143 incidents causing 119 deaths, or 25.58 percent of total accidents and 24.43 percent of deaths. Sylhet Division recorded the fewest, with 24 accidents and 18 deaths, representing 4.29 percent of total accidents and 3.59 percent of fatalities.

The report was compiled using information from nine national dailies, seven online news portals, various electronic media, and the foundation’s own data sources.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad is prepared to launch new attacks in Afghanistan if Kabul fails to provide credible assurances of peace. Speaking to France 24 on Wednesday, Asif said that despite efforts by several allied countries to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid rising tensions, those attempts have not produced results. The warning follows an unprovoked terrorist attack from Afghan territory on a Pakistani border post in October last year, which led to subsequent clashes along the border.

Asif accused the Afghan Taliban of failing to act against terrorist groups despite multiple rounds of talks. He also alleged that India, Kabul, and militant organizations share a common stance and blamed New Delhi for waging a “proxy war” against Pakistan through militant attacks. Asif further stated that since the May 2025 war between India and Pakistan, there has been no direct or indirect contact between the two countries.

He dismissed the possibility of establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, saying such a move could only be considered if an independent homeland for Palestinians is ensured. Asif added that Pakistan is ready to contribute to Trump’s international peace force if conditions become favorable.

Israel has announced that 10,000 Palestinian worshippers will be permitted to attend Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan. The announcement came on Wednesday, February 18, following the start of Ramadan, according to Arab News. The approval applies specifically to weekly Friday prayers at the site.

The Israeli defense ministry’s agency for civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, COGAT, stated that entry will be allowed only under certain restrictions. Men aged 55 and above, women aged 50 and above, and children up to 12 years old accompanied by a first-degree relative will be eligible. Each worshipper must also obtain a separate permit for every Friday throughout Ramadan.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, is located in East Jerusalem, a territory occupied and annexed by Israel in 1967, a move not recognized internationally. Normally, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians attend prayers there during Ramadan.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman held an inter-ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Division in Dhaka on Thursday to finalize the implementation plan for the government’s proposed Family Card distribution program. The meeting began around 11:30 a.m. at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat, marking his second day in office. Earlier in the morning, he met separately with the directors general of the NSI and DGFI, as well as the chiefs of the three armed forces.

According to the Prime Minister’s schedule, the Family Card meeting was part of a series of official engagements aimed at launching new national initiatives. Later in the day, at 2:00 p.m., another inter-ministerial meeting was scheduled to discuss a five-year plan to plant 2.5 billion trees and to undertake dredging and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country.

The meetings reflect the new administration’s focus on social welfare and environmental restoration programs, as outlined in its early policy agenda.

Six police officers were injured when a group of locals attacked them during an arrest operation in Rasulpur area of Satgram Union, Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj. The incident occurred late Wednesday night as police attempted to arrest Asma Begum, 45, a woman wanted in a CR case. Five people, including three women, were detained following the attack, according to police.

Police sources said officers from Araihazar Police Station launched the operation around 1 a.m. to apprehend Asma Begum, wife of Julhas Mia. Family members and some locals obstructed the officers, leading to an altercation that escalated into physical assault. The injured officers—SI Ajit, ASI Arif, ASI Faruk, ASI Sharif, ASI Saiful, and ASI Nizam—received primary medical treatment.

Investigating officer Ripon Kumar Sarkar stated that Asma pretended to be ill after her arrest, prompting relatives and neighbors to surround the police for about an hour until reinforcements arrived. The suspect was later taken away by her relatives, who claimed she was hospitalized in Madhabdi. Police have filed a case and are continuing efforts to identify and arrest others involved.

An internal investigation has confirmed multiple allegations against Chattogram Metropolitan Police’s Chawkbazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Babul Azad. The probe, conducted following a report by the newspaper Amar Desh, found evidence of bribery, extortion, and abuse of power. A senior CMP official has submitted the investigation report to the Police Headquarters, which is expected to take action soon.

According to the report, eleven categories of allegations were proven, including taking money for releasing detainees, filing multiple cases when payments were refused, collecting money from drug dealers and gambling operators, and harassing opposition activists by labeling them as ruling party members. The Police Internal Oversight (PIO) unit initially compiled a five-page report based on complaints from Azad’s tenure at Double Mooring Police Station, which was later investigated by CMP’s Additional Commissioner Humayun Kabir.

The report also detailed instances of extortion, unlawful arrests, and torture in custody. Several officers were identified as his collaborators. Police Headquarters is expected to decide on disciplinary measures against Azad based on the findings.

The Chittagong University Nationalist Teachers Forum has congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman on being elected the country’s 11th Prime Minister following the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The message of congratulations was issued on Wednesday in a statement signed by Forum President Professor Dr. Mohammad Al Amin, General Secretary Professor Mohammad Zahedur Rahman Chowdhury, and Organizing Secretary Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam.

In the statement, the Forum said that after 17 years, Bangladesh has witnessed a fair, neutral, and participatory national election in which the BNP achieved a landslide victory with an absolute majority. The Forum described the election as a milestone in the country’s democratic journey, crediting the people for securing their voting rights and choosing change under Tarique Rahman’s visionary and development-oriented leadership.

The statement further expressed optimism that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Bangladesh will achieve economic freedom, modernization of education, youth employment, and a just society. It added that the new government will work for all citizens regardless of political affiliation and that the Forum will continue to play a constructive role in sustaining democracy and national progress.

At least eight skiers were killed in a massive avalanche in California’s Lake Tahoe backcountry, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The avalanche struck the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, around 11:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Six people were rescued alive, while one person remains missing and is presumed dead. The avalanche was described by witnesses as roughly the size of a football field.

Following a 911 call received at 11:30 a.m., the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office launched a search and rescue operation. The sheriff’s department, its search and rescue team, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection jointly conducted the operation in the affected area. Officials said the search continued in the Castle Peak zone immediately after the avalanche.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or the cause of the avalanche. Search efforts are ongoing for the missing skier.

Jesse Louis Jackson, a prominent leader of the United States civil rights movement, has died at the age of 84. He passed away on Tuesday in the presence of his family, according to a family statement. Jackson had been hospitalized for several months due to a neurological illness. He was a close disciple of Martin Luther King Jr. and played a major role in advancing civil rights and social justice causes across the country.

More than 40 years ago, Jackson urged the Democratic Party to broaden its moral outlook to include minorities, Arab Americans, and Palestinians who had long faced marginalization. Throughout his career, he consistently spoke for the oppressed, notably highlighting the plight of Palestinians and advocating for the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States. In 2024, his organization, the Rainbow-PUSH Coalition, convened an emergency summit calling for an end to Israel’s assault on Gaza and a ceasefire.

Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute, said Jackson paved the way for Arab American political empowerment and remained steadfast in supporting Palestinians despite pressure to sever ties with Arab Americans.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced the formation of the 'Imran Khan Release Force' to campaign for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023. The announcement was made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and close Khan ally Sohail Afridi during a press conference outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Afridi said Khan had tasked him with leading a street movement for his release.

Imran Khan was ousted from power through a parliamentary vote in 2022 and later faced multiple legal cases, resulting in his imprisonment. PTI maintains that the charges are politically motivated. Recently, concerns have grown over Khan’s health after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court revealed that he retains only 15 percent vision in his right eye.

Following the report, PTI intensified its campaign for Khan’s release, while the government insists that the former prime minister is receiving the best possible medical care.