The Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) AKM Shahidur Rahman has said the force will not allow any activities that oppress ordinary citizens or hold them hostage under the pretext of pressing demands or carrying out movements. The RAB DG said law enforcement agencies remain on high alert to ensure public safety and maintain stability across the country during the observance of the day. He has said that the country experienced a fragile law and order situation over the past one and a half years, particularly following the events of July and August. The RAB chief further assured citizens that the law and order situation would continue to improve gradually and that law enforcement agencies would be able to bring crime under control. “In the name of pressing demands or movements, we will not allow any activities that oppress ordinary people or hold them hostage,” he added.

At least 18 people, most of them fishermen, were killed and three others injured after a truck collided with a passenger pick-up in Egypt’s northeastern Port Said province, according to media reports. The crash took place around 12:30pm local time on Thursday on the 30 June Axis highway, south of Port Said, Egypt’s state-run daily Al-Ahram reported. Photos shared online showed the pick-up badly crushed between two large cargo trucks, with wreckage scattered across the roadway. Collisions frequently involve heavy trucks and passenger vehicles, with speeding, poor road conditions and weak enforcement of traffic laws often cited as major causes. Last June, a separate truck and minibus crash killed 19 people, most of them teenage girls, local officials said at the time.

The government has announced a revised schedule for the closure of CNG stations during the holy month of Ramadan to ensure an uninterrupted gas supply for the power sector. At the same time, CNG and fuel stations will remain open continuously for a specified period to facilitate smooth vehicular movement during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Under the revised schedule, CNG stations across the country will remain closed daily from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm until 14 March. Previously, stations were closed from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm, but the closure period has now been extended to six hours. To ensure smooth travel for passengers on highways during Eid-ul-Fitr, CNG and fuel stations will remain open continuously from 15 March to 25 March.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said future budgets would prioritize the welfare of the people rather than cater to specific individuals or groups. He made the remarks during his first visit to his constituency in Chittagong after assuming office as finance minister. Emphasizing the need to increase employment and investment, Amir Khasru said steps would be taken to make Chattogram a 'real' commercial capital. "Now is the time to make Chattogram a real commercial capital. The city will be transformed into a commercial capital through increased investment and job creation," he added.

A new UN panel on artificial intelligence aims to “make human control a technical reality”, the global body’s chief said Friday as leaders at a New Delhi summit weighed their message on the future of the divisive technology. “We are barreling into the unknown,” UN chief Antonio Guterres told the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, which wraps up later Friday. More facts and evidence.”The United Nations General Assembly has confirmed 40 members for a new group called the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, he said. The advisory body -- aiming to be to AI what the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is to global warming -- was created in August. Discussions at the Delhi summit, attended by tens of thousands from across the AI industry, have covered big topics from child protections to the need for more equal access to AI tools worldwide.

Thousands of Muslims poured into the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram on the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan to offer Juma prayers in an atmosphere marked by devotion, restraint and spiritual reflection. From early morning, people from different parts of the capital flocked to the mosque to take part in Juma prayers, considered highly significant during Ramadan — the month of fasting, self-discipline and increased worship. The mosque premises and surrounding areas were filled to capacity as people stood shoulder to shoulder in prayer, seeking blessings and forgiveness. Many were seen arriving well ahead of time to secure a place inside the main prayer hall, while others offered prayers on the mosque premises.

Trump said he believes 10 to 15 days is enough time for Tehran to make a deal, but talks have remained stalled for years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is ready for any scenario and warned Iran against attacking Israeli territory. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and says current talks should focus only on nuclear issues. While Trump previously claimed US and Israeli strikes had destroyed Iran’s nuclear sites, the extent of the damage remains unclear as international inspectors have been barred from access. The United States and its allies continue to suspect Iran’s program could eventually be used to develop nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran has consistently denied.

PARIS, France, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - French energy group EDF on Friday raised the budget for the long-delayed Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in Britain, saying construction costs were now estimated at 35 billion pounds ($47 billion), with the first reactor due to come online in 2030. The new budget is above the range of 31-34 billion pounds announced in January 2024, and well above the initial estimate of 18 billion pounds when the project was launched in 2016. The new starting date falls inside the range of 2029 and 2031 that EDF gave in a January 2024 update. Hinkley Point C is one of a small number of European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs) worldwide, a next-generation design from EDF that has been plagued by massive cost overruns and construction delays. France's only EPR project to date, at Flamanville in Normandy, has also suffered delays and budget overruns.

Florida airport to be renamed after US President Donald TrumpWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An airport in Florida will soon be renamed after US President Donald Trump, after a bill proposing the change was approved by the state's legislature on Thursday. Florida's Republican-led legislature approved a bill to rename the Palm Beach International Airport as the "President Donald J. Trump International Airport," state records show. The airport in Palm Beach, a town known for its sandy beaches and luxurious estates, is just minutes away from Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. It would then become the latest institution to be renamed after Trump. Trump has also sought to rename New York's Penn Station and Washington's Dulles International Airport after himself, according to US media reports, although those efforts were rebuffed.

Kim Jong Un vows to boost living standards as he opens rare congressSEOUL, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to lift living standards as he opened a landmark congress, state media said Friday, offering a glimpse of economic strains within the sanctions-hit nation. At the last party congress in 2021, Kim made an extremely rare admission that mistakes had been made in "almost all areas" of economic development. It is just the ninth time the Workers' Party congress has convened under the Kim family's decades-long rule. The meeting was shelved under Kim's father Kim Jong Il, but was revived in 2016. - 'Biggest enemy' -The ruling parties of China and Russia -- North Korea's longtime allies -- sent friendly messages to mark the start of the meeting.

That was hot on the heels of a 4-0 humiliation by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, arguably Barca's worst performance since Flick's arrival. Since Flick arrived Barca have played an ultra-attacking style with a high defensive line, leading to a lot of high-scoring games. Player to watch: Isi PalazonRayo Vallecano forward Palazon impressed in the 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid last weekend, without getting on the scoresheet. 9 - Real Madrid matches since Alvaro Arbeloa's arrival, and the team have scored in each of them. FixturesFriday (all times GMT)Athletic Bilbao v Elche (2000)SaturdayReal Sociedad v Real Oviedo (1300), Real Betis v Rayo Vallecano (1515), Osasuna v Real Madrid (1730), Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (2000)SundayGetafe v Sevilla (1300), Barcelona v Levante (1515), Celta Vigo v Mallorca (1730), Villarreal v Valencia (2000)MondayAlaves v Girona (2000)

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Friday said there is no security threat centring on paying tribute to the Language Martyrs on International Mother Language Day on Saturday. He shared the information at a press briefing on the security plan for International Mother Language Day at the Central Shaheed Minar on Friday morning. He requested visitors to use Palashi Mor, Jagannath Hall crossing and Shaheed Minar Road to enter the Shaheed Minar area. After paying tribute, they are asked to leave via Doel Chattar or Chankharpul. The DMP commissioner also urged people not to carry any sharp objects or flammable materials to the Shaheed Minar.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Friday said the government has adequate stocks of essential commodities to keep market prices stable during the holy month of Ramadan. “The main responsibility of the Ministry of Commerce is to ensure price stability of essential food items. The minister said when the current government assumed office, there was little scope to take special measures ahead of Ramadan. Minister Muktadir speaking to journalists at Sylhet Osmani International Airport after exchanging greetings with officials of different government departments and party leaders. “To attract investment, we need to improve communication systems, reduce red tape and ensure a supportive environment, including political stability,” Muktadir said.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir briefed journalists at Sylhet Osmani International Airport today. Photo: PIDSYLHET, Feb 20, (BSS) – Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today said one of the main responsibilities of the Ministry of Commerce is to keep the prices of essential commodities stable. However, the positive side is that the amount of food stock we have is sufficient to keep the market prices stable,” he said. The commerce minister made the remarks while exchanging greetings with officials of different government entities and BNP leaders and activists at Sylhet Osmani International Airport. Sylhet lawmaker MA Malik, Divisional Commissioner Khan Md Reza-un-Nabi, Sylhet Range DIG Md Mushfequr Rahman, Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury and acting President of Sylhet City BNP, among others, were present.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu spoke at an exchange meeting today in the conference room of Rajshahi Circuit House. Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS) - Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu today instructed officials to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, efficiency, and a strong sense of constitutional duty. Speaking as the chief guest, the Land Minister said, "I am a son of the soil of Rajshahi. Addressing administrative officials, the minister warned that negligence in duty would not be tolerated. To avoid public suffering during the month of Ramadan, the Land Minister instructed officials to take special preparations, stressing coordinated efforts in market monitoring, law and order, and public services.