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.

"RAB has taken all necessary measures to maintain overall law and order across the country, especially centering the Central Shaheed Minar. In response to the question, he clarified that there were no security concerns associated with the observance of Martyrs' Day. The Bomb Disposal Unit and Dog Squad will conduct necessary sweeping activities to ensure the security of the premises, he continued. "All battalions will ensure security in coordination with local public representatives and other law enforcement agencies. The control room at RAB Headquarters will monitor and coordinate security arrangements nationwide," the DG added.

Video footage captured by closed-circuit cameras at the polling stations of the recent general election and referendum would be preserved at the offices of assistant returning officers. The EC in a letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain asked the returning officers to preserve the video footage at the office of the assistant returning officers concerned. The 13th parliamentary election and referendum were held at 42,659 polling stations in 299 out of 300 constituencies across the country on February 12 last. Some 90 percent of the polling stations were under CC camera surveillance. In the election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68.

FIFA will spearhead a $75 million fund to rebuild soccer facilities in Gaza that were destroyed by the war between Israel and Hamas, President Donald Trump and the sport's governing body said Thursday. "I'm also pleased to announce that FIFA will be helping to raise a total of $75 million for projects in Gaza," said Trump. The FIFA communique did not mention Trump's $75 million figure, and said funds would be raised "from international leaders and institutions." Infantino has fostered close ties with Trump, awarding him an inaugural FIFA "Peace Prize" at the World Cup draw in December. At Thursday's meeting, the FIFA president donned a red baseball cap emblazoned with "USA" and "45-47," the latter a reference to Trump's two terms in the White House.

The government has appointed Md Abdus Sattar Patwari as Research Officer to the Prime Minister on a contractual basis. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification in this regard on Thursday. It said Md Abdus Sattar Patwari has been appointed on the condition that he will relinquish any other profession, business or employment in any government, semi-government or private organisation or institution. The appointment will take effect from the date of his joining and will remain valid either for the tenure of the prime minister or until the prime minister's satisfaction, whichever comes first. Other terms and conditions of the appointment will be determined by the contract, the notification added.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Friday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 299 at 08:45am. The city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season.

The Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day will be observed on Saturday, marking the 74th year of the Language Movement. People wearing black badges will also pay a rich tribute to the language heroes by placing wreaths at their graves. The day will also be observed around the world as UNESCO recognised February 21 (Ekushey February) as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999. The president and the prime minister will pay homage to the language martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar in the early hours of the day. The Department of Public Libraries will hold writing and drawing competitions and discussions on the Language Movement at public libraries at divisional, district and upazila levels.

The agency released a report documenting torture, sexual abuse, forced abortions, food deprivation, solitary confinement and other abuses. The new report said satellite imagery and on-ground reports show that nearly three-quarters of the scam operations are in the Mekong region and have spread to some Pacific Island countries, South Asia, Gulf States, West Africa and the Americas. The report into forced labour at scam centres in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates between 2021 and 2025, reinforced reports of the deprivation that the scam centre workers are put through. People said that police and border guards were sometimes complicit in the scam centres. The UN said that many of the forced labourers were wrongly treated as criminals once freed.

The rise of fast fashion has made it harder to find young people with manufacturing know-how. - 'On my doorstep' -The mill's partnership with the King's Foundation -- a charity founded by King Charles III and headquartered in the nearby Dumfries House estate -- has helped turn things around. After getting a fashion design diploma at a Glasgow college, Hyslop did a six-week course with the King's Foundation, through which she discovered the luxury mill in her backyard. Dempsey also gives talks to local primary school children with the King's Foundation. Entering luxury fashion in Scotland is "difficult", said Christie, with other major brands usually based in London or other European cities.

DHAKA, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS) - SM Parvez has been appointed as Protocol Officer-2 to the Prime Minister's office on a contractual basis. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification in this regard on Thursday. It said SM Parvez has been appointed on the condition that he will relinquish any other profession, business or employment in any government, semi-government or private organization or institution. The appointment will take effect from the date of his joining and will remain valid either for the tenure of the Prime Minister or until the Prime Minister's satisfaction, whichever comes first. Other terms and conditions of the appointment will be determined by a formal contract, the notification added.

LOS ANGELES, United States, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The search for a ninth person believed killed in a huge avalanche in California will stretch into the weekend, US officials said Thursday, as atrocious weather continues to hamper operations. "Due to hazardous weather conditions, avalanche victims cannot be safely extracted off the mountain today," the Nevada County Sheriff's office said on Facebook. The statement also noted the women were "experienced backcountry skiers" who were "fully equipped with avalanche safety equipment." Expedition organizers Blackbird Mountain Guides on Wednesday said all staff in the group were professionally trained, and urged people to avoid speculating about the circumstances. "Guides in the field are in communication with senior guides at our base, to discuss conditions and routing based upon conditions.

The few buses running in Buenos Aires were nowhere near full, although car traffic was unusually heavy as many workers observed the 24-hour strike against a contentious labor reform. The CGT labor federation said more workers adhered to the walkout call than during any of the previous three strikes. Most recently, Fate -- Argentina's main tire factory -- on Wednesday announced the closure of its plant in Buenos Aires, prompting some 900 job cuts. Last week, thousands of people demonstrated in Buenos Aires as senators debated the reform bill, and clashes with police resulted in about 30 arrests. Almost 40 percent of Argentine workers lack formal employment contracts, and unions say the new measures will make matters worse.

From the sky, NGO searches for west African migrant boats in distressOFF THE COAST OF THE CANARY ISLANDS, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Every hour is crucial when searching for distressed west African migrant boats in the Atlantic, where the long route and harsh weather easily spell disaster, a nonprofit that conducts aerial surveillance told AFP during a recent mission. "People could be dead or dying from dehydration, heat stroke or any other conditions," pilot Omar El Manfalouty told AFP. Migrants departing from west Africa and travelling up the Atlantic are usually trying to reach Europe via the Canary Islands off northwest Africa. More than 3,000 migrants died in 2025 while attempting to reach Spain clandestinely, according to the Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras. In the Mediterranean, it has already helped spot more than 1,000 boats, alerting international NGO rescue ships which then go and help.

NEW DELHI, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - UN chief Antonio Guterres called for "less hype, less fear" over artificial intelligence as he said Friday that a new expert panel aimed to "make human control a technical reality". "Science-led governance is not a brake on progress," Guterres said, adding that 40 members were now confirmed for the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence.