File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS) - The Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day will be observed tomorrow marking the 74th years of the Language Movement. The day will also be observed around the world as the UNESCO recognised the ‘February 21 (Ekushey February)’ as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999. All government and private television channels, Bangladesh Betar and community radio stations will air special Ekushey programmes throughout the day. Bangla Academy will host the Ekushey Book Fair, with participation from Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Public Library Department, Bangladesh National Museum, National Book Centre, National Kabi Kazi Nazrul Institute, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Islamic Foundation and other publishing organisations. 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 BNP-led government has moved swiftly to implement its flagship “Family Card” program, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chairing an inter-ministerial meeting on Thursday to finalize an action plan for the nationwide rollout. He said financial assistance under the new scheme would be more than double the benefits currently offered through existing card and allowance programs. However, he clarified that existing social safety net schemes would continue alongside the new Family Card initiative, which is ultimately intended for universal distribution. What is the Family Card? Each registered household is expected to receive monthly financial assistance ranging from Tk2,000 to Tk2,500, or essential food support of equivalent value.

"This is a massive year for Major League Soccer," said league commissioner Don Garber, describing the season as "a seminal moment for our sport." The MLS season will this year have a seven-week interruption for the World Cup in June and July. Five MLS stadiums will host World Cup matches, while many more will be used as training facilities and fan zones. An increased number of MLS players are expected to play in the World Cup, including Son -- and potentially Messi, though the Argentina great has not yet confirmed he will participate in a record sixth World Cup. The MLS season resumes for its second half in the rest days between the World Cup semi-finals and final.

WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran on Thursday warned that US bases, facilities and assets would be "legitimate targets" if the United States follows through on its military threats and attacks. The letter said Iran remains committed "to diplomatic solutions" and "on a reciprocal basis, addressing ambiguities regarding its peaceful nuclear programme." But Iravani warned if Iran faced military aggression, "all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets in the context of Iran's defensive response." Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran, citing a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters last month then more recently over its nuclear program. On Thursday, Trump said that Iran had at most 15 days to make a deal and again suggested that the United States would attack if failed to do so.

BERLIN, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - RB Leipzig host in-form Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in the Bundesliga with hopes of Champions League football next season fading away. After a strong start to the season, winning eight and losing just once in a 10-match run, Leipzig have struggled. With only one league defeat this season, Dortmund have gone up a gear in 2026. Leipzig have won their past five home matches against Dortmund by a cumulative score of 13-2. Fixtures (1430 GMT unless stated)FridayMainz v Hamburg (1930)SaturdayWolfsburg v Augsburg, Union Berlin v Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt, Cologne v Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund (1730)SundayFreiburg v Borussia Moenchengladbach, St Pauli v Werder Bremen (1630), Heidenheim v Stuttgart (1830)

Japan inflation eases in welcome news for PM TakaichiTOKYO, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japanese inflation slowed in January, government data showed Friday, in welcome news for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi after her recent election landslide win. Also stripping out energy prices, inflation mellowed to 2.6 percent from 2.9 percent, while headline unadjusted inflation was 1.5 percent, down from 2.1 percent. In the address, Takaichi will likely repeat her campaign pledge to suspend consumption tax on food for two years to help households cope with inflation. "The international situation surrounding Japan and its security environment are growing increasingly severe," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Thursday. In addition it would cover the capacity of nations in the region to safeguard maritime security, Motegi said.

CARACAS, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela's National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved a long-awaited amnesty law that could free hundreds of political prisoners jailed for being government detractors. Some fear, however, the law could be used by the government to pardon its own and selectively deny freedom to real prisoners of conscience. "The scope of the law must be restricted to victims of human rights violations and expressly exclude those accused of serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity, including state, paramilitary and non-state actors," UN human rights experts said in a statement from Geneva Thursday. The NGO Foro Penal says about 450 prisoners have been released since Maduro's ouster, but more than 600 others remain behind bars. Rodriguez's interim government has been governing with US President Donald Trump's consent, provided she grants access to Venezuela's vast oil resources.

Trump says he's ordering release of data on UFOs and aliensWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Thursday he is ordering federal agencies to begin "identifying and releasing" government files related to UFOs and aliens, a move sought for decades by some Americans. Unless, there's this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States." Asked on Thursday about the comments, Trump told reporters that Obama "gave classified information, he is not supposed to be doing that." The president did not specify what part of Obama's remarks were classified, but claimed "he made a big mistake." For his own beliefs about aliens, Trump, 79, said "I don't know if they are real or not."

From AI to Starlink: how drone tech is reshaping war in UkraineKYIV, Ukraine, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - As the war in Ukraine drags into its fifth year, drones have come to completely dominate the front line -- a transformation in modern warfare that is being watched around the world. "Modern warfare is now impossible without drones," Koleso, a Ukrainian infantry soldier, told AFP in eastern Ukraine. Unwilling to send more men that necessary into the kill zone, Ukrainian troops use ground drones to ferry supplies to dangerous areas and to evacuate wounded soldiers. - Starlink -In another alternative to radio control, Ukrainians have begun attaching Starlink terminals to drones. "We opened the chapter of the war of drones with drones," said Marko Kushnir of General Cherry, a leading interceptor drone maker.

Leader Kim Jong Un took centre stage with a speech to start the Workers' Party congress, a gathering that directs state efforts on everything from house building to war planning. Kim has already declared this year's congress will lay out plans to bolster North Korea's nuclear arsenal. It has been more than eight years since North Korea's last nuclear test triggered a man-made earthquake underneath the northern Hamyong mountains. - Ruling dynasty -It is just the ninth time the Workers' Party congress has convened under North Korea's decades-spanning Kim rule. Photos released by state media showed Kim delivering his opening address as senior party officials appeared to take notes in the background.

Known for his shock-value livestreams portraying the character of Terrie Joe, Kelon Campbell quickly surged to fame in 2022. The character of Terrie Joe, ingeniously portrayed by a Black man, hyperbolizes the homophobic and racist hostility often associated with a Southern Christian white woman. Imagine my surprise when my For You Page abruptly revealed the trailer for his new film, Terrie Joe: Missionary in Miami. When I’m watching a livestream, I feel like I’m actually in the room — or at least in the pews — waiting to see who’ll be the next ‘sinner’ that Terrie Joe decides to pounce on. There is a reason we all spent our semester lulls glued to his lives instead of watching a sitcom; the thrill of the ‘Terrie Joe’ experience is the high-wire act of seeing how far he can go without a safety net.

Tight security planned for observance of Martyrs’ Day on Feb 21The Shaheed Minar premises. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) – Comprehensive security measures have been planned across the capital to ensure the peaceful and orderly observance of Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day on February 21. Enhanced security will also be maintained at the Shaheed Minar premises and Azimpur Graveyard to prevent any untoward incidents and manage public gatherings. The procession, led by DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, will proceed via Udayan School and conclude at the Central Shaheed Minar. The DMP reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that citizens can observe the day with due solemnity, security and discipline.

The prime minister arrived at his temporary office at the Cabinet Division in Building No 1 of the Secretariat shortly after 9am. Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar received him upon arrival. The prime minister emphasized the need for an efficient and transparent system, underscoring the program’s importance in easing the cost-of-living pressures faced by ordinary citizens. Officials briefed the prime minister on climate risks, water management challenges and encroachment of waterways. Courtesy call by service chiefsEarlier in the day, the chiefs of the three armed services paid a courtesy call on the prime minister at his Secretariat office.

Reading time: about 5 minutesSomehow, I still remember exactly the first time I heard Silversun Pickups. While this can hardly be considered a flaw, the smoothness of this album edges on flatness that even the repetitive, driving riffs of “Wakey Wakey” fail to redeem. It’s almost ironic how “Running Out of Sounds” is titled, as the track serves as the greatest testament to the album’s points of mediocrity. It seems that, by the eighth track, Silversun Pickups really do begin to run out of sounds. For a second-time listener of Silversun Pickups, I found myself surprised by how much I enjoyed this album.

With less square footage than its previous location, K-HOUSE can no longer host private karaoke suites, according to Kim. Room K plans to host a new “designated queer space” called Q Space on certain days, Kim said. By including performance art, community events and food concepts, Kim said the business is stepping out of its traditional karaoke-only service. At the previous K-HOUSE location, Kim said they hosted several pop-up kitchens with similar facilities. Garnett told The Sun she looks forward to planning more social events for the Callbaxx at the new K-HOUSE location.