“Call me back” she wrote in one text, followed by a dramatic line of exclamation points. As a triplet, my sisters and I are all in our sophomore year of college, each enrolled at different universities. For readers with siblings who went to college before them, or those with younger siblings still living at home, I suppose this reality might not be so uncommon. Sibling relationships are profound in this respect — they are uniquely conditioned to shape-shift to our current needs and circumstances, and rarely do they ever break. This is not to say that when you go off to college, your siblings somehow become less important figures in your life.

My Super Bowl memories from childhood feature the iconic performances of Bruno Mars, Beyonce and Left Shark (I mean, Katy Perry). It was the nationally-renowned University of Arizona Symphonic Marching Band, and the crowd could not have anticipated the spectacle these boys were about to put on for them. Naturally, there must have been a turning point — a performance that turned marching band jazz medleys into the hullabaloo of halftime today. That was the beginning of the end: Every Super Bowl since has spotlighted a star bigger than the last, and the viewership has never faltered. These recent antics prove that the Super Bowl football game has long been dominated by the chaos and drama, the glitz and glam, the 15-minute madness that its halftime show has become.

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DHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS)- Cultural Affairs Ministry has taken elaborate programmes marking the Shahid Dibash and International Mother Language Day. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, all the private television and radio channels will broadcast programmes while and all print media will publish special supplement. The ministry asked all follow the rules regarding hoisting the national flag according to the measurement, said a ministry release. To mark the day, different city road islands and other important places will be decorated with the festoons and banners inscribed with the alphabets of all the communities including Bangla. Shahid Dibash and International Mother Language Day will also be observed in Bangladesh Missions abroad.

Awards season is now in full swing, and the crown jewel for film fans is coming up soon when the 98th Academy Awards arrive on Sunday, March 15. Here’s everything to know about the 2026 Academy Awards. How do fans watch the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony? The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will air live on ABC and Hulu on Sunday, March 15, starting at 7/6c. Bookmark this page for continuous updates on this year’s Academy Awards.

RANGPUR, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - The district administrations and other institutions have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the "Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day-2026'' to pay rich tribute to the Language Movement Martyrs in Rangpur division on Saturday. According to official sources, the district administrations, other departments, institutions and organisations have completed necessary preparations to observe the day in a befitting manner in all eight districts of the division. In Rangpur city, the observance will begin with placing of wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city at one minute past Friday midnight to pay due respect to Language Movement Martyrs. Besides, competitions on drawing, recitation and essay writing for children were arranged tomorrow (February 20) highlighting the importance of the language movement at the District Shishu Academy premises. The local dailies, and other newspapers will publish special supplements and Rangpur Betar air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

There is no question that after the turbulence of 2024 and the disillusionment left by the previous Awami League administration, citizens are desperate for a government that delivers more than rhetoric. Bangladesh has heard such vows before, from every administration before, only to watch them dissolve into patronage and impunity. While Bangladesh will be expected to be patient, and their expectations tempered, what will not be tolerated is yet another cycle of promises unfulfilled. A government that pledges accountability to the people must prove it through actions and not carefully crafted speeches. Our nation has been given a chance to restore dignity to politics and confidence in institutions.

However, while these are bold words and they resonate with a country weary of systemic failures in education, Bangladesh has heard such promises before, time and time again. As such, while the minister’s enthusiasm is encouraging, it is only implementing the appropriate policies, and bringing about tangible changes to the education sector, that will give the people a reason to celebrate. The history of education policy in this country is littered with grand declarations that have never translated into meaningful change. The minister’s words are welcome, but they must only be the beginning. Bangladesh’s future ambitions depend on an education system that is credible, modern, and fair.

Unless Jamaat and its allies break this cycle, parliamentary democracy itself will be the biggest casualty. A history of missed opportunitiesThe first parliament in 1973 saw the Awami League hold an overwhelming majority, winning 293 of 300 seats. The second parliament (1979–1982) featured a larger opposition that played a crucial role in withdrawing martial law and re-establishing multiparty norms. An indispensable pillarIn a democracy, the opposition is not a rival to be crushed but an indispensable pillar of governance. They have come this far to become lawmakers and occupy the Opposition Bench -- not to walk out or boycott ceremonial state events.

Reading time: about 6 minutesDebates surrounding representation in media have pervaded pop culture conversations. When we celebrate and recognize the power of behind-the-scenes representation, we make way for substantial on-screen representation. Following the internet’s increased access to information, proper representation in media is expected. While there is no clear answer on how to go about proper representation in media, our writers covered why it’s valuable and important to discuss. That’s the point of impactful representation in media: Art can welcome all.

Former footballer Mesut Ozil visits Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, plays football, supports humanitarian efforts with Turkish delegation. Photo : BSSCOX'S BAZAR, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - Former German star and World Cup-winning footballer Mesut Ozil enjoyed a football match at a Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar today. An 11-member delegation, led by Necmettin Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied Mesut Ozil during the visit. 4, Mesut Ozil participated in a charity football match with the Rohingyas. Mesut Ozil, former player for Real Madrid and Arsenal, was part of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning team.

DHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - The government has issued a gazette notification forming a 15-member 'Cabinet Committee for Family Card Distribution', aimed at providing protection to marginalized and low-income families. The Cabinet Division issued the notification today, naming the Finance Minister as chairman of the committee. It said the committee will formulate a framework for implementing the Family Card programme and develop a method for selecting beneficiaries. Initially, the Family Card will be introduced in one upazila in each of the country's eight divisions. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs will provide secretarial support, and the committee may co-opt members if necessary.

Photo: BSSBAGURA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS)- Bagura Police today arrested content creator Ashraful Alam alias Hero Alam from Majhira Port area under Shahjahanpur thana for raping a woman by luring her under the pretext of marriage. A team of police arrested Hero Alam after chasing his transport when he was allegedly fleeing away sensing arrest. The PBI in its report found that Hero Alam raped one Sadia Rahman Mithila by alluring her in the pretext of marriage and later tortured her. According to police report, Hero Alam also gave false assurance to Mithila to make her heroine in a cinema industry. As Hero Alam refused to marry her and take the responsibility of her baby, Mithila filed the case under the Women and Children Repression Act on April 11 last year.

The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed 15 data entry operators working under the Smart Card’s Identification System for Enhancing Access to Services (IDEA) Phase II project after serious allegations of office misconduct were proven. The development was disclosed in a letter signed Thursday by Deputy Project Director (Administration) Mahmudul Hasan Talukdar. According to the letter, the authority approved the termination of nine outsourced personnel engaged in the IDEA (Phase II) project after violations of office discipline were established against them. In addition, appointment letters of six other outsourced staff working on the project were canceled by the respective outsourcing agency.

NCP Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has alleged that although the 13th National Parliamentary Election was conducted in a fair manner, the results were manipulated. However, he added that his party accepted the outcome in the interest of democracy and national stability. Nahid alleged that BNP refrained from taking oath in the Reform Council by misinterpreting the Constitution. The NCP convener said the current cabinet would not fulfill public aspirations for change, describing it as a continuation of the old arrangement. Criticizing the new cabinet, Nahid alleged that it included loan defaulters, individuals accused of corruption, and former BNP ministers from 2001–2006.