One held with 211 bottles of ESKuf syrup in LalmonirhatRANGPUR, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-13 has seized 211 bottles of smuggled phensedyl-like ESKuf syrup and arrested a suspected drug dealer from Uttar Batris Hazari village under Kaliganj Police Station in Lalmonirhat today. The arrestee was identified as Abdul Hamid, 35, son of Abdul Khaleque of Jawrani (Dangapara) village under Hatibandha Police Station in Lalmonirhat. Acting on a tip-off, a team of RAB-13's Sadar Company conducted a raid, recovered the contraband from a battery-powered van, and arrested Abdul Hamid around 4:30 pm on Wednesday, the press release said. Following the filing of a case, the arrested person and seized syrup were handed over to Kaliganj Police Station for further legal action.

The government has moved to launch the “family card” programme on a pilot basis across eight Upazilas in as many divisions of the country, fulfilling a key electoral pledge to strengthen social security for low-income households. The high-powered body includes ministers, prime minister’s advisors and state ministers. The panel will also review whether any existing women-centric social programmes can be integrated as the foundation for the family card. The “family card” was a centrepiece of the BNP’s election manifesto, which focused on building a “humane, inclusive, and accountable state”. The card bearer will be entitled to a certain amount of monthly payment, a benefit that will increase with time.

Road Transport and Communications Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has said that money collected from transport operators “on a consensual basis” should not be considered extortion. Speaking to reporters at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday, he clarified: “What is called extortion in road transport, I do not see it that way. Owners’ associations and workers’ federations sometimes collect funds for their welfare. Drawing comparisons, the minister noted that owners’ associations often collect fixed amounts from each trip, claiming to use it for welfare purposes, though disputes remain over how the funds are spent. “If anyone attempts extortion, there is no scope for it,” he reiterated.

Aniruddha Das, India’s senior consular official in Sylhet, has said steps are under way to fully restore all visa services. On Thursday, the Indian assistant high commissioner in Sylhet also assured maximum cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties through visa facilitation. “Medical and double-entry visas are being issued now, and steps are under way to resume other categories, including travel visas,” he said at the Sylhet District Press Club.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said he wants to reform the police and other law-enforcing agencies in line with public expectations following the formation of a political government through a transparent election after nearly 18 years. On Thursday, he said public expectations were “high”. “We want to carry out democratic reforms in the police and other law-enforcing agencies in line with public expectations; first, we have to determine the priorities of those reforms.”He spoke at an exchange meeting with heads of departments and agencies under the home ministry. Salahuddin said the government aims to win public trust by restructuring institutions under the ministry and strengthening their ethical standards. Through new appointments and coordinated efforts from all, we want to achieve our goals.”He instructed officials to prepare recommendations for a modernisation plan, saying reform priorities would be set accordingly.

Rangpur-4 MP Akhter Hossen, member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has urged the government to ensure that proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal are not slowed or obstructed in any way. He visited the tribunal on Thursday to observe proceedings and enquire about submitting his own testimony. Akhter said, “We humbly call upon the BNP government and the ruling party -- under no circumstances should the International Crimes Tribunal proceedings be slowed down. Asked whether he suspected possible obstruction, Akhter said the recent election was “simultaneously a parliamentary election and a referendum”. Akhter said he visited the tribunal to convey these concerns and ensure that any governmental “indecision” over reforms does not affect the tribunal’s proceedings.

Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. In the mid-range, he’s really good at doing that but from three…not so much. This is a really tough question as Brooks has instilled the toughness culture in the Suns team and has basically been a Manimal. GM Brian Gregory has done a really good job so far, and I definitely trust his judgment on roster construction matters more than my own. If they had a good team, if they had a bad team, his leadership style didn’t change.

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DHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $34.78 billion, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank (BB) released here today. However, according to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) BPM-6 accounting method, the reserves stood at $30.06 billion, the BB added.

In high pressure environments, self-loathing is normalized, even attributed to a desperate scavenge for identity. The sheer dominance of self-loathing dawned on me during a furniture bonfire, built at some Thread Magazine party in the fall of ’24. Now I’m not saying to ignore criticism or external opinions — appealing to public awareness is a key component of developing empathy. Our lives’ work constructing identity revolves around attaching those concepts, interests and categories we appreciate to the nature of our being. Kira Walter Kira Walter '26 is an opinion columnist and former lifestyle editor.

The Sun first reported that Cornell Career Services shared multiple positions at the Department of Homeland Security on Handshake in August. Five of these events have already occurred — on Feb. 4, Feb. 5, Feb. 10, Feb. 11 and Feb. 18 — with one to take place on Feb. 26. Sofia Loayza The Cornell Career Services website displays a post for a "U.S. Customs and Border Protection Virtual Career Expo" that took place on Feb. 18. The Sun spoke to Cornell students and a professor about their reactions to the promoted events and jobs. “Every day you have a heavy heart.”Sandoval said that "even if virtual,” federal immigration enforcement recruitment at Cornell is “a very shameful thing."

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. -Collage PhotoDHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS)- Reaffirming deeper bilateral engagement British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his election victory, pledging to further strengthen the longstanding UK–Bangladesh partnership across key sectors. In a congratulatory letter, Keir Starmer conveyed his warm wishes to Tarique Rahman on his election victory and assumption of office. The British premier reiterated that the United Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Bangladesh in different areas including trade and investment, climate action, migration, defence collaboration and humanitarian assistance. The UK premier hoped enduring ties between the two friendly nations and shared resolve to advance mutually beneficial cooperation in the years ahead.

Construction resumes at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur boosting campus infrastructure and research. Photo : BSSRANGPUR, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - After a long closure, construction work of the 10-storey (proposed Begum Khaleda Zia) female student hall and research institute has resumed at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR). Vice-chancellor of the university Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali inaugurated the construction work in a simple ceremony held on the construction site this afternoon as the chief guest. Addressing the occasion, the Vice-chancellor said, “We have resumed the work of infrastructural development in the campus ending the long wait. The two buildings of the female student hall and research institute will be ready for use soon.”At this time, BRUR Proctor and Registrar (Additional Duty) Professor Dr Md Ferdous Rahman, Director of the Finance and Accounts Division Professor Dr Md Shahzaman, Director of the Transport Pool Md Masud Rana, along with teachers, students, officers and employees were present.

T20 World Cup surprise package Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Colombo Thursday to finish the group stage unbeaten and carry some winning momentum into the Super Eights. Ranked 11th in the world, Zimbabwe upset former champions Australia last week. It was his seventh fifty in T20 World Cups, equalling Mahela Jayawardene for the most by a Sri Lankan. Wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis said Sri Lanka now target a place in the semi-finals. Sri Lanka open their Super Eights campaign against England in Kandy on Sunday, while Zimbabwe will face the West Indies in Mumbai on Monday.