Drones, sirens, army posters: How four years of war changed a Russian cityVORONEZH, Russia, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A drone whirred through a shopping centre in the Russian city of Voronezh as Shaman, an operator for the Russian army, showed shoppers one of the devices that have dominated the battlefield in Ukraine. From frequent Ukrainian retaliatory drone attacks to army recruitment adverts around the city, the conflict has gradually seeped into daily life. In the city centre, murals honour soldiers killed on the battlefield. Tracking of local obituaries and family announcements by the BBC and independent Mediazona outlet has identified at least 168,000 Russian soldiers killed since Moscow launched its offensive. Amid the plethora of army posters across the city, there are some smaller signs that not everybody shares the patriotic pro-war fervour.

DHAKA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) - The government today announced a 36-day holiday for primary and secondary schools across the country on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan and other religious and national observances. All government and non-government primary schools and secondary schools (classes I-X) will remain closed from Thursday, February 19, to March 26, according to separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. The ministries revised the previously announced 2026 academic calendar and holiday list and issued separate gazette notifications in this regard today. The notifications stated that secondary and lower secondary institutions will enjoy a total of 36 days of holiday from February 19 to March 26. Primary schools will also follow the same revised holiday schedule, said the separate notification issued by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today addressed the nation after assuming office. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today addressed the nation with a comprehensive message outlining his government’s priorities, pledging to restore democracy, strengthen the rule of law, equal rights, curb corruption, and build a self-reliant and humane Bangladesh. As a Bangladeshi, each and every one of us has equal rights in this country, in this state,” he said. Tarique Rahman said establishing a self-reliant, secure, humane, and democratic Bangladesh is the goal of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government. Tarique Rahman said his government is determined to dismantle all syndicates of wrongdoing and irregularities in every sector.

NEW YORK, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro's next US court appearance, initially scheduled for March 17 in New York, has been postponed to March 26, court filings showed Tuesday. Prosecutors blamed "scheduling and logistical issues," without giving further details in the request which was agreed to by the defense and the judge. Maduro's lawyer did not respond to an AFP request for comment. Appearing alongside him was his wife Cilia Flores, 69, who also pleaded not guilty and is expected to return to court with her husband on March 26. The country is now led by Delcy Rodrigues, who had been his vice president since 2018 but is now working closely with Washington.

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Nitai Roy for working with new dream to build new BangladeshCultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury-File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) – Newly appointed Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury today stressed the need for working with new dream to build a new society and a new Bangladesh. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam also spoke on the occasion. The state minister called for starting a new journey with the cooperation of all concerned. Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman delivered the welcome speech at the meeting. Earlier, Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam were received with bouquet upon their arrival at the ministry.

Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS)- Newly-appointed Minister for Cultural AffairsNitai Roy Chowdhury and State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam todayexchanged views with officials of departments and agencies under the Ministryof Cultural Affairs. Addressing the meeting, Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said culture is the maindriving force of a country. He also said the Ministry of Cultural Affairs should be taken to such aposition where a life-oriented culture can be developed. Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Md Mofidur Rahman delivered thewelcome address at the meeting.

Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today spoke at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo: MinistryDHAKA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) - Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said maintaining law and order across the country is the foremost priority of the current government, alongside controlling commodity prices and ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential services. Speaking to journalists after a meeting of newly appointed ministers and state ministers with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at Bangladesh Secretariat here, the minister said the government has adopted a 180-day special priority action plan to address pressing national issues. "Initially, we are giving importance to controlling commodity prices, keeping the supply chain normal and further improving the law and order situation," he said. He added that officials must perform their duties in accordance with the constitution, existing laws and the rules of business.

In essence, we are returning to the foreign policy approach of the late President Ziaur Rahman. This was also our aim during the interim government,” said Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. Dr Khalilur Rahman recalled three particularly bold steps taken during the early years of Bangladesh’s foreign policy. I was not forced into this role.”State Minister Shama Obaid added, “Of course, the responsibility is challenging, but equally interesting. Our foreign policy, after seventeen years, will reflect the aspirations and wishes of our citizens, and we intend to move decisively in that direction.”

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair will start on Feb 25, cultural affairs minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury has announced. The decision came following a meeting between the fair organiser Bangla Academy and publishers on Wednesday evening. After the publishers presented their demands, Nitai announced a “100 percent waiver” of stall rent for all participating publishing houses and urged everyone to join the fair. Applications for stalls can be submitted until 3pm on Thursday, before the stalls are allocated through lottery later in the day. The fair authorities clarified that those who have already applied do not need to submit new applications.

Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), on Wednesday said the police have delivered a free, fair and widely acceptable election with the highest level of sincerity and dedication. He made the remarks while addressing DMP members as the chair at the monthly crime review meeting for January 2026, held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh of the capital. Thanking all police members, the DMP commissioner said they performed their duties with neutrality and professionalism during the election, enabling the police to restore its lost glory. Speaking at the meeting, Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Md Sarwar said traffic congestion intensifies before iftar during the month of Ramadan. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam said several major events are approaching, including February 21 and the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

The first cabinet meeting of the BNP-led government was held on Wednesday at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. After the meeting, State Minister for Finance Zonayed Saki said the prime minister directed all ministers to prioritise the implementation of the party’s electoral pledges. The new cabinet comprises 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, including three technocrats. In addition to serving as Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman will oversee the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces Division. He added that the prime minister discussed possible initiatives for imams and muezzins and emphasised swift action.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the foremost challenge facing the current government is to rebuild state institutions and strengthen the democratic system. “Local government institutions will be strengthened and made corruption-free to ensure services to people’s doorsteps,” he said while speaking to reporters after taking charge of his ministry at the Secretariat here. Mirza Fakhrul, who is also the secretary general of BNP, said: “We have assumed office with a major goal. Democracy will remain at the centre of all our activities.”Referring to the existing vacancies in district councils, upazilas and municipalities, he said: “Many positions in local government institutions are currently vacant. We will try to fill these posts through the electoral process as soon as possible.

Many view this as a clear signal of the BNP-led government's intent regarding Tulip Siddiq. Furthermore, the extradition of a sitting Member of Parliament faces formidable statutory, human rights, and political hurdles. The UK political dimensionWithin Britain, the "Tulip issue" has exacerbated tensions within the Labour Party. Now, it is Tulip Siddiq who finds herself in the crosshairs. Despite that bitter experience, I firmly believe that Tulip Siddiq deserves the full right to a fair and neutral trial.

French President Emmanuel Macron is in India for a three-day visit aimed at shoring up defense and AI ties with the South Asian country. Macron met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday in Mumbai, where the leaders were to discuss expanding military partnership between the two countries. “Through this visit, we seek to further strengthen cooperation” with India and to diversify France’s economic and trade partnerships, Macron’s office said. But multiple reports noted that the initial clearance makes way for 114 Rafale jets, among other military equipment. Since 2015, India has bought 26 Rafale jets worth around $8.7 billion, and in April 2025, it announced a fresh multibillion-dollar deal to buy 26 Rafale marine fighter jets.