Little Ramadan lanterns and string lights appeared on streets lined with collapsed buildings and piles of rubble in Gaza City, bringing joy and respite as Islam’s holiest month began -- the first since October’s ceasefire. A security source in Gaza told AFP Wednesday that artillery shelling targeted the eastern parts of Gaza City that morning. Maha Fathi, 37, was displaced from Gaza City and lives in a tent west of the city. “Despite all the destruction and suffering in Gaza, Ramadan is still special,” she told AFP. Mohammed al-Madhoun, 43, also lives in a tent west of Gaza City, and hoped for brighter days ahead.

The United States will deter Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons “one way or the other,” US Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump “believes firmly we cannot have a nuclear-armed Iran,” Wright told reporters in Paris on the sidelines of meetings of the International Energy Agency. “They’ve been very clear about what they would do with nuclear weapons. “So one way or the other, we are going to end, deter Iran’s march towards a nuclear weapon,” he added. US and Iranian officials held talks in Geneva on Tuesday aimed at averting the possibility of US military intervention to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.

Diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Wednesday expressed solidarity with The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, highlighting the importance of freedom of the press and freedom of speech as an important pillar of democracy. Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh, French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet and Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro were, among others, present. Expressing solidarity with The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, the Italian ambassador said freedom of information is at the core of their values. The british high commissioner said they joined the program to demonstrate their support for media freedom as an important foundation pillar of democracy. US Embassy Spokesperson Poornima Rai said the United States is fully committed to freedom of expression and freedom of speech, and they stand behind The Daily Star and Prothom Alo.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has warned that no incidents of “mob violence” will be tolerated in the country under any circumstances. During the briefing, Salahuddin said: “Mob culture has ended in Bangladesh. Rallies and public gatherings can be held — democratic culture will continue — but highways cannot be blocked in the name of pressing demands. “Mob culture in pursuit of demands will not be tolerated.”Referring to the police force, the home minister said: “For many people, the ministry is synonymous with the police. The image that was previously damaged must be restored.”Sending a strong message about corruption within the ministry, the minister added: “We must build a totally corruption-free ministry.

The government has issued a gazette notification allocating ministries and divisions among the prime minister, ministers and state ministers. The information was confirmed in a notification issued by the Cabinet Division. According to the gazette, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has retained charge of the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces Division. Ministers ’ PortfoliosThe portfolios have been distributed among the ministers as follows:Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir — Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operativesAmir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury — Ministry of Finance and Ministry of PlanningSalahuddin Ahmed — Ministry of Home AffairsIqbal Hasan Mahmud — Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral ResourcesHafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram — Ministry of Liberation War AffairsAbu Zafar Md Jahid Hossain — Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Ministry of Social WelfareDr Khalilur Rahman — Ministry of Foreign AffairsAbdul Awal Mintoo — Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeKazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad — Ministry of Religious AffairsMizanur Rahman Minu — Ministry of LandNitai Roy Chowdhury — Ministry of Cultural AffairsKhandaker Abdul Muqtadir — Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Textiles and Jute, and Ministry of CommerceAriful Haque Chowdhury — Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas EmploymentZahid Uddin Swapan — Ministry of Information and BroadcastingMohammad Aminur Rashid — Ministry of Food, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and Ministry of AgricultureAfroza Khanam (Rita) — Ministry of Civil Aviation and TourismMd Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie — Ministry of Water ResourcesAsadul Habib Dulu — Ministry of Disaster Management and ReliefMd Asaduzzaman — Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary AffairsZakaria Taher — Ministry of Housing and Public WorksDipen Dewan — Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts AffairsA N M Ehsanul Haque Milon — Ministry of Education and Ministry of Primary and Mass EducationSardar Md Sakhawat Hossain — Ministry of Health and Family WelfareFakir Mahbub Anam — Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Ministry of Science and TechnologySheikh Rabiul Alam — Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Ministry of Railways and Ministry of ShippingState Ministers ’ PortfoliosThe portfolios of the state ministers are as follows:M Rashiduzzaman Millat — Ministry of Civil Aviation and TourismAnindya Islam Amit — Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral ResourcesMd Shariful Alam — Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries and Ministry of Textiles and JuteShama Obaed Islam — Ministry of Foreign AffairsSultan Salauddin Tuku — Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and Ministry of FoodBarrister Kaiser Kamal — Ministry of LandFarhad Hossain Azad — Ministry of Water ResourcesMd Aminul Haque — Ministry of Youth and SportsMir Mohammad Helal Uddin — Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts AffairsHabibur Rashid — Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Ministry of Railways and Ministry of ShippingMd Rajib Ahsan — Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Ministry of Railways and Ministry of ShippingMd Abdul Bari — Ministry of Public AdministrationMir Shahe Alam — Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operativesMd Jonayed Abdur Rahim Saki — Ministry of Finance and Ministry of PlanningIshraq Hossain — Ministry of Liberation War AffairsFarzana Sharmin — Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Ministry of Social WelfareSheikh Faridul Islam — Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeMd Nurul Haque — Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas EmploymentYaser Khan Chowdhury — Ministry of Information and BroadcastingM Iqbal Hossain — Ministry of Disaster Management and ReliefM A Muhith — Ministry of Health and Family WelfareAhmad Sohel Manjur — Ministry of Housing and Public WorksBobby Hajjaj — Ministry of Education and Ministry of Primary and Mass EducationAli Newaz Mahmud Khayem — Ministry of Cultural AffairsThe Cabinet Division said in the notification that the responsibilities have taken immediate effect following the publication of the gazette.

Newly appointed Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee on Wednesday sought prayers from the people, pledging to discharge his responsibility above party lines and in the interest of the nation. Speaking at the Secretariat at noon after assuming office on his first working day, Anee described the portfolio as a major responsibility. Minister Anee said the new government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, would work to carry out its duty effectively. Wednesday marked the first working day of the newly formed cabinet led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The first official meeting of the new cabinet is scheduled to be held later in the day, with the prime minister in the chair.

The Bangladesh 'A' women's cricket team continued their imperious form in the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, dismantling the Malaysia women's national team by 90 runs today. The victory secures a clean sweep for Bangladesh in the group stage, having won all three of their matches to finish as undisputed champions of Group B.Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh posted a commanding total of 151 for 7 in their 20 overs. With 6 points from 3 matches, Bangladesh 'A' have topped the group. They previously defeated Sri Lanka 'A' by 4 runs and edged past hosts Thailand by 3 wickets in a thriller. The opponent for India 'A' in the other semi-final will be decided by the match between Sri Lanka 'A' and Thailand.

An Indian professor has sparked ridicule after falsely suggesting a Chinese-made robot dog displayed at a major AI summit in New Delhi was developed by her university. The silver mechanical dog -- a model sold by Chinese startup Unitree -- appeared at a booth run by the private Galgotias University at this week’s AI Impact Summit. “This has been developed by the centers of excellence at the Galgotias University,” Singh said, touting the institution’s investments in artificial intelligence technology. Under fire for her comments, Singh told reporters on Wednesday that “things may not have been expressed clearly.”“I did not communicate it properly,” said Singh, a professor of communications. In the ongoing AI summit, Chinese robots are being displayed as our own,” the party wrote in a post on X.

State Minister for Agriculture Sultan Salauddin Tuku on Wednesday said priority will be given to the distribution of agriculture cards to ensure farmers receive government support properly. Speaking to reporters on his first working day at the Secretariat after assuming office, he said necessary steps will be taken in coordination with all relevant stakeholders to ensure proper and transparent distribution of the cards. He said public expectations from a democratic government are high and the ministry will work accordingly to deliver results. The state minister also said the responsibilities assigned by party leader Tarique Rahman will be carried out with sincerity and dedication. He added that administrative and technical measures will be taken to ensure the agriculture card programme is implemented effectively so that farmers can access government facilities and benefits smoothly.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at his ministry . Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) – Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today made a clarion call for increased work speed and heightened efficiency among ministry officials to attain national economic targets. "We have a significant amount of work ahead; we do not have time to waste," the Minister stated. The meeting was attended by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, along with other high-ranking ministry officials and various department heads. The session concluded with a collective commitment to meet the strategic mandates and efficiency targets outlined by the ministerial leadership.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would prefer to use his personal vehicle during his tenure instead of government provided ones,” BNP Chairman’s Press Secretary Salehh Shibly said. “He (PM) is at ease in his personal vehicle during his movement,” the press secretary said. “He, however, will use the national flag in his vehicle while attending state programmes and during visits of foreign guests,” he said. He said the prime minister also decided to hold most of cabinet meetings at Bangladesh Secretariat, where most ministers sit, instead of Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain has pledged strict action against market syndicates and those hoarding goods to spike prices during Ramadan. He announced on Wednesday on his verified Facebook page his zero-tolerance policy against those creating artificial crises and increasing prices of food, cooking oil, and essential commodities during Ramadan, bdnews24.com reports. I have declared war against all mafias,” he wrote in his post. He stated the fight against mafias would commence in his constituency and would be expanded nationwide if necessary. He concluded the post with a stark warning: the mafias' own kitchens will go cold if ordinary, low-income citizens are unable to afford their daily meals.

A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq in a corruption case over a flat in Gulshan. Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the order on Wednesday after taking cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Former RAJUK assistant legal advisor Sardar Mosharraf Hossain is also an suspect in the case. ACC Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam said the court issued the warrants as the suspects are absconding and fixed Mar 8 for submission of the arrest report. Tulip, a niece of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was earlier convicted in a separate plot corruption case in Bangladesh.

Reading time: about 6 minutesDisclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Wuthering Heights (2026). There is a fine line between love and obsession, and Wuthering Heights remains firmly in the latter category. Wuthering Heights takes place in the moors of England in the late 1700s at the titular estate, where young Catherine Earnshaw (Charlotte Mellington) lives with her father. Wuthering Heights exists as a series of artistic frames, as if the aforementioned themes were prompts for a piece of contemporary art. All that to say, Wuthering Heights was never meant to be the greatest love story of all time.

Rajshahi University observes Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Day and Teachers' Day honoring sacrifice and academic legacy. Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) - Shaheed Dr. Shamsuzzoha Day and Teachers' Day were observed at Rajshahi University today with due respect, commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of the country's first martyred intellectual, Shamsuzzoha. At 9:00 am, senior university officials led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Saleh Hasan Naqib placed floral wreaths at the grave of Shaheed Dr. Shamsuzzoha and at the Joha memorial plaque located at the university's main gate. On February 18, 1969, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry and then Proctor of the university, Dr. Shamsuzzoha, was martyred by gunfire from Pakistani occupation forces. In his memory, the university has been observing the day as Teachers' Day every year.