The Chamber Court of the Appellate Division on Monday stayed a High Court order that had directed government and private lower secondary and secondary schools to remain closed throughout the month of Ramadan. The order was passed by the Chamber Judge Court of the Appellate Division led by Justice Farah Mahbub after hearing a petition filed against the HC directive. The court also issued a separate rule questioning the legality of a notification issued by the Education Ministry regarding the closure of madrasas and lower secondary schools. Therefore, it argued, the government’s “controversial” decision to keep primary and secondary schools open during Ramadan was unconstitutional. The notice requested that schools remain closed during Ramadan.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, who contested the 13th National Parliamentary Election from Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6, has decided to vacate the Bogra-6 constituency. Senior Secretary of the EC, Akhtar Ahmed, confirmed the matter on Monday, saying, “We have received a letter from BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman relinquishing the Bogra-6 seat. If no choice is communicated, the EC may retain one seat and declare the others vacant. In the February 12 election, Tarique won Dhaka-17 with 72,699 votes, defeating Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate SM Khaliduzzaman, who received 68,300 votes—a margin of 4,399 votes. In Bogra-6, he secured a victory with 216,284 votes, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abidur Rahman Sohel, who received 97,626 votes.

Weather Alert...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog. * WHERE...Portions of north and central Texas. * WHEN...Until 10 AM CST this morning. * IMPACTS...Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous. If driving, slow down, use your low beam headlights, and leave plenty of distance between you and others.

General Daily Insight for February 16, 2026 Keeping an open mind could be crucial today. When the energetic Sun clashes with unpredictable Uranus, plans are likely to wobble, pushing us to adapt expectations and stretch comfort zones. Private insights can give you direction as clever Mercury in your 12th House of Secrets trines lucky Jupiter in your 4th House of Home. Cancer June 21 – July 22 Your confidence can grow as you take inventory of what’s gone right lately. Beyond the blow to your ego, however, your new path forward is likely to have its practical and logistical advantages.

There is some reason to be optimistic about the RMG industry; in 2025, apparel exports to the European Union rose nearly 6% year-on-year, reaching €19.41 billion. Supporting the RMG sector is essential of course, but it is simultaneously important to recognize that support cannot mean dependence. The industry needs policy measures that stabilize export earnings -- investments in worker skills, technological upgrades, and diversification into higher-value products. While the RMG sector has carried the nation for decades, the next chapter must be about shared strength. The RMG sector will remain the primary pillar, but it cannot be the only one.

The government has appointed Nasimul Gani as the new cabinet secretary. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Monday regarding this matter. Before his appointment, Nasimul Gani was serving as the senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier on Saturday, the government cancelled the remaining tenure of the contractual appointment of former Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid. Officials said the cancellation was made following an application submitted by Abdur Rashid.

French superstar Kylian Mbappe is poised to return for Real Madrid's Champions League play-off clash at Benfica on Tuesday after resting at the weekend. Mbappe struck twice for Madrid in that match and is the Champions League top marksman with 13 goals. With Mbappe an unused substitute against Real Sociedad on Saturday because of knee discomfort, Vinicius shone as Arbeloa's team ran out comfortable 4-1 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu. As Madrid's key attacker against La Real and operating in plenty of space, Vinicius put his stamp on the game. Madrid's Galactico gamble between 2000-2006 ended badly, with superstars including Luis Figo, David Beckham and Ronaldo winning limited silverware with the club.

Chief of Army Staff Waker-Uz-Zaman on Monday paid a farewell call on Chief Adviser of the interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus. The courtesy meeting was held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, where they exchanged greetings and briefly discussed a range of issues related to the army chief’s tenure. During the meeting, the chief adviser expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Bangladesh Army for its support, particularly during the national parliamentary election.

Public entry to the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar has been temporarily suspended ahead of a visit by the newly elected prime minister, Tarique Rahman, and members of the new cabinet to pay tribute to the Liberation War martyrs. Authorities said the restriction has been in place since Sunday as preparations are underway at the memorial premises. “The prime minister and the cabinet will come to pay tribute to the brave sons of the nation. For this reason, public entry to the memorial premises has been restricted,” he said. Cleaning and maintenance work is currently ongoing at the memorial, while additional security measures have been put in place ahead of the high-level visit.

The BNP, which secured a massive victory in the 13th parliamentary election, has convened a meeting of its parliamentary party on Tuesday. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said the meeting will be held at 11:30am at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban after the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected members of parliament (MPs). “The parliamentary party meeting will be held following the swearing-in of the BNP’s elected MPs,” he said, adding that the parliamentary party meeting will elect the Leader of the House. “As the leader of the majority party, our party chairman Tarique Rahman will become the Prime Minister, Insha’Allah,” Salahuddin added. BNP won 209 out of 297 seats in the parliamentary elections held on Thursday.

Thirty-seven houses have been prepared for the ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers of the incoming government, said Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan on Monday. The adviser said the government has so far readied 37 houses for the incoming cabinet members. The residences are located on Minto Road, Hare Road, Dhanmondi and Gulshan areas. Adilur said some of these houses are currently occupied by members of the current Council of Advisers. Regarding the incoming Prime Minister’s residence, he said, “It will be arranged according to their preferences.

A delegation of the National Citizens Party (NCP), led by its Convener Nahid Islam, will visit the state guest house Jamuna at 6pm on Monday to sign the July Charter. The July National Charter 2025 was signed on October 17 last year at the South Plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka, amid boycott by several political parties, including NCP. The charter was signed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, members of the National Consensus Commission and leaders of different political parties. Besides the NCP, the ceremony was boycotted by the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) and the Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad). In October last year, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said the party would sign the July Charter only after receiving assurances that it would be implemented through an official order and a referendum.

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We can only agree with the words of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman which he delivered in the immediate aftermath of the election victory where he stated what must be the new government’s foremost priority: Law and order. Law and order is not simply about preventing crime but about creating an environment where rights are respected, dissent is tolerated, and progress is possible. While there were unquestionable improvements during the tenure of the interim government, it is also undeniable that citizens witnessed lapses in law enforcement that eroded public trust. The new administration must therefore begin by restoring confidence in the rule of law. The promise of a “safe and humane” nation as articulated by the BNP chairperson will remain far from reach unless we see consistent, transparent governance.

First, union parishad committees need to be revived with real representation. These councils would not be merely symbolic; the elected student representatives could sit on union parishad committees, monitor service delivery, and bridge the gap between citizens and local officials. Without depoliticizing local governance, transparency will remain elusive. Reforming union parishads requires political will, civil society engagement, and above all, a commitment to make governance transparent, inclusive, and fair. If reformed with inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, union parishads could rebuild trust in governance and empower citizens to take ownership of their future.