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.

February 19, 2026 17:26 UTC

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.

February 19, 2026 17:26 UTC

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.

February 19, 2026 17:24 UTC

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.

February 19, 2026 17:11 UTC

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February 19, 2026 17:03 UTC





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February 19, 2026 16:35 UTC

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.

February 19, 2026 15:45 UTC

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.

February 19, 2026 15:41 UTC

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."

February 19, 2026 15:39 UTC

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.

February 19, 2026 15:05 UTC

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.

February 19, 2026 15:02 UTC

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.

February 19, 2026 14:57 UTC

Agro products will be exported on industrial scale within next year: ministerDHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS)- Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid today said agricultural products will be exported on an industrial scale within the next year. The minister said this while exchanging greetings with senior officials of the agriculture ministry at its conference room. Rashid said the agricultural sector will be reorganized and modernized through proper planning attaching priority on this sector to strengthen the national economy. He said the government plans to reduce the import of agricultural products and increase their export within the next year. Earlier, officials and employees of the agriculture ministry greeted the newly appointed minister and state minister with bouquet.

February 19, 2026 14:48 UTC

Photo : BSSDHAKA Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - In a sweeping five-day nationwide crackdown, the River Police seized a massive quantity of banned fishing nets and arrested 64 individuals in operations aimed at protecting the country’s fisheries resources and ensuring safety on waterways. According to a press release, the River Police recovered a staggering 2,13,34,330 meters of illegal fishing nets during coordinated drives across multiple rivers and coastal areas. Alongside the nets, authorities seized 2,409 kilograms of fish and 300 kilograms of jellied shrimps. Officials stated that the seized illegal nets and jellied shrimps were destroyed in accordance with regulations. The River Police reaffirmed their commitment to continuing such operations to safeguard fisheries resources, prevent illegal activities on waterways, and maintain law and order across the country’s river systems.

February 19, 2026 14:47 UTC

Six players advance to third roundDHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS)- Six players advanced to the third round beating their respective opponents in the Spectrum Bangladesh National Cup Chess held at the Chess Federation hall-room today (Wednesday). They are International Master (IM) Manon Reja Neer, FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia, FIDE Master Subrota Biswas, International Master Md. Minhaz Uddin and FIDE Master Mohammad Javed. In the days second round matches, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman defeated Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, IM Manon Reja Neer defeated Ananta Choudhury, FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia beat Candidate Master Md. Masum Hossain, FIDE Master Subrota Biswas beat Candidate Master Sohel Chowdhury and IM Md.

February 19, 2026 14:40 UTC