Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has directed police and other law enforcement agencies to quickly fulfill public expectations by gaining the trust of the people, emphasizing democratic reforms and institutional restructuring as top priorities. "The disciplined forces, including the police, must earn public trust by meeting the aspirations of the people," he said. Democratic reforms in various law enforcement agencies, including the police, must be prioritized in line with public expectations," he said. The minister stressed the need for a comprehensive and timely development plan for police and other law enforcement agencies.

Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, chaired an inter-ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Secretariat in Dhaka today to finalize the action plan for launching the Family Card. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - An inter-ministerial meeting was held today on finalizing the action plan to launch the 'family card' as per the election pledge of the BNP government. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat here this morning. Ministers and state ministers of the concerned ministries were present at the meeting.

The Student Assembly considered 14 resolutions, many of which criticized internal policy. Throughout the meeting, representatives expressed their grievances with the Assembly’s internal operations, including a lack of Assembly Executive Cabinet meetings — the last of which occurred in October. According to the Student Assembly Bylaws, Executive Vice President Christian Flournoy ’27 is tasked with meeting with committee chairs each month. Chaudhuri expressed frustration over poor communication within the Assembly and a lack of participation, pointing to the small number of resolutions introduced by Assembly members. Resolution 39: “Rebranding the Student Assembly to the Cornell Student Senate,” presented by Chaudhuri, argued that the Student Assembly’s abbreviation to S.A. has negative connotations.

King of Drag is coming back, and a shot at that crown is now officially up for grabs. Revry, the world’s first LGBTQ+ streaming network, has announced that its groundbreaking reality competition series had will return for a second season later this year, with casting applications officially opening February 17. “We could not hope for a better partner to join us in unleashing a new group of supremely talented drag kings onto the world stage.”Since its debut last May, King of Drag has received considerable audience and industry attention, surpassing 32 million views to date. “King of Drag is giving this art form the global spotlight it’s always deserved,” said Damian Pelliccione, Revry’s Co-Founder and CEO, who also serves on the show’s “Kings’ Court” judging panel. We’re building Season 2 for them, and for a new batch of drag kings ready to share their talent with viewers everywhere.

To secure the next phase of development, Bangladesh needs coordinated fiscal and monetary policy -- anchored by a strong, disciplined banking system and a transparent, development-oriented capital market. If we consider our present position, we are at a stage where fiscal policy continues to prioritize infrastructure and social spending. Beyond these, our banking sector has been grappling with multiple structural weaknesses for a considerable period of time. A disciplined banking sector improves credit allocation at the firm level while strengthening financial stability at the national level. Coordinated fiscal and monetary policy -- supported by disciplined banking and strong capital markets -- is not a theoretical framework.

As the new Bangladesh government begins their journey, following the recent national election and oath-taking ceremonies, the composition of the cabinet announced on Tuesday has drawn considerable public attention and debate. Whether this approach will translate into effective administration remains to be seen, but it is a hopeful step toward engaging fresh energy in public service. As these leaders take on their responsibilities, the hope of the nation is clear: That each cabinet member will carry out their duties with integrity, competence, and a deep commitment to the public good. A capable, forward-looking cabinet can help navigate the complex challenges ahead, and build confidence in the government’s ability to deliver meaningful progress for the nation. Let this be a moment of optimism and collective resolve, as Bangladesh looks forward to a period of responsible governance.

Ramadan begins once again today -- a month that holds deep spiritual meaning for millions of Muslims across Bangladesh and, indeed, the world. This holy month represents more than just fasting; it is in fact a time for reflection, restraint, and renewed moral clarity. The fast from dawn to dusk is meant to deepen awareness of the struggles of the less fortunate and to inspire acts of charity and compassion. Yet, all too often, we have witnessed the spiritual sanctity of the month being overshadowed by familiar challenges -- primarily, the rise in prices of essential commodities. We wish our readers observing the holy month a blessed Ramadan that brings spiritual elevation, compassion, and ease for all.

The very fact of calling a referendum alongside the election by the interim Yunus regime was flawed. The referendum proposal placed before Bangladesh’s people did not meet such criteria. Or travel back to France in April 1969, when a referendum proposal President Charles de Gaulle placed before his people met with a decisive “no.” De Gaulle resigned. No constitution in a parliamentary system recommends that an individual not occupy the office of prime minister for more than two terms. It must be said that those behind the referendum proposal, unhappy with the present constitution and believing that the August 2024 political changeover was a revolution, were obsessed with thoughts of a change in the nomenclature of the republic.

The era demands a new doctrine: Policy must endure, politics may fluctuate. These achievements were not the result of political slogans, they were the result of policy continuity, even when political rhetoric oscillated. Intra-regional trade in South Asia is less than 6% of its total trade volume. South Asia’s future belongs to alliances that deliver prosperity, resist division, protect citizens, coordinate policy, and elevate youth aspirations. It is time for policymakers, journalists, educators, entrepreneurs, and citizens to recognize a simple truth: Politics is temporary, policy must be permanent.

The government will provide protein-rich food at subsidised prices to around 1 million low-income families across the country during the holy month of Ramadan, said State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku on Thursday. He said all concerned must work with honesty and dedication to fulfil the commitments made by the prime minister to the nation. The state minister noted that during Ramadan, some unscrupulous traders hike prices of essential commodities, increasing hardships for low-income people. He said such government initiatives would help ease their suffering and there are plans to expand the programme further in the future. The programme was chaired by Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Md Abu Sufian.

A man was killed and another injured when a truck crashed into the back of a parked truck on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway in Srinagar upazila of Munshiganj early Thursday. The deceased was identified as truck driver Shawkat Bepari, 23, son of Dabir Bepari of Kazirhat area under Zajira upazila in Shariatpur district. On information, members of the Srinagar Fire Station rushed to the spot and rescued the trapped helper using hydraulic equipment. The injured were taken by Fire Service ambulance to Srinagar Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared Shawkat Bepari dead. Muhammad Shafiqul Islam, deputy assistant director of Munshiganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, said traffic on the expressway remained suspended for about an hour following the accident but has since returned to normal.

Recently, the International Crisis Group published a report emphasizing what needs to be done to restore balance in our bilateral relations. The report notes that the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government has led to a deterioration in Dhaka-New Delhi ties. Sheikh Hasina’s victory in the December 2008 election created what New Delhi has often described as a “golden chapter” in bilateral relations. This approach has negatively affected both Bangladesh’s domestic politics and the long-term sustainability of bilateral relations. At the same time, people-to-people and economic linkages must be expanded so that bilateral relations are insulated from political transitions.

Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country for the next 24 hours commencing from 9am on Thursday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged while day temperature may rise slightly over the country, it said. The highest temperature recorded on Wednesday was 35.0°C in Rangamati, while Thursday's lowest temperature was 11.5°C in Tetulia. Rainfall is not likely as weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country. Wind direction and speed at Dhaka is north-northwesterly at 6-12 kilometres per hour, while the relative humidity recorded at 6am in Dhaka was 87%.

Nasir Uddin Nasir , general secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, has called for vigilance and unity to prevent the political rise of forces opposed to the ideals of the Liberation War. He made the remarks at a program held at the TSC of Dhaka University on Thursday. Nasir said everyone must remain alert and united to resist the political resurgence of anti -l iberation forces . He warned that such groups have recently secured a notable share of votes in elections, describing it as a warning sign for the future. He claimed that forces opposed to independence are signalling their presence through votes in various elections.

The chiefs of the three services paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Thursday. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met the prime minister at his office. The prime minister arrived at his Secretariat office in the morning for his second day of official work. After reaching the office, he held a meeting with the three service chiefs. Earlier in the morning, Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani and Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar received the Prime Minister at the Secretariat.