A mobile court led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shaikha Sultana conducted a special raid in Bashkandi Union of Shibchar upazila, Madaripur, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Acting on a tip-off, the team discovered a large quantity of counterfeit and adulterated goods inside a factory located in the house of Kalam Bepari. Two individuals, factory owner Ramzan Bepari (20) and fake cigarette seller Rasel Molla (30), were detained during the operation.

Following the raid, the court sentenced Ramzan Bepari to one month in jail and Rasel Molla to seven days. Approximately Tk 700,000 worth of adulterated food items, soft drinks, fake cigarettes, and raw materials were seized and destroyed on-site. Some confiscated products were publicly burned at the Shibchar municipal bus terminal to raise awareness among residents.

Executive Magistrate Shaikha Sultana stated that such operations would continue in Shibchar to protect public health and prevent the sale or production of harmful adulterated goods.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran that it would face consequences if it failed to reach an agreement in the upcoming talks. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington, Trump said he would be indirectly involved in the discussions and cautioned that Iran would not want to face the outcome of refusing a deal. The meeting between the United States and Iran is scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, mediated by Oman.

The talks come after months of heightened tensions following Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests and its firm stance on its nuclear program. The United States and several European countries have expressed concern that Iran’s nuclear activities could be aimed at developing weapons, an allegation Tehran continues to deny. Washington has also sought to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for armed groups in the Middle East in the negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that the U.S. position on the nuclear issue had become more realistic. A previous attempt at dialogue collapsed after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, sparking a 12-day war that later saw U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

BNP lawmakers have not taken the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, according to a report published on February 17, 2026. The party stated that a decision on the matter will be made after the parliamentary session begins. Before taking their oath as MPs, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated the party’s stance near the Parliament complex on Tuesday morning.

Salahuddin Ahmed explained that the Chief Election Commissioner holds the constitutional authority to administer the oath to members of the 13th Parliament. However, he noted that it has not yet been determined who will administer the oath to members of the Constitutional Reform Council. He added that constitutional amendments and related matters must be settled before such an oath can take place.

He further clarified that if the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is unavailable or unable to perform the duty, the Chief Election Commissioner may administer the oath. The BNP maintains that the issue will be reconsidered once the parliamentary session is underway.

The trial of seven accused, including suspended Awami League general secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader, begins today in connection with alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising killings. The proceedings are being held at Tribunal-2, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with two other judges, retired district judge Md Manjurul Basid and district judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. The tribunal is scheduled to hear opening statements and record the first witness testimony.

Formal charges were framed on January 22, and the tribunal set February 17 for the trial’s opening. All accused are absconding, including Awami League joint general secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain, and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. The prosecution previously detailed individual responsibilities, while defense lawyers denied involvement and sought dismissal of charges.

Law enforcement failed to locate the accused after arrest warrants were issued, leading the tribunal to appoint state defense lawyers and publish notices in newspapers. The formal complaint was filed on December 18 last year.

Members of Parliament from the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance have insisted on taking two oaths—one as MPs and another as members of the Constitutional Reform Council—before assuming office. They have declared that they will not take the parliamentary oath unless both are administered. The issue has created procedural complications within the parliament building, where representatives from the BNP, Jamaat, and the outgoing government are holding discussions to resolve the impasse. The swearing-in of Jamaat MPs is scheduled for noon.

BNP MPs, led by Tarique Rahman, took their parliamentary oath earlier at 10:40 a.m. but did not take the oath for the Constitutional Reform Council. Jamaat MPs, including Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, are currently present in the parliament building awaiting a decision. The situation has drawn attention as the new parliamentary session faces delays due to the dispute over the dual oath demand.

If the issue remains unresolved, the start of parliamentary activities could be further delayed, depending on the outcome of ongoing discussions among the political groups involved.

BNP’s newly elected members of the 13th National Parliament took their oaths on Tuesday morning at the Parliament Building, administered by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. Following the ceremony, the party held a parliamentary meeting where Tarique Rahman was elected as the parliamentary party leader. The BNP members did not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.

Later in the day, at 4 p.m., the cabinet is scheduled to take oath at the South Plaza of the Parliament Building. After the party’s landslide victory in the February 12 election, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to be sworn in as the new Prime Minister. This marks the party’s return to power for the sixth time after nearly two decades without democratic governance. Tarique Rahman, who previously played a key role in BNP’s 2001 victory, is credited as the architect of this electoral success.

BNP won 209 parliamentary seats, though one seat was vacated following Rahman’s resignation from Bogura-6, and two others remain pending due to court cases. The party may include allied MPs as state ministers in the new cabinet.

Newly elected members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took their oaths on Tuesday morning at the parliament building’s oath room, administered by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. The ceremony followed the party’s landslide victory in the 13th national parliamentary election. However, BNP lawmakers did not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. Later in the day, at 4 p.m., the cabinet will be sworn in at the South Plaza of the parliament, where BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as the new Prime Minister.

The BNP is returning to power for the sixth time after nearly two decades of what the report described as a democracy-free period. The February 12 election saw the party win two-thirds of the seats, marking a historic victory. Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is credited as the architect of this electoral success, echoing his role in the 2001 landslide. A total of 209 BNP MPs were elected, though one seat was vacated and two others remain pending due to legal issues.

BNP’s parliamentary meeting is expected to finalize leadership roles, including deputy leader, chief whip, and six whips, while coalition partners may be invited to join the cabinet as state ministers.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva to attend the second round of high-level nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026. US President Donald Trump said he would be ‘indirectly’ involved in the discussions, describing them as highly important and expressing belief that Iran was interested in reaching an agreement. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi is again serving as mediator.

In the first round of talks, held under Omani mediation, Tehran pledged to reduce uranium enrichment by 60 percent. Araghchi stated that Iran came to the second round with practical proposals aimed at achieving a ‘fair and balanced’ agreement. On the US side, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to participate, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that reaching a deal would not be easy despite diplomatic opportunities.

Ahead of the meeting, Iran reiterated that no agreement would be possible without easing sanctions and rejected any demand for zero uranium enrichment, insisting that any deal must be based on mutual concessions.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which won the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has called a parliamentary party meeting following the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Parliament Building, according to BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, who announced the plan on Tuesday morning.

Ahmed stated that the meeting will elect the leader of the parliamentary party. As the leader of the majority party, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to become the Prime Minister. The announcement follows the completion of the 13th National Election and referendum held on February 12, with the Election Commission publishing the gazette of 297 winners out of 299 constituencies the following day.

The meeting marks the first formal gathering of BNP’s parliamentary team after the election, signaling the beginning of the party’s organizational activities in the new parliament.

A leak has developed in the rubber dam built on the Chilai River in Boglabazar Union of Doarabazar upazila, Sunamganj. The rupture in the dam’s rubber bag has caused water to escape, preventing water retention upstream. As a result, irrigation across about 1,200 hectares of Boro farmland has been severely disrupted, leaving hundreds of farming families in Bogla and Banglabazar unions deeply concerned about their crops.

Local farmers reported that falling water levels have rendered irrigation pumps ineffective, causing farmland to crack due to lack of moisture. They have urged authorities to urgently repair the damaged rubber bag to restore normal irrigation. Boglabazar Union Parishad Chairman Mohammad Milon Khan said the leakage has put 1,200 hectares of farmland at risk and that he has contacted the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) for immediate repair. BADC’s Assistant Engineer for irrigation, Kazi Hosne Ar Rafi, confirmed that the issue is under their attention and that repair work will begin soon.

The damaged dam poses a serious threat to the ongoing Boro season, with potential impacts on local food production and farmers’ livelihoods if repairs are delayed.

Female tea workers in Sylhet continue to face deprivation and hardship despite their crucial role in Bangladesh’s tea industry. According to a report from Nabiganj, these women work long hours plucking tea leaves but earn only Tk 75 a day, far below their demand for Tk 250–300. Many live in poverty, lacking access to education, healthcare, housing, clean water, and sanitation. Their daily meals are meager, and they often struggle to feed their families.

The report highlights that tea workers’ wages have increased only marginally over the years—from Tk 32 in 2007 to Tk 75 at present. Elderly workers receive limited annual food aid worth Tk 5,000 from the Ministry of Social Welfare, achieved after repeated protests. Workers like Onika Rani, who has labored in the Bhaban Tea Garden since age 15, describe severe financial strain and limited educational opportunities for their children.

Bhaban Tea Garden manager Binoy Chandra Barma acknowledged the lack of schools, hospitals, and safe water but said the authorities plan to build such facilities. Despite these assurances, the workers’ living conditions remain dire.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began a series of military exercises on Monday in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to the country’s state media. The drills are being conducted under the supervision of the IRGC’s top commander and involve naval forces operating in the key Gulf waterway.

The report from Tehran, citing AFP, noted that the exercises follow the recent deployment of a large U.S. naval fleet in the Gulf region. Iranian state television said the maneuvers are intended to strengthen regional security, reflecting Tehran’s position that the drills are defensive in nature.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime route for global energy shipments, and the timing of the IRGC’s exercises suggests heightened military activity in the area following increased U.S. presence.

BNP has decided that its elected Members of Parliament will not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council at this stage. The party will reconsider the matter after the parliamentary session begins. The announcement was made on Tuesday morning near the Parliament complex by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, who outlined the party’s official position.

Salahuddin explained that the Chief Election Commissioner holds the constitutional authority to administer oaths to newly elected MPs of the 13th Parliament. However, it has not yet been determined who will administer the oath for members of the Constitutional Reform Council. He further stated that constitutional mandates exist for both the national parliamentary and presidential elections, and the Election Commission is constitutionally responsible for the parliamentary process.

He added that if the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is unavailable or unable to perform the duty, the Chief Election Commissioner may serve as an alternative to administer the oath. Salahuddin noted that the oath for the Constitutional Reform Council can only proceed after certain constitutional amendments and related matters are finalized.

In the 13th national election, the Jatiya Party faced a sweeping defeat in its traditional stronghold of Rangpur, losing deposits in all five constituencies where it fielded candidates. The party’s nomination for Rangpur-1 was canceled due to dual citizenship, leaving it to contest in Rangpur-2 through Rangpur-6. Despite extensive campaigning, all candidates, including party chairman GM Quader in Rangpur-3, failed to secure sufficient votes to retain their deposits.

In Rangpur-2, former MP Anisul Islam Mandal received 33,930 votes, while GM Quader obtained 43,790 votes out of 500,000 in Rangpur-3. Other candidates—Mahbubur Rahman in Rangpur-4, Fakhruzzaman Jahangir in Rangpur-5, and Nur Alam Jadu Mia in Rangpur-6—also lost their deposits, with the latter receiving only 1,200 votes. A presidium member admitted they had expected support from Awami League voters but were shocked by the poor results.

Student leader Ahmed Al Saba Osmani commented that Rangpur voters rejected the Jatiya Party for aligning with the Awami League, declaring the party politically finished in the region.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was on his way to the National Parliament building on Tuesday morning to take his oath as a newly elected Member of Parliament. He left his residence in Gulshan around 9:45 a.m. for the ceremony. The oath-taking is being conducted by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Parliament Secretariat’s oath-taking chamber, beginning at 10 a.m. on February 17, 2026.

According to a letter signed by Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and sent to the Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat on Monday, the CEC will administer the oath to the members elected to the 13th National Parliament and the members of the Constitution Reform Council. The BNP parliamentary party also scheduled a meeting at 11:30 a.m. following the ceremony.

BNP MPs, under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, took their oaths, though the party’s MPs did not participate in the Constitution Reform Council’s oath-taking process.