RAB-12 in Bogura has uncovered a new method of drug trafficking where narcotic Phensedyl is being sold under different names and packaging resembling cough syrup. On Sunday, the force seized bottles labeled Eskaf, MKDyl, and Fairdyl during a highway search in Shahjahanpur’s Noymail area. Two suspects from Lalmonirhat were arrested while transporting the consignment on a passenger bus bound for Dhaka. Separate cases have been filed under the Narcotics Control Act.

According to RAB-12 company commander Firoz Ahmed ATC, the liquid content of these syrups remains the same as Phensedyl, but traffickers are exploiting new branding to evade detection. Recent raids in Adamdighi and Sonatala upazilas also led to the recovery of similar bottles and the arrest of multiple individuals, including a mother and son involved in the trade. Women have also been found participating in the smuggling network.

The first discovery of Eskaf-branded Phensedyl occurred in October last year near TMSS Medical College Hospital in Bogura. Authorities say the trend of rebranding narcotic syrups is spreading into rural areas, prompting continued anti-drug operations.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the army will return to its barracks after the new government takes oath following the 13th National Parliamentary Election. He made the statement on Sunday at 11 a.m. during the ‘CAS Darbar’, addressing army personnel of all ranks. Members serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions also joined the event virtually.

The Army Chief emphasized that the force has been performing its duties with full respect for the Constitution and the civilian administration. He said the army would return to normal duties once the new government assumes office but would continue to assist the police as needed until law and order is fully under control. He urged all army members to maintain patience, restraint, and professionalism.

General Waker-Uz-Zaman praised the professionalism, discipline, and responsibility shown by army members during election duties, noting that their performance during a sensitive period had strengthened public confidence in the armed forces.

Speculation spread on Sunday that Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam had resigned from his post. However, when contacted by the newspaper Amar Desh in the afternoon, Alam himself confirmed that he had not resigned. The clarification came after unverified reports circulated suggesting his departure from the position.

Baharul Alam was appointed as IGP on November 21, 2024, replacing outgoing IGP Md Moinul Islam. The government appointed him on a two-year contractual basis. Alam began his police career on January 21, 1986, as an Assistant Superintendent of Police from the 1984 BCS (Police) batch. He has served as head of the Special Branch and as Additional IGP at Police Headquarters. His international experience includes serving as a senior police liaison officer at the UN headquarters from 2009 to 2013 and as a senior police adviser in the UN peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan in 2015.

He retired from regular service in 2020 before being appointed to his current role. No further official statement was issued regarding the rumors.

The Israeli government has approved a proposal to register extensive areas of the occupied West Bank as state property, marking the first such decision since Israel’s 1967 occupation of the territory, according to the country’s public broadcaster Kan, as reported by Anadolu Agency. The proposal was introduced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defense Minister Israel Katz. If implemented, the lands in question will be formally recorded as Israeli state-owned property.

The move is expected to accelerate settlement expansion in the West Bank and further complicate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian groups and human rights organizations have long opposed such initiatives, viewing them as violations of international law and obstacles to peace.

Many countries in the international community consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. Observers suggest that this decision could trigger renewed diplomatic backlash against Israel’s policies in the occupied territories.

Mohammad Shamsuddin, convener of Nagorik Parishad, stated that the Muslim League freed people from the suffering of Hyderabad and Kashmir. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking the 120th anniversary of the Muslim League’s founding, held at Hadi Chattar in Shahbagh, Dhaka. The event was organized by World Muslim Mohajir Rights and chaired by its chairman Abdul Wahed.

Other speakers included Nawab Salimullah Academy chairman Abdul Jabbar, advocate Mostafa Jamal Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Musalli Committee president Amir Ali Howlader, Muslim League Standing Committee member Abdul Hannan Nur, AB Party leader and Professional Council general secretary Mahbub Shamim, and student leader Shawon. Shamsuddin also criticized political figures he described as fascist and questioned their legitimacy, urging resistance against those he accused of betraying the sacrifices of August 5.

Speakers at the event called for justice for the killers of Shaheed Osman Hadi and demanded the return of those accused of killing July fighters to face trial in Bangladesh.

The interim government of Bangladesh has declared itself 90 percent successful in fulfilling its responsibilities, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Speaking at a briefing following an advisory council meeting chaired by Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Tejgaon, he said the government’s main goals were reform, stability, and good governance. The meeting also adopted a motion of thanks for the peaceful and festive completion of the national election and referendum.

The press secretary detailed that the government took charge amid a fragile economy and instability but restored peace and order. He cited improvements in economic indicators, including a rise in foreign reserves to 29 billion dollars and stabilization of the exchange rate. The government repealed a controversial power sector law, introduced energy reforms, and reported positive revenue growth. Food reserves were said to be at their highest, ensuring six months of import coverage.

He further noted progress in foreign relations, including reciprocal tariff and economic partnership agreements with the United States and Japan. The government also claimed advances in law and order, asserting no enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings in the past 18 months and full media freedom.

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims across the country to observe the new moon of Ramadan on Tuesday evening, February 17. According to the official Umm al-Qura Hijri calendar, that date corresponds to the 29th of Sha’ban. The court’s statement instructed anyone who sights the crescent, either with the naked eye or through binoculars, to report their testimony to the nearest court or relevant observation center. It also encouraged capable observers to join regional committees formed for this purpose.

The court described the moon-sighting effort as a virtuous act of religious significance that benefits the entire Muslim community. Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, the International Astronomical Center issued a warning to residents awaiting Ramadan, cautioning that attempting to view the moon on February 17 could be “dangerous for the eyes.”

An official from the center explained that the moon will be positioned very close to the sun that day, coinciding with a solar eclipse. Viewing the sun through telescopes or binoculars without proper protection could cause temporary or permanent vision damage.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the interim government took charge amid a fragile economy and instability, describing the situation on August 5 as nearly wartime. Speaking at a press briefing after the final meeting of the Advisory Council at the Foreign Service Academy, he claimed the government had achieved 90 percent success in fulfilling its responsibilities. He highlighted reforms, stability, and good governance as the administration’s top priorities.

Alam said the government repealed a controversial power sector law within a week to curb crony capitalism and wasteful spending. He reported improvements in economic indicators, noting foreign reserves had risen to 29 billion dollars, with a total of 34 billion, and the exchange rate stabilized at 123–124 taka per dollar. He also cited strong revenue growth, record food reserves, and new trade agreements with the United States and Japan. He added that no enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings occurred in the past 18 months, and the media operated freely.

He concluded that through reform and stability, the government had successfully steered the country back on the right path.

India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government led by BNP Chairperson Tareq Rahman. The event will be held soon, with several heads of state invited to participate. India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend due to prior international commitments, and Birla will represent India at the ceremony.

According to the official statement, Birla’s participation reflects the enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh and underscores India’s commitment to shared democratic values. The Indian government welcomed the return of an elected government in Bangladesh under Tareq Rahman’s leadership, describing his vision and values as having received broad public support.

The announcement highlights India’s emphasis on historical, cultural, and mutual respect-based ties with Bangladesh, signaling continued diplomatic engagement between the two neighboring nations.

Dhaka University sociology professor A K M Jamal Uddin and four others were detained by Dhanmondi police on Sunday, February 15, 2026, after a commotion broke out at Dhanmondi 32. The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. when the professor arrived at the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to pay tribute. Police took him and others into custody following the disturbance.

Earlier that day, Professor Jamal Uddin had announced on his Facebook account that he would visit the historic residence at 4 p.m. to offer tears and tributes to the Father of the Nation, inviting others to join him. A video circulating on social media later showed him being escorted away by police after the situation escalated at the site.

The report did not specify the reasons behind the commotion or the current status of those detained.

Dhaka University has revised the 2024 honours third-year examination schedule for its seven affiliated government colleges in the capital. The change was announced on Sunday, February 15, in a notice issued by Acting Controller of Examinations Himadri Shekhar Chakraborty. The revision followed recommendations from the interim administrator of the seven colleges and the principal of Dhaka College.

According to the notice, the previously scheduled February 15 examination will now be held on Saturday, February 28, starting at 10:30 a.m. Additionally, due to the holy month of Ramadan, all ongoing examinations from February 19 onward will begin at 10:30 a.m. instead of the earlier scheduled time. The new timing applies to both the 2024 honours third-year and master’s final examinations.

Earlier, students had requested a postponement of the February 15 exam, citing difficulties returning to Dhaka from different parts of the country after the election holidays. The seven colleges under Dhaka University include Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Mohila College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College.

The U.S.-based social media platform X has removed blue verification badges from several senior Iranian officials’ accounts following allegations that it provided paid services to individuals under U.S. sanctions. The action came after a report by the Tech Transparency Project claimed that X’s paid subscription service, X Premium, was available to sanctioned Iranian figures.

Among those whose verification was revoked are Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. Under U.S. sanctions law, American companies are prohibited from conducting business with certain individuals and entities. X has not issued any official comment on the matter.

The platform, owned by Elon Musk, had previously faced criticism for altering the design of the Iranian flag emoji on its web platform during protests in Iran, replacing the Islamic Republic emblem with the older “lion and sun” symbol associated with monarchist groups.

Newly elected Member of Parliament ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan of Lakshmipur-4 has announced a strict position to uphold party discipline and ensure public safety following allegations of violence and extortion in Ramgati. Two separate cases were filed on Saturday night against 26 BNP activists accused of using political influence to commit acts of violence, extortion, and armed demonstrations. Police have already arrested two suspects, Miraj and Riaz, and continue operations to detain others.

According to the case reports, on February 13 and 14, groups of BNP and affiliated organization members allegedly carried out armed processions and demanded large sums of money from business owners and brick kiln operators in several unions, including Char Poragacha and Ramdayal Bazar. Incidents included demands for Tk 2 million in extortion, assaults on workers, and property damage estimated at Tk 50,000.

MP Nizan stated that no one involved in extortion or violence would be spared, regardless of party affiliation, and that offenders would face legal and organizational action. The incidents have stirred public concern, with residents demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Advocate Jalal Uddin, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Kishoreganj-2 (Katiadi-Pakundia), issued a stern warning to party activists against forming syndicates or engaging in unethical activities. Speaking on Sunday night at a reception event held at the Swapnokunjo Community Center in Katiadi, he declared that no one would be spared if found misusing the party’s name for personal gain. He emphasized that he would take action against any wrongdoing regardless of party affiliation.

Jalal Uddin stated that he was elected by the people to serve them and not to serve any individual’s financial interests. He vowed not to tolerate irregularities or corruption in exchange for money. Addressing party members, he urged them to uphold honesty, transparency, and accountability to maintain public trust and protect the party’s image.

The event was attended by local BNP leaders, including Upazila BNP President Tofazzal Hossain Khan Dilip, General Secretary Arifur Rahman Kanchan, and Vice President Md. Shafiqul Islam, along with leaders of affiliated organizations.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has released detailed vote share data from the country’s 13th national parliamentary election, held earlier in 2026. According to the EC, overall voter turnout stood at 59.44 percent. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) received 49.97 percent of total votes, fielding candidates in 290 constituencies and winning 209 seats. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami came second with 31.76 percent of votes, contesting 227 seats and securing 68 victories.

Independent candidates collectively ranked third, gaining 5.79 percent of the total votes across 274 constituencies. The National Citizens Party (NCP) followed with 3.05 percent of votes, winning six seats out of 32 contested. Islami Andolon Bangladesh obtained 2.70 percent of votes and won one seat, while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish received 2.09 percent. Other parties each received less than one percent of the total votes. The Jatiya Party, which ran in 199 constituencies under the plough symbol, earned 0.89 percent of votes.

The EC’s publication provides the first official breakdown of party-wise performance in the 13th parliamentary election, clarifying the distribution of votes and seats across major and minor political groups.