Heavy rainfall on Friday caused severe flooding across New Zealand’s North Island, leading to one death, widespread power outages, and major road damage. Authorities declared a state of emergency in Otorohanga District, located about 180 kilometers south of Auckland, where many residents were evacuated from their homes.

According to the national weather service, a deepening low-pressure system over the island’s eastern region is expected to bring further heavy rain and strong winds through Sunday night, with conditions forecast to gradually improve by Monday. Reuters reported that extensive areas of the country were inundated following the downpour.

Otorohanga District Council said geotechnical teams assessed road stability overnight, while energy provider Powerco confirmed that around 2,452 homes and businesses remained without electricity. Images shared on social media showed semi-rural areas submerged, with sections of roads collapsing where floodwaters had receded.

Vegetable prices in Dhaka have surged sharply amid disruptions linked to the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum. Limited movement of goods-carrying trucks and the closure of most wholesale markets have reduced supply, pushing up prices of onions, garlic, and vegetables. On Saturday afternoon at Karwan Bazar, traders reported that prices of some vegetables had more than doubled, with bitter gourd selling for Tk 180–200 per kilogram, up from Tk 90–100. New onions rose to Tk 60 per kilogram, while local garlic reached Tk 140.

Across the capital’s markets, vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, green chili, eggplant, and beans were selling at Tk 10–20 higher per kilogram than before the election period. Broiler and Sonali chicken prices also increased by Tk 10–20 per kilogram. Traders attributed the rise to transport restrictions and higher freight costs, which have risen up to double. Many wholesale outlets remained closed, and retail sales were low due to fewer customers.

Vendors expressed hope that once transport operations and wholesale markets resume normal activity, supply will improve and prices will ease. Other grocery items such as oil, sugar, lentils, and eggs have remained stable.

Loan disbursement through agent banking services in Bangladesh grew by about 46 percent over the past year, according to the latest quarterly report from Bangladesh Bank. As of December 2025, total loans under agent banking stood at Tk 35,023 crore, up from Tk 24,028 crore a year earlier. Deposits also increased by 18.51 percent to Tk 49,720 crore, while remittance distribution rose by 15.48 percent. Brac Bank led loan disbursement with 72.12 percent of the total, followed by City Bank, Bank Asia, Islami Bank, and Dutch-Bangla Bank.

Industry sources attribute the growth to easier loan procedures, lower interest rates, and the convenience of accessing services locally without visiting bank branches. Agent banking allows third-party outlets to provide nearly all banking services, including account opening, deposits, withdrawals, bill payments, and remittance collection. These outlets operate mainly in rural areas, where 84 percent of agents are based.

Despite the growth in transactions, the number of agents and outlets declined in 2025. The total number of agents fell to 15,327 from 16,021 the previous year, while outlets decreased by 747, indicating consolidation within the expanding service network.

Booker Prize–winning Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy has declined an invitation to the Berlin International Film Festival after expressing outrage at comments made by jury members regarding the situation in Gaza. In a statement on Friday, Roy said she was deeply hurt and disturbed by remarks from jury president Wim Wenders and others during a Thursday press conference, where they suggested filmmakers should stay away from politics.

The controversy arose when a journalist asked the jury about the German government's support for Israel and its stance on human rights. Wenders responded that filmmakers should not engage in politics, emphasizing that their work is for the public, not politicians. Roy condemned these comments as “conscience-less,” describing the Gaza situation as genocide by Israel against Palestinians. She argued that artists and filmmakers have a moral duty to speak out against such atrocities.

Roy’s 1989 film “In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones” was scheduled to be screened in the festival’s classics section from February 12 to 22, but she has now withdrawn her participation.

A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu on February 14, 2026, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake’s epicenter was located about 50 kilometers west of Port Olry village on Espiritu Santo Island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that the tremor occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time but confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued.

A resort worker in Port Olry, Antelik Frank, described the quake as very strong and lasting nearly one minute, though no damage was observed in the surrounding area. Initial reports indicated no significant destruction or casualties.

Vanuatu lies within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a seismically active region where earthquakes occur frequently. The island nation, home to about 320,000 people, often experiences such tremors due to its geological position.

U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked a key scientific ruling from former President Barack Obama that declared greenhouse gases dangerous to public health. The announcement was made Thursday at the Oval Office, according to a BBC report. The reversal nullifies federal measures introduced under the Obama administration to curb emissions of gases linked to global warming.

During his Oval Office address, Trump described the 2009 ruling as a disastrous Obama-era policy that harmed the American auto industry and made cars unaffordable for consumers. The White House called the move the largest deregulation in U.S. history, claiming it would reduce vehicle prices by about $2,400 for manufacturers.

Former President Obama criticized the decision, warning it would increase health risks for Americans and weaken the nation’s ability to combat climate change. Environmental groups also condemned the move, calling it one of the most damaging setbacks for climate action and vowing to challenge it in court.

China’s Yangtze River, once severely polluted and ecologically degraded, is showing signs of revival following a government-imposed fishing ban. The policy, implemented using evolutionary theory to enhance effectiveness, also provided alternative employment for fishers who depended on the river for their livelihood. A study published Thursday in the journal Science reported that fish biomass in the river has more than doubled, and several endangered species have returned.

French researcher Sébastien Bros from the University of Toulouse described the initiative as the most positive freshwater conservation step taken in two decades. His team analyzed changes across the vast waterway, which supports 400 million people and numerous major factories. The findings indicate that the ban not only restored aquatic life but also improved water quality.

The Chinese government spent about three billion dollars to compensate and retrain nearly two hundred thousand fishers, leading one hundred thousand to stop fishing. Between 2019 and 2021, total biomass doubled and biodiversity increased by 13 percent, signaling a remarkable ecological comeback for the world’s third-largest river.

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, flower growers in Gadkhali, known as the flower capital of Jashore’s Jhikargacha, reported a sharp fall in flower prices due to the national election. Despite high demand for Valentine’s Day, sales dropped drastically. Last year, flowers worth about Tk 15 crore were sold during the same period, but this year the figure is expected to fall to around Tk 5 crore. Farmers said wholesale buyers could not reach the market because of transport disruptions linked to the election.

Growers described steep price declines across all varieties: roses sold for Tk 7–8 per piece, gladiolus for Tk 6–12, tuberose for Tk 3–5, gerbera for Tk 6–8, marigold for Tk 200–300 per thousand, gypsy for Tk 40–50 per bunch, and chrysanthemum for Tk 150–250 per hundred. Many farmers expressed frustration over losses and limited access to mobile banking services that hindered local deliveries.

Officials from local flower associations confirmed that the election and the upcoming Ramadan season reduced market activity, leaving growers without fair prices for their produce.

Kagojbari has signed a memorandum of understanding with Medico Bio in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi to provide laptops to 21 rural and underprivileged schools across Bangladesh. The initiative, announced in connection with International Mother Language Day, aims to ensure that no student is deprived of healthcare due to technological limitations. Through these laptops, over two thousand students will receive free consultations from Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council–registered and government-approved specialist doctors throughout the year.

Organizers stated that the project seeks to bring quality healthcare to grassroots students while strengthening digital infrastructure in rural education. Each school will have a teacher representative to coordinate digital appointments and consultations. The laptops are expected to support both telemedicine and digital learning, fostering long-term technological engagement among students.

Kagojbari has also announced a Guinness World Record education material donation campaign, aiming to distribute free learning supplies to about 450,000 students in 1,500 schools within 12 hours, setting a new global record for Bangladesh.

The United States House of Representatives has voted 219–211 to repeal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian goods. The resolution, introduced by Democrats and supported by six Republican lawmakers, seeks to withdraw the trade duties enacted by the Trump administration last year. Although passed in the House, the measure remains symbolic for now, as it must also pass the Senate and receive the president’s signature to become law. Analysts cited in the report suggest that Trump is unlikely to approve it.

Since his re-election, President Trump has continued to impose tariffs on Canada and recently threatened a 100 percent import duty in response to Canada’s potential trade deal with China. During the House vote, Trump warned on his social media platform Truth Social that any Republican voting against tariffs would face serious political consequences. He defended the tariffs as essential for protecting US economic and national security.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a close Trump ally, attempted to block debate on the resolution but failed. Despite a narrow Republican majority, the defection of six members allowed the proposal to pass easily.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has launched a new mobile application named Smart Election Management BD to deliver election results quickly and accurately to the public. The app allows voters to view real-time results and access election-related information directly from their phones during national or local elections. It is available for both Android and iOS platforms and can be downloaded from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Users can view results without logging in, but logging in with a voter ID or national identity number provides access to personal voter details, voter status, and polling center information. The app’s interface includes options to select election type and location, enabling users to see live updates from specific polling centers. Results are uploaded directly after vote counting, showing vote numbers, candidate or party shares, and percentages.

Smart Election Management BD also presents results through graphs and charts, helping users easily understand candidate standings and track progress as counting continues.

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its 10-year fiscal outlook on Wednesday, projecting that federal deficits and debt will worsen over the next decade. The report attributes the deterioration mainly to increased spending on Social Security, Medicare, and debt service payments. The deficit for fiscal 2026, President Donald Trump’s first full fiscal year, is expected to be about 5.8 percent of GDP, similar to 2025’s $1.775 trillion shortfall. The deficit-to-GDP ratio is forecast to average 6.1 percent over the next decade, reaching 6.7 percent in 2036, far above Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s goal of 3 percent.

The CBO factored in recent policy changes, including the Republican “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” higher tariffs, and the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. These measures are projected to raise total deficits from 2026 to 2035 by $1.4 trillion and push public debt from 101 percent to 120 percent of GDP. Although higher tariffs are expected to generate $3 trillion in additional revenue, they also contribute to inflation through 2029. The CBO projects inflation will not reach the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target until 2030.

The report contrasts with the Trump administration’s more optimistic growth forecasts, as the CBO expects real GDP growth to slow from 2.2 percent in 2026 to an average of 1.8 percent later in the decade.

The World Bank has approved $370 million in financing to improve sanitation and solid waste management services in Dhaka and surrounding areas. The decision was made at the organization’s executive board meeting in Washington, D.C. The funding will support the 'Metro Dhaka Water Security and Resilience' program, aimed at reducing water pollution, restoring rivers and canals, and strengthening the capacity of local and national institutions.

According to the World Bank, the initiative will provide improved sanitation for about 550,000 people and better waste management for another 500,000, prioritizing pollution-prone and underserved areas. The program will engage both public and private sectors, focusing on industrial waste treatment, water reuse, and awareness campaigns to prevent dumping and direct discharge into drainage networks. It will also establish digital real-time pollution monitoring and create an integrated restoration plan for Dhaka’s four main rivers.

The first phase will cover selected areas in Dhaka and Narayanganj, enhancing waste collection coverage and supporting communities near major rivers and canals. The project is part of Bangladesh’s broader water security and long-term environmental planning.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being deployed by the Bangladesh Air Force to provide continuous aerial monitoring during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. Officials from the central monitoring cell at the Election Building confirmed the deployment on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The UAVs will operate within the country’s airspace to closely observe conditions on the ground and support law enforcement with real-time guidance.

According to the officials, a total of 3,730 Air Force personnel have been assigned to ensure the election proceeds smoothly and successfully. Under the direct supervision of the Air Force Chief, helicopters, transport aircraft, and multiple UAVs are operating in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles across the country. The UAVs are described as strategic assets that contribute both to election monitoring and national airspace security.

The Election Commission has instructed the Air Force to provide live aerial video feeds from polling centers to the central monitoring cell and the Chief Adviser’s Office for real-time oversight.

The United States has taken new steps to further ease sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry. On Tuesday, the U.S. administration issued several measures that expand opportunities for American companies to participate in the Venezuelan energy sector. The U.S. Treasury Department granted multiple licenses, including one allowing specific transactions with the Venezuelan government and state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA). These permits cover the supply of goods, technology, and software necessary for oil and gas exploration, development, and production.

Another license authorizes certain transactions related to port and airport operations, while a third document allows specific activities involving oil originating from Venezuela. According to AFP reports from Washington, the decision coincides with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s planned visit to Venezuela, though no date has been announced. Media reports suggest oil sector discussions may take place during the visit.

Venezuela, under strict U.S. sanctions since 2019, holds nearly one-fifth of the world’s proven oil reserves and was once a major crude supplier to the United States.