Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Syed M. Faisal has won the Habiganj-4 (Madhabpur-Chunarughat) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, marking the party’s return to the seat after nearly three decades. According to the official gazette, Faisal secured 188,072 votes under the paddy sheaf symbol, defeating Islami Front Bangladesh’s Gias Uddin At-Taheri, who received 84,323 votes. Faisal’s victory margin stood at 103,749 votes, sparking celebrations across the constituency as BNP supporters rejoiced at reclaiming the seat.

Faisal, who previously served as a Member of Parliament in 1996, has contested multiple elections since 1991. Despite facing political challenges and legal pressures, he maintained close ties with local residents. Analysts attribute his success to extensive grassroots campaigning, particularly outreach to tea garden workers led by his son Syed Shafkat Ahmed. Local observers described Faisal as an honest and dedicated politician with a clean image.

Following the result, residents expressed new hopes for development and suggested that Faisal’s inclusion in the cabinet would bring pride to Habiganj and strengthen administrative transparency.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed on a national highway in Moran, Assam, near the Bangladesh border, aboard a C-130J aircraft on February 15, 2026. The landing took place on the region’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF), built to serve as both a highway and an airstrip for relief and rescue operations during emergencies. The event marked the beginning of Modi’s one-day visit to the state ahead of upcoming elections.

Following the landing, Modi observed a 40-minute air show featuring Tejas, Sukhoi, and Rafale fighter jets. According to reports, the Moran ELF holds significant strategic value due to its proximity to key borders—approximately 600 kilometers from Bangladesh’s Sylhet border, 700 kilometers from Rangpur, and 450 kilometers from China. The facility can serve as an alternative to Dibrugarh Airport or Chabua Air Base if needed during emergencies.

The demonstration highlighted India’s growing focus on dual-use infrastructure in its northeastern region, enhancing both defense readiness and disaster response capabilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to increase economic pressure on Iran, according to a report by Axios citing two American officials. The agreement was reached during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, officials said. A senior U.S. official stated that both leaders concurred on applying maximum pressure against Iran, particularly targeting its oil sales to China.

However, the two leaders reportedly differ on how to achieve this goal. Netanyahu told Trump that a reliable agreement with Iran was impossible and would likely be violated, while Trump maintained that reaching a deal with Tehran was still possible. Officials added that Washington would continue efforts to exert maximum pressure on Iran alongside nuclear discussions and a strengthened military presence in the Middle East, leaving open the option of military action if diplomacy fails.

The report noted that over 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports go to China, meaning a reduction in Chinese purchases could significantly intensify Tehran’s economic strain.

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has described Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election as peaceful and credible. The observation came during a press briefing held on Sunday morning in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, where ANFREL presented its preliminary report on the national election and referendum observation. ANFREL Chairperson Sohana N. Hettiarachchi urged authorities to ensure more transparency in the vote counting process.

During the briefing, Hettiarachchi emphasized that political parties have a responsibility to encourage greater participation of young and female voters in future elections. The organization’s statement highlighted both the overall peaceful conduct of the polls and the need for continued improvements in electoral transparency.

The preliminary findings suggest that while the election process was largely credible, further steps toward openness in vote counting could strengthen public confidence in Bangladesh’s electoral system.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that President Donald Trump is ready to hold talks with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking to Bloomberg, Rubio stated that the president is willing to meet anyone if it helps resolve global issues, adding that Trump is interested in reaching an agreement with Tehran.

Rubio explained that Trump believes dialogue is the best way to solve the world’s problems. The statement comes as the United States and Iran recently held discussions over Iran’s nuclear program and are preparing for a second round of talks. Despite this diplomatic engagement, Washington continues to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East.

President Trump also announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States’ largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, will soon move from the Caribbean to the Middle East, signaling continued strategic focus on the region.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Amjanata Party’s member secretary Md. Tarek Rahman lost his deposit after securing only 1,044 votes in the Dhaka-12 constituency. According to the official results, a total of 122,268 valid votes were cast, representing 37.42 percent of total ballots. Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Saiful Alam won the seat with 53,773 votes, while the Revolutionary Workers Party’s general secretary, contesting with the spade symbol, received 30,963 votes. There were 2,444 invalid ballots, meaning Rahman received fewer votes than the number of rejected ones.

The Election Commission circular states that any candidate failing to secure one-eighth of the total votes in their constituency forfeits their deposit. For parliamentary seats, the deposit amount is set at 25,000 taka. After elections, forfeited deposits are transferred to the government treasury through the Accountant General’s Office. The report notes that many candidates across constituencies lost their deposits this time, though the exact number remains unknown.

The Election Commission also indicated that some leading contenders in various constituencies did not receive enough votes to reclaim their deposits, a recurring pattern in national elections.

Italy’s right-wing government has approved a draft law aimed at curbing irregular migration across the Mediterranean. The bill, endorsed by the cabinet on Wednesday, allows temporary naval blockades to prevent migrant boats from entering Italian territorial waters during exceptional pressure situations. Authorities may invoke the measure when national security risks are identified, such as potential terrorist threats or infiltration attempts.

The proposal comes as Italy continues to face heavy migration flows through the central Mediterranean route, with thousands arriving by sea each year. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has pledged stricter maritime controls. The draft must still pass both chambers of parliament before taking effect. If approved, Italy could revive its plan to process asylum applications in centers located in Albania, a scheme currently suspended by court rulings.

Under the bill, migrant vessels could be barred for up to 30 days, extendable to six months in severe security cases. Violations may result in fines up to 50,000 euros and vessel confiscation. Observers suggest the measure may particularly affect humanitarian rescue ships. The draft was approved a day after the European Union adopted its new migration and asylum pact.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed his first press conference after the party’s decisive election victory, held on Saturday at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka. He dedicated the win to the people who sacrificed for democracy and confirmed that the new government will implement reforms based on the July Charter and the party’s 31-point manifesto. Rahman, set to become prime minister for the first time, emphasized maintaining peace, rule of law, and accountability in governance.

He outlined priorities including restoring the economy, ensuring liquidity in the banking sector, and creating an investment-friendly environment. Rahman said foreign policy decisions will prioritize Bangladesh’s national interests and reaffirmed non-interference in judicial matters such as the International Crimes Tribunal. He also called for unity among political parties to prevent any return to authoritarianism.

Rahman highlighted challenges inherited from what he described as a fragile economy and weakened institutions. He urged all citizens and political groups to work together to rebuild a democratic, safe, and humane Bangladesh, promising reforms aligned with the July Charter and the party’s commitments to the people.

The Pakistani government plans to move former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail to a new prison in Islamabad within the next two months. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the plan during a police event in Islamabad, stating that the new facility will be completed soon and will include full medical services. Khan has been held in Adiala Jail since September 2023 following a conviction by an Islamabad court.

The federal government told the Supreme Court that Khan will be allowed to see an eye specialist again amid growing concerns about his deteriorating eyesight. His sons, Qasim and Suleiman, will also be permitted to contact him by phone. A court-appointed lawyer reported that Khan’s right eye retains only 15 percent vision despite treatment. PTI has alleged that his solitary confinement violates national and international laws.

Meanwhile, leaders of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Aaeeni Pakistan have launched a sit-in protest demanding Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for proper medical care. Police have been deployed at protest sites in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to maintain order.

In the Netrokona-4 constituency, covering Madan, Mohanganj, and Khaliajuri, BNP candidate Lutfozzaman Babar secured a decisive victory, receiving 161,000 votes. Two female candidates, Jolly Talukder of the Communist Party of Bangladesh and Champa Rani Sarkar of the Revolutionary Workers Party, lost their deposits after failing to secure sufficient votes. Other contenders included Al Helal Talukder of Jamaat-e-Islami, who received about 40,000 votes, and Mokhlesur Rahman of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, who obtained 2,000 votes.

The constituency, comprising three upazilas, has a total of 375,000 registered voters, with 206,000 ballots cast in the election. Babar described his victory as a triumph for the people, pledging to continue working for their welfare and to build a society free from bribery and corruption.

The results highlight Babar’s strong electoral position in the region and the limited support for left-leaning and smaller party candidates in this race.

The Press Wing of the Chief Adviser has requested all concerned to refrain from spreading misleading or speculative statements regarding the cancellation of Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid’s contractual appointment. The appeal was made in a message sent to the media on Sunday morning.

According to the message, various inaccurate and assumption-based comments have circulated following the cancellation of Dr. Rashid’s contract. It clarified that he had earlier requested to be relieved of his duties for personal reasons, a few days before the election. However, at the Chief Adviser’s request, he agreed to continue serving until the election period to maintain discipline and continuity in field administration.

The Press Wing reiterated its call for all parties to avoid unnecessary speculation or misinformation about the matter.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson and election steering committee chairman of the National Citizen Party (NCP), announced the formation of a shadow cabinet on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The announcement was made through a verified Facebook post, where he stated that the shadow cabinet would act as a watchdog to ensure transparency and accountability in overall activities.

The declaration followed a similar proposal made the previous night by Mohammad Shishir Monir, Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate for the Sunamganj-2 (Dirai-Shalla) constituency and a senior Supreme Court lawyer. Monir had expressed his intention to form a shadow cabinet as well.

In parliamentary democracies, a shadow cabinet is typically composed of senior opposition leaders who monitor the government’s ministries, identify shortcomings, and propose alternative policies in the public interest. Although it holds no executive power, such a structure helps maintain government accountability and prepares opposition parties for potential future governance.

In Manikganj, 13 out of 20 candidates lost their security deposits in three parliamentary constituencies following the latest national election results published on February 15, 2026. According to the Election Commission’s rule, a candidate must secure at least 12.5 percent of the total valid votes to retain their deposit.

In Manikganj-1, BNP’s S A Jinnah Kabir won with 137,773 votes, followed by independent candidate Tozammel Haque Toza with 77,818 and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Abu Bakar Siddique with 71,310. The remaining four candidates failed to meet the vote threshold. In Manikganj-2, BNP’s Moinul Islam Khan Shanto won with 175,776 votes, while Khelafat Majlish’s Mohammad Salauddin came second with 81,531; two others lost their deposits. In Manikganj-3, BNP’s Afroza Khanam Rita won with 167,345 votes, and Khelafat Majlish’s Mohammad Saidnur came second with 64,242; seven other candidates forfeited their deposits.

The results show that most minor party and independent candidates in Manikganj failed to reach the required vote share to retain their deposits.

BNP candidate Faruk Alam Sarkar has demanded a recount of votes in the Gaibandha-5 (Saghata-Fulchhari) constituency, alleging irregularities during the counting process. He made the demand on Saturday night, February 14, at a press conference held at his residence in Saghata. Sarkar claimed that polling agents were forced to sign blank result sheets before the vote count began and that fabricated results were later prepared to ensure the victory of the candidate with the 'scales' symbol.

According to Sarkar, the process was deliberately manipulated to defeat his 'paddy sheaf' symbol. He alleged that the pre-signed blank result sheets were used to produce false outcomes favoring his opponent. The press conference was attended by Saghata Upazila BNP member secretary Selim Ahmed Tulip, advocate Rejwanul Haque Mondol, and other local leaders.

The demand for a recount follows the official declaration of results in the constituency, though no response from election authorities or other candidates was mentioned in the report.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has strongly condemned the incidents of post-election violence across the country. In a verified Facebook post on Sunday, February 15, 2026, he declared that his party would never bow to any form of evil force. Rahman expressed deep concern over reports of attacks, vandalism, arson, and assaults allegedly carried out by members of a particular group against supporters of the 11-party alliance, including incidents of harassment of women.

He emphasized that Jamaat would remain steadfast in truth and justice and called on supporters to stand beside the oppressed. Rahman urged his colleagues to remain firm with the general public, describing this as a duty to humanity, to God, and to the nation. He asserted that there was no room for weakness in fulfilling this responsibility.

The statement reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s response to the reported violence following the national election and its call for organized resistance and solidarity with victims of political unrest.