Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of Bangladesh resumed after a nine-hour disruption. On the night of February 15, a fuel-laden train derailed in South Surma, halting railway operations. Services resumed on February 16 at 8:30 AM. The overnight suspension caused severe hardship for passengers, many of whom had to stay at the station. Railway authorities confirmed that the derailment prevented the Upaban Express from departing for Dhaka. Passengers have been refunded their ticket fares.

Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar confirmed that over 25 individuals have been arrested in connection with an attack on a UN peacekeeping convoy heading to Beirut Airport. Arab News reported that on Friday night, violent protests erupted at Rafik Hariri Airport. Masked demonstrators carrying Hezbollah and Iranian flags barricaded roads and attacked UN vehicles, setting three of them on fire. The government has labeled the act a punishable offense, linking it to unrest following the suspension of Iranian flights.

Amid ongoing strikes by CNG auto-rickshaw drivers protesting fare enforcement and demanding the removal of pro-Hasina officials from BRTA, the government has withdrawn the order allowing police to fine drivers for overcharging. On Sunday (February 16), the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) officially informed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police about the decision.

In response to the government’s strict enforcement of metered fares, CNG auto-rickshaw drivers went on strike in the capital, gathering in front of Residential Model College. The strike has worsened the transportation crisis, causing significant inconvenience to commuters. The drivers are demanding the withdrawal of penalties for overcharging passengers, the removal of pro-Hasina elements from the BRTA, and the fulfillment of their previous 13-point demand.

At least 18 people, including 11 women and 4 children, were killed in a stampede at Delhi Railway Station due to overwhelming crowds. Many others sustained injuries. According to an NDTV report on February 16, the situation spiraled out of control on two platforms as Kumbh Mela pilgrims overcrowded the station. Indian Railways has launched an investigation into the incident. Compensation of 1 million rupees for the deceased, 250,000 rupees for the injured, and 100,000 rupees for minor injuries has been announced.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday night, marking his first visit to the Middle East, AFP reported. After landing at Ben Gurion Airport, Rubio is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting will address the controversial Gaza occupation policy under the Trump administration. Prior to this, Rubio attended the Munich Security Conference. Meanwhile, Netanyahu had earlier met with Trump, expressing gratitude for U.S. support and endorsing the plan for Gaza's occupation.

Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have proposed the mandatory use of body cameras for police officers during protest control and have suggested banning the use of lethal weapons. Over 300 proposals are set to be discussed at the three-day DC conference. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the conference today at the Shapla Hall of his office.

The Cabinet Secretary noted that the implementation rate of last year’s decisions was lower than in previous years. He explained that the current government does not prioritize extravagant projects under individual names, unlike the previous administration. Reports indicate that out of 381 decisions made last year, only 177 have been implemented.

As the U.S. tightens its immigration policies, another batch of 119 Indian nationals is being deported, following the return of 104 individuals earlier this month. The latest deportation flight is set to land in Amritsar, Punjab, tonight—just like the previous one. This has sparked outrage from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who accused the central government of treating illegal immigration as solely Punjab’s problem. He called it a national issue and criticized the decision to land deportation flights only in Punjab. Mann demanded that future flights land in Delhi or Ahmedabad to ensure Punjab’s dignity is upheld.

Pakistan’s military media wing reported that two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in the deaths of 15 militants and four soldiers. According to Geo News, a counter-terrorism intelligence-based operation in the Hathala area of Dera Ismail Khan district led to the killing of nine militants. Meanwhile, six more militants were neutralized in another operation in Miranshah, North Waziristan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, violence has escalated in Pakistan’s border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. In January alone, 91 people were killed, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants.

In Nagarkanda, Faridpur, allegations have emerged that Yunus Munshi, son of Odut Munshi from Bongram, has illegally obtained a tin-roofed house under the government’s Ashrayan Project-1 despite already owning a brick-built house. Reports suggest he misused his political connections during the Awami League’s tenure to acquire the house, which he later sold. Local residents have expressed outrage, demanding a thorough investigation and legal action against him. The Upazila Executive Officer confirmed that selling or even renting out government-provided houses is strictly prohibited and assured that appropriate measures will be taken.

During a Tafsir session on Surah Al-Ahzab (Verse 35) at the Circuit House grounds in Mymensingh on Saturday afternoon, popular Islamic scholar Dr. Mizanur Rahman Azhari stated, “We are often labeled as radicals and traitors. But the era of using the term ‘traitor’ as an insult is over. It has now become an honorary title.” He further asserted that they advocate for the people and the country, which is why they are called extremists. “We speak for Islam, but we are not religious opportunists,” he added.

A press release from the police headquarters on Saturday evening announced that 477 more individuals have been arrested nationwide in the special crackdown, Operation Devil Hunt. Additionally, 870 individuals facing various charges and warrants have also been detained. In total, 1,347 arrests were made in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of arrests over the past eight days to 4,401. Authorities have also seized a foreign pistol, two magazines, 20 rounds of ammunition, three knives, two machetes, and three hammers during the operation.

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman has called the 2009 BDR massacre an international conspiracy aimed at preserving the Awami League’s hold on power. He emphasized that the massacre, which led to the killing of 57 army personnel, was designed to destabilize the nation and suppress voters’ rights. Asaduzzaman also criticized India for its role in undermining Bangladesh’s sovereignty and stressed the need for a thorough investigation into the massacre, including the involvement of political groups and the masterminds behind it.

An Argentine court has issued arrest warrants against Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya. Myanmar has criticized the ruling. The case was filed by a Rohingya advocacy group in Argentina, and junta spokesperson Min Tun dismissed the decision, urging Argentina to first address its own judicial vacancies before interfering in Myanmar’s affairs.

The Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, announced that the interim government has concluded its first phase and is now entering the second. Speaking at the Foreign Service Academy, he said Saturday’s National Consensus Commission meeting included around 100 politicians from 26 parties and coalitions. Among the speakers were BNP’s Mirza Fakhrul Islam and Jamaat’s Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher. The Chief Adviser delivered a 24-minute speech, and Alam confirmed that all major international powers, including the UN, support the administration.