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.

Faiz Ahmad Tayyab, special assistant to the chief adviser for posts, telecommunications and ICT in the interim government, has quietly left Bangladesh after formally completing his duties. In a verified Facebook post early Saturday, he said he departed for Germany via Dubai on February 14, citing financial losses and family emergencies as reasons for his travel. He stated that his official farewell took place on February 10 after completing election-related responsibilities and contributions to technology-based election management.

Responding to social media criticism, Tayyab expressed frustration over personal attacks and clarified that he left only after finishing his official duties. He said he suffered financial setbacks while serving the country and needed to find new employment. He added that his wife’s medical emergency and his son’s school meeting required his presence abroad, emphasizing that he had purchased a return ticket.

In his postscript, Tayyab claimed he had worked to bring transparency and new management practices to a ministry he described as corrupt, denied any involvement in corruption, and alleged that certain telecom business groups had spread falsehoods against him.

Twelve candidates lost their security deposits in four parliamentary constituencies of Jhenaidah following the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Election, according to the district returning office. A total of 21 candidates contested across the four constituencies. In Jhenaidah-1, BNP’s Md. Asaduzzaman won with 173,381 votes, while three of five candidates forfeited their deposits. In Jhenaidah-2, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ali Azam Md. Abu Bakar secured victory with 195,702 votes, and four of six candidates lost their deposits. In Jhenaidah-3, Jamaat’s Md. Matiar Rahman won with 175,857 votes, with two of four candidates losing deposits. In Jhenaidah-4, Jamaat’s Abu Talib won with 105,999 votes, and three of six candidates forfeited deposits.

According to the Election Commission’s circular, any candidate failing to secure one-eighth of the total valid votes cast in their constituency must forfeit their deposit. The forfeitures in Jhenaidah reflect this rule, as the affected candidates did not meet the required vote threshold.

The results highlight competitive races between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the district, with voter turnout ranging from 72.93% to 77.84% across the four constituencies.

The Pakistan government has announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan will be transferred from prison to a hospital for medical treatment. A medical board will be formed to examine his health condition. The decision came amid a sit-in protest that began on Friday outside the country’s parliament. According to The Express Tribune, the protest was joined by opposition leaders Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, along with PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohel Afridi and other PTI leaders continued separate demonstrations at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, where police forces were deployed. Protesters declared that their sit-in would continue until Imran Khan was urgently transferred to Shifa International Hospital for eye treatment. Information Minister Ataullah Tatar stated on social media that specialists would conduct further examinations and submit a detailed report to the Supreme Court.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that Imran Khan would be moved from prison to a hospital based on his health condition and assured that all human rights entitled to a prisoner would be provided to him.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government to be formed under the leadership of Tareq Rahman. According to the report, invitations have also been extended to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other heads of government from SAARC member states, as well as leaders from key Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries. However, Modi’s participation in the event remains uncertain, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

The report notes that Modi is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on the same day, when Macron will be in India to attend the AI Impact Summit. Although Modi may not attend, India could still be represented at the ceremony by a senior leader, possibly the vice president or foreign minister. Citing Indian officials, the report adds that New Delhi does not intend to rush into rebuilding ties with Dhaka, though restoring the strained relationship remains a priority for India.

The uncertainty over Modi’s attendance underscores the cautious approach India is taking toward its diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh’s new administration.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was allowed to speak with his two sons following a directive from the Supreme Court. His sister, Aleema Khan, confirmed on Saturday, February 14, that the conversation took place by phone. Prison authorities stated that the call lasted over half an hour, while Aleema said it was around 20 minutes. She added that Khan’s sons, Qasim and Sulaiman, were emotional after hearing their father’s voice, and Imran himself was very happy.

The Supreme Court had ordered prison authorities on February 12 to permit the call after PTI lawyer Salman Safdar submitted a health report on Khan. The report revealed that blood clotting in Khan’s right eye had caused severe damage, leaving him with only 15 percent vision despite treatment. The seven-page report detailed a meeting with Khan at Adiala Jail.

Aleema Khan said the family is awaiting urgent treatment for Imran Khan at Shifa International Hospital and alleged deliberate delays in his eye care, warning against further postponement due to the risk of permanent vision loss.

World leaders are being invited to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of the new government to be formed under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. According to the Prime Advisor’s Office, invitations have been extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other heads of government from SAARC member countries. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 17.

Beyond the SAARC region, invitations are also being sent to the heads of state and government of China, Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey. Officials from the Prime Advisor’s Office stated that the invitations are being issued on behalf of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in coordination with the BNP high command. The interim government will organize the event.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to form the new government after winning more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th parliamentary election, while Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to become the main opposition party.