U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday described Cuba as a 'failed state' and urged Havana to reach an agreement with Washington. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed the possibility of any U.S. military operation to change the Cuban government, saying he did not think such action would be necessary. According to AFP, Trump made the remarks while discussing Cuba’s ongoing crisis. The island nation is facing severe fuel shortages and widespread power outages. The Trump administration has tightened the long-standing U.S. embargo on Cuba and is pressuring other countries to halt oil supplies to Havana. Addressing the energy crisis, Trump called it a 'humanitarian threat'. His comments come as Washington continues to exert economic pressure on Cuba while maintaining a stance against direct military intervention.

Independent lawmaker Rumin Farhana took oath as a member of parliament from Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail, Ashuganj, and part of Bijoynagar) on Tuesday. Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, she commented that around 30 percent of the country’s population will not have representation in the new parliament. She also pointed out that the Awami League is absent from the current parliament. Rumin Farhana further remarked that while the previous parliament did not include the BNP, this time both the Awami League and left-leaning parties are missing. She took oath only as a member of parliament and did not take oath as a member of the Constitutional Reform Council. Her comments highlight the changed political composition of the new parliament and the absence of major political parties, which she suggested will affect representation in national decision-making.

Barrister Farzana Sharmin Putul, newly elected Member of Parliament from Natore-1 (Lalpur-Baghatipara), has been called to serve as a state minister by the central committee. The confirmation came from her close associates, including former Lalpur Upazila BNP member-secretary Harunar Rashid Pappu. The announcement follows her recent electoral victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Putul, the BNP-nominated candidate, secured 102,197 votes under the paddy-sheaf symbol, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami’s Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who received 89,431 votes under the balance symbol. Independent candidate Taiful Islam Tipu obtained 72,887 votes under the pitcher symbol. A total of 272,355 votes were cast in the constituency. Barrister Farzana Sharmin Putul is the daughter of the late BNP leader Fazlur Rahman Patol. Her appointment as state minister marks a significant step for the BNP in the Natore region following a closely contested election.

An arson attack occurred late Tuesday night at the home of Humayun Molla, president of the BNP’s Hobokhali Union unit in Narail Sadar upazila. According to police and family members, around 1 a.m. residents awoke to an explosion-like sound and discovered a fire in a storage shed on Molla’s property. Despite efforts to extinguish the blaze, the tin structure and its contents were completely destroyed. Supporters of Humayun Molla alleged that the attack stemmed from disputes between two groups following the recently concluded election, in which Molla supported a rebel BNP candidate for the Narail-2 constituency. Police said no formal complaint had yet been filed and that an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the incident. Authorities have not confirmed any suspects or motives, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Former national footballer Aminul Haque has been appointed as the state minister for the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Bangladesh. Although he contested the national parliamentary election from Dhaka-16 as a BNP candidate and did not win, he has been included in the cabinet as a technocrat state minister. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, where Aminul will take his oath. The new cabinet includes 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, with two appointed under the technocrat quota. Aminul Haque, who once led Bangladesh to victory in the SAFF Championship during his playing career, is one of them. After taking office, he is expected to begin his official duties on the same day and hold discussions with journalists. His appointment marks the inclusion of a sports personality in the government’s leadership, reflecting recognition of his contributions to national sports and potential to advance youth and sports development.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has expressed deep concern after the BNP-led alliance declined to take the oath for the Constitutional Reform Council. In a statement issued on Tuesday, DUCSU leaders said the alliance’s refusal disregarded the people’s direct mandate and contradicted both democratic practice and the commitments made in the July Charter. They emphasized that the recent referendum showed a clear majority in favor of reform, and avoiding the oath process amounted to disrespecting the people’s verdict. DUCSU’s statement recalled that under Article 7 of the Constitution, all power belongs to the people, and the Constitution represents their supreme will. It noted that the interim government had assumed power with three mandates—reform, justice, and election—following the July Charter Order 2025, which was enacted to implement the July Charter. DUCSU urged the BNP alliance to honor the people’s decision by taking the oath and warned that failure to do so could trigger a new constitutional crisis, raising questions about the legitimacy of the interim government, justice, and elections. The statement concluded by urging all political forces to act responsibly to uphold transparency, accountability, and institutional reform, warning against repeating past defiance of public will.

At least five people were killed and four others injured when a fire broke out in a five-storey residential building in Manlleu, a city in Spain’s northeastern province of Barcelona, on Monday evening. According to local authorities, the blaze started on the roof floor, prompting a rapid response from the Catalan fire service. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control within about half an hour, but five people on the upper floor were found dead. The four injured individuals were taken to a nearby hospital, though officials have not released details about the severity of their conditions. Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, with local patrol units assisting in the inquiry. Authorities are also working to identify the victims. Officials confirmed that other residents of the building were safely evacuated, and assessments are underway to determine the extent of structural damage caused by the blaze.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir has announced that he will contest in court a writ petition seeking suspension of the effectiveness of the recent referendum results. He made the announcement on Tuesday through a verified Facebook post, stating that his team would legally challenge the petition filed to halt the implementation of the referendum outcome. Earlier, on February 17, Supreme Court lawyer A B M Ataul Majid Touhid filed a public interest writ in the High Court challenging the legality of the February 12 referendum and seeking cancellation of the results announced on February 13. The Chief Election Commissioner, Cabinet Secretary, and Law Ministry Secretary were named as respondents in the petition. The hearing is expected to take place next week before a bench led by Justice Fatema Nazib. The February 12 nationwide referendum saw a 60.26 percent voter turnout, with 48,074,429 voting in favor of change and 22,565,627 voting against.

Newly appointed cabinet member and Lakshmipur-3 lawmaker Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has called for cooperation from all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, to build the nation. He made the remarks on Tuesday after taking the oath as a minister, emphasizing that fulfilling public expectations requires collective effort and unity. Earlier in the day, at 4:11 p.m., BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister. The oath of office for ministers and state ministers was administered by President Md. Shahabuddin. Annie reiterated that differences in opinion and approach are natural but stressed that everyone must remain united for the country’s interest. He expressed confidence that with sincere cooperation from all, the newly elected government would be able to build a prosperous and beautiful Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqul Rahman has been selected as the Leader of the Opposition in the 13th National Parliament. Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, newly elected from Cumilla-11 (Chouddagram) and Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, will serve as Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has been appointed as the Opposition Chief Whip. The decisions were made on Tuesday, February 17, during a parliamentary party meeting following the swearing-in of members. Gaibandha-2 MP and Jamaat leader Md. Abdul Karim confirmed the appointments after attending the meeting. According to party sources, an official joint statement from the 11-party alliance will be issued soon to formally announce the leadership structure. Earlier in the day, Jamaat MPs took their oaths at 12:30 p.m., followed by NCP members. Members of the 11-party alliance also took oaths for the Constitutional Reform Council, signaling the start of their parliamentary responsibilities under the new opposition leadership.

Public discussion has intensified across Bangladesh following the formation of the new cabinet under the 13th National Parliament, particularly regarding the appointment of ministers under the ‘technocrat quota’. Many citizens are curious about how individuals who are not elected members of parliament can still become ministers and why such a provision exists. According to Article 56(2) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister may appoint up to one-tenth of the cabinet members from among persons who are not members of parliament, provided they meet all the qualifications required to be an MP. These technocrat ministers are typically chosen for their professional expertise, specialized knowledge, or policymaking ability in fields such as economics, information technology, foreign affairs, or health. They enjoy the same salaries and privileges as regular ministers but cannot vote in parliament. The provision aims to integrate expert knowledge into governance, recognize merit and experience, and maintain political balance. The use of the technocrat quota is not mandatory and remains at the discretion of the Prime Minister.

The newly formed BNP cabinet, announced on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, shows the highest representation from Chattogram division with 12 members, including 10 full ministers and 2 state ministers. In contrast, Sylhet division received the fewest appointments, with only two ministers. The data was compiled from the Cabinet Division’s official list. According to the analysis, Dhaka division follows with 11 ministers and state ministers combined, while Rajshahi has six, Barishal five, Mymensingh five, Khulna four, and Rangpur four. The report lists the names of all appointed ministers and state ministers from each division, highlighting the regional distribution within the new BNP-led government. The composition indicates a strong representation from the southern and central regions, particularly Chattogram and Dhaka, while the northeastern division of Sylhet remains least represented in the new cabinet.

Twenty-four members of parliament were sworn in as state ministers following Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election. The oath-taking ceremony took place on Tuesday afternoon at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, administered by President Md. Shahabuddin. The newly appointed state ministers include M Rashiduzzaman Millat for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Anindya Islam Amit for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Shariful Alam for Commerce, Industry, and Textiles, and Shama Obaid Islam for Foreign Affairs, among others. The list also features Sultan Salahuddin Tuku for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food; Barrister Kaiser Kamal for Land; Farhad Hossain Azad for Water Resources; and several others across ministries such as Finance, Health, Education, and Environment. Additionally, Habibur Rashid Habib and Rajib Ahsan may be assigned to the Road Transport, Railways, and Shipping ministries, though their specific portfolios have not yet been confirmed. The appointments mark the formation of a new team of state ministers under the current government, reflecting a broad distribution of responsibilities across key sectors.

Khalilur Rahman, currently serving as the National Security Adviser to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, is set to be included in the new cabinet of the BNP government, according to a source close to him. The same source indicated that he may be appointed as the Foreign Minister. The Cabinet Division has begun inviting new ministers following the swearing-in of members of parliament, with 49 BNP leaders called to join. President Md. Shahabuddin is scheduled to administer their oaths at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building on Tuesday afternoon. Rahman was appointed in November 2024 as the High Representative for Rohingya issues and priority affairs under the Chief Adviser, and later, in April 2025, he became the National Security Adviser. He also played a significant role in recent trade negotiations with the United States. The inclusion of Rahman in the cabinet underscores his growing influence in foreign and security affairs within the BNP-led administration.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) announced that from February 19, the first day of Ramadan, the capital’s metro rail service will operate under a new schedule aligned with Ramadan office hours. According to a directive signed by DMTCL Director (Administration) A.K.M. Khairul Alam, passengers will be allowed to carry a maximum of 250 milliliters of water for iftar during travel. Under the revised schedule, trains from Uttara North to Motijheel will run from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., while trains from Motijheel to Uttara North will operate from 7:15 a.m. to 10:10 p.m. The directive details varying headways throughout the day, ranging between 5.5 and 20 minutes depending on the time period. Passengers are instructed to dispose of used bottles in designated bins and are prohibited from consuming any other food inside trains or stations. The notice also states that schedules for Fridays, Saturdays, and other public holidays will remain unchanged during Ramadan.