The High Court has postponed for two weeks the hearing on a writ petition challenging the legality of the ordinance and administrative actions that dissolved the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and created two new divisions named Revenue Policy and Revenue Management. The bench of Justice Rajik Al Jalil and Justice Anwarul Islam announced the decision on Monday, February 16, after five days of hearings, without issuing any rule. NBR’s counsel Barrister Omar Faruk confirmed the decision, noting that the court will observe the new parliament’s stance once the government is formed. The writ was filed by Tanvir Ahmed, a joint secretary of the Cabinet Division, who argued that the new rule requiring secretaries to have VAT and tax experience reduces his eligibility for promotion. He also claimed that the changes to the Rules of Business were unconstitutional and beyond the advisory council’s authority. A previous bench had dismissed a similar petition in August, citing non-presentation. The government issued the ordinance on May 12 of the previous year, sparking protests among NBR officials under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council. Although amendments were later made, the protests continued until June 29, when the movement was withdrawn following government warnings and reports of anti-corruption investigations.

Seventy-three fishermen who had been detained by the Arakan Army in Myanmar were repatriated to Bangladesh through the Teknaf border in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, February 16, 2026. Among them, 66 are Bangladeshi nationals and seven are residents of Rohingya camps. The handover took place at the zero line of the Naf River, followed by official reception at Teknaf Jetty Ghat. Local administration, union council representatives, and law enforcement agencies verified their identities before initiating the process of returning them to their families. According to official sources, the fishermen had unintentionally crossed into Myanmar waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal at various times in 2025, leading to their detention by the Arakan Army. They were held in different camps under the group’s control inside Myanmar. In response, security forces in the Cox’s Bazar region coordinated efforts on humanitarian grounds to secure their release through sustained communication and negotiation. Lieutenant Colonel Md Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan of the Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB) described the return before Ramadan as a positive humanitarian development and confirmed that efforts continue to bring back the remaining detained fishermen.

Afghanistan has announced that it will assist Iran if the United States launches a military attack and Tehran requests help. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid made the statement on Sunday, February 15, emphasizing that Afghans would show solidarity with Iran. He added that Afghanistan does not support war and prefers peaceful solutions through dialogue. The spokesperson noted that Iran has recently shown restraint, and Afghanistan hopes no conflict will erupt between Washington and Tehran. The statement comes as instability spreads across the Middle East, with the United States deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships in preparation for a possible strike on Iran. Another carrier is reportedly heading to the region. Several Middle Eastern countries are attempting to prevent a potential war, fearing that a large-scale conflict would cause severe economic and humanitarian damage across the region.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman visited the residence of Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, on Monday evening at 7:15 p.m. The meeting took place at Karim’s residence on Bailey Road in Dhaka as part of a series of courtesy visits by the BNP leader. According to the report, Tarique Rahman had earlier paid courtesy visits on Sunday evening to Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and later that night to NCP Convener Nahid Islam at their respective residences. Islami Andolan Bangladesh had fielded 257 candidates out of 300 constituencies in the recent election. In Barishal-5, BNP’s Mojibur Rahman Sarwar was unofficially elected with 131,431 votes, while his closest rival, Islami Andolan’s Mufti Faizul Karim, received 93,528 votes. The series of visits marks continued political engagement among opposition and Islamist party leaders following the election results.

England defeated Italy by 24 runs in a high-scoring Group C match on February 16, 2026. Batting first, England posted 202 for 7 in 20 overs, led by Will Jacks’ unbeaten 53 off 22 balls. Tom Banton added 30, while Sam Curran contributed 25 from 19 deliveries. For Italy, Grant Stewart and Krishan Kalugamage took two wickets each. Chasing 203, Italy stumbled early, losing three wickets for 22 runs. However, Justin Mosca’s 43 off 34 balls steadied the innings before Ben Menetti’s 60 from 25 balls and Grant Stewart’s 45 from 23 nearly turned the game around. Despite their efforts, Italy were bowled out for 178. England’s Jamie Overton and Sam Curran each claimed three wickets, sealing the win. With this result, England became the second team from Group C to qualify for the Super Eight stage, while Italy earned praise for their competitive batting display against a strong English bowling attack.

Afghanistan defeated the United Arab Emirates by five wickets in a T20 World Cup match held in Delhi on February 16, 2026. The match was marked by Rashid Khan’s historic achievement of becoming the first cricketer to claim 700 wickets in T20 cricket. Rashid reached the milestone when he dismissed UAE batter Muhammad Arfan, finishing with one wicket for 24 runs. Afghanistan successfully chased down UAE’s total of 160 for nine, reaching 162 for five in 19.2 overs. UAE’s innings was anchored by Shoaib Khan’s 68 and Alishan Sharafu’s 40, while Azmatullah Omarzai starred with the ball for Afghanistan, taking four wickets for 15 runs. In reply, Afghanistan lost an early wicket but were steadied by Ibrahim Zadran’s 53 off 41 balls. Omarzai later contributed an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls to secure victory with four balls remaining. Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Arfan took two wickets each for UAE. Omarzai was named player of the match for his all-round performance, as Afghanistan celebrated both the win and Rashid Khan’s record-breaking feat.

Bangladesh A women’s cricket team advanced to the semifinals of the Rising Stars Asia Cup after a hard-fought three-wicket victory against hosts Thailand in Bangkok. Thailand batted first and were bowled out for 103 runs, with Fahima Khatun and Sharifa Khatun taking two wickets each for Bangladesh. In reply, Bangladesh reached the target with one ball to spare, sealing their place in the semifinals from Group B. Thailand’s innings was anchored by Nannapat Koncharoenkai’s 34 and Nannthan Chantam’s 24, while Onnicha Kamchomphu and Phannita Maya added quick runs late in the innings. Bangladesh’s chase was shaky, losing four wickets for 54 runs. Opener Shamima Sultana scored 26, while Lata Mondal’s 30 and Farzana Yasmin’s late 23 off 15 balls guided the team to victory. With this win, Bangladesh A confirmed their semifinal berth and will face Malaysia in their final group-stage match, aiming to finish the group phase unbeaten.

A 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal, about 222 kilometers southeast of Cox’s Bazar, on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 5:55 p.m. Bangladesh time. The event was reported by the volcano and earthquake monitoring website Volcano Discovery, which described it as a shallow quake occurring at a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the seabed. According to the report, no information has yet been received about anyone feeling the tremor. The earthquake’s location in the Bay of Bengal places it offshore, away from major population centers, which may explain the lack of felt reports. The incident was noted by local media as part of routine seismic monitoring in the region. Authorities or monitoring agencies have not issued any further statements or warnings related to the event, and no damage or casualties were reported at the time of publication.

Police in Feni recovered parts of a stolen truck from the house of a local Jubo Dal leader on Monday, February 16, in Chharaitakandi village under Sonagazi upazila. The recovery followed the arrest of Md. Yunus alias Dalim, 40, from Dakshin Char Chandia village during a joint operation by EPZ and Sonagazi Model police stations. Based on Dalim’s information, police found the truck parts at the residence of Imam Hossain Probir, the member secretary of Sonagazi upazila Jubo Dal. The truck had been reported stolen from Chattogram’s Patenga area on February 8, and its owner, Md. Harun, filed a case at the local EPZ police station on February 15. Following the recovery, Jubo Dal’s central office issued a press release signed by Assistant Office Secretary Minhajul Islam Bhuiyan, announcing the expulsion of Imam Hossain Probir from the party for breaching organizational discipline. Police confirmed that the recovered truck parts and the arrested suspect were transferred to the EPZ police station for further investigation.

Local residents of Saint Martin Island in Cox’s Bazar have alleged that rows of keya trees were cut down along the southern beach area of Ward 9, apparently to facilitate illegal land occupation. The incident, reported on February 16, 2026, has triggered anger and concern among locals, though no one has publicly identified those responsible. Union Parishad Chairman Foyezul Islam confirmed hearing about the tree cutting and said a beach worker was sent to inspect the site, with further action to follow after investigation. Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) district president H.M. Ershad condemned the act as alarming, emphasizing that keya trees serve as a natural coastal defense protecting sand dunes, homes, and marine biodiversity. Local residents described the destruction as unacceptable and urged authorities to act swiftly to protect the island’s forest cover. The Department of Environment’s Cox’s Bazar office director, Jamir Uddin, stated that an initial investigation has begun and the matter is being treated with high importance.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has declared the Bogura-6 parliamentary seat vacant following BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s decision to represent the Dhaka-17 constituency. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed issued a gazette notification on Monday, February 16, 2026, confirming the vacancy effective from the same date. The decision was made under Article 71(2)(a) of the Constitution after Rahman formally submitted a signed declaration expressing his intent to represent Dhaka-17. In the 13th national election, Tarique Rahman contested and won from both Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 constituencies. His party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), secured a sweeping majority with victories in 212 seats. The EC’s announcement follows Rahman’s formal choice of constituency representation as required by law. Newly elected members of parliament and cabinet members are scheduled to take oath on Tuesday, February 16, 2026, during which Tarique Rahman is set to be sworn in as the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, will represent his country at the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tareq Rahman’s new cabinet on Tuesday. The event marks Rahman’s assumption of office as Prime Minister following his party’s sweeping victory in Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12. According to a message received in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andalib Elias, saw off Minister Jayatissa at Colombo airport before his departure. The Sri Lankan minister’s participation is being viewed as a reflection of the strong and friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The ceremony underscores ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two South Asian nations as Bangladesh transitions to a new government under Tareq Rahman’s leadership.

A Dhaka-bound intercity train, the 721 Mahanagar Express, derailed between Hasanpur and Nangalkot railway stations in Comilla on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. at Khanna Para when the spring of the train’s ninth air-conditioned chair car broke, causing its front wheel to leave the track. Hundreds of passengers narrowly escaped injury, and no casualties were reported immediately after the derailment. Nangalkot Railway Station Master Jamal Uddin confirmed that train movement on the up line between Hasanpur and Nangalkot was temporarily suspended following the derailment. He said a relief train from Laksam was on its way to carry out recovery operations. Authorities will investigate the cause of the accident and take necessary measures based on the findings. Train operations in the affected section are expected to resume after the relief train completes the recovery work, according to the station master’s statement.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has signed the July National Charter at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka on Monday, in the presence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain signed the document on behalf of the party. The event was attended by National Consensus Commission Vice President Professor Ali Riaz, Commission Member Badiul Alam Majumdar, and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider. Chief Adviser Yunus said the nation had expected NCP’s signature on the charter, and with this step, the July National Charter reached completion. He thanked the party for participating in what he described as a noble initiative and urged all to remain vigilant so that the document contributes to building a humane new Bangladesh. He also announced that newly elected members of parliament would take their oaths the following day. NCP leader Nahid Islam stated that their elected MPs would take oath tomorrow, marking two oaths at once, and pledged to fulfill the trust placed in them by the people.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has returned home after being discharged from Square Hospital in Dhaka. He had been admitted with fever, cold, and breathing difficulties, and was released on Monday following several days of treatment. His personal assistant, Arifur Rahman Tushar, confirmed the development. Doctors reported that Rizvi’s health has improved significantly, noting that his fever has subsided and his breathing problems have largely eased. He had been admitted to the hospital urgently last week due to his deteriorating condition. A medical board comprising specialist doctors supervised his treatment during his stay at the hospital, ensuring close monitoring of his recovery process.