Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus delivered an emotional farewell address on February 16, 2026, recalling the events of August 5 as a moment of great national liberation. He described the day as one of immense joy, noting that Bangladeshis at home and abroad shed tears of happiness. Yunus said that young students had freed the country from what he called a 'monster’s grip,' though the state machinery had become completely paralyzed at that time. He explained that the student leaders behind the uprising decided to form a government to run the country. At that time, Yunus was abroad and initially declined to take responsibility, but the student leaders persuaded him by reminding him of his duty to the nation. He stated that he had faithfully carried out his responsibilities for the past 18 months and that it was now time to hand over power to an elected government. Yunus described August 5 as a unique moment of liberation in the nation’s history and said that the interim government had worked to restore stability and functionality to the state. As he prepared to transfer power, he expressed gratitude to the people of Bangladesh.

A job applicant was detained at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Gazipur after arriving to join work without taking any written, viva, or practical examination. The incident occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026, when Suja Mia, 32, from Sherpur’s Sreebordi upazila, came to join as a plumber. Officials discovered that his admit card contained the photo of another person named Milon Mia, who had taken all the exams on his behalf. Suja Mia claimed he did not know Milon and said he obtained the job through a man named Mahbub from his area in exchange for seven lakh taka. He was later handed over to police. Following his arrest, Suja Mia’s brother-in-law, Sajal Mia, visited the BRRI headquarters, prompting discussions due to his home being near the BRRI director general’s village house. Sajal denied any connection to the case. Gazipur Metropolitan Police confirmed that a case is being processed and an investigation is underway to determine whether any internal collusion or broker network was involved. Police stated that a full investigation is ongoing to uncover the entire recruitment fraud network.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said that full implementation of the July Charter would permanently prevent the return of fascism. In his farewell address to the nation on Monday night, he noted that the people had overwhelmingly supported the Charter through a referendum and expressed hope it would be implemented within the stipulated timeframe. He thanked political parties, social organizations, and rights groups for their contributions to drafting and passing the Charter. Yunus stated that after nearly one and a half decades, Bangladesh held a festive, participatory, and peaceful national election alongside the referendum on the July Charter, aimed at major constitutional reforms. Reflecting on his 18 months in office, he said the interim government worked on three goals—reform, justice, and election—introducing about 130 new laws and 600 executive orders. He highlighted initiatives such as strengthening judicial independence, recognizing enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity, and police reform. He added that balanced diplomacy had been restored, citing a trade deal with the United States that reduced reciprocal tariffs from 37 to 19 percent, and growing cooperation with Japan and China. Yunus urged unity in building a just, humane, and democratic Bangladesh as he handed over power to the elected government.

On February 16, 2026, China Media Group (CMG) hosted the annual Chinese Spring Festival Gala, broadcast in 85 languages across more than 200 countries and regions. The event, themed around the Year of the Horse, symbolized perseverance and progress, inspiring audiences worldwide. It featured a blend of traditional performances and cutting-edge technology, including AI-generated content that brought digital horses and ancient art to life on stage. The gala showcased humanoid robots from four Chinese companies—Galaxy General, Songyan Dynamics, Yushu Technology, and Magic Atom—demonstrating China’s rapid progress in robotics. Additional venues included Harbin’s ice-built stage and a light show on Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, symbolizing cultural exchange between China and the Arab world. The event also received greetings from global leaders, including those of Russia, Brazil, and Pakistan, highlighting China’s growing international influence. Experts described the 2026 gala as a convergence of technology, culture, and diplomacy, reflecting how Chinese traditions are evolving into a global celebration that bridges innovation and heritage.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman has pledged to run the country through consultation with all parties, according to Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim. The commitment came after a 45-minute meeting held on Monday evening at Rezaul Karim’s residence on Bailey Road in Dhaka, attended by Tarique Rahman and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Following the meeting, Rezaul Karim described the discussion as cordial and productive, saying they exchanged views on building the nation together and avoiding political hostility. He said Tarique Rahman assured that governance would be based on collective consultation. The meeting also touched on the issue of the proposed upper house mentioned in the July Charter, which Rezaul Karim urged the BNP to uphold to maintain public trust. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the BNP had several notes of dissent regarding the July Charter but would present them in parliament and implement the charter if passed. Rezaul Karim confirmed that his party would attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony upon receiving an invitation.

A 13-year-old schoolboy named Pradip Nag died after being hit by a battery-run autorickshaw in Madan municipality of Netrakona on Monday afternoon. Pradip, son of Sujan Nag, owner of Joy Ma Mistanno Bhandar in Jahangirpur Central Market, was a seventh-grade student at Jahangirpur Tahura Amin Pilot High School. The accident occurred around 4:45 p.m. on the Madan-Kendua road, near his home, while he was on his way to his family’s shop. Locals rescued him and took him to the hospital, where duty doctor Dr. Nayan Ghosh declared him dead. Neighbor Rupan Das said several accidents had previously occurred at the same spot and urged the authorities to install a speed breaker there. Madan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Hasnat Zaman stated that they were aware of the incident and would take action upon receiving a complaint. The repeated accidents at the location have prompted renewed calls from residents for road safety measures to prevent further tragedies.

Malaysian immigration authorities in Terengganu arrested 226 undocumented foreign nationals, including 222 Bangladeshis, during a joint operation on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The operation, conducted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., involved 64 officers from the Immigration Department, National Registration Department, Manpower Department, and Construction Industry Development Board. A total of 316 foreigners were inspected, and 226 were detained for violating the Immigration Act 1959/63. According to Terengganu Immigration Director Mohamad Yusri Mohamad, those arrested included three Indonesians and one Indian national. The charges involved lacking personal documents, overstaying visas, and visa misuse, which fall under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963. The detainees have been transferred to the Ajil Immigration Detention Depot for legal processing. Yusri added that between January and February 15, 2026, a total of 415 undocumented migrants were arrested in Terengganu, including nationals from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand, Cambodia, India, and Nepal.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, the youth wing of the BNP, met with party chairperson Tarique Rahman on Monday at his political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The meeting took place on the eve of Rahman’s scheduled swearing-in as prime minister on Tuesday. During the meeting, Jubo Dal leaders presented him with flowers and extended heartfelt congratulations on what they described as a historic moment. According to the report, the Jubo Dal leaders expressed optimism that Rahman’s leadership would rebuild democracy, strengthen nationalist ideals, and fulfill public expectations. They also prayed for his good health, long life, and success as a statesman. Among those present were Jubo Dal president Abdul Monayem Munna and general secretary and newly elected member of parliament Nurul Islam Noyon. The event underscored the youth wing’s support for Rahman’s upcoming assumption of office and its expectation of renewed political direction under his leadership.

Four months after the formal signing of the July National Charter, the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), led by young leaders of the mass uprising, signed the document on Monday evening at the state guesthouse Jamuna. The signing took place in the presence of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain signed on behalf of the party. Also present were National Consensus Commission Vice President Professor Ali Riaz, Commission Member Badiul Alam Majumdar, and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider. Dr. Yunus said the nation had expected NCP to join the charter, and with their signature, the July National Charter reached completion. He thanked the party for its participation and urged vigilance in building a humane Bangladesh through the charter’s implementation. Nahid Islam stated that NCP’s elected members would take their parliamentary oath the next day, marking two simultaneous commitments to the people and the charter. The signing signifies the final endorsement of the July National Charter, completing a key step in the country’s ongoing political transition.

The coordinated platform of election observer organizations, Voice Network, has stated that widespread post-election violence across nearly all divisions of Bangladesh is undermining the success of the recently held fair and peaceful parliamentary election. The observation came on Monday in Dhaka during the presentation of its preliminary report on the national election and referendum, delivered by the organization’s chairman, Professor Dr. Jasim Uddin. According to the report, the 13th National Parliamentary Election was comparatively fair, peaceful, and acceptable. However, incidents of violence, deaths, and looting reported in about 40 districts have tarnished the overall electoral environment. The report urged the Election Commission, interim government, and winning political parties to act responsibly to address the situation. Observers noted irregularities, including obstruction to their work in 8 percent of polling centers, inadequate facilities for elderly, sick, and pregnant voters, and partiality in 15.5 percent of centers. The report also cited procedural ambiguities in vote counting and tabulation, limited observer access, and restricted media coverage, which affected transparency and public confidence in the results.

Sheikh Bashiruddin, adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has stepped down from his position as chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. On Monday, he submitted his resignation letter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, which has been forwarded to the Chief Adviser’s Office for approval. A farewell reception for him is scheduled to be held at Biman’s headquarters, Balaka, on Monday evening. Sheikh Bashiruddin was appointed chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines on August 26 of the previous year through a ministry notification. He succeeded Muid Chowdhury, the former chairman of Biman and a former adviser to the caretaker government. In addition to his role in the aviation ministry, Sheikh Bashiruddin also serves as an adviser to the Ministry of Commerce. The resignation marks the end of Sheikh Bashiruddin’s tenure of less than a year at the national carrier, pending formal approval from the Chief Adviser’s Office.

Arsenal delivered a dominant performance in the FA Cup fourth round, defeating third-division side Wigan Athletic 4-0 at home. The London club sealed the result within just 16 minutes, scoring all four goals between the 11th and 27th minutes. With this victory, Arsenal advanced comfortably to the next round and kept their pursuit of titles alive in all four competitions this season. Midfielder Eberechi Eze provided assists for the first two goals, finished by Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. Wigan’s defender Jack Hunt then inadvertently scored an own goal, before Gabriel Jesus added the fourth to end any remaining suspense. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made several key saves to preserve a clean sheet, notably stopping efforts from Joe Taylor and Rafael Rodriguez. Although Victor Gyökeres struck the crossbar in the second half, Arsenal’s first-half surge proved decisive. The win marked the first time since the 1992–93 season that Arsenal scored four goals within the opening 30 minutes of an FA Cup match.

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.