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.

The Manobadhikar Sangskriti Foundation (MSF) reported that at least seven people were killed and 350 injured in violence that erupted across 26 districts of Bangladesh following the announcement of the 13th National Parliament election results. The organization released a statement on Monday, three days after the election, expressing strong condemnation and deep concern over the incidents. It urged the state to take swift and effective action to stop the violence and called on political parties to act responsibly and urgently. According to MSF, victims included supporters of independent candidates in Munshiganj and Bagerhat, a child in Mymensingh, and an Awami League activist in Bhola. Two people died in a bomb explosion in Chapainawabganj, and a rickshaw driver in Lakshmipur was found dead after being missing since election night. The group also reported that over 350 political activists and civilians were injured in attacks across multiple districts, with cases of arson, vandalism, and one reported rape in Noakhali’s Hatiya. MSF warned that misleading information and videos circulating on social media could further inflame the situation.

Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry will represent his country at the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected government, scheduled for tomorrow at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building. Although invited, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will not attend, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar are also unlikely to visit due to an ongoing trip to Europe. Ahsan Iqbal will therefore attend on their behalf as Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives. From India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be absent, but Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will participate in the event. Other foreign guests expected include Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Tshering Tobgay, and Bala Nanda Sharma. The oath ceremony follows Bangladesh’s national election held on February 12, in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured a two-thirds majority to form the government. An 11-party alliance, including Jamaat and NCPC, won 77 seats and will sit in the opposition benches.

A Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer in Dhaka displayed remarkable bravery and professionalism by arresting a mugger red-handed in the Shantinagar area on Monday, February 16, 2026. The officer recovered 77,000 taka that had just been snatched from a pharmaceutical company’s area manager, Touhid Alamgir, who was traveling by rickshaw toward his home in East Goran. According to the report, three muggers intercepted the victim near the CID’s Detective Training School building, threatening him with a knife before fleeing with the cash. Responding to the victim’s cries for help, CID Assistant Sub-Inspector (unarmed) Md. Monir Hossain chased and captured one suspect, identified as Md. Saiduzzaman Sohel, 52, while two others escaped. The recovered money was handed over to Paltan Police Station for legal action. CID’s Special Superintendent (Media) Md. Jashim Uddin Khan confirmed that the detainee is a professional mugger and active member of an inter-district robbery and drugging gang, with at least six prior cases filed against him between 2012 and 2025.

India has come under criticism for a new trade deal with the United States, announced this month, aimed at addressing the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Critics have described the deal as a ‘surrender’ to Washington. The agreement has sparked concern among India’s influential farmer groups, who fear that cheaper US imports could harm domestic producers. Over 700 million Indians are engaged in agriculture. The full details of the deal have not been released, though a joint statement and a White House fact sheet were published. New Delhi said an interim agreement could be finalized by the end of March. A key controversy surrounds India’s expressed ‘intention’ to buy US goods worth 500 billion dollars over five years, compared to 45 billion dollars in imports last fiscal year. Analysts have called the target unrealistic, noting that even large aircraft purchases would fall short. Another disputed issue is Washington’s claim that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, after which the US lifted a 25 percent tariff. However, India has neither confirmed nor denied such a commitment. Analysts say the deal remains fragile and politically contentious, with uncertainty over its durability and implications for India’s growth outlook.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin Ahmed will administer the oath to the newly elected members of parliament, as both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent. According to Article 158(2)(b) of the Constitution, the CEC is authorized to conduct the oath-taking ceremony in such circumstances. On Monday, Parliament Secretariat Secretary Kaniz Mowla visited the CEC’s residence with the formal invitation letter for the event, a responsible official from the Secretariat confirmed. The 13th parliamentary election was held on February 12, in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured an absolute majority by winning 212 seats. The oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected MPs is scheduled for Tuesday. Following the swearing-in, the formal process of forming a new government is expected to be completed soon. The developments mark the transition toward a new parliamentary session and government formation following the BNP’s decisive electoral victory.

The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) has extended congratulations to all newly elected members of the 13th National Parliament. The message was conveyed during a board meeting held on Monday at a hotel in Dhaka, where the association also congratulated ten members from the housing sector who were elected as MPs. REHAB described their election as a significant milestone for the industry. During the meeting, the board noted that increased representation of the housing sector in Parliament could help address long-standing policy challenges, including tax reforms, urban planning, Detailed Area Plan (DAP) implementation, utility connections, and approval complexities. REHAB President Md. Wahiduzzaman said the election of ten members from the association marks both personal success and a strong foundation for the national housing industry, which contributes notably to employment, construction growth, and revenue. The president also congratulated the incoming government expected to form in two days, as well as the opposition. The meeting concluded with wishes for the MPs’ good health and effective roles in national development.