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.

Leaders of the Dhaka North and South units of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) exchanged floral greetings with Tarique Rahman on Monday at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The event was held to formally congratulate him on being elected as a Member of Parliament from Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies. Present at the meeting were Rafiqul Alam Majnu, convener of Dhaka South BNP and newly elected MP from Feni-1, member secretary Tanvir Hasan Robin, and Aminul Haque, convener of Dhaka North BNP, along with other party leaders and activists. They congratulated Rahman for his electoral success and expressed commitment to continue working together to fulfill public expectations. During the exchange, Tarique Rahman thanked the leaders and activists for their support and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to strengthen party unity. He urged all members to play an active role in upholding democracy, development, and citizens’ rights across the country.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman has invited Hefazat-e-Islam’s Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari to attend the new government’s oath-taking ceremony as a guest. The invitation was extended over the phone on Monday afternoon, February 16, 2026. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Tuesday afternoon, February 17, 2026, at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka. According to the report, Tarique Rahman, who led the BNP to victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, is also set to meet Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, known as Pir Saheb Chormonai, on Monday evening. The invitation to religious leaders highlights the inclusion of key Islamic figures in the upcoming state event. The oath ceremony is described as a historic occasion, expected to mark the formal beginning of the new government’s tenure following the recent election.

A joint operation by the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) rescued 15 people, including women, men, and children, who were being held for trafficking to Malaysia. The operation took place on Sunday, 15 February 2026, at Baharchhara in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq confirmed the rescue on Monday, stating that the victims were confined in a warehouse owned by alleged trafficker Md. Abdul Ali. According to intelligence sources, several organized trafficking groups had been luring Bangladeshi and Rohingya citizens from different parts of the country with promises of better living conditions, high-paying jobs, and low-cost travel abroad. They planned to smuggle the victims to Malaysia by sea. During the raid, the traffickers fled before security forces could detain them. The rescued individuals were later handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for legal procedures. The Coast Guard stated that similar operations will continue to prevent human trafficking in the region.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman stated that no elements of 'election engineering' were observed in the country’s 13th parliamentary election. Speaking at a press conference at TIB’s Dhanmondi office in Dhaka, he said the election was largely acceptable, fair, neutral, and participatory. The event was organized to release TIB’s report titled 'Observation on the 13th National Election Process and Affidavit-Based Analysis.' The report, based on a representative random sample of 70 out of 300 constituencies, found that 99 percent of candidates violated at least one of 58 electoral codes of conduct. It also documented incidents such as attacks on independent female candidates, intimidation outside polling centers, expulsion of polling agents, voter harassment, proxy voting, and vote buying. Additionally, 21.4 percent of the sampled constituencies recorded at least one instance of ballot fraud. TIB’s findings further noted post-election violence, including 45 clashes between rival political groups, 34 cases of intimidation, and 18 attacks on homes or offices. The report concluded that while early signs suggested healthy competition, political violence and unhealthy rivalry increased during and after the election.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has resigned from the Bogura-6 parliamentary seat. On Monday, February 16, 2026, he submitted his resignation in writing. Rahman had contested and won in both the Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies during the 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to election law, a candidate elected from multiple constituencies can retain only one seat. In compliance with this rule, Tarique Rahman chose to vacate the Bogura-6 seat and decided to take oath as a Member of Parliament from Dhaka-17. The decision formally confirms his representation of the Dhaka-17 constituency in the new parliament. The resignation opens the Bogura-6 seat for a future by-election, as required by electoral procedures, though no schedule has yet been announced in the report.

The Jubo Dal has expelled Imam Hossain Pobi, member secretary of the Sonagazi upazila unit in Feni, for alleged involvement in activities contrary to the party’s policies, ideals, and organizational unity. The decision, which includes termination of his primary membership, was confirmed on Monday through an official statement by Minhazul Islam Bhuiyan, assistant office secretary of the central Jubo Dal. The expulsion was approved and implemented by the organization’s central executive committee president Abdul Monayem Munna and general secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Noyon. According to the statement, the organization will not bear any responsibility for any misconduct committed by the expelled leader. It also instructed all party members and activists to refrain from maintaining any organizational contact with him. The announcement underscores the Jubo Dal’s emphasis on maintaining internal discipline and adherence to party principles within its local units.

Mark Bonwick, 62, who served as Arsenal’s kitman for 22 years, claims he was dismissed after criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. He said he was fired following a December 2024 social media post condemning Israel’s military operations. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Bonwick stated that his remarks were political expressions, not hate speech or discrimination. He is now pursuing legal action against the club, with mediation expected in June and the process possibly extending to 2028. Bonwick argued that his comments were part of a broader call to speak out against injustice, comparing them to global discussions on apartheid in South Africa and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He accused the media of emphasizing antisemitism allegations instead of the political context of his statements. Bonwick insisted there was no antisemitic content in his post and noted that neither police nor the Football Association had contacted him. He cited the case of Bristol University academic David Miller, arguing that the same standards of free political expression should apply to everyone, regardless of profession.

In Sunamganj’s Dharampasha upazila, a woman named Joybanu Akter, aged 60, lodged a written complaint on Sunday afternoon with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) against her 30-year-old son, Md. Wasim, accusing him of physical assault and issuing death threats. The incident occurred in Baulam village under Paikurati Union. According to the complaint and local residents, Wasim, who has long been addicted to drugs, demanded Tk 10,000 from his mother over the past two weeks. When she refused, he allegedly beat his mother, elder brother, and sister-in-law, and vandalized household items last Friday night. Joybanu stated that her son has been using various drugs, including alcohol and cannabis, and has identified himself as a hijra for the past three years. She expressed fear for her family’s safety and sought justice through the UNO. UNO Jony Roy confirmed receiving the complaint and forwarded it to the officer-in-charge of Dharampasha Police Station for legal action. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shahid Ullah said the matter would be investigated and appropriate legal steps taken. Authorities indicated that if Wasim is indeed addicted, his family should arrange medical treatment alongside legal proceedings.