A demand has been raised to posthumously confer the title of Field Marshal on General Ataul Gani (MAG) Osmani, the Commander-in-Chief of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. The call came on Monday during a discussion and prayer event held at the Helmet Hall of the RAOWA Club in Dhaka, marking Osmani’s 42nd death anniversary. The event was organized by the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA). Speakers at the event said Osmani was deprived of the honor he deserved, though the loss was the nation’s rather than his. They credited his leadership for maintaining unity among military and civilian forces during the war. BNP Standing Committee member Major (Retd.) Hafizuddin Ahmed Bir Bikrom, the chief guest, said Osmani’s recognition as Field Marshal would honor the nation itself. He urged the armed forces to formally request the defense minister or future prime minister Tarique Rahman to approve the title. Hafizuddin also commented on the politicization of history and praised the country’s armed forces for their discipline and role in ensuring a fair 13th parliamentary election held on February 12.

The Israeli government has approved the resumption of land registration in the West Bank, a move that has triggered strong criticism from Arab nations and rights groups. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the initiative aims to clarify land ownership and resolve legal disputes transparently, citing illegal registrations under the Palestinian Authority as justification. The registration will take place only in Area C, which covers about 60 percent of the West Bank and remains under Israeli security and administrative control. Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan denounced the decision as a violation of international law. Egypt described it as a dangerous step to consolidate Israeli control over occupied Palestinian territory, while Qatar warned it would undermine Palestinian rights by declaring land as “state property.” The Palestinian Authority called for international intervention, saying the move marks the beginning of annexation and weakens the foundation of a future Palestinian state. Israeli group Peace Now labeled the decision a “mega land grab.” Israeli media reported that this is the first time since the 1967 war that land registration will resume in the West Bank, where over 500,000 Israelis and about 3 million Palestinians currently live.

The British Museum has removed the term 'Palestine' from its ancient Middle East exhibition, triggering strong criticism from academics and rights activists. According to The Telegraph, the change followed a letter from the pro-Israel group UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), which argued that labeling the eastern Mediterranean coast as 'Palestine' and describing the Hyksos people as 'of Palestinian descent' obscured the history of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah. The museum replaced those labels with 'Canaan' and 'Canaanite descent'. A museum spokesperson said the decision was not made in response to any specific complaint, explaining that 'Palestine' was not a geographically accurate term for that period and that the museum uses United Nations terminology for modern maps. However, scholars speaking to Middle East Eye argued that 'ancient Palestine' is historically accurate for the region. Marcella Ward, a lecturer in Classical Studies at the Open University, said denying the term amounts to historical distortion. Advocacy groups also accused the museum of rewriting history and erasing Palestinian identity. The pro-Palestinian campaign group Energy Embargo for Palestine accused the museum of hypocrisy, alleging it collected Palestinian artifacts while now attempting to erase Palestine and its people from historical narratives.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, 17 out of 25 candidates in three constituencies of Madaripur lost their security deposits due to failing to secure the required number of votes. The results showed close contests among leading candidates, but most others could not gather significant voter support. In Madaripur-1, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish candidate Sayeed Uddin Ahmed Hanjala won with 64,909 votes, narrowly defeating BNP’s Nadira Akter, who received 64,528 votes. In Madaripur-2, BNP’s Jahandar Ali Mia won with 61,744 votes, while in Madaripur-3, BNP’s Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukdar secured victory with 96,188 votes. Voter turnout ranged from 44 to 56 percent across the three constituencies, with several thousand votes declared invalid. Analysis of the results indicated that despite competitive races among top contenders, a large portion of candidates failed to achieve the minimum vote threshold, resulting in a high rate of deposit forfeiture across the district.

Two candidates in the Bogura-3 (Adamdighi-Dupchanchia) constituency lost their security deposits in the parliamentary election held on February 12, 2026. According to the Upazila Election Office, under election rules, a candidate forfeits their deposit if they fail to secure one-eighth (12.5%) of the total votes cast. Out of 339,181 registered voters, 243,794 cast their ballots, with 4,198 votes declared invalid, resulting in a turnout of 73.10 percent. National Party candidate Shahinul Islam, who contested with the plough symbol, received 1,475 votes, while Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Shahjahan Ali Talukder, with the hand fan symbol, obtained 1,771 votes. Both failed to reach the required vote threshold. The election results show that BNP’s candidate Abdul Mohit Talukder, running with the sheaf of paddy symbol, won the seat with 127,406 votes. His closest rival, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nur Mohammad Abu Taher, received 111,026 votes. The forfeiture of deposits underscores the wide vote gap between the leading candidates and the lower-performing contenders in the Bogura-3 race.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced special traffic arrangements for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, due to the oath-taking ceremonies of newly elected Members of Parliament at the National Parliament Building and newly formed cabinet members at the South Plaza. A large public gathering is expected in the area, prompting temporary traffic restrictions from Khejurbagan Crossing to Manik Mia Avenue and from July Memorial Museum (Ganabhaban Crossing) to Urojahaj Crossing along Lake Road. To minimize inconvenience, DMP’s traffic division has outlined several diversion routes. Vehicles from Mirpur Road toward Farmgate will be redirected via Defence Gap, China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center, and Bijoy Sarani Crossing. Similar diversions apply for traffic from Dhanmondi, Asad Gate, Indira Road, and the Elevated Expressway. Drivers are advised to avoid Manik Mia Avenue and Lake Road between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. DMP has requested full cooperation from city residents to ensure smooth traffic flow during the ceremonies and advised using alternative routes to avoid congestion.

Two people were killed in separate road accidents in Dhaka’s Shyampur and Mugda areas late on Monday, February 15. Police said Abdur Rahim, 46, was hit by an unidentified truck while crossing the road near Postogola Bridge in Shyampur. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died around 2:45 a.m. His body was sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy. In another incident the same evening, Nayon Moni, 46, a garment worker, died after being struck by her staff bus in front of Mugda Hospital. Her husband said she had just stepped off the bus and was crossing the road when the accident occurred. Police recovered the body and sent it for autopsy at Dhaka Medical College morgue. The driver and the bus involved were later detained. Both victims were from outside Dhaka—Rahim from Sirajganj and Nayon Moni from Shariatpur. Their families have since received the bodies after post-mortem examinations.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, deposits of 35 out of 48 candidates in six constituencies of Noakhali district were forfeited for failing to secure one-eighth of the total votes cast. The results were confirmed by the district returning officer and Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shafiqul Islam after voting took place peacefully on February 12, 2026. According to the district election office, deposits were forfeited by five candidates in Noakhali-1, two in Noakhali-2, five in Noakhali-3, five in Noakhali-4, ten in Noakhali-5, and eight in Noakhali-6. In these constituencies, BNP candidates won in five seats, while the National Citizen Party (NCP) secured victory in one. The forfeited candidates represented parties such as Islami Andolan, Jatiya Party, JSD, and others, as well as several independents. The official results were announced on the night of the election day, with the election office confirming that the process was conducted in a fair and orderly environment across all polling centers.

The Taliban government has introduced sweeping reforms in Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical market to improve drug quality and boost domestic production. The move follows a November announcement to end long-standing dependence on medicine imports from Pakistan after deadly border clashes. Importers were given three months to find alternative legal sources, but traders report major challenges in ending old contracts and completing customs procedures. Pharmacists in Kabul say prices of several medicines have risen while some drugs are unavailable, causing hardship for patients. Transport costs have surged by up to 30 percent as imports shift to routes through Iran and other countries. The Health Ministry cites counterfeit Pakistani medicines as a key reason for the reform and says new supply links are being built with Iran, India, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Turkey, China, and Belarus. Local firms now produce about 600 types of medicines, including antibiotics. Experts caution that Afghanistan remains dependent on imported raw materials and faces high energy costs and limited infrastructure, making full self-sufficiency unrealistic in the short term. Doctors warn that the transition is complicating treatment and delaying patient care.

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on Sony Rangs Electronics Limited Managing Director Ekram Hossain, his father Sachimi Ogawara Hossain, and brother Binash Hossain, who serves as the company’s Deputy Managing Director. The order was passed on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to the petition filed by ACC Deputy Assistant Director and investigating officer Md. Al Amin, the accused are suspected of illegally transferring approximately fifteen to twenty thousand crore taka abroad. A confidential inquiry reportedly revealed that the family holds extensive movable and immovable assets both in Bangladesh and overseas and were allegedly attempting to relocate those assets. The court deemed the travel restriction necessary to prevent the transfer of assets and to preserve evidence related to the alleged offenses. The order was confirmed by court bench assistant Riaz Hossain.

Muhammad Asadullah, a journalist for Amar Desh and central joint convener of the National Youth Power under the National Citizens Party (NCP), has been arrested, prompting his family to allege a politically motivated conspiracy. His wife, Naima Akter Rima, said police detained him last Friday without prior notice, claiming an old case was deliberately revived to humiliate him socially and politically. The family insists the arrest is part of a planned campaign of harassment rather than a routine legal process. According to the family, the incident followed an attack by local political activists who smeared color on Asadullah and his father after the election. They allege the arrest was retaliation for protesting that assault. The family also reported threats from influential local ruling party leaders after Asadullah’s sister posted on social media, leaving them fearful for their safety. Police stated that Asadullah was arrested under a 2024 cheque dishonor case in which he was a convicted and warrant-listed accused. However, they did not explain why the warrant had not been executed earlier. Asadullah is currently held in Pabna District Jail, and his family has appealed for his protection and a fair trial.

BNP Secretary General and Standing Committee member Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited Bangladesh Medical University on Monday, February 16, to check on the health condition of the party’s Health Affairs Secretary and prominent urologist Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, who is currently under treatment. During the visit, Fakhrul spoke with the attending doctors and was briefed about Rafiqul Islam’s physical condition and progress. Present at the time were several senior faculty members and administrators of the university, including Professor Dr. Shamim Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, and other specialists from the Urology and Surgical Oncology departments. Earlier, on Sunday, BNP Standing Committee member Dr. A. J. M. Zahid Hossain had also visited the ailing leader. Dr. Rafiqul Islam was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after falling ill. A 19-member medical board was formed on February 15 to oversee his treatment.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of land worth Tk 5.29 crore owned by Nasrin Islam, wife of NASA Group chairman Nazrul Islam Majumder and a director of EXIM Bank, in Cumilla. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the information. According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), its assistant director Muhammad Shihab Salam filed the petition seeking confiscation of the property. The petition stated that Nasrin Islam allegedly abused her power to acquire assets worth Tk 20.26 crore beyond her known income through bribery and corruption. Investigators found that she was attempting to sell or transfer her movable and immovable assets before the case’s resolution. The court ruled that the properties must be seized immediately under Section 14 of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, and Rule 18 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Rules, 2007, to prevent potential loss to the state.

Former Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who resigned in 2025 amid violent anti-corruption protests, has re-entered active politics ahead of the March 5 parliamentary election. The 73-year-old communist leader, who has served four terms as prime minister, is campaigning to regain a parliamentary majority through his Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML). His campaign officially begins Monday, with Oli portraying the election as a contest between forces of destruction and those of nation-building. Oli faces a strong challenge in his constituency from 35-year-old rapper-turned-mayor Balendra Shah, who presents himself as a symbol of youth aspirations. The former leader’s resignation followed deadly unrest in September 2025 that left at least 77 people dead after protesters set fire to government buildings. Oli later denied ordering police to open fire, blaming “anarchist forces” for the violence. Analysts describe Oli’s leadership style as authoritarian and personality-driven. His political future now hinges on whether he can overcome rising young leadership and return to power in a strategically vital nation between India and China.

A local BNP leader in Fatullah, Narayanganj, has been accused of printing and selling fake 'Family Cards' based on the party’s election manifesto and collecting money from women. The accused, identified as Russell alias Jilani, allegedly sold the cards under the name 'Jisan Traders' with his wife. On Monday, anger erupted in Kashipur Union’s Narsingpur area when buyers, mostly women, realized they had been deceived after failing to receive promised goods. They protested and surrounded the leader’s house. According to reports, Russell and his wife distributed around 300 cards across several localities, charging Tk 50 each. Buyers were told they could purchase Tk 1,725 worth of goods for Tk 1,285 monthly using the cards. Fatullah BNP president Shahidul Islam Titu clarified that although the 'Family Card' was mentioned in the party’s manifesto, no official program had begun, and he urged authorities to act against those involved. Narayanganj Sadar Upazila Executive Officer S.M. Faiz Uddin Ahmed said the matter would be investigated promptly. Local women expressed frustration, saying they were misled into believing the cards were government-backed and were left waiting in vain for the promised goods.