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.

A pedestrian named Ikhlas Khan, aged 30, died early Monday while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital following a motorcycle collision in Gopalganj. The accident occurred on Sunday evening on the Gopalganj-Tekerhat road in the Gandhiyashur area of Gopalganj Sadar upazila. Two others were injured in the incident. According to Gopalganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Anisur Rahman, Ikhlas Khan was crossing the road when a speeding motorcycle hit him. The motorcycle driver Abdullah Kazi, 18, and passenger Isanur Kazi, 16, both from Jaduput village in Kashiani upazila, were also injured. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Gopalganj Medical College Hospital. As Ikhlas’s condition worsened, he was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died at around 4 a.m. Monday. The motorcycle driver Abdullah Kazi, who sustained serious injuries, is being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while passenger Isanur Kazi remains admitted at Gopalganj Medical College Hospital.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inaugurated a new housing project in Pyongyang for the families of soldiers killed while fighting on Russia’s side in the Ukraine war. State media released photos on Monday showing Kim visiting the newly built apartments with his daughter. The initiative is presented as a tribute to the fallen soldiers, described as martyrs, and as a move to strengthen internal unity while reaffirming support for Russia. According to South Korean and Western intelligence sources cited in the report, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to fight for Russia, with Seoul estimating around two thousand North Korean soldiers killed. Analysts suggest Pyongyang is receiving financial aid, military technology, and supplies of food and fuel from Moscow in return. The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim praised the fallen as heroes who sacrificed their lives for sacred national values. Although Monday’s report did not directly mention Russia, it follows Kim’s recent pledge of unconditional support for all policies and decisions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

BNP-affiliated student organization leader Nasir Uddin Nasir stated on Monday, February 16, that the allegation of sexual assault against a woman in Noakhali’s Hatiya, reportedly for voting for the Shapla symbol, was deliberately fabricated. In a Facebook post, he demanded that NCP leaders Hannan Masud, Asif Mahmud, and Sadik Kayem publicly apologize to the nation for spreading false information. Nasir cited statements from local police, doctors, and eyewitnesses indicating the allegation was baseless. He noted that the accused was admitted to a hospital at 10:28 p.m. on February 13, making it impossible for him to be present at another location at the same time. Nasir criticized the use of such a sensitive issue for political purposes, calling it irresponsible and harmful to social stability. He also mentioned that Noakhali district Jamaat leader Ishaq Khondaker suspended a related program, which he said clarified the situation further. Nasir urged all involved, including NCP and Jamaat-linked groups, to admit their role in spreading misinformation and to refrain from exploiting sensitive issues for political gain.

Encroachment on the banks of the Bankkhali River in Cox’s Bazar began immediately after the February 12 election, with individuals reportedly using the name of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to justify their actions. Witnesses said the process started on the night of the vote and that more than 50 tin structures have already been built along the river. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), responsible for river management, has sent letters to 15 government offices requesting urgent intervention to stop the illegal occupation. Cox’s Bazar port officer Md. Abdul Wakil Sarkar confirmed that those previously evicted are now reoccupying the riverbank, and legal measures are being taken. Former city JCD joint secretary Shafayat Munna stated that the occupiers used BNP banners and posters to build illegal structures, which were later removed under the direction of newly elected MP Lutfur Rahman Kajol. Kajol urged police to arrest the encroachers and clarified that the BNP has no connection with the incident. The BIWTA has also requested immediate action from the district administration and law enforcement agencies to prevent further encroachment.

The Chamber Court of the Appellate Division has suspended a High Court order that directed all government and private lower secondary and secondary schools to remain closed throughout the month of Ramadan. The suspension order was issued on Monday, February 16, 2026, by Justice Farah Mahbub of the Appellate Division’s Chamber Court. During the hearing, Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haque represented the state, assisted by Assistant Attorney General Maria Tanzima. The High Court had earlier, on Sunday, February 14, 2026, ordered the closure of all government and private lower secondary and secondary schools for the entire month of Ramadan. With the Chamber Court’s suspension of the High Court directive, the earlier order to keep schools closed during Ramadan will remain inactive until further judicial proceedings clarify the matter.

Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus delivered a farewell speech to officials and employees at his office on Monday, February 16, 2026. Following the address, he participated in a photo session with the staff, marking his departure from the current role before the new administration takes office. The information was confirmed by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. The interim government led by Professor Yunus assumed responsibility on August 8, 2024. Its tenure concludes with the swearing-in of the new government on Tuesday, February 17, following the thirteenth national parliamentary election. In that election, the BNP-led alliance secured 212 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance won 77 seats. The transition signals the end of the interim administration’s term and the beginning of preparations for the incoming government to assume office.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to hold a meeting with the party’s newly elected members of parliament on Monday evening. The discussion will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Al-Falah auditorium in Moghbazar, Dhaka. The information was confirmed by Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of the central publicity and media department. According to the report, Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 parliamentary seats in the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12. The meeting is expected to serve as an introductory and consultative session between the party leadership and its new lawmakers following the election results. The event marks the first formal gathering between the Jamaat chief and the newly elected MPs since the election, indicating the party’s move toward internal coordination and strategic planning for its parliamentary activities.

A fire broke out at Bashar Spinning Limited in Bharadoba Nishinda area of Valuka upazila, Mymensingh, on the night of February 15, 2026. The blaze, reportedly triggered by an electrical short circuit, destroyed several machines, raw materials, and a cotton warehouse. Seven fire service units worked for about three and a half hours to bring the fire under control. The estimated loss from the incident is around Tk 7 crore. According to Valuka Fire Service Station in-charge Atikur Rahman, the fire started around 10:30 p.m. Two units initially responded, and as the flames intensified, five more units from Trishal, Gafargaon, Sreepur, and Mymensingh joined the operation. Despite the extensive damage to property, no injuries or casualties were reported. Authorities have not reported any disruption beyond the factory premises, and the cause has been attributed to an electrical short circuit. No further investigation details were mentioned in the report.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has welcomed the decision by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance to form a shadow cabinet. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed made the statement on Monday while speaking to journalists in front of the party’s Gulshan office. He also commented on the Election Commission’s authority, noting that the Chief Election Commissioner can administer the oath to newly elected members of parliament in the absence of a Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Ahmed further explained that the current constitution does not authorize the Chief Election Commissioner to administer the oath to a constitutional reform council, though such a provision could be added through amendment. Another BNP Standing Committee member, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, said that the country faces challenges in all sectors, including the economy, education, and healthcare, which he described as broken systems. The shadow cabinet announcement was made on Sunday through Facebook posts by Jamaat candidate and Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir, along with NCP leader Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and newly elected MP and Jamaat leader Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Geneva for a second round of nuclear talks with the United States, aimed at easing tensions and preventing a new military conflict. In a post on social media platform X on Monday, Araghchi stated that Iran will not surrender in the face of threats. Earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any attack on Iran could escalate into a regional conflict. Araghchi said he came to Geneva to achieve a fair and just agreement, emphasizing that surrender to threats is not on the negotiation table. The renewed discussions between Iran and the United States began earlier this month. Araghchi also mentioned that Iranian nuclear experts would meet with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi on Monday. Iran has repeatedly asserted that it will not accept Washington’s demand to reduce uranium enrichment to zero and that its missile program will not be part of the negotiations.

Eight people, including the vice-chancellor and proctor of Sylhet Agricultural University, were injured on Sunday following a physical altercation among teachers on campus. The incident occurred when members of the BNP-leaning teachers’ group ‘Sada Dal’ clashed over internal disputes regarding the formation of a new committee that was due in December last year. According to campus sources, the current committee’s president, Professor Kazi Mehtajul Islam, and general secretary, Professor Shahana Begum, led several teachers to the VC’s office, accusing him of having a ‘Jamaat tag’ and demanding he leave the campus. When the VC and security personnel resisted, they were allegedly assaulted. Later, the proctor, Professor Jasim Uddin Ahmad, and other teachers arrived, leading to further confrontation and injuries. Professor Mozammel Haque claimed he was attacked by followers of the VC and proctor while raising concerns about administrative irregularities. VC Professor Alimul Islam accused a specific group of trying to destabilize the university to regain former administrative positions and called for justice over the incident.

The Government of Bangladesh has introduced a free Freelancer ID Card to officially recognize the country’s freelance professionals. Applications are being processed through the official website freelancers.gov.bd under the Information and Communication Technology sector. The initiative aims to create a national database of genuine freelancers and bring their profession under formal state recognition. Previously, freelancers faced difficulties proving their professional identity for banking, taxation, and institutional purposes. The new government-issued ID card is expected to serve as a credible identity document, potentially easing access to financial and government services. Applicants must be Bangladeshi citizens with a national ID, verifiable freelance income from international clients, and proof of completed work. Authorities have warned applicants not to provide false information, as fraudulent submissions could lead to legal complications. The government expects that the collected data will help design future training, incentives, and financial support programs, marking a significant step toward institutionalizing Bangladesh’s growing freelancing sector.

India has nearly finalized plans to construct an underground railway through the narrow Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, which connects the country’s northeastern states with the rest of India. The proposed 35.76-kilometer tunnel will run from Tin Mile Hat in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal to Rangapani near Siliguri, with two parallel tunnels designed for secure and uninterrupted transport. The project, estimated to cost around 12,000 crore rupees, awaits final approval. Separately, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a 16-kilometer tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Assam that will accommodate both rail and road traffic. Officials from Northeast Frontier Railway said the Siliguri tunnel aims to ensure safe connectivity through a region bordered by Bangladesh, Nepal, and China. Experts emphasize its strategic military value, as the corridor is India’s only link to the northeast and a key route for troop and equipment movement. The Brahmaputra tunnel will connect Gohpur and Numaligarh, reducing travel time and strengthening regional infrastructure. Both projects are expected to enhance India’s logistical resilience, military mobility, and regional economic integration once completed.