The first meeting of the committee formed to implement Bangladesh’s proposed ninth national pay scale has been held, according to interim government press secretary Shafiqul Alam. The meeting, held on Sunday, discussed the implementation process of the new pay structure. The committee, headed by the then cabinet secretary, includes senior secretaries from key ministries such as public administration, defense, finance, education, health, and law, along with the comptroller general of accounts. It will review salary-related recommendations from the National Pay Commission 2025, Judicial Service Pay Commission 2025, and Armed Forces Pay Committee 2025 before submitting its report to the government. The interim government had formed the ninth National Pay Commission on July 27 of the previous year, led by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan. The commission submitted its report to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on January 21, proposing to raise the minimum salary from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000, reducing the pay ratio from 1:9.4 to 1:8. The proposal also includes health insurance, pension reform, and restructuring of the government employees’ welfare board. Government employees have begun organizing to press for the implementation of the new pay scale and plan to meet the incoming head of government to present their demands.

Eight people were killed and two others injured in an explosion at a fireworks shop in Donghai County, Jiangsu Province, eastern China, on Sunday afternoon. Local sources said several villagers were handling fireworks unsafely, which led to the blast around 2:30 p.m. Authorities quickly arrived at the scene, and the fire was brought under control by 4 p.m. The injured were taken to a local hospital, and families of the deceased were notified. The incident occurred as China entered the Lunar New Year festive period, during which fireworks are widely used. Authorities had already issued safety warnings regarding the handling of fireworks during the celebrations. The explosion highlights ongoing safety concerns surrounding the use and storage of fireworks in rural areas. Earlier this month, a biotech factory explosion in Shanxi Province killed eight people, and another blast at a steel plant in a nearby region in late January left at least nine dead, underscoring a series of recent industrial accidents across China.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will start selling essential commodities from open trucks across the country on Tuesday, ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative will offer five key products—edible oil, sugar, chickpeas, lentils, and dates—at prices lower than the market rate. Sales will also continue through the family card distribution system. According to TCB, all preparations have been completed, and designated dealers have been instructed to deposit funds before collecting goods. The TCB spokesperson, Shahadat Hossain, said the truck-based sales aim to help stabilize the market during Ramadan. Around 400 trucks will operate nationwide, each serving about 400 consumers. The sales will take place every day except Friday in all districts, city corporations, and divisional cities. Regular items will be available along with chickpeas and dates to meet seasonal demand. The program is expected to support consumers by ensuring access to essential goods at affordable prices during the high-demand Ramadan period.

Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russia’s Taman port along the Black Sea coast, causing extensive damage to the facility. The port, a key hub for Russia’s grain and fuel exports, was hit late at night by multiple drones, triggering a massive fire and thick black smoke over the area. According to reports, the attack left two people injured and forced a temporary shutdown of port operations. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev stated on Telegram that the port’s oil storage systems, warehouses, and terminals were almost completely destroyed. Russian authorities said their defense systems managed to shoot down several drones, but some struck critical infrastructure directly. Firefighters worked for hours to bring the blaze under control. Ukraine also carried out drone strikes on the nearby coastal city of Sochi and the village of Yurovka in Anapa on the same night, though no casualties or damage reports have yet emerged from those areas.

National Youth Shakti and Student Shakti’s Sunamganj district branches held a press conference on Monday morning at the Jagatjyoti Public Library hall to protest the recent attack on Imandozza Ahmad, a central organizer of National Youth Shakti and former convener of the Sunamganj Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The written statement was read by Ridwanul Haque Nihal, member secretary of the district branch of National Student Shakti. According to the statement, the attack occurred on the night of February 13, 2026, around 10 p.m. Nihal described it as a premeditated political assault and demanded that those responsible be identified and brought to justice swiftly. The speakers asserted that such acts of terror and repression cannot silence activists and warned that they would take to the streets if necessary. The conference also urged local authorities to strengthen citywide security and take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Leaders rejected attempts to portray the attack as a personal dispute, insisting it was politically motivated.

The United States will support Israel in launching a strike on Iran if negotiations with Tehran fail, according to multiple US media reports cited by Anadolu Agency. The reports state that President Donald Trump assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of this position during a meeting in December, specifically regarding Iran’s ballistic missile program. CBS News reported that discussions in Washington have shifted from whether Israel can carry out such an attack to how the US could assist technically and diplomatically. Sources familiar with the matter said the proposed cooperation includes aerial refueling to extend the range of Israeli aircraft and securing overflight permissions from neighboring sovereign states. However, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly refused to allow their airspace to be used for any attack on Iran, complicating potential operational plans.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman paid a farewell courtesy call on the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on Monday at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. During the meeting, they exchanged greetings and held a brief discussion on various matters related to their respective tenures. According to the report, the Chief Adviser expressed sincere gratitude to the Army Chief for the army’s cooperation during his tenure, particularly in the period surrounding the national parliamentary elections. The meeting was described as a formal farewell interaction marking the conclusion of their official collaboration. The event highlighted the working relationship between the interim government and the Bangladesh Army during a politically significant period, underscoring mutual respect and institutional coordination as the interim administration transitions toward its next phase.

Interim government Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan announced that 37 houses have been prepared for incoming ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers of the new government. He shared the information with journalists at his office in the Secretariat on Monday, noting that the residences are located in Minto Road, Hare Road, Dhanmondi, and Gulshan. Additional houses may be arranged if required. Khan added that some of the 37 houses are currently occupied by members of the existing advisory council. Regarding the Prime Minister’s residence, he said that the decision will be made in consultation with the concerned individuals according to their preferences. The announcement comes as the BNP prepares to form a new government after winning more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th National Parliament election. The new cabinet members are scheduled to take their oaths on Tuesday.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) announced that 236 members of the 13th National Parliament are millionaires, while 13 are centimillionaires. The disclosure came during a press conference held at TIB’s Dhanmondi office on Monday afternoon. According to TIB, among the 236 millionaire lawmakers, 189 belong to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and 38 to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. This means 90.87 percent of BNP’s members of parliament are millionaires, while 55.07 percent of Jamaat’s members fall into the same category. The findings highlight the significant concentration of wealth among lawmakers in the newly formed parliament, as presented by TIB in its latest report.

Iran has called on the United States to conduct discussions on Tehran’s nuclear program without Israeli influence. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the negotiation process is continuing and that regional countries are trying to help make it successful. He emphasized that Iran is ready to cooperate in the talks. Larijani stated that the process should not be prolonged and that Iran’s missile program will not be part of the negotiations, arguing that including other issues could disrupt progress. He described the missile program as a domestic matter tied to national security and separate from the nuclear program. He also said the idea of reducing uranium enrichment to zero is not on the table, noting that Iran has already mastered the technology and uses enriched uranium for health research and medical purposes. Larijani accused Israel of interfering in the talks and destabilizing the Middle East, asserting that Iran’s discussions are solely with the United States and not with Israel.

Shameem Sayedee, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Pirojpur-2 constituency (covering Kaukhali, Bhandaria, and Nesarabad), expressed gratitude to his supporters and voters after losing the election. In a verified Facebook post from his account 'Shameem Sayedee', he congratulated all winning candidates and thanked those who voted for him or assisted in his campaign through rallies, meetings, labor, and advice. He acknowledged that he could not personally respond to all messages and calls of sympathy following the election. In his post, Sayedee stated that the affection of his supporters was invaluable and expressed optimism about the future. He urged everyone to remain active in their respective roles, learn from past mistakes, and strive for greater success ahead. He reaffirmed his commitment to stand by the people as he had done in the past. Following the post, many supporters reacted on social media, offering encouragement and best wishes for his future endeavors. Sayedee had lost the Pirojpur-2 seat by 8,288 votes to BNP candidate Ahmad Sohel Monjur Suman.

Following its landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is preparing to form a new government, with the swearing-in scheduled for Tuesday. Party sources indicate that Tarique Rahman, set to become prime minister for the first time, aims to combine the experience of senior leaders with the energy of younger figures. Discussions are ongoing at the party’s Gulshan office to finalize the cabinet list, with emphasis on efficiency, integrity, and public image. Analysts note that the cabinet is being designed to ensure administrative competence and a people-oriented outlook, prioritizing ministries such as finance, home, foreign affairs, local government, education, and health. Several young leaders, including Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Shama Obaid, and Dr. Reza Kibria, are being discussed for key roles, alongside veteran figures like Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan. BNP also plans to include leaders from allied movements in the new cabinet, reflecting its earlier pledge for a participatory national government. The final lineup will be revealed on the day of the oath ceremony, which observers see as the new administration’s first major political and administrative test.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a new directive warning against the use of sample notes or paper resembling real currency in social media and marketing campaigns. The central bank’s Department of Communications and Publications announced on Sunday that such activities are legally punishable and increase the risk of counterfeit currency circulation. The notice highlighted that videos and images on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have shown marketing content using large-sized sample notes similar to genuine ones. The bank stated that producing, using, or distributing paper resembling legal tender is a criminal offense under Section 489(E) of the Penal Code, 1860. It also warned that spreading false or misleading information through digital media could be punishable under Section 25 of the Cyber Security Act, 2023. The directive urged the public to remain cautious, avoid unauthorized promotional activities, and verify the authenticity of banknotes. Bangladesh Bank advised citizens to learn about the security features of real notes and ensure safe transactions by visiting its official website for detailed information on currency identification.

Imran Khan, the imprisoned founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former prime minister, has shown slight improvement in his eyesight, according to his sister Naureen Khanum. Citing medical reports, she said swelling around his eyes has reduced. However, she noted that concerns about his vision remain and called for his treatment to be conducted transparently under the supervision of his personal doctors. Earlier, on February 12, Imran Khan claimed that only 15 percent of the vision in his right eye remained. Following this, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a medical team to examine him. A post on social media platform X confirmed that his eye examination took place on Sunday and no major complications were found so far. The Pakistani government had announced plans to move Imran Khan to a hospital soon, but this has not yet occurred. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and Asad Qaiser continue a sit-in protest inside Parliament House demanding his hospital transfer, with PTI-backed representatives staging demonstrations at Parliament Lodges and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to form a new government after winning 209 seats in the 13th parliamentary election, the highest in its history. Party chairman Tarique Rahman will become prime minister, and discussions are ongoing about the size and composition of his cabinet. According to party sources, the cabinet will combine experienced leaders from the 2001–2006 BNP government with first-time lawmakers, ensuring representation from different religious communities. The final structure and ministerial assignments are expected to be discussed at the BNP Standing Committee meeting tonight. Senior leaders such as Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury are likely to be included, alongside younger figures like Advocate Asaduzzaman Asad and Barrister Kaiser Kamal. Technocrat members and allies from joint movements, including Zonayed Saki and Nurul Haque Nur, may also join. Political analysts note that the cabinet is being designed to balance power with administrative efficiency and a public-oriented image. The BNP aims to prioritize capable and clean-profile individuals to address economic recovery, law and order, and administrative reform, according to the report.