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.

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.