Political discussions have intensified over who will receive nominations for the reserved women’s seats in Bangladesh’s 13th Parliament. More than fifty women leaders from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are being considered as potential candidates. Party sources said that the BNP, which secured an absolute majority in the recent parliamentary election, is giving high importance to the distribution of these seats. The party’s central offices in Naya Paltan and Gulshan have seen increased activity as aspirants seek to attract the attention of the leadership. According to the Election Commission, the BNP-led alliance may receive 35 reserved women’s seats, while the Jamaat-led alliance could get 13. The Parliament Secretariat is expected to prepare the voter list after the first session in early March, followed by the announcement of the election schedule. The Election Commission plans to complete the process before Eid. BNP insiders said that priority may be given to women who have been active in movements, faced imprisonment, or contributed to strengthening grassroots organizations, along with professionals, academics, and former student leaders. A preliminary list will be shortened before final approval by the party’s parliamentary board, with no list finalized without the endorsement of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman.

Bangladesh’s newly appointed Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury faces a major challenge as repayment periods for several foreign-funded mega infrastructure projects begin. Over the past decade, projects such as the Padma Rail Link, Metro Rail, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, and Cox’s Bazar Rail have driven infrastructure growth but also created heavy debt burdens. With grace periods ending, large installments and interest payments in foreign currency are now due, straining the national budget. According to official documents from the Asian Development Bank and the Planning Commission, project costs have risen 30–70 percent beyond initial estimates. The Padma Rail project’s cost rose from Tk 26,000 crore to Tk 39,000 crore, while Metro Rail’s cost increased from Tk 21,000 crore to over Tk 33,000 crore. Repayments for some projects, including Cox’s Bazar Rail and Karnaphuli Tunnel, have already started, while others like Rooppur will begin in 2028. Experts warn that without improved revenue collection, subsidy reduction, and better project management, Bangladesh could face severe fiscal pressure within five years, potentially forcing budget cuts and new taxes to meet repayment obligations.

A new report by the United Nations Human Rights Office accuses Israel of actions that may amount to ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Released on Thursday, the report says Israel’s military campaign and blockade have made life in Gaza “increasingly incompatible with Palestinians’ continued existence as a group.” It cites intensified attacks, destruction of neighborhoods, and denial of humanitarian aid as evidence of an apparent effort to cause a permanent demographic shift. Covering the period from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, the report documents systematic unlawful force, arbitrary detention, and home demolitions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The report highlights widespread famine and the killing of unprecedented numbers of civilians in Gaza, noting that at least 463 Palestinians, including 157 children, starved to death during the 12-month period. It attributes these deaths to Israeli government actions that blocked food access. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue air strikes and demolitions across Gaza, violating a ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025. Violence has also surged in the West Bank, with settlers attacking Palestinian communities under military protection. The report warns that these policies are altering the demographic composition of Palestinian territories and deepening humanitarian collapse.

Pakistan and New Zealand will open the Super Eights stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Saturday, February 21, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Both teams, considered dark horses for the title, are looking to make a strong start in this crucial phase of the tournament. Pakistan enter the match after a commanding 102-run victory over Namibia that secured their Super Eights berth, while New Zealand finished their group stage with an eight-wicket win against Canada. Pakistan’s Shadab Khan expressed confidence that his side could go on to win the World Cup, calling their recent performance a sign of progress after earlier setbacks, including a heavy defeat to India. He cautioned, however, that the Super Eights will be tougher, with England and co-hosts Sri Lanka also awaiting Pakistan. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is expected to return after illness, with spin likely to play a key role in Colombo’s conditions. This will be the 50th T20 meeting between the two nations, with Pakistan narrowly leading the head-to-head record 24–23. Both sides hope to establish early momentum in their pursuit of the title.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez announced on Thursday that the state has reopened its investigation into possible illegal activity at Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch near Stanley. The decision follows the release of more than three and a half million government files by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30, which included previously sealed FBI documents. Torrez’s office said the new revelations warranted further examination of the earlier state probe, which was halted in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York, the same year Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges. The renewed investigation coincides with the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, a former UK royal, on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to allegations of sharing confidential documents with Epstein. The Epstein scandal has triggered political fallout in the UK but not in the U.S., where critics have accused the Justice Department of lacking transparency. In New Mexico, lawmakers have formed a truth commission to investigate Epstein’s ties to the state and why he was not registered as a sex offender there after his 2008 conviction. Torrez’s office said it will cooperate with the commission and seek full access to unredacted federal case files to determine whether further legal action is warranted.

Emails released in newly published United States Department of Justice files reveal that Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender, was offered the chance in 2016 to buy into a large building complex tied to the Department of Defense. The 84,710-square-metre site, located about one mile from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, was described as a mission-critical property capable of meeting the Defense Department’s infrastructure needs. The proposed $116 million deal would have made Epstein a co-owner and landlord to the U.S. government, though there is no evidence the transaction occurred. The documents also show Epstein’s extensive ties to Israel, including a decade-long relationship with former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and financial support for Israeli organizations such as Friends of the Israeli Army and the Jewish National Fund. An FBI informant memo described Epstein as a “Mossad agent.” The Pentagon-linked offer was forwarded by businessman David Stern, who also proposed a separate 2015 investment in FBI field offices and courthouses. Both property proposals were originated by real estate investor Jonathan D Fascitelli.

The United States trade deficit widened sharply in December, reaching a five-month high of $70.3 billion, according to the Commerce Department. The goods trade shortfall for 2025 hit a record $1.24 trillion, despite tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on foreign-manufactured products. Imports rose 3.6 percent in December to $357.6 billion, driven by higher purchases of industrial supplies, copper, crude oil, and capital goods such as computer accessories and telecommunications equipment. Exports fell 1.7 percent to $287.3 billion, though semiconductor and pharmaceutical shipments increased. The report showed that trade made little or no contribution to fourth-quarter GDP growth. American companies boosted imports of computer chips and other technology goods from Taiwan to support large-scale investments in artificial intelligence. While the goods trade deficit with China dropped nearly 32 percent to $202 billion amid ongoing tensions, trade shifted toward Taiwan and Vietnam, where deficits rose sharply. Factory employment declined by 83,000 jobs between January 2025 and January 2026, underscoring limited benefits from tariffs. Economists noted that strong imports may reflect robust business investment, particularly in AI-related infrastructure such as data centers, suggesting continued demand for technology equipment.

The United Nations announced that the United States has paid about $160 million toward its nearly $4 billion in outstanding dues. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the payment will go to the organisation’s regular operating budget. The move comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has questioned its commitment to the UN and cut funding for international programmes. However, during the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington, DC, Trump said he intended to help ensure the UN remains viable. According to the UN, the US owes about $2.196 billion to its regular budget, including $767 million for the current year, and another $1.8 billion for peacekeeping operations. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently warned that the UN faces an “imminent financial collapse” unless member states pay their dues, noting that the regular budget could be depleted as early as July. The US, as the largest donor, accounts for roughly 95 percent of the arrears. Trump’s creation of the Board of Peace, officially tasked with overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, has drawn criticism from those who see it as a rival to the UN Security Council. Critics argue it could undermine the UN’s authority and global operations.

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran has about 10 to 15 days to reach an agreement with Washington or risk further military strikes. Speaking at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC, Trump linked last year’s joint Israeli-US strikes on Iran to the Gaza ceasefire and said those attacks paved the way for regional peace. He added that his aides Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had held productive meetings with Iranian representatives, emphasizing the need for a “meaningful deal.” The warning follows a second round of indirect US-Iran talks in Geneva, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said both sides made good progress and reached broad agreement on guiding principles. Despite this, the US continues to build up military assets in the Gulf, while Iran insists its missile program is non-negotiable and denies seeking nuclear weapons. Washington opposes any uranium enrichment by Tehran. Tensions have remained high since late 2025, when Trump vowed to strike Iran again if it rebuilt its nuclear or missile programs. Although negotiations resumed in Oman in February, both sides continue to exchange threats amid fragile diplomacy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that no reconstruction work will begin in the war-torn Gaza Strip until the Palestinian resistance group Hamas is disarmed. He made the remarks on Thursday, February 19, during a televised address at a military event. On the same day, the first meeting of the newly formed 'Peace Board' took place in Washington, D.C. The board was established following a ceasefire agreement signed last October, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, to end two years of conflict in Gaza. Nearly two dozen world leaders and senior officials attended the inaugural meeting. Discussions in Washington also explored the possibility of forming an 'international stabilization force' to ensure security in Gaza. The future of Hamas remains one of the most sensitive issues before the council. U.S. officials reported positive progress in the talks, with growing pressure on Hamas to surrender its weapons. Israel has proposed strict measures, including confiscating even small personal firearms from Hamas members. However, it remains unclear how the Palestinian technical committee overseeing Gaza’s daily administration will handle the disarmament process.

The newly formed BNP government has formally begun implementing its election manifesto promises following the 13th parliamentary election. On Thursday, inter-ministerial meetings were held on three key pledges: the Family Card program, a nationwide tree-planting initiative, and river, canal, and reservoir dredging projects. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting on the Family Card, forming a 15-member committee led by the finance minister to finalize its design and beneficiary selection process. The committee will submit a preliminary report by February 24, aiming to distribute the cards before Eid-ul-Fitr. The Family Card, to be issued in the name of female heads of households, will initially cover 5 million poor rural families, with plans to expand to 40 million marginal families. It will provide monthly financial or food support worth 2,000–2,500 taka per family. The government also discussed planting 25 crore trees over five years, starting by May, and dredging waterways nationwide. Analysts praised the government’s swift action, saying it demonstrates genuine commitment to public welfare and the fulfillment of electoral promises. Ministers and experts emphasized transparency and coordination among ministries to ensure effective implementation of the manifesto programs.

Following Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election on February 12, the banned Awami League has intensified efforts to re-enter national politics. While the BNP-led coalition proceeds with forming a new government, Indian diplomatic and media circles have repeatedly discussed the future of Awami League and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On February 14, India’s The Tribune published an ANI-based interview with former Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri, who suggested that Bangladesh’s new prime minister might consider lifting the political ban on the Awami League. The interview also noted that the BNP alliance narrowly outperformed the Jamaat-e-Islami coalition, reflecting a competitive political landscape. Meanwhile, Awami League offices in several districts, including Khulna, Dinajpur, and Panchagarh, have reopened after years of closure, signaling renewed grassroots activity. In contrast, Sheikh Hasina remains convicted in multiple cases, including a death sentence for crimes against humanity and a 10-year corruption sentence, and is currently in India as a fugitive. Analysts warn that rehabilitating the Awami League before accountability for past abuses would be unjust, underscoring the political and judicial tensions shaping Bangladesh’s post-election environment.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran to reach an agreement with the United States within 10 to 15 days or face a potential military strike. Speaking at the inauguration of a peace board in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Trump said that last June’s joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran had paved the way for a ceasefire in Gaza. He claimed that without U.S. action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, peace in the Middle East would have been difficult to achieve. In response, Iran issued a counter-threat through its permanent representative to the United Nations, who wrote to Secretary-General António Guterres stating that any attack on Iran would trigger retaliatory strikes on all U.S. bases and infrastructure in the Middle East. The envoy emphasized that Iran does not seek war but would respond if attacked, holding the United States responsible for any consequences. According to a Wall Street Journal report cited on Friday, the United States is considering an initial limited strike targeting Iranian government buildings and security infrastructure to pressure Tehran into a nuclear deal. If Iran refuses, a broader campaign could aim to topple Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s government.

The Bangladesh government has begun reviewing its controversial power purchase agreement with India’s Adani Group. A high-level meeting was held at the Secretariat on Thursday to examine inconsistencies and details of the deal. The session, lasting about ninety minutes, was attended by four ministers, the prime minister’s adviser, and international experts. The meeting also discussed other unequal power and energy contracts signed during the previous Awami League administration. The review follows recommendations from the National Review Committee, which labeled the Adani Power Limited deal as one of the world’s worst and “suicidal” for Bangladesh, urging its renegotiation or cancellation. The committee’s report highlighted that Bangladesh pays Adani significantly higher rates than other Indian suppliers, with imported electricity costing 85 percent more. The Power Development Board reported paying over 300 billion taka to Adani, including capacity charges exceeding 4.5 billion taka monthly. Ministers stated that decisions will prioritize national and public interests, considering all legal and international obligations. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed uninterrupted power supply during Ramadan and the upcoming irrigation season. Officials indicated that further discussions will follow as the government evaluates the committee’s recommendations and explores options for revising or terminating the deal.

The T20 World Cup 2026 match between Australia and Oman will be broadcast live on February 20, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. on T Sports, Nagorik TV, and Star Sports. The fixture headlines a busy evening of televised sports, offering cricket fans a major international contest. Alongside the cricket action, several European football leagues will also feature live matches. In Spain’s La Liga, Athletic Bilbao will host Elche at 2:00 a.m., while Italy’s Serie A will see Sassuolo face Verona at 1:45 a.m. The Bundesliga match between Mainz and Hamburg will air at 1:30 a.m., and France’s Ligue 1 will feature Brest against Olympique Marseille at 1:45 a.m. These matches will be available on platforms including Fancode, Bet365, and Tapmad. The lineup highlights a packed night for sports enthusiasts, with simultaneous coverage of major cricket and football events across multiple networks.