Dr. Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, has called for unified implementation of the referendum verdict following a decisive 'Yes' victory. He made the statement on Saturday at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, where he discussed the results of the referendum held on February 12. Riaz, who coordinated the public awareness campaign for the referendum based on the July National Charter, said that voter turnout exceeded that of the national parliamentary election by more than one percent. According to the Election Commission, 77,695,023 voters participated in the referendum, representing 60.84 percent of eligible voters. Among them, 48,206,660 voted 'Yes', accounting for 68.06 percent of the total votes cast, while 22,071,726 voted 'No', or about 31 percent. Riaz emphasized that the strong voter participation and majority support demonstrated the public’s clear stance on the issue. The official gazette of the referendum results has been published, and newly elected members of parliament are scheduled to take oath by February 17.

Interim Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has sent a message of congratulations to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman for leading his party to a sweeping victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. In his message, Yunus described the result as a historic milestone for Bangladesh’s democratic transition, emphasizing its importance for constitutional continuity and institutional stability. He expressed confidence that under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the country would move toward a stable, inclusive, and development-oriented path guided by democratic values and public welfare. Yunus recalled the ideals of Tarique’s parents, former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, noting their influence on his political journey. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s position at the threshold of new global opportunities in economic transformation, technology, climate resilience, and diplomacy. Yunus thanked Tarique Rahman for his constructive role during the interim government’s tenure and urged continued commitment to democratic tolerance and constitutional respect. He wished success for Rahman’s initiatives aimed at justice, welfare, and national prosperity.

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Chandpur-3, Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, handed over five activists from his own party to the police on February 13. The individuals, led by municipal Chhatra Dal general secretary Fayez Dhali, were accused of creating disorder following the election. They were taken into custody at Chandpur Model Police Station. According to the report, unrest broke out in Ward 13 of Chandpur municipality during and after the election on February 12 and 13, when two groups clashed using local weapons. Authorities identified those involved on Friday night to restore order. The detainees are Nahidul Islam Jony, Mobarak Hossain Bepari, Jony Gazi, Monir, and Fahim, all from the Wireless Bazar area of the city. Chandpur Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Md. Fayez Ahmed, stated that the five detainees remain in custody and that legal action will follow verification. Police operations are continuing to apprehend others linked to the incident.

India has approved the purchase of five additional S-400 missile units from Russia under a plan valued at 10,000 crore rupees. The decision was made by the Defence Acquisition Committee led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The deal includes a total of 288 anti-ballistic missiles, according to a report by RT. Alongside the S-400 purchase, India has also decided to acquire the Pantsir air defense system, jointly produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Russia’s state-owned arms manufacturer and exporter Rosoboronexport. Officials from India’s Ministry of Defence said the Indian Air Force had requested 288 missiles in total, comprising 120 short-range Pantsir and 168 long-range S-400 missiles. Currently, India possesses four S-400 missile systems, with two more expected to be added soon. The Ministry of Defence also confirmed that discussions have begun between the two countries regarding the potential purchase of the upgraded S-500 Triumphator-M system.

After securing a majority in the 13th parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is preparing to form a new government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. Discussions and preparations are underway within the party and political circles to finalize the cabinet lineup. Party sources indicate that the new cabinet will combine experienced senior leaders with young, educated politicians to balance experience and innovation. Four advisers from the interim government are also being considered for technocrat positions, though some internal objections remain. Several former ministers with clean public images, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Mirza Abbas, and Salahuddin Ahmed, are expected to return to key ministries. New faces such as Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Ismail Zabihullah, and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie are being discussed for technocrat or ministerial roles. BNP is also considering leaders from allied movements, including Reza Kibria, Bappy Hajjaj, Andalib Rahman Partha, and Nurul Haque Nur, to ensure inclusive governance. According to the constitution, the new government formation will begin with the swearing-in of elected members, followed by the president’s appointment of the prime minister and the formation of the cabinet.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that a deep rift has developed between the United States and Europe. Speaking at the opening of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, he said the rules-based world order no longer exists and that Europe’s freedom is neither secure nor guaranteed in the current era of great power politics. Merz urged Europeans to be ready to make sacrifices, according to a BBC report. The conference, expected to host around 50 world leaders, will focus on European defense and the future of transatlantic relations. It takes place amid growing doubts about the U.S. commitment to NATO, with many European leaders citing former President Donald Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland as a breach of trust. Discussions at the annual gathering also include the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between the West and China, and a possible Iran-U.S. nuclear deal. Merz reiterated his concern that the previous world order no longer exists and highlighted the widening divide between Europe and the United States, referencing remarks made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance a year earlier.

In the Jamalpur-3 (Madaripur-Melandah) constituency election, seven out of nine candidates lost their deposits, including nominees from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jatiya Party, and Gano Odhikar Parishad. The election results, announced on February 14, 2026, confirmed that Mostafizur Rahman Babul, the BNP’s National Executive Committee Assistant Secretary for Climate Change Affairs, won the seat with 207,412 votes. His closest rival, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Maulana Mujibur Rahman Azadi, received 81,430 votes, giving Mostafizur a victory margin of 125,982 votes. According to the district returning officer’s office, the Jamalpur-3 constituency has a total of 534,623 registered voters, including 269,979 men, 264,639 women, and six hijra voters. The seven candidates who forfeited their deposits are Mohammad Daulatuzzaman Ansari (Islami Andolan), Mir Shamsul Alam Lipton (Jatiya Party), Dr. Fidel Naeem (Ganosamhati Andolan), Liton Mia (Gano Odhikar Parishad), and independents Sadikur Rahman Siddiqi Shuvo, Shiblul Bari Raju, and Farzana Farid Puthi. The results underscore BNP’s strong performance in the constituency, with a decisive lead over its nearest competitor.

An opinion essay by A.T.M. Jannatul Mosnaj, published on February 14, 2026, examines why many citizens of politically independent nations, including Bangladesh, remain mentally dependent on larger or foreign powers. The author argues that even after 54 years of independence, Bangladesh continues to face a form of psychological subjugation known as colonial mentality, where people unconsciously view foreign cultures and standards as superior while undervaluing their own. The article traces this mindset to historical colonial influence, education systems, and global media dominance that reinforce cultural inferiority. Drawing on thinkers such as Frantz Fanon, Walter Mignolo, and Edward Said, the essay highlights how postcolonial societies internalize foreign values through language, fashion, and media, leading to cultural hegemony and identity crises. It also notes that economic dependency and admiration for foreign lifestyles deepen this mental subordination. The author concludes that true national progress requires both political and mental liberation. He calls for educational reform, cultural confidence, and responsible media practices to strengthen self-perception and ensure that Bangladesh’s development remains rooted in its own identity and knowledge traditions.

US President Donald Trump said that changing Iran’s governing system would be the “best solution.” Speaking at the White House on Friday, he remarked that for 47 years Iran had only made promises while many lives were lost. Trump did not specify who the United States would like to see in power if such a change occurred, but said there were people in Iran capable of taking leadership. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not yet responded to Trump’s comments. Trump also indicated that the United States remains firm in its plan to strengthen military presence in the Middle East, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with Iran. He announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, would soon move from the Caribbean to the Middle East. Additionally, Trump shared a Wall Street Journal report on his social media platform Truth Social about the Pentagon preparing a second aircraft carrier for Middle East deployment, though he made no personal comment on it.

An opinion piece by Md. Mahin Uddin, published on February 14, 2026, argues that individuals are unknowingly surrendering vast amounts of personal data—such as names, locations, preferences, and behaviors—in exchange for so-called free digital services. The article highlights that major technology companies, including social media, search engines, and e-commerce platforms, are turning user data into a commodity for targeted advertising and profit. Algorithms now influence what information people see, shaping opinions and even political views. The author warns that both corporations and governments are benefiting from this data economy, often at the expense of user privacy. State surveillance and administrative data use blur the line between security and intrusion, while users have little control over how their data is stored or shared. The lack of transparency and awareness leaves citizens vulnerable, especially those less informed or technologically literate. The article concludes that digital data has become as valuable and risky as oil, urging the creation of transparent policies, accountability mechanisms, and public awareness to protect digital rights and prevent growing inequality in data control.

BNP candidate Shariful Alam has been elected Member of Parliament from Kishoreganj-6 (Bhairab-Kuliarchar) with the highest vote margin in the recent national election. He secured 187,159 votes, defeating his nearest rival Ataullah Amin of the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, representing the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, who received 44,095 votes. The total number of voters in the constituency was 237,990, with a turnout rate of 57.03 percent. The margin of 143,064 votes is reported as the largest in the country. Following his victory, Shariful Alam addressed party leaders and supporters at his main election office in Betiarkandi, Kuliarchar, on the evening of February 13. He pledged to build a drug-free Bhairab-Kuliarchar and warned against any involvement in drug trade, extortion, or misuse of power. He emphasized that no one involved in crime would be spared and urged his supporters to stay away from tender manipulation and illegal occupation. Alam, who also serves as the central BNP organizing secretary for Mymensingh Division and president of Kishoreganj District BNP, had contested four previous national elections from the same constituency under the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol.

The United States has congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its chairman Tarique Rahman on their landslide victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed interest in working with Bangladesh’s new government, stating this in a post on social media platform X on Friday, February 13. In his post, Rubio congratulated the BNP, its leader Tarique Rahman, and the people of Bangladesh, saying the United States looks forward to cooperating with the newly elected government to advance prosperity and security in the region. Earlier that same day, the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh also extended congratulations to the BNP and Rahman through its verified Facebook page. The embassy’s message praised the successful conduct of the election and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to working with Bangladesh toward shared goals of prosperity and security between the two nations.

During the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of an international initiative called the “Board of Peace.” Trump will serve as its chairman, and the board aims to coordinate with the United Nations to establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The plan includes ensuring humanitarian aid, rebuilding infrastructure, fostering local political reconciliation, and forming a stable governance structure. At least 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar, have pledged to join, while France and the United Kingdom have distanced themselves. China and Russia have not yet clarified their positions. The initiative emerges amid multiple global crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, instability in Venezuela, and rising geopolitical competition in the Arctic. Analysts view the Board of Peace as a state-centric alternative to traditional multilateral institutions, reflecting Trump’s skepticism toward the UN and NATO. The board’s approach emphasizes power balance over international law or moral principles. The article suggests that for developing nations like Bangladesh, this shift toward power-driven diplomacy poses new challenges and calls for stronger engagement in UN reform and regional cooperation to maintain strategic balance.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the European Union to become a geopolitical power by focusing on long-term strategic objectives. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, he said Europe must enhance its offensive capabilities and assess how France’s nuclear capacity can align with the EU’s future security framework. Macron rejected claims that Europe’s influence is declining, saying it is time for courage and for building a stronger Europe. He criticized U.S. trade and foreign policies toward Europe, emphasizing that the continent must demonstrate determination in defending its own interests. He urged EU member states to continue discussions on developing independent thinking and collective action. Macron also stressed the need to rebuild Europe’s security architecture and clarify its nuclear deterrence strategy, underscoring his vision of a more self-reliant and strategically unified Europe.

In Nilphamari-1 constituency, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Secretary General Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi lost to Jamaat-e-Islami district chief Principal Abdus Sattar by about 31,000 votes in the recently concluded parliamentary election. On Friday night, the day after the election, Afendi held a press conference at his residence in Domar, where he accepted the result and congratulated his rival on the victory. During the briefing, Afendi assured full cooperation to the newly elected Member of Parliament, prayed for his success, and urged his supporters not to lose hope. He reaffirmed his commitment to continue serving the people of his constituency and expressed gratitude to supporters of all religions and political affiliations for their affection and backing. Afendi also called for unity and mutual cooperation in the days ahead, emphasizing that the love and support of the people would guide future progress in the region.