Bangladesh’s landmark election, held last week, concluded with the long-established Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) securing a decisive victory over a Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance that included the youth-driven National Citizen Party (NCP). Official results released on Saturday showed the NCP, born from the 2024 Gen Z-led uprising, winning only six of 297 declared constituencies in the 350-member parliament. BNP leader Tarique Rahman, whose party previously governed three times, is set to become prime minister following what observers describe as one of the country’s most consequential elections.

Many young Bangladeshis, voting for the first time, described the election as historic but disappointing in terms of youth representation. Some expressed frustration that the NCP failed to build sufficient support and criticized its alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud said the party would regroup in opposition and focus on upcoming local elections. Analysts noted that the alliance alienated young voters seeking a break from traditional politics.

The election outcome is viewed as a step toward restoring stability after the 2024 uprising that toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rahman pledged to prioritize rule of law and maintain peace and order once sworn in.

Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi has warned that any U.S. military action against Tehran would serve as a ‘lesson’ for President Donald Trump. Speaking after Trump’s recent remarks, Mousavi said that if Trump truly seeks war, he should not simultaneously talk about negotiations. His comments were reported by TRT World.

On Friday, President Trump stated that regime change in Iran might be the ‘best solution’ and indicated that if ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran fail, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford would soon be deployed to the region. Mousavi described Trump’s comments as reckless and reiterated that discussions and war threats cannot go hand in hand.

Earlier, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to intensify economic pressure on Iran, particularly targeting its oil sales to China. However, a senior U.S. official noted differences between the two leaders on how to achieve this goal, with Netanyahu doubting the reliability of any deal with Iran while Trump maintained that an agreement remains possible.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, 27 out of 41 candidates in Narsingdi’s five constituencies lost their security deposits, according to unofficial results signed by District Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Anwar Hossain. The results show that in Narsingdi-1 (Sadar) six of eight candidates, in Narsingdi-2 (Palash) three of six, in Narsingdi-3 (Shibpur) five of eight, in Narsingdi-4 (Monohardi-Belabo) seven of nine, and in Narsingdi-5 (Raipura) six of ten candidates failed to retain their deposits. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won all five seats in the district.

According to election rules, candidates must secure at least one-eighth, or 12.5 percent, of total votes cast to retain their deposits. Those receiving fewer votes lose the amount submitted with their nomination papers. The analysis of the district’s results highlights that a majority of participating candidates across multiple parties, including the Jatiya Party, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and others, failed to meet the required vote threshold.

The outcome underscores BNP’s dominance in Narsingdi’s constituencies, as all five seats went to the party while most rivals lost their deposits.

The Sirajganj district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has suspended all party positions of two local leaders following allegations of voter intimidation and assault in the Sirajganj-5 (Belkuchi-Chauhali) parliamentary constituency. The decision was announced late Sunday night through two letters signed by district BNP office secretary Tanvir Mahmud Palash.

The suspended leaders are Mostafizur Rahman Mondal, former general secretary of Ward No. 4 of Belkuchi municipality BNP, and Shihab Mondal, organizational secretary of the Belkuchi municipal branch of the Nationalist Cyber Team. According to the letters, the suspensions were issued due to cases filed against them for violating party discipline and engaging in threats and assaults with local weapons after the 13th national parliamentary election. The decision was approved by district BNP president Rumana Mahmud and general secretary Saidur Rahman Bacchu.

The action reflects the district BNP’s attempt to address internal discipline issues following the recent election period.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s elected Members of Parliament will not accept tax-free cars or government plots, according to party leader and Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir. He announced the decision on Monday through a verified Facebook post, reiterating that the MPs would follow the party’s earlier pledge to reject such privileges.

The announcement aligns with a prior declaration made by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Amir Shafiqul Rahman on November 7, 2025, during a convention in Sylhet. At that event, he stated that no Jamaat MP would take government plots or use tax-exempt vehicles. He also emphasized that if the party sits in opposition, it would support all humanitarian initiatives of the ruling party but resist any return to old political practices.

According to the Election Commission’s results for the 13th National Parliament election, the BNP won 209 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68, independents 7, the National Citizens Party 6, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis 2, and several smaller parties one seat each.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has announced revised trading hours for the holy month of Ramadan. According to a press release issued on Monday, trading will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until 1:40 p.m., followed by a post-closing session from 1:40 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. The DSE also stated that its official office operations will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during this period.

The exchange has requested investors, brokerage houses, and all related stakeholders to follow the new schedule throughout Ramadan. The adjustment aims to accommodate the special circumstances of the month while ensuring smooth market operations.

The announcement reflects the DSE’s periodic practice of modifying trading hours during Ramadan to align with the working patterns and needs of market participants.

In Munshiganj-2 constituency, a rare moment of political harmony emerged on Sunday night, February 15, when BNP candidate Advocate Abdus Salam Azad, the winner of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, was congratulated by his closest rival, NCP candidate Majedul Islam. The two exchanged floral garlands, shared sweets, and embraced each other, creating a scene that quickly drew local and social media attention for its display of mutual respect beyond electoral rivalry.

Residents of Tongibari described the meeting as unprecedented in Bangladesh’s political culture. Local resident Md. Mohiuddin, 68, expressed emotional appreciation, hoping such gestures of unity would continue in national politics. Several local coordinators and party representatives from NCP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other groups attended the courtesy meeting.

Both candidates pledged to work together for the development of Louhajong and Tongibari upazilas. Advocate Azad emphasized that improving people’s quality of life, not victory or defeat, would remain his main goal, promising cooperation in all constructive initiatives.

The United States carried out airstrikes on more than 30 Islamic State (IS) bases in Syria between February 3 and February 12, according to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The strikes targeted IS infrastructure, weapons depots, and communication facilities. CENTCOM said the operations were conducted in response to a December attack by IS that killed two US soldiers and their interpreter. Drones and other advanced weapons were used in the missions.

The December attack had claimed the lives of two Iowa National Guard reservists and injured three members of Syria’s security forces. Following the incident, CENTCOM launched a series of retaliatory operations under “Operation Hawkeye Strike.” In January, CENTCOM forces also killed Bilal Hasan al-Jamis, an al-Qaeda-linked figure. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that those who attack or conspire against US citizens or troops would find no safe haven.

CENTCOM reported that from late January to mid-February, five additional strikes targeted IS weapons and communication centers. Over the past two months, US forces have hit more than 100 IS sites, killing or capturing at least 50 IS fighters.

More than 50,000 members of Israel’s military hold citizenship from other countries, according to official army data published by the daily Yedioth Ahronoth. The figures were released after the transparency organization Hatzlacha filed a request under Israel’s Freedom of Information law. The data show that 50,632 soldiers have dual nationality, including 12,135 with U.S. citizenship, 6,127 with French citizenship, and over 5,000 with Russian citizenship.

The report further notes that more than 3,000 soldiers hold German citizenship and a similar number hold Ukrainian citizenship. Over 1,000 soldiers have British nationality, while 1,686 are Romanian, 1,387 Polish, and 185 Canadian citizens. A smaller number hold citizenship from Arab countries such as Yemen, Tunisia, Lebanon, Syria, and Algeria. Additionally, 4,440 soldiers possess two foreign citizenships besides Israeli, and 162 hold three.

The army did not clarify whether the data include active-duty or reserve members. Israeli media estimate about 170,000 active soldiers and between 400,000 and 460,000 reservists. The statistics were requested in March 2025 and are considered the first detailed public disclosure on foreign citizenship among Israeli military personnel.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss regional and global security, as well as mutual counterterrorism cooperation. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday. According to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides exchanged views on security conditions and measures against terrorism.

During his visit to Germany from February 12 to 14, Asim Munir also held meetings with German officials, including Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, the Chancellor’s foreign and security policy adviser Gunter Sauter, and Defense Chief General Carsten Breuer. Discussions focused on bilateral defense cooperation and advancing global peace through dialogue.

Munir additionally met with Brazil’s Chief of the Joint Staff Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire and Lebanon’s Armed Forces Commander General Rodolf Heikal. These meetings emphasized strengthening bilateral and multilateral defense ties to promote international stability and security.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that he will travel to Washington next week to attend the first meeting of the 'Board of Peace' led by U.S. President Donald Trump. Rama made the announcement during an interview on the Albanian podcast Flasim, stating that he would participate in the board’s formal establishment and the inauguration of its activities.

According to the source, Trump created the 'Board of Peace' to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip two years after the Israel-Hamas war. The board’s charter reportedly suggests that its scope of work could extend beyond the Palestinian territories, though no further details were provided.

The upcoming meeting marks the official launch of the board’s operations, signaling a new phase in post-conflict reconstruction efforts under Trump’s leadership.

A 55-year-old woman named Nasima Khatun died during surgery at Meherpur Clinic in Mallikpara, Meherpur town on the night of February 15, 2026. Her family alleged that she died due to doctors’ negligence before the operation began. Following the incident, an angry crowd attacked two doctors, Mizanur Rahman and his son Mushfiqur Rahman Abhi, and vandalized equipment in the operation theater. Both doctors were seriously injured and later rescued by police and army personnel before being admitted to Meherpur General Hospital.

According to the doctors, Nasima suffered cardiac arrest before anesthesia was administered, and despite efforts, she could not be revived. The president of the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), Dr. Abdus Salam, stated that the patient died before the operation started and that the assault and vandalism would be investigated. Meherpur Additional Superintendent of Police Mehedi Hasan Dipu said legal action would be taken if a written complaint was filed by the patient’s relatives.

No formal complaint had been lodged with the police at the time of reporting.

At least four people were killed early Monday when Israel carried out an airstrike on a vehicle near the Lebanon-Syria border, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. The Israeli military confirmed the attack, which occurred in the Majdal Anjar area of Lebanon. Lebanon’s state news agency reported that one of the victims was a Syrian national named Khaled Mohammad al-Ahmad.

In a post on social media platform X, Israel stated that the strike targeted members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Lebanon, though it did not provide evidence to support the claim. The PIJ has not issued an immediate response. The group is an armed faction based in the occupied Palestinian territories and allied with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024, Israeli forces have continued near-daily strikes inside Lebanon, reflecting ongoing regional tensions since the 2023 Gaza conflict.

The Nationalist Party and its allies have secured 212 seats in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, achieving a two-thirds majority. The result grants the coalition sweeping authority to amend the constitution, restructure the state system, and introduce major policy or legal changes. The article questions whether such dominance will strengthen democracy or repeat past patterns of power centralization seen after the 2001 and 2008 elections.

To maintain institutional balance, Bangladesh is introducing an upper house for the first time, designed to review legislation and prevent anti-public laws. However, disputes have emerged over how its 100 seats will be distributed. While most parties agreed on proportional allocation, the Nationalist Party prefers distribution based on lower-house seats, a stance potentially supported by a clause in the July Charter. This could weaken the upper house’s intended role as a check on executive power.

The piece warns that Bangladesh faces fragile institutions, economic distress, and public mistrust after 17 years of authoritarian rule. The new government is urged to prioritize responsibility over control and to rebuild democratic credibility through inclusive governance.

Former Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko was detained while allegedly trying to leave the country, according to a statement from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). Authorities said his arrest is part of the ongoing 'Midas case,' a broad investigation into corruption within Ukraine’s energy sector. The bureau stated that the detention is linked to allegations of large-scale embezzlement and illicit enrichment.

The report notes that Galushchenko, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky, was accused in September 2025 of illegally earning and transferring abroad about 100 million dollars. The scandal previously triggered a political crisis, leading both the sitting and former energy ministers to resign at Zelensky’s request, though both denied wrongdoing. Investigators claim the misappropriated funds came through state enterprises, including Energoatom, which operates Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.

Preliminary investigations remain ongoing, focusing on how funds intended for strengthening the security of critical energy facilities were allegedly diverted.