A protest and minor vandalism occurred in Pirganj, Thakurgaon, on Sunday evening after national and party flags were hoisted at the temporarily banned Upazila Awami League office. According to local sources, Awami League activists raised the flags in the afternoon, and a video of the event circulated on social media, triggering political reactions.

Following the viral video, leaders and activists of the Upazila units of Chhatra Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal organized a protest march through the main streets of the municipal town, ending in front of the Awami League office. Some protesters damaged a table outside the office, but no major clashes were reported. Police said they were working to maintain order and had increased surveillance in the area.

The Upazila Awami League’s temporary office had been closed since August 4, 2024, and no immediate statements were available from either political group regarding the incident.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir has urged an end to what he described as smear politics and mob culture in the country. In a verified Facebook post on Saturday night, he commented on the recent allegations of sexual assault in Hatiya, saying that available evidence, including video statements and medical records, suggested the incident appeared to be politically motivated and pre-planned. He emphasized that no final judgment should be made before the official investigation concludes and called for a fair and impartial inquiry.

Nasir warned that if the investigation proves the allegations were fabricated for political revenge, those responsible must be held accountable. He said attempts to defame political parties or individuals through false accusations amount to deception against the nation. He also demanded that groups such as Shibir, Jamaat-affiliated factions, and the NCP publicly apologize if their involvement is proven. Nasir further stated that legal action would be taken against anyone responsible for spreading unrest or tarnishing the BNP’s reputation.

He concluded by asserting that politics should be based on ideals, ethics, and public welfare, not on falsehoods or character assassination.

India advanced to the Super Eight stage after a commanding 61-run victory over Pakistan, securing the top position in Group A. Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 176 runs despite losing an early wicket. Ishan Kishan led the innings with a blistering 77 off 40 balls, supported by Tilak Varma’s 25 and captain Suryakumar Yadav’s 32. Late contributions from Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube helped India reach a strong total.

Pakistan’s chase faltered from the start, collapsing to 13 for 3 in the second over after Jasprit Bumrah struck twice. Captain Babar Azam’s 34 and Usman Khan’s 44 offered brief resistance, but the team was bowled out for 114. India’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with six of seven bowlers taking wickets. Bumrah and Hardik Pandya claimed two each in pace, while Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy matched that in spin.

The result marked India’s third consecutive win, confirming their Super Eight qualification and reinforcing their position as strong title contenders.

The Dhaka South unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a protest march and rally in the capital on Sunday afternoon, condemning nationwide violence, killings, and assaults that followed the February 12 election. The procession began at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and concluded with a rally at the National Press Club. Amirul Islam, the organization’s central student rights secretary, attended as the chief guest along with other city-level leaders.

Speakers at the event alleged that since the night election results were announced, activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have been involved in violent acts across the country. They claimed that people who supported or voted for the 11-party alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami’s scale symbol and the NCP’s Shapla Koli, were targeted through attacks on homes, businesses, and incidents of murder and sexual violence. The speakers demanded an immediate end to such violence.

Similar demonstrations were reportedly held by Shibir in various parts of the country on the same issue.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for submitting VAT returns for the month of January by one week. As a result, businesses will now be able to file their VAT returns until February 22, 2026, instead of the usual February 15 deadline.

According to NBR sources, the extension was granted because many organizations were unable to complete their VAT submissions on time due to disruptions caused by the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Normally, VAT returns for the previous month must be submitted by the 15th of each month.

The decision aims to provide businesses with additional time to comply with tax obligations affected by the election period.

On the day of the parliamentary election in Feni’s Sonagazi upazila, former assistant coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Shahadat Hasan, alleged that he was abducted and tortured by masked armed men from the Bagishpur Government Primary School polling center. The incident reportedly occurred around noon, when he was taken to an isolated area, beaten with rods, and threatened at gunpoint. He claimed the attackers demanded 500,000 taka in extortion and took 30,000 taka in cash, a mobile phone, and a wristwatch.

Shahadat, a fourth-semester BBA student at Feni University, said the assailants accused him of supporting Jamaat and aiding fake voting, which he denied, stating his family’s allegiance to BNP and the ideals of Ziaur Rahman. He alleged that he was forced to record videos portraying him as a criminal and to give false testimony against others. He also claimed he was threatened with harm if he approached authorities.

Former district coordinator Omar Faruk demanded a proper investigation, while Sonagazi Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge said no formal complaint had been received.

An imam in Shariatpur’s Damudya upazila was attacked after the scale symbol received more votes than the BNP candidate in the recent national election. The incident occurred on Friday, February 13, in the Char-Naraynpur Dewan Bari Mosque area of Purba Damudya Union. The injured, Hafiz Maulana Monir Hossain, serves as the mosque’s imam and teacher. Local sources said that after the election results, local Jubo Dal leader Akib Howlader and others questioned the imam about why the scale symbol had gained more votes. When he denied involvement, they allegedly dragged him out of his room, beat him, and threatened to kill him if he returned to the mosque.

During Friday prayers, worshippers discovered the imam missing and later found him injured. Another local, Shamim Dewan, was also beaten after informing the union chairman about the attack. The incident has caused tension and fear among residents. Locals condemned the assault and demanded a fair investigation. Police said no written complaint had been filed yet but promised action upon receiving one.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, ten candidates in Patuakhali’s four constituencies lost their deposits after failing to secure the required share of votes. The results were announced on February 12 by Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer Dr. Mohammad Shahid Hossain Chowdhury. According to the Election Commission’s rule, a candidate must obtain at least one-eighth, or 12.5 percent, of total votes to retain their deposit. Each deposit amounts to 50,000 taka, meaning a total of 500,000 taka from ten candidates will be forfeited to the state treasury.

Across the constituencies, Patuakhali-1 saw three of six candidates lose deposits, Patuakhali-2 had three of five, Patuakhali-3 had two of five, and Patuakhali-4 had two of four. The affected candidates represented parties including the Jatiya Party (JP), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD), Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, and the 11-party alliance, as well as independent contenders.

The forfeiture reflects the Election Commission’s enforcement of voting thresholds designed to ensure only candidates with significant voter support retain their deposits.

RAB-12 in Bogura has uncovered a new method of drug trafficking where narcotic Phensedyl is being sold under different names and packaging resembling cough syrup. On Sunday, the force seized bottles labeled Eskaf, MKDyl, and Fairdyl during a highway search in Shahjahanpur’s Noymail area. Two suspects from Lalmonirhat were arrested while transporting the consignment on a passenger bus bound for Dhaka. Separate cases have been filed under the Narcotics Control Act.

According to RAB-12 company commander Firoz Ahmed ATC, the liquid content of these syrups remains the same as Phensedyl, but traffickers are exploiting new branding to evade detection. Recent raids in Adamdighi and Sonatala upazilas also led to the recovery of similar bottles and the arrest of multiple individuals, including a mother and son involved in the trade. Women have also been found participating in the smuggling network.

The first discovery of Eskaf-branded Phensedyl occurred in October last year near TMSS Medical College Hospital in Bogura. Authorities say the trend of rebranding narcotic syrups is spreading into rural areas, prompting continued anti-drug operations.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the army will return to its barracks after the new government takes oath following the 13th National Parliamentary Election. He made the statement on Sunday at 11 a.m. during the ‘CAS Darbar’, addressing army personnel of all ranks. Members serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions also joined the event virtually.

The Army Chief emphasized that the force has been performing its duties with full respect for the Constitution and the civilian administration. He said the army would return to normal duties once the new government assumes office but would continue to assist the police as needed until law and order is fully under control. He urged all army members to maintain patience, restraint, and professionalism.

General Waker-Uz-Zaman praised the professionalism, discipline, and responsibility shown by army members during election duties, noting that their performance during a sensitive period had strengthened public confidence in the armed forces.

Speculation spread on Sunday that Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam had resigned from his post. However, when contacted by the newspaper Amar Desh in the afternoon, Alam himself confirmed that he had not resigned. The clarification came after unverified reports circulated suggesting his departure from the position.

Baharul Alam was appointed as IGP on November 21, 2024, replacing outgoing IGP Md Moinul Islam. The government appointed him on a two-year contractual basis. Alam began his police career on January 21, 1986, as an Assistant Superintendent of Police from the 1984 BCS (Police) batch. He has served as head of the Special Branch and as Additional IGP at Police Headquarters. His international experience includes serving as a senior police liaison officer at the UN headquarters from 2009 to 2013 and as a senior police adviser in the UN peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan in 2015.

He retired from regular service in 2020 before being appointed to his current role. No further official statement was issued regarding the rumors.

The Israeli government has approved a proposal to register extensive areas of the occupied West Bank as state property, marking the first such decision since Israel’s 1967 occupation of the territory, according to the country’s public broadcaster Kan, as reported by Anadolu Agency. The proposal was introduced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defense Minister Israel Katz. If implemented, the lands in question will be formally recorded as Israeli state-owned property.

The move is expected to accelerate settlement expansion in the West Bank and further complicate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian groups and human rights organizations have long opposed such initiatives, viewing them as violations of international law and obstacles to peace.

Many countries in the international community consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. Observers suggest that this decision could trigger renewed diplomatic backlash against Israel’s policies in the occupied territories.

Mohammad Shamsuddin, convener of Nagorik Parishad, stated that the Muslim League freed people from the suffering of Hyderabad and Kashmir. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking the 120th anniversary of the Muslim League’s founding, held at Hadi Chattar in Shahbagh, Dhaka. The event was organized by World Muslim Mohajir Rights and chaired by its chairman Abdul Wahed.

Other speakers included Nawab Salimullah Academy chairman Abdul Jabbar, advocate Mostafa Jamal Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Musalli Committee president Amir Ali Howlader, Muslim League Standing Committee member Abdul Hannan Nur, AB Party leader and Professional Council general secretary Mahbub Shamim, and student leader Shawon. Shamsuddin also criticized political figures he described as fascist and questioned their legitimacy, urging resistance against those he accused of betraying the sacrifices of August 5.

Speakers at the event called for justice for the killers of Shaheed Osman Hadi and demanded the return of those accused of killing July fighters to face trial in Bangladesh.

The interim government of Bangladesh has declared itself 90 percent successful in fulfilling its responsibilities, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Speaking at a briefing following an advisory council meeting chaired by Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Tejgaon, he said the government’s main goals were reform, stability, and good governance. The meeting also adopted a motion of thanks for the peaceful and festive completion of the national election and referendum.

The press secretary detailed that the government took charge amid a fragile economy and instability but restored peace and order. He cited improvements in economic indicators, including a rise in foreign reserves to 29 billion dollars and stabilization of the exchange rate. The government repealed a controversial power sector law, introduced energy reforms, and reported positive revenue growth. Food reserves were said to be at their highest, ensuring six months of import coverage.

He further noted progress in foreign relations, including reciprocal tariff and economic partnership agreements with the United States and Japan. The government also claimed advances in law and order, asserting no enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings in the past 18 months and full media freedom.

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims across the country to observe the new moon of Ramadan on Tuesday evening, February 17. According to the official Umm al-Qura Hijri calendar, that date corresponds to the 29th of Sha’ban. The court’s statement instructed anyone who sights the crescent, either with the naked eye or through binoculars, to report their testimony to the nearest court or relevant observation center. It also encouraged capable observers to join regional committees formed for this purpose.

The court described the moon-sighting effort as a virtuous act of religious significance that benefits the entire Muslim community. Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, the International Astronomical Center issued a warning to residents awaiting Ramadan, cautioning that attempting to view the moon on February 17 could be “dangerous for the eyes.”

An official from the center explained that the moon will be positioned very close to the sun that day, coinciding with a solar eclipse. Viewing the sun through telescopes or binoculars without proper protection could cause temporary or permanent vision damage.