Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed on a national highway in Moran, Assam, near the Bangladesh border, aboard a C-130J aircraft on February 15, 2026. The landing took place on the region’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF), built to serve as both a highway and an airstrip for relief and rescue operations during emergencies. The event marked the beginning of Modi’s one-day visit to the state ahead of upcoming elections.

Following the landing, Modi observed a 40-minute air show featuring Tejas, Sukhoi, and Rafale fighter jets. According to reports, the Moran ELF holds significant strategic value due to its proximity to key borders—approximately 600 kilometers from Bangladesh’s Sylhet border, 700 kilometers from Rangpur, and 450 kilometers from China. The facility can serve as an alternative to Dibrugarh Airport or Chabua Air Base if needed during emergencies.

The demonstration highlighted India’s growing focus on dual-use infrastructure in its northeastern region, enhancing both defense readiness and disaster response capabilities.

Fifteen people were injured in a clash between two groups in Darichar Laxmipur village of Muladi upazila, Barishal, on Saturday, February 14. The conflict erupted after former union parishad chairman Kabir Mallik was not invited to the birthday celebration of his nephew, the son of union member Sakayet Mallik. The event had been organized for Sunday, but tensions rose when Kabir Mallik’s rival Jahangir Molla received an invitation while he did not.

According to local sources, Kabir Mallik became angry and ordered the removal of tents and materials set up for the event. The argument escalated into a violent clash, leaving 15 people injured. Four of the seriously injured, including Monir Mallik, Mizan Mallik, and Mezbaha Mallik, were sent to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for treatment.

Kabir Mallik denied involvement, claiming that his opponents attacked his supporters. Muladi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arafat Jahan Chowdhury confirmed the incident, stating that police and army personnel brought the situation under control. No formal complaint had been filed as of the report’s publication.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to increase economic pressure on Iran, according to a report by Axios citing two American officials. The agreement was reached during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, officials said. A senior U.S. official stated that both leaders concurred on applying maximum pressure against Iran, particularly targeting its oil sales to China.

However, the two leaders reportedly differ on how to achieve this goal. Netanyahu told Trump that a reliable agreement with Iran was impossible and would likely be violated, while Trump maintained that reaching a deal with Tehran was still possible. Officials added that Washington would continue efforts to exert maximum pressure on Iran alongside nuclear discussions and a strengthened military presence in the Middle East, leaving open the option of military action if diplomacy fails.

The report noted that over 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports go to China, meaning a reduction in Chinese purchases could significantly intensify Tehran’s economic strain.

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has described Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election as peaceful and credible. The observation came during a press briefing held on Sunday morning in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, where ANFREL presented its preliminary report on the national election and referendum observation. ANFREL Chairperson Sohana N. Hettiarachchi urged authorities to ensure more transparency in the vote counting process.

During the briefing, Hettiarachchi emphasized that political parties have a responsibility to encourage greater participation of young and female voters in future elections. The organization’s statement highlighted both the overall peaceful conduct of the polls and the need for continued improvements in electoral transparency.

The preliminary findings suggest that while the election process was largely credible, further steps toward openness in vote counting could strengthen public confidence in Bangladesh’s electoral system.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that President Donald Trump is ready to hold talks with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking to Bloomberg, Rubio stated that the president is willing to meet anyone if it helps resolve global issues, adding that Trump is interested in reaching an agreement with Tehran.

Rubio explained that Trump believes dialogue is the best way to solve the world’s problems. The statement comes as the United States and Iran recently held discussions over Iran’s nuclear program and are preparing for a second round of talks. Despite this diplomatic engagement, Washington continues to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East.

President Trump also announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States’ largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, will soon move from the Caribbean to the Middle East, signaling continued strategic focus on the region.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Amjanata Party’s member secretary Md. Tarek Rahman lost his deposit after securing only 1,044 votes in the Dhaka-12 constituency. According to the official results, a total of 122,268 valid votes were cast, representing 37.42 percent of total ballots. Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Saiful Alam won the seat with 53,773 votes, while the Revolutionary Workers Party’s general secretary, contesting with the spade symbol, received 30,963 votes. There were 2,444 invalid ballots, meaning Rahman received fewer votes than the number of rejected ones.

The Election Commission circular states that any candidate failing to secure one-eighth of the total votes in their constituency forfeits their deposit. For parliamentary seats, the deposit amount is set at 25,000 taka. After elections, forfeited deposits are transferred to the government treasury through the Accountant General’s Office. The report notes that many candidates across constituencies lost their deposits this time, though the exact number remains unknown.

The Election Commission also indicated that some leading contenders in various constituencies did not receive enough votes to reclaim their deposits, a recurring pattern in national elections.

Italy’s right-wing government has approved a draft law aimed at curbing irregular migration across the Mediterranean. The bill, endorsed by the cabinet on Wednesday, allows temporary naval blockades to prevent migrant boats from entering Italian territorial waters during exceptional pressure situations. Authorities may invoke the measure when national security risks are identified, such as potential terrorist threats or infiltration attempts.

The proposal comes as Italy continues to face heavy migration flows through the central Mediterranean route, with thousands arriving by sea each year. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has pledged stricter maritime controls. The draft must still pass both chambers of parliament before taking effect. If approved, Italy could revive its plan to process asylum applications in centers located in Albania, a scheme currently suspended by court rulings.

Under the bill, migrant vessels could be barred for up to 30 days, extendable to six months in severe security cases. Violations may result in fines up to 50,000 euros and vessel confiscation. Observers suggest the measure may particularly affect humanitarian rescue ships. The draft was approved a day after the European Union adopted its new migration and asylum pact.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed his first press conference after the party’s decisive election victory, held on Saturday at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka. He dedicated the win to the people who sacrificed for democracy and confirmed that the new government will implement reforms based on the July Charter and the party’s 31-point manifesto. Rahman, set to become prime minister for the first time, emphasized maintaining peace, rule of law, and accountability in governance.

He outlined priorities including restoring the economy, ensuring liquidity in the banking sector, and creating an investment-friendly environment. Rahman said foreign policy decisions will prioritize Bangladesh’s national interests and reaffirmed non-interference in judicial matters such as the International Crimes Tribunal. He also called for unity among political parties to prevent any return to authoritarianism.

Rahman highlighted challenges inherited from what he described as a fragile economy and weakened institutions. He urged all citizens and political groups to work together to rebuild a democratic, safe, and humane Bangladesh, promising reforms aligned with the July Charter and the party’s commitments to the people.

Israeli authorities are reportedly planning to restrict Muslim worshippers’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem during the upcoming Ramadan, according to former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Ekrima Sabri. Speaking to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, he said signs of this plan appeared earlier in January when Major General Avshalom Peled was appointed as the new police commander in East Jerusalem. The move is viewed as part of far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s broader agenda concerning control over the mosque.

Sheikh Sabri stated that Israeli authorities have already imposed restrictions on young worshippers and indicated that entry rules for Muslims from the occupied West Bank would not be eased. He warned that this would result in fewer worshippers at Al-Aqsa compared to previous years, calling the measures a violation of freedom of worship and an obstacle to Muslims’ observance of Ramadan.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Minister Ben-Gvir is taking actions that could further inflame tensions around the holy site.

The Pakistani government plans to move former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail to a new prison in Islamabad within the next two months. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the plan during a police event in Islamabad, stating that the new facility will be completed soon and will include full medical services. Khan has been held in Adiala Jail since September 2023 following a conviction by an Islamabad court.

The federal government told the Supreme Court that Khan will be allowed to see an eye specialist again amid growing concerns about his deteriorating eyesight. His sons, Qasim and Suleiman, will also be permitted to contact him by phone. A court-appointed lawyer reported that Khan’s right eye retains only 15 percent vision despite treatment. PTI has alleged that his solitary confinement violates national and international laws.

Meanwhile, leaders of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Aaeeni Pakistan have launched a sit-in protest demanding Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital for proper medical care. Police have been deployed at protest sites in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to maintain order.

After a three-day closure due to the 13th parliamentary election, referendum, and weekly holidays, import and export operations between Bangladesh and India resumed at Hili land port in Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur. The trade activities restarted on Saturday afternoon when Indian trucks began entering Bangladesh. Workers returned to their duties in the morning, and port operations gradually increased throughout the day.

According to port sources, between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Indian cargo trucks carrying corn, spices, and fruits crossed the border and entered the Hili yard. The goods were unloaded and dispatched to various destinations across the country. Officials from Panama Port Limited, customs, and plant quarantine departments confirmed that all administrative, customs, and inspection activities had returned to normal. The Hili Importers and Exporters Group stated that traders had also resumed their business operations at the port.

The resumption of trade is expected to restore regular cross-border commerce and stabilize supply chains disrupted during the election-related closure.

In the Netrokona-4 constituency, covering Madan, Mohanganj, and Khaliajuri, BNP candidate Lutfozzaman Babar secured a decisive victory, receiving 161,000 votes. Two female candidates, Jolly Talukder of the Communist Party of Bangladesh and Champa Rani Sarkar of the Revolutionary Workers Party, lost their deposits after failing to secure sufficient votes. Other contenders included Al Helal Talukder of Jamaat-e-Islami, who received about 40,000 votes, and Mokhlesur Rahman of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, who obtained 2,000 votes.

The constituency, comprising three upazilas, has a total of 375,000 registered voters, with 206,000 ballots cast in the election. Babar described his victory as a triumph for the people, pledging to continue working for their welfare and to build a society free from bribery and corruption.

The results highlight Babar’s strong electoral position in the region and the limited support for left-leaning and smaller party candidates in this race.

The Press Wing of the Chief Adviser has requested all concerned to refrain from spreading misleading or speculative statements regarding the cancellation of Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid’s contractual appointment. The appeal was made in a message sent to the media on Sunday morning.

According to the message, various inaccurate and assumption-based comments have circulated following the cancellation of Dr. Rashid’s contract. It clarified that he had earlier requested to be relieved of his duties for personal reasons, a few days before the election. However, at the Chief Adviser’s request, he agreed to continue serving until the election period to maintain discipline and continuity in field administration.

The Press Wing reiterated its call for all parties to avoid unnecessary speculation or misinformation about the matter.

Two alleged muggers were seriously injured in a mob beating while attempting a robbery in Bajbi Tatibari area of Duptara Union, Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj on Saturday, February 14. Police later recovered a pistol, a magazine, and four rounds of bullets from their possession. The injured were identified as Rabbi, 20, and Sabbir, 15, both sons of Jahangir Mia from Rajakanda area under Hossainpur police station in Kishoreganj. They had been living in a rented house in Bajbi Hajibari area.

According to police and local sources, the two tried to snatch cash from a rickshaw puller on the Gausia–Araihazar road by threatening him with a firearm. Locals chased and caught them after the victim shouted for help, leading to the mob beating. Police rescued the injured and admitted them to Araihazar Upazila Health Complex.

Following their information, police searched their rented house and found ammunition and a magazine. On Sunday morning, February 15, a Fire Service diving team recovered the pistol from a nearby pond. Police said legal action is underway.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson and election steering committee chairman of the National Citizen Party (NCP), announced the formation of a shadow cabinet on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The announcement was made through a verified Facebook post, where he stated that the shadow cabinet would act as a watchdog to ensure transparency and accountability in overall activities.

The declaration followed a similar proposal made the previous night by Mohammad Shishir Monir, Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate for the Sunamganj-2 (Dirai-Shalla) constituency and a senior Supreme Court lawyer. Monir had expressed his intention to form a shadow cabinet as well.

In parliamentary democracies, a shadow cabinet is typically composed of senior opposition leaders who monitor the government’s ministries, identify shortcomings, and propose alternative policies in the public interest. Although it holds no executive power, such a structure helps maintain government accountability and prepares opposition parties for potential future governance.