Heavy rainfall on Friday caused severe flooding across New Zealand’s North Island, leading to one death, widespread power outages, and major road damage. Authorities declared a state of emergency in Otorohanga District, located about 180 kilometers south of Auckland, where many residents were evacuated from their homes.

According to the national weather service, a deepening low-pressure system over the island’s eastern region is expected to bring further heavy rain and strong winds through Sunday night, with conditions forecast to gradually improve by Monday. Reuters reported that extensive areas of the country were inundated following the downpour.

Otorohanga District Council said geotechnical teams assessed road stability overnight, while energy provider Powerco confirmed that around 2,452 homes and businesses remained without electricity. Images shared on social media showed semi-rural areas submerged, with sections of roads collapsing where floodwaters had receded.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to fix the date today for delivering the verdict in a war crimes case against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman and four other accused. The case involves the shooting of Amir Hossain, who was hanging from a building ledge in Rampura, and the killing of two others during the July uprising. The three-member tribunal panel is led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, with Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

On February 3, both prosecution and defense completed their arguments. Defense lawyer Sarwar Jahan Nippon sought acquittal for accused Chanchal Chandra Sarkar, while state defense lawyer Md Amir Hossain argued for the innocence of four absconding defendants. Prosecutor Mizanul Islam countered their claims. The prosecution earlier asserted that evidence, including witness statements and video footage, clearly proved the accused’s involvement and sought the maximum penalty.

The tribunal had framed charges on September 18 last year after the prosecution filed formal charges on August 7. Among the accused, former Rampura police outpost ASI Chanchal Chandra Sarkar is in custody, while the others remain absconding.

US President Donald Trump called for strengthening unity between the United States and Europe during his speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. He said Washington seeks to revive friendly relations with Europe, emphasizing shared heritage and cooperation with long-standing allies. According to Al Jazeera, Trump avoided mentioning Russia but criticized Europe’s stance on immigration and climate issues.

The appeal came a day after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of deep fractures in US-Europe relations while opening the same conference. Merz said the rules-based world order no longer exists and that Europe’s freedom and security are no longer guaranteed in an era of great power politics. He urged Europeans to be ready for sacrifices to safeguard their independence.

Trump’s remarks and Merz’s warning together underscored ongoing uncertainty in transatlantic relations, with both leaders highlighting the need for renewed commitment to cooperation and shared values.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s women’s division secretary, Nurunnisa Siddika, has expressed deep concern, anger, and condemnation over a reported rape incident in Hatiya linked to voting activities. In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, she said the assault allegedly occurred because the victim voted for the Shapla symbol. The victim is currently receiving treatment at Noakhali General Hospital, where a medical board has been formed for her care, confirmed by emergency medical officer Dr. Mostafizur Rahman.

Siddika described the incident as a reflection of authoritarianism and an attack on constitutional rights, stating that no woman should face such violence for exercising her right to vote. She emphasized that politically motivated sexual violence undermines democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. On behalf of Jamaat’s women’s division, she presented three demands: an impartial and swift investigation, immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved, and assurance of the victim’s medical, security, and psychological support.

She also urged citizens, human rights groups, women’s organizations, and all political parties to unite against such brutality and defend women’s dignity and safety.

In Manikganj, 13 out of 20 candidates lost their security deposits in three parliamentary constituencies following the latest national election results published on February 15, 2026. According to the Election Commission’s rule, a candidate must secure at least 12.5 percent of the total valid votes to retain their deposit.

In Manikganj-1, BNP’s S A Jinnah Kabir won with 137,773 votes, followed by independent candidate Tozammel Haque Toza with 77,818 and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Abu Bakar Siddique with 71,310. The remaining four candidates failed to meet the vote threshold. In Manikganj-2, BNP’s Moinul Islam Khan Shanto won with 175,776 votes, while Khelafat Majlish’s Mohammad Salauddin came second with 81,531; two others lost their deposits. In Manikganj-3, BNP’s Afroza Khanam Rita won with 167,345 votes, and Khelafat Majlish’s Mohammad Saidnur came second with 64,242; seven other candidates forfeited their deposits.

The results show that most minor party and independent candidates in Manikganj failed to reach the required vote share to retain their deposits.

BNP candidate Faruk Alam Sarkar has demanded a recount of votes in the Gaibandha-5 (Saghata-Fulchhari) constituency, alleging irregularities during the counting process. He made the demand on Saturday night, February 14, at a press conference held at his residence in Saghata. Sarkar claimed that polling agents were forced to sign blank result sheets before the vote count began and that fabricated results were later prepared to ensure the victory of the candidate with the 'scales' symbol.

According to Sarkar, the process was deliberately manipulated to defeat his 'paddy sheaf' symbol. He alleged that the pre-signed blank result sheets were used to produce false outcomes favoring his opponent. The press conference was attended by Saghata Upazila BNP member secretary Selim Ahmed Tulip, advocate Rejwanul Haque Mondol, and other local leaders.

The demand for a recount follows the official declaration of results in the constituency, though no response from election authorities or other candidates was mentioned in the report.

At least eight Palestinians were killed in new Israeli attacks on Gaza despite an existing ceasefire agreement. According to an Al Jazeera report, four people were killed on Sunday in the southern city of Khan Younis when Israeli forces launched strikes beyond the so-called 'yellow line' marking their positions in Gaza. Another four were killed when Israeli forces attacked a tent sheltering displaced people in the Al-Faluja area of northern Gaza, a source at Al-Shifa Hospital said.

Israeli authorities did not immediately comment on the incidents. Gaza authorities stated that since the ceasefire came into effect on October 10, Israel has violated it more than 1,500 times. These violations have resulted in at least 591 deaths and 1,590 injuries so far.

The repeated attacks highlight the fragility of the ceasefire and the continuing humanitarian toll on Gaza’s civilian population, according to the information provided by Gaza authorities.

The United States military has prepared for potential weeks-long strikes against Iran if President Donald Trump issues the order, according to two unnamed US officials cited by Reuters. The officials said the plan would allow sustained attacks over several weeks, though they declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. The preparations come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent US troop deployments.

The report noted that the Pentagon is sending another aircraft carrier to the region, equipped with warplanes, military equipment, and thousands of troops. Last week, US and Iranian diplomats met in Oman to revive diplomacy over Tehran’s nuclear program. During a visit to a North Carolina base, Trump remarked that reaching a deal with Iran had become difficult and suggested that creating fear was sometimes necessary to manage the situation. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said all options remain open for the president regarding Iran.

Analysts suggest that if the strikes begin, the conflict between the two nations could escalate significantly across the Middle East.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has strongly condemned the incidents of post-election violence across the country. In a verified Facebook post on Sunday, February 15, 2026, he declared that his party would never bow to any form of evil force. Rahman expressed deep concern over reports of attacks, vandalism, arson, and assaults allegedly carried out by members of a particular group against supporters of the 11-party alliance, including incidents of harassment of women.

He emphasized that Jamaat would remain steadfast in truth and justice and called on supporters to stand beside the oppressed. Rahman urged his colleagues to remain firm with the general public, describing this as a duty to humanity, to God, and to the nation. He asserted that there was no room for weakness in fulfilling this responsibility.

The statement reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s response to the reported violence following the national election and its call for organized resistance and solidarity with victims of political unrest.

Faiz Ahmad Tayyab, special assistant to the chief adviser for posts, telecommunications and ICT in the interim government, has quietly left Bangladesh after formally completing his duties. In a verified Facebook post early Saturday, he said he departed for Germany via Dubai on February 14, citing financial losses and family emergencies as reasons for his travel. He stated that his official farewell took place on February 10 after completing election-related responsibilities and contributions to technology-based election management.

Responding to social media criticism, Tayyab expressed frustration over personal attacks and clarified that he left only after finishing his official duties. He said he suffered financial setbacks while serving the country and needed to find new employment. He added that his wife’s medical emergency and his son’s school meeting required his presence abroad, emphasizing that he had purchased a return ticket.

In his postscript, Tayyab claimed he had worked to bring transparency and new management practices to a ministry he described as corrupt, denied any involvement in corruption, and alleged that certain telecom business groups had spread falsehoods against him.

At least 32 people were killed and several others abducted when armed assailants attacked three villages in northern Nigeria’s Niger State on Saturday, according to local police and witnesses cited by Al Jazeera. The attackers, arriving on motorcycles, carried out violent raids across the villages, setting homes ablaze and kidnapping residents.

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that suspected terrorists struck Tunga-Makeri village, killing six people, burning houses, and abducting several villagers. In Konkoso, resident Jeremiah Timothy told Reuters that the assault began with sporadic gunfire before the attackers set fire to a police station, leaving at least 26 people dead. Authorities said the attackers included groups linked to ISIL (ISIS) and local kidnapping gangs seeking ransom.

The attacks occurred near the Kainji forest along the Niger–Kwara border, an area known as a hideout for armed groups including Boko Haram and criminal gangs.

Twelve candidates lost their security deposits in four parliamentary constituencies of Jhenaidah following the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Election, according to the district returning office. A total of 21 candidates contested across the four constituencies. In Jhenaidah-1, BNP’s Md. Asaduzzaman won with 173,381 votes, while three of five candidates forfeited their deposits. In Jhenaidah-2, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ali Azam Md. Abu Bakar secured victory with 195,702 votes, and four of six candidates lost their deposits. In Jhenaidah-3, Jamaat’s Md. Matiar Rahman won with 175,857 votes, with two of four candidates losing deposits. In Jhenaidah-4, Jamaat’s Abu Talib won with 105,999 votes, and three of six candidates forfeited deposits.

According to the Election Commission’s circular, any candidate failing to secure one-eighth of the total valid votes cast in their constituency must forfeit their deposit. The forfeitures in Jhenaidah reflect this rule, as the affected candidates did not meet the required vote threshold.

The results highlight competitive races between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the district, with voter turnout ranging from 72.93% to 77.84% across the four constituencies.

The Pakistan government has announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan will be transferred from prison to a hospital for medical treatment. A medical board will be formed to examine his health condition. The decision came amid a sit-in protest that began on Friday outside the country’s parliament. According to The Express Tribune, the protest was joined by opposition leaders Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, along with PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohel Afridi and other PTI leaders continued separate demonstrations at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, where police forces were deployed. Protesters declared that their sit-in would continue until Imran Khan was urgently transferred to Shifa International Hospital for eye treatment. Information Minister Ataullah Tatar stated on social media that specialists would conduct further examinations and submit a detailed report to the Supreme Court.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that Imran Khan would be moved from prison to a hospital based on his health condition and assured that all human rights entitled to a prisoner would be provided to him.

Former Bangladesh cricket captain Tamim Iqbal has dismissed as baseless the widespread rumors that he is set to join national politics or take a ministerial post under a possible BNP-led government. Reports circulating on social media claimed that Tamim might be appointed as a technocrat minister, but he clarified on his verified Facebook page that no such proposal had been made to him. He described the discussions about his political involvement as completely false and urged everyone to refrain from spreading unfounded news.

The speculation gained traction after Tamim appeared at campaign events for several BNP candidates ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, in which the party secured an absolute majority and began preparing to form a government. His name was particularly linked on social media with the position of state minister for youth and sports. Similar rumors also surrounded former national football captain Aminul Islam, who contested from Dhaka-16 but lost and challenged the result.

Although Tamim has denied any political ambitions for now, his name entering political discussions has sparked fresh curiosity among sports fans and the general public.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government to be formed under the leadership of Tareq Rahman. According to the report, invitations have also been extended to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other heads of government from SAARC member states, as well as leaders from key Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries. However, Modi’s participation in the event remains uncertain, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

The report notes that Modi is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on the same day, when Macron will be in India to attend the AI Impact Summit. Although Modi may not attend, India could still be represented at the ceremony by a senior leader, possibly the vice president or foreign minister. Citing Indian officials, the report adds that New Delhi does not intend to rush into rebuilding ties with Dhaka, though restoring the strained relationship remains a priority for India.

The uncertainty over Modi’s attendance underscores the cautious approach India is taking toward its diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh’s new administration.