Ershad’s Jatiya Party (Japa) has faced a complete political collapse in Bangladesh’s latest national election held on February 12, 2026. Once dominant in the Rangpur region, the party fielded candidates in 200 constituencies across the country but failed to win a single seat. In Rangpur Division, where it contested 30 of 33 seats, Japa lost all to the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, while the National Citizen Party (NCP) secured two seats. The results mark the end of Japa’s four-decade-long political presence.

The report attributes Japa’s downfall to its long-standing alliance with the Awami League and its perceived closeness to India. Party chairman GM Quader, who previously acknowledged discussions with Indian officials, claimed that the Awami League had “blackmailed” Japa into joining the election. However, voters rejected the party, and all its candidates forfeited their deposits. Internal divisions among factions led by GM Quader, Raushan Ershad, and Anisul Islam Mahmud further weakened the organization.

The collapse of Japa, once a major political force in northern Bangladesh, signals a major realignment in the country’s opposition landscape, with Islamist and new parties gaining ground in its former strongholds.

The National Citizens Party (NCP), formed less than a year ago by youth leaders of the July uprising, made a surprising debut in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election held on Thursday. Despite being a new entrant, the party contested 30 constituencies as part of an 11-party alliance and secured six seats, emerging as the third-largest political force after the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. NCP’s winning candidates include Nahid Islam in Dhaka-11, Akhtar Hossain in Rangpur-4, Hasnat Abdullah in Cumilla-4, Abdul Hannan Masud in Noakhali-6, Dr. Atik Mujahid in Kurigram-2, and Abdullah Al-Amin in Narayanganj-4.

According to unofficial results, NCP candidates achieved narrow to decisive victories, with margins ranging from a few thousand to over one hundred thousand votes. In several other constituencies, NCP contenders finished second with close margins, reflecting significant voter support for the new party. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan alleged attempts to tamper with results in some areas during a late-night press briefing.

The NCP originated from the 2024 anti-discrimination movement and formally launched on 28 February 2025, joining the 11-party alliance shortly before the election.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported that 90 percent of school buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or completely destroyed during two years of Israeli military aggression. The agency shared this information on Thursday through a post on social media platform X, noting that the few remaining intact schools have been converted into shelters. Children in Gaza are now entirely dependent on temporary classrooms or digital platforms for their education.

UNRWA stated that it is working to support the education of children affected by the ongoing devastation in Gaza. The report comes amid continuing conflict that began after Palestinian resistance groups launched an operation in Israel on October 7, 2023, aimed at breaking the long-standing blockade of Gaza. In response, Israeli forces initiated one of the most intense military campaigns in recent history.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, as of February 11, more than 72,000 people have been killed during the two-year-long Israeli offensive.

In Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, Jamaat-e-Islami, leading an 11-party alliance, fielded candidates in 224 constituencies and won 68 seats. According to the party’s election management committee member Dr. Zobaer Ahmad, alliance candidates lost in 53 constituencies by margins of fewer than 10,000 votes. He stated that if these seats had been won, the alliance’s total could have reached around 120. Jamaat leaders plan to file complaints with the Election Commission regarding alleged irregularities.

Party representatives alleged widespread vote rigging by rival candidates, claiming that fake votes were cast across multiple polling centers. Specific examples include Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar losing in Khulna-5 by 2,608 votes, and other close defeats in Dhaka, Pirojpur, Dinajpur, and Mymensingh constituencies. The alliance is reviewing official results and has already submitted several complaints to the Election Commission.

Several defeated candidates have demanded suspension of the announced results and a recount in affected constituencies, citing discrepancies found during their review of center-wise results.

Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, held after what the report describes as years of authoritarian rule, allowed citizens to exercise their voting rights freely. According to unofficial results available until Friday, many first-time and lesser-known candidates won, while several high-profile and veteran politicians suffered defeats across multiple constituencies.

Among the most notable outcomes were the losses of three senior leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami: Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, and Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir. Each was defeated by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidates in their respective constituencies. Other prominent figures who lost include BNP’s Harunur Rashid Harun, football captain Aminul Haque, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s senior leader Syed Fazlul Karim. Some candidates even lost their deposits.

The election marked a shift from previous years’ uncontested or manipulated polls, as described in the report. It reflected a restoration of voter participation and competition, with results showing both major and smaller parties facing mixed outcomes across the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked a key scientific ruling from former President Barack Obama that declared greenhouse gases dangerous to public health. The announcement was made Thursday at the Oval Office, according to a BBC report. The reversal nullifies federal measures introduced under the Obama administration to curb emissions of gases linked to global warming.

During his Oval Office address, Trump described the 2009 ruling as a disastrous Obama-era policy that harmed the American auto industry and made cars unaffordable for consumers. The White House called the move the largest deregulation in U.S. history, claiming it would reduce vehicle prices by about $2,400 for manufacturers.

Former President Obama criticized the decision, warning it would increase health risks for Americans and weaken the nation’s ability to combat climate change. Environmental groups also condemned the move, calling it one of the most damaging setbacks for climate action and vowing to challenge it in court.

BNP candidate Mostafizur Rahman Babul, who won the Jamalpur-3 (Melandah-Madarganj) constituency election, visited the home of his defeated rival, Jamaat candidate Maulana Mojibur Rahman Azadi, on Friday afternoon in Adipait village of Melandah municipality. Carrying sweets, Mostafizur exchanged greetings with Azadi, and the two embraced to share the joy of the election outcome. The BNP winner personally offered sweets to his opponent, who in turn congratulated him and pledged cooperation in local development efforts.

The cordial meeting between the two political rivals, marked by mutual respect and symbolic gestures, quickly spread across social media and drew widespread praise. Local voters viewed the encounter as a rare example of positive politics, emphasizing the importance of such conduct in maintaining post-election peace and strengthening democratic culture.

Observers in the area described the event as a bright example of social unity and democratic values, noting that such cooperation among political opponents sends a constructive message to the community.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, has achieved a landslide victory in Bangladesh’s general election. Indian media outlets have been analyzing the outcome, describing it as a temporary relief for India and favorable to its national interests. Reports from India Today, NDTV, The Hindu, News18, and Firstpost highlighted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly congratulated Tarique Rahman, calling the gesture significant for bilateral ties. Analysts noted that India sees no better option than working with Bangladesh’s new government.

Coverage emphasized that Tarique Rahman’s policy toward India remains a key question, given that his mother Khaleda Zia’s India policy was once viewed as troubling for New Delhi. Indian outlets described Tarique as more liberal than Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, whose rise would have worried India. Reports also discussed India’s concerns over alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and its expectation to raise the issue with the new government.

Several Indian reports suggested that Tarique Rahman’s leadership could restore strained Dhaka–Delhi relations and potentially open a new chapter in trade and cooperation between the two neighbors.

Bangladesh marks the first day of spring, known as Pahela Falgun, on February 14, 2026, with nationwide celebrations. The National Spring Festival Celebration Council is organizing the main event at the Liberation War Museum’s open grounds in Agargaon. The festival begins at 7:30 a.m. with instrumental and vocal performances by students of Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay, followed by group and solo music, dance, recitations, and cultural exchanges. Various renowned cultural organizations and artists are participating in the event.

This year’s Pahela Falgun coincides with Valentine’s Day, creating a dual celebration across the country. Citizens are also observing Anti-Autocracy Resistance Day, commemorating the 1983 student movement against the Majid Khan Commission’s education policy. The festive atmosphere is further influenced by the recent national election and referendum results. However, the annual Ekushey Book Fair has been postponed due to the election, reducing one traditional element of springtime festivities.

Historians note that Valentine’s Day originated from ancient Roman traditions and the martyrdom of Saint Valentine in 270 AD, whose legacy inspired the global observance of the day of love.

China’s Yangtze River, once severely polluted and ecologically degraded, is showing signs of revival following a government-imposed fishing ban. The policy, implemented using evolutionary theory to enhance effectiveness, also provided alternative employment for fishers who depended on the river for their livelihood. A study published Thursday in the journal Science reported that fish biomass in the river has more than doubled, and several endangered species have returned.

French researcher Sébastien Bros from the University of Toulouse described the initiative as the most positive freshwater conservation step taken in two decades. His team analyzed changes across the vast waterway, which supports 400 million people and numerous major factories. The findings indicate that the ban not only restored aquatic life but also improved water quality.

The Chinese government spent about three billion dollars to compensate and retrain nearly two hundred thousand fishers, leading one hundred thousand to stop fishing. Between 2019 and 2021, total biomass doubled and biodiversity increased by 13 percent, signaling a remarkable ecological comeback for the world’s third-largest river.

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a multibillion-dollar plan for Gaza’s reconstruction and intends to present detailed proposals for deploying a stabilization force under a United Nations mandate. According to a Reuters report, Trump will outline these initiatives at the Board of Peace meeting in Washington on February 19, which will include leaders and representatives from 20 countries. The peace council, launched by Trump in Davos last month, includes members such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia.

Indonesia has already announced plans to send 8,000 troops to Gaza, pending an agreement. Trump is also seeking reconstruction funds from wealthy Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. His son-in-law Jared Kushner, though not holding an official position, has been involved in discussions with Israel and Arab states regarding the plan. However, both Saudi Arabia and Qatar have expressed reluctance to provide financial support.

The upcoming peace council meeting is viewed as a test case for whether the proposed peacekeeping force and financial commitments will materialize. Some Arab and Muslim countries oppose the UN peacekeeping mandate, fearing it could shield Israeli military actions in Gaza.

ATM Azharul Islam, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, has been elected as a Member of Parliament from Rangpur-2 in the 13th national election held last Thursday. He secured 135,556 votes, defeating BNP candidate Mohammad Ali Sarkar by a margin of over 55,000 votes. His victory follows his release from prison nine months earlier, after spending more than a decade under a death sentence in a condemned cell.

Azharul Islam was arrested in August 2012 on charges of alleged war crimes and sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal in December 2014. The verdict was upheld in 2019, but following the fall of the previous government, the Supreme Court acquitted him on May 27 of the previous year. He was released the next day after nearly 13 years in custody.

Following his election win, local supporters and party activists gathered at his residence to congratulate him. Azharul Islam expressed gratitude to voters and pledged to work for the development of Badarganj and Taraganj, emphasizing unity and service to all constituents regardless of political affiliation.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed victory in more than two-thirds of the constituencies in the country’s 13th parliamentary election, held last Thursday. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan announced the claim at a press briefing at the Election Commission office on Friday, saying unofficial results confirmed the party’s lead. He stated that the people had entrusted BNP and its chairman Tarique Rahman with governing the country for the next five years. Khan also noted that while complete satisfaction with the election process was impossible, the level of violence was lower than in previous polls.

BNP’s central election spokesperson Mahdi Amin described the result as a “victory for democracy,” asserting that the party’s success reflected the people’s trust in Tarique Rahman’s leadership. According to unofficial results, BNP won 209 of 299 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68. Smaller allies in the BNP-led coalition, including Bangladesh National Party, Ganosamhati Andolon, and Gana Odhikar Parishad, each won one seat. Independent candidates won seven seats.

Amin said the new BNP government would aim to establish a transparent, accountable, and people-oriented administration.

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Rangpur-4, Akhtar Hossain, alleged that the defeated opposition behaved irrationally after losing the election. Speaking to journalists at his home in Pirgacha on February 13, he claimed that during voting and counting, his party agents were barred from several centers in Haragachh, and supporters were assaulted outside. He also accused BNP activists of attacking his workers and vandalizing campaign setups at multiple locations.

Hossain dismissed BNP candidate Emdadul Haque Bhorsa’s allegations of vote rigging as baseless and challenged him to provide proof. He further claimed that BNP activists themselves damaged Bhorsa’s car to frame his party. Hossain alleged that post-election violence continued, with attacks on NCP activists in Haragachh leaving four injured and several motorcycles destroyed. He urged authorities to arrest those responsible and called for legal action against rival candidates accused of vandalism.

According to election sources cited in the report, Hossain received 147,947 votes, while his closest rival Bhorsa secured 139,616 votes across 163 polling centers.

At least 7,005 people have been killed in Iran during security forces’ operations to suppress anti-government protests, according to a report released Thursday by the US-based human rights organization HRANA. The group said the dead include 214 members of government forces. HRANA stated that it verifies information through a network of activists inside Iran and that limited communication has slowed data collection and verification, leading to gradual updates of the death toll.

In contrast, the Iranian government’s only official figure, released on January 21, reported 3,117 deaths related to the protests. Tehran has previously faced accusations of underreporting or withholding casualty figures during unrest, though the Associated Press could not obtain further details on the current figures.

The report emerged amid heightened tensions surrounding ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly urged US President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance on Iran. Trump said he prioritizes resolving the issue through negotiations but warned that failure to reach an agreement could bring harsher consequences for Iran.