Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to Pakistan after the country agreed to play against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Colombo. Following the announcement, Dissanayake posted on the X platform, saying he was delighted that the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match would take place as scheduled and thanked Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his cooperation.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath also extended appreciation to Pakistan’s leadership, government, and foreign ministry for positively considering Sri Lanka’s request. He thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and sports authorities for their support, describing the decision as a reflection of sportsmanship, friendship, and the strength of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Earlier, Pakistan’s government said it reviewed formal requests from the Bangladesh Cricket Board and supportive messages from Sri Lanka, the UAE, and other member countries before withdrawing its decision to boycott the India match, aiming to ensure an effective resolution to recent challenges.

The BNP Media Cell has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ali Mamud, a journalist for the daily Dinkal and a member of the party’s media wing. In a condolence message issued on Tuesday, the cell’s convener Dr. Mowdud Hossain Alamgir Pavel said the organization was deeply saddened by the loss of a devoted colleague. The statement described Ali Mamud as a sincere journalist and a wise, responsible member of the BNP Media Cell.

According to the message, Ali Mamud’s contributions to party activities and his support for democracy and independent journalism were highly commendable. The BNP Media Cell said his death marked the loss of a dedicated comrade within the organization.

The statement also conveyed prayers for the departed soul and extended sympathy to his bereaved family, colleagues, and well-wishers.

A complaint has been filed against BNP candidate Engineer Zakir Hossain Sarkar in Kushtia-3 (Sadar) constituency for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct by hanging campaign posters. The complaint was lodged on Tuesday evening with the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee by Iqbal Hossain, a resident of Patikabari village in Sadar upazila.

According to the complaint, Zakir Hossain Sarkar, nominated by the BNP for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, displayed posters featuring his image and election symbol on electric poles and trees along the paved road from Taher Mor to the local market in Patikabari. The complainant urged the authorities to take prompt legal action regarding the matter.

The report indicates that the issue has been formally brought to the attention of the relevant election authorities for consideration and possible enforcement of electoral regulations.

The Netherlands secured their first win in the T20 World Cup by defeating Namibia by seven wickets. After losing their opening match to Pakistan by three wickets with three balls remaining, the Dutch side bounced back strongly. Namibia, batting first after losing the toss, posted 156 for eight in 20 overs, which the Netherlands chased down with 12 balls to spare.

Bas de Leede was the standout performer for the Netherlands, scoring an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls with five boundaries and three sixes. Captain Scott Edwards remained not out on 18 from nine balls. Earlier, Namibia’s top scorer was Nicol Loftie-Eaton with 42 off 38 balls, while Jan Frylinck added 30 from 26 deliveries. For the Netherlands, Logan van Beek and Bas de Leede each took two wickets.

The result gave the Netherlands a much-needed boost in the tournament after their narrow loss to Pakistan, keeping their campaign alive with a dominant all-round display.

Sheikh Neamul Karim, a Jamaat candidate in Nalchity, Jhalakathi, visited the graves of Selim Talukder and the father of Sharif Osman bin Hadi to honor the martyrs of the July uprising. During the visit, he offered prayers for their souls and expressed deep respect and sympathy to their families. The event took place on Tuesday and drew attention at the local level.

Selim Talukder, a resident of South Mallikpur village in Nalchity, was killed by police gunfire during an anti-discrimination student and public movement in Dhaka on July 31, 2024. His wife, Sumi Akter, was pregnant at the time and later gave birth to a daughter. Sharif Osman bin Hadi, convener of Inquilab Moncho, was killed by an assailant’s bullet. Sheikh Neamul Karim also met with the families of the martyrs and inquired about their well-being.

Many locals viewed the visit as a humanitarian and respectful gesture. Sheikh Neamul Karim has previously stated that if elected, he would donate his parliamentary salary to welfare and poverty alleviation efforts in his constituency.

The Bangladesh government and Election Commission have launched one of the largest and most technology-driven security operations in the country’s history ahead of the upcoming national election. Based on intelligence assessments and past experiences, 3,155 of the 43,700 polling centers have been designated as high-risk due to potential violence, unrest, or sabotage. A total of 900,000 personnel from eight security forces, including police, army, BGB, Ansar, RAB, navy, air force, coast guard, and fire service, have been deployed nationwide for seven days covering the pre-election, election, and post-election periods.

The plan includes 25,500 body-worn cameras, 1,000 drones, and 50 dog squads for real-time monitoring and incident response. Cameras equipped with artificial intelligence and facial recognition will stream live footage to a central command center, while GPS-enabled night vision devices will track field forces. In Dhaka alone, 25,000 police officers will secure 2,131 polling centers, with special attention to 37 high-risk locations. Authorities have also strengthened cyber monitoring to prevent misinformation and have set up layered security for ballot transport and storage.

Officials stated that the goal is to ensure voter safety, maintain public confidence, and prevent any disruption to the electoral process.

Pakistan has agreed to play against India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, reversing its earlier boycott decision. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi welcomed the move, calling it a triumph for cricket. In a post on his X account, Afridi said the government’s decision to participate preserved the sanctity of the tournament and ensured global stability for the sport. He added that cricket had won and would continue to play a role in bridging divisions.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also praised the decision, describing it as positive for both competition and cricket. Vaughan expressed hope for a future Test series between the two rivals, suggesting that the United Kingdom could host a three-match series.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series for more than a decade due to strained diplomatic and political relations. Their encounters have been limited to major ICC and ACC tournaments during this period.

A joint security patrol and drill involving the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was conducted in Gazipur-4 (Kapasia) constituency on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The exercise began at 12:30 p.m. in front of the offices of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer, led by executive magistrates. The patrol covered key roads and bus terminals in Durgapur, Kapasia Sadar, and Targao unions before returning to the Upazila Complex.

According to the local administration, the objective of the joint operation was to build voter confidence, ensure a peaceful electoral environment, and prevent any untoward incidents ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. After the drill, each law enforcement unit was deployed to its designated area to maintain order.

Officials stated that strict monitoring and security measures would continue so that voters can cast their ballots without fear. The administration also reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy against any activities that could disrupt peace and order, noting that the overall situation in Kapasia remains stable and under control.

A delegation from the Commonwealth Observer Group, led by Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, met with Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam at the Police Headquarters in Dhaka on Tuesday. The meeting focused on security issues related to the upcoming national parliamentary election. The group’s head noted that 25 observers from the Commonwealth would participate in monitoring the election and inquired about security measures for the observers during the election period.

During the discussion, the IGP outlined the police’s comprehensive preparations to maintain law and order during the election. He detailed risk-based security planning, cyber monitoring, and the use of modern technology to ensure safety. Baharul Alam emphasized that all necessary security measures had been taken following directives from the Election Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs to protect foreign observers and journalists. Senior police officials were also present at the meeting.

The meeting underscored coordination between law enforcement and international observers ahead of the national election, highlighting Bangladesh’s efforts to ensure a secure electoral environment.

The Ministry of Defense of Bangladesh has issued an order granting government benefits to 141 officers of the armed forces who were deprived of service rights between 2009 and August 4, 2024. The order, signed by Secretary Md. Ashraf Uddin on February 5, 2026, covers officers from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force who faced dismissal, forced retirement, or suspension during that period. The directive includes provisions for retrospective promotions, payment of arrears, and other applicable allowances.

According to the order, 110 officers were from the Army, 19 from the Navy, and 12 from the Air Force. The government formed a committee to review their cases after receiving applications from the affected officers. Following the review, the authorities approved the restoration of their due benefits. Specific officers, including Lt. Gen. Md. Aminul Karim, Lt. Gen. Sina Ibne Jamali, Brig. Gen. Abdullahil Aman Azmi, and others, were granted financial compensation and promotions. Some officers were also recommended for flats under the Jolsiri housing project.

The decision marks a formal resolution of long-standing grievances among retired officers who alleged discrimination and injustice during the previous regime.

The global footballers’ union FIFPRO has called on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to eliminate disparities between men’s and women’s football by ensuring equal conditions, rules, and prize money. The appeal comes ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup, set to begin in March 2026 in Australia. In December last year, FIFPRO sent a letter to the AFC signed by players from seven of the twelve participating teams, requesting that 30 percent of the prize money be distributed directly among players.

FIFPRO also submitted a four-point framework aimed at accelerating professionalism in women’s football. According to its report titled “Opportunities of the AFC Women’s,” the upcoming tournament could generate around 82.4 million US dollars, marking a new milestone for women’s football in Asia. The report highlights that many female players in the region still face low pay and limited access to medical and professional support.

FIFPRO’s Asia-Oceania Secretary General Shoko Suji stated that the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup could serve as a defining opportunity to set new standards for valuing and supporting female athletes.

Bangladesh will hold general elections on February 12, 2026, to choose its next government, 18 months after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced from office by a student-led uprising. Hasina, who ruled from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2009 until her exile in August 2024, left power following a deadly crackdown on protesters that killed about 1,400 people. Since then, an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has governed the country.

The 2026 vote is considered one of the most consequential in Bangladesh’s 55-year history. The Awami League, Hasina’s party, has been suspended from contesting, leaving 51 of 59 registered parties fielding candidates. Major contenders include the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Tarique Rahman, the Islamic Jamaat-e-Islami allied with the National Citizen Party (NCP), and newer centrist groups such as the NCP and Amar Bangladesh Party. Nearly 5 million first-time voters are expected to participate among the 56 million aged 18 to 37.

Bangladesh’s political history has been marked by alternating rule between the Awami League and BNP, military interventions, and disputed elections. The upcoming polls will test whether the country can transition from years of repression and unrest toward a more inclusive democratic process.

Leqaa Kordia’s family has demanded her release after the 33-year-old was hospitalised following a seizure while in immigration detention in Texas. For over 12 hours, her relatives and lawyers said they received no information about her condition or whereabouts. Kordia, who has been detained for nearly a year, was among protesters targeted by immigration officials after participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations at Columbia University in 2024. She remains the only person from that group still in custody.

Amnesty International joined calls for her release, arguing that she has been arbitrarily detained for exercising her right to free speech. Her lawyers said federal judges twice ruled she was eligible for bond, but immigration officials blocked her release through discretionary stays. The Department of Homeland Security has maintained that Kordia was detained for overstaying her student visa, though its earlier statement linked her arrest to pro-Palestine advocacy.

Kordia’s family and advocates have described deteriorating health and poor conditions at the Prairieland Detention Facility, where she is held far from her family in New Jersey. Supporters say her case highlights broader concerns about the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists under current immigration policies.

After more than a week of negotiations and meetings, Pakistan has agreed to end its boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India, concluding one of cricket’s most significant crises. The decision came after Pakistan’s government ordered the team to play on February 15, following a series of discussions involving the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The dispute began when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed the Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League squad amid political tensions between India and Bangladesh. In response, Bangladesh withdrew from the World Cup citing security concerns and requested its matches be relocated to Sri Lanka. After the ICC rejected this request and expelled Bangladesh, Pakistan backed Bangladesh and announced a boycott of its match against India in solidarity.

Following multiple rounds of talks, the ICC agreed that Bangladesh would not face penalties for refusing to play in India and promised to host an ICC event in Bangladesh between 2028 and 2031. This resolution prompted Pakistan to end its boycott and confirm participation in the high-profile fixture.

Bangladesh and the United States have signed a trade agreement establishing a 19 percent tariff rate, announced on Monday. The deal includes exemptions for certain textiles and garments made with US materials. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said Washington committed to a mechanism allowing some Bangladeshi apparel using US-produced cotton and man-made fibre to enter the US market with zero reciprocal tariff. The White House confirmed that Bangladesh will grant preferential market access for a wide range of US industrial and agricultural goods.

Under the agreement, Bangladesh will also ease non-tariff barriers by accepting US vehicle safety and emissions standards, recognising Food and Drug Administration certifications, and lifting restrictions on remanufactured goods. The two nations highlighted commercial deals involving aircraft procurement, $3.5 billion in US agricultural purchases, and $15 billion in energy product imports over 15 years. The accord followed nine months of negotiations that began in April last year.

The reduced tariff is expected to help Bangladesh’s apparel sector, which accounts for over 80 percent of export earnings, remain competitive with India, whose tariff rate now stands at 18 percent. The announcement comes days before Bangladesh’s national election under its interim government.