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.

An attack took place at the campaign office of independent parliamentary candidate Saiful Islam Firoz in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, leading to the filing of a case naming 20 accused individuals. According to the case statement, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Friday at the main election office located on Thana Road, where Firoz and his supporters were present. The attackers allegedly broke into the office, vandalized furniture, and injured several workers.

The case was filed on Friday night by Saiful Islam Firoz, the independent candidate for the Jhenaidah-4 constituency, at Kaliganj Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Jellal Hossain confirmed that the police had received the case. The accused include individuals aged between 22 and 59, whose names were listed in the complaint.

Police have acknowledged receipt of the case, but no further details on arrests or investigations were mentioned in the report.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was allowed to speak with his two sons following a directive from the Supreme Court. His sister, Aleema Khan, confirmed on Saturday, February 14, that the conversation took place by phone. Prison authorities stated that the call lasted over half an hour, while Aleema said it was around 20 minutes. She added that Khan’s sons, Qasim and Sulaiman, were emotional after hearing their father’s voice, and Imran himself was very happy.

The Supreme Court had ordered prison authorities on February 12 to permit the call after PTI lawyer Salman Safdar submitted a health report on Khan. The report revealed that blood clotting in Khan’s right eye had caused severe damage, leaving him with only 15 percent vision despite treatment. The seven-page report detailed a meeting with Khan at Adiala Jail.

Aleema Khan said the family is awaiting urgent treatment for Imran Khan at Shifa International Hospital and alleged deliberate delays in his eye care, warning against further postponement due to the risk of permanent vision loss.

The ongoing T20 World Cup reaches a fever pitch as India and Pakistan meet today at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium. Both teams have won their first two matches, making this encounter decisive for securing a Super Eight berth. The match follows earlier tensions after Pakistan initially announced a boycott in support of Bangladesh’s non-participation, prompting ICC intervention and a subsequent agreement to proceed as scheduled.

India, the defending champion, enters the match in strong form after defeating the United States and Namibia. Pakistan also arrives unbeaten, with victories over the Netherlands and the United States. India may miss opener Abhishek Sharma due to illness, while Pakistan reports no injuries. Key duels include Kuldeep Yadav versus Babar Azam and Hardik Pandya against Usman Tariq, whose bowling action has drawn attention.

Historically, India has dominated this rivalry, winning 13 of 16 T20 meetings and seven of eight in World Cups. The match carries not only sporting significance but also symbolic weight, reflecting the enduring intensity of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.

World leaders are being invited to attend the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of the new government to be formed under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. According to the Prime Advisor’s Office, invitations have been extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other heads of government from SAARC member countries. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 17.

Beyond the SAARC region, invitations are also being sent to the heads of state and government of China, Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey. Officials from the Prime Advisor’s Office stated that the invitations are being issued on behalf of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in coordination with the BNP high command. The interim government will organize the event.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to form the new government after winning more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th parliamentary election, while Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to become the main opposition party.