An opinion essay by A.T.M. Jannatul Mosnaj, published on February 14, 2026, examines why many citizens of politically independent nations, including Bangladesh, remain mentally dependent on larger or foreign powers. The author argues that even after 54 years of independence, Bangladesh continues to face a form of psychological subjugation known as colonial mentality, where people unconsciously view foreign cultures and standards as superior while undervaluing their own.

The article traces this mindset to historical colonial influence, education systems, and global media dominance that reinforce cultural inferiority. Drawing on thinkers such as Frantz Fanon, Walter Mignolo, and Edward Said, the essay highlights how postcolonial societies internalize foreign values through language, fashion, and media, leading to cultural hegemony and identity crises. It also notes that economic dependency and admiration for foreign lifestyles deepen this mental subordination.

The author concludes that true national progress requires both political and mental liberation. He calls for educational reform, cultural confidence, and responsible media practices to strengthen self-perception and ensure that Bangladesh’s development remains rooted in its own identity and knowledge traditions.

US President Donald Trump said that changing Iran’s governing system would be the “best solution.” Speaking at the White House on Friday, he remarked that for 47 years Iran had only made promises while many lives were lost. Trump did not specify who the United States would like to see in power if such a change occurred, but said there were people in Iran capable of taking leadership. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not yet responded to Trump’s comments.

Trump also indicated that the United States remains firm in its plan to strengthen military presence in the Middle East, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with Iran. He announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, would soon move from the Caribbean to the Middle East.

Additionally, Trump shared a Wall Street Journal report on his social media platform Truth Social about the Pentagon preparing a second aircraft carrier for Middle East deployment, though he made no personal comment on it.

An opinion piece by Md. Mahin Uddin, published on February 14, 2026, argues that individuals are unknowingly surrendering vast amounts of personal data—such as names, locations, preferences, and behaviors—in exchange for so-called free digital services. The article highlights that major technology companies, including social media, search engines, and e-commerce platforms, are turning user data into a commodity for targeted advertising and profit. Algorithms now influence what information people see, shaping opinions and even political views.

The author warns that both corporations and governments are benefiting from this data economy, often at the expense of user privacy. State surveillance and administrative data use blur the line between security and intrusion, while users have little control over how their data is stored or shared. The lack of transparency and awareness leaves citizens vulnerable, especially those less informed or technologically literate.

The article concludes that digital data has become as valuable and risky as oil, urging the creation of transparent policies, accountability mechanisms, and public awareness to protect digital rights and prevent growing inequality in data control.

BNP candidate Shariful Alam has been elected Member of Parliament from Kishoreganj-6 (Bhairab-Kuliarchar) with the highest vote margin in the recent national election. He secured 187,159 votes, defeating his nearest rival Ataullah Amin of the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, representing the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, who received 44,095 votes. The total number of voters in the constituency was 237,990, with a turnout rate of 57.03 percent. The margin of 143,064 votes is reported as the largest in the country.

Following his victory, Shariful Alam addressed party leaders and supporters at his main election office in Betiarkandi, Kuliarchar, on the evening of February 13. He pledged to build a drug-free Bhairab-Kuliarchar and warned against any involvement in drug trade, extortion, or misuse of power. He emphasized that no one involved in crime would be spared and urged his supporters to stay away from tender manipulation and illegal occupation.

Alam, who also serves as the central BNP organizing secretary for Mymensingh Division and president of Kishoreganj District BNP, had contested four previous national elections from the same constituency under the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol.

The United States has congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its chairman Tarique Rahman on their landslide victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed interest in working with Bangladesh’s new government, stating this in a post on social media platform X on Friday, February 13.

In his post, Rubio congratulated the BNP, its leader Tarique Rahman, and the people of Bangladesh, saying the United States looks forward to cooperating with the newly elected government to advance prosperity and security in the region. Earlier that same day, the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh also extended congratulations to the BNP and Rahman through its verified Facebook page.

The embassy’s message praised the successful conduct of the election and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to working with Bangladesh toward shared goals of prosperity and security between the two nations.

During the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of an international initiative called the “Board of Peace.” Trump will serve as its chairman, and the board aims to coordinate with the United Nations to establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The plan includes ensuring humanitarian aid, rebuilding infrastructure, fostering local political reconciliation, and forming a stable governance structure. At least 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar, have pledged to join, while France and the United Kingdom have distanced themselves. China and Russia have not yet clarified their positions.

The initiative emerges amid multiple global crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, instability in Venezuela, and rising geopolitical competition in the Arctic. Analysts view the Board of Peace as a state-centric alternative to traditional multilateral institutions, reflecting Trump’s skepticism toward the UN and NATO. The board’s approach emphasizes power balance over international law or moral principles.

The article suggests that for developing nations like Bangladesh, this shift toward power-driven diplomacy poses new challenges and calls for stronger engagement in UN reform and regional cooperation to maintain strategic balance.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the European Union to become a geopolitical power by focusing on long-term strategic objectives. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, he said Europe must enhance its offensive capabilities and assess how France’s nuclear capacity can align with the EU’s future security framework.

Macron rejected claims that Europe’s influence is declining, saying it is time for courage and for building a stronger Europe. He criticized U.S. trade and foreign policies toward Europe, emphasizing that the continent must demonstrate determination in defending its own interests. He urged EU member states to continue discussions on developing independent thinking and collective action.

Macron also stressed the need to rebuild Europe’s security architecture and clarify its nuclear deterrence strategy, underscoring his vision of a more self-reliant and strategically unified Europe.

In Nilphamari-1 constituency, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Secretary General Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi lost to Jamaat-e-Islami district chief Principal Abdus Sattar by about 31,000 votes in the recently concluded parliamentary election. On Friday night, the day after the election, Afendi held a press conference at his residence in Domar, where he accepted the result and congratulated his rival on the victory.

During the briefing, Afendi assured full cooperation to the newly elected Member of Parliament, prayed for his success, and urged his supporters not to lose hope. He reaffirmed his commitment to continue serving the people of his constituency and expressed gratitude to supporters of all religions and political affiliations for their affection and backing.

Afendi also called for unity and mutual cooperation in the days ahead, emphasizing that the love and support of the people would guide future progress in the region.

A political analysis published on February 14, 2026, evaluates Bangladesh’s interim government formed after the July 2024 uprising. The government, which came to power without an electoral mandate, faced the challenge of stabilizing a fractured state amid human rights crises and political distrust. It is credited with preventing total state collapse and initiating institutional reforms through commissions on justice, elections, administration, and anti-corruption.

The article highlights the formation of a National Consensus Commission led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Professor Ali Riaz as a key achievement aimed at bridging political and social divisions. The July Charter is described as a central document symbolizing a “Never Again” commitment against past authoritarian abuses. Despite these gains, the government struggled to achieve visible progress in judicial independence, security sector accountability, and dismantling entrenched corruption.

Economically, the interim period showed relative stability compared to the preceding regime, with improved foreign reserves but persistent inflation and employment issues. The analysis concludes that the government’s main contribution was averting state collapse and laying a foundation for reform, while the durability of these changes depends on future elected leadership.

Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo has transformed into a cricket festival ahead of the India-Pakistan clash in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The high-voltage match, scheduled for February 15 at the Premadasa Stadium, saw all 35,000 tickets sell out rapidly, reflecting the intensity of fan excitement. Reuters reported that hotel rates, normally between 100 and 150 dollars per night, have surged to as high as 660 dollars, with most rooms fully booked. Airfares from Chennai to Colombo have risen to between 623 and 756 dollars, while Delhi-Colombo flights are up nearly 50 percent, reaching 666 dollars.

According to Colombo travel agencies, bookings spiked immediately after the match venue was confirmed, especially from Indian cities. Nalin Jayasundera, president of Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators, said most foreign fans are arriving on all-inclusive packages costing 1,500–2,000 dollars, covering tickets, hotels, and transport. Tourism, Sri Lanka’s third-largest foreign exchange earner, is seeing a boost after recent economic and natural disasters. Tourism chief Buddhika Hewawasam noted that 20 percent of the first 100,000 visitors in ten days came for this match, strengthening Colombo’s confidence as a neutral venue.

Before the first ball is bowled, Sri Lanka appears to be the economic winner, while fans celebrate a cross-border cricket festival of emotion and rivalry.

Two people were killed and three others injured in an explosion while allegedly making hand bombs at a house in Charbagdanga Union of Chapainawabganj on Saturday night. The incident occurred at the home of Kalam Ali in the Fatapara area, where a loud blast damaged part of the house and caused panic among nearby residents. The victims reportedly died on the spot, though their identities were not immediately known.

Law enforcement officials arrived shortly after the explosion, brought the situation under control, and began an investigation. Additional Superintendent of Police A N M Wasim Firoz said authorities are examining the cause of the blast and who might be involved. Officer-in-Charge Nure Alam of Sadar Police Station confirmed the casualties and said the injured were in critical condition.

The explosion has left the local community in shock and tension, with police continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The United States military has carried out another strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people. According to the US Southern Command (Southcom), which oversees military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, the attack took place early Friday. The operation is part of a series of US military actions in the region since September 2025, which have reportedly left at least 133 people dead, according to Al Jazeera.

Washington has maintained that its forces are targeting individuals suspected of drug trafficking, describing those killed as 'narco-terrorists.' However, international law and human rights experts have repeatedly criticized such operations, calling them extrajudicial killings. Earlier in the same week, the US also conducted a strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean, in which two people were reported killed, Southcom said.

The continued US military actions in the Caribbean and Pacific regions have drawn scrutiny over their legality and humanitarian impact, as questions persist about accountability and adherence to international law.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman will hold a post-election press conference on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the ballroom of Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka. The event follows the conclusion of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, which took place on February 12. The Election Commission published the gazette of newly elected members of parliament on Friday night, and the oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for the following day, to be followed by the formation of a new cabinet.

According to the official results, the BNP-led alliance secured 212 seats out of 299 contested constituencies. Results for two constituencies, Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4, remain pending due to legal complications. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as the nearest competitor with 68 seats, while the National Citizen Party (NCP) won six seats and independent candidates claimed seven.

The upcoming press conference is expected to mark the BNP’s first formal statement following its electoral victory and ahead of the new government’s formation.

BNP’s Central Assistant Health Affairs Secretary Professor Dr. S.M. Rafiqul Islam Bachchu has won the Gazipur-3 (constituency no. 196) parliamentary seat, breaking a 47-year record. Contesting under the paddy sheaf symbol, he was declared the unofficial winner by Sripur Upazila Executive Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Barrister Sajib Ahmed at around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday. According to the unofficial results, Dr. Bachchu received 161,258 votes, while his nearest rival, Mohammad Ehsanul Haque of the Jamaat alliance and a central Shura member of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, secured 99,354 votes.

Historical records show that the BNP last won this seat in 1979, when the party’s then treasurer, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui from Kaliakoir, was elected under the same symbol. Since then, the seat had been held alternately by candidates from the Jatiya Party and the Awami League.

With this victory, the BNP has reclaimed the Gazipur-3 constituency after nearly half a century, marking a significant political milestone for the party in the region.

A candidate in the national election for Chattogram Hathazari-5 constituency has alleged that he was defeated through electoral fraud. At a press conference on Friday night, Maulana Nasir Uddin Munir, the rickshaw symbol candidate of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis under the 11-party alliance, claimed that his polling agents were expelled from several centers, including those in Forhadabad, Mirzapur, Hathazari Municipality, Chikondondi, and Uttar Madarsha.

He alleged that assistant presiding officers were held hostage in the morning and afternoon, allowing widespread fake voting. Munir further claimed that presiding officers affiliated with the BNP and other preferred individuals conducted subtle manipulation and rigging. He stated that he received more votes in postal ballots due to neutrality, suggesting that he would have won if similar conditions prevailed at the polling centers.

Munir declared that he did not lose but was deliberately defeated through a planned process and announced his rejection of the election results.