South Africa also sealed their Super Eights spot without playing as Afghanistan’s win over UAE ensured their qualification. His fourth six not only brought up his fifty in 21 balls but also pushed England past the 200-run mark for the first time in the tournament. Grant Stewart and Jaspreet Singh further threatened England with 21 off Rashid’s final over, leaving 30 needed off 21 balls. The win leaves Afghanistan reliant on a strong performance against Canada in their final group match and other results to advance. With England, West Indies, South Africa, and India already through, the Super Eights are beginning to take shape, while Afghanistan and New Zealand fight for the remaining spots.

A motorcyclist was killed in a road accident on the western approach of Khan Jahan Ali Bridge in Khulna city on Monday. The deceased was identified as Md Jahangir Alam, 45, son of Joynal Abedin, a resident of Khan Jahan Ali Road under Sarui area in Bagerhat district. Officer-in-Charge of Labonchora Police Station Md Tuhinuzzaman said the accident occurred around 7:10 am when Jahangir was returning to Bagerhat by motorcycle after dropping his elder son at Khulna Railway Station. When he reached the western slope of the bridge, his motorcycle collided head-on with a truck, leaving him dead on the spot. The body was sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) morgue for autopsy.

A fire broke out at a garage in Karwan Bazar in the capital on Monday night. Five units were working to bring the blaze under control, while three more units were being dispatched to assist in the operation. The fire started around 10:30pm, according to Shahjahan Hossain, duty officer at the Fire Service control room. He said the control room received the report at 10:28pm and the first five units reached the scene at 10:45pm. He, however, could not immediately provide any information about the cause of the fire.

The 13th National Parliamentary Election was conducted at an acceptable level of fairness, participation, competitiveness and inclusivity, though sporadic code of conduct violations, excessive campaign spending and incidents of violence were observed during the process, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Monday. “However, as the election progressed, there were instances of intolerance, excessive spending and conflicts among parties and candidates. TIB noted that the use of money, influence and identity-based appeals affected the level playing field in certain constituencies. EC and institutional performanceTIB observed that the Election Commission demonstrated visible engagement and goodwill in managing the election. TIB conducted two interrelated studies, process tracking and affidavit analysis, covering 70 constituencies selected through representative sampling.

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered 15 sticks of power gel and 17 electric detonators from Zakiganj upazila in Sylhet. Lt Col Md Jubayer Anwar, Commanding Officer of Zakiganj Battalion (19 BGB), confirmed the matter in a press release issued on Monday afternoon. According to BGB, the explosives were recovered on Sunday night during a joint operation conducted by Zakiganj Battalion (19 BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion-9. The power gel sticks and electric detonators were found abandoned, wrapped in polythene, behind the Raygram passenger shed near the Atgram Petrobangla Point. He added that intelligence operations and border security drives by Zakiganj Battalion (19 BGB) will continue to maintain law and order and ensure border security.

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka scored the first century of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Monday to put his side into the Super Eights and leave Australia on the brink of elimination. A victory by Zimbabwe over Ireland in Group B on Tuesday, or against Sri Lanka on Thursday, would eliminate the 2021 champions. After Mendis’s dismissal, Nissanka and Pavan Rathnayake put on 76 off 34 balls to see Sri Lanka to victory. Sri Lanka came into the World Cup after a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of England, but have gained momentum and have won all three games so far. Australia collapsed as they looked for quick runs, losing their last six wickets for 21 in 24 balls.

The BNP chief arrived at Rezaul Karim’s Siddheswari residence around 7:15pm for the meeting, which is being seen as a positive political gesture after the polls, said BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon. BNP Chairman and Prime Minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy call on Pir and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim on Monday evening, just a day before forming the next government following his party’s landslide victory in Thursday’s national election. He added that the IAB Ameer’s brothers received Tarique with floral wreaths. Earlier, on Sunday, Tarique Rahman also paid courtesy calls on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam. In the election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, the National Citizen Party secured six, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh won one seat.

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Monday thanked the National Citizen Party (NCP) for signing the July National Charter, saying the party fulfilled the people’s expectations. He said the NCP’s endorsement reflected its commitment to the nation’s democratic aspirations and the broader public interest. NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain signed the charter at the state guest house Jamuna Monday evening in the presence of Chief Adviser Yunus. “With the NCP’s signature, the July National Charter is now complete. Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Ali Riaz, Commission Member Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider attended the event.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday renewed his emphasis on the economic opportunities in the region, underscoring the vast growth potential of a broader regional cooperation encompassing Nepal, Bhutan and northeastern India. In a televised address to the nation ahead of Tuesday’s handover of power, Prof Yunus outlined Bangladesh’s maritime access as a strategic asset. Prof Yunus said through economic zones, trade agreements and access to duty-free markets, a strong foundation will be established for this region to become a global manufacturing hub. Prof Yunus said they are committed to building relations with all countries of the world based on mutual respect and interests. Prof Yunus said the Rohingya crisis has created a serious and long-term strain on the national security, regional stability and economy.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said the just-held national election is not just a process of transferring power; rather it is the beginning of a new journey for the country’s democracy, the birth of a new Bangladesh. Prof Yunus paid tribute to the young protesters who took to the streets in July 2024, as well as to those who were injured or lost their lives. “This transformation would not have been possible without their unprecedented sacrifice.”Reflecting on his tenure, Prof Yunus said, “My colleagues and I have sought to honour that promise. “We have initiated administrative, commercial and financial reforms in fragile institutions to ensure that no future government can entrench itself against the will of the people,” the Chief Adviser said. Outlining the broader vision of a new Bangladesh, Prof Yunus said when his administration assumed office, the country’s law and order situation was deeply precarious.

I hope it will be implemented within the stipulated time frame,” Prof Yunus said in a televised address to the nation. Even if the interim government forgets many things, big and small, good and bad, the nation will never forget the July Charter, Prof Yunus said. In the presence of the Chief Adviser, NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossain signed the charter at State Guest House Jamuna on Monday evening. For the first time, Prof Yunus said, the opportunity has been created for expatriates to vote in this election. We have brought structural reforms in revenue management, tax policy, currency management and financial sector,” Prof Yunus said.

DHAKA, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS) - A fire broke out at a wooden shop and several adjoining establishments in Karwan Bazar tonight. The fire erupted at 10:28pm today, media officer Anwarul Islam of Fire Service and Civil Defenec (FSCD) confirmed. Firefighting units reached the scene at 10:45pm and immediately began efforts to contain the blaze. At least five firefighting units are currently working to douse the flames, while three additional units are on their way to strengthen the operation.

Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS)- The cricketers are set to return to competitiveaction with the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), scheduled to begin onFebruary 23. The tournament will be played in a one-day format to help players prepare forthe upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, which will visit Bangladesh inMarch for a three-match series. The BCL will be held in Rajshahi and Bogra in a double round-robin format,with the final scheduled for March 3 at the Sher-e-Bangla National CricketStadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. As usual, four teams - East Zone, North Zone, South Zone and Central Zone -will compete in the tournament. Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead North Zone, Mehidy Hasan Miraz will captainSouth Zone, while Yasir Ali Chowdhury and Mahidul Islam Ankon will serve ascaptains of East Zone and Central Zone respectively.

DHAKA, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS) - The country is expected to experience predominantly dry conditions with occasional partly cloudy skies over the next 24 hours starting 9 am today, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). It forecasted that both daytime and nighttime temperatures are likely to see a slight uptick across the country during this period. Temperature readings from the previous 24-hour cycle showed Teknaf registering the highest at 31.7 degrees Celsius, while Tetulia and Srimangal recorded the lowest at 11.5 degrees Celsius this morning. In the capital, winds were blowing from west to northwest at 08-12 kilometres per hour. The sun will set in Dhaka at 5:54 pm today, with tomorrow's sunrise expected at 6:30 am.

File photoDHAKA, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the new cabinet members at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad tomorrow afternoon. “The Parliament Secretariat is set to hold the oath taking ceremony of the new cabinet members at 4:00 pm tomorrow. Earlier, the Parliament Members (MPs) will be sowrn-in at 10:00 am at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex,” Secretary of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat Kaniz Maula told BSS earlier. The Cabinet Division and the Parliament Secretariat have been taking all-out preparations for the oath-taking ceremony since Saturday, two days after the 13th Jatiya Sangsad polls held, she added. On Friday night, the Election Commission published the gazette for 297 out of 299 parliamentary seats in the 13th parliamentary polls.