Syria says has taken over another base from US forcesCollected photoDAMASCUS, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Syria's defence ministry said on Sunday it had taken over the Al-Shadadi base in the northeast from US forces, days after assuming control of a facility near the Jordan-Iraq borders. "The forces of the Syrian Arab Army have taken over the Al-Shadadi military base in the Hasakeh countryside following coordination with the American side," a ministry statement said. The town housed a prison where Kurdish forces detained members of the extremist jihadist organisation, before government forces advanced into the area last month. Sunday's announcement follows US confirmation on Thursday that its forces had vacated Al-Tanf base near Syria's borders with Jordan and Iraq. On Saturday, the US Central Command said its forces had struck more than 30 IS targets in Syria this month.

LONDON, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Premier League strugglers Nottingham Foresthired Vitor Pereira as their fourth manager this season on Sunday. Former Wolves boss Pereira agreed an 18-month contract with Forest, whosacked Sean Dyche earlier this week. "Nottingham Forest is delighted to confirm that Vitor Pereira has beenappointed as head coach on an 18-month deal," a club statement said. Pereira's first game as Forest manager will be next week's Europa Leagueplay-off round first leg at Fenerbahce. Forest's managerial mayhem comes after Nuno led them to an impressive seventhplace finish in the Premier League last season.

The price of lemons has suddenly skyrocketed at Dhaka’s wet markets, reaching Tk 100-Tk 120 per four pieces in some places. Traders were asking for up to Tk 120 for four medium-sized lemons, while large lemons were over Tk 150. Asked about the spike in price, trader Md Ripon of Raisaheb Bazar said: “The price of lemons has gone up due to Ramadan and because there was no rain. As there is no supply, we have to buy lemons at excessive prices. That is why we are selling at high prices.”Md Selim Mia, who came to Jatrabari to buy lemons, said: “The price of lemons is so high!

DHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) -The third edition of the Global Super League (GSL)is set to return for its third edition from July 23 to August 1, at theGuyana National Stadium, Providence, organisers announced today. Rangpur also were close to clinch the title in the second edition buteventually lost to Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final. Sir Clive Lloyd, Chairman of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League,expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament:"It gives me immense pride, as Chairman of the ExxonMobil Guyana GlobalSuper League, to officially announce the dates for our third edition. In justtwo years, the GSL has established itself as a truly global club competition,showcasing outstanding talent and attracting tremendous support both locallyand internationally. "Last year's final, played before a packed stadium, demonstrated the passionfor cricket in Guyana and the strength of this tournament.

DHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS)- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which achieved landslide victory in the 13th national elections, got 49.97 percent votes with ‘ Sheaf of Paddy ’ symbol. According to EC data, a total of 50 political parties and 274 independent candidates contested in the national parliamentary elections. Among other parties, National Nagorik Party (NCP) contested in 32 constituencies with ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol and got 3.05 percent votes. Islami Andolan Bangladesh contested in 257 seats with Hatpakha (hand-fan) symbol and got 2.70 percent of votes. Senior Secretary of EC Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed said in the official results of the 13th national elections, BNP won in 209 constituencies, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats.

By DOUG FERGUSONPEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Akshay Bhatia played Pebble Beach by the book in accommodating weather with such a blistering start that he threatened to run away with the tournament by building a five-shot lead at the turn. One of the prettiest coastal courses on earth showed a nasty side Saturday in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, and Bhatia did all he could to get across the finish line with a 4-under 68 and a two-shot lead. He went out in 30 and came in 38, exactly what Pebble Beach can do with wind. Even without the “Celebrity Saturday” from the old AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am days — this is the third year of the old Clambake becoming a buttoned-up signature event — there was no shortage of entertainment. Sam Burns also holed out for eagle to start his day, temporarily giving him the lead.

Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - An annular eclipse of the sun will occur on Tuesday, marking the first solar eclipse of the year. “Solar eclipse will begin at 15.56 hours on February 17, 2026 . Despite the celestial event has generated significant curiosity among skywatchers and astronomers, the eclipse will be visible in the region covering South Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Antarctica, it said. As the central path of the solar eclipse, it mentioned the place at North-West from the Chilean Antarctic Research Yelcho Base of Antarctica in the Southern Ocean. The eclipse occurs when the Moon is farther from earth, creating a unique visual.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS)- Bangladesh Chapter of the SAARC Journalist Forum (SJF) today congratulated BNP chairman Tarique Rahman on the victory of his party in the 13th national parliamentary election. SJF Bangladesh chapter president Nasir Al Mamun and general secretary Shiyabur Rahman (Shihab) said the victory reflects Tarique Rahman’s uncompromising leadership in the struggle for restoring people’s voting rights and democracy. Through the ballot, the people of the country have expressed their full confidence in his leadership, they said. SJF leaders expressed the hope that under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the new government would work to consolidate democratic institutions, ensure freedom of expression, strengthen media freedom, and achieve inclusive development. In the congratulatory message, they wished all successes of the new government and good health and wellbeing of Tarique Rahman.

DHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - Inflow of remittances witnessed a year-on-year growth of 20.4 percent reaching $20,787 million during July to February 14 of the current fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26). Last fiscal, during the same period, the country’s remittance inflow was $17,266 million, according to the latest data of Bangladesh Bank (BB) issued today. During the first fifteen days of February of the current fiscal year, expatriates sent remittances of $1,354 million, which was $1,304 million during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Indian Lok Sabha (parliament) Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government led by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on Tuesday. According to an official press release issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday, Birla will participate in the oath-taking ceremony of the new government to be formed under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. The release said the speaker's participation at the important event underscored the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India's steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind the two nations. As close neighbours united by shared history, culture and mutual respect, India welcomed Bangladesh's transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, whose vision and values have received what it described as an overwhelming mandate of the people.

File PhotoGOPALGANJ, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - In the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Election, a total of 20 candidates of three constituencies of the district have lost their security deposits. The information regarding forfeited deposits has been confirmed from the official result statement signed by the Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Gopalganj Md. According to the data received here, six candidates in Gopalganj-1, nine in Gopalganj-2 and five in Gopalganj-3 constituencies have lost their deposits. In Gopalganj-3 (Tungipara-Kotalipara), the candidates who lost their deposits are Abul Bashar (Ganadhikar Parishad), Dulal Chandra Biswas (Gonoforum), Md. Maruf Sheikh (Islami Andolon), Sheikh Salahuddin (APP) and independent candidate Md.

Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) – Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB) today elected special correspondent of the Financial Express M Azizur Rahman Ripon as its new chairman and chief reporter of barta24.com Serajul Islam Siraj as executive director. A Forum statement said the election was held in FERB’s biennial general meeting at Bidyut Bhaban which was presided over the by its outgoing chairman Shamim Jahangir. A total of 40 members cast their votes to elect nine-member executive committee for the next two years. Ripon bagged 22 votes his rival Shahin Chowdhury received 18. Besides, incumbent executive director of FERB Serajul Islam Siraj got 28 votes and won the poll, while his rival Lutfur Rahman Kakon received 12 votes.

The advisers approved the resolution at 61st weekly meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair. Photo : PIDDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - The Council of Advisers today adopted a formal resolution expressing gratitude to all concerned for their outstanding contribution in holding a successful, historic and festive national election. The advisers approved the resolution at its 61st weekly meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) here with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair. He said, during the meeting, the advisers described the 13th parliamentary elections as "a successful and historic festive election" while the Chief Adviser thanked all concerned for their outstanding performance in holding the polls. Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad and Assistant Press Secretary Shuchismita Tithi were present at the briefing.

DHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) – The outgoing interim government has reinstated 46 dismissed officials and employees of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) run Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS), officials said today. The energy ministry officials said their power division issued the reinstatement order on February 10 accepting the applications of the employees, who were dismissed for demanding reforms and removal of discriminatory rules in 2024. “Considering their applications, the energy adviser (Fouzul Kabir) instructed his office to reinstate them in their previous jobs in the BREB, Power division’s deputy secretary Muhammad Anwar Hossain, wjho signed the order told BSS. He said the ministry sent a letter to the BREB chairman to execute the reinstatement order. The employees sought the reinstatement on humanitarian grounds.

SHERPUR, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - A mobile court in Jhenaigati upazila of the district on Sunday sentenced five individuals to two months’ imprisonment each for illegally extracting and transporting sand. The drive was conducted in the Tawakuncha area by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Anindita Rani Bhowmik on Sunday afternoon following secret information about ongoing illegal sand lifting activities. The convicted individuals are Saiful Islam, 35, son of Abul Kashem, Abdul Momin, 34, son of Jamshed Ali Sheikh, Mona Sarkar, 29, son of Gutu Sheikh — all residents of Kangsha village under Jhenaigati upazila. The others are Hanif Uddin, 45, son of Zafar Ali, from Balijhuri area of Sribardi upazila and Qamar Ali, 50, son of Haji Kalim Uddin, from Kharamora area. Al-Amin said that drives against illegal sand extraction and transportation will continue.