Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus -File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS)- Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of the country and to Muslims around the world on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. In a message today, he said the month of Ramadan is a month of self-restraint, sacrifice, compassion, and self-purification. “In this blessed month, through fasting, charity, and worship, we attain spiritual purification, while also fostering mutual empathy and harmony among all, and seeking the pleasure, closeness, and forgiveness of Almighty Allah,” he said. He prayed for almighty Allah accept our fasting, prayers, charity, and all righteous deeds, and grant us the ability to implement the teachings of Ramadan in our lives. “May Almighty Allah forgive and protect us all, and grant peace and prosperity to the country and the nation,” he said.

DHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS)- The Youth Cricket League, a tournament for youngcricketers, is set to begin in the first week of March, a Bangladesh CricketBoard (BCB) official said. The league, tentatively scheduled to start on March 5, is considered as a keypreparation platform for Under-19 players ahead of the 2028 Youth World Cup. Meanwhile, following the national elections, cricket activities in thecountry are gradually resuming. Domestic cricket will mark the full return to action, with the ODI version ofthe Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) scheduled to begin on February 23. Themuch-anticipated Youth Cricket League for junior cricketers will follow soonafter.

President to administer oath of cabinet at JS South Plaza on TuesdayJatiya Sangsad Bhaban. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the new cabinet members at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday afternoon. “The new cabinet members’ oath taking ceremony will take place at 4pm on Tuesday. The President will appoint the party leader as Prime Minister, who will subsequently select members of the cabinet. The President usually administers the oath of the office to the new government at Bangabhaban.

DU to celebrate "Samogeet Basanta Utsab" on Feb 17 thru cultural harmonyDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - "Samogeet Basanta Utsab-1432" is set to returnwith vibrant colours, music and dance on Fourth Falgun-1432 (February 17). This year, the Samogeet honour will be conferred on Professor Ahmed Kamal. The programme will feature musical performances by Kafil Ahmed, Arup Rahi,Krishnakali, Sayan, Warda Ashraf, Betal, Eastwards, Lakshyapara, Samogeet andGangaforing. In addition, the indigenous dance troupe Taposhya and children's groups"Amra" and "Amader Pathshala" will perform dance as part of the celebrations. The organisers have invited all to join the festival and celebrate the spiritof spring through colours, music, dance, reflection and friendship.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain on Sunday said that the party is preparing to form a "shadow cabinet". In a post on his verified Facebook page, he wrote: “We are preparing to form a shadow cabinet.”The NCP leader also said the shadow cabinet will ensure transparency and accountability and act as a watchdog over overall activities. In another post, he said they will consider boycotting the swearing-in ceremony if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the program. The oath-taking ceremony of members of parliament (MPs) and cabinet members will be held on Tuesday.

BEIJING, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China confirmed that Canadian and British citizens will be able to visit the country visa-free from Tuesday, after the two countries' leaders had announced such agreements following official trips to Beijing. British and Canadian prime ministers Keir Starmer and Mark Carney both visited Beijing in January, seeking to bolster relations with China and pivot from the increasingly mercurial United States. Both leaders had hailed progress following meetings with top Chinese leaders such as President Xi Jinping, including on issues like visa-free access for their citizens to China. Beijing's foreign ministry confirmed these agreements on Sunday, saying Canadian and British citizens will be able to travel to China visa-free from Tuesday, with the policy in effect until December 31. This was to "further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries", it added.

Indian Lok Sabha (parliament) Speaker Om Birla. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - Indian Lok Sabha (parliament) Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected government led by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on February 17. According to an official press release issued by Indian ministry of external affairs today, Birla will participate in the oath-taking ceremony of the Bangladesh 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.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted on Saturday that no matter how much his team tried to prepare for Sunday’s T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan as “just another game”, it would be much more than that. “It’s a big platform, obviously,” Suryakumar told reporters in Colombo, venue for Sunday’s massive Group A showdown. The game was only confirmed as going ahead late on Monday night after the government reversed its decision to boycott the blockbuster Group A game. “But at the end of the day, we try to keep things simple and try to execute our best game. Both Pakistan and India have won their opening two Group A matches and the winners will qualify for the Super Eight Stage.

GOPALGANJ, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - An elderly man was killed after being runover by a brick-laden trolley in Gopalganj Sadar upazila on Sunday morning. The deceased was identified as Machem Molla, 75, a resident of theGopinathpur Sharifpara area of the upazila. The accident occurred in front of the Gopinathpur Sharifpara Filling Stationon the Dhaka-Khulna highway. According to local sources, Molla was crossingthe busy highway when a trolley loaded with bricks ran over him, leaving himcritically injured. Locals rescued him before taking him to Gopalganj Medical College andHospital.

The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a protest in the capital against post-election violence, repression, persecution, killings and rape across the country. The rally will be held on Monday at 4:30 pm at the north gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram. The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, will attend as the chief guest and deliver an address. Other top leaders of the alliance are also expected to be present. The matter was confirmed in a press release sent to the media on Sunday by Abdus Sattar Suman, Assistant Publicity Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set March 4 for delivering its verdict in a high-profile case concerning the killings in capital’s Rampura area, during anti-government protests over the abolition of the government job quota system in July 2024. Earlier, on February 3, both prosecution and defense lawyers concluded their arguments before the bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Chairman Justice Md. Moshiur Rahman, former Sub-Inspector Tarikul Islam Bhuiya, and then-ASI of Rampura Police Outpost Chonchol Chandra Sarkar, who has been arrested. During the proceedings, prosecutors alleged that widespread killings were carried out by police in Rampura and other parts of the country. The prosecution presented evidence, including eyewitness testimonies, video footage, and official documents, to demonstrate the involvement of all five accused.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the swearing-in ceremony as BNP is set to form the government with a landslide victory against an alliance led by Jamaat-NCP. About 20 heads of State, including President Macron, will be hosted by India around the same time, another source from Delhi told UNB, indicating that Prime Minister Modi is unlikely to come but will send his representative. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the global leaders who congratulated BNP first. "As two close neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, I reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both our peoples," said the Indian Prime Minister. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen will represent China at the swearing-in ceremony.

Nasiruddin Patwary, the nominated candidate of the 11-party alliance National Citizens Party (NCP), has formally submitted application to the Election Commission (EC) to conduct a recount of the Dhaka-8 constituency results, citing allegations of vote rigging and various irregularities in the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Elections. Patwary submitted his application to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Saturday. In his complaint, Patwary stated that he contested the February 12 election under the Shapla Kali symbol. Patwary argued that the declaration of results violated provisions of the 1972 Representation of the People Order, the 2008 Election Conduct Regulations, and other applicable election laws. Patwari specifically named Mirza Abbas, his wife Afroza Abbas, and others, requesting that the authorities act against them in accordance with the law.

The recently concluded elections on February 12 have given us unmistakable clarity on not just the BNP’s win, but also what the nation wants moving forward. With nearly 69% of voters endorsing the “yes” option, it is clear that the people desire the constitutional reforms as outlined in the July National Charter. Reform cannot be monopolized by one political camp and will only be possible through collective political will and treated as a collective national project. As such, we expect the BNP to resist the temptation of partisan triumphalism and instead embrace the responsibility of stewardship. Bangladesh itself has been handed a historic opportunity and the administration must seize it - boldly, transparently, and inclusively.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Sunday said the newly elected members of parliament (MPs) will take oath at 10am on Tuesday. “Most probably — I repeat, most probably — under the current circumstances, the oath will be administered by the chief election commissioner (CEC),” he said while briefing reporters at the ministry in the afternoon. The law adviser, quoting the BNP party sources, said right after the oath-taking of the MPs, they will elect their leader of the parliamentary team at the same place, adding: “It would probably take place from 11:30am to 12pm.”“The oath-taking of the cabinet members will take place on the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building at 4pm,” he added.