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.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman spoke at a press conference at the MIDAS centre in the capital’s Dhanmondi area this morning. Photo: Video ScreenshotDHAKA, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS) - Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman has described the recently concluded national election as “acceptable,” calling it fair, competitive, participatory, and inclusive. Responding to a question, Dr Iftekharuzzaman explained that although the Awami League had announced a boycott and vowed to resist the polls, its grassroots leaders and activists remained active. Regarding allegations of election manipulation, the TIB executive director said, “There was no election engineering. Nothing happened that would suggest election engineering took place.”

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS) – Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa will represent his country at the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s new cabinet led by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias saw off the Sri Lankan minister at Colombo airport today morning before his departure for Dhaka, according to a message received here. Tarique Rahman is set to assume office as Prime Minister following the landslide victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under his leadership in the 13th parliamentary election. The participation of the Sri Lankan minister at the swearing-in ceremony underscored the strong and friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

DHAKA, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for submitting online VAT returns for the January 2026 tax period through its e-VAT system until February 22, citing public interest. In addition, taxpayers faced further difficulties on February 15 when the OTP server of the e-Challan system experienced downtime, preventing many from completing their return submissions on time. The decision aims to ensure that businesses and VAT-registered entities are not penalised for delays caused by factors beyond their control. Officials said the extended timeline would help taxpayers complete the submission process smoothly after disruptions linked to the holidays and technical issues. The NBR urged all VAT-registered entities to use the extended period responsibly and submit their January 2026 returns within the new timeframe to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with tax regulations.

MOSCOW, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Kremlin on Monday rejected as "baseless" an assessment by five European countries that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died from poisoning while in an Arctic prison two years ago. "We naturally do not accept such accusations. We disagree with them. We consider them biased and baseless," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP, during a daily briefing call.

DHAKA, Feb 16, 2026 (BSS) - The Home Ministry has directed all concerned particularly the police to ensure maximum security around the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Prime Minister, scheduled to take place at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban tomorrow. The law enforcement agencies have been asked to take all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of the Prime Minister and cabinet members during the oath-taking ceremony. Special security arrangements will be centered on the South Plaza, marking an unprecedented shift in venue for the cabinet swearing-in ceremony. The security convoy will include police protection, Presidential Guard Regiment (PGR) security, SSF personnel, jammer systems for network control, SSF security screening teams, an ambulance and medical support. According to the Constitution, the President will administer the oath to the Prime Minister and other cabinet members later in the afternoon ceremony.