Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker on Sunday said the Election Commission (EC) would consider recounting votes in disputed constituencies if directed by a court, following allegations of irregularities raised by a Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance. Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission headquarters, Anwarul said the commission has responded to the alliance’s formal complaint submitted earlier in the day. “The Election Commission will take a decision regarding vote recount if there is an order from the court,” he said, adding that there is no legal bar to any aggrieved party seeking judicial remedy. However, the EC said recounting is not possible at this stage as the official gazette has already been published. Responding to allegations that the commission hurriedly published the gazette notification, Anwarul rejected the claim.

BDCricTime has officially received registration from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, becoming Bangladesh’s first registered cricket news portal. Jabed Ali, BDCricTime began as a social media-based cricket page before gradually evolving into a full-fledged digital news platform. President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Aminul Islam Bulbul, congratulated BDCricTime on achieving official recognition. We are proud of the way BDCricTime has been consistently working for cricket both at home and abroad. We remain committed to contributing to the progress of Bangladesh cricket through fact-based and positive journalism,” he added.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived at Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday evening, just two days before forming the next government following his party’s massive victory in Thursday’s national election. Tarique reached the Jamaat chief’s residence in Bashundhara Residential Area around 7:10pm to hold a meeting, in what is seen as a positive political gesture after the election. He is also scheduled to meet National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam at his residence in the capital’s Bailey Road area around 8pm. BNP is set to form the next government after securing a landslide victory with 209 seats in Thursday’s national election. In the election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while the National Citizen Party secured six.

Police on Sunday briefly took AKM Jamal Uddin, a teacher of the University of Dhaka, to a safe location after he went to Dhanmondi 32 to pay tribute to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. According to police, he was moved from the Dhanmondi 32 area at around 4:45pm and was later released. Dhanmondi police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Saiful Islam told Dhaka Tribune that he was not arrested. Earlier in the afternoon, Dhaka University Sociology Department Professor AKM Jamal Uddin made a Facebook post, describing himself as someone who was deprived during the Awami League regime. In the post, he wrote: “I will go to the broken residence of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at Dhanmondi 32 today at 4pm to shed tears and pay tribute.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has denied reports of his resignation after rumours began circulating on Sunday afternoon. Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Sunday evening, he dismissed the claims, saying: “I have not resigned.”Speculation about his alleged resignation spread rapidly in the afternoon, with several media outlets publishing reports on the matter. Baharul Alam was appointed IGP on November 21, 2024, following administrative reshuffles after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 that year. He had previously retired from the police service in 2020. The interim government appointed him on a two-year contractual basis, with his current term scheduled to run until November 20.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said he and the advisers are fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve the people of Bangladesh. He made the comment at the 61st meeting of the Advisory Council, which was held on Sunday at the Chief Adviser’s Office. The information was shared at an afternoon briefing by the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam. The press secretary said that Members of Parliament would take their oath at around 10:00 am on February 17 at the National Parliament. The Press Secretary added, “This is the first time such a ceremony will be held at the South Plaza.

A high-voltage India–Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup is set to unfold in Sri Lanka on Sunday, renewing one of cricket’s most storied rivalries. Among those drawing attention off the field is Indian all-rounder Hardik Himanshu Pandya, who is joined by his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma. The couple has been in the spotlight ahead of the much-awaited match, adding to the buzz surrounding the contest. Following reports that the relationship had ended, Pandya is now said to be dating model and actress Mahieka Sharma. In addition to her acting assignments, Mahieka has also featured in advertising campaigns for several leading brands, further establishing her presence in the modelling industry.

Although congestion was lighter than usual in some areas due to staggered reopening schedules, the familiar rush-hour rhythm was largely restored by midday. Launch terminals also reported regular services on major river routes, with many passengers returning to Dhaka after spending time with families in their home districts. Educational institutions, many of which were closed for the election and holiday, announced plans to restart academic activities from Monday. With offices reopening, they expect commuter numbers to normalise within a day or two. Observers said the smooth transition from election day to regular workdays reflected institutional preparedness and coordination among authorities.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday described the advisers of the interim government as "proud citizens of the country" and confirmed that they are there in Bangladesh, stating that they will also participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on Tuesday. They are proud citizens of the country, and they will put in their best efforts to take the country forward in the future,” Alam told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. The press secretary said the advisers will attend the oath-taking ceremony, arriving in flag-carrying vehicles. Once the ceremony concludes, the vehicles will take them back to their respective residences, but without the flags, he said. Quoting Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Alam said the foreign ministers from Qatar and Saarc member states have been invited to attend the ceremony.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday said no journalist was sent to jail for expressing opinions during the interim government’s tenure. “I am not aware of any journalist being arrested solely for criticism during our tenure. When her attention was drawn to mentioning the names of two journalists, she said they were not imprisoned for expressing their views or their social media posts. “The state machinery certainly had some specific information.”There were many who had criticized the interim government, but they were not arrested for expressing their views, she said. About the performance of the interim administration, she said it is not appropriate to label the 18-month tenure as either a success or a failure.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today met with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman at his residence in the city’s Bashundhara residential area. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) – BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today met Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman at his residence in the city’s Bashundhara residential area. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman welcomed Tarique Rahman by presenting him with a bouquet of flowers when he reached the Jamaat Ameer’s political office at his residence in Bashundhara Residential Area this evening to hold a meeting. After staying at the Jamaat Ameer’s residence for about an hour, Tarique Rahman left the place at 7:59pm. During a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Tarique Rahman called upon everyone to remain united.

Further probe report into Hadi murder case on Feb 19Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today set February 19 for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to submit a report on its further investigation into the sensational murder of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order as the investigation agency failed to submit the report today. Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Zaber filed the case with Paltan Model Police Station on December 14. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Siddiq Azad on December 20 ordered the inclusion of Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code in the case, which was initially filed as attempted murder, following Hadi's death on December 18.

We have seen many ceasefires in the Democratic Republic of Congothat have not lasted long," Mukwege told AFP in an interview on the sidelinesof the Munich security conference. While those efforts led to the signing of two separate agreements, neitherhas succeeded in halting the fighting on the ground. Mukwege, a frequent critic of the government in Kinshasa, argued that the DRCneeds a "national dialogue" to resolve the corruption-riddled country's"governance problem". "If the Congo is suffering today, it is simply because there is poorgovernance. And so, if we had good governance, the Congo should normally beable to protect its population and take charge of its minerals, which arecurrently being exploited by all the vultures around the Democratic Republicof Congo."

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Gaza's civildefence agency reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 12 people sincedawn on Sunday, while a military official said the attacks were in responseto ceasefire violations. Five more were killed and several injured in a separate early morning strikein the southern city of Khan Yunis, the agency said, adding that one more waskilled in Israeli shelling in Gaza City. It also said Israeli gunfire killed one person in Beit Lahia in north Gaza. Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authorities, says at least601 people have been killed since the truce began. During the war, the Israeli military accused Hamas of using hospitals ascommand centres to attack its forces.

CHENNAI, India, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United States kept their slim hopes of qualifying for the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup alive with a 31-run against Namibia in Group A.Replying to the USA's 199-4, Namibia finished their 20 overs on 168-6. For the USA, Sanjay Krishnamurthi hit 68 not out and captain Monank Patel 52. It leaves the USA on four points after their four group A matches, level with India and Pakistan who clash later Sunday. Now the USA must wait for the outcomes of the final group games and hope the result goes their way. Pakistan play Namibia in Colombo and India play the Netherlands in Ahmedabad, with both matches on Wednesday.