He told Merz that China hoped to work with Germany to bring the "all-round strategic partnership to a new level", according to a readout from Beijing's foreign ministry. With Berlin's support, Beijing also wanted to "prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges", Wang added. Merz is reportedly preparing to make his inaugural visit to China this month, with a pressing issue being how to navigate evolving commercial ties. "China also expects Germany to become a... stabilising anchor for strategic relations," he told Merz. An earlier visit to China by Wadephul had been cancelled at the last minute, with Germany saying that meetings with key officials could not be arranged.

'Me, myself and I': Britain's Ryding hones in on Olympic slalomBORMIO, Italy, Feb 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - "Old fox" Dave Ryding's career in elite alpine ski racing will culminate in Monday's slalom in his fifth Olympics. "I had the right qualities built into me by my parents, and I was pretty good on the dry slope and the one thing that no one was thinking about was how much experience I had on dry slope in a race situation." - Work ethic -Ryding credits his parents, gas fitter Carl and hairdresser Shirley, with instilling in him a proper work ethic. "It shows that you can do these things even coming from a dry slope background," he said. "This year I'm really trying to better what I've done before, which was ninth in Pyeongchang.

Top seed Fritz, ranked seventh in the world, reached his 20th career ATP final and first since last September's Japan Open. "I think I generated good opportunities to grab a break on him but he played really well, served really well on all the break points." Shelton, a 23-year-old left-hander, seeks his fourth ATP title after winning the 2023 Japan Open, 2024 US Clay Court Championships and last year's Canadian Open. He had a lot of chances to break serve and I came up with the goods. Fritz and Shelton are 1-1 in their ATP rivalry, Fritz winning at Indian Wells in 2023 but losing in last year's Canada semi-finals.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the residences of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Sunday evening, signalling a gesture of political goodwill. A BNP leader close to Tarique Rahman, who requested anonymity, told UNB that the BNP chief will first visit the Jamaat Ameer’s residence around 7:00 pm, followed by a visit to Nahid’s house at approximately 8:00 pm. In the election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while the NCP secured six seats. Speaking at a post-election press conference on Saturday at a city hotel, Tarique Rahman emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation. Tarique Rahman stressed that justice will be the cornerstone of his government in upholding the rule of law.

Law and order must be maintained at any cost,” Bangladesh’s leading newspaper Dhaka Tribune, quoted Rahman as saying. Stressing the need to maintain law and order, Rahman warned that any acts of violence, retaliation, or provocation would not be tolerated. He further said, "My stance is clear; peace and order must be maintained at any cost. On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami has won 68 seats, while the partners in the Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance secured nine seats. Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) claimed one seat, and independent candidates won in seven constituencies, Prothom Alo reported.

Dhaka: BNP chairman Tarique Rahman Saturday called for maintaining law and order at any cost and sought cooperation from all in building a safe and humane Bangladesh. Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Friday secured a sweeping victory with more than two-thirds majority in the landmark parliamentary elections. Addressing a press conference a day after the landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary polls, Rahman said, We need everyone’s cooperation to build a safe and humane Bangladesh. Law and order must be maintained at any cost, Rahman was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune. Rahman said the freedom-loving people of the country had made BNP victorious, describing the outcome as the victory of the people.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged to implement, in phases, every commitment made to the people. Tarique Rahman is set to become prime minister for the first time after being elected as a member of parliament. Tarique Rahman said the BNP had formulated its 31-point reform outline through consultations with people across the country as a democratic party. Tarique Rahman replied that the real challenge was convincing the people and ensuring a fair and conducive environment. At the end of the press conference, Tarique Rahman and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir flashed the victory sign.

A 19-year-old welding worker, Fahim Hossain, was stabbed to death on Saturday morning in Bogra after allegedly protesting the harassment of his elder sister. The attack occurred around 9am near Matidali Biman Mor, in front of the Sadar Upazila Parishad. Fahim was the son of Abdur Rashid from South Nawdapara village in Bogra Sadar and worked at a local welding workshop. Although she was married about six months ago, the alleged harassment continued, leading to disputes between the two families. Tanoy and his accomplices allegedly attacked Fahim on Saturday while he was on his way to work.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. File photoDHAKA, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today said that the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected members of parliament (MPs) and cabinet members of the new government would take place soon. "Process is underway to organise the oath taking ceremony soon. I hope it will take place within February 16 and 17," he said replying to a question from journalists at the Foreign Service Academy here this noon. Replying to another question, Shafiqul Alam said the name of the person to administer the oath will be informed later.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's central Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman -Photo: CollectedRAJSHAHI, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS)- After 41 years, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami'scentral Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman has regained the lost seat. According to declared results, he has been elected as the Member ofParliament for the Rajshahi-1 (Tanore-Godagari) constituency. Prof Mujibur Rahman secured 1,71,786 votes to win the election. He was elected MP by a margin of 1,884 votes over his nearest competitor. Earlier in 1986, Prof Mujibur Rahman, then a central Nayeb-e-Ameer ofBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, was elected MP from this Barind regionconstituency.

DHAKA, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS) - The 11-party electoral alliance today announced its first set of decisions following the 13th national parliamentary election, declaring that the coalition will function as a united bloc both inside and outside parliament. "Our 11-party electoral unity will continue as an 11-party alliance in parliament and beyond. The alliance also expressed concern over post-election violence in different areas, alleging attacks on activists and women supporters. Azad said the alliance leaders would meet the Election Commission tomorrow at 11:30 am to present detailed complaints regarding more than 30 constituencies. He warned that if violence continues and grievances remain unaddressed, the alliance may announce political programmes after further consultations.

US consumer inflation eases more than expected to lowest since MayWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Consumer inflation in the United States cooled slightly more than expected in January, government data showed Friday, as energy prices dipped. Trump lauded the report, telling reporters that inflation was "way down, and we have it back on track." Although tariffs have not triggered a broad inflation surge, firms have reported higher business costs. But food costs remained 0.2 percent higher than in December, and were up 2.9 percent from a year ago. But Diane Swonk of KPMG warned that disruptions from a recent government shutdown are likely suppressing year-over-year inflation measures.

Of the 21 winners, 19 represent the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), one is from Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), and one from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. In Faridpur-3, Nayab Yusuf daughter of former disaster management minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf was elected with 148,545 votes. In Moulvibazar-3, M Nasir Rahman, son of former finance minister M Saifur Rahman, won decisively with 156,757 votes. Engineer Fahim Chowdhury, son of former parliamentary whip Zahed Ali Chowdhury, was elected from Sherpur-2. Reza Ahmed Bachchu Molla, whose father Ahsanul Haque Molla served multiple terms as MP, won Kushtia-1.

Photo: CollectedDINAJPUR, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS) - After a three-day hiatus, including a weeklyholiday due to the 13th National Parliamentary Election, import-exportactivities at Hili Land Port here resumed today. According to M Zaman, superintendent of the Hili Land Port CustomsDepartment, several trucks carrying imported goods such as corn, spices, andfruits entered Bangladesh from India on Saturday afternoon. Unloadingoperations for these goods are already underway, and port activities havereturned to their usual pace. Yusuf Ali, plant quarantine officer at Hili Land Port, also confirmedthat goods import and export activities, starting from 12:30 pm on Saturday,have been fully restored. However, with the resumption of services today, goods are onceagain flowing between Bangladesh and India through the Hili Land Port.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has sent a letter to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman expressing gratitude for his party's role in the 13th national parliamentary election. He said Chief Adviser Prof Yunus personally phoned Jamaat Ameer Dr Rahman at around 12:45 pm today and conveyed his gratitude. Later, a representative of the Chief Adviser formally handed over the letter to the Jamaat Ameer. Highlighting the present national context, the Chief Adviser wrote, "Bangladesh is passing through an important time. The Chief Adviser also wrote that he firmly believes Dr Rahman will continue the role he played in consolidating national unity in the past in the days ahead, adding, "National unity is our strength."