Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer (party leader) Shafiqur Rahman said that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has assured them of taking action to curb the post-poll violence in the country. Following BNP's landslide victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy visit to the Jamaat chief. Shafiqur Rahman assured him of the party's cooperation in discharging the constitutional duties. In a Facebook post, Shafiqur Rahman wrote, "We envision building a Bangladesh that is free from fascism, sovereign in its decision-making and founded upon justice. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, together with the 11-party alliance, remains committed to establishing a prosperous, stable and modern state grounded in democratic values and constitutional governance. In our discussions, he (Tarique Rahman) reaffirmed that steps are being taken regarding incidents of post-election violence, including actions to address harm against opposition supporters and minority communities. We welcome this assurance and reiterate that no citizen, regardless of political affiliation, should face intimidation or insecurity." "We will cooperate fully on matters of national interest, yet we will discharge our constitutional duty as a firm and principled opposition. Where the government acts in the public interest, we will support. Where accountability is required, we will speak. Our objective is not confrontation but correction; not obstruction, but oversight. The people deserve a parliament that safeguards justice, protects rights and advances the nation with stability and confidence," the social media post read. According to Prothom Alo, Tarique Rahman entered the Jamaat Ameer's home in the Bashundhara residential area of the capital at 7:10 pm on Sunday. The meeting was described primarily as a courtesy call, during which leaders exchanged pleasantries and indicated that contemporary issues could also be discussed. The visit takes place amid preparations for forming the new government, following the BNP's commanding majority in the 300-seat parliament, securing well over the 151 seats required, and positioning Tarique Rahman as prime minister-designate. In the same polls, Jamaat-e-Islami, previously an ally of the BNP, contested as a rival and emerged as the second-largest party, establishing itself as a key opposition force. Election Commission figures showed the BNP-led alliance securing 212 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led bloc won 77. Hasina's Bangladesh Awami League was barred from participating. A post-poll violence broke out in Panchagarh district in Bangladesh, with National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Sarjis Alam claiming that over 30 homes and businesses belonging to party leaders and activists were targeted after the results were announced, Prothom Alo reported. Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the NCP for the northern region, alleged that attacks occurred at more than 30 locations involving the homes and business establishments of party leaders and activists after the results were declared. Echoing these claims, the defeated candidate of the 11-party electoral alliance in the Panchagarh-1 constituency accused leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of involvement in the incidents, according to Prothom Alo. While in Tetulia upazila, one such account emerged from Swapan Rana, an EasyBike driver who alleged that he was attacked after the election. Rana claimed the confrontation stemmed from his campaigning activities and his daughter's affiliation with the NCP's Nari Shakti unit. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 February,2026 02:08 PM IST | Dhaka | ANINorth Korea said Monday it completed a new housing district in Pyongyang for families of North Korean soldiers killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, the latest effort by leader Kim Jong Un to honor the war dead. State media photos showed Kim Jong Un walking through the new street - called Saeppyol Street - and visiting the homes of some of the families with his increasingly prominent daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, as he pledged to repay the "young martyrs" who "sacrificed all to their motherland." In recent months, North Korea has intensified propaganda glorifying troops deployed to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine, such as establishing a memorial wall and building a museum. Analysts see it as an effort to bolster internal unity and curb potential public discontent. Kim in recent months has sent thousands of troops and large quantities of military equipment, including artillery and missiles, to fuel Russian President Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine, as the leaders align in the face of their separate confrontations with Washington. South Korea's National Intelligence Service told lawmakers last week it estimates that about 6,000 North Korean troops were killed or wounded during their deployment in the war, but did not provide a breakdown of fatalities. The agency said last year it believed roughly 600 had died. The spy agency believes North Korean forces are benefiting from the war by gaining modern combat experience and Russian technical support that could improve the performance of their weapons systems, according to lawmakers who attended last week's closed-door briefing. The construction of the new street comes as North Korea prepares to open a major ruling party congress later this month, where Kim is expected to announce his major goals in domestic and foreign policy over the next five years and take further steps to tighten his control. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 February,2026 12:33 PM IST | Seoul | APFormer Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khanum spoke out against Khan's treatment in jail and his worsening health. Khan has been in jail for over 800 days and his plight has been deteriorating raising serious concerns about his treatment in the jail. Khanum vented her frustration out in a post on X. She wrote, "Our demand has been clear from the beginning: Imran Khan has to be examined and treated by specialist doctors in the presence of his personal doctor (Asim Yousaf) along with a family member present at Shifa International in Islamabad." "The Govt rejected the specialist recommended by our doctors, so they were provided with alternative names. We had given Uzma Khan's name to represent our family. We were told that Imran Khan's sisters will not be permitted and we must provide an alternative name to represent the family. We then gave them our cousin Nausherwan Burki's name to represent the family. We are very disturbed when they rejected his name as well," she wrote further. "This is unacceptable! Our concerns are growing as to WHY are they rejecting our family member to be present? Are both names (Uzma and Nausherwan) being rejected because they are highly qualified doctors?" She added. Earlier, a medical team examined PTI founder's at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Sunday, conducting an eye check-up that lasted about an hour, sources told Dawn. The examination followed a Supreme Court order issued after Imran claimed on February 12 that his right eye retained only 15 per cent vision. The court directed the formation of a medical board to assess his condition and allowed him to speak with his children before February 16. Dawn reported that although government officials hinted on Saturday that Imran would be transferred to a hospital, no transfer had taken place by Sunday afternoon. At 3:45 pm, Imran's sister, Noreen Khanum, posted on X that an ambulance had arrived at the jail to move him to a hospital. She added, "But, this is unacceptable to us without us and Khan sahib's personal doctors being taken into confidence." The jail superintendent dismissed reports of a transfer as a "rumour," stating that Imran was only undergoing an examination." The medical team will examine Imran's eyes, conduct different tests, and decide whether there is a requirement to move him to a hospital or if he can be retained in jail and continue the treatment here," the superintendent said. Sources told Dawn that a team of five doctors conducted a detailed eye examination, collected blood samples, and measured blood pressure.
16 February,2026 11:55 AM IST | Islamabad | PTIIn a coordinated effort, the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force, alongside the Railway Protection Force and the Bhopal Forest Division, successfully intercepted a trafficking operation involving 311 rare and endangered turtles. These turtles were discovered in an AC First-Class coach of the Patna-Indore Express train in Madhya Pradesh, after being illicitly transported from Uttar Pradesh. Among the rescued species were endangered Crowned River Turtles, Indian Tent Turtles, and Indian Roofed Turtles, all protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 February,2026 11:52 AM IST | Indore | AgenciesThousands of Hindu devotees thronged the revered Pashupatinath Temple and other Shiva temples across Nepal on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday. All four gates of the Pashupatinath Temple situated in the bank of holy Bagmati river were opened from 2.00 am. This year, around 800,000 devotees, 30 per cent of whom are Indians, are expected to visit the temple. Last year, more than one million devotees visited the Pashupati area on the festive occasion. Mahashivratri, the fourteenth day of the first half of the lunar month as per the Hindu calendar, is the most auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 February,2026 09:41 AM IST | Kathmandu | AgenciesA 22-year-old Indian postgraduate student who went missing in the US less than a week ago has been found dead, the Indian mission here has said. Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a student at the University of California, Berkeley, hailing from Karnataka, was missing since Monday. “The Consulate deeply regrets to inform that police recovered the body of the missing Indian student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah,” the Indian Consulate in San Francisco said. The Consulate said it “stands ready to provide all necessary assistance to the family, including coordination with local authorities and arrangements for the repatriation of mortal remains to India. “Our consular officers are in direct contact with the family and will support them with all required formalities and services,” it added. Sreenivasaiah was enrolled in the Master of Science programme at the University of California, Berkeley. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 February,2026 09:26 AM IST | New York | AgenciesFive European states have accused Russia of poisoning and killing opposition leader Alexey Navalny with a rare and lethal toxin derived from South American dart frogs, marking a dramatic escalation in international condemnation of Moscow. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, timed to coincide with the Munich Security Conference, the foreign ministries of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands said laboratory analysis of samples taken from Navalny’s body “conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine”, a toxin naturally found in poison dart frogs and otherwise absent from Russia. The governments said their findings leave no “innocent explanation” for the chemical’s presence. “The UK, Sweden, France, Germany and the Netherlands are confident that Alexey Navalny was poisoned with a lethal toxin,” the statement said, asserting that Moscow had the “means, motive and opportunity to administer this poison”. Russia has denied the allegations. Navalny, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, died in an Arctic penal colony on February 16, 2024, while serving a 19-year sentence he condemned as politically motivated. European nations say their findings show that his death was not a natural result of ill health but the consequence of deliberate poisoning. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 February,2026 09:18 AM IST | Moscow | AgenciesA Germany-based Sindhi political organisation, the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), has strongly objected to the participation of Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, in the ongoing Munich Security Conference (MSC), calling the invitation "deeply regrettable" and urging international stakeholders to take note. Members of the JSMM protested outside the venue, highlighting the human rights violations in Pakistan. In a formal statement addressed to the United Nations, the European Union, the German government, and international human rights bodies, JSMM Chairman Shafi Burfat expressed what he described as "deep shock and regret" over Munir's presence at the high-level global forum. The Munich Security Conference, widely regarded as a key platform for dialogue and conflict resolution, annually brings together world leaders, diplomats, and security experts to address international peace and security challenges. In its statement, JSMM alleged that Pakistan's military establishment has a historical record of human rights violations and political interference. The group referred to the 1971 events in former East Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh, describing them as genocide. It also accused Pakistan's military and intelligence agencies of supporting extremist elements in the region -- allegations that Islamabad has consistently denied. The organisation further claimed that Pakistan's military wields disproportionate influence over the country's political and judicial institutions. It cited the assassinations of former leaders, including Liaquat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto, as well as the execution of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, as examples of alleged instability linked to military dominance. It also referenced the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, attributing it to tensions with the current military leadership. Additionally, JSMM alleged ongoing enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The group has urged the Munich Security Conference organisers to reconsider hosting the Pakistani Army chief, arguing that his participation lends legitimacy to what it describes as a regime accused of repression and regional destabilisation. It also reiterated its demand for Sindh's self-determination. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 February,2026 12:18 PM IST | Munich (Germany) | ANIAbout 2,50,000 people demonstrated against Iran's government on the sidelines of a gathering of world leaders in Germany, police said, answering a call from Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for cranked up international pressure on Tehran. Banging drums and chanting for regime change, the giant and boisterous rally in Munichon on Saturday was part of what Pahlavi described as a "global day of action" to support Iranians in the wake of deadly nationwide protests. He also called for demonstrations in Los Angeles and Toronto. Police said in a post on X that the number of protesters reached some 2,50,000, more than the organisers had expected. "Change, change, regime change" the huge crowd chanted, waving green-white-and-red flags with lion and sun emblems. Iran used that flag before its 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the Pahlavi dynasty. At a news conference, Pahlavi warned of more deaths in Iran if "democracies stand by and watch" following Iran's deadly crackdown on protesters last month. "We gather at an hour of profound peril to ask: Will the world stand with the people of Iran?" he asked. He added that the survival of Iran's government "sends a clear signal to every bully: kill enough people and you stay in power". At the Munich rally, demonstrators sported "Make Iran Great Again" red caps, mimicking the MAGA caps worn by US President Donald Trump's supporters. Among those sporting the caps was US Senator Lindsey Graham, who gave a speech to the crowd during which he was photographed holding up the headwear. Many at the rally waved placards showing Pahlavi, some that called him a king. The son of Iran's deposed shah has been in exile for nearly 50 years but is trying to position himself as a player in Iran's future. The crowd chanted "Pahlavi for Iran", and "democracy for Iran" as drums and cymbals sounded. "We have huge hopes and (are) looking forward that the regime is going to change hopefully," said Daniyal Mohtashamian, a demonstrator who traveled from Zurich, in Switzerland, to speak for protesters inside Iran who faced repression. "There is an internet blackout and their voices are not going outside of Iran," he said. About 500 protesters also rallied outside the presidential palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, with many holding up banners with slogans against Iran's government and in favor of Pahlavi. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says at least 7,005 people were killed in last month's protests, including 214 government forces. It has been accurate in counting deaths during previous rounds of unrest in Iran and relies on a network of activists inside Iran to verify deaths. Iran's government offered its only death toll on January 21, saying 3,117 people were killed. Iran's theocracy in the past has undercounted or not reported fatalities from past unrest. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll, given authorities have disrupted internet access and international calls in Iran. Iranian leaders are facing renewed pressure from Trump, who has threatened US military action. Trump wants Iran to further scale back its nuclear program. He suggested Friday that regime change in Iran "would be the best thing that could happen." Iran was also the focus of protests in Munich on Friday, the opening day of an annual security conference in the city gathering European leaders and global security figures. Supporters of the Iranian opposition group People's Mujahedeen Organisation of Iran, also known as the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, demonstrated. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 February,2026 12:08 PM IST | Munich | AP | PTIA couple of earthquakes of magnitude 3.2 occurred in Myanmar on Sunday, according to a statement from the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The first earthquake hit Myanmar at a depth of 80 kilometres at 12:26 am IST, followed by one at 12:52 am IST, at a shallow depth of 25 kilometres. NCS said on X, "EQ of M: 3.2, On: 15/02/2026 00:26:53 IST, Lat: 23.53 N, Long: 94.59 E, Depth: 80 km, Location: Myanmar." EQ of M: 3.2, On: 15/02/2026 00:26:53 IST, Lat: 23.53 N, Long: 94.59 E, Depth: 80 Km, Location: Myanmar. For more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/5gCOtjdtw0 @DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/4aKoKTxpKq — National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) February 14, 2026 "EQ of M: 3.2, On: 15/02/2026 00:52:42 IST, Lat: 23.44 N, Long: 93.49 E, Depth: 25 Km, Location: Myanmar," NCS added in a separate post. EQ of M: 3.2, On: 15/02/2026 00:52:42 IST, Lat: 23.44 N, Long: 93.49 E, Depth: 25 Km, Location: Myanmar. For more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/5gCOtjdtw0 @DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/qWLB5t4SWu — National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) February 14, 2026 Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes because their seismic waves travel shorter distances to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking, greater structural damage, and higher casualties. Earlier on Friday, an earthquake of magnitude 2.8 occurred in Myanmar at a depth of 35 kilometres. In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 2.8, On: 13/02/2026 04:44:40 IST, Lat: 23.91 N, Long: 93.85 E, Depth: 35 Km, Location: Myanmar." Myanmar is vulnerable to hazards from moderate and large magnitude earthquakes and tsunamis along its long coastline. It is wedged between four tectonic plates (the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates) that interact in active geological processes. A 1,400-kilometre transform fault runs through Myanmar and connects the Andaman spreading centre to a collision zone in the north called the Sagaing Fault. The Sagaing Fault increases the seismic hazard for Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon, which together represent 46 per cent of Myanmar's population. Although Yangon is relatively far from the fault trace, it still suffers from significant risk due to its dense population. For instance, in 1903, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Bago also struck Yangon. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 February,2026 12:06 PM IST | Naypyidaw (Myanmar) | ANIThe United States and Iran are expected to hold the next round of talks over the nuclear deal on Tuesday (local time) in Geneva, Switzerland, CNN reported. According to CNN, US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to attend the meetings. This comes in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump emphasising the need for a deal with Iran, and warning that failure to reach an agreement could be "traumatic." Speaking to reporters on Thursday (local time), Trump described his recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "very good" and said, "We have to make a deal, otherwise it is going to be very traumatic (for Iran) and I don't want it to happen... If they don't make a deal, it is going to be a different story. We had a very good meeting yesterday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu." Iran and the United States held the previous rounds of nuclear talks in April 2025 in Muscat, Oman, and Rome, Italy. However, on June 21-22, 2025, under 'Operation Midnight Hammer', the United States conducted strikes against Iranian nuclear infrastructure, targeting three key sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Iran strongly condemned the operations, denouncing them as a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter. The Iranian nuclear deal dates back to July 2015, when the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed between Iran and several world powers, including the United States, which capped Tehran's enrichment level at 3.67 per cent and reduced its uranium stockpile to 300 kilograms. The deal collapsed in 2018 with Trump's unilateral withdrawal of the US from the accord. Meanwhile, according to the Russian news agency TASS, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced the trilateral meetings between Ukraine, Russia, and the US would be held in Geneva on February 17-18. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 February,2026 12:03 PM IST | Washington DC | ANIADVERTISEMENT
