Two parliamentary candidates in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, withdrew from the election at the last moment, each extending support to rival party nominees. On Tuesday, February 10, Ganadhikar Parishad candidate Rabiul Hasan Tanzim, who was contesting with the truck symbol, announced his withdrawal at a press conference and declared support for BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir. Tanzim said his decision followed a political understanding between Ganadhikar Parishad and the BNP.

Separately, on Monday night, independent candidate Advocate Ahmad Kabir Karim, who was running with the football symbol, announced his withdrawal in favor of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominee Principal Nurul Amin. Karim stated that he stepped aside voluntarily for the greater interest and urged his supporters to vote for the balance scale symbol.

The withdrawals came just before the election, reshaping the local contest in Fatikchhari as both candidates aligned themselves with major opposition parties.

Political groups in the European Parliament reached an agreement on Tuesday on the EU-US trade deal, originally struck in July 2025 by US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The deal, which still requires ratification, sets US tariffs at 15% on EU exports, while the EU will cut its tariffs on US goods to zero. The Parliament’s International Partnership Committee will vote on February 24, followed by a plenary session as early as March.

The approval process had been frozen in January after Trump announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on eight European countries involved in an Arctic military mission. Work resumed weeks later, leading to a compromise that includes a sunset clause expiring in March 2028 unless renewed, and a suspension clause triggered if the US violates the deal. Socialist MEP Bernd Lange said the Greenland issue prompted the inclusion of a sovereignty criterion for possible suspension.

The Parliament’s version also adds safeguards to protect the EU market and an automatic reintroduction of tariffs if the US fails to reduce its own tariffs to 15% on over 400 steel-related products. After the plenary vote, negotiations with EU member states will determine the final terms.

United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran of potential military action if Tehran fails to meet Washington’s demands on nuclear enrichment and ballistic missiles. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 published Tuesday, Trump said, “Either we reach a deal, or we’ll have to do something very tough.” His comments came as Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani met Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said to discuss recent US-Iran talks. The US has also warned its commercial ships to avoid Iranian waters amid a growing military buildup that includes the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, with reports suggesting a second carrier may be deployed.

Trump’s renewed threats follow his administration’s three demands: ending uranium enrichment, cutting ties with regional proxies, and limiting missile stockpiles. Since returning to office in January 2025, he has reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign involving sanctions and military posturing. The escalation coincides with widespread anti-government protests in Iran, which were met with a violent crackdown that reportedly killed thousands. Analysts note that US military action could align with long-standing US and Israeli goals of curbing Iran’s military power, though its impact on Iran’s internal unrest remains uncertain.

Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied across Australia on Monday to oppose the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who faces accusations of inciting genocide against Palestinians. In Sydney, police used pepper spray and clashed with protesters as Herzog began his four-day trip by laying a wreath at Bondi Beach to honor victims of last year’s mass shooting. Authorities warned that participants in a planned march from Sydney Town Hall to the New South Wales Parliament risk arrest, as the area was declared protected during the visit. A Sydney court rejected a legal challenge against the protest restrictions filed by the Palestine Action Group.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Australians to respect the solemn nature of Herzog’s visit, describing it as one made in goodwill. Herzog said he came to express solidarity and friendship, while alleging that the protests sought to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist. Amnesty International Australia and the Jewish Council of Australia criticized the visit, citing Herzog’s alleged role in inciting genocide and calling for accountability. Herzog is scheduled to visit Melbourne and Canberra before returning to Israel on Thursday.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 of Bangladesh has begun the trial of Salman F Rahman, adviser to the executed Sheikh Hasina, and former law minister Anisul Huq. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam stated that the prosecution possesses conclusive evidence proving their involvement in decisions to suppress the July revolution through curfews and lethal force. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, heard the opening statement on February 10, 2026, marking the formal start of proceedings. The first witness testimony is scheduled for February 22.

The prosecution has brought five charges against the two accused, including joint criminal enterprise and superior command responsibility. The allegations involve incitement, conspiracy, and assistance in mass killings and injuries of students and civilians in Rangpur and several areas of Dhaka between July and August 2024. A total of 22 witnesses are expected to testify, supported by video, documentary, and live evidence.

The tribunal had earlier framed formal charges on January 12, 2026. The prosecution claims both accused played direct roles in encouraging and facilitating violent crackdowns on protesters during the July revolution.

A fire broke out at a multi-storey building in Mirpur Section 11.5 of Dhaka on Tuesday night. According to the report, no casualties were reported in the incident. Two units of the Fire Service responded promptly and managed to bring the blaze under control shortly after it started.

Fire Service duty officer Shahjahan Islam stated that the fire began around 11:15 p.m. and was quickly contained. The initial cause of the fire was identified as an electrical short circuit. The swift action of the fire units prevented the fire from spreading further.

Authorities confirmed that the situation was fully under control, and no injuries or significant damage were reported following the incident.

The Ministry of Public Administration has established a control room to coordinate with field administration during the upcoming 2026 parliamentary election and referendum. According to an office order issued by the ministry’s Administration-1 branch on Tuesday night, the control room will operate from February 10 to February 14, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day. The facility is located in Building No. 1, Room No. 1802, and can be reached via telephone number +8802226641118.

The order stated that the control room was set up to take necessary measures based on complaints and information received from field-level administration concerning the election and referendum. A total of 35 officials and employees from the ministry will perform duties on a roster basis to ensure continuous coordination and response.

The initiative aims to strengthen communication between the central ministry and local administrative units during the election period, ensuring timely action on field reports and maintaining administrative efficiency.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as unequal allocation of body cameras for law enforcement officers at polling centers and inadequate installation of CCTV cameras. At a press briefing held Tuesday afternoon at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Assistant Secretary General and head of the central publicity and media department Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair demanded sufficient body cameras and CCTV coverage at every polling station to ensure fair, neutral, and violence-free elections.

Zubair alleged that some centers received over 100 body cameras while others got only 5 to 10, claiming the disparity appeared to favor certain political groups. He said the Election Commission had not provided clear information on how many of the 18,000 to 20,000 CCTV cameras mentioned were actually installed. He warned that the shortage of surveillance equipment could allow violence and hinder documentation of incidents.

He also reported threats against Jamaat polling agents and alleged a smear campaign involving fake photo cards and leaflets. Zubair urged the Election Commission and law enforcement to investigate these incidents and take immediate action against those responsible.

A man was killed and two others were injured when an army vehicle collided head-on with a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Naldanga upazila of Natore on Tuesday, February 10. The deceased was identified as Md. Nazrul Islam, 60, son of late Alimuddin of Birkutsa Uttarpara village. The accident occurred in the Basudevpur Bazar area in the afternoon while the army vehicle was returning from Natore to the Naldanga Army Camp.

According to local sources and police, three passengers of the CNG were injured in the collision. Nazrul Islam, who was critically injured, was taken to Natore Sadar Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment. The other two injured passengers were admitted to Naldanga Private Hospital (Bismillah Hospital) and later discharged after primary treatment.

Both vehicles sustained minor damage in the crash, and the CNG’s front glass was completely shattered. Police confirmed the incident, stating that the CNG passengers were traveling to Natore for medical purposes.

In Cumilla, the atmosphere ahead of the upcoming election has taken on a festive tone, with thousands of residents traveling back to their home districts to cast their votes. Bus stands, railway stations, and highways have become crowded as people, driven by both family ties and civic duty, make their way home despite high travel costs. Many describe the experience as emotionally fulfilling, treating the act of voting as a celebration akin to Eid.

Workers from the Cumilla Export Processing Zone are among those returning home, saying that years of work pressure often kept them from voting, but this time they are determined to participate. Passengers like Jewel Rana and Ayesha Akter expressed joy at being able to vote again after many years, describing it as a deeply personal and patriotic duty. Railway stations are packed, with trains filled to capacity and even passengers riding on rooftops.

Local law enforcement, including the Cumilla Highway Police, reported that they are maintaining heightened vigilance to ensure a peaceful and orderly election environment, with no untoward incidents reported so far.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled its National Executive Committee member Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi from all party positions, including primary membership, for making statements and engaging in activities deemed contrary to the party’s policy, ideals, and organizational discipline. The decision was announced on the night of February 10, 2026, through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Earlier, during a campaign event for the truck symbol, Munshi made remarks warning voters against supporting other parties if BNP came to power, threatening severe consequences. He also stated that he had never been insulted by voters in the past and had always won by a large margin, but this time he would take revenge if humiliated. His comments were considered inconsistent with party principles and prompted disciplinary action.

The expulsion underscores BNP’s effort to maintain internal discipline and uphold its organizational code of conduct ahead of upcoming political activities.

A professor at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has been accused of using his official university email to urge colleagues to vote for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) symbol, the paddy sheaf, ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. The accused, Dr. Rezwan Ahmed Shawon, is a mathematics professor and director of the university’s Computer and Information Center, as well as the organizational secretary of the SUST branch of the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB). According to university sources, on February 7 he sent an email from the university domain using UTAB letterhead, calling for votes in favor of BNP.

Sources alleged that the professor misused access to institutional data under the Computer and Information Center, which holds information on all teachers, students, and staff. University regulations prohibit teachers from promoting political opinions or affiliating with political organizations. Several faculty members described the act as a clear violation of university law and ethics, urging authorities to investigate.

Vice-Chancellor (acting) Professor Sajedul Karim said he was unaware of the incident but confirmed that the university would investigate and take legal action if any law was breached.

Shops in Sylhet will remain closed only on Thursday, February 12, the day of the national parliamentary election, according to a decision confirmed by local business leaders. Abdur Rahman Ripon, president of the Sylhet Metropolitan Business Unity Welfare Council and member secretary of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association’s Sylhet district branch, stated that rumors about a two-day closure are incorrect.

Ripon explained that some unidentified individuals have been spreading misinformation suggesting shops would remain closed for two days, which has caused confusion among traders and the public. He clarified that the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has not made any such decision. The central committee allows regional branches to decide independently whether to open or close shops based on local convenience.

The Sylhet district branch has therefore decided that all shops in the city will close only on election day, February 12, to facilitate the voting process and maintain order during the national election.

RAB-5 conducted two separate raids in Rajshahi early Tuesday night, recovering a large quantity of homemade weapons and explosives. Acting on secret information, the first operation took place around 3 a.m. in the Uttor Fire Service Station area under Kashiadanga Police Station, where 24 cocktails were seized. In another operation in the Baneshwar Pollapukur Mor area under Puthia Police Station, RAB recovered 40 locally made weapons, including machetes, sickles, knives, axes, and hammers.

According to RAB, the seized items were recovered in the presence of neutral witnesses and handed over to the respective police stations for legal action. Preliminary assessments suggest the weapons and explosives were stockpiled to disrupt the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the 2026 referendum or to assert local dominance.

RAB-5 stated that intelligence operations and further raids are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in storing the seized materials.

The Cabinet Division on Tuesday published the asset statements of the chief adviser, all current advisers, and equivalent-ranking individuals of the interim government, along with their spouses. According to the disclosure, Farida Akhter, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, possesses the lowest amount of assets among the current advisers. Her total assets increased from Tk 8.13 million on June 30, 2024, to Tk 10.22 million on June 30, 2025. Her husband’s assets rose from Tk 10.65 million to Tk 11.02 million during the same period.

The circular was issued in line with a previous notification from October 1, 2024, requiring the publication of asset details for June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The report also noted that former Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam, who resigned on December 10, held the least assets overall, with his wealth increasing from Tk 0.42 million to Tk 1.28 million.

The disclosure forms part of the interim government’s transparency measures, ensuring public access to financial information of senior officials and their spouses.