Berlin, 17 February 2026 – Germany and France have jointly called on the European Commission to swiftly develop a coordinated and ambitious “Financial Services Simplification Package” aimed at easing regulatory burdens and strengthening the competitiveness of European financial institutions. The appeal was detailed in a letter obtained by Reuters on Sunday. The letter, sent on […]

Rumin Farhana, elected as an independent Member of Parliament for Brahmanbaria-2—covering Sarail, Ashuganj, and parts of Bijoynagar—has cautioned that nearly 30 per cent of the nation’s population will be left without direct representation in the current parliament. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, immediately after taking her parliamentary oath, Farhana emphasised the weight […]

On Tuesday, 17 February, the newly elected members of the Thirteenth National Parliament of Bangladesh formally took their oaths of office. The ceremony was conducted by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, marking a departure from the traditional practice where oaths are administered by the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Parliament. The unusual arrangement […]

Bangladesh’s political landscape has recently been marked by a contentious debate surrounding electoral participation and representative legitimacy. The latest national election, held without the participation of the ruling Awami League, has prompted questions about the comprehensiveness and fairness of the voting process. Political analysts point out that the absence of major parties in previous elections […]

A petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the validity of the referendum held on 12 February 2026, as well as seeking the annulment of the results announced on 13 February. The writ raises questions regarding the referendum process, the method of result declaration, and the conduct of the authorities involved. On Tuesday, […]

Bangladesh has climbed two places to 93rd in the latest 2026 Henley & Partners Passport Index, reflecting a modest but notable improvement from its 95th position last year. According to the index, Bangladeshi passport holders can now travel to 37 countries without obtaining a visa in advance. In certain cases, however, access may require an […]