Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. File photoDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today handed over the deed and keys of a flat to the family members of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi at the State Guest House Jamuna here. The Chief Adviser handed over the ownership deed and the keys of a ready flat located in the city's Lalmatiya area, in the presence of Sharif Osman Hadi's wife and several family members, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing this afternoon. Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Housing and Public Works Ministry Secretary Md Nazrul Islam and National Housing Authority Chairman Most Ferdousi Begum were present on the occasion. Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and one of the key organizers of the July Uprising, was shot on December 12 last year when he was on a battery-run auto-rickshaw in the city's Paltan area.

To facilitate participation, the government has declared general holidays on February 11 and 12, creating a four-day break with the coincidence of the regular weekend. Educational institutions are also closed till February 15 due to the Hindu religious festival “Maha Shivaratri “, that leads further enjoying the travel. Many travellers were seen returning home with families, luggage in hand and smiling for the joy of reunion after long absences. In some cases, train travellers were seen standing or even riding on rooftops because of limited seat capacity. The nationwide movement reflects increasing public enthusiasm, turning the election into what many are describing a true ‘voting festival’.

Officials at the Chattogram Regional Election Commission here said that theywill able to accomplish all polls related preparations as per directives ofthe Election Commission before formal beginning of voting on Thursdaymorning. A total of 115 magistrates have been deployed to ensure a peaceful, credible,and festive atmosphere for the upcoming polls. The local Election Commission office reported that a total of 66,82,517people will be voting in the upcoming polls slated for February 12. A total of 1,965 presiding officers, 12,595 assistant presiding officers, and29,165 polling officers will be on duty during the polls. For the upcoming election, 1,965 polling stations havebeen set up to cast votes.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh Baharul Alam today spoke at the Police Headquarters. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh Baharul Alam today assured full security to the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) during the forthcoming 13th national election slated for Feb 12. During the meeting, both sides discussed various issues related to election security and overall law and order during the upcoming National Assembly elections. The head of the Commonwealth Observer Group informed that 25 Commonwealth observers would be deployed to monitor the elections and sought assurances regarding their safety throughout the election period. In response, the IGP outlined comprehensive security preparations, highlighting risk-based security planning, enhanced cyber monitoring, and the use of modern technology to maintain electoral law and order.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. File photoDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said the interim government undertook several significant initiatives during its tenure, though many key reforms could not be fully completed due to structural and policy constraints. Dr Salehuddin said he would not award himself full marks as many intended initiatives could not be fully implemented. However, he admitted that the "real work" lay in initiating deeper policy reforms, particularly in the policy divisions. The Finance Adviser reiterated that while he was satisfied with initiating key reforms, unfinished tasks and unmet expectations justified a score below 100.

Khulna Metropolitan Police hold briefing parade to ensure peaceful, free and fair national election process. Photo : BSSKHULNA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) today held a briefing parade at the KMP Lines ground in Boyra to ensure the 13th national parliamentary election and Referendum are conducted in a peaceful, free and fair manner. He instructed all officers and members assigned to election duty to perform their tasks lawfully, maintaining honesty, dedication and strict neutrality. He expressed optimism that coordinated efforts among all forces would ensure a free, fair and impartial election. He further directed mobile patrol teams and striking reserve forces to ensure voters can reach polling centres and return home safely without any obstruction.

A Hindu businessman was brutally killed in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, days before the country heads to the polls, a local media report said on Tuesday (February 10, 2026). The 62-year-old victim, Susen Chandra Sarkar, was hacked to death inside his shop late on Monday night (February 9, 2026) at Bogar Bazar in Trishal Upazila. A resident of Southkanda village, Mr. Sarkar was the owner of Bhai Bhai Enterprise. Last month, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council alleged that as the date of the general elections approaches, communal violence is increasing at an alarming rate in the country, stating that it had documented 51 incidents of communal violence in December 2025 alone. According to the 2022 census, Hindus number around 13.13 million in Bangladesh, making up approximately 7.95% of the country’s total population.

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered two foreign-made pistols, four magazines and three rounds of ammunition during an operation along the Shibganj border of the district early this morning. The firearms and ammunition were found abandoned during a special raid conducted around 5:30am in Thuthapara area of Manakasha union under Masudpur Border Outpost (BOP) of Shibganj upazila. Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Commander of the BGB-53 Battalion Lt Col Mostafizur Rahman said the operation was carried out based on intelligence information. A patrol team from Masudpur BOP launched the raid in the area under Shibganj Police Station and recovered the weapons and ammunition. Lt Col Rahman said that BGB has intensified intelligence activities and patrol operations along the border in view of the upcoming national elections to prevent illegal arms smuggling and potential sabotage.

CHENNAI, India, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Finn Allen and Tim Seifert posteda T20 World Cup record partnership of 175 as New Zealand crushed the UnitedArab Emirates by 10 wickets with almost five overs to spare in Chennai onTuesday. They beat the previous record for any wicket at a T20 World Cup -- anunbroken 170 by England openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India inthe semi-final of the 2022 edition at the Adelaide Oval. "So in a World Cup, you've just got to be able to adapt to the conditionsyou're playing in." Seifert said he was unaware the pair had posted a new World Cup recordpartnership for any wicket. The 31-year-old Waseem, who was one of only three current UAE players to playin their last appearance in a T20 World Cup in 2022, hit four fours and threesixes in facing 45 balls.

DHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Stocks today extended bullish momentum in thefinal trading session ahead of the national polls, driven by expectations ofa favorable market outlook amid anticipated post-election political clarity. DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), advanced by 88.0points or 1.7% to settle at 5,400 points as against 5,312 points in theprevious trading session. Market analysts observed that investor sentiment remained upbeat, promptingaccumulation in major large-cap stocks, primarily within the banking sector,riding on optimism surrounding prospective structural reforms under the newlyelected government. On the sectoral front, Bank (23.7%) issues exerted the highest turnover,followed by Textile (15.5%) and Pharma (14.8%) sectors. The SelectiveCategories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) advanced by 137.3points and 241.6 points, respectively.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 2,028 candidates of 50 political parties and independent candidates are participating in 299 constituencies in the 13th national parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. Of those, 81 are women candidates, said Election Commissioner (EC) Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Muhammad Sanaullah in a press briefing at Nirbachon Bhaban at Agargaon here this afternoon. “We are considering approximately 50 percent as normal polling centers while the rest 50 percent are ‘vulnerabler”, EC Sanaullah told the briefing. Country’s total voters are over 12.77 crore. So far, 9700 media workers have been registered with the EC while 156 foreign journalists are expected to watch the elections.

The Japanese Election Observation Mission today paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. Photo: CA's Facebook pageDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The Japanese Election Observation Mission today paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here. The delegation was led by Masato Watanabe, Ambassador and Leader of the Japanese Election Observation Mission, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing this evening. Other members included Naonori Kusakabe, Associate Professor at the College of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University; Sonoko Ichimura, Principal Deputy Director, Southwest Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; Yoshiaki Kobayashi, Assistant Director, Southwest Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh; KOMINE Ken, First Secretary and Head of Political Section, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh; NISHI Yuki, Second Secretary, Political Section; and SONE Keita, Adviser, Political Section, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh. Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator, and Mohammed Nore Alam, Director General of East Asia and Pacific of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were also present at the meeting.

UN says in talks to reestablish rights office in VenezuelaGENEVA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United Nations rights office said Tuesday that it is in discussions with Caracas to reestablish an office in Venezuela, two years after it was kicked out. During this discussion, Turk "offered our support to help Venezuela work on a roadmap for dialogue and reconciliation in which human rights should be at the centre" of the process, she said. The rights office has been monitoring from Panama since its international staff were expelled from Venezuela in February 2024. They were asked to leave after expressing deep concern about the detention of human rights lawyer Rocio San Miguel. But, she insisted, "the terms of the law must be compliant with international human rights standards".

Photo: CollectedBOGOTA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Twenty-two people have died as a rare spellof torrential rain in Colombia left thousands of families displaced,authorities said. Colombian officials confirmed Monday that 14 of the fatalities came in thedepartments of Cordoba and Sucre, with at least 9,000 homes affected. Residents have been trying to salvage their belongings in waist-deep waterand muck using motorboats and makeshift vessels. Heavy rain at this time of year is rare in Colombia. Climate change is wreaking havoc with the dry and wet periods in Colombia,which has a tropical climate and no distinct seasons.

The EU Election Observer Mission (EU-EOM) met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna today. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The EU Election Observer Mission (EU-EOM) paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here today. The delegation was led by Tom s Zdechovsky, Member of the European Parliament and Head of Delegation. Other members included Ivars Ijabs, Chief Observer, Lukas Mandl, Lor nt Vincze, Leire Paj¡n, Serban Dimitrie Sturdza, Michael McNamara, Catarina Vieira, Martin Bille Hermann, Inta Lase, Reginald Soenen, Nikos Salliarelis, Filipe Alcobia de Moraes, Benjamin Oppermann, Liviu-Adrian Natea, Tessel Giele, Riccardo Chelleri, Frederik Schumann, Marina Graser Lasic, and Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh. Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator, and Md Mosharaf Hossain, Director General, West Europe and European Union Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were also present at the meeting.