Thailand’s caretaker premier Anutin Charnvirakul was preparing for coalition talks Monday after his conservative Bhumjaithai Party surged to a stunning election victory on a wave of nationalism. Because he stood up to Cambodia,” retiree and former Pheu Thai supporter, Pipat Saeteaw, 72, told AFP on Monday. Despite the strong victory, Bhumjaithai Party was still expected to fall short of an outright majority in the lower house, meaning Anutin would need to strike a coalition deal with another party to govern. The People’s Party was expected to win around 115 seats, and Pheu Thai was set to come in third, according to the preliminary results. Pheu Thai is seen as a potential coalition partner for Anutin, as they were allies until Bhumjaithai pulled out over a Cambodia border dispute scandal.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman yesterday outlined his party’s vision for a “New Bangladesh,” pledging swift action if elected and vowing to safeguard democratic rights, prevent electoral fraud, and ensure justice, accountability, and inclusive governance. Dr Shafiqur Rahman said July marked a rejection of what he termed a “dark political culture” shaped by dynastic rule and prolonged concentration of power. Saying young people now aspire to a “New Bangladesh” or “Bangladesh 2.0,” he said the country’s future must be shaped by a courageous, reform-minded generation. Reforms, referendum, governanceDr Shafiqur Rahman said people want security, good governance, and justice, adding that Jamaat intends to shape the state around these principles. Concluding both the rally and the national address, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance was formed based on the aspirations of the July movement.

The survey also projected 17 seats for independents, three for the Jatiya Party, four for other parties, and 22 closely contested constituencies. According to the survey, 66.3% of respondents expressed support for BNP, followed by 11.9% for Jamaat-e-Islami. The survey also suggested a major voter shift, claiming 80% of former Awami League voters now favour BNP. Based on responses from 300 participants, the NRC survey forecasts 57 seats for Jamaat-e-Islami, five for the Jatiya Party, and 16 for independents and others. On reforms and the referendum, NRC found that 49% of respondents remained undecided, while 30% supported reforms and 21% opposed them.

DHAKA, Feb 09, 2026 (BSS) – The Press Information Department (PID) has published a media guide to assist foreign media personnel arriving to cover the 2026 referendum and the 13th National Parliament election in carrying out their professional duties. The easy-to-carry book contains information on the Bangladesh Election Commission, government offices involved in election-related activities, key individuals, all returning officers, and phone numbers and email addresses of various agencies responsible for maintaining law and order during the election period, according to a PID handout issued here today. It also includes contact details of newspapers, news agencies and satellite television channels in Dhaka, information on the PID’s media centre, and, for foreign media personnel, details on money exchange services, hotels and restaurants, transport service providers, and emergency contact numbers. The guide further provides background information on the referendum and the 13th National Parliament election, profiles of participating political parties, the electoral code of conduct, and the code of conduct formulated by the Election Commission for foreign media personnel covering the polls. The 112-page publication will help foreign media personnel effectively carry out their professional responsibilities, it added.

BNP National Executive Committee Organising Secretary Asadul Habib Dulu addressed an election rally in Bhadai union of Aditmari upazila on Sunday night. Photo: BSSLALMONIRHAT, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - BNP National Executive Committee Organising Secretary Asadul Habib Dulu has said that Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was the patron of democracy and an uncompromising leader who never bowed to dictatorship. Dulu, also the BNP candidate for Lalmonirhat-3 constituency, said Khaleda Zia never compromised with autocratic forces to protect democracy. The meeting was chaired by Bhadai Union BNP President Mozammel Haque and moderated by Upazila BNP Joint Convener Abdur Rouf Rubel. At the end of the rallies, he formally handed over the BNP’s electoral symbol, Sheaf of Paddy, to Rokon Uddin Babul and called on voters of the people to unite and vote for the symbol to ensure his victory.

Feb. 9, 2026, 11:45 a.m. ETTired of winter yet? The frigid cold that has gripped southcentral Pennsylvania for days is expected to ease this week as daytime temperatures are predicted to rise above freezing starting on Tuesday. That will help to melt the snow on the ground. And now meteorologists are keeping an eye on a potential storm for Valentine's Day weekend.

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have stood at US$34.06 billion. But, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF) methodology under the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $29.48 billion, according to the latest data of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) released here today.

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed spoke at a press briefing held this evening at the EC building in the city's Agargaon. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Senior Secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed today said there is no concern about the 13th national elections and referendum to be held on February 12. Noting that there are less than 60 hours left for the elections, he said, "There is no concern over the elections. The EC Senior Secretary expressed the hope that the election campaign on social media will also be stopped. The EC Secretary also said: "Our intelligence surveillance is going on effectively.

Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate from Rangpur-2 seat ATM Azharul Islam has urged citizens to vote for the 11-party alliance candidates to build a Bangladesh of justice free of discrimination, corruption and terrorism. Azharul Islam, also a central Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami said this while speaking as the chief guest at an election rally organized by Badarganj Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami at the Sahapur ground of Badarganj Municipality in Rangpur on Sunday evening. Badarganj Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Moulana Muhammad Kamruzzaman Kabir presided over the rally. Rangpur District Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary Moulana Muhammad Enamul Haque and Islami Chhatra Shibir's Central Business Education Secretary Mohammad Zakaria addressed the rally as special guests. Local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and the 11-party alliance were present at the rally, among others.

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has introduced four easy methods for voters to know their polling centre and voter number ahead of the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections and referendum. From the app dashboard, by selecting "13th Jatiya Sangsad Election" and going to the "Find Polling Centre" option, voters will be able to know their voter number, serial and polling centre name and address by providing NID number and date of birth. In this case, the voter's NID number and date of birth will be required. Thirdly, voters can go to the mobile message option and type PC, give a space and write the NID number and send it to 105. The website also offers facilities to view the location of the polling centre and travel routes through Google Maps.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has revised its operational protocol to permit voters, candidates, agents, journalists and observers to carry mobile phones into polling centers. Journalists are permitted to carry mobile phones and will take photographs within the polling centers to document the proceedings, he added. He said that election observers are authorized to carry mobile phones and will take photographs as part of their monitoring responsibilities. He said that the possession or use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden inside the secret booth or ballot stamping room. Secretary Ahmed concluded that after thorough deliberation, the commission opted to cancel the specific restrictive sections of the previous order.

Launch to ISS pushed to Thursday over weather: NASAWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - NASA on Monday delayed by one day the journey of four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) over weather conditions. "Mission teams completed a weather review on Monday and elected to waive off a Wednesday, Feb. 11, launch opportunity due to forecast weather conditions along the flight path of the Dragon spacecraft," NASA said in a statement. "Weather will continue to be a watch item on Feb 12, and conditions are expected to improve on Friday, Feb. Those astronauts remain in quarantine in NASA's Florida Kennedy Space Center ahead of Thursday's launch opportunity. Continuously inhabited for the last quarter-century, the aging ISS is scheduled to be de-orbited and crashed into an isolated spot in the Pacific Ocean in 2030.

US senators visit Greenland to 'rebuild trust' broken by TrumpNUUK, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A delegation of United States senators visited Greenland Monday to "rebuild the trust" shattered by President Donald Trump's threats to annex the Arctic island, the lawmakers declared. The American president has caused alarm among European allies with his repeated threats to seize the Danish territory, if necessary by force, citing security threats from Russia and China. Last month, Trump backed off repeated threats to seize Greenland, after striking a "framework" deal with NATO chief Mark Rutte to ensure greater US influence. "We have a president that has broken that trust... While Denmark and Greenland have said they share Trump's security concerns, they have insisted that sovereignty and territorial integrity are a "red line" in the discussions.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus-File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Professor Dr Rita Süssmuth, Former Federal Minister for Women and Former President of the German Parliament. “It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of my friend, Professor Dr Rita Süssmuth. I extend my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones,” he said in a condolence message sent to President of the German Bundestag Julia Klöckner on recently. Prof Yunus said Rita Süssmuth was a courageous and charismatic champion of equality and social cohesion. “I mourn the loss of a distinguished stateswoman and decision-maker, a tireless advocate and a source of encouragement to many.

What we do depends on our values, our resources and our connection to community and information. I’ve spent much of my career in journalism, working in various roles from reporting, editing, business development and revenue generation. Action looks different for different people. In moments like this, clarity about our values, our information, our communities and our capacities is not just helpful — it’s necessary. There may not be a single answer to “What should we do?” But there is a way to move forward with intention, integrity and care for one another.