Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Sabbir Ahmed said he was not present at the office at the time. Journalists at Bangladesh Times said the outlet is an online news portal registered under the Ministry of Information, bearing registration number 215. According to Sabbir Ahmed, he later received a call from a person who identified himself as being from the Uttara Army Camp. In a Facebook Live broadcast, Sabbir Ahmed expressed concern over the incident, saying it took place at a sensitive time ahead of the national election. At around 11:30pm, a live video broadcast on the Bangladesh Times Facebook page showed the staff members returning to the office after being taken to the army camp.

Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury has called a full court meeting with the participation of all judges of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court. The full court meeting will be held on Monday, at 4:00 pm in the Judges’ Lounge of the Supreme Court. This information was disclosed in a notice signed on Sunday by Md Mesbah Uddin Khan, Deputy Registrar (Administration and Judicial) of the Supreme Court. According to Supreme Court sources, the meeting will take decisions on several important matters, including the approval of the leave calendar for subordinate courts. It is worth noting that various agenda items are discussed at full court meetings.

Opener Tim Seifert struck a blistering 65 off 42 balls to lead New Zealand's highest-ever run in a T20 World Cup as they beat Afghanistan by five wickets on Sunday. New Zealand's previous best chase in the T20 World Cup was their 167 against England in the 2021 semi-final. Captain Rashid Khan let out a roar as he broke through to dismiss Phillips, who inside edged onto his stumps. Leg-spinner Rashid dropped Seifert on 48 off his own bowling and the batsman reached his fifty with a six off veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi. Naib reached his fourth T20 fifty off 29 balls before he departed attempting a slog off left-arm spinner Ravindra.

The Election Commission has introduced four methods to help voters easily access their voter number and polling station details ahead of the upcoming referendum and 13th national parliamentary election. Smart Election Management BD appVoters can access their voter number and polling station information through the Smart Election Management BD app. By entering their NID number and date of birth, voters can view their voter number, serial number, polling station name and address. The voter number and polling station details will be sent in a return SMS. Voters can either select their constituency and upazila or police station to view a list of centres, or search directly by entering their NID number and date of birth to obtain their voter number and polling station details.

General inflation at the national level has again risen in January 2026, as the inflation rate on a point-to-point basis increased to 8.58%. According to BBS data, inflation in the food sector increased significantly in January. At this time, the food inflation rate stood at 8.29%, which was 7.71% in the previous month. However, the food inflation rate has decreased compared to a year ago. Although the overall inflation rate increased slightly on a monthly basis, there are signs of some relief in the annual comparison, according to those concerned.

In January, Bangladesh's overall Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) index decreased by 0.3 points to 53.9 compared to December. According to the latest PMI index, the expansion in the three sectors of agriculture, manufacturing and services continued in January. However, a sector-wise analysis shows that the pace of expansion in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors has slowed compared to December. In January, the value of the PMI index of the agriculture sector was 53 and that of the manufacturing sector was 52.1. Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Policy Exchange of Bangladesh jointly prepare and publish this PMI index every month.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday said the upcoming election is meant to bring liberation to hardworking common people, not benefit opportunists. The Jamaat chief mentioned that anyone with merit and qualifications should be able to lead the nation in the future, Insha’Allah. Dr Rahman said Jamaat has pledged that its Members of Parliament will not accept state-allocated plots, use luxurious government vehicles, or enjoy any special privileges. He also said the assets of MPs’ family members will be disclosed before the public. “By using the talent and merit of all, we aim to build a modern Bangladesh for the future,” Shafiqur Rahman said.

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum scheduled for February 12, the Election Commission (EC) will hold a briefing for foreign journalists and observers on February 11. Ruhul Amin Mallik, director of the EC’s Public Relations Division, informed reporters about the briefing on Sunday. Speaking to the media, Ruhul Amin Mallik said, “On the occasion of the referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election, a briefing will be held by the Election Commission for domestic and foreign election observers and journalists at 11:00 am at Hotel InterContinental on February 11.”He added that, according to EC senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed, approximately 500 foreign journalists and observers will monitor the upcoming election and referendum.

The newly appointed chairman and commissioners of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have formally assumed their responsibilities, receiving a warm welcome from the Commission’s officials and staff. Nur Khan and Nabila Idris, both former members of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, have been appointed as commissioners. Shariful Islam of the Department of Political Science at the University of Dhaka and human rights activist Ilira Dewan. Speaking on the occasion, the Commission’s public relations officer, Yusha Rahman, said that after assuming office, the new chairman and commissioners held discussions with the officials and staff. During the meeting, they pledged to carry out their responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting human rights in the country with dedication, transparency, and accountability.

Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - A Framework Agreement of RMB 1.67 billion (Taka 2,486.31 crore) was signed today between the government of Bangladesh and the government of China for the project titled ‘Procurement of 04 New Vessels’. Under the Framework Agreement, the government of China confirmed concessional financing for the project with 2 percent interest rate. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD) and Yao Wen, Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh, signed the Framework Agreement on behalf of their respective governments. A loan agreement will be signed shortly following the signing of the deal. These will enhance the capacity of BSC for carrying crude oil and essential bulk commodities to meet the requirements of the country.

Photo: BSSKUSHTIA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized narcotics and various contraband goods worth Taka 17.25 lakh and arrested a drug smuggler during separate raids in Daulatpur upazila of the district early Sunday. Members of 47 BGB conducted separate drives early Sunday and arrested a smuggler along with the drugs, according to a press release issued by 47 BGB Commander Captain Rashed Kamal Rony at around 1:00 pm today. During a raid in the Joypur area of Daulatpur upazila, BGB arrested Md. The total estimated value of the recovered narcotics and smuggled goods stands at Taka 17.25 lakh, the BGB said. The seized goods will be disposed of in accordance with existing laws, the release added.

DHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) today issued several special instructions regarding the issuance of observer identity cards and vehicle stickers for the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled to be held on February 12. According to a notification of the EC, in compliance with the Election Observation Policy-2025, the EC has approved a total of 55,454 observer cards from 81 EC-registered observer organizations to monitor the election. The EC has issued the following instructions regarding the issuance of observer identity cards and vehicle stickers. (c) Attested copies of SSC and HSC certificates or equivalent must be submitted as proof of the educational qualifications. (d) The head of each observer organization must provide a certification stating that the observers appointed by the organization have no political affiliation.

A photography and documentary exhibition on Khaleda Zia’s life and struggle was held at Sugandha Point, set against the backdrop of rolling waves and the sea breeze. Organizers said Begum Khaleda Zia’s life symbolizes an uncompromising struggle for democracy, adding that the exhibition aims to present real political history to the younger generation. Visitors described the exhibition as a powerful blend of history and politics, noting that it brought the struggles of Begum Khaleda Zia vividly before their eyes. The exhibition has already been held at 12 locations across the country, including eight divisional cities and districts closely associated with Begum Zia’s political life. Aminul Islam, Joint General Secretary of Bogura Media and Cultural Society, said the objective of exhibition is to highlight Begum Khaleda Zia’s life of struggle to the young generation.

Bangladesh Bank has issued new instructions to reduce the cash transaction limit ahead of the upcoming general election. Transactions of more than Tk 10,000 per day cannot be made using mobile financial services (MFS) until midnight on election day, Feb 12. The central bank sent the instructions to commercial banks on Sunday. Another internal instruction told banks that daily cash transactions per customer cannot exceed Tk 100,000. The central bank said the measure was taken to ensure financial security during the election period.

Shirin said that 24 years ago former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia declared Indurkani as an upazila and named it Zianagar. She said that Zianagar is the only upazila in the country named after Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. Referring to the party’s electoral symbol, she said the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ represents the legacy of President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia, and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. She urged voters to support BNP-nominated candidate Principal Alamgir Hossain, describing him as a person of clean image and likening him to a son of Begum Khaleda Zia. The meeting was presided over by Upazila BNP President Md Farid Ahmed.