How algorithms and AI are shaping the electionMosharaf Hossain and Muzahidul IslamLast month, we were visiting a few rural villages in Bangladesh. They were discussing a range of topics, from the condition of their paddy fields to the upcoming election in February. We have seen AI videos of police officers making false promises. In India's 2024 election, parties used AI to resurrect dead leaders. The jailed leader Imran Khan used AI to deliver a “victory speech” from prison, blurring the line between physical reality and digital presence.

India were in trouble at 77-6 before Suryakumar took them to a competitive 161-9 at a packed Wankhede stadium and won by 29 runs as the USA could only muster 132-8 in reply. A 58-run fourth-wicket partnership between Milind Kumar (34) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) gave the US a chance of pulling off a stunning win. Arshdeep Singh got in on the act at the other end when Monank was caught by Shivam Dube off a leading edge. India had reached a steady 45-1 when Ishan Kishan (20) slapped Shadley van Schalkwyk to Kumar at mid-off to spark a mini-collapse. Van Schalkwyk was the pick of the American attack with 4-25.

Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of National Citizens’ Party (NCP) and the 11-party alliance candidate for Rangpur-4 (Kaunia-Pirgachha) constituency, has received a death threat, according to a general diary (GD) filed at Pirgacha Police Station. The GD, lodged on Saturday night, states that while campaigning at Kishamat village of Chaula Union around 5:30 pm, Hossain received a threatening call from an unknown mobile number. Hossain noted in the GD that the unidentified caller could cause significant damage at any time and requested the police to record the matter for future reference. On Sunday morning, Hossain shared a video message about the threat, saying that intimidation will not stop his campaign or the people’s march toward victory. Officer-in-Charge of Pirgachha Police Station Khondakar Mohibullah said a GD has been filed and necessary investigation will be conducted soon.

“Transparency International Bangladesh says that 15 political leaders and activists were killed in the 36 days following the announcement of the election schedule. Noting that the TIB’s presentation lacked context, the statement said, “Political violence around elections is not new in Bangladesh. In the officially rigged 2014 polls, political violence claimed at least 115 lives”. Explaining the public security, the statement said that the public security was not in perfect shape. “No government can guarantee that there will be no attempts at violence, particularly when influential actors are actively calling for disruption.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 2,034 candidates are contesting in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) Election and Referendum scheduled for February 12. Of these, BNP has fielded the highest number of candidates, with 291 contesting under the paddy sheaf symbol. Besides, Islami Andolon Bangladesh has nominated the second highest number of candidates, with 258 contestants running with the Hatpakha (hand fan) symbol. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has fielded 229 candidates with the Daripalla (scale) symbol, while Jatiya Party has nominated 198 candidates with the plough symbol. Meanwhile, Dhaka-12 constituency has the highest number of candidates with 15 contestants, while Pirojpur-1 has the lowest with only two candidates, according to the EC.

Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. A total of 51 political parties are participating in the election with 2,034 candidates in the race, including 275 independent contenders. Among the political parties, BNP has fielded the highest number of candidates, with 291 contestants running under its paddy sheaf symbol. Dhaka-12 constituency has the highest number of candidates with 15 contestants, while Pirojpur-1 has the lowest with only two candidates. Besides, around 500 foreign observers will be present during the election, said Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md.

Red Lion, York High get YAIAA quarterfinal wins, photosFeb. 8, 2026, 12:44 a.m. Shelly Stallsmith/York Daily RecordRed Lion cheerleaders quietly shake pom poms during a free-throw attempt against West York in a YAIAA quarterfinal at Dallastown on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Shelly Stallsmith/York Daily RecordYork Catholic's Evan Bischof gets a clean look at a 3-point attempt against Red Lion in a YAIAA quarterfinal at Dallastown on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Shelly Stallsmith/York Daily RecordRed Lion's Ben Martin shoots over York Catholic's Michael Glezer in a YAIAA quarterfinal at Dallastown on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Shelly Stallsmith/York Daily RecordWest York's cheerleaders celebrate a shot against York High in a YAIAA quarterfinal at Dallastown on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) – The government has published a book titled ‘Reform Book’ with brief descriptions of the key reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government since August 2024. The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing disclosed the matter this morning. From this wreckage, the press wing said, the interim government—working alongside millions of citizens across sectors—has initiated a process of transformation. Immediately after taking charge, it set up Reform Commissions consisting of experts from the relevant fields, and sought recommendations for sector-specific reforms. Roughly 84 percent of these measures have already been implemented, reflecting genuine and tangible reform, rather than rhetorical and cosmetic change.

DHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 6,28,85,525 women voters will be eligible to cast their ballots in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Election and Referendum scheduled for February 12, as the overall number of voters are 12,77,11,899 across the country. Among the total, the remaining 6,48,25,154 is male voters and 1,220 belong to the hijra (transgender) community, according to the Election Commission (EC). Among the 300 constituencies, the lowest number of voters is in Jhalakathi-1 with 228,431 voters, while the highest number of voters is in Gazipur-2 with 804,333 voters. Around 800,000 officials will be deployed to perform election duties. Besides, nearly 900,000 members of law enforcement agencies will perform security responsibilities during the JS election and referendum.

He said at least five armed member of law enforcement agencies - two police and three Ansar - will be deployed at each polling station. However, six armed members of the law enforcement agencies, including three armed police, will be deployed at important polling stations, he added. In addition, 10 unarmed Ansar members will be deployed at each polling station, including six male Ansar members and four female Ansar members. He urged all officials and law enforcement agencies to perform their duties with complete honesty, impartiality, and professionalism. Law enforcement deployment will take place in two phases, with the second phase focused on election-day duties from February 8 to 14.

RABAT, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said Saturday he will not seek re-election as head of his party, which precludes his return as government chief were it to win this year's parliamentary elections. Speaking at a party rally in the coastal city of El Jadida, Akhannouch told his National Rally of Independents (RNI) party his decision to step down was "serious and deeply thought through". King Mohammed VI has traditionally appointed as prime minister the leader of the party that wins parliamentary elections. Akhannouch has defended his record, boasting of economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, growth and social programmes including expanded healthcare coverage and aid to low-income households. The youth-led protests that called for Akhannouch to resign erupted in September and led authorities to pledge more funding for education and healthcare.

LOS ANGELES, United States, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred made an impressive season debut over 60m on Saturday, clocking 7.00sec at a minor meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The 24-year-old from St. Lucia won her first heat in 7.04sec and then blazed to 7.00 in the final, establishing a world leading-time in the indoor "Woo Pig Classic." Alfred, who trains in Texas, was crowned world indoor 60m champion in 2024 in Glasgow. Alfred won Olympic gold in the 100m in Paris in 2024 and captured World Championship bronze last year in Tokyo. This year's indoor athletics season will culminate in the World Championships in Torun, Poland, from March 20 to 22.

Germany see off Peru to advance in Davis Cup, Croatia edge DenmarkPARIS, France, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Germany powered through the first round of Davis Cup qualifying on Saturday with a 4-0 victory over Peru, while Croatia fought past Denmark with a 3-1 win. Despite missing national number one Alexander Zverev in Duesseldorf, Germany held an overnight 2-0 lead in the tie thanks to Yannick Hanfmann and Jan-Lennard Struff. Dino Prizmic secured the decisive win 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/2) against Elmer Moeller as Croatia bested Denmark 3-1. The winner of the France-Slovakia tie will face Canada, who won the last two singles matches on Saturday to beat Brazil 3-2. Brazil won Saturday's doubles but Canada rallied as Gabriel Diallo beat Matheus Pucinelli De Almeida 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) and Liam Draxl beat Gustavo Heide 6-3, 6-4.

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Thailand votes after three leaders in two yearsBANGKOK, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Thais vote Sunday in an election pitting the popular reformists who won last time against the conservative who ended up as prime minister, with ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra looming large from his prison cell. "There are forces beyond the political arena in Thailand that call the final shots," said political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak ahead of voting day. said Kitti Sattanuwat, 64, at the final People's Party rally in Bangkok. Thaksin's Pheu Thai party came second in 2023 and formed a coalition with the third-placed conservatives Bhumjaithai, only to have its prime minister removed by court order. The issue has not featured in the People's Party campaign this time.