Thai forces took control of several patches of disputed land along the border during fighting last year, which could amount to several square kilometers in total. Thai flags flapped in the breeze and barbed wire lay scattered in Klong Paeng, another border village on the Thai military trip. Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said Thai forces had “reclaimed” around 64 hectares in the village in December. But after Cambodians built concrete homes, they said it was their land,” he told AFP. Prey Chan saw a stand-off in September between several hundred Cambodians who tried to pull down barbed wire as Thai forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas.

Female political candidates in Bangladesh are increasingly facing cyber harassment, online abuse, and AI-driven attacks as the nation heads toward the upcoming elections, highlighting persistent barriers to women’s political participation. Yet, despite growing efforts toward a more egalitarian society, women candidates now confront targeted character attacks, sexual harassment, misinformation, and orchestrated online campaigns. She added that while male politicians face criticism over corruption or policy matters, female candidates are mostly targeted for their character. Female candidates face amplified scrutiny during elections. Hence, online and offline campaigns aim to spread negativity against them.”Experts warn that cyber harassment of women candidates has become a deliberate political strategy.

Expressing satisfaction over the steps taken so far as part of election-centric preparations, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday said the next one week would be very crucial as the twin elections – national election and referendum – are scheduled to take place on February 12. “We are satisfied. We are very happy,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters quoting the Chief Adviser as saying at a high-profile meeting on the election preparation held at the State Guest House Jamuna. At the beginning of the meeting, Prof Yunus said the main challenge is to make the voting ‘perfect’ and described the next week very crucial. The meeting, chaired by the Chief Adviser, reviewed overall preparations, security deployment and challenges.

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum, large-scale requisitioning of vehicles across Bangladesh has triggered concern among vehicle owners, many of whom fear they will not receive proper compensation despite legal provisions requiring payment. Under the law, compensation is to be paid to owners, covering rent, fuel expenses, drivers’ meals, and toll charges. Meanwhile, concern has grown among vehicle owners and drivers over the requisitioning process, particularly over whether privately owned vehicles—such as private cars and microbuses—can also be requisitioned. Vehicle owners have also been voicing concerns on social media, with many questioning whether privately owned vehicles can legally be requisitioned. Ahead of the election and referendum, the Election Commission has directed that vehicle requisitioning be conducted strictly in accordance with regulations.

Pace bowler Romario Shepherd took the first hat-trick of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Saturday to help the West Indies blow away Scotland's tail and win by 35 runs in their Group C opener in Kolkata. Shimron Hetmyer's 36-ball 64 at Eden Gardens earlier propelled the West Indies to 182-5 in their 20 overs. A 78-run fourth-wicket partnership between Berrington, who made 42, and Tom Bruce (35) had put them back in the hunt. The Scots won the toss and elected to field and initially had the West Indies on the back foot with some disciplined bowling. Left-arm pace bowler Brad Currie returned figures of 2-23.

BNP central election steering committee spokesperson and adviser to the BNP chairman Mahdi Amin at the press briefing. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - BNP central election steering committee spokesperson and adviser to the BNP chairman Mahdi Amin today urged the Election Commission (EC) to identify female polling agents with law and regulations. Mahdi Amin made the remarks at a press conference held at the BNP's Election Steering Committee office in Gulshan of the city. "We have seen before that one political party has gone house to house collecting NID and bKash numbers. Without naming any party, Mahdi Amin also alleged that a political party is systematically preparing for election engineering.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - A documentary titled ‘Smiles before Everything' has brought to light the largely unknown humanitarian side of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, showcasing his long-standing compassion for distressed people, helpless families and even neglected animals. ‘Smiles before Everything' is the first documentary made on Tarique Rahman and is directed by Zubaer Babu. The unknown humanitarian side of Tarique Rahman has come to light through this work," he said. Director Zubaer Babu, also a member of the BNP Central Election Steering Committee, said the documentary was not intended as political propaganda.

DHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - Rangpur and Dinajpur U-17 district football teamswon their respective matches in a Teesta zone match of U-17 NationalChampionship held at Shaheed Abu Sayed Stadium in Rangpur today (Saturday). In the day's match, the host Rangpur U-17 district football team crushedPanchagarh U-17 district football team by 6-0 goals. In the proceeding, Salman Farsi scored a brace in the 41st and 79th minuteswhile Tatas Mia, Lemon Mia, Sifat Hossain and Md Adnan supported him with alone goal each in the 29th, 32nd, 44th and 89th minutes respectively forRangpur in the one-sided affairs. In the day's another match, Dinajpur U-17 district football team defeatedLalmonirhat U-17 district football team by 2-1 goals with Mostakin scored abrace in the 28th and 90+4th minute for Dinajpur while Shahriar Nazib nettedfor Lalmonirhat in the 81st minute of the match.

Bangladesh suffers 4-0 defeat to India in SAFF finalPhoto: BSSDHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh today (Saturday) suffered a 4-0 defeatto India in the final of SAFF U-19 Women's Championship held at PokharaRangasala Stadium in Pokhara, Nepal. Bangladesh U-19 women's team: Mst Yearzan Begum, Mst Surovi Akter Arfin, MstJoynob Bibi Rita, Arpita Biswas Arpita, Protima Munda, Sorovi Rani, MostMunki Akhter, Kranuching Marma, Sree Moti Trishna Rani, Alpi Akter, MamoniChakma, Shanti Mardi, Mst Bonna Khatun, Rupa Akter, Purnima Marma, Mst MomitaKhatun, Thuinuye Marma, Ayonto Bala Mahato, Puja Das, Sauravi Akanda Prity,Mst Mira Khatun and Meghla Rani Roy.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and ExportersAssociation (BGMEA) has said that the Japan-Bangladesh Economic PartnershipAgreement (EPA) is a landmark step in Bangladesh's trade diplomacy. It said the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), signing onFriday in Tokyo, Japan marks a historic milestone in Bangladesh's tradediplomacy. Inthis context, the Japan-Bangladesh EPA is both strategic and timely. From a trade perspective, the EPA is expected to significantly improve marketaccess for Bangladesh's exports, particularly ready-made garments, whichdominate Bangladesh's export basket to Japan. The Japan-Bangladesh EPA should be seen as the beginning of a broader andmuch-needed shift in Bangladesh's trade policy direction.

Photo: CollectedJOS, Nigeria, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Two attacks in the space of a few days left 30 people dead in two neighbouring towns in Nigeria's central state of Benue, long prone to inter-communal clashes, sources told AFP. Armed bandits killed at least 13 traders on Friday afternoon in Anwase, a village in the Kwande area, local government official Ibi Andrew told AFP. He said the assailants stormed the market "and opened fire on the people randomly". "The attack left traders and residents traumatised, with properties destroyed and families searching for missing loved ones." On Tuesday, armed men had attacked the market in nearby Mbaikyor, killing 17 people, including a police officer, according to two residents and local media.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman spoke at an election rally at the new field grounds in Habiganj this morning. Photo: BSSHABIGANJ, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. ShafiqurRahman today said a nation blessed with fertile lands and abundant resources,had failed to provide its people with the prosperity and justice theydeserved, primarily due to corrupt leadership. "The martyrs of our independence fought for a Bangladesh where economicfreedom, quality education, healthcare, and security would be guaranteed forall. In a broader reflection on the state of the nation, Dr. Rahman spoke aboutthe values that the independence struggle was supposed to ensure for allcitizens. "We reject all formsof division," Dr. Rahman emphasized, promising that his party would fight tomaintain peace and unity among Bangladesh's diverse religious communities.

Minu promises to remain with people of Rajshahi as he did in the pastPhoto: BSSRAJSHAHI, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS)- Former Rajshahi City Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu today said, “I stood by the people of Rajshahi in the past, I am with them now, and I will remain with them in the future. Mijanur Rahman Minu said although Rajshahi is a city with great potential, its residents have long been deprived of many civic facilities due to mismanagement and lack of planning. Effective initiatives are urgently needed in fundamental areas such as roads, drainage systems, safe drinking water, healthcare, and employment. “If Allah grants me the opportunity, all basic rights of the city’s residents will be ensured,” he said. He urged them to stay away from drugs and crime and to engage in education, sports, and social service.

Country’s face will change in five years if we are given responsibility: Jamaat AmeerBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman spoke at an election rally held at the Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa ground. Jamaat Ameer said, “If we are given the responsibility, the face of the country will change in five years. “For the past 54 years, the politics of oppression has been ongoing in Bangladesh, with Jamaat-e-Islami bearing the brunt of the injustice. However, after the July 2024 Uprising, we promised that Jamaat would not take revenge against any tyrant, and we have kept that promise. The state will take responsibility for the children of tea plantation workers,” he said.

Photo: CA Press WingDHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today expressed satisfaction with the way the election campaign is progressing across the country, saying that campaign is being conducted nationwide in an enthusiastic, peaceful and cordial environment. Later, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media in front of Jamuna tonight to share outcomes of the meeting. During the meeting, the press secretary said a live demonstration of how the cameras work was held. He said that the meeting also focused on the "Election Security App," which has now been fully activated, adding, the app will be used exclusively by election officials and security personnel. He said 108,885 members of armed forces have already been deployed, adding that 37,453 members of BGB have also been deployed in certain areas in 1,210 platoons.