The commission is the EU’s executive arm and enforcer of the 27-nation bloc's Digital Services Act , a sweeping rulebook that requires social media companies to clean up their platforms and protect users, under threat of hefty fines. The preliminary findings are the latest example of pressure that TikTok and other social media platforms are facing over youth addiction. Australia has banned social media for under-16s while governments in Spain , France , Britain, Denmark, Malaysia and Egypt want to introduce similar measures. TikTok has 170 million users in the European Union and “most of these are children," Regnier said. The commission said that TikTok fuels the urge to keep scrolling because it constantly rewards users with new content, leading to reduced self control.

Seoul official says 'new progress' on NKorea possible in coming daysSEOUL, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A senior South Korean official said Friday "new progress" on North Korea could come within days, with a local report saying the Trump administration has decided to approve humanitarian sanctions exemptions for Pyongyang. In a meeting with reporters in the United States, the senior official said Seoul has made considerable efforts to bring North Korea to dialogue. "There could be some new progress in the coming days" on North Korea, the government official said on condition of anonymity. Trump met North Korea's Kim three times. North Korea is set to hold a landmark congress of its ruling party soon, its first in five years.

Bangladesh take on India in final tomorrowBangladesh U-19 women eye SAFF title retention against India in Pokhara final tomorrow. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS)- Spirited Bangladesh under-19 women's nationalfootball looking forward to retain the SAFF title as they face India in thefinal of SAFF U-19 Women's Championship scheduled to be held at PokharaRangasala Stadium in Pokhara, Nepal tomorrow (Saturday). Bangladesh earlier thrashed Bhutan 12-0 in their opening match and defeatedIndia 2-0 in their second match. The girls in red and green emerged as group top by beating Nepal by 4-0 goalsin their third match. While India beat Nepal 1-0 in their opening match, suffered 2-0 defeat topBangladesh in second match and thrashed Bhutan 8-0 in their third match tofinish second in the point table.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has pledged to ensure due state honour and social recognition for Freedom Fighters if it comes to power through the people's vote in the upcoming election. "Contributions of Freedom Fighters in every field of the country will be officially recognized. Based on a comprehensive state-led survey, an accurate list of martyrs of the War of Liberation will be prepared to ensure Freedom Fighters receive due state honour and recognition," BNP said in its election manifesto this afternoon. "Through the great Liberation War, independence and sovereignty were achieved in 1971. A separate department under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will be established for their welfare."

Joint operations by the Bangladesh Army in the capital’s Uttara Badda and Dhalpur areas of Jatrabari have led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of illegal firearms, ammunition, narcotics, and cash, officials said. In Uttara Badda, army personnel recovered one rifle, seven pistols, and three revolvers, along with a significant amount of ammunition and related equipment. In a separate operation in Dhalpur, Jatrabari, the army recovered two foreign pistols, one revolver, three rounds of ammunition, a large quantity of drugs, and cash. The seized weapons, narcotics, and other evidence are being prepared for handover to the relevant police stations for further legal action. ISPR added that such operations will continue across the capital to maintain law and order and curb terrorism and criminal activities.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said February 13 would mark the birth of a "New Bangladesh", one that would not be larger or smaller than the present country but would undergo a fundamental change in character to become a welfare-oriented state. The Jamaat ameer said justice would be ensured equally for all, regardless of position or power. The Jamaat ameer said Jamaat-e-Islami has been striving to reorganize and strengthen the party. Later, Jamaat ameer introduced the candidates of the five parliamentary constituencies of Barisal to voters and party activists. Among others, 11-party alliance candidate for Barisal-3 constituency and AB Party General Secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad were present at the program.

As the activists attempted to move from InterContinental crossing towards Jamuna, police tried to block their path. Following the InterContinental clash, activists once again took to the streets at Banglamotor intersection, staging a demonstration in front of Rupayan Tower. Police have been using tear gas to disperse the protesters, but each time authorities retreat, the activists return to occupy the main road. Traffic from Banglamotor to InterContinental intersection remained blocked, though vehicles were moving using alternate routes. The demonstration followed an earlier protest on Thursday, when Inqilab Mancha activists staged a sit-in in front of Jamuna, remaining there throughout the day.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said that the party's election manifesto will mark a "new sunrise" for Bangladesh, an event for which the entire nation is eagerly waiting. Mirza Fakhrul made these remarks while delivering the welcome speech at the BNP's election manifesto unveiling program held at the ballroom of the Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. During his speech, Mirza Fakhrul paid deep respect to the late former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, describing her as the "Mother of Democracy". Regarding the party's future, Mirza Fakhrul announced that the BNP is entering a "new chapter". Concluding his speech, Mirza Fakhrul urged the people of the country to come forward and write a new history for Bangladesh under the guidance of this new leadership.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today spoke at an election rally at the RC College ground in Hijla–Mehendiganj constituency of Barishal. Photo : BSSBARISHAL, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today said February 13 would mark the birth of a ‘New Bangladesh’, one that would not be larger or smaller than the present country but would undergo a fundamental change in character to become a welfare-oriented state. The Jamaat Ameer said justice would be ensured equally for all, regardless of position or power. The Jamaat Ameer said Jamaat-e-Islami has been striving to reorganise and strengthen the party. Later, Jamaat Ameer introduced the candidates of five parliamentary constituencies of Barishal to voters and party activists.

Recovered laundered money to be used for development: Jamaat AmeerPhoto collage : BSSPATUAKHALI, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman today declared that if his party is voted to power, they will recover all laundered money from abroad and deposit it into the state treasury to initiate a journey of national development. The rally was organized in support of Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Patuakhali-2 (Bauphal) constituency. Addressing economic crimes, Dr. Rahman alleged that approximately Tk 28 lakh crore has been looted and laundered out of the country. The election rally was presided over by Bauphal Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Ishaq. Special guests included Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary Advocate Moazzem Hossain Helal and candidate Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud.

GENEVA, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A senior US official on Friday criticised the last nuclear treaty between Russia and the United States for failing to including Beijing, speaking at the United Nations a day after the New START deal expired. "In a nutshell, New START was flawed," Thomas G. DiNanno, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, told reporters in Geneva, pointing out that it had not covered all nuclear weapons, "and it didn't include China".

Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS) – The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered two foreign-made pistols, four magazines and eight rounds of ammunition from a border area in Rajshahi early today. Acting on tip-off, members of a nearby Border Outpost (BOP) took coordinated positions and set up an ambush along the border area. Sensing the presence of BGB personnel, an arms trafficker fled the scene, leaving behind the weapons along with a motorcycle. The arms were recovered following a search of the abandoned motorcycle, said Lieutenant Colonel Riaz Shahriar, Commanding Officer of BGB’s 1st Battalion in Rajshahi. Besides, around 700 BGB personnel, including 10 striking reserve members at each of the 16 BOPs along the border, are currently on duty.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Friday warned that anyone attempting to steal votes or commit election fraud will face consequences similar to those faced by fascists. Speaking at an election rally in Savar for Dilshana Parul, the 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-19, Nahid Islam said: “The upcoming election is for the people’s future. Nahid Islam described the election as a chance to give a verdict against oppression and to free the country from hegemonists and fascists. The rally, held at the ground near Matribagan Mosque in Shahibagh, Savar Municipality, was presided over by NCP Savar Upazila convener Zulkarnain. Dilshana Parul, Jamaat’s Dhaka District Jamaat Ameer Maulana Delwar Hossain, District Secretary Maulana Afzal Hossain, District Jamaat Legal Affairs Secretary Advocate Shahidul Islam, and Savar District Political Secretary Hasan Mahbub Master, also spoke.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called for corruption to be fully eradicated, warning that tackling only its “leaves or branches” would be insufficient. He stressed the need for removing corruption from its roots to ensure good governance and accountability in Bangladesh. The Jamaat chief highlighted his party’s commitment to the principles of the July Revolution, stating: “If Allah allows us to run the country, we will ensure that everyone receives their rightful share. Referring to a hacking incident involving his X (formerly Twitter) account, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said: “A missile was fired at me, but it hit them instead. The event was presided over by Maulana Shahidul Islam, Ameer of Mehendiganj Upazila Jamaat.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman attended the party’s election manifesto announcement program at Hotel Sonargaon on Friday. Senior BNP leaders and representatives of allied parties in the joint movement were present at the event. Editors from various media houses, members of civil society, and diplomats of different foreign missions also attended. The party’s manifesto has been prepared under the slogan: “We will work, we will build the nation.” It incorporates the 2030 Vision announced by Begum Khaleda Zia in 2016 and the 31-point programme proposed by Tarique Rahman. Several key elements from the party’s 19-point manifesto of 2018 have also been highlighted in the new document.