Pakistan will seek advice from their government if they reach the knockout phase of the T20 World Cup and meet arch-rivals India, captain Salman Agha said on Thursday. Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in multinational events. Even losing one of their group games to bad weather could make it difficult for Pakistan to qualify. We are here to play good cricket and we're not bothered about the conditions," Agha said. "We've been playing really good cricket.

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed on Thursday said disinformation and misinformation are the biggest challenges ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Briefing the media on the meeting, Akhtar Ahmed said the EU delegation chief sought updates on the election preparations and asked whether the EC is facing any challenge. The EC Secretary said the commission has discussed the issue with Meta and sought its cooperation. Referring to complaints from political parties, Akhtar Ahmed said they have been advised to submit complaints to the local Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committees. The EC Secretary further confirmed that Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) members will assist in election-related duties during the polls.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, battling for his political future, apologized Thursday to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing disgraced Peter Mandelson, a friend of the sex offender, as US ambassador. The latest crisis to hit his struggling government follows fresh allegations about the ex-envoy’s cosy ties to late sex offender Epstein which emerged in newly-released files last Friday. They have left many doubting Starmer’s judgment and some -- including within his ruling center-left Labor party -- questioning if he can remain prime minister. Starmer reiterated Thursday Mandelson repeatedly lied to secure the Washington job and that he had not previously known about the “depth and darkness” of his Epstein friendship. The prime minister has publicly defended his aide.

Inqilab Mancha on Thursday staged a sit-in outside the chief adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, demanding an impartial investigation under United Nations supervision into the killing of its spokesperson, Sharif Osman Hadi. The protest began around 5pm with Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, Fatima Tasnim Zuma, Hadi’s wife and a small number of activists participating in the program. Addressing the gathering, Abdullah Al Jaber said they had deliberately limited the number of protesters, considering possible security concerns. Zuma said Inqilab Mancha, along with Hadi’s wife, had taken position in front of Jamuna to press for the UN-monitored probe. Later in the evening, the Jamaat-backed 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, Nasiruddin Patwary, visited the site and expressed solidarity with Inqilab Mancha.

On Friday marks the sixth death anniversary of Mohammad Badrul Ahsan, a distinguished columnist, editor, and banker remembered for his sharp wit and literary contributions. Ahsan was best known for his long-running weekly column Cross Talk in The Daily Star, which he began in 2000. His incisive writing earned him a loyal readership and established him as one of the country’s most recognizable voices in English-language journalism. Beyond journalism, Ahsan had a successful career with Standard Chartered Bank, serving in both Dhaka and Dubai. His other works -- A Good Man in the Woods and Other Essays, Crosstalk Essays, and The Parallax View -- were published by The University Press Limited.

Jamaat Ameer to address four rallies in Barisal division tomorrowBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. File photoBARISAL, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will visit Barisal Division on Friday, addressing four election rallies across four districts. Advocate Muazzam Hussain Helal, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and Barisal Region Director confirmed the visit. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will speak at RC College ground in Patahat, Mehendiganj of Barisal district at 10:00 am, Bauphal Public Ground in Patuakhali at 11:00 am, Jhalakathi Government High School Ground at 2:00 pm, and Pirojpur Government Boys High School Ground at 3:00 pm. Fakhruddin Khan Razi, a member of the Barisal Division Jamaat team, said the Ameer's visit has energized party leaders and supporters ahead of the polls.

BNP’s Barrister Sheikh Zakir Hossain pledges modern development, employment, and progress for Bagerhat Sadar-2 constituency. Photo : BSSBAGERHAT, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - Barrister Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain, BNP-nominated candidate for Bagerhat Sadar-2 constituency, today pledged to transform Bagerhat into a modern, developed district by following the ideals of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia. He made the remarks while addressing a prayer mahfil organized by KB Arotdar Samabay Samiti at Bagerhat KB Fish Market, held for the eternal peace of Begum Khaleda Zia. Sheikh Mohammad Abid Ali, president of the association, presided over the event, which was attended by Bagerhat district BNP convener Engineer ATM Akram Hossain Talim as the chief guest. In his speech, Barrister Zakir Hossain said, "Begum Khaleda Zia is not just a leader - she is a symbol of democracy, development, and nationalism of this country.

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TIRANA, Albania, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Albania's government has lifted analmost year-old ban on TikTok, according to a cabinet document published inlocal media and confirmed to AFP on Thursday by the prime minister's office. Albania blocked access to TikTok in March after a classmate fatally stabbed ateenager following a fight sparked by a social media dispute. Despite the ban, access to the platform has remained possible, notablythrough VPNs. Several countries, concerned about the platform's impact on children's andadolescents' health, have taken measures in recent months. In December, Australia banned those under 16 from accessing several socialmedia platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube -- a world firstthat has since inspired other countries.

Jamaat-e-Islami SG Mia Golam Parwar urges voters to choose 'Daripalla' for political change. Photo : BSSKHULNA, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar today said people across the country are determined to bring political change and will express their choice by voting for the party's election symbol, 'Daripalla' (Scale). Now, the people want a political change," he said at an election rally organized by the Batiaghata Upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami at the Upazila market grounds. Golam Parwar said students in public universities across the country are calling for change. Chaired by Batiaghata Upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Sheikh Muhammad Abu Yusuf, the event was addressed by Jamaat candidate for Khulna-1, Krishna Nandi.

MUMBAI, India, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - At least 18 people died Thursday after an explosion ripped through an illegal coal mine in the northeastern Indianstate of Meghalaya, officials said. "During the course of the rescue operation, a total of 18 dead bodies have been recovered from the site of the explosion," local police said in a statement.

Photo: BSSTANGAIL, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - A ‘Janatar Sangjog’ telephone booth was inaugurated in Tangail-5 (Sadar) constituency on Thursday to facilitate direct communication between voters and their parliamentary candidate ahead of the 13th National Parliament elections. Sultan Salauddin Tuku, BNP candidate for Tangail-5 and the party’s publicity secretary, formally inaugurated the phone booth at Dainna union in Sadar upazila in the afternoon. According to party sources, a total of 30 ‘Janatar Sangjog’ phone booths will be installed in phases across the Tangail-5 constituency under Tuku’s initiative. Through these booths, local residents will be able to directly communicate with Tuku to share their problems, complaints, and needs. Each booth will have a telephone, and by pressing a button, people will be directly connected to my phone.