COX'S BAZAR, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed today said his party is committed to ensuring complete freedom of the media, as outlined in BNP's 31-point reform agenda. He said BNP has pledged to form a separate media reform commission and will take necessary measures based on the recommendations of all reform reports. Noting that a media reform commission has already been formed, Salahuddin Ahmed said BNP would also review the proposals submitted by that commission. Salahuddin said democracy and democratic institutions are strengthened in countries where media freedom is ensured. Among others present at the programme were Chakaria Upazila BNP President Enamul Haque, General Secretary M Mobarak Ali, Journalists Union Cox's Bazar President Nurul Islam Helali, Cox's Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman, and Journalists Union Cox's Bazar General Secretary SM Zafar.

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Bangabhaban staff Sarowar Alam remains in custody for nearly 18 hours after his detention over the alleged hacking of the Jamaat-e-Islami chief’s X account, police have said. Political tensions escalated after a “misogynistic” post appeared on the Jamaat chief’s X handle. Jamaat claimed the post was made on Saturday night after the party chief’s account was hacked. A general diary (GD) was filed with Hatirjheel Police over the allegation that the hacked account. However, no case has been filed in the matter as of Wednesday evening, even after Sarowar’s detention.

All regardless of religious identity must work for peaceful Bangladesh: Mirza AbbasMirza Abbas exchanges views with Christian community at St Mary’s Cathedral, calls for peaceful Bangladesh. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas today said people from all walks of life regardless of their religious identity should come forward to build a beautiful and peaceful Bangladesh. All are equal citizens with equal rights," said Mirza Abbas, also the BNP nominated candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency. He said that although people of different religions live in Bangladesh, the Christian community is comparatively small in number. Mirza Abbas said that they should not underestimate themselves thinking their number of votes is small.

File photoDHAKA, Feb 04, 2026 (BSS) – In the last 24 hours, 12 more people have been admitted to hospitals with dengue fever across the country. Of the newly admitted patients, five are from Chattogram division (outside city corporation), two from Dhaka division (outside city corporation), one from Dhaka North City Corporation, two from Dhaka South City Corporation, and two from Mymensingh division (outside city corporation). Meanwhile, 14 were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of discharged patients to 1,041 this year. So far, a total of 1,142 dengue cases have been reported this year, with 63.6% male and 36.4% female patients. Between January 1 and December 31, 2025, a total of 102,861 people were infected with dengue, and 413 died.

Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hasan urges coordinated efforts during Kutubdia and Sandwip visit to ensure fear-free festive voting. During the visit to Kutubdia and Sandwip, the Navy Chief exchanged views with the civil administration, law enforcement agencies and election-related individuals. The navy chief said the Navy is conducting regular patrols and foot patrols. Navy ships, helicopters, Quick Response Force (QRF) and SWADS teams are always ready to deal with any situation that arises. The Bangladesh Navy is committed to holding a peaceful, fair, free and acceptable election, the ISPR added.

Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today spoke to journalists after holding a meeting titled “Law and Order Issues for the Proper Conduct of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum–2026” at the Rajshahi Jail Training Academy Auditorium. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said unprecedented security measures have been taken across the country centering the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum. All the election-related officials from Rajshahi city and from all eight districts under the Rajshahi Division joined the meeting. Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said there is no concern regarding the election in this region. It will be peaceful.”He also informed that 100,000 members of the Bangladesh Army will be deployed nationwide during the election.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today spoke at an election rally at the Shaheed Smriti Municipal Park, Tangail. Speaking at an election rally organised by Tangail district Jamaat-e-Islami at the Shaheed Smriti Municipal Park this afternoon, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said citizens must view the election from this perspective. “We have a historic responsibility in this election, and on February 12, a free and fair election will allow the nation to reclaim its rights,” he added. Regarding the referendum, the Jamaat Ameer said there are two votes. The rally, presided over by Tangail district Jamaat Ameer Ahsan Habib Masud, also was also addressed by district Jamaat Naib-e-Ameer Prof Khandakar Abdur Razzak, district Jamaat Secretary Md Humayun Kabir, NCP Dhaka divisional organisational secretary Saifullah Haider, and leaders and candidates of Jamaat-e-Islami and allied parties.

WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US military officials said Tuesday American warships had arrived off the coast of Haiti, as the island country's leaders cling to power in their ongoing war against violent drug gangs. The USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone and USCGC Diligence entered the Bay of Port-au-Prince to "reflect the United States unwavering commitment to Haiti's security, stability and a brighter future," the US embassy in Haiti posted on X. After facing years of violence and instability, Haiti is entering a new phase of political turbulence in the days before the official end of the mandate for the country's Presidential Transitional Council on February 7. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, with swaths of the country under the control of rival armed gangs who carry out murders, rapes and kidnappings. The US recently announced new visa restrictions targeting senior officials, who are accused of supporting gangs.

At the outset, an oath and declaration were read out by Mahmudul Alam Masud, general secretary of the SUJON Rajshahi district committee. The forum was chaired by Sadikul Islam Mejo, president of SUJON Paba upazila, and conducted by Mizanur Rahman, SUJON divisional coordinator for Rajshahi. Addressing the gathering as special guests were Ahammed Shafi Uddin, president of SUJON Rajshahi district committee; Piar Box, metropolitan president; Asad Ali, president of SUJON Mohanpur upazila; Sohel Mahbub, general secretary of SUJON Paba upazila; and Abdul Alim, general secretary of SUJON Mohanpur upazila. Speakers said that in a democratic system, citizens' opinions and rights are paramount, and it is the moral responsibility of election candidates to face voters' questions ahead of the polls. Observers said SUJON's initiative of enabling direct interaction between voters and candidates ahead of the election has set a positive example of democratic practice in the Rajshahi-3 constituency.

Dr Zubaida Rahman spoke at BNP professionals’ views-exchange meeting at Hatirjheel Amphitheatre, Dhaka. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, said everyone should work together to build a state based on equality, knowledge and the dignity of labor. Therefore, to build a state founded on equality, knowledge and the dignity of labor, we must all work together,” she said. Dr Zubaida Rahman was speaking at a views-exchange meeting organized by the Professionals’ Wing of the BNP Election Management Committee at the Hatirjheel Amphitheatre in the city this afternoon. Merit-based employment, fair rights and the establishment of justice before exploitation are our objectives.”Calling upon everyone to remain united, Dr. Zubaida Rahman said, “All of us have various kinds of problems.

Former husband of ex-first lady Jill Biden charged in wife killingWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The ex-husband of former first lady Jill Biden has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of his current wife at their Delaware home in December, local police said Tuesday. William Stevenson, 77, was married to Jill Biden from 1970 until their divorce in 1975. Jill Biden married former president Joe Biden in 1977. Stevenson is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection to the December 28 death of his wife, 64-year-old Linda Stevenson, according to New Castle County Police in Delaware. Authorities on Tuesday did not say how Linda Stevenson died or provide more details about the investigation.

Use of caravan in election campaign allowed: ECDHAKA, Feb 04, 2026 (BSS)- Candidates of 13th parliament election can use caravan or mobile transports with digital display for election campaign. Election Commission (EC) in a letter has informed it to the returning officers. The letter stated that such electioneering must not obstruct vehicular movement or cause public inconvenience on the street.

Ruhul Amin Mollick, Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer of the EC Secretariat, today informed that a formal letter has been sent to all Returning Officers to enforce these regulations. According to Rule 16 of the "Political Parties and Candidates Code of Conduct, 2025," candidates, their election agents, or any individual acting on their behalf are permitted to conduct electioneering on social media platforms. Furthermore, Rule 22(2) of the 2025 conduct guidelines specifies that all costs related to social media campaigning must be accounted for. In light of these requirements, the EC has requested all Returning Officers to ensure the proper implementation of these rules. Returning Officers have also been directed to collect and forward data regarding which social media platforms are being utilized by political parties and candidates to the Public Relations branch of the EC Secretariat.

Reading time: about 5 minutesMen don’t read anymore. I do not know any men my age who actively put in the effort and love to read. If men don’t read, they lose this key part of developing empathy, a skill unique and integral to humanity. No young male readers lead to no young male authors. For those crying devil’s advocate, arguing that men of this age group do read, it’s just specific titles.