When they approached the cash register another man stepped forward and said he would pay for all the kids’ poster boards. What are these children to do when they don’t feel safe in school? They don’t feel safe voicing their disapproval on the streets knowing that someone with a differing opinion could act violently and harm them. And, if their skin is brown, they don’t even feel safe in their own homes. Shoulder to shoulder, holding hands, united.
Collage Photo -DHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldivestoday organised a commemorative programme honouring late former PrimeMinister Begum Khaleda Zia, documenting messages of condolence from Maldivianleaders, diplomats and the Bangladeshi Diaspora to preserve her enduringlegacy. As part of the initiative, the High Commission organised a commemorativeprogramme and launched a special publication and documentary titled "InMemoriam: Begum Khaleda Zia - Messages of Condolence from the DiplomaticCommunity and Bangladeshi Diaspora in the Maldives." The programme began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed byopening remarks from Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Maldives Md NazmulIslam. Representing the Bangladeshi diaspora, several community leaders sharedreflections on Begum Khaleda Zia's leadership and her role in shapingBangladesh's political landscape. The initiative aims to preserve the messages of condolence as a lastingtestament to Begum Khaleda Zia's legacy and the strong bonds of friendshipand people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and the Maldives.
KINSHASA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Democratic Republic of Congo'sgovernment said in a statement on Sunday it feared "at least 200 dead" in a"massive" landslide that struck a militia-held mine in the country's east. Since its resurgence in 2021, the M23 armed group has taken vast tracts ofthe DRC's resource-rich east, capturing the Rubaya mine in North Kivuprovince in April 2024 with Rwanda's help.
LAHORE, Pakistan, Feb 1, 2026 (AFP) - The Pakistani government cleared its national team on Sunday to compete in the Twenty20 World Cup starting from February 7, but stopped them from playing arch-rivals and tournament co-hosts India. "The government of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan cricket team to participate in the Twenty20 World Cup, however, the Pakistan team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February against India," a Pakistan government release said.
Indonesia says it will restore access to Musk's Grok chatbotJAKARTA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Indonesia will restore access to Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok after the billionaire's social media platform X promised to comply with the country's laws, a government official said on Sunday. Grok has faced a global backlash after it emerged that its image creation feature allowed users to sexualise pictures of women and children using simple text prompts. Malaysia and the Philippines followed Indonesia in temporarily blocking access to the tool, which is integrated into X, over concerns about AI-generated sexual deepfakes. Malaysia also restored access to Grok after receiving similar promises from X that included "additional preventive and security measures". Grok said in response it was restricting image generation and editing to paying subscribers.
DHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officiallylaunched the ODOMMO Bangladesh T20 Cup 2026, a domestic tournament aimed atbringing together the country's best T20 players and delivering high-intensity cricket. With Bangladesh set to miss this year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup due tosecurity concerns in India, the BCB decided to organize the tournament toensure that national cricketers remain competitive and active. The board today also announced the squads of the three participating teams -Dhumketu XI, Durbar XI and Duronto XI. Bangladesh T20 captain Liton Das will lead Dhumketu XI, while Najmul HossainShanto has been named captain of Durbar XI. Club House tickets are priced at Tk 500, and GrandStand tickets will be sold for Tk 1,000.
Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Women's cricket team captain NigarSultana Joty praised her team's consistent batting performance, which shebelieves was crucial to the Tigresses' dominant showing in the ICC Women'sT20 World Cup Qualifiers. As a result, they secured their spot in the 2026 ICCWomen's T20 World Cup in England and Wales this June. "The plan was always to qualify for the T20 World Cup, but we also wanted towin the tournament and stay unbeaten. With the World Cup qualification secured, Joty said the focus would now shiftto preparing for the bigger challenge ahead. "We are not just going to the T20 World Cup to participate, we want toperform well and win matches.
Photo: CollectedMELBOURNE, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Carlos Alcaraz said having Rafael Nadal watching in the crowd helped drive him to a maiden Australian Open title on Sunday and made the win "even more special". "I mean, this moment is really special, but having Rafa in the stands, it made it even more special, to be honest," said Alcaraz. I dreamt about getting an Australian Open and completing the career Grand Slam." He said he drew inspiration from a similar situation involving Nadal at the 2009 Australian Open. Before the match, 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal, who retired from tennis in 2024, tipped Alcaraz to win.
NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan visited the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed in Rangpur on Sunday afternoon. Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - National Citizens Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan has said that the 11-party alliance is ready to take any tough decision if any controversial Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election is attempted. If such and such an election is attempted, the 11-party alliance is ready to take any tough decision at any time.'' When such incidents are happening, we, the 11-party alliance, have been patiently observing these issues in many cases. NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen is contesting from this constituency as the nominated candidate of the 11-party alliance.
Joint forces arrest one with foreign pistol, ammo in PallabiDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - A joint force conducted a successful raid in the Pallabi area of the capital early Sunday, arresting an alleged member of an organized criminal gang along with a foreign pistol, ammunition, and a magazine. During the operation, law enforcement recovered one foreign-made pistol, one magazine, and four rounds of bullets from his possession. According to Pallabi Police Station sources, the arrest took place around 2:10am on Sunday in Taltala slum area under Pallabi Police Station. Based on this information, a joint team comprising Pallabi Police Station and other law enforcement agencies swiftly conducted a raid. During preliminary interrogation, he reportedly confessed that he had kept the pistol, bullets, and magazine to carry out various criminal activities, including robbery in the Pallabi Police Station area.
DHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - The newly recruited 3,263 doctors and dentists today joined their new jobs through the 48th Special Bangladesh Civil Service (Health) exam, officials said here today. Health ministry officials said 2,984 of the recruits joined as assistant medical surgeons and 279 as assistant dental surgeons following the exams conducted by Bangladesh Public Service Commission. "The recruitment of the large number of doctors in a short period is a groundbreaking event,” Rahman told the ceremony. “The humanitarian aspect is being taken into consideration in the process of their postings giving emphasis for appointment of married couples at the same area,” the special assistant said. Health Secretary Md Saidur Rahman and Directorate General of Health Services chief Professor Dr Abu Zafar were also present at the event.
Remittance inflows have crossed $3 billion for a second consecutive month with the parliamentary election looming, with expatriates sending $3.17 billion in January. On Sunday, the latest Bangladesh Bank report showed remittance receipts in January were up 45.1 percent from a year earlier. In January last year, inflows stood at $2.18 billion. The strong performance followed December’s inflows of $3.22 billion sent through formal banking channels, extending a sustained upward trend in remittances over the past two months.
NCP Convener Nahid Islam today exchanges views with the families of the martyrs and injured fighters from the July Uprising. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) – National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today exchange views with the families of the martyrs and injured fighters from the July Uprising and inquired about their well-being at a special gathering today. During the meeting at a restaurant at Merul Badda in the capital, Nahid expressed his solidarity with the families, reaffirming the NCP's commitment to never forget the sacrifices made during the Uprising. Nahid, also candidate for Dhaka-11 constituency, said, “The government, political parties, and others have failed to stand beside the martyrs’ families and the injured fighters. “I want to meet with the 800 families one by one and visit the graves of the martyrs.
Jatiya Party Chairman and nominated parliamentary candidate for Rangpur-3 (Sadar) Ghulam Mohammad Quader has said Bangladesh will no longer be safe if the “Yes” vote wins in the referendum. Quader said voting “Yes” would turn Bangladesh into an extremist state. This interim government has no authority to hold a referendum. If the ‘Yes’ vote wins, the country cannot be saved,” he added. Quader also said, “If the ‘Yes’ vote wins in the referendum, the country will descend into communalism and terrorism.
Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - The country's remittance inflow witnessed a remarkable year-on-year growth of 45.1 percent, reaching US$3.17 billion in January, making it the third highest remittance inflow for a single month in the country's history. The country had received $2.19 billion in remittances in the same period last year, according to Bangladesh Bank (BB) data. Bangladesh received $3.29 billion in March of the fiscal year 2024-25 which was the highest remittance inflow for a single month in the country's history and $3.23 billion in December 2025, making it the second highest remittance inflow for a single month. During July to January in the current 2025-26 fiscal year, expatriate Bangladeshis sent $19.44 billion remittances against $15.96 billion for the same period of the previous fiscal. Talking to BSS, a senior official of the central bank said Bangladesh Bank has taken different steps to increase remittance to overcome the foreign exchange crisis and increase reserves.
