People will not accept attempts to spread confusion over 11-party alliance: AB PartyDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Leaders of the AB Party have said the people will not accept attempts to create confusion regarding the unity of the 11-party alliance. In a joint statement today, AB Party Election Steering Committee Convener Advocate Abdullah Al Mamun Rana and Secretary Altaf Hossain said the alliance continues to work in a united manner to uphold democratic rights and ensure a fair and credible political environment. There is no dissatisfaction or lack of cooperation within the alliance, they added. The statement urged different media outlets to exercise responsibility and professionalism and avoid publishing unverified or baseless news. They assured that the unity and political programme of the 11-party alliance will continue firmly in upcoming days.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has pledged to introduce military training for youths if the 11-party alliance forms the government. The party also plans to double the number of personnel receiving military training under the armed forces, said NCP Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan in a post on the party’s official Facebook page on Sunday. Earlier in the day, the Rangpur leg of the NCP’s election march began with a visit to the grave of martyr Abu Sayed, where party leaders paid their respects.

Bangladesh women’s cricket team wrapped up a flawless campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers with a composed seven-wicket victory over the Netherlands at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground on Sunday. From there on, Bangladesh remained firmly in control as Nigar found an ideal partner in Sobhana Mostary. Nigar remained unbeaten on 50 from 44 balls, striking seven boundaries to register her 10th T20I half-century. A resilient 78-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Robine Rijke and Sania Khurana helped the Netherlands recover from collapse. Rijke scored 39, while Khurana remained unbeaten on 43, lifting the total to 102 for 6.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday said steps would be taken as per the law if anyone tries to disrupt internet services during the election period. When asked about the election preparations, the home adviser expressed satisfaction with the administration and law enforcement agencies' readiness. If the work progresses according to this preparation, the elections will be fair and festive,” he added. The home affairs adviser stated that law enforcement agencies, including the army, have made preparations in Chittagong to ensure the smooth holding of the elections. He expressed satisfaction with the preparations and stated that if they proceed as planned, the elections will be fair, festive, and impartial.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md. Photo : BSSBARISHAL, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (retd) today warned that the consequences would be “very severe” if evidence of bias is found against anyone involved in the election process. The Election Commissioner said all concerned must work to ensure transparency in the election process, stressing that there should be no secrecy or concealment in carrying out election-related duties. Addressing the members of law enforcement agencies, he said that if they remain firm, no one will get the opportunity to create disorder.

Judge me by record, policies and manifesto, not by false narratives: Jamaat AmeerJamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. File photoDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman today urged people to judge him based on his record, policies and manifesto rather than being influenced by false narratives spreading on social media. "Judge me by my record, my policies, and my manifesto, not by false narratives. "We support women's leadership in politics and local government, economic empowerment of rural women, strong legal protection, and social respect," he said. "A Bangladesh that respects women is a Bangladesh that moves forward, and that is the future we are building," Jamaat Ameer said.

The apex court also stayed an observation of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 regarding convict former constable Md Sujon Miah. The prosecution on January 29, 2026, pleaded for a stay on the tribunal's observations, describing the sentences awarded to some convicts in the Chankharpul crimes against humanity case as lenient. The other two condemned convicts are former DMP Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty and former Additional Deputy Commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam. The ICT-1 sentenced former assistant commissioner of DMP's Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul to six years' imprisonment. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam expressed dissatisfaction over the verdict on the day it was delivered and said the prosecution would file an appeal.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday set February 25 for hearing an appeal filed by the ICT prosecution seeking enhancement of the sentences of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from imprisonment till death to death in a crimes against humanity case over the July Mass Uprising. Appellate Division Judge in Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque fixed the date, forwarding the matter to apex court full bench for hearing on that day. The tribunal sentenced both Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to imprisonment till natural death for three counts of charge number one. It also found them guilty of three counts of charge number two and sentencedthem to death. The prosecution, however, filed a petition, pleading to enhance their sentences of imprisonment till natural death, awarded under charge number one, to death on eight grounds.

All scheduled banks across the country will remain closed on February 11 and 12 (Wednesday and Thursday) on the occasion of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum. Banks will remain closed for four consecutive days as the weekly holiday is included in this. The Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department (SDAD) of Bangladesh Bank announced this information in a notification on Sunday (February 1). All scheduled banks operating in the country will remain closed on those two days. Bangladesh Bank has sent instructions in this regard to the managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks in the country.

Leaders and activists of the Dhaka University unit and the central committee of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (s tudent Wing of BNP) have demanded an apology from Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman over a tweet posted from his X (formerly Twitter) account. They warned that if no apology is issued, they will announce broader protest programs. The demand came from a protest rally held on Sunday, around 12pm. The rally began at Madhur Canteen on the Dhaka University campus, marched through different parts of the campus, and concluded in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla monument. Among others who addressed the protest were Chhatra Dal Central Committee Organizing Secretary Amanullah Aman, Joint General Secretary Mansura Alam, DU unit General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, Women Affairs Secretary Chemon Faria Islam Meghla, along with other leaders.

Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday likened recent anti-government protests to a “coup,” warning that any US attack on the Islamic Republic following Washington’s military deployments in the Middle East would trigger a regional war. “The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, telling Iranians they “should not be scared” of Trump’s rhetoric. The law was first passed in 2019, when the United States classified the Guards as a terrorist organization. The Guards are the ideological arm of Iran’s military, tasked with safeguarding the Islamic revolution from external and internal threats. The step matched similar classifications enacted by the United States, Canada and Australia.

Faisal Rubel Ahmed, a close associate of Karim Masud alias Rahul—the prime accused in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi—has given a confessional statement in court. He said that after two rounds of remand totaling nine days, Rubel was produced before the court on Saturday by the investigation officer, CID Police Assistant Superintendent Abdul Qadir Bhuiyan. CID, with the assistance of DB, arrested Rubel from the Ati Nayabazar area of South Keraniganj late on January 21. He was flown to Singapore for treatment two days later and died there on December 18. Following the shooting, on December 14, Inqilab Mancha member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed a case of attempted murder.

The Editors’ Council has expressed deep concern over the process and timing of the two draft ordinances recently published concerning the National Media Commission and the Broadcasting Commission, which are available on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s website. With the elections just around the corner, the Editors’ Council considers the hurried publication of such important draft ordinances—with far-reaching implications—to be unintended and unreasonable. Draft laws that directly affect media freedom, professional standards of journalism, and the future of the broadcasting system cannot be adopted without proper discussion and review, said a statement issued by the council on Sunday. According to the Editors’ Council, the structure and provisions of these draft ordinances raise clear concerns of state control rather than safeguarding media freedom. When it comes to ensuring media freedom and professional security, a transparent, participatory, and responsible process—not haste—is in the best interest of the country and democracy, said the council.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday expressed optimism that the upcoming parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12, will be held in a fair and peaceful manner. The adviser also said voter turnout in the upcoming national election would exceed 55%, citing political consensus and past electoral participation. “I believe turnout in this election will be more than 55%,” he said, noting that voter turnout in the 1991 national election stood at 55%. Since the major parties are now in favour of the ‘Yes’ vote, I think it will pass quite easily,” he added. The program was chaired by DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, while DCAB General Secretary Abu Hena Imrul Kayes also spoke.

KHULNA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Forest guards arrested two deer poachers alongwith trapping equipment from a river of the Katka forest area in the easternSundarbans and seized a trawler used in the illegal hunting. The arrested poachers were identified as Abdul Malek Akon, 60, and AbdulKalam Hang, 55. During a search of the trawler, the forest guards recovered about 500 feet ofdeer snares. The forest guards said the poachers were returning after hunting deer insidethe Sundarbans. Sensing the presence of the forest guards, they threw the deer meat into theriver under the cover of darkness.