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.

The rulings were delivered on Sunday by a five-member Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury. His lawyer, Jyotirmoy Barua, said the Appellate Division had allowed the election in Cumilla-10 to proceed “as usual”, confirming that Mobasher could take part. Gafur's candidacy had earlier been rejected by the Election Commission following an appeal that accused him of concealing information about dual citizenship. After a hearing in Dhaka’s Agargaon area on Jan 17, the Election Commission accepted the appeal and invalidated Munshi’s candidacy. The Appellate Division later adjourned a preliminary hearing on Jan 26 before ultimately dismissing his application for leave to appeal.

This integration enables the completion of the entire business registration process in just three working days. He highlighted that digitalization must go beyond merely putting current processes online; it should involve eliminating excessive and unnecessary steps. “BanglaBiz is a concrete answer to those voices, by unifying business registration and approvals in the online system. “BanglaBiz is being built as a multi agency service portal to reduce friction in doing business for both domestic and foreign investors. Beyond initial registration, BanglaBiz (Phase 2) serves as a comprehensive management tool, integrating over 20 frequently required business approvals.

Already assured of qualification for the T20 World Cup, set to be held inEngland and Wales in June-July, the Tigresses finished the tournament astable-toppers. Despite the defeat, the Netherlands also booked their place at this year'sWorld Cup, joining Ireland and Scotland. Nahida Akter claimed 3-10 in four overs as Netherlands managed to put up just102-6 after opting to bat first. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty then led Bangladesh to victory with an unbeaten 44ball-50 not out, a knock that steered the side to 105-3 for a comprehensivewin in 16.4 overs. Joty andSobhana added 57 runs for the unbeaten fourth wicket stand after Bangladeshexperienced a top order collapse.

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair has dismissed as “absurd” an allegation by the BNP that it plans to form “peace committees” to maintain order during the election period. He said no “sane person or party” could raise such an allegation.

Govt to take action if anyone tries to disrupt internet services during elections: Home AdvisorHome Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury spoke to journalists following a meeting with administrative and law enforcement officers from various levels of Chattogram Division at the city's World Trade Center this afternoon. Photo: BSSCHATTOGRAM, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today 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 Chattogram to ensure the smooth holding of the elections.

The BNP has asked the Election Commission (EC) not to involve Bangladesh National Cadet Corps personnel in election-related duties for the parliamentary polls and referendum, arguing that their participation could draw students and educational institutions into political controversy. The demand was raised on Sunday during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters, where a BNP delegation placed a set of observations and complaints before the commission. Speaking after the meeting, BNP’s Central Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan said the party had learnt that BNCC cadets, who are students, were being considered for election duties for the first time. The BNP Standing Committee member said the party wants election duties restricted to law enforcers, and the commission appeared to recognise this reasoning, promising more discussion before deciding. The BNP urged the commission to ensure that only organisations with the genuine capacity to monitor the polls are involved.

Photo: CollectedANKARA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A bus crashed off a highway near the southernTurkish city of Antalya killing eight people and injuring 26 others, theprovincial governor said Sunday. "Eight of our citizens have lost their lives and 26 have been injured," saidHulusi Sahin. The governor said the bus, which was carrying 34 passengers to the coastaltourist hub when it rolled off the highway. He said some of the injured were in critical condition, but did not specifywhether foreign nationals were among the casualties. The coastal region around Antalya is a popular resort destination that drawsmany foreign tourists each year.

"In fact, AI has brought about a radical change in the conventional frameworkof research and is gradually establishing itself as a powerful helper ofacademic research," he said. The Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of BRUR organised the eventwith its Director Prof Dr Md Tajul Islam in the chair. The BRUR VC said, "We are now living in a technology-dependent era, wherethere is no opportunity to lag behind. Teachers from various departments of Begum Rokeya University participated inthe workshop. At that time, Additional Director of BRUR IQAC Dr Md.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - The Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh (RSCB) has called upon political parties to make a commitment to enact a separate Road Safety Act based on the Safe System Approach in their election manifestos. Road safety expert M Khalid Mahmud read out the written statement in the press conference while Road Safety Project Manager of the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB) Kazi Borhan Uddin moderated it. Speakers at the press conference said that Bangladesh's first law governing road safety and transport was the Motor Vehicles Ordinance of 1983. Due to numerous shortcomings in the law's road safety provisions, the sector has long faced legal complexities, they added. Moreover, they said, the current law is not fully aligned with the five pillars of the United Nations' Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030.

MELBOURNE, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Carlos Alcaraz won the third set of the Australian Open final 6-3 against Novak Djokovic on Sunday to lead 2-1 and move one set from the title. The 22-year-old Spanish world number one is attempting to become the youngest man in history to win the career Grand Slam of all four majors, having previously won the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. Djokovic won the first set 6-2, only for Alcaraz to roar back and level by the same scoreline.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: CollectedKYIV, Ukraine, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Volodymyr Zelensky saidSunday that new two-day talks between US, Russian and Ukrainian envoys onhalting the Ukraine war would start in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. "The dates for the next trilateral meetings have been set - February 4 and 5in Abu Dhabi," Zelensky said in a post on X. "Ukraine is ready for asubstantive discussion, and we are interested in ensuring that the outcomebrings us closer to a real and dignified end to the war."