Khulna Metropolitan Police hold briefing parade to ensure peaceful, free and fair national election process. Photo : BSSKHULNA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) today held a briefing parade at the KMP Lines ground in Boyra to ensure the 13th national parliamentary election and Referendum are conducted in a peaceful, free and fair manner. He instructed all officers and members assigned to election duty to perform their tasks lawfully, maintaining honesty, dedication and strict neutrality. He expressed optimism that coordinated efforts among all forces would ensure a free, fair and impartial election. He further directed mobile patrol teams and striking reserve forces to ensure voters can reach polling centres and return home safely without any obstruction.

A Hindu businessman was brutally killed in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, days before the country heads to the polls, a local media report said on Tuesday (February 10, 2026). The 62-year-old victim, Susen Chandra Sarkar, was hacked to death inside his shop late on Monday night (February 9, 2026) at Bogar Bazar in Trishal Upazila. A resident of Southkanda village, Mr. Sarkar was the owner of Bhai Bhai Enterprise. Last month, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council alleged that as the date of the general elections approaches, communal violence is increasing at an alarming rate in the country, stating that it had documented 51 incidents of communal violence in December 2025 alone. According to the 2022 census, Hindus number around 13.13 million in Bangladesh, making up approximately 7.95% of the country’s total population.

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered two foreign-made pistols, four magazines and three rounds of ammunition during an operation along the Shibganj border of the district early this morning. The firearms and ammunition were found abandoned during a special raid conducted around 5:30am in Thuthapara area of Manakasha union under Masudpur Border Outpost (BOP) of Shibganj upazila. Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Commander of the BGB-53 Battalion Lt Col Mostafizur Rahman said the operation was carried out based on intelligence information. A patrol team from Masudpur BOP launched the raid in the area under Shibganj Police Station and recovered the weapons and ammunition. Lt Col Rahman said that BGB has intensified intelligence activities and patrol operations along the border in view of the upcoming national elections to prevent illegal arms smuggling and potential sabotage.

CHENNAI, India, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Finn Allen and Tim Seifert posteda T20 World Cup record partnership of 175 as New Zealand crushed the UnitedArab Emirates by 10 wickets with almost five overs to spare in Chennai onTuesday. They beat the previous record for any wicket at a T20 World Cup -- anunbroken 170 by England openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India inthe semi-final of the 2022 edition at the Adelaide Oval. "So in a World Cup, you've just got to be able to adapt to the conditionsyou're playing in." Seifert said he was unaware the pair had posted a new World Cup recordpartnership for any wicket. The 31-year-old Waseem, who was one of only three current UAE players to playin their last appearance in a T20 World Cup in 2022, hit four fours and threesixes in facing 45 balls.

DHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Stocks today extended bullish momentum in thefinal trading session ahead of the national polls, driven by expectations ofa favorable market outlook amid anticipated post-election political clarity. DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), advanced by 88.0points or 1.7% to settle at 5,400 points as against 5,312 points in theprevious trading session. Market analysts observed that investor sentiment remained upbeat, promptingaccumulation in major large-cap stocks, primarily within the banking sector,riding on optimism surrounding prospective structural reforms under the newlyelected government. On the sectoral front, Bank (23.7%) issues exerted the highest turnover,followed by Textile (15.5%) and Pharma (14.8%) sectors. The SelectiveCategories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) advanced by 137.3points and 241.6 points, respectively.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 2,028 candidates of 50 political parties and independent candidates are participating in 299 constituencies in the 13th national parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. Of those, 81 are women candidates, said Election Commissioner (EC) Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Muhammad Sanaullah in a press briefing at Nirbachon Bhaban at Agargaon here this afternoon. “We are considering approximately 50 percent as normal polling centers while the rest 50 percent are ‘vulnerabler”, EC Sanaullah told the briefing. Country’s total voters are over 12.77 crore. So far, 9700 media workers have been registered with the EC while 156 foreign journalists are expected to watch the elections.

The Japanese Election Observation Mission today paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. Photo: CA's Facebook pageDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The Japanese Election Observation Mission today paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here. The delegation was led by Masato Watanabe, Ambassador and Leader of the Japanese Election Observation Mission, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing this evening. Other members included Naonori Kusakabe, Associate Professor at the College of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University; Sonoko Ichimura, Principal Deputy Director, Southwest Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; Yoshiaki Kobayashi, Assistant Director, Southwest Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh; KOMINE Ken, First Secretary and Head of Political Section, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh; NISHI Yuki, Second Secretary, Political Section; and SONE Keita, Adviser, Political Section, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh. Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator, and Mohammed Nore Alam, Director General of East Asia and Pacific of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were also present at the meeting.

UN says in talks to reestablish rights office in VenezuelaGENEVA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United Nations rights office said Tuesday that it is in discussions with Caracas to reestablish an office in Venezuela, two years after it was kicked out. During this discussion, Turk "offered our support to help Venezuela work on a roadmap for dialogue and reconciliation in which human rights should be at the centre" of the process, she said. The rights office has been monitoring from Panama since its international staff were expelled from Venezuela in February 2024. They were asked to leave after expressing deep concern about the detention of human rights lawyer Rocio San Miguel. But, she insisted, "the terms of the law must be compliant with international human rights standards".

Photo: CollectedBOGOTA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Twenty-two people have died as a rare spellof torrential rain in Colombia left thousands of families displaced,authorities said. Colombian officials confirmed Monday that 14 of the fatalities came in thedepartments of Cordoba and Sucre, with at least 9,000 homes affected. Residents have been trying to salvage their belongings in waist-deep waterand muck using motorboats and makeshift vessels. Heavy rain at this time of year is rare in Colombia. Climate change is wreaking havoc with the dry and wet periods in Colombia,which has a tropical climate and no distinct seasons.

The EU Election Observer Mission (EU-EOM) met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna today. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The EU Election Observer Mission (EU-EOM) paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here today. The delegation was led by Tom s Zdechovsky, Member of the European Parliament and Head of Delegation. Other members included Ivars Ijabs, Chief Observer, Lukas Mandl, Lor nt Vincze, Leire Paj¡n, Serban Dimitrie Sturdza, Michael McNamara, Catarina Vieira, Martin Bille Hermann, Inta Lase, Reginald Soenen, Nikos Salliarelis, Filipe Alcobia de Moraes, Benjamin Oppermann, Liviu-Adrian Natea, Tessel Giele, Riccardo Chelleri, Frederik Schumann, Marina Graser Lasic, and Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh. Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator, and Md Mosharaf Hossain, Director General, West Europe and European Union Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were also present at the meeting.

STRASBOURG, France, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The European Parliament Tuesdaygave its final approval to an ambitious target for cutting EU greenhouse gasemissions by 2040, a key milestone towards the bloc's goal of becoming carbonneutral by mid-century. Lawmakers voted by 413 to 226 in favour of a 90-percent cut in greenhouse gasemissions compared to 1990 levels -- with flexibility to allow carbon creditsbought outside the 27-nation EU to help reach the goal. The target now requires an ultimate sign-off by EU member states.

TRIPOLI, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A helicopter has crashed in southeasternLibya, killing a medic and two crew members carrying out a medicalevacuation, state media said Tuesday. Libyan news agency LANA said the chopper went down overnight near an airbasein the Kufra region about 60 kilometres north of the border between Libya andChad. Libyan media reports said two foreign nationals were among those on board whowere killed, but this was not confirmed by authorities. The Matan al-Sarra airbase lies in an area under the control of Libya'sBenghazi-based eastern administration led by military strongman KhalifaHaftar, but authorities in the east did not comment on the crash. Libya remains split between the eastern administration and a UN-backedgovernment in the west led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah.

BNP chairman and Dhaka-17 candidate Tarique Rahman is set to cast his vote at the Gulshan Model High School and College polling centre during the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The BNP Media Cell confirmed the matter on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Media Cell, Tarique Rahman, who is contesting the election with the party’s electoral symbol Sheaf of Paddy, will vote at the polling centre located at Gulshan Model High School and College on Road No. After casting his vote, he may visit several other polling centres in the area. As announced by the Election Commission, voting in the parliamentary election and the referendum will be held on Thursday (February 12) from 7:30am to 4:30pm.

The government has imposed a nationwide ban on drone operations until February 15 to maintain security and public order, warning that violations will be treated as offences under the Civil Aviation Act, 2017. In a notification issued on Tuesday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said the restriction will not apply to law-enforcement agencies and defence forces performing official duties. The ban, however, allows conditional permission for drone operations related to research, surveys, agriculture and monitoring activities conducted bygovernment or private entities, as well as for broadcast purposes of events organised by government agencies. Such operations will require prior application to the CAAB and clearance from all relevant agencies, the notification said. It also warned that any individual found operating a drone in violation of the restriction will be liable to punishment under Section 24 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2017.

Bangladesh will hold its 13th national parliamentary election alongside a referendum in 299 constituencies on February 12, the Election Commission (EC) has said. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said extensive measures have been taken to ensure a free, fair and festive voting environment across the country. Calling for cooperation from all stakeholders, the commissioner urged voters to cast their ballots in a peaceful and orderly manner. According to the Election Commission, votes for both the parliamentary election and the referendum will be counted simultaneously, and the official results will be announced together. The result of the referendum will be determined based on votes cast nationwide.