A Dhaka court on Monday deferred the submission of the investigation report in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi for the sixth time and fixed February 15 as the next date. Earlier, on February 3, the probe report was deferred for the fifth time. Earlier, the Detective Branch (DB) of the police submitted a charge sheet on January 6, naming 17 people as accused in the Hadi murder case. However, Inqilab Mancha expressed dissatisfaction with the charge sheet. On that day, Abdullah Al Jaber sought two days to review the charge sheet, which the court granted and fixed January 15 for accepting the charge sheet.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday congratulated Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her party on their decisive win in Japan’s parliamentary elections, saying the result demonstrated the Japanese people’s trust in democratic participation and accountable governance. “I congratulate Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her party on their decisive victory in Japan’s parliamentary elections,” he said in a post on his verified Facebook page. Tarique said the election results reflect the confidence of the Japanese people in democratic participation and accountable leadership. Drawing a parallel with Bangladesh, the BNP chief said the Japanese election carried an important lesson for all democracies, particularly as Bangladesh prepares for its own national polls. “I hope Prime Minister Takaichi’s leadership will further deepen the long-standing friendship between Japan and Bangladesh, and contribute to peace, prosperity, and democratic values across Asia,” Tarique said.

A writ petition has been filed seeking suspension of the candidature of NCP-nominated candidate Md Nahid Islam in the Dhaka-11 constituency over allegations of holding dual citizenship of Bangladesh and the Commonwealth of Dominica. Jatiya Party candidate for Dhaka-11, Shamim Ahmed, filed the writ on Monday. In the writ, the Election Commission secretary, the returning officer and Nahid Islam have been made respondents. According to the petition, Nahid Islam obtained citizenship of Dominica on April 20, 2025. The constituency has a total of 439,078 voters, including 222,877 male voters, 216,198 female voters and three voters of the third gender.

Tarique said Bangladesh witnessed severe hardship after independence, recalling the 1974 famine in which lakhs of people died. “A country that once suffered famine later achieved food self-sufficiency and even exported food during President Ziaur Rahman’s tenure,” the BNP chief said. The BNP leader urged people to allow BNP to implement its plans and programmes.“BNP will build the country together with the people. Outlining BNP’s plans if elected, Tarique said public expectations are naturally high, especially from a party like BNP. Seeking votes as the Dhaka-17 candidate, Tarique urged local residents to support him and the party’s candidates across the country.

T20 World Cup debutants Italy had a bruising introduction to cricket's biggest stage as they suffered a crushing 73-run loss to Scotland on Monday in Kolkata. Brandon McMullen with an unbeaten 18-ball 41 and Leask, who hit two fours and two sixes in the last five balls, took Scotland to their best T20 World Cup total. Italy suffered a blow when Madsen fell awkwardly while trying to stop a boundary in the fourth over and went off the field wincing in pain. The captain still completed an unusual World Cup double on Monday -- playing in two different sports for two separate countries. He played at the field hockey World Cup for his native South Africa, but holds an Italian passport now through his ancestry.

The government has removed Mohammad Azaz from his position as Administrator of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). It further said that the newly appointed administrator, Suraiya Akhtar Jahan, will exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation. She will carry out the responsibility as an additional charge alongside her current position. As per regulations, she will receive only a “duty allowance” and no other financial or ancillary benefits. Mohammad Azaz, Chairman of the River and Delta Research Centre, was appointed as DNCC Administrator on February 12 last year.

Journalists have expressed strong concern and anger over the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to restrict the carrying of mobile phones inside polling stations during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. They argue that the letter issued by the EC does not clearly mention journalists, creating uncertainty over whether reporters will be allowed to enter polling stations with mobile phones. Journalists say mobile phones are now their primary work tools, used for taking photos and videos, providing live updates and maintaining communication. He noted that journalists rely on mobile phones to document the environment and any irregularities at polling stations. MRA General Secretary Akhtaruzzaman said preventing journalists from entering polling stations with mobile phones would effectively halt reporting.

The government has appointed Surayya Akhtar Jahan, additional secretary of the Local Government Division, as the administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). The Local Government Division under the Local Government , Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry, issued a gazette notification in this regard on Monday. As administrator, Surayya Akhtar will exercise the powers and perform the duties of the DNCC mayor under further order in line with Section 25A(3) of the ordinance. Mohammad Azaz had been serving as the administrator of DNCC and he will be replaced by Surayya Akhtar. The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives appointed Azaz as DNCC administrator on February 12 last year for a one-year term.

Journalists and election observers will be permitted to carry mobile phones inside polling stations during the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said on Monday. He made the clarification while speaking to reporters after inspecting the results booth at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka. Allowing mobile phones, he said, would facilitate real-time reporting and monitoring of the electoral process. The 13th National Parliamentary Election is scheduled for February 12, with the Election Commission stressing transparency and accountability in its preparations. Mobile phones are an indispensable tool for journalists to perform their professional duties,” he said.

Iran arrested a prominent reformist, local media reported on Monday, deepening a crackdown on dissent following mass protests that posed one of the greatest challenges to the Islamic Republic since its inception. The United States had threatened military action against Iran during the peak of the protest movement that swept the nation earlier this year, which saw authorities launch a deadly crackdown to quell dissent. Iran has branded the protests as riots fueled by its arch-foes Israel and the United States, and on Monday, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on the nation to show “resolve” against foreign pressure. Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes but Western powers and Israel believe it is seeking a nuclear weapon. On Sunday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran could envision “a series of confidence-building measures concerning the nuclear program” in exchange for the United States lifting sanctions on the country.

The Election Commission has banned mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centres during the national election and referendum on Feb 12. Only presiding officers, police officers in charge of polling centres, designated Ansar members and two Ansar or VDP personnel using the Election Security 2026 app will be allowed to carry phones. Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Saturday that 25,700 of the country’s 43,000 polling centres have been equipped with body-worn cameras for police. The Election Commission also highlighted the full rollout of the Election Security app, which will be used exclusively by election officials and security personnel. In case of violence or unrest near polling centres, the app will instantly alert security forces, returning officers and the commission, enabling rapid response.

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U.S. stocks are drifting in mixed trading, a comedown following bursts higher for stocks in Asia earlier in the day and Wall Street’s own rally to close last week

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has identified 37 polling stations in the capital as risky ahead of the upcoming election and referendum. There are a total of 2,131 polling stations in Dhaka city. Seven police personnel will be deployed at each risky polling station. In addition, 180 strike forces and 510 mobile teams will be on duty to ensure polling station security. Responding to a question on whether the special security arrangements indicate any threat, Sajjat said: “There is no threat.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has once again failed to submit the investigation report in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi, as the deadline was deferred for the 124th time on Tuesday. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam fixed April 1 as the next date for submission of the probe report after the investigating officer, Additional Superintendent of Police of the PBI Md Azizul Haque, failed to place the report before the court. On November 4, 2024 — more than a decade after the murders — the responsibility for the investigation was shifted from RAB to the PBI, which then began a fresh probe. Sagar Sarowar, news editor at Maasranga TV, and his wife, ATN Bangla senior correspondent Meherun Runi, were killed on February 11, 2012, in their rented apartment in the capital’s West Rajabazar. Runi’s brother, Nausher Alam, later filed a case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station.