Election manifestos in Bangladesh have long existed in the uneasy space between aspiration and selective memory. Voters appear less interested in charismatic dominance and more concerned with whether any future government can be restrained by institutions. Voters are deciding not only which promises sound attractive, but which political actors appear least likely to abuse power again. At the same time, the proliferation of reformist rhetoric across manifestos indicates that no single party monopolizes the language of change. The era of unchecked authority has lost moral legitimacy, and political language has shifted from domination to discipline.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 254 at 9:17am. The city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season.

The empty room and the sound of democracyThis brings us to the central, dysfunctional space in our national life: The Jatiya Sangsad. This is why Prof Sobhan’s focus on a “functional” parliament is so tactical and so wise. He is proposing a radical first step: To make the parliament work as it was intended. Therefore, building a simple, working parliament is the most urgent national project. The choice to return to that first room, to take a seat, and to begin, at long last, the nation’s most important conversation.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Sunday adjusted the Jet A-1 (jet fuel) price upward for domestic and international airlines. According to the regulatory commission circular, the price of Jet A-1 fuel was increased by Tk0.25 per litre to Tk95.12 from Tk94.93. Besides, the BERC also increased the price of fuel for international airlines by $0.11 per litre to $0.6257 from $0.6246, it said. The BERC announced the price of jet fuel for the first time in May 2025, saying that the jet fuel price would be adjusted with the international market every month. The regulatory agency said, considering the Platts Rate from January 5 to February 4 on average, it adjusted the jet fuel price for February 2026.

President of Nagorik Oikya Mahmudur Rahman Manna has decided not to contest the national parliamentary election from the Dhaka-18 constituency, citing high campaign costs and practical constraints. However, he said Dhaka-18 is a very large constituency and the financial burden of running a campaign there is beyond his capacity. In his post, Manna wrote that Dhaka-18 covers seven and a half thanas and has around 650,000 voters. Conducting an election campaign in such a large constituency is extremely expensive, which is why he has decided to withdraw his candidacy from Dhaka-18. Manna did not mention any further details about his position or plans regarding the Bogra-2 constituency.

HONG KONG (AP) — Jimmy Lai , the pro-democracy former Hong Kong media tycoon and a fierce critic of Beijing, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the longest punishment given so far under a China-imposed national security law that has virtually silenced the city’s dissent. Lai was one of the first prominent figures to be arrested under the security law in 2020. “It signifies the total destruction of the Hong Kong legal system and the end of justice,” he said. Hong Kong leader John Lee said Lai’s sentence demonstrated the rule of law, citing his serious crimes. “Obviously, he has done nothing good for Hong Kong that could serve as a basis for his mitigation,” he told reporters.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday said there is no possibility of vote rigging in the national election, expressing confidence that the polls will be peaceful, fair and festive ones. “There is no scope for vote rigging. Responding to questions about whether a fair election was possible amid the current law and order situation, Jahangir Alam said all necessary preparations had been taken in line with the specific needs of different areas. It will be a free, fair and credible election,” he said. The adviser said law enforcement agencies, the administration and the Election Commission had completed all preparations despite the short timeframe, leaving no opportunity for irregularities.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday sought more investment in the areas of education, science and technology. Adviser Hossain was speaking at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) and SEACO Universities Network (SUN) held at the State Guest House, Padma. "One of the shortcomings of the Muslim World is its backwardness in the areas of education, science and technology, despite possessing immense human potential and a rich intellectual heritage. It must invest more to transform its education system and bring meaningful change in the lives of the people," he said. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam also attended the ceremony.

Joint forces led by Bangladesh Army detained over 600 Rohingyas outside of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals camps at Palongkhali Union under Ukhiya upazila in Cox’s Bazar district on Sunday. Ukhiya police station officer-in-charge Nur Ahmed said that they were living in several places in the Palongkhali union under the shelter of Bangladeshis. ‘We have urged all Rohingyas to return to camps ahead of the elections. ‘In the past 2.5 years, over 1.5 lakh Rohingyas entered into Bangladesh from Myanmar. In August 2017, around eight lakh Rohingyas crossed into Bangladesh to save their lives from a military crackdown in Rakhine State, Professor Yunus mentioned, saying that Bangladesh now hosted around 13 lakh displaced Rohingyas, including 32,000 annual newborns in the camps.

As the possibility of introducing a bicameral legislature gains momentum, the Parliament Secretariat has begun exploring where a proposed 100-member Upper House could be accommodated inside the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. If an Upper House is introduced, an additional 100 seats will be required. According to sources, a proposal is now under consideration to merge two adjacent galleries and renovate them to accommodate Upper House members. The tenure of the Upper House would remain valid until the final working day of the lower house. “The way the ‘Yes’ campaign has started makes it seem like one party is working much harder to secure Upper House seats than to ensure voter participation.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Sunday pledged to transform Dhaka into a safe and liveable city if his party comes to power, promising to improve urban safety, expand civic facilities, and address long-standing problems in the capital. Tarique Rahman formally launched his Dhaka campaign at 3:30pm through a street rally at ECB Square in Mirpur, which falls under his constituency, Dhaka-17. Introducing himself as the BNP candidate for Dhaka-17 with the party’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, Tarique Rahman said he was seeking voters’ support as a local resident. On the same day, Tarique Rahman addressed a series of street rallies in several constituencies of the capital. Referring to the BNP’s election manifesto unveiled the previous day, Tarique Rahman said the party had outlined plans to improve livelihoods.

BURIRAM, Thailand, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Incumbent Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he hoped voters would trust his party after casting his ballot Sunday. "We've done everything we could, but we can't force the hearts of the public," he told reporters in Buriram, adding: "Hopefully they will trust us." Anutin's Bhumjaithai party was ranked second in opinion polls ahead of the vote but he is widely expected to retain his position in a coalition deal.

DHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - The interim government has recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 political harassment cases filed against leaders and activists of various political parties during the previous Awami League government, officials said. The cases were filed between January 6, 2009, and August 5, 2024, against members of several political parties and organizations, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Gono Odhikar Parishad. The committees invited applications from political parties seeking withdrawal of cases they alleged were filed for political harassment. Based on petitions submitted by the affected parties, the inter-ministerial committee has so far held 39 meetings to scrutinize the cases and has recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 cases. Officials said the review process is ongoing, and more cases may be considered in the future.

The patrol said at least three people were injured and two were transported to local hospitals, but details regarding their conditions weren’t available. Additional details regarding the cause of the crash aren’t available. The crash is under investigation.

Photo: CA Press WingDHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today stressed upholding the Liberation War spirit, saying that the new generation needs inspiration from the country’s Liberation War. Noting that this is not just one war, there will be more wars ahead, the Chief Adviser said, “The spirit of our Liberation War should remain a source of inspiration from generation to generation”. Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik, was present at the meeting, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing tonight. The freedom fighters have been isolated due to ill-politics regarding the Liberation War,” he said. Noting that those who have come to power so far have twisted the Liberation War, Huda said, “After exchanging views, we recommended changing the definition.