The clash took place on Saturday afternoon in Munshikandi village, Munshiganj's Additional Superintendent Mohammad Firoz Kabir said. They were reportedly ambushed by supporters of the Sheaf of Paddy symbol, led by Upazila BNP joint general secretary Ojir Ali, alongside union unit leader Awlad Mollah. According to witnesses, supporters of both sides became locked in violent clashes within moments. After receiving first aid at Munshiganj General Hospital, both were referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital due to the critical nature of their wounds. Additional Superintendent Firoz said, “There had been a prior dispute between the two sides over establishing dominance.

Eminent educationist, cultural figure, and former principal of Carmichael College, Professor Dr Muhammad Rezaul Haq, passed away at the Rangpur Community Medical College Hospital around 9am on Saturday. Professor Haq had been suffering for a long time from various age-related illnesses, including pneumonia and diabetes, family sources said. Born on February 18, 1934, in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram, Professor Haq showed academic excellence from an early age. Professor Haq began his teaching career in 1958 at Madanmohan College, Sylhet, and joined government service at Dhaka Science College in 1961. He later served as head of the Bengali Department and principal of Carmichael College, retiring in 1991.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's women wing today brought out an electoral procession in support of the party's Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman in Dhaka-15 constituency. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's women wing today brought out an electoral procession in support of the party's Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman in Dhaka-15 constituency. Leaders from the Dhaka North Women's Wing addressed the participants, urging voters to support Dr. Rahman and cast their ballots for the 'scales' symbol. She expressed confidence that Dr. Shafiqur Rahman would bring about positive change and address the nation's challenges. Besides, the women leaders urged the voters to support Jamaat and their allies in the 11-party alliance across the country.

Police have recovered the body of Kamrun Nahar Iti ,27, a woman entrepreneur and beauty parlour owner, in Narayanganj city, detaining her husband in connection with the incident. The body was recovered on Friday afternoon from Pori Beauty Parlour and Training Center in the Amlapara area, police said. The victim, Kamrun Nahar Iti, was known locally as an entrepreneur and the owner of the beauty parlour where her body was found. We went there with the police and found my sister’s body inside the toilet,” she said. Mohammad Abdul Halim, officer-in-charge of Sadar Model Police Station, said the victim’s husband has been brought in for questioning.

Historically, Rajshahi-6 was a BNP stronghold. Both parties are making development promises to attract voters, making this election one of the most closely watched contests in northern Bangladesh. The Rajshahi-6 election highlights a significant shift in local politics. With the Awami League absent, the traditional BNP stronghold faces a new challenge from Jamaat-e-Islami, reflecting a broader trend seen across constituencies nationwide. The outcome will reveal whether BNP can reclaim its dominance or if Jamaat can capture the seat for the first time.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and public health experts, these deaths are primarily driven by lung and respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke, and various forms of cancer. However, the law has yet to be fully passed or visibly implemented, leaving experts concerned about continued risks to public health. The proposed amendment seeks to impose a complete ban on smoking in all public places and public transport. While public health experts have welcomed the new provisions, many citizens remain skeptical. “Smoking in public places is not just a personal habit; it is a direct attack on public health,” he said.

The Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, has said that there is no security risk for journalists. Speaking about vulnerable polling centres, the Press Secretary said that the list of such centres is being updated continuously and that final information would be available right up to the last day. The Press Secretary also said that police officers have been provided with body-worn cameras. Another topic discussed was the Election Security App, which is now fully operational. The Press Secretary added that 80% of CCTV cameras have already been installed, and installation of the 25,700 body-worn cameras is nearly complete.

The upcoming election will pit Anutin’s conservative Bhumjaithai party against the anti-establishment People’s Party and the former ruling party Pheu Thai. The People’s Party is the successor to the dissolved Move Forward and Future Forward parties. In the 2023 election, Move Forward won the most seats but was blocked from forming a government by a military-appointed Senate voting alongside elected lawmakers. “In a best-case scenario for the People’s Party, it will win around 200 seats” under Thailand’s two-ballot electoral system, she said. Bhumjaithai “relies on the strength of its local networks,” while the People’s Party has the support of urban voters and young demographics, said Suthikarn.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Saturday claimed that the trial of the genocide during the 2024 mass uprising and the implementation of the July Charter would not take place if the BNP comes to power. Addressing a press conference at the party’s Banglamotor office in the evening, Asif Mahmud alleged that recent remarks by BNP’s top leadership clearly indicate the party’s stance. Yet, blinded by lust for power, her son is now willing to give the Awami League space in politics.” Asif added. “At this point, BNP coming to power and Awami League coming to power mean the same thing. BNP has already reached a kind of understanding with the Awami League.”Asif Mahmud also accused the BNP of deceiving its grassroots leaders and activists.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged voters to back the party’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, saying the upcoming election would be decisive for rebuilding Bangladesh. We envision a country where no one is deprived of at least basic healthcare,” Tarique Rahman said. Earlier in the day, at around 10:05am, Tarique Rahman left Dhaka for Saidpur on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Tarique Rahman said the upcoming election was not merely about choosing public representatives, but about rebuilding the country. Stressing public ownership of the state, Tarique Rahman said rebuilding the country would only be possible with people’s participation.

Thai forces took control of several patches of disputed land along the border during fighting last year, which could amount to several square kilometers in total. Thai flags flapped in the breeze and barbed wire lay scattered in Klong Paeng, another border village on the Thai military trip. Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said Thai forces had “reclaimed” around 64 hectares in the village in December. But after Cambodians built concrete homes, they said it was their land,” he told AFP. Prey Chan saw a stand-off in September between several hundred Cambodians who tried to pull down barbed wire as Thai forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas.

Female political candidates in Bangladesh are increasingly facing cyber harassment, online abuse, and AI-driven attacks as the nation heads toward the upcoming elections, highlighting persistent barriers to women’s political participation. Yet, despite growing efforts toward a more egalitarian society, women candidates now confront targeted character attacks, sexual harassment, misinformation, and orchestrated online campaigns. She added that while male politicians face criticism over corruption or policy matters, female candidates are mostly targeted for their character. Female candidates face amplified scrutiny during elections. Hence, online and offline campaigns aim to spread negativity against them.”Experts warn that cyber harassment of women candidates has become a deliberate political strategy.

Expressing satisfaction over the steps taken so far as part of election-centric preparations, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday said the next one week would be very crucial as the twin elections – national election and referendum – are scheduled to take place on February 12. “We are satisfied. We are very happy,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters quoting the Chief Adviser as saying at a high-profile meeting on the election preparation held at the State Guest House Jamuna. At the beginning of the meeting, Prof Yunus said the main challenge is to make the voting ‘perfect’ and described the next week very crucial. The meeting, chaired by the Chief Adviser, reviewed overall preparations, security deployment and challenges.

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum, large-scale requisitioning of vehicles across Bangladesh has triggered concern among vehicle owners, many of whom fear they will not receive proper compensation despite legal provisions requiring payment. Under the law, compensation is to be paid to owners, covering rent, fuel expenses, drivers’ meals, and toll charges. Meanwhile, concern has grown among vehicle owners and drivers over the requisitioning process, particularly over whether privately owned vehicles—such as private cars and microbuses—can also be requisitioned. Vehicle owners have also been voicing concerns on social media, with many questioning whether privately owned vehicles can legally be requisitioned. Ahead of the election and referendum, the Election Commission has directed that vehicle requisitioning be conducted strictly in accordance with regulations.

Pace bowler Romario Shepherd took the first hat-trick of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Saturday to help the West Indies blow away Scotland's tail and win by 35 runs in their Group C opener in Kolkata. Shimron Hetmyer's 36-ball 64 at Eden Gardens earlier propelled the West Indies to 182-5 in their 20 overs. A 78-run fourth-wicket partnership between Berrington, who made 42, and Tom Bruce (35) had put them back in the hunt. The Scots won the toss and elected to field and initially had the West Indies on the back foot with some disciplined bowling. Left-arm pace bowler Brad Currie returned figures of 2-23.