Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman has promised to make Thakurgaon Airport operational swiftly if his party forms the next government. Speaking at an election rally on Saturday, Tarique said work on the airport was already at an advanced stage and could be completed soon after the Feb 12 election, reports bdnews24.com. Addressing the gathering at the Government Boys’ High School ground in Thakurgaon, Tarique said: “We carried out movements, we fought a war in 1971, and we won this country’s independence. Tarique said his party wanted to strengthen the country’s economy and democracy to ensure a secure future for its citizens, stressing that people should be judged by merit rather than religion. “We have come before the people, and with the people’s support, love, and strength, we want to rebuild Bangladesh.”

Police in Gopalganj recovered the body of a 3-year-old girl 20 days after she went missing from Sadar Upazila, arresting her mother, who allegedly killed the child at the prompting of her lover. The victim M Faria was the daughter of expatriate Rubel Sheikh from the area. The arrested mother is Setu Begum. According to a preliminary inquiry, the mother confessed, leading police to recover the child’s body from the locked room. “Before running away, under Miraj’s prompting, Setu strangled her daughter with a scarf.

At least 15 people were killed when a minibus overturned and crashed into a valley in northeastern Afghanistan on Saturday, police said, updating an earlier death toll. Three of them died at hospital after being taken there with serious injuries, raising the overall death toll from the accident to 15. Deadly traffic crashes are common in Afghanistan, due in part to poor roads after decades of conflict, dangerous driving and a lack of regulation. The bus collided with a motorcycle and a truck, according to authorities, in one of the deadliest crashes in years. In August, 25 people were killed when a bus overturned on a highway near the capital Kabul “due to the driver’s negligence,” officials said.

MADRID, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Spain and Portugal on Saturday braced for another storm heading for the Iberian peninsula, just days after the floods caused by Storm Leonardo killed at least one person in each country. The latest depression, christened Storm Marta, has prompted the deployment of more than 26,500 rescuers in Portugal, where the foul weather has led three municipalities to postpone Sunday's presidential vote till next week. Both countries have issued warnings over the potential fresh floods, after inundations blocked hundreds of roads, disrupted trains and forced thousands to evacuate from the rising waters. The Socialist premier is due to visit rescuers in Madrid on Saturday. Portugal was already reeling from the effects of Storm Kristin, which led to the deaths of five people, injured hundreds and left tens of thousands without power, when Leonardo hit earlier this week.

Abdur Rashid Zitu, vice-president (VP) of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU), has formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, along with the Jatiyabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) president and general secretary, welcomed the new members. The JUCSU VP also announced that three hall union leaders joined the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). They are Shahid Salam Barkat Hall Vice-President Maruf Hasan, General Secretary Masud Rana Min, and AFM Kamaluddin Hall Assistant General Secretary Ripon Mandal. Jitu was elected JUCSU Vice-President in September last year as a candidate of the 'Independent Students' Coalition' panel.

Dr. M. A. Kaiyum.File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) –Dr. M. A. Kaiyum, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate for Dhaka-11 and former founding president of BNP Dhaka North unit, has said that the people’s right to vote has been denied for the past 17 years. M. A. Kaiyum described Fakirkhali as a BNP stronghold, noting that the residents have always supported the party whenever given the chance to vote. “This time, people can advance Fakirkhali on the path of development by voting for the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol,” he said. He promised that if BNP comes to power, fundamental rights will be restored alongside ensuring comprehensive development of the area.

The number of Bangladeshi players is the third highest among overseasparticipants, behind Australia and the West Indies. A total of 60 Australianand 57 Caribbean players have registered for the auction, scheduled to beheld on February 11. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim, andZakir Hasan are the three Bangladeshi players listed with a base price of PKR2.20 crore, the highest among players from the country. The PKR 60 lakh category features players such as Naim Sheikh, Sabbir Rahman,Akbar Ali, Aliss Al Islam, along with several uncapped cricketers. Both Nepal and the Netherlands have nine players registered each, while Italyhas eight, Oman six, and Namibia and Canada five each.

IAB Amir Mufti Syed Rezaul Karim. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 07, 2026 (BSS) - Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Amir Mufti Syed Rezaul Karim, also the Charmonai Pir, today said his party is the only one which is working relentlessly to establish an Insaf-based society as well as a state according to the Quran and Sunnah. "The Islami Andolan Bangladesh is the only party struggling to build an Insaf-based society . The victory of Islam in the upcoming national elections is inevitable, InshaAllah," he told an election rally at Baufal upazila of Patuakhali district this afternoon as the chief guest. IAB central leaders-- Nasir Ahmed Kausar, Habibur Rahman Misbah, IAB convener and member secretary of party's Baufal Upazila unit Alhaj Abul Hossain Howlader and Maulana Nurul Amin spoke on the occasion, among others.

BARCELONA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Spanish giants Barcelona confirmed theirwithdrawal from the failed European Super League project on Saturday, leavingReal Madrid as the only club still involved. "Barcelona announces that today it has formally notified the European SuperLeague project and the clubs that have been part of it, of its withdrawal,"said the Catalans in a statement. Barca president Joan Laporta said in October 2025 Barcelona wanted toreestablish links with UEFA, moving away from the project launched by 12clubs in 2021 which quickly collapsed under the weight of immense fan andinstitutional pressure.

Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-13 arrested the fraud mastermind from the Dakshin Dhanghara area under Sadar police station of Gaibandha today for defrauding people by pretending to be members of the Bangladesh Army and RAB. Later, the arrested man asked the auto-rickshaw driver to come to the Gaibandha bus stand through his mobile phone. After receiving the money, the victim did not receive any result and when he called the fraudster Al Amin's mobile phone, the number was disconnected. Then, the victim inquired at the Gaibandha RAB camp and found that there was no RAB member named Al Amin working there. The arrested accused has been handed over to Gaibandha Sadar police station for further legal action, the release added.

MAGURA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - A police constable was killed in a road accident in the district town on Saturday afternoon. 670, who was serving at Babukhali Police Camp under Magura Sadar upazila. Locals immediately rescued him and took him to Magura Sadar Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. Officer-in-Charge of Magura Sadar Police Station Md. Ashikur Rahman confirmed the matter and said the truck involved in the accident fled the scene immediately after the collision.

NEW DELHI, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The International Cricket Council is intalks with the Pakistan Cricket Board to resolve the boycott of its T20 WorldCup match against India on February 15, AFP learnt Saturday. Any clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most lucrativein cricket, worth millions of dollars in broadcast, sponsor and advertisingrevenue. The Pakistan Cricket Board reached out to the ICC after a formalcommunication from the cricket's world body, a source close to thedevelopments told AFP. As a protest, Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group Afixture. Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade,and meet only in global or regional tournaments.

Dow surges above 50,000 for first time as US stocks regain mojoNEW YORK, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Dow surged above 50,000 points for the first time Friday, shrugging off worries connected to artificial intelligence companies while traders focused on the prospects for US growth and Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. The 50,000 mark constitutes "a nice big number," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. The landmark in New York came on a mixed day for global stocks, while bitcoin and precious metals both won significant gains, extending a period of volatility across markets. Earlier milestones for the Dow include when it hit 40,000 points in May 2024 and 30,000 points in November 2020. Rio Tinto's London-listed stock edged 0.3 percent higher on Friday, while Glencore climbed 1.5 percent, clawing back some of the previous day's losses.

Collected photoFAIZABAD, Afghanistan, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - At least 12 people were killedand three seriously injured when a minibus overturned and crashed into avalley in northeastern Afghanistan, local officials said on Saturday. "The victims of this incident include men, women, and children... and theinjured are in severe condition," the spokesperson said. Deadly traffic crashes are common in Afghanistan, due in part to poor roadsafter decades of conflict, dangerous driving and a lack of regulation. The bus collided with a motorcycle and a truck, according to authorities,making it one of the deadliest crashes in years. Another 25 people were killed in late August when a bus overturned on ahighway near the capital, Kabul, "due to the driver's negligence", officialssaid.

Former Bangladesh Captain Mahmudullah Riyad. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 7, 2026 (BSS) - Former Bangladesh Captain Mahmudullah Riyad, whohas retired from international cricket, has expressed his desire to continueplaying domestic and franchise cricket as long as he feels fit and motivated. I am still fit, so I want to continue playing cricket,"Mahmudullah told reporters here today. "How long I will continue will depend on my fitness, performance, and how mybody responds," he added. Mahmudullah featured for Rangpur Riders in the most recent Bangladesh PremierLeague (BPL) season and delivered a satisfactory performance.