Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked fourth among the world’s most polluted cities on Friday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 204 at 9:08am. 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.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka and India. Hazlewood suffered a hamstring injury in the final Sheffield Shield game, Australia's domestic red ball competition, before the start of the Ashes. Sean Abbott travelled with the squad from Pakistan after their recent 3-0 series loss and is a replacement option. Australia’s warm-up match against the Netherlands was abandoned on Thursday but they still have a six-day preparation window before the first group game against Ireland. Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Bangladesh has formally established diplomatic relations with the Caribbean nation of Grenada through the signing of a joint declaration at the Bangladesh High Commission in London. The joint declaration was signed on Thursday afternoon by Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Abida Islam and Grenada’s High Commissioner to the UK Rachér Croney, marking the official start of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Both Bangladesh and Grenada became members of the United Nations on September 17, 1974. Although various contacts and exchanges took place over the years, no formal diplomatic relations had been established until now. He also expressed hope that Bangladesh and Grenada would further strengthen their engagement at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is facing concerns over a potential financial blow following Pakistan’s decision to boycott its high-profile T20 World Cup group match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. During an executive committee meeting on Tuesday, SLC decided to formally approach the PCB, urging it to reconsider the boycott. In its letter, SLC reminded Pakistan of Sri Lanka’s past support, particularly when the island nation toured Pakistan at a time when international teams were reluctant to visit following the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. Pakistan had earlier announced its boycott of the match against India in support of Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India for the tournament. India begin their campaign against the United States on February 7 and are set to play their second group match on February 12.

Five people, including a child, were injured when miscreants opened fire during an election campaign at the Ali Khali Rohingya camp in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Thursday night. The incident took place around 8:30pm in Block A/04 (formerly Block D/06) of Camp-25 in the Ali Khali area. Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Saiful Islam confirmed the incident. According to witnesses, an election campaign in support of the sheaf of paddy symbol was being conducted from a truck in the area. OC Mohammad Saiful Islam said the identities of those involved and further details would be known after investigation.

Japan has decided to deploy an Election Observer Mission to Bangladesh from Monday to February 14 to support the fair implementation of the general election of Bangladesh scheduled for February 12. The mission will be headed by Watanabe Masato, former ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh. It will consist of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh and an external expert. In addition to observing the casting and counting of votes, the Mission will exchange views and information with the Bangladesh Election Commission as well as election observer missions from foreign countries and others. The Election Observer Mission will be sent as part of Japan's cooperation for the consolidation of democracy in Bangladesh in response to the Bangladesh Election Commission’s announcement to welcome international election observers, said the government of Japan.

He made remarks when asked whether the Interim government would seek an international investigation into the assassination of Hadi. Inqilab Moncha on Thursday staged a sit-in outside the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, demanding an impartial investigation under United Nations supervision into the killing of its spokesperson Hadi. We are waiting here with the wife of martyr Osman Hadi until we receive a clear assurance from the chief adviser. Zuma said Inqilab Mancha, along with Hadi’s wife, had taken a position in front of Jamuna to press for the UN-monitored probe. Following the incident, Jaber filed a case of attempted murder with Paltan Police Station on December 14, which was later converted into a murder case.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) has announced a reduction in gold prices in the local market. In a press release, Bajus said the decision to cut gold prices was taken considering both the international and domestic market situation. Under the new rates,21-carat gold will be sold at Tk242,902 per bhori, and18-carat gold at Tk208,202 per bhori. Meanwhile, silver prices have also been reduced. The press release also said that a government-mandated 5% VAT must be collected from customers on the sale of gold and silver and deposited to the government treasury.

Government officials and employees protested in front of the chief adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, on Friday, demanding the announcement of the ninth national pay scale. Defying a police barricade at Shahbagh, the protesters marched towards Jamuna at around 11:30am on Friday and began demonstrating in front of the residence. We are talking to the protesters so that they move elsewhere.”Earlier, protesters from across the country gathered at the Shaheed Minar and started marching towards chief adviser's residence Jamuna around 11am. After the protesters reached Jamuna, police again tried to remove them. When the protesters refused to leave, police resorted to baton charges and later fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Reading time: about 3 minutesThe Presidential Task Force on Institutional Voice released their final recommendations on how and when Cornell should issue official statements on social and political issues, according to a statement released by University administration on Thursday afternoon. The statement specifically called for “institutional restraint” when making decisions about when to comment on issues. The recommendations propose that Cornell limit official statements to situations that are directly connected to the University’s mission and values. There are certain members of Cornell leadership who, due to the nature of their position at the university, cannot meaningfully divorce their individual faculty or staff voice from their institutional voice,” the report reads. In addition to defining when the University should speak, the report also clarifies who is authorized to do so.

The University did not immediately respond to requests for comments but this article will reflect all new information that becomes available. The men’s lightweight rowing team has been temporarily suspended, according to an email sent to the team on Wednesday evening by Director of Athletics and Physical Education Nicki Moore and obtained by The Sun. “We recognize the deep care alumni, families, and friends hold for Cornell Rowing and for the young people who represent the Big Red,” Moore wrote. “We appreciate your patience and support as we work through this matter with care and responsibility. She is the features editor on the 143rd Editorial Board and was the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board.

The 2021 champions are title contenders at the tournament in India and Sri Lanka beginning on Saturday, but it has been a horror build-up. "We'll take the learnings, we'll move on to the World Cup and we know we're a very good side in all conditions." "It really does defy logic that Steve Smith is not in the World Cup squad," tweeted former great Mark Waugh. After meeting Ireland, Australia will play 12th-ranked Zimbabwe, 20th-ranked Oman and co-hosts Sri Lanka with the top two progressing to the Super Eights. "We're going to the World Cup to try and win it, and we're solely focused on that," said a defiant Marsh.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 401,460 postal ballots have reached Bangladesh from expatriates registered on the “Postal Vote BD” app for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Election and Referendum. Of them, 526,498 voters have received their ballots, while 482,817 have already cast their votes, he said, adding that in addition, 449,006 expatriates have submitted their ballots to the postal authorities of their respective countries. Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has also begun sending postal ballots to voters residing inside the country (ICPV). Of these, 324,020 have received their ballots till 9:30 am Thursday. Among them, 259,394 voters have cast their votes, 213,697 have submitted ballots to post offices or mailboxes, and returning officers have received 30,706 ballots.

In the absence of the ousted Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance have emerged as the main contenders in the election. As a result, from the very first day of campaigning, political activities by both BNP and Jamaat have intensified across the constituency. BNP leaders have highlighted historical and political differences with Jamaat-e-Islami while outlining their own positions and policies before voters. Jamaat candidate Principal Nazmul Haque said he is contesting the election with a commitment to moral values and public service. Meanwhile, BNP candidate Abu Saeed Chand said Rajshahi has long been regarded as a strong organizational base for the BNP.

KYIV, Ukraine, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A couple was killed in an overnight Russian drone strike on southern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, an official said Friday. The 49-year-old man and 48-year-old woman died when their home in the city of Vilniansk was struck, regional military chief Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram. The attack came after Russian and Ukrainian officials held US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi this week aimed at striking a deal to end Moscow's four-year invasion. A 14-year-old boy was wounded in a separate strike on the regional centre, also called Zaporizhzhia, Fedorov said in an earlier post. Preliminary information indicated another Russian attack on the outer suburbs of Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv, with no immediate reports of casualties, regional military head Oleg Synegubov said.