Election systems manage sensitive data, including national identity numbers, biometric-linked voter records, phone numbers, and addresses of millions of citizens. “There is limited public disclosure about whether these systems underwent independent penetration testing or third-party security audits,” said an election technology expert. Cyber security expert Mohammad Shahadat Hossain stressed that technology alone is insufficient. “If election systems are perceived as opaque or insecure, even false claims of hacking or result manipulation become believable,” he said. Cyber security specialists consistently recommend multi-factor authentication, continuous system monitoring, mandatory staff training, independent audits, and 24/7 security operations centers.

At least 40 dwelling houses were gutted in a fire that broke out at a colony in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur district on Thursday. Md Nurul Karim, warehouse inspector of Gazipur Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the fire originated from a gas cylinder at a house in Mawna Uttarpara in the morning and engulfed the adjoining houses. On information, two firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze after nearly two hours. Valuables, including cash, televisions, refrigerators and furniture, were gutted in the fire. However, the extent of the damage could not be ascertained immediately.

Editors’ Council has called for ensuring the safety and security of journalists during the election period, noting that media professionals face various risks while carrying out their duties of news gathering and dissemination at such a critical time. Journalists working in the field are particularly vulnerable during elections, making their safety and security an issue of utmost importance, the Council said in a press release on Thursday, signed by its president Nurul Kabir and general secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud. The Editors’ Council has urged the state, the interim government, the Election Commission, and the relevant law enforcement agencies to take effective measures to ensure adequate safety and security for journalists engaged in election-related coverage. The Council has also called upon political parties to play a responsible and proactive role in safeguarding journalists and ensuring that they can perform their professional duties without fear or obstruction. The Editors’ Council expressed hope that all concerned stakeholders will recognize the gravity of the issue and take necessary and effective steps to guarantee journalists’ safety throughout the election period.

Railway employees in Natore blocked railway tracks on Thursday demanding the immediate implementation of the ninth pay scale. The demonstration began around 10 am at the Natore Railway Station platform where employees of the Railway Engineering Department held a rally. Later, the protesters sat on the tracks, halting train services, reports UNB. The protesters vacated the tracks after half an hour, allowing normal train operations to resume. During the protest, Mizanur Rahman, central president of the Railway Engineering Department Employees Association along with financial secretary Robiul Islam and other leaders, addressed the gathering and urged the government to implement the ninth pay scale without delay.

Political analysts say the growing influence of young and first-time voters, many aged between 18 and 33, could reshape traditional voting patterns. Young voters now account for more than 34% of the total electorate, underscoring their potential impact on the upcoming polls. Within the broader 18–45 age range, BNP holds an edge, especially among voters aged 28–45. Voices from the young votersAmong first-time voters, participation itself carries symbolic weight. According to the EC, 8.53 million voters are aged 18–21, 19.62 million are 22–25, 12.22 million are 26–29, and 16.87 million are 30–33.

A four-day Agricultural Technology and Nutrition Fair 2026 concluded in Thakurgaon on Thursday with a closing ceremony and prize distribution. Organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Thakurgaon Sadar, under the Sustainable Agricultural Development Project (Dinajpur Region – 1st Revised), the fair was held at the Public Library Ground from February 2 to 5. The fair featured 30 stalls showcasing modern agricultural technologies, innovations, and nutritional practices. At the concluding ceremony, prizes were awarded to the best stalls, and saplings were distributed among students to promote environmental awareness. Officials said the fair helped promote sustainable agriculture and modern farming practices among farmers and the general public.

TOKYO, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A cherry blossom festival boasting a highly Instagrammable view of Japan's Mount Fuji has been cancelled after residents complained of overtourism fuelled by the weak yen. "Behind (Mount Fuji's) beautiful landscape is the reality that the quiet lives of citizens are threatened. "To protect the dignity and living environment of our citizens, we have decided to bring the curtain down on the 10-year-old festival." The city, however, admits that even if the festival itself is cancelled, its venue -- a park overlooking Mount Fuji, cherry blossom trees and a five-story pagoda -- may still see a spike in visitors as spring nears. Mount Fuji is a perennial tourist attraction.

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Some people have gift shop souvenirs; others have stuffed animals that brush together in silence. With the vast array of designs and characters in the Jellycat catalog, ranging from fluffy bunnies to funny baguettes, the friendly stuffed animals offer endless options. All this being said, these materials are not uncommon in stuffed animal creation. The AvailabilityA clear feature of the Jellycat catalog is its sheer variety of stuffed animals. While it has typical plush designs such as teddy bears, bunnies and cows, it also offers stuffed animal forms of common objects.

Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - The government has appointed Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, a retired judge of the High Court Division, as the new chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) while four more commissioners have been also appointed to commission. Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a gazette notification in this regard today. Nur Khan and Nabila Idris, both former members of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, have been appointed as commissioners. Shariful Islam of the Department of Political Science at the University of Dhaka and human rights activist Ilira Dewan.

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Council of Advisers approves Postal Service Ordinance 2026 to modernize Bangladesh Post with digital transformation measures. File photoDHAKA, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - The Council of Advisers today gave final approval to the Postal Service Ordinance 2026, a new law aimed at digitally transforming Bangladesh Post, establishing e-commerce compliance and introducing a modern address management system. The ordinance will replace the Post Office Act of 1898 and be enacted as the Postal Service Ordinance, 2026. In addition to conventional postage stamps, the ordinance introduces digital postage stamps or e-stamping. This will enable the creation of digital addresses, address-based family tree mapping and geo-fencing.

Sarjis said voters should support those candidates and parties where 'from leaders to grassroots workers, everyone is good,' adding that people must vote for the platform that ensures freedom from oppression, fear, and harassment. Sarjis said he was not directly asking for votes for himself but called on voters-particularly members of the Hindu community-to reflect on which parties' activists had been involved in extortion, syndicates, and intimidation in Panchagarh over the past one and a half years. "If such wrongdoing is committed by NCP or Jamaat activists, then they should not be voted for. He also noted that MPs and ministers often stay outside their constituencies, while people have to deal daily with local leaders and activists. "If leaders from district to ward level are not good, the people of the district cannot live well," Sarjis said, reiterating that voters must choose the place where leaders and activists alike are good.

DHAKA, Feb 05, 2026 (BSS) - A Project document has been signed today between the Government of Bangladesh and the World Food Programme (WFP) for technical assistance. Under the agreement Bangladesh will receive US$ 6,45,714 from WFP for the 'Strengthening Shock Responsive and Nutrition Sensitive Social Projection Programme (SSRNSSPP) out of total cost US$ 6,88,979, an ERD press release. The main objectives of the technical assistance project are- policy advocacy, enhanced sectoral coordination, capacity building and generation of evidence-based knowledge. The core objective of the 3-year project began on 1 January 2026, is to provide technical support to National Social Security Strategy and its related development goals in Bangladesh, the release said. ERD secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky and acting Country Director of WFP Simone Parchment signed the document on their respective sides.