On Friday marks the sixth death anniversary of Mohammad Badrul Ahsan, a distinguished columnist, editor, and banker remembered for his sharp wit and literary contributions. Ahsan was best known for his long-running weekly column Cross Talk in The Daily Star, which he began in 2000. His incisive writing earned him a loyal readership and established him as one of the country’s most recognizable voices in English-language journalism. Beyond journalism, Ahsan had a successful career with Standard Chartered Bank, serving in both Dhaka and Dubai. His other works -- A Good Man in the Woods and Other Essays, Crosstalk Essays, and The Parallax View -- were published by The University Press Limited.

Jamaat Ameer to address four rallies in Barisal division tomorrowBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. File photoBARISAL, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will visit Barisal Division on Friday, addressing four election rallies across four districts. Advocate Muazzam Hussain Helal, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and Barisal Region Director confirmed the visit. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will speak at RC College ground in Patahat, Mehendiganj of Barisal district at 10:00 am, Bauphal Public Ground in Patuakhali at 11:00 am, Jhalakathi Government High School Ground at 2:00 pm, and Pirojpur Government Boys High School Ground at 3:00 pm. Fakhruddin Khan Razi, a member of the Barisal Division Jamaat team, said the Ameer's visit has energized party leaders and supporters ahead of the polls.

BNP’s Barrister Sheikh Zakir Hossain pledges modern development, employment, and progress for Bagerhat Sadar-2 constituency. Photo : BSSBAGERHAT, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - Barrister Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain, BNP-nominated candidate for Bagerhat Sadar-2 constituency, today pledged to transform Bagerhat into a modern, developed district by following the ideals of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia. He made the remarks while addressing a prayer mahfil organized by KB Arotdar Samabay Samiti at Bagerhat KB Fish Market, held for the eternal peace of Begum Khaleda Zia. Sheikh Mohammad Abid Ali, president of the association, presided over the event, which was attended by Bagerhat district BNP convener Engineer ATM Akram Hossain Talim as the chief guest. In his speech, Barrister Zakir Hossain said, "Begum Khaleda Zia is not just a leader - she is a symbol of democracy, development, and nationalism of this country.

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TIRANA, Albania, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Albania's government has lifted analmost year-old ban on TikTok, according to a cabinet document published inlocal media and confirmed to AFP on Thursday by the prime minister's office. Albania blocked access to TikTok in March after a classmate fatally stabbed ateenager following a fight sparked by a social media dispute. Despite the ban, access to the platform has remained possible, notablythrough VPNs. Several countries, concerned about the platform's impact on children's andadolescents' health, have taken measures in recent months. In December, Australia banned those under 16 from accessing several socialmedia platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube -- a world firstthat has since inspired other countries.

Jamaat-e-Islami SG Mia Golam Parwar urges voters to choose 'Daripalla' for political change. Photo : BSSKHULNA, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar today said people across the country are determined to bring political change and will express their choice by voting for the party's election symbol, 'Daripalla' (Scale). Now, the people want a political change," he said at an election rally organized by the Batiaghata Upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami at the Upazila market grounds. Golam Parwar said students in public universities across the country are calling for change. Chaired by Batiaghata Upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Sheikh Muhammad Abu Yusuf, the event was addressed by Jamaat candidate for Khulna-1, Krishna Nandi.

MUMBAI, India, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - At least 18 people died Thursday after an explosion ripped through an illegal coal mine in the northeastern Indianstate of Meghalaya, officials said. "During the course of the rescue operation, a total of 18 dead bodies have been recovered from the site of the explosion," local police said in a statement.

Photo: BSSTANGAIL, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - A ‘Janatar Sangjog’ telephone booth was inaugurated in Tangail-5 (Sadar) constituency on Thursday to facilitate direct communication between voters and their parliamentary candidate ahead of the 13th National Parliament elections. Sultan Salauddin Tuku, BNP candidate for Tangail-5 and the party’s publicity secretary, formally inaugurated the phone booth at Dainna union in Sadar upazila in the afternoon. According to party sources, a total of 30 ‘Janatar Sangjog’ phone booths will be installed in phases across the Tangail-5 constituency under Tuku’s initiative. Through these booths, local residents will be able to directly communicate with Tuku to share their problems, complaints, and needs. Each booth will have a telephone, and by pressing a button, people will be directly connected to my phone.

Dry weather likely to persist across countryDHAKA, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy conditions over the country during the next 24 hours beginning at 9:00 am today, said weather bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD)The forecast mentioned that light to moderate fog could form in places over river basins during the early morning hours. Nighttime temperature may drop slightly by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, while daytime temperature is expected to remain nearly unchanged throughout the period, it added. Yesterday's highest temperature was recorded at 30.3 degrees Celsius in Teknaf, and today's lowest at 11.2 degrees Celsius in Tetulia. In Dhaka, winds may flow from the north to northwesterly direction at 6 to 12 kilometres per hour. Sunset in the capital today will be at 5:47 pm and sunrise tomorrow expected at 6:37 am.

Education Adviser Professor Dr C R Abrar - File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 05, 2026 (BSS)- Education Adviser Professor Dr C R Abrar today said the main target of the present education system should not merely to confer degree but to develop skilled, innovative and technology friendly human resources. The adviser made this remark while addressing as the chief guest the inaugural function of Robo Carnival at BUET. The Education Adviser said the world is currently facing the challenge of fourth industrial revolution while the artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, data analysis and automation process are quickly changing our global economy and social condition. Abrar said robo carnival is not only an exhibition but it is a strong platform of building an outline of the future development of Bangladesh. Professor Dr CR Abrar hoped that this initiative will help to emerge future engineers and scientists who will lead the technological development of the country.

Anata Choudhury maintains solo lead in Spectrum Bangladesh National Cup Chess after sixth preliminary round. Sajidul Haque, CM Md. In the day's sixth round matches, Anata Choudhury defeated CM Md. Moniruzzaman Masud defeated FM Md. Sharif Hossain, CM Md.

GENEVA, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United Nations rights chief calledThursday on the Burkina Faso government to halt all repression of civic spaceand to overturn its plan to prohibit all political parties. The junta running the west African nation said last week it planned todissolve all political parties, whose activities have been suspended sincethe military rulers seized power in 2022. "Instead of banning political parties and jailing people for expressing theiropinions, the authorities in Burkina Faso need to open up space for civilsociety, including humanitarian actors," Volker Turk said in a statement. The rights office warned that the combined effect of the suspensions anddecisions "sharply constricted civil society's activity in the country". "Among the victims are journalists, members of the judiciary, leaders andmembers of political parties and civil society organisations," it said.