WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US military officials said Tuesday American warships had arrived off the coast of Haiti, as the island country's leaders cling to power in their ongoing war against violent drug gangs. The USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone and USCGC Diligence entered the Bay of Port-au-Prince to "reflect the United States unwavering commitment to Haiti's security, stability and a brighter future," the US embassy in Haiti posted on X. After facing years of violence and instability, Haiti is entering a new phase of political turbulence in the days before the official end of the mandate for the country's Presidential Transitional Council on February 7. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, with swaths of the country under the control of rival armed gangs who carry out murders, rapes and kidnappings. The US recently announced new visa restrictions targeting senior officials, who are accused of supporting gangs.

At the outset, an oath and declaration were read out by Mahmudul Alam Masud, general secretary of the SUJON Rajshahi district committee. The forum was chaired by Sadikul Islam Mejo, president of SUJON Paba upazila, and conducted by Mizanur Rahman, SUJON divisional coordinator for Rajshahi. Addressing the gathering as special guests were Ahammed Shafi Uddin, president of SUJON Rajshahi district committee; Piar Box, metropolitan president; Asad Ali, president of SUJON Mohanpur upazila; Sohel Mahbub, general secretary of SUJON Paba upazila; and Abdul Alim, general secretary of SUJON Mohanpur upazila. Speakers said that in a democratic system, citizens' opinions and rights are paramount, and it is the moral responsibility of election candidates to face voters' questions ahead of the polls. Observers said SUJON's initiative of enabling direct interaction between voters and candidates ahead of the election has set a positive example of democratic practice in the Rajshahi-3 constituency.

Dr Zubaida Rahman spoke at BNP professionals’ views-exchange meeting at Hatirjheel Amphitheatre, Dhaka. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, said everyone should work together to build a state based on equality, knowledge and the dignity of labor. Therefore, to build a state founded on equality, knowledge and the dignity of labor, we must all work together,” she said. Dr Zubaida Rahman was speaking at a views-exchange meeting organized by the Professionals’ Wing of the BNP Election Management Committee at the Hatirjheel Amphitheatre in the city this afternoon. Merit-based employment, fair rights and the establishment of justice before exploitation are our objectives.”Calling upon everyone to remain united, Dr. Zubaida Rahman said, “All of us have various kinds of problems.

Former husband of ex-first lady Jill Biden charged in wife killingWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The ex-husband of former first lady Jill Biden has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of his current wife at their Delaware home in December, local police said Tuesday. William Stevenson, 77, was married to Jill Biden from 1970 until their divorce in 1975. Jill Biden married former president Joe Biden in 1977. Stevenson is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection to the December 28 death of his wife, 64-year-old Linda Stevenson, according to New Castle County Police in Delaware. Authorities on Tuesday did not say how Linda Stevenson died or provide more details about the investigation.

Use of caravan in election campaign allowed: ECDHAKA, Feb 04, 2026 (BSS)- Candidates of 13th parliament election can use caravan or mobile transports with digital display for election campaign. Election Commission (EC) in a letter has informed it to the returning officers. The letter stated that such electioneering must not obstruct vehicular movement or cause public inconvenience on the street.

Ruhul Amin Mollick, Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer of the EC Secretariat, today informed that a formal letter has been sent to all Returning Officers to enforce these regulations. According to Rule 16 of the "Political Parties and Candidates Code of Conduct, 2025," candidates, their election agents, or any individual acting on their behalf are permitted to conduct electioneering on social media platforms. Furthermore, Rule 22(2) of the 2025 conduct guidelines specifies that all costs related to social media campaigning must be accounted for. In light of these requirements, the EC has requested all Returning Officers to ensure the proper implementation of these rules. Returning Officers have also been directed to collect and forward data regarding which social media platforms are being utilized by political parties and candidates to the Public Relations branch of the EC Secretariat.

Reading time: about 5 minutesMen don’t read anymore. I do not know any men my age who actively put in the effort and love to read. If men don’t read, they lose this key part of developing empathy, a skill unique and integral to humanity. No young male readers lead to no young male authors. For those crying devil’s advocate, arguing that men of this age group do read, it’s just specific titles.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar today spoke as the chief guest at an election rally held at the Shimrail truck stand field in Narayanganj. Photo : BSSNARAYANGANJ, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) – Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar today said July Mass Uprising serves as a critical lesson for all political parties, showing the power of student-led movements against authoritarianism and highlighting the necessity of bringing in new leadership in country’s politics. He urged all political parties to take lesson from the 2024 July Mass Uprising, which led to the fall of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina. Reflecting on the political history of Narayanganj, the Secretary General recalled an incident … when a signboard was erected in the area forbidding the entry of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders. The rally was presided over by Amir of Narayanganj City Jamaat Maulana Abdul Jabbar and attended by various central and local leaders, including district secretary Md.

Downtown Concord, Mass., was safe to walk after a January storm this year, thanks to a town program that plows and sands the sidewalks downtown. The hostelry known as Concord's Colonial Inn dates to 1716, and Henry David Thoreau lived there from 1835 to 1837.

EC's meeting with officials on coordination of election activities underwayDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - A meeting of officials of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat and the Election Training Institute is underway to coordinate election activities for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the Referendum. The meeting began at 11:00 am at the conference room of the EC Secretariat in Agargaon here. Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmed, Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar and Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, along with senior officials of the EC Secretariat, participated in the meeting.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today spoke to journalists after a views-exchange meeting with administrative and law enforcement officials of the Khulna region. He made the remarks while talking to journalists after a views-exchange meeting with administrative and law enforcement officials of the Khulna region this morning. He noted that the highest number of security personnel, along with modern technology, is being deployed to ensure overall security. He said that additional security measures will be taken at centres identified as sensitive based on the prevailing situation. Addressing the meeting as the chief guest, the Home Adviser stressed ensuring public safety, administrative coordination and professionalism of law enforcement agencies to hold a free, fair and impartial election.

DHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - The government has appointing 1,051 executive magistrates to perform duties in the upcoming 13th National Election. Ministry of Public Administration has issued a gazette notification in this regard yesterday, officials today said. The executive magistrates will be empowered to conduct mobile courts in their assigned areas from February 8 to 14. The notification contains several instructions for the executive magistrates regarding their training, joining, and performing the duties.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan urges vigilance, free polls to seize rare chance restore democracy. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Standing Committee Member and Chairman of the party's central election management committee Nazrul Islam Khan today said an opportunity has emerged after a long time to restore democracy in the country and no one should be allowed to unjustly waste it. Everyone must remain vigilant so that the opportunity to restore democracy is not squandered by anyone," he said. Nazrul Islam Khan made the remarks while speaking at an exchange of views meeting with members of the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at a city hotel in Gulshan. Expressing concern over media ownership and neutrality, Nazrul Islam Khan said most media outlets are owned by industrialists or businesspeople who are directly or indirectly involved in politics, creating political influence over the media.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday warned that a ‘deep conspiracy’ is underway in Bangladesh and urged people to remain vigilant, saying the establishment of ‘people’s rule’ depends on the coming days. “The time has come to restore the rights that have been taken away from you.”He also pledged to create job opportunities for the unemployed youth. Tarique Rahman criticised what he described as a secretive group demanding verification numbers and national identity cards, calling such actions unethical. Introducing BNP candidates for all 15 parliamentary constituencies in greater Faridpur, Tarique urged voters to cast their ballots for the party’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. BNP Central Organising Secretary Shama Obaed, Faridpur BNP Secretary AK Kibria Swapon and BNP leaders Abzal Hossain Khan Palash and Khandakar Nasirul Islam also addressed the rally.

NARSINGDI, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-11 has arrested the main accused in a sensational rape case in Palash upazila of the district. He was apprehended from the Ghorashal Bridge area of Palash upazila on Tuesday night (February 3). RAB said the accused forcibly took the girl to a nearby garden and raped her. Later, her father filed a case with Palash Police Station in connection with the incident. Ariful Islam said the arrested accused has been handed over to Palash Police Station for further legal proceedings.