Online gambling targeting Bangladesh’s upcoming national election is reportedly on the rise, despite strict legal prohibitions and active monitoring by authorities. Data from the platform showed 74% of participants predicting a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) victory, while 26% backed Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Brig Gen Shafiul Azam Parvez, director general (engineering and operations) at BTRC, said: “Shutting down gambling platforms is an ongoing process. The Cyber Security Ordinance, promulgated on May 21, 2025, explicitly criminalizes online gambling, including creating, operating, promoting, or participating in gambling-related platforms or advertisements. Despite the global popularity of election betting markets, authorities warn that participating in online election gambling in Bangladesh is illegal and punishable under law.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said that his party is determined to launch a fierce battle against extortionists and syndicate groups that have been exploiting the people of Bangladesh, emphasizing that change in the country's governance is inevitable. Dr Rahman said: “We are speaking today because of the July revolution. "After the victory, from February 13 onwards, 90% of the extortionists will be permanently removed from power," he said. “He did not run away; rather, his blood remains a legacy with us,” Dr Rahman added. Dr Rahman warned that while extortion and corruption are rampant today, his party would no longer tolerate such practices after they assume power.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that “those who persecuted followers of Sanatan Dharma in 1971 have once again returned in a new guise and are now contesting elections.” He posed the question to the nation as to whether all citizens of the country would be safe in their hands. Addressing the meeting, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “During the great War of Independence, followers of Sanatan Dharma in this country suffered the most persecution and made the greatest sacrifices at the hands of a religion-based party. The ancestors of our Sanatan brothers and sisters know this history well. Our party’s founder, the martyred President Ziaur Rahman, ensured religious freedom for people of all faiths. We too do not want any form of ethnic, religious, or racial division—we want to live together as Bangladeshis.”The meeting was chaired by Chandamoy Biswas Tilak, former General Secretary of the Pekua Upazila Bishwaspara Puja Udjapan Parishad.

A large share of voters traditionally aligned with the Awami League remain undecided ahead of the upcoming national election, while a significant portion appear inclined toward the BNP-led opposition alliance, according to a recent survey by research organization Innovision. The survey showed that 13.2% of respondents in this voter group favor Jamaat, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and allied parties. Political analysts say the high proportion of undecided voters within the Awami League’s traditional support base, combined with the sizable share expressing support for opposition alliances, may reflect voter dissatisfaction, political fatigue, or growing openness to alternative political forces. Analysts also note that undecided voters could play a decisive role in shaping the election outcome as campaigning intensifies ahead of polling day. The Awami League is barred from participating in the February 12 national election following the political upheaval and change in power after the August 5, 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Navy in its regular drive on Friday rescued a floating boat with 20 fishermen in the Bay of Bengal. According to information, the Bangladesh Navy ship "Surma" reached the spot to rescue the boat. The boat, which was floating in the sea near Kutubdia, was quickly rescued along with 20 fishermen. At that time, the rescued fishermen were provided with first aid and necessary food items. The crew of the rescued boat said on January 19, 2026, that they set out from Chittagong with the boat for fishing.

A day-long Job Fair was held at Moulvibazar Polytechnic Institute on Thursday. More than 30 national and international companies participated in the job fair. The resumes of other candidates were also collected, and organizers said that employment opportunities would be provided later based on merit. Alongside the job fair, a seminar was held at the auditorium of the Polytechnic Institute. The seminar was chaired by Engineer Belal Ahmed, Vice Principal of the institute, and moderated by faculty member Umme Sara Pushon.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday called on all to stand by persons with disabilities and special needs in their respective positions. He made the call while speaking at a wheelchair distribution programme organized by CSF Global on behalf of Dr Zubaida Rahman at Naz Garden in Bogra town. At the event, Dr Zubaida Rahman lauded CSF Global's initiative and emphasized the importance of planned political and social efforts to engage children and adolescents in health, education, and sports, helping them grow into responsible citizens. Before the wheelchair distribution, persons with special needs shared their views and performed songs. After the event, Tarique Rahman visited Baitur Rahman Central Mosque to offer Jummah prayers before departing for Rangpur.

Moyeen Khan seeks votes for ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ to restore democracyPhoto : BSSNARSINGDI, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - BNP standing committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan today urged citizens to cast their votes in favour of the party's electoral symbol 'Sheaf of Paddy' to restore democracy in the February 12 national parliamentary election. Moyeen Khan, also the party-nominated candidate for Narsingdi-2 (Palash) constituency, made the remarks while addressing a courtyard meeting at Taltola village under Danga Union of the constituency. He called upon voters to vote for the Sheaf of Paddy in order to establish a liberal democratic system in the country. Among others present were Palash Upazila BNP President Abdus Sattar, General Secretary Saiful Haque, Senior Joint Secretary Bahauddin Bhuiyan Milton, Ghorashal Poura BNP President Alam Mollah. Earlier, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan addressed another courtyard meeting at Bhurinda village under Danga Union.

Bangladesh Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq confirmed the development on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard detained 128 Bangladeshi fishermen and seized five Bangladeshi fishing boats on November 16, 17, 19, and 30, 2025, on charges of fishing in Indian territorial waters. Following diplomatic efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides agreed to exchange the detained fishermen under a bilateral arrangement. At the same time, the Bangladesh Coast Guard received 128 Bangladeshi fishermen and five fishing boats from Indian custody. The returned Bangladeshi fishermen were formally reunited with their families at the Bangladesh Coast Guard Base Mongla at 11:00 am today, along with their fishing boats.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in two separate drives seized huge contraband drugs and arrested three alleged drug dealers from different places of Rangpur and Thakurgaon districts on Thursday afternoon. The arrestees were identified as Md Morsalin Mia, 19, and Md Rubel Mia, 22, both of village Dakur Khamar under Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat and Md Tauhid Islam Ratan, 30, of the Chitchilarong area under Sadar upazila of Thakurgaon district, reports BSS. The seized contraband drugs included 100 bottles of phensedyl-like ESKuf and 3,915 pieces of Yaba tablets, said a press release issued on Thursday afternoon. After filing two separate cases in these incidents, the elite force handed over the arrested persons and seized drugs to the Gangachara Model Police Station in Rangpur and Sadar Police Station in Thakurgaon respectively for further legal action.

Nearly six in ten respondents plan to vote “Yes” in the upcoming referendum, according to a nationwide survey conducted by research firm Innovision. The survey found that 59.5% of respondents intend to vote in favor of the proposal, giving the “Yes” camp a clear lead, although a sizeable share of the population remains either undecided or unaware of the referendum. While support for a “Yes” vote currently holds a clear majority, the survey suggested a gap in public outreach, with more than one-fifth of respondents unaware of the referendum. The undecided voters, accounting for nearly 12%, may also prove decisive as the vote approaches. Innovision said the survey was carried out as part of a primary social research initiative to gauge public sentiment on key governance issues.

Supporters of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP) show the strongest backing for a potential national referendum, according to a new survey released by research firm Innovision. Findings from Innovision’s Round 2 survey indicate that 71.3% of Jamaat supporters would vote “Yes” in a referendum, while 5.0% would vote “No” and 17.4% said they were unaware of the issue. Among NCP supporters, 70.2% expressed support for a “Yes” vote, with 6.4% opposed. Awami League supporters showed the weakest backing, with 45.8% favoring a “Yes” vote. The data suggests Jamaat and NCP supporters are more unified in their stance on the referendum, while higher levels of uncertainty among Awami League and BNP supporters could shape future political mobilization.

DHAKA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - At least 16 countries have accepted Bangladesh's invitation to send a total of 57 election observers for the country's 13th general election and the referendum on the July Charter, both scheduled to be held concurrently on February 12. Among bilateral delegations, Malaysia will send the largest contingent with 14 observers, followed by Türkiye, which is dispatching 12 observers. Most notable observers from these countries include Mohammad Jalal Sikandar Sultan, chief election commissioner of Pakistan, and Deki Pema, chief election commissioner of Bhutan. "We have received confirmation of close to 400 election observers, so far, and we expect a few more countries to confirm the visits of their delegates very soon," said Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and SDG coordinator, who is supporting the coordination of election observers. The European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) will be led by Ivars Ijabs, chief observer and member of the European Parliament from Latvia.

SEOUL, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Kim Jong Un vowed to "transform" North Korea with a drive to build public health facilities, leisure complexes and industrial plants over a third of the country, state media said Friday. "We are now standing on the starting line of our gigantic struggle for another year, aimed at transforming the regions," Kim said. Images released by state media showed Kim shovelling soil alongside other officials at a ceremony attended by an excited crowd clapping and waving North Korean flags. Photos showed a large, dramatic celebratory explosion that state media described as "thrilling". North Korea has long been criticised for prioritising the military and its banned weapons programmes over adequately providing for its people.

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