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Jamaat-e-Islami's candidate for the Sherpur-3 (Sreebordi-Jhenaigati) constituency, Nuruzzaman Badal. File PhotoSHERPUR, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominated parliamentary candidate for Sherpur-3 (Sreebardi–Jhenaigati) constituency, Md Nuruzzaman Badal, passed away early today. Nuruzzaman Badal was serving as the secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sherpur district unit. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep shock at the death of Nuruzzaman Badal. Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Nuruzzaman Badal continued his organisational and electoral activities with courage and responsibility despite witnessing violence and loss firsthand in recent times.

The article titled "An Interview With Tarique Rahman - Likely Bangladesh's Next Prime Minister" referred to several opinion polls ahead of the elections suggesting Rahman to be the next premier. "And many Gen Z voters are attending the political program(me)s of the BNP, especially those helmed by party chairman Tarique Rahman," it read. Replying to a question about the Gen Z, Rahman told The Diplomat that they are engaging with the thinking of Gen Z. "We are prioritizing job creation, technical education, sports, the IT sector, and job market, which I believe resonates strongly with Gen Z. If you look at today's atmosphere, you'll notice that most of the attendees in the meeting were Gen Z," he said.

RAJSHAHI, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - The Holy Shab-e-Barat was observed with due religious fervour and solemnity in the city and its adjacent areas on Tuesday night. In the city, thousands of Muslims offered nafl prayers at mosques and homes and recited from the Holy Quran in observance of the most meaningful night of forgiveness, fortune, hopes and aspirations. A number of Muslims stayed for the whole night at the mosques, offered special prayers and sought forgiveness and peace for all. Special prayers were also offered seeking divine blessings and kindness for the overall welfare, successes and good luck of humanity, the country and its people and the Muslim Ummah. Similar reports of observing the Shab-e-Barat with due religious fervour and solemnity reached here from the districts of Chapainawabganj, Natore, Naogaon, Bogura, Joypurhat, Pabna and Sirajganj.

Photo : BSSRANGPUR, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - A dua mehfil was held at the central mosque of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat, one of the four most sacred nights of forgiveness, on Tuesday night. Vice-chancellor of the university Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali attended the dua mehfil as the chief guest. At the same time, prayers were offered for the overall development of the university, good health and welfare of teachers, students, officers and employees. Khatib of the central mosque of Begum Rokeya University Dr Rakib Uddin Ahmed conducted the special prayers and munajats. The university's registrar Dr Md Harun-or Rashid, proctor Dr Md Ferdous Rahman, along with teachers, students, officials, employees, and worshippers, were present at that time.

RANGPUR, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Vice-chancellor (VC) of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali has said the university's classroom crisis will be resolved soon once the construction work of vertical expansion of two academic buildings is completed. The Vice-chancellor said that by using the rooms on the expanded part of the fifth floor, the long-standing classroom crisis of the university will be reduced to a large extent and more dynamism will be brought in the conduct of academic activities. "The work of expanding the fourth to sixth floors of the two academic buildings of the university vertically is currently underway. Once the construction work is completed, the classroom crisis of all 22 departments of the university will be resolved," he said. Proctor Dr Md Ferdous Rahman, Head of the Department of Physics Professor Dr Md Kamruzzaman, Head of the Department of Chemistry Dr Md Abdul Latif, Head of the Department of Statistics Dr Md Siddiqur Rahman, along with teachers and officials from various departments were present at the function.

By Md Aynal HaqueRAJSHAHI, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - The festive atmosphere of the upcoming parliamentary election has spread from Rajshahi city to remote rural dirt roads across the district's six constituencies. From farmers' courtyards and rural haat-bazaars to city intersections, narrow alleyways and tea stalls, campaigning activities have gained momentum. After noon, loudspeakers dominate both urban and rural areas, with BNP and Jamaat campaigns particularly visible. In Rajshahi city wards, daily processions are being held in support of BNP candidate Mizanur Rahman Minu in Rajshahi-2. Rajshahi City BNP General Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman Riton said that due to BNP's long-standing strong political position, other parties would not get much opportunity.

BRASILIA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - In an unprecedented case for Brazil, a military tribunal announced Tuesday that it would examine whether to strip former president Jair Bolsonaro of his rank, along with several generals who were all convicted with an attempted coup. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, was sentenced by the Supreme Court last September to 27 years in prison after being found guilty of conspiring to cling to power following his defeat by the current leftist president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in the 2022 election. The president of the Superior Military Court (STM), Maria Elizabeth Rocha, said the tribunal will discuss a request from military prosecutors to declare Bolsonaro and four senior commanders to be unworthy of retaining their ranks and benefits in the armed forces. Bolsonaro will be judged by a "court of honor" that will consider whether he retains his captain's rank despite being convicted over the coup plot, she said. "This is the first time that we are truly...judging the loss of rank of a general officer."

AI, manipulated images falsely link some US politicians with EpsteinWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Using AI-created or manipulated images, social media users have sought to falsely associate prominent US politicians such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, researchers said Tuesday. However, conservative social media users circulated three images that purported to show Epstein posing with Mamdani, who appears as a child. - Online fakery -Also circulating on social media was a screenshot of an email purportedly sent by Haley -- a former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador -- to Epstein. Online fakery has previously sought to ensnare other leading politicians in the Epstein scandal. Last year, as Mark Carney became a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, social media images purported to show him with Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Remittances to Mexico drop for the first time in 11 yearsMEXICO CITY, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Remittances sent home by Mexicans living abroad declined for the first time in 11 years in 2025, official data showed Tuesday, a phenomenon analysts said was likely due to a drop in migration to the United States. Money sent home to their families from Mexicans living in the United States has traditionally made up about 95 percent of remittances -- which totaled some $61.8 billion last year. He said the trend coincided with a drop in Mexican migration to the United States. In Mexico, Latin America's second-largest economy after Brazil, remittances in 2024 were equal to 3.5 percent of GDP. In 2025, the country's economy had its worst performance since the Covid-19 pandemic, growing 0.7 percent year-on-year as trade tensions with the United States took a toll.

SAO PAULO, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A bus returning from a religious festival in northeast Brazil veered off the road on a curve and overturned on Tuesday, killing at least 16 people, including four children, officials said. The bus had been carrying about 60 people when it tipped over in the rural interior of Alagoas state, ejecting some passengers while others were trapped underneath the wreckage. "I express my solidarity with the families and friends at this time of such great pain," Dantas wrote on X. Deadly road accidents are frequent in Brazil. In October last year 17 people died in northeast Brazil, in the state of Pernambuco, when a driver lost control of a bus.

TOKYO, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japanese energy firm JERA said Tuesday it had agreed a 27-year deal to buy gas from Qatar, as Tokyo comes under pressure to reduce Russian imports while ensuring enough supplies for power-hungry data centres and AI. JERA said it signed a long-term agreement with QatarEnergy to purchase 3.0 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually for 27 years from 2028. Japan is also facing a predicted rise in electricity demand from power-hungry data centres for use in artificial intelligence technologies. The administration of President Donald Trump has also encouraged Japan to buy more US energy and to reduce purchases of Russian gas. And in September the firm said it would consider buying LNG from a mooted major gas project in Alaska that has been championed by Trump.

TOKYO, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japan warned of possible avalanches in the country's northern regions on Wednesday as the mercury suddenly rose after two weeks of extreme snowfall that paralysed traffic and collapsed houses. "We ask affected residents to be careful and stay mindful of falling snow and avalanches," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said at a press briefing. Many of the cases involve mounds of snow falling on residents from houses or people tumbling from their roofs while trying to clear it. Television images showed residents walking along narrow paths carved between massive walls of snow, standing twice as high as people. Weather forecasters warn that cold weather will return from the weekend and bring further snow to northern cities.

BEIJING, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Beijing accused the European Union on Wednesday of taking "discriminatory" measures after the bloc opened an investigation into Chinese clean energy giant Goldwind over concerns the firm unfairly benefitted from state subsidies. Goldwind is one of the world's biggest wind turbine suppliers, and is looking to boost growth overseas, bringing it into competition with Western companies. China's foreign ministry said Wednesday the probe amounted to protectionism and threatened future Chinese investments in Europe. "The EU's frequent use of unilateral trade tools and its discriminatory and restrictive measures against Chinese companies send protectionist signals," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular press conference. The probe would also "affect the confidence of Chinese companies in investing in Europe", he added.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has urged all officials and employees involved in the election process to remain alert against fraudsters ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. According to a press release, a group of fraudsters has been trying to collect Bkash numbers from election officials by promising election-related honoraria. The fraudsters have been making calls using two numbers: 01342046232 and 01612677074. The EC confirmed that all officials involved in the elections will receive their honoraria through their respective presiding officers as per the rules. The Commission has specifically urged all officials not to respond to calls from fraudsters and to remain vigilant against such incidents.