Bangladesh Permanent Representative Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury addressed the sixty-fourth session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has called for renewed global solidarity and people-centred policies to advance social development and social justice, stressing the need for inclusive, compassionate societies with equal opportunities for all. The envoy highlighted Bangladesh's holistic development approach, with a strong focus on rural development, women's empowerment, youth development, social protection, climate resilience and inclusive finance. The sixty-fourth session of the Commission for Social Development is being held at the UN Headquarters in New York from February 2 to 10, 2026. Bangladesh is serving as a member of the Commission for the 2023-2027 term.

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Upholding the spirit of the 1952 Language Movement, a six-day film festival titled "Amar Bhashar Chalachitra-1432" (Cinema of My Language) began today at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University. Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) is hosting the fest with the cooperation of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Jaaz, Bangladesh Film Archive and Chotki. The festival is being held at the beginning of February, to mark the month of 1952 Language Movement, as part of its annual tradition and will continue until February 8. A total of 23 films are scheduled to be screened at the festival, including 20 feature-length films and three short films. According to the organisers, this year's selection reflects a blend of the ideals of the Language Movement, social realities, political discourse and human stories.

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - A moderate earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Minbu, Myanmar, tonight, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said. The epicentre of the tremor was recorded at latitude 20.46øÿN and longitude 93.95øÿE, approximately 521ÿkm south-east of the BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon, Dhaka, according to an official BMD bulletin. The seismic event occurred at 9:34ÿpm local time and lasted for a few seconds, the BMD's Seismic Observatory and Research Centre said.

Photo: BSSBAGERHAT, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held an election rally in Gotapara Union of Bagerhat Sadar Upazila today, where its leaders pledged to work for the eradication of corruption, terrorism and extortion from society. The rally was held this afternoon at Balur Field, adjacent to Depara Bazar in Gotapara Union. It was organized by Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahad, the nominated candidate of the 11-party alliance for the Bagerhat-2 constituency. Barkat Ali, Amir of Gotapara Union Jamaat-e-Islami, and moderated by Md. "We will mix corruption with the soil and eliminate terrorism and extortion," he said, alleging that a group of opponents is spreading false propaganda to obstruct these goals.

When thinking about the Swedish pop scene or Broadway, one rarely conjures Chess. In New York City, it is currently hard to forget that Chess is on. The city billboards not occupied by Zohran Mamdani’s friendly smile are mostly selling passersby on the power trio of Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher. Aaron Tveit delivers a quintessential Aaron Tveit performance, truly shining in the second act. Like most Broadway shows, it is, undoubtedly, an evening well-spent, but, after all the choreography and costume work, it stops just short of transcendence.

DHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - The Holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune, was observed throughout the country on Tuesday night with due religious fervour and devotion. On the occasion, Islamic Foundation chalked out programmes at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here. The foundation held waz (religious sermons), doa-mahfil, special prayers, recitation from the Holy Quran and Hamd-Naat at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Tuesday night. Besides, religious sermons marking the Shab-e-Barat were delivered at different mosques after Maghrib prayers, alongside holding special munajat after Isha prayers across the country. On the occasion, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus issued a message greeting all Muslims of the country and elsewhere across the world.

Nuruzzaman Badol- Photo: collectedSHERPUR, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - General Secretary of Sherpur District unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the party-nominated candidate for Sherpur-3 constituency Nuruzzaman Badol passed away in the early hours of today. Sherpur district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Hafizur Rahman confirmed the matter, saying that Badol breathed his last at around 3:00 am today. He was immediately taken to Shribordi Upazila Health Complex. He was later taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where on-duty doctors declared him dead. Masud, the deceased's brother, said the first Namaz-e-Janaza will be held at Sherpur Poura Eidgah ground, while the second Namaz-e-Janaza will take place at Shribordi Upazila College ground.

Shooter Rahim placed on five-day remand over Musabbir killingDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - A Dhaka court today granted a five-day remand of Md. Rahim, the alleged shooter in the killing of Azizur Rahman Musabbir, former general secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan North unit of Swechchhasebak Dal. The investigation officer requested a seven-day remand to conduct a thorough probe, but Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman approved a five-day remand. Sub-Inspector Arifur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the General Registration Branch of Tejgaon Police Station Court, confirmed the matter to BSS. Following the incident, his wife, Suraiya Begum, filed a murder case with Tejgaon Police Station against four to five unidentified suspects.

Mohammad Nuruzzaman Badal, Jamaat-e-Islami’s MP candidate from Sherpur-3 constituency and the party's district secretary, passed away early Wednesday. He breathed his last at around 1:30am while undergoing treatment for kidney complications at Swadesh Hospital in Mymensingh, said Sherpur district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Md Hafizur Rahman. He said Nuruzzaman Badal had been suffering from kidney-related complications for a long time. As his condition worsened, he was moved to Mymensingh for advanced treatment, where he later died at Swadesh Hospital. Meanwhile, his rival BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel, along with leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, NCP and other political parties, as well as representatives of various local professional groups, expressed deep sorrow over the death of Jamaat leader Nuruzzaman Badal.

US jet downs Iran drone but talks still on courseWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that approached an American aircraft carrier in the Middle East on Tuesday, Washington said, as renewed tensions on the high seas overshadowed plans for nuclear talks. Washington and Tehran have agreed to talks after US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened Iran with military action -- and Iran warned that it would respond with strikes on US vessels and bases. The United States bombed Iran's nuclear sites last summer, and has sent a naval battlegroup back to the region since Tehran's deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. "An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defense," Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said in a statement. While Trump and Pezeshkian insisted they were dedicated to talks, US and Iranian forces were in action at sea.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb. -File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministry Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb today called upon the newly appointed office support staff to devote themselves to public service with utmost sincerity. Taiyeb said the primary responsibility of the newly appointed employees is to deliver digital services to people at their doorsteps. The chief adviser’s special assistant said at the upazila level, DoICT offices represent the government’s digital transformation to local people. Therefore, newly appointed staff must play a sincere and responsible role in providing online services, registrations, information technology support, and cyber security assistance to citizens, he said.

LAHORE, Pakistan, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan's spin-heavy squad are in winning form ahead of the T20 World Cup, but a controversial decision to forfeit their marquee clash against India could still trigger another early exit. Pakistan came close to withdrawing from the tournament in solidarity with Bangladesh, who pulled out after refusing to play in India, citing security concerns. The Pakistan government eventually cleared the team's participation but it barred them from facing India in Colombo in a blockbuster clash on February 15. Captain Salman Agha said the move to boycott the India game was out of the team's hands. "We're ticking most boxes and believe we can win the World Cup," Agha said.

CARACAS, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Thousands of backers of Venezuela's former leader Nicolas Maduro, who was ousted in a deadly US military operation, marched in Caracas on Tuesday to demand his freedom. "These people are not American," said Maduro's son, Nicolas "Nicolasito" Maduro Guerra, a deputy in Venezuela's National Assembly. Many protesters waved Venezuelan flags and were dressed in the red colors of the ruling "Chavista" movement named after Maduro's socialist predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Anti-government protests had been rare since the crackdown on demonstrations against Maduro's contested claim to another reelection in 2024. The opposition in Venezuela has been calling for fresh elections to be held after Maduro's ouster.

NATO chief Mark Rutte, who visited Kyiv on Tuesday, said "Russian attacks like those last night, do not signal seriousness about peace". The Kremlin had last week said it agreed to a US request not to strike Kyiv for seven days, ending Sunday. Ukraine had not reported large-scale Russian attacks on the capital last week, while denouncing continued attacks in other parts of the country. Tuesday's strike on energy facilities was "the most powerful" since the start of 2026, Ukraine's largest private energy provider confirmed. Russia has demanded Kyiv withdraw from the Donetsk region and has repeatedly said it is ready to seize the rest of eastern Ukraine by force if diplomacy fails.

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today spoke at a briefing journalists after inspecting an ‘Electoral Management Exercise’ at Tetuljhora College polling centre in Savar. Photo: MinistryDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to ensure a free, fair, impartial and peaceful upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. He made the remarks while briefing journalists after inspecting an ‘Electoral Management Exercise’ at Tetuljhora College polling centre in Savar upazila of Dhaka district. The adviser said the exercise demonstrated polling centre management and the use of modern technology, including body-worn cameras, CCTV, drones and the ‘Election Security App 2026’, adding that maximum use of information technology will be ensured in the election. Senior officials of the Home Ministry, police and other law enforcement agencies were present during the exercise.