Bangladesh cannot be saved if ‘Yes’ vote wins in referendum, says GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman and nominated parliamentary candidate for Rangpur-3 (Sadar) Ghulam Mohammad Quader has said Bangladesh will no longer be safe if the “Yes” vote wins in the referendum. Quader said voting “Yes” would turn Bangladesh into an extremist state. This interim government has no authority to hold a referendum. If the ‘Yes’ vote wins, the country cannot be saved,” he added. Quader also said, “If the ‘Yes’ vote wins in the referendum, the country will descend into communalism and terrorism.
Source:bd News24
February 01, 2026 13:52 UTC
Remittance inflow crosses US$3 billion in January
Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - The country's remittance inflow witnessed a remarkable year-on-year growth of 45.1 percent, reaching US$3.17 billion in January, making it the third highest remittance inflow for a single month in the country's history. The country had received $2.19 billion in remittances in the same period last year, according to Bangladesh Bank (BB) data. Bangladesh received $3.29 billion in March of the fiscal year 2024-25 which was the highest remittance inflow for a single month in the country's history and $3.23 billion in December 2025, making it the second highest remittance inflow for a single month. During July to January in the current 2025-26 fiscal year, expatriate Bangladeshis sent $19.44 billion remittances against $15.96 billion for the same period of the previous fiscal. Talking to BSS, a senior official of the central bank said Bangladesh Bank has taken different steps to increase remittance to overcome the foreign exchange crisis and increase reserves.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 13:36 UTC
People will not accept attempts to spread confusion over 11-party alliance: AB Party
People will not accept attempts to spread confusion over 11-party alliance: AB PartyDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Leaders of the AB Party have said the people will not accept attempts to create confusion regarding the unity of the 11-party alliance. In a joint statement today, AB Party Election Steering Committee Convener Advocate Abdullah Al Mamun Rana and Secretary Altaf Hossain said the alliance continues to work in a united manner to uphold democratic rights and ensure a fair and credible political environment. There is no dissatisfaction or lack of cooperation within the alliance, they added. The statement urged different media outlets to exercise responsibility and professionalism and avoid publishing unverified or baseless news. They assured that the unity and political programme of the 11-party alliance will continue firmly in upcoming days.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 13:33 UTC
NCP pledges military training for youth if 11-party alliance comes to power
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has pledged to introduce military training for youths if the 11-party alliance forms the government. The party also plans to double the number of personnel receiving military training under the armed forces, said NCP Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan in a post on the party’s official Facebook page on Sunday. Earlier in the day, the Rangpur leg of the NCP’s election march began with a visit to the grave of martyr Abu Sayed, where party leaders paid their respects.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 13:21 UTC
Bangladesh women sign off qualifiers unbeaten with seven-wicket win over Netherlands
Bangladesh women’s cricket team wrapped up a flawless campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers with a composed seven-wicket victory over the Netherlands at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground on Sunday. From there on, Bangladesh remained firmly in control as Nigar found an ideal partner in Sobhana Mostary. Nigar remained unbeaten on 50 from 44 balls, striking seven boundaries to register her 10th T20I half-century. A resilient 78-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Robine Rijke and Sania Khurana helped the Netherlands recover from collapse. Rijke scored 39, while Khurana remained unbeaten on 43, lifting the total to 102 for 6.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 13:15 UTC
Home advisor: Govt to take action if anyone tries to disrupt internet services during elections
Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday said steps would be taken as per the law if anyone tries to disrupt internet services during the election period. When asked about the election preparations, the home adviser expressed satisfaction with the administration and law enforcement agencies' readiness. If the work progresses according to this preparation, the elections will be fair and festive,” he added. The home affairs adviser stated that law enforcement agencies, including the army, have made preparations in Chittagong to ensure the smooth holding of the elections. He expressed satisfaction with the preparations and stated that if they proceed as planned, the elections will be fair, festive, and impartial.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 13:15 UTC
Consequences will be severe if anyone found biased: Election Commissioner
Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md. Photo : BSSBARISHAL, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (retd) today warned that the consequences would be “very severe” if evidence of bias is found against anyone involved in the election process. The Election Commissioner said all concerned must work to ensure transparency in the election process, stressing that there should be no secrecy or concealment in carrying out election-related duties. Addressing the members of law enforcement agencies, he said that if they remain firm, no one will get the opportunity to create disorder.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 13:01 UTC
Judge me by record, policies and manifesto, not by false narratives: Jamaat Ameer
Judge me by record, policies and manifesto, not by false narratives: Jamaat AmeerJamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. File photoDHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman today urged people to judge him based on his record, policies and manifesto rather than being influenced by false narratives spreading on social media. "Judge me by my record, my policies, and my manifesto, not by false narratives. "We support women's leadership in politics and local government, economic empowerment of rural women, strong legal protection, and social respect," he said. "A Bangladesh that respects women is a Bangladesh that moves forward, and that is the future we are building," Jamaat Ameer said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 13:00 UTC
SC orders no release of Chankharpul convicts until appeal disposal
The apex court also stayed an observation of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 regarding convict former constable Md Sujon Miah. The prosecution on January 29, 2026, pleaded for a stay on the tribunal's observations, describing the sentences awarded to some convicts in the Chankharpul crimes against humanity case as lenient. The other two condemned convicts are former DMP Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty and former Additional Deputy Commissioner Shah Alam Mohammad Akhtarul Islam. The ICT-1 sentenced former assistant commissioner of DMP's Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul to six years' imprisonment. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam expressed dissatisfaction over the verdict on the day it was delivered and said the prosecution would file an appeal.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 12:57 UTC
SC to hear plea for enhancing Hasina-Kamal sentences on Feb 25
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday set February 25 for hearing an appeal filed by the ICT prosecution seeking enhancement of the sentences of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from imprisonment till death to death in a crimes against humanity case over the July Mass Uprising. Appellate Division Judge in Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque fixed the date, forwarding the matter to apex court full bench for hearing on that day. The tribunal sentenced both Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to imprisonment till natural death for three counts of charge number one. It also found them guilty of three counts of charge number two and sentencedthem to death. The prosecution, however, filed a petition, pleading to enhance their sentences of imprisonment till natural death, awarded under charge number one, to death on eight grounds.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 12:57 UTC
Banks to remain closed on Feb 11-12 ahead of general election, referendum
All scheduled banks across the country will remain closed on February 11 and 12 (Wednesday and Thursday) on the occasion of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum. Banks will remain closed for four consecutive days as the weekly holiday is included in this. The Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department (SDAD) of Bangladesh Bank announced this information in a notification on Sunday (February 1). All scheduled banks operating in the country will remain closed on those two days. Bangladesh Bank has sent instructions in this regard to the managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks in the country.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 12:57 UTC
Chhatra Dal demands apology from Jamaat ameer over X post
Leaders and activists of the Dhaka University unit and the central committee of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (s tudent Wing of BNP) have demanded an apology from Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman over a tweet posted from his X (formerly Twitter) account. They warned that if no apology is issued, they will announce broader protest programs. The demand came from a protest rally held on Sunday, around 12pm. The rally began at Madhur Canteen on the Dhaka University campus, marched through different parts of the campus, and concluded in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla monument. Among others who addressed the protest were Chhatra Dal Central Committee Organizing Secretary Amanullah Aman, Joint General Secretary Mansura Alam, DU unit General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, Women Affairs Secretary Chemon Faria Islam Meghla, along with other leaders.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 12:57 UTC
Iran’s Khamenei likens protests to coup, warns of regional war
Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday likened recent anti-government protests to a “coup,” warning that any US attack on the Islamic Republic following Washington’s military deployments in the Middle East would trigger a regional war. “The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, telling Iranians they “should not be scared” of Trump’s rhetoric. The law was first passed in 2019, when the United States classified the Guards as a terrorist organization. The Guards are the ideological arm of Iran’s military, tasked with safeguarding the Islamic revolution from external and internal threats. The step matched similar classifications enacted by the United States, Canada and Australia.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 12:57 UTC
Hadi murder case: Rubel confesses after two rounds of remand
Faisal Rubel Ahmed, a close associate of Karim Masud alias Rahul—the prime accused in the murder case of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi—has given a confessional statement in court. He said that after two rounds of remand totaling nine days, Rubel was produced before the court on Saturday by the investigation officer, CID Police Assistant Superintendent Abdul Qadir Bhuiyan. CID, with the assistance of DB, arrested Rubel from the Ati Nayabazar area of South Keraniganj late on January 21. He was flown to Singapore for treatment two days later and died there on December 18. Following the shooting, on December 14, Inqilab Mancha member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed a case of attempted murder.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 12:57 UTC
Editors’ Council raises concern over draft media, broadcasting ordinances
The Editors’ Council has expressed deep concern over the process and timing of the two draft ordinances recently published concerning the National Media Commission and the Broadcasting Commission, which are available on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s website. With the elections just around the corner, the Editors’ Council considers the hurried publication of such important draft ordinances—with far-reaching implications—to be unintended and unreasonable. Draft laws that directly affect media freedom, professional standards of journalism, and the future of the broadcasting system cannot be adopted without proper discussion and review, said a statement issued by the council on Sunday. According to the Editors’ Council, the structure and provisions of these draft ordinances raise clear concerns of state control rather than safeguarding media freedom. When it comes to ensuring media freedom and professional security, a transparent, participatory, and responsible process—not haste—is in the best interest of the country and democracy, said the council.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
February 01, 2026 12:57 UTC