Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has signed a direct contract with Lahore Qalandars, the reigning champions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), for 64.4 million Pakistani rupees. The franchise announced the deal on Thursday afternoon through social media, confirming that Mustafizur will be a key part of their foreign pace attack. The Qalandars described him as a returning member of their family, recalling his previous stints with the team in 2016 and 2018.

The move comes shortly after Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur following political and religious pressure in India. His participation in the PSL was confirmed on January 6, though the team was not disclosed at that time. Mustafizur previously played five matches for Lahore Qalandars in the 2018 season, taking four wickets with an economy rate of 6.43.

Lahore Qalandars, one of the most successful PSL teams with three titles, currently hold the championship. Last season, Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain took 13 wickets in seven matches for the same team.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed 1,561 cases over two days against traffic law violators across various areas of the capital. The operation was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to a statement issued Thursday by Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division. The cases involved different types of vehicles, including buses, trucks, covered vans, CNGs, and motorcycles.

According to DMP traffic sources, the highest number of cases was recorded in the Mirpur division with 300, followed by Uttara with 228 and Motijheel with 177. Other divisions such as Ramna, Lalbagh, Wari, Tejgaon, and Gulshan also reported numerous cases. During the operation, 523 vehicles were dumped and 213 were towed. The DMP stated that these actions are part of its ongoing efforts to maintain traffic discipline in Dhaka.

The traffic department confirmed that similar enforcement drives will continue across the city to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and improve road safety.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to visit northern Bangladesh on Saturday for the second phase of his election campaign. According to the party’s media cell, he will travel by helicopter in the morning and address rallies in Thakurgaon at 11:30 a.m., Nilphamari at 1:30 p.m., and Birampur in Dinajpur at 2:30 p.m.

In the first phase of his northern campaign, Rahman traveled by road on January 29, holding rallies in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogura, Rangpur, Sirajganj, and Tangail over three days. Earlier, he conducted election programs in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, Narayanganj, Chattogram, Feni, Cumilla, Mymensingh, Gazipur, Dhaka, Barishal, and Faridpur.

So far, the BNP chairperson has held 24 election rallies outside Dhaka and two within his own constituency, Dhaka-17, in Karail and Banani.

Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and candidate of the 11-party alliance for Khulna-5 (Dumuria-Phultala), warned that the upcoming election would not be free or acceptable if the government and administration remain indifferent. Speaking at a press conference at Khulna Press Club on Thursday, he urged authorities to recover illegal arms, arrest armed groups and extortionists near polling centers, and curb the use of black money. He said the government, Home Ministry, and Election Commission share responsibility for ensuring a fair vote.

Parwar alleged that despite assurances from the Election Commission and the interim government head about a festive and fair election, attacks on candidates, workers, and voters were already taking place. He claimed one side was distributing large sums of illegal money across local units, corrupting politics. He also said law enforcement had failed to act against known criminals despite having their lists.

He identified 52 of 150 polling centers in Khulna-5 as vulnerable, citing fears of intimidation, ballot snatching, and pre-filled ballots. The list was submitted to the administration and monitoring agencies.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that a planned campaign of false propaganda is being carried out against the party. Speaking as chief guest at an event at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Thursday, he said the upcoming election is a struggle for the BNP amid widespread conspiracies, misinformation, and technological manipulation through so-called propaganda bots. The event was organized by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) to launch five new BNP election campaign songs.

Rizvi stated that those who fought for democracy and did not hide under the ruling party’s influence are now being targeted by deliberate misinformation. He emphasized that the roots of nationalist forces are deeply entrenched and cannot be obscured by lies or propaganda. He called on poets, writers, artists, lyricists, performers, and composers to take responsibility in countering such defamation and to ensure the victory of truth and justice.

The event was presided over by actor Helal Khan, with speeches from JASAS leaders and cultural figures including Rezauddin Stalin and Moniruzzaman Monir.

British scientists from the British Antarctic Survey have introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to identify and track icebergs as they drift and fragment in the ocean. The announcement, reported from Paris by AFP on Thursday, marks the first use of AI for this purpose. The technology aims to help scientists understand climate change and improve future predictions by monitoring icebergs from their formation to their eventual melting.

According to the researchers, the AI system captures the unique shape of an iceberg the moment it detaches from a glacier or ice shelf. When the iceberg later breaks apart, the system can match the smaller fragments back to the original structure, creating a complete “family tree” of icebergs. This allows scientists to analyze the origins, movements, and climate impacts of entire iceberg systems rather than just a few individual ones.

Researchers noted that the technology could also enhance maritime safety in polar regions. They cautioned, however, that while iceberg calving is a natural process, the rate of ice loss in Antarctica is increasing alarmingly due to climate change.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the upcoming election presents a crucial opportunity for Bangladesh after 15 years without genuine voting rights. Speaking at a roadside rally at Farabari High School field in Akcha Union, Thakurgaon-1, on Thursday, he stated that the current government is neutral and willing to hold a fair election. He expressed optimism that this time there would be no vote manipulation or coercion, crediting student and public movements for restoring the people’s right to vote.

During the rally, Fakhrul outlined BNP’s election pledges, including a Family Card for affordable essentials, a Farmer Card for irrigation and fertilizer purchases, and debt waivers up to Tk 10,000 for farmers. He promised to suspend NGO loan installments for one year and create jobs for one crore youths within 18 months. He also announced plans for road development, a warehouse, technical and nursing training, and agricultural industries in Thakurgaon.

Fakhrul emphasized communal harmony, urging all religious communities to vote without fear. Calling it his last election, he sought support for BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, and reiterated his commitment to honest governance.

A major cybersecurity concern has emerged after more than 149 million login records were discovered in an unprotected online database. The exposed data included credentials from popular services such as Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Yahoo Mail, Netflix, Outlook, iCloud, and TikTok. The database, found by cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler, was 96 gigabytes in size and lacked any password or encryption protection, allowing anyone with internet access to view it.

The leak did not result from a direct hack of Google or Meta servers but from malware infections on users’ devices. The malware, identified as an infostealer type, collected login data over time through fake software updates, malicious email attachments, harmful browser extensions, and deceptive online ads. Despite being reported to the hosting company, the database remained publicly accessible for nearly a month.

Experts warned that compromised email accounts could allow hackers to reset passwords for other services, putting banking, social media, and healthcare accounts at risk. They urged users to update software, use strong unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly scan devices for malware.

The Bangladesh Army has deployed 100,000 personnel to ensure a peaceful and orderly environment for the upcoming national parliamentary election, according to the Army Headquarters. For the first time, troops have been authorized to patrol up to the premises of polling centers. Previously, a maximum of 40,000 to 42,000 soldiers were stationed as striking forces in remote areas. The enhanced deployment has been in effect since January 20.

At a press conference held on Thursday at the Roller Skating Complex in Gulistan, Brigadier General Dewan Mohammad Monzur Hossain, Director of Military Operations, explained that the increased deployment aims to restore voter confidence and ensure safe access to polling centers. He noted that the army chief has assigned nearly all available personnel for election duties, keeping only the minimum required for other operations.

Due to a shortage of vehicles, the army has sought assistance from the civil administration and is hiring vehicles when necessary to maintain continuous patrols. The troops have been conducting day and night patrols to strengthen public trust ahead of the election.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that around 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the start of the war with Russia. He revealed the figure during an interview with France 2 television on February 4, 2026. According to Turkey’s state media TRT World, Zelensky said the casualties include both professional soldiers and conscripts, and many people remain officially listed as missing.

A report by the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that by spring 2026, total military casualties, including the dead, wounded, and missing from both sides, could reach about two million. CSIS estimated Russia’s military losses at around 1.2 million and Ukraine’s at between 500,000 and 600,000, with roughly 325,000 Russian soldiers killed over nearly four years of conflict.

The United Nations reported that civilian casualties in Ukraine reached their highest level in 2025 since 2022, with at least 2,500 civilians killed and more than 12,000 injured that year. The UN warned that the actual figures may be higher.

A Bangladesh tribunal has sentenced former Member of Parliament Saiful Islam and five others to death for crimes against humanity related to the killing of seven people and burning of six bodies in Ashulia during the July uprising. The verdict was delivered on Thursday afternoon by the three-member judicial panel of Tribunal-2, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. Seven others received life imprisonment, and two were sentenced to seven years in prison. Former Ashulia police sub-inspector Sheikh Abzalul Haque was acquitted.

The court also ordered the confiscation of Saiful Islam’s assets for distribution among the victims’ families. Those sentenced to death include former Ashulia police officials and a local youth leader. The tribunal area and the Supreme Court premises were placed under tight security, with police, RAB, BGB, army, and intelligence personnel deployed.

The ruling marks a significant judgment in a case tied to violent events during the July uprising, underscoring the tribunal’s continued pursuit of accountability for crimes against humanity.

Sheikh Bandar Balilah, Imam and Khatib of Masjid al-Haram, has been appointed as the official Mufti of the Makkah region. The appointment was announced on Tuesday with the approval of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Dr. Saleh Al-Fawzan. The decision is part of a broader initiative dividing the country into eight regions, each overseen by a senior scholar to ensure reliable sources for issuing fatwas.

Sheikh Al-Fawzan congratulated Sheikh Balilah, noting that his experience and knowledge would enrich religious research and benefit worshippers and pilgrims visiting the two holy mosques. Sheikh Balilah was born in Makkah in 1975 and holds degrees in Islamic law and jurisprudence from Umm al-Qura University and a PhD from the University of Madinah.

Before his new appointment, Sheikh Balilah served as Imam of Masjid al-Haram since 2013 and previously led prayers in several other mosques in Makkah.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Boalmari in Faridpur for the first time on Friday. Preparations are underway at the Boalmari municipal stadium, where he will address a public gathering at 4 p.m. The event, described as an election grand rally, has generated significant enthusiasm among party members and residents from Boalmari, Alfadanga, Madhukhali, and nearby areas.

Local Jamaat leaders said the visit marks a historic occasion for Boalmari, expressing hopes for a peaceful and well-organized rally with broad public participation. Boalmari municipal Jamaat president Syed Niamul Hasan stated that the community expects spontaneous involvement from people across all levels.

Authorities have intensified security measures to maintain law and order during the event. Boalmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Anwar Hossain confirmed strict monitoring and increased police deployment. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rakibul Hasan said a law and order meeting would be held at 3 p.m. to finalize necessary decisions regarding the rally.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday sentenced former MP Muhammad Saiful Islam and five others to death in the Ashulia seven-murder case, which involved the killing and burning of six bodies during the July Revolution. The tribunal also ordered the confiscation of Saiful’s properties for distribution among the victims’ families. The verdict was delivered at 1:15 p.m. by a three-member panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

The other death-row convicts are former Ashulia police officers AFM Sayed Rony, Abdul Malek, Biswajit Saha, constable Mukul Chowdhury, and Jubo League member Rony Bhuiyan. Seven others, including former DIG Syed Nurul Islam and SP Asaduzzaman Ripon, received life imprisonment, while two were sentenced to seven years. SI Afzalul Haque was pardoned for testifying as a state witness. The tribunal panel also included retired judges Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

The case stemmed from the August 5, 2024 incident in front of Ashulia Police Station, where five people were shot dead and one fatally injured before police allegedly set fire to a vehicle carrying the bodies.

The government will hand over responsibilities to elected representatives as soon as possible after the upcoming national election, according to Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser. He made the statement in a verified Facebook post on Wednesday night, dismissing claims that the interim government would remain in power for 180 working days after the election.

Majumdar described such claims as dishonest propaganda, accusing those spreading them of previously trying to create doubts about the election. He said that now, as the election is proceeding on schedule, these groups are promoting new conspiracy theories. He added that even some highly educated individuals are being misled by such misinformation, but there is no scope for confusion in reality.

The 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum are scheduled to take place across the country on February 12, 2026.