The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has denied allegations that personal data of 14,000 journalists were leaked from its website. The EC explained that for a short period, applicant information for journalist and observer accreditation cards was visible on the site but could not be downloaded. The issue arose after complaints surfaced on Saturday, prompting the EC to clarify that the visibility occurred while the site was being worked on, not due to hacking or data theft.

According to EC Public Relations Director Ruhul Mallik, the application portal for journalists was closed on Thursday following objections, and the observer application section was being shut down on Saturday. Some registered users who logged into their dashboards could temporarily view the admin panel, which led to confusion about a data breach. Mallik emphasized that no external party accessed or misused the data.

The EC recently developed the pr.ecs.gov.bd website to process applications for journalists and election observers online for the first time. However, due to technical and information-handling issues, the commission decided to revert to manual applications for the upcoming February 12 referendum and parliamentary elections.

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck the town of Mohr in Iran’s Fars province on Sunday morning, February 1, 2026. The tremor occurred at 8:11 a.m. local time at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The German Research Centre for Geosciences confirmed the event, noting that many residents near the epicenter felt the quake. No reports of major damage have been received so far.

According to earthquake experts, tremors of this magnitude can cause minor incidents such as items falling from shelves or windows breaking, but they are unlikely to trigger a large-scale natural disaster. The Volcano Discovery website also reported the same preliminary magnitude and depth.

Authorities and monitoring agencies continue to assess the situation, though early indications suggest limited impact in the affected area.

Workers and employees at Chattogram Port continued their strike for a second day on Sunday, halting operational activities and disrupting import-export traffic. From 8 a.m., workers attempted to stage demonstrations outside the port, while law enforcement, including the army, tightened security. The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) issued directives prohibiting assemblies and gatherings in the port area for one month to maintain normal port operations.

According to sources, the strike was called to protest the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company and a related court ruling. The port authority formed a six-member committee to assess revenue losses and identify those responsible. Four employees accused of leading the movement were transferred to Dhaka’s Pangaon ICT, and officials warned of disciplinary action against participants during office hours.

CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz’s public notice imposed restrictions under the 1978 Metropolitan Police Ordinance, banning gatherings, weapons, and explosives in key port areas until March 2. However, election campaigns for the 2026 national polls remain exempt from the ban.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast partly cloudy skies over Dhaka and surrounding areas today, with mainly dry weather conditions. The forecast, issued for six hours from 7 a.m. Sunday, indicates that light fog may occur in some places. Winds are expected to blow from the west or northwest at speeds between 5 and 10 kilometers per hour. The department also reported that daytime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged.

According to the morning observation, Dhaka recorded a temperature of 18.2 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m., with humidity at 98 percent. The highest temperature in the capital on the previous day was 27.7 degrees Celsius, while the lowest today was 17.5 degrees Celsius. No rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours. Sunset is expected at 5:45 p.m. and sunrise tomorrow at 6:40 a.m.

The nationwide forecast suggests that skies across Bangladesh may remain temporarily partly cloudy until 6 p.m., with dry weather prevailing and both day and night temperatures likely to stay nearly steady.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that India has signed an agreement to purchase oil from Venezuela instead of Iran. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said the deal had already been made. However, there was no immediate response from New Delhi regarding the claim, according to NDTV.

Trump had earlier imposed a 25 percent tariff in March 2025 on countries, including India, that buy Venezuelan oil, and also introduced additional tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil. He further asserted that U.S. forces took control of Venezuelan oil after the January 3 abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the U.S. Delta Force. Bloomberg reported that in January, 18 tankers carrying Venezuelan crude were sent to refineries in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, marking the highest volume since December 2024.

Following the alleged abduction, Venezuelan oil exports to China dropped from 400,000 barrels per day to zero, while shipments to the U.S. rose to about 275,000 barrels daily, double the previous month’s level.

Bangladesh’s Ninth Pay Commission has recommended increasing government employees’ salaries by 100 to 150 percent, roughly two to two-and-a-half times the current levels. The proposal, submitted on January 21 to the chief adviser, suggests raising the minimum basic salary from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000. Implementing the plan would require an additional Tk 106,000 crore in government spending. In comparison, India, Pakistan, and Nepal have recently proposed or implemented salary increases ranging from 10 to 35 percent.

Economists and analysts have questioned the timing and feasibility of the recommendation, citing Bangladesh’s sluggish economy, revenue shortfalls, and rising government borrowing. The interim government’s economic and energy advisers have stated that the proposal will not be implemented under their administration, leaving the decision to the next elected government. Critics, including former officials, warned that the recommendation could create fiscal pressure and political complications for the incoming administration.

Experts further cautioned that implementing such a large pay hike could force cuts in the annual development program, affecting key sectors like education, health, and infrastructure.

The government has finalized its decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port to foreign operator DP World. The agreement is expected to be signed in Dhaka today, Sunday, in the presence of senior government and ministerial officials. However, port authorities claim they have not been officially informed about the deal, which is being managed by the Public-Private Partnership Authority. Meanwhile, BNP-backed port workers and employees continue strikes and protests opposing the foreign operator’s appointment.

According to port sources, the handover of NCT to DP World may be completed before the February 12 national election. Workers argue that leasing the profitable terminal to a foreign company could cost the state around two thousand crore taka annually and threaten national security. The port authority counters that DP World’s advanced technology will enhance operational capacity while preserving national interests through lease revenues.

In response to ongoing strikes, the port authority has transferred four employees and formed a committee to identify those violating institutional discipline and assess related losses.

In Atrai upazila of Naogaon, the Atrai River has reportedly dried up due to the unplanned construction of sluice gates, causing severe water shortages across vast agricultural lands. The crisis has led to the disappearance of native fish species and left many fishermen unemployed. The problem stems from the 1980s, when a single-gate sluice was built on the wide Atrai River near the upazila complex, while a ten-gate sluice was constructed on a narrow canal at Kashiyabari, about two kilometers away. Residents have questioned the planning behind these decisions.

Local farmers from several villages, including Parkasunda, Narikelbari, and Khajura, said they have suffered for years from water scarcity that hampers crop production. The president of the local fishermen’s cooperative, Profulla Chandra Hawlader, stated that hundreds of fishing families have lost their livelihoods and now live in hardship. When contacted, Naogaon Water Development Board’s executive engineer Asif Ahmed said the sluice gates were built long before his tenure and promised to look into the matter.

The drying of the river has affected nearly 30 kilometers of its course, impacting numerous villages and threatening the region’s agricultural and ecological balance.

The Bangladesh government has reduced the prices of all types of fuel oil by Tk 2 per liter for February. According to a notification issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division on Saturday night, the new rates will take effect from Sunday, February 1. Under the revised pricing, diesel will cost Tk 100 per liter, kerosene Tk 112, petrol Tk 116, and octane Tk 120.

The government introduced an automatic fuel pricing system in March of the previous year to align domestic prices with global market trends. Under this system, new prices are announced each month based on international market movements. The latest adjustment reflects the continuation of that policy framework.

The notification did not specify how long the new rates will remain in effect beyond February, but the monthly review mechanism suggests further adjustments may follow depending on global price changes.

At the 14th Zakat Fair 2026 held at the Officers’ Club in Dhaka, speakers emphasized the need for a state-managed zakat system to reduce financial inequality in Bangladesh. Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, the chief guest, said that institutional collection and distribution of zakat could generate up to one trillion taka annually, significantly aiding poverty alleviation. The event was chaired by former caretaker government adviser Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, with a welcome address by Center for Zakat Management (CZM) CEO Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia.

Speakers noted that zakat is both a financial and moral obligation, requiring proper oversight to ensure funds are used effectively. They highlighted that despite a large Muslim population, many capable individuals either do not pay zakat or fail to calculate and distribute it correctly. A symposium titled “Islamic Social Finance: Future Roadmap” proposed forming an Islamic Social Finance Ministry, noting that zakat and waqf income could contribute up to 4% of GDP.

Former NBR chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdul Majid stressed that government involvement and clear guidelines are essential to make zakat management transparent and impactful for national development.

Bangladeshi television actor Tousif Mahbub has called on political leaders to honor their election promises even after the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled for February 12. Speaking as a concerned citizen, he emphasized that whoever wins should prioritize the people's welfare and ensure that commitments made during campaigns are fulfilled.

Tousif stated that in the current national context, citizens have many expectations across different sectors. He clarified that he is not affiliated with any political party but wants elected representatives to act responsibly toward the public. Reflecting on past experiences, he mentioned that people have often felt deceived by unfulfilled promises, leading some to lose faith in the country or move abroad.

Reaffirming his patriotism, Tousif expressed unwavering love for Bangladesh and optimism that the nation will achieve a stronger global position through progress in politics and culture.

Tourist travel to St. Martin’s Island in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar will be suspended for nine months starting Sunday, February 1, under a decision by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The current tourism season will end on Saturday, January 31. Normally, visitors are allowed from October 1 to March 31 each year, but this season has been shortened due to environmental risks. According to Additional District Magistrate Imran Hossain, ships carrying tourists will make their final trip to the island today, and no tourist vessels will be permitted from Sunday onward.

The decision has caused concern among local business owners and residents who depend on tourism. M.A. Abdur Rahman, president of the St. Martin Hotel-Motel-Resort Owners Association, said many investors have failed to recover their investments and are facing losses. Union Parishad Chairman Foyezul Islam stated that most islanders rely on tourism and are disheartened by the long closure.

Authorities indicated that the government may revise the decision later, depending on future considerations.

The 12th Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF) 2026 began today under the outreach program of the Media Studies and Journalism Department of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB). The two-day event, presented by Infinix Mobile Bangladesh and supported by Star Cineplex, will conclude tomorrow. From 131 film submissions across 24 countries, 25 films have been selected for screening in six categories.

Details of the festival were announced at a press conference held at ULAB’s permanent campus. The categories this year include Short Film, One Minute, Vertical Film, Open Door, Citizen Journalism, and Outstanding Talent Award. The first day’s screenings will take place at the ULAB campus, while the second day’s events will be held at Star Cineplex (Shimanto Shambhar).

For the first time, the Citizen Journalism category will feature films highlighting social justice, climate change, real-life issues, and stories of marginalized communities. The Outstanding Talent Award will recognize a skilled crew member behind the scenes. The jury board includes filmmakers and writers from Nepal, Bangladesh, France, and the UK.

Professor Dr. M. Zubaidur Rahman, Chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, called on officials to strengthen public trust in the bank by ensuring customer satisfaction through dedicated service. Speaking as chief guest at an officers’ conference held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Sena Prangon in Dhaka Cantonment, he emphasized that customers are the lifeblood of the bank and that all complaints should be addressed promptly and seriously. He urged employees to treat the institution as their own to enhance service quality and operational efficiency.

The event was presided over by Managing Director Md. Omar Faruk Khan, with senior executives including Executive Committee Chairman Mohammad Khurshid Wahab, Audit Committee Chairman Md. Abdus Salam, Risk Management Committee Chairman Professor Dr. M. Masud Rahman, and Independent Director Md. Abdul Jalil attending as special guests. Additional Managing Director Md. Altaf Hossain delivered the welcome speech, while Deputy Managing Director Md. Mahbub Alam gave the vote of thanks.

In his remarks, Managing Director Khan highlighted the importance of expanding investment in the SME sector to strengthen the national economy and make banking services more accessible through improved customer care.

The four-day 25th Dhaka International Yarn and Fabric Show (DIFS) 2026 – Winter Edition and the 8th Dhaka International Denim Show 2026 concluded successfully at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka. Organized jointly by Conference and Exhibition Management Services (CEMS-Global USA) and the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT-TEX China), the exhibitions ran from January 28 to 31, 2026.

More than 325 companies from over 15 countries participated, displaying modern technologies and innovations in yarn, fabric, denim, and related textile products across over 650 booths. The first day featured a seminar titled “Why Invest in Bangladesh?” organized with the support of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), while the second day hosted “Importance of MICE Tourism in Bangladesh” in collaboration with the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB).

Organizers stated that the international exhibitions would strengthen Bangladesh’s global position in the textile and apparel sector and open new opportunities for investment and event-based tourism.