Bangladesh Women’s cricket team ended their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifying campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Netherlands in Upper Mulpani, Nepal. The team, led by Nigar Sultana Joty, chased down the 103-run target with 20 balls to spare, finishing unbeaten in all seven matches of the qualifiers. Joty scored an unbeaten 50 off 44 balls, while Sobhana Mostary added 33 not out. Nahida Akter was named Player of the Match for her three wickets for 10 runs.

Batting first after winning the toss, the Netherlands lost five wickets for just 23 runs under pressure from Bangladesh’s bowlers. Robin Rijke and Sania Khurana steadied the innings with a 78-run sixth-wicket stand, taking the total to 102 for six. Khurana remained unbeaten on 43, while Rijke scored 39. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling and confident batting ensured a perfect record in the qualifiers.

With this win, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Ireland have secured their spots in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in England in June.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan has questioned the voter transfer data provided by the Election Commission (EC), claiming that an unusually high number of new voters have appeared in certain areas, including Dhaka city, over the past one to one and a half years. He made the remarks on Sunday, February 1, after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) at the EC office in Agargaon, Dhaka. The BNP delegation met the CEC to raise several complaints ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

Following the meeting, Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters that the EC had downplayed the extent of voter transfers, saying no constituency had more than two to three thousand transfers. However, BNP expressed dissatisfaction, insisting that the actual number was much higher and that the data provided to the EC was inaccurate. The party requested seat-wise voter transfer information from the EC.

Nazrul Islam Khan also alleged that violations of the electoral code of conduct were not being properly addressed and raised concerns about the formation of so-called peace committees in some areas. He further noted that the EC had approved over 55,000 observers from 81 domestic organizations, some of which were relatively unknown.

BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku has urged voters not to vote for Jamaat-e-Islami, criticizing the party’s stance on women’s participation in the workforce. Speaking on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at an election meeting in Bhadraghat Bazar of Kamarkhand upazila, Sirajganj, Tuku referenced a statement by Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman that he said demeaned women working outside the home. He displayed the interview on his mobile phone before the audience and appealed to voters, especially women, to reject Jamaat.

Tuku emphasized that rising commodity prices have made it necessary for both husbands and wives to earn to support their families. He said women now work in mills, factories, and fields, and criticized Jamaat for wanting to confine them indoors. He called on supporters to strengthen his hand and that of BNP leader Tarique Rahman, expressing hope that Rahman would become the country’s prime minister. Tuku also criticized the banned Awami League, claiming BNP activists had struggled for 17 years to restore voting rights and endured imprisonment and repression.

Local BNP and volunteer leaders from Sirajganj district and Kamarkhand upazila were present at the event.

Bangladesh’s postal department-backed digital financial service Nagad recorded its highest-ever monthly transaction volume in January 2026, reaching Tk 40,301 crore. This marks the company’s largest single-month transaction since its inception seven years ago. The record-breaking figure came mainly from cash-in, cash-out, money transfers, payments, bill settlements, mobile recharges, and remittances.

Nagad’s administrator, Md. Motasim Billah, congratulated all involved, noting that the company’s customer-centric approach and trust-building efforts have driven continuous growth. He said Nagad, as a digital transaction platform under the Bangladesh Post Office, is enhancing service quality and ensuring greater financial security for users. This has led to rising engagement from both new and existing customers.

Previously, Nagad’s highest monthly transaction was Tk 34,705 crore in October 2025. The company handled Tk 3.8 trillion in total transactions in 2025, up from Tk 3.3 trillion in 2024, reflecting sustained expansion in Bangladesh’s mobile financial services sector.

A former Awami League leader in Bogura’s Shibganj upazila, Shahidul Islam Sarkar, has drawn widespread attention after appearing to campaign for the BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol. Once an active supporter of the Awami League’s boat symbol, Shahidul is now seen seeking votes for BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman in the Bogura Sadar-6 constituency. Photos and videos of him holding BNP banners at a recent rally went viral on social media, triggering intense discussion and criticism.

Shahidul previously served as chairman of Nishindara Union Parishad and was expelled from the Awami League for inactivity after earlier resigning under the pretext of family reasons. During the Awami League’s tenure, he coordinated campaigns for several party candidates in local elections and was accused of opposing the quota movement while financially supporting the ruling party. Following the fall of the Awami League government after the July uprising, he was briefly jailed in multiple cases and is now out on bail.

Local BNP leaders have condemned his involvement, calling it opportunistic and damaging to the party’s image. Shahidul, however, claims the viral images were created using AI technology and insists he is a genuine BNP supporter.

BNP Standing Committee member and Dhaka-8 candidate Mirza Abbas said on Sunday that spreading falsehoods and confusion cannot win people’s votes. Speaking to journalists during a campaign visit to Khilgaon Bazar in Dhaka, he alleged that some parties assume victory without justification and questioned where their confidence comes from. Abbas claimed he has been personally targeted with provocative remarks, which he said violate the electoral code of conduct.

He accused the Election Commission of bias for failing to act against defamation and misinformation despite formal complaints. Abbas also alleged that nearly half of the 280,000 voters in his constituency are missing or untraceable, urging the commission to cancel such votes to ensure a genuine result. He condemned a top leader of an anti-liberation party for making obscene comments about working women, asserting that Islam grants equal rights to women.

Abbas further stated that while the media sometimes criticizes his party, BNP respects press freedom. He criticized a young political figure for using threatening language against the media, saying such behavior contradicts the spirit of the 1971 war.

BNP Standing Committee member and Dhaka-8 candidate Mirza Abbas said that spreading slander or deception cannot win people’s votes. Speaking to journalists during a campaign visit to Khilgaon Bazar in Dhaka on Sunday, he criticized certain parties for assuming victory in advance and questioned the source of their confidence. Abbas also held meetings at several nearby locations and planned further campaign events later in the evening.

He described the election environment as unfavorable, alleging that the electoral code of conduct was being violated through targeted attacks and misinformation against him. Abbas accused the Election Commission of bias and negligence, saying no action was taken despite repeated complaints. He further claimed that half of the 280,000 voters in his constituency were missing and urged the commission to cancel such votes if they could not be verified.

Abbas condemned a derogatory remark by a leader of an anti-liberation party about working women, reaffirming women’s equal rights in religion. He also defended media freedom and criticized attempts to intimidate journalists.

A joint operation by the army and police in Anwara upazila of Chattogram led to the arrest of listed terrorist Akter on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The operation took place around 7 a.m. at a community center in Bairag Union, where Akter was detained from his home. Authorities said the arrest followed the circulation of a viral photo showing Akter participating in an election campaign, which drew administrative attention.

Law enforcement officials claimed to have recovered several weapons and items from Akter’s possession, including a local shotgun, a foreign revolver, two Chinese axes (one with a handle and one without), a machete, a bullet removal stick, four firecrackers, a torture whip, and 18,950 taka in cash. Attempts to contact the officer-in-charge of Karnaphuli Police Station, Md. Shahinur Alam, for further comment were unsuccessful.

The arrest highlights ongoing joint security operations in the region targeting listed criminals and illegal arms possession, though no official statement on subsequent legal proceedings was available at the time of reporting.

Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced that the government plans to keep internet access open during Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, February 1, 2026, after a meeting with administrative and law enforcement officials at the World Trade Center in Chattogram, he said anyone attempting to shut down the internet would face legal consequences. He emphasized that the election would be conducted on a level playing field and that law enforcement agencies were well prepared to ensure a fair, festive, and peaceful vote.

Chowdhury noted that maintaining law and order for 180 million people is a difficult task but expressed confidence in the readiness of the security forces, including the army, BGB, and police. He also highlighted the increased freedom on social media compared to previous years, stating that restricting Facebook or internet access is no longer acceptable. Addressing journalists, he encouraged them to report truthfully and independently so that citizens receive accurate information.

He added that much of the current election-related violence stems from internal party conflicts and urged political groups to act more responsibly.

Six leaders of the Sarail Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have been expelled for participating in the election campaign of rebel independent candidate Rumin Farhana in Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, which includes parts of Sarail, Ashuganj, and Bijoynagar. The decision was announced on Sunday morning through a press release signed by BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and later shared on Facebook. The expelled leaders include former vice-president Afzal Hossain, former members Usman Khan and Monowar Hossain, members Zakir Hossain and Mukul Hossain, and former general secretary Mamunur Rashid.

According to the statement, the six were removed from all party positions and primary membership for violating party discipline and engaging in anti-organizational activities. Earlier, the Shahjadapur Union BNP committee was suspended, and six leaders from Shahbazpur Union were expelled on similar charges. Local sources said the expelled leaders had been openly and secretly supporting Rumin Farhana’s campaign since the start of the 13th national election drive.

Rumin Farhana, a former BNP MP from a reserved seat and international affairs secretary, was previously expelled for contesting as an independent candidate. She is now running with the ‘Duck’ symbol, while the BNP alliance candidate Junaid Al Habib of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh is contesting with the ‘Date Tree’ symbol.

A youth named Hasan Akon was arrested with 23 cocktails during a joint forces operation in Kalkini, Madaripur, on Sunday, February 1, 2026, around noon. The operation was conducted by the army camp in Kalkini at Khunerchar village under Bashgari Union. Hasan, the son of Nizam Akon from the same village, was detained and later handed over to the local police after initial questioning.

According to sources, the explosives were recovered based on secret intelligence information. The joint forces stated that the seized cocktails posed a serious threat to public safety. Following the arrest, the officer-in-charge of Kalkini Police Station, Zahidul Alam, confirmed that security measures in the area had been strengthened.

Authorities are investigating whether others are involved in supplying the explosives, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure public safety in the region.

A human chain and protest rally were held in Mahipur, Patuakhali, demanding justice for agricultural scientist Md. Shahidul Islam, whose body was recovered after he went missing. The event took place on Sunday morning at the Khapravanga Bridge under the banner of local residents, with participation from his family, political and social leaders, students, and community members. Speakers called for a fair and impartial investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Participants described the incident as mysterious and alarming, emphasizing that Shahidul’s death could not be considered natural. They urged authorities to identify the perpetrators swiftly to restore public confidence in justice. Shahidul’s father, Motiur Rahman, has filed a murder case with Shibchar Highway Police Station against unidentified persons.

According to police, an investigation is underway to uncover the motive and identify the culprits. Shahidul, a research and development coordinator at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), went missing on January 21 while traveling from Dhaka to Barishal. His body was found on January 23 beside a highway in Shibchar, Madaripur.

In Gopalganj district, authorities have identified 385 out of 397 polling centers as vulnerable, leaving only 12 categorized as general centers. The announcement was made by District Commissioner and Returning Officer Md. Arif-uz-Zaman, who urged all voters to come to the polling centers and cast their votes without fear.

According to the official, the vulnerable centers have been marked as highly important to ensure extra security. Additional law enforcement personnel will be deployed at these centers, all of which will be monitored by CCTV cameras and under the constant supervision of magistrates. The administration aims to prevent any untoward incidents during the voting process.

The Returning Officer emphasized that all necessary measures will be taken to allow voters to exercise their rights safely and confidently. He reiterated his call for citizens to participate actively in the election by attending their designated polling stations.

Abdul Awal Mintu, the BNP candidate for Feni-3 (Daganbhuiyan–Sonagazi), said the country is in a deep crisis and that the only way to overcome it is through the BNP’s victory in the upcoming national election. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at an election rally in Takiya Bazar of Bogadana Union, Sonagazi. Mintu stated that the nation’s future will be determined on February 12 amid ongoing political uncertainty and a prolonged democratic crisis.

He emphasized the need for skilled and visionary leadership to guide the country, describing BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman as the most capable leader for the current situation. Mintu said BNP has always championed multiparty democracy and defended the rights of people of all religions, classes, and communities. Urging voters to ensure their voting rights, he called on them to stay at polling centers until vote counting ends and to collect proof of their votes.

Mintu pledged to work for social and economic development, job creation, and improved living standards if elected, assuring equal opportunities for all regardless of political affiliation.

Aftab Uddin Molla, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate supported by the 11-party alliance for the Dinajpur-4 (Khansama–Chirirbandar) constituency, said that youth will build a new Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Saturday night at an election rally held at Khanasama Government Model Pilot High School field in Alokjhari Union. Seeking votes for the 'scales' symbol, he promised that if Jamaat comes to power, four crore unemployed youths will receive employment cards instead of allowances.

Molla criticized previous governments for corruption in job recruitment, claiming that no former MPs or ministers could show an instance of giving a job without money. He said Jamaat’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has pledged that qualified candidates will get jobs without bribes. He also emphasized that poor families would not need to pay any money for their children to secure employment.

Discussing youth development, Molla said aspiring entrepreneurs would get easy bank loans, and those seeking overseas employment would receive language and job training. He expressed hope that this would increase remittances and strengthen the country’s foreign currency reserves.