The Bangladesh government has announced new working hours for all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous institutions during the upcoming Ramadan. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam disclosed the schedule at a briefing held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. Offices will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a 15-minute break for Zuhr prayers from 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. According to the announcement, banks, insurance companies, the Supreme Court, and other autonomous bodies will have the flexibility to set their own schedules based on operational convenience. The decision aims to adjust working hours in line with the fasting period observed by employees during the holy month. The revised hours will apply throughout Ramadan, after which regular office timings are expected to resume as usual.

Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that the interim government will not delay the oath-taking process for newly elected members of parliament. He made the remarks on Thursday at the Secretariat while responding to questions from journalists. According to him, after the election, a person nominated by the President on the advice of the Chief Adviser will administer the oath to the members of parliament. Dr. Nazrul further explained that if the oath cannot be administered within three days, the Chief Election Commissioner will take responsibility for conducting the ceremony. His comments were aimed at clarifying the procedure and ensuring that the transition process following the election remains timely and orderly. The assurance from the Law Adviser indicates the interim government’s commitment to maintaining procedural efficiency and avoiding any administrative delays during the post-election transition period.

A major political shift has occurred in the Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency after the cancellation of Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s nomination. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to support Jasim Uddin, a leader of the Gano Adhikar Parishad, as the alliance candidate. The announcement was confirmed on Thursday, February 5, by AFM Tarek Munshi, member secretary of BNP’s Cumilla North district unit. Jasim Uddin will contest under the truck symbol against Hasnat Abdullah, the Shaplakoli symbol candidate from the Jamaat-led alliance. According to Tarek Munshi, BNP has no candidate under the paddy sheaf symbol in Cumilla-4 for the February 12 election, and the central leadership instructed local units to back Jasim Uddin. He said party activists were directed to work for Jasim to strengthen the hand of acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Gano Adhikar Parishad’s central committee member Abu Hanif confirmed BNP’s official endorsement and said their party welcomed the support positively. The BNP’s decision reshapes the local electoral equation, setting up a direct contest between the BNP-backed Jasim Uddin and Jamaat’s Hasnat Abdullah.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused India of conducting proxy terrorism in Pakistan following its defeat in the war of May last year. He made the allegation in response to recent deadly attacks in Balochistan, speaking during a special session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad on Kashmir Solidarity Day. Sharif said sustainable peace in South Asia is impossible unless India abandons its aggressive and expansionist policies. During his address, Sharif expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir, saying their sacrifices would not be in vain. He recalled Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s description of Kashmir as the “jugular vein” of Pakistan and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to peace based on equality and justice. He also reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on Palestine and Kashmir. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces recently completed “Operation Raddul Fitna-1,” killing at least 216 militants. The coordinated operation also left 36 civilians, including women and children, and 22 security personnel dead.

The United Nations has adopted Bangladesh’s proposal to withdraw its reservation on Article 14(1) of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The decision aims to ensure effective compensation and rehabilitation rights for victims of state-perpetrated torture or enforced disappearance. The proposal was approved on December 29 at a weekly meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, according to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. The convention, adopted in 1984 and ratified by 173 states, was joined by Bangladesh in 1998. Along with the Bahamas, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, and the United States, Bangladesh had initially placed a reservation on Article 14(1), limiting victims’ access to full compensation and rehabilitation. The withdrawal of this reservation now opens the way for victims and their dependents to claim fair and adequate compensation. The Advisory Council described the move as a historic step that will strengthen Bangladesh’s international image in human rights protection and enhance state accountability and transparency. The decision fulfills a long-standing demand of human rights advocates in the country.

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.