The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled ten leaders and activists from its Fatullah Thana unit in Narayanganj for violating party decisions and engaging in activities deemed contrary to the organization’s interests. The expulsion was confirmed on Sunday afternoon through a press release signed by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. According to the announcement, those expelled include Fatullah Thana BNP Vice President Sultan Mahmud Molla, former Kutubpur Union BNP President Billal Hossain, Organizational Secretary Hasan Ali, Assistant Organizational Secretary Saiful Islam Biplob, Md. Muslim Ahmed, Joint Secretary Advocate Akhtar Khondkar, members Zahid Hasan Rozel, Nazrul Islam Panna, Alam, and Kutubpur Union Ward No. 6 BNP Vice President Abdur Razzak. The party has instructed all members to refrain from maintaining organizational contact with the expelled individuals. The expelled leaders were accused of defying party directives by participating in the election campaign of Muhammad Giasuddin, an independent candidate previously expelled from the BNP.

Recently released correspondence from the Epstein Files has revealed that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein exchanged messages with several individuals in the days following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Among the three million documents published on Friday evening were conversations between Epstein and a man named Anas Al Rashid. In one message dated October 12, 2018, Al Rashid described the killing as 'ugly... very ugly,' to which Epstein replied that he suspected something larger was at play, referencing UAE ruler Mohammed bin Zayed. Al Rashid cautioned that information leaks were spreading quickly and that the situation had become a media battle. Another email in the files shows Epstein claiming that a second source told him one of the operatives recorded video footage on a phone that was later hacked to retrieve the material, though the hacker’s identity was not disclosed. On October 13, Epstein also questioned whether Khashoggi might be labeled a terrorist. A separate FBI memorandum included in the release alleged that Epstein had worked with U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies and maintained close ties with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that Bangladesh is not safe under those who opposed the country’s independence. Speaking on Sunday afternoon at a gathering in Mohammadpur area of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, he urged people not to be afraid and to go to polling centers without fear, assuring that police and military forces would ensure security. The event was chaired by Bhagirath Barman at Tojamul’s rice mill. Fakhrul emphasized his vision of building a peaceful Bangladesh free from religious divisions, stating that unity between Hindus and Muslims is essential for national progress. He pledged that if the BNP forms the government, it will create employment for one crore people, provide agricultural support to mothers, issue agricultural cards to farmers, and waive agricultural loans up to ten thousand taka. He also promised measures to help repay NGO loans. He stressed honesty and morality in politics, claiming he has always prioritized transparency and accountability. Fakhrul urged all citizens to vote for equal rights and development, assuring that he would fulfill promises to the best of his ability.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has urged the Election Commission not to involve students in the process of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The call was made during a meeting on February 1 with Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin at the Election Building. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters after the meeting that engaging students in such a complex political process could make them and their institutions controversial. Khan said the party advised the commission to assign only those authorized under law enforcement regulations to election duties. He mentioned that the commission acknowledged the logic of BNP’s concerns and would discuss the matter before making a decision. BNP also raised issues about rumors of forming “peace committees,” the presence of political activists outside their constituencies, the large number of local election observers, and alleged irregularities in voter migration data. The Election Commission reportedly assured BNP that it had not decided to form any peace committees and would take steps to prevent disorder and investigate voter list anomalies.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has issued arrest warrants against former Superintendent of Police (SP) Anisur Rahman and four others in a case involving alleged crimes against humanity in Jessore’s Chowgacha. The tribunal, led by Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, delivered the order on Sunday. Three other accused have been directed to appear before the court on February 16. According to Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, the case stems from an incident on August 3, 2016, when two student leaders, Ruhul Amin and Israfil, were allegedly detained under false charges, tortured for two nights, and later shot in the legs on the orders of then-SP Anisur Rahman. The prosecution stated that the victims’ injuries led to severe infections, resulting in amputation. The tribunal has taken the charges into cognizance against eight accused in total. Three of the accused—former Sub-Inspector Akikul Islam, Constable Sajjadur Rahman, and Constable Zahurul Haque—are already in custody. The remaining accused include former Officer-in-Charge Moshiur Rahman and three sub-inspectors, Mokhles, Jamal, and Majedul, against whom arrest warrants have also been issued.

In Hatiya upazila of Noakhali, youth leader Kamal Uddin, a supporter of Abdul Hannan Masud of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and senior joint convener of Jubo Shokti’s Jahajmara West branch, has joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The formal joining took place on Saturday night, January 31, when he presented flowers to BNP’s organizing secretary and Noakhali-6 constituency candidate Mahbubur Rahman Shamim. Kamal Uddin stated that he resigned from his Jubo Shokti position based on a family decision and joined BNP inspired by its ideals of restoring democracy and ensuring voting rights. He pledged to work actively to strengthen BNP’s organizational activities. Hatiya BNP joint general secretary Lutfullahil Majid Nishan said several other leaders and activists also joined BNP, uniting under its symbol to strengthen the party ahead of the upcoming election. In response, Hatiya Jubo Shokti convener Md. Yusuf Reza commented that Abdul Hannan Masud’s popularity continues to grow and that a few defections would not affect the organization’s overall strength.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that India was behind the recent coordinated attacks in Balochistan, saying all investigative links point toward India. The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the assaults, which occurred on Saturday across multiple locations. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed 92 militants, while 18 civilians and 15 soldiers were reported dead during clearance operations and clashes. The BLA described the attacks on social media as the second phase of “Operation Heroof.” Pakistan’s government has labeled the BLA and other Baloch groups as “Fitna al Hindustan,” accusing them of acting as Indian proxies in a hybrid war aimed at destabilizing the country. Security sources claimed that Indian media and India-linked social media accounts promoted supportive narratives during the attacks. Asif, speaking in Sialkot, said the BLA sought foreign funding from India and tried to mask its activities under human rights campaigns. He added that militants used women and children in operations and vowed to neutralize all remaining threats despite Balochistan’s challenging terrain.

The three-day 2nd Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2026 will begin on February 2 at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka. Organized by the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BAISHIMAS) with support from the Ministry of Commerce and the World Bank-backed Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project, the event will run daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The expo aims to enhance the competitiveness and export orientation of the country’s light engineering sector by showcasing the latest technologies, machinery, and innovative products. BAISHIMAS President Md. Abdur Razzak said the sector supplies backward linkages to agriculture, textiles, construction, power, and automobile industries, contributing about 3 percent to national GDP. Around 50,000 small and medium enterprises employ over 300,000 skilled workers, meeting nearly half of the domestic demand worth USD 8.2 billion. Despite this, Bangladesh holds less than 1 percent of the USD 7 trillion global engineering market. The current export value of USD 795 million could reach USD 12.56 billion by 2030 with proper policy and investment support. The expo will feature over 50 booths, two seminars, and participation from government officials, business chambers, and international buyers. Organizers expect the event to strengthen domestic industry, attract investment, and expand global market access.

Following the announcement of the 13th National Parliament election schedule, the Bangladesh Army, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, conducted joint operations across the country. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), these operations, carried out from December 11 to Sunday, resulted in the arrest of 1,774 individuals and the recovery of 179 firearms along with 1,941 rounds of ammunition. The ISPR stated that the operations aimed to maintain stability in law and order during the election period. The army intensified regular patrols, set up checkpoints, conducted special raids in suspected areas, and strengthened intelligence-based activities to ensure a secure electoral environment. All arrested individuals were handed over to the respective police stations. The ISPR emphasized that these coordinated efforts were part of broader measures to keep the national situation stable and to ensure safety ahead of the upcoming election.

A mass rally was held in Debidwar, Cumilla, on Sunday in support of Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance for the Cumilla-4 constituency. The demonstration endorsed Abdullah’s Shapla Koli election symbol and the 'Yes' vote in the ongoing referendum. The rally began in front of Debidwar Mohila College, paraded through major roads of the upazila, and concluded at the Sujat Ali Government College field. Leaders from various allied parties participated in the event, including Saiful Islam Shahid, secretary of Jamaat’s Cumilla North district; Mojibur Rahman Farazi of Khelafat Majlis; withdrawn candidate Mofazzal Hossain of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis; Debidwar Jamaat chief Professor Shahidul Islam; NCP joint coordinator Jahangir Alam; National Youth Power organizer Nazmul Hasan Nahid; NCP joint coordinator Saiful Islam Shamim; Debidwar municipal Jamaat chief Ferdous Ahmed; and Islami Chhatra Shibir president Saiful Islam. The rally demonstrated coordinated support among alliance partners ahead of the Cumilla-4 electoral contest.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any United States attack on Iran would lead to a regional war. He issued the warning during a speech on Saturday, according to Press TV. Khamenei said the United States should understand that initiating a conflict would not remain limited to Iran alone. He emphasized that the Iranian nation is not intimidated by threats or displays of military power. Khamenei noted that American threats of war are not new, recalling that US officials have repeatedly said all options, including military action, remain on the table. Responding to threats from US President Donald Trump, he stated that the Iranian people are not influenced by such rhetoric. He reiterated that Iran would not start a war but would respond firmly to any aggression. The remarks underscore Tehran’s stance of deterrence amid ongoing tensions with Washington, signaling that any confrontation could have broader regional consequences.

At a campaign rally in Pirgacha Government College field, Rangpur-4, NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain announced that the Teesta mega project would be implemented if the 11-party alliance wins the upcoming election. Speaking as the chief guest, he said the alliance’s Shapla Koli symbol represents their commitment to addressing water shortages and deepening the Teesta River. Hossain also pledged to eliminate regional development disparities in northern Bangladesh and ensure transparency in public allocations. Other speakers, including Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary Maulana Abdul Halim and NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, echoed the call for a fair and equitable Bangladesh. They criticized rival parties for alleged corruption and inefficiency, urging voters to support the alliance’s candidates. Bhuiyan added that a previous public hearing on the Teesta riverbank led to a development allocation of 2.5 billion taka. The event, part of the NCP’s electoral march, was attended by leaders from allied groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Jubo Shakti, and Chhatra Shakti, who emphasized unity and vigilance during the election.

Students from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing and left-leaning groups at Jahangirnagar University organized a broom procession on Sunday evening to protest remarks made on social media by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman that were deemed derogatory toward working women. The procession began at the university’s central Shaheed Minar around 6:30 p.m., marched through key campus roads, and concluded at Bottola with a brief rally. During the rally, participants dismissed claims that Dr. Rahman’s Twitter account had been hacked, calling it a staged excuse, and demanded a public apology for the offensive comments. Nadia Rahman Anwesha, general secretary of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti’s Jahangirnagar unit, said students took to the streets in response to attempts to demean women on social media. Other speakers, including students Faria Zaman Niki and Sohagi Samia, condemned the remarks and criticized the political tolerance of such statements. The protestors declared that their broom procession marked only the beginning of continued demonstrations against those who support or echo such views on campus.

The Rajshahi University (RU) unit of Chhatra Dal held a protest rally on Sunday, February 1, 2026, condemning a controversial social media post allegedly made from the verified X (formerly Twitter) account of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. The post, which contained derogatory remarks about working women, sparked widespread criticism online. The demonstration began at the university’s Buddhijibi Chattar and later turned into a procession across the campus, with participants chanting slogans demanding withdrawal of the remarks and respect for women. During the rally, Urdu department student Afrin Jahan called for changing the mindset that devalues women, urging people to view women as human beings. RU Chhatra Dal vice president Shakilur Rahman Sohag criticized Jamaat’s historical role and said Dr. Rahman’s comments were against human values. RU Chhatra Dal president Sultan Ahmad Rahi accused Dr. Rahman of insulting women, including nurses, and said such behavior disqualified his party from moral politics. Jamaat-e-Islami has claimed that Dr. Rahman’s X account was hacked, though the controversy continues to draw public attention.

An eleven-party alliance held a press conference in Nawabganj, Dinajpur, on Sunday, February 1, 2026, alleging that false propaganda was being spread against Jamaat-e-Islami. The event took place at the temporary upazila office in the New Market area, where alliance leaders claimed that a fabricated story of vandalism had been staged to mislead the public and authorities. According to the written statement presented at the conference, the incident occurred on Saturday, January 31, during a rally of the 'Dharipalla' symbol at Dalar Dorga Bazar in Putimara Union. The leaders said that loud music from a nearby 'Dhaner Shish' campaign office disrupted the event, leading to tension. They claimed that after their request to lower the volume, supporters of 'Dhaner Shish' attacked 'Dharipalla' activists, prompting the latter to withdraw peacefully. The alliance leaders further alleged that 'Dhaner Shish' supporters later staged a false act of vandalism, organized a protest march, and spread misleading information on social media. They condemned the alleged misinformation and reiterated that no violence or destruction had been carried out by their supporters.