Bangladeshi short film 'Scarlet Echoes' (Bengali title 'Raktim') has been officially selected for the main competition of the 56th Tampere Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious film events. Directed and written by young filmmaker Hemonto Sadik, the film is set against the backdrop of the historic July 2024 mass uprising. Out of 7,125 international submissions, only 60 films from 44 countries were chosen, with 'Scarlet Echoes' being the sole entry from Bangladesh.

The docu-fiction blends real footage from the 2024 July movement with fictional storytelling centered on Adnan, a photographer and single father, capturing the streets of Dhaka and the spirit of the people. Producer Dilruba Hossain Doel stated that the film was made without institutional support, shot mostly within the movement using a smartphone, and created entirely through voluntary collaboration.

Dedicated to late photographer Tahir Zaman Priyo, who was killed during the movement, the film will have its world premiere at the festival in Tampere, Finland, from March 4–8, 2026.

Private sector credit growth in Bangladesh fell to 6.10 percent at the end of December 2025, marking the lowest level in recent years, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank report. The growth rate stood at 7.28 percent during the same period in 2024. The central bank’s data show that private sector credit totaled Tk 17.88 trillion in December 2025, up from Tk 16.85 trillion a year earlier.

Industry insiders said the slowdown reflects weak demand for loans as businesses remain reluctant to invest or expand amid political uncertainty. Many are waiting for a peaceful political transition, and stakeholders believe that only a free and fair election could revive investment appetite. The subdued demand for credit has led to increased liquidity in the banking sector.

Bangladesh Bank had set a target of 7.2 percent private sector credit growth for the July–December period of the current fiscal year, but the actual growth fell short of that goal.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher declared that his party and its allies would not bow to India, emphasizing independence in policymaking. Speaking on Monday afternoon at an election rally in Dakshin Shripur under Gunabati Union of Chauddagram, Cumilla, he said that previous governments believed power required appeasing India, but his alliance rejects that notion. He asserted that only God should be feared and promised that if the 11-party coalition wins, there will be no corruption or compromise of national sovereignty.

Dr. Taher said the coalition, comprising Islamic-minded groups, freedom fighters’ parties, and the July Revolution group, aims to bring qualitative change to Bangladesh’s politics. He criticized past governments for corruption, extortion, and misrule, claiming that despite different names, their governance styles were similar. He described the upcoming election as a turning point for the nation’s destiny.

He urged unity across political lines for national interest and mentioned that Tk 180 crore had been allocated for development projects in Chauddagram, expressing hope for a historic victory.

Bangladesh Bank has purchased an additional $218.5 million from 16 commercial banks, bringing its total dollar purchases to $4.15 billion since the start of the current fiscal year, according to Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The central bank’s move aims to maintain stability in the foreign exchange market, where dollar supply currently exceeds demand.

The report notes that Bangladesh’s dollar market became unstable in 2022, with the exchange rate rising from 85 to 122 taka per dollar. Over the past three fiscal years, the central bank sold about $34 billion to support the market but bought only around $1 billion during that period. Following the fall of the previous Awami League government, the current administration tightened measures against money laundering, boosting both exports and remittances and increasing dollar inflows.

As a result of higher remittances and central bank purchases, Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $33.18 billion as of January 29, or $28.68 billion under the BPM-6 calculation, up from $20.48 billion at the time of the previous government’s departure.

Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said the interim government tried to advance and stabilize Bangladesh’s economy but could not achieve everything. He warned that the coming economic challenges would be large and difficult, requiring strong measures to overcome. He made the remarks on Monday at Sonali Bank’s annual conference held at the International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Finance Division Secretary Dr. Khairuzzaman Mozumdar, and Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek attended as special guests, while Sonali Bank Chairman Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury presided over the event. Ahmed noted that Sonali Bank currently has no capital shortfall and a satisfactory advance-deposit ratio. He emphasized prioritizing loans for small and medium enterprises over large businesses, citing their role in job creation and lower risk.

Governor Mansur said state-owned banks often struggle to recover loans, forcing a contraction in lending. He urged Sonali Bank to move toward a fully commercial model and expand lending with greater confidence to strengthen its profitability and contribution to the broader economy.

Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, announced that his personal phone number had been hacked. He disclosed the incident on Monday through a post on his personal Facebook account, warning the public not to respond to any requests for money that might appear to come from his number.

In his Facebook post, the energy adviser clarified that he was not seeking any financial assistance and urged people to ignore such messages. The announcement was made to prevent possible misuse of his contact information following the hacking incident.

The report did not include further details about how the hack occurred or whether any official investigation had been launched into the matter.

The Election Commission (EC) has begun distributing ballot papers bearing candidate names and symbols to returning officers across Bangladesh ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. According to information released from the EC Secretariat in Agargaon, Dhaka, the first phase of distribution on February 1 covered 13 districts, while the second phase on February 2 extended to eight more districts, totaling 21 districts over two days.

Officials stated that ballot papers and other election materials are being sent from Dhaka under tight security. These materials will be stored at the offices of returning officers and delivered to polling centers the day before voting. The EC also confirmed that approximately 260 million ballot papers are being printed for both the parliamentary election and a concurrent referendum, with a total printing cost of 400 million taka.

According to the official schedule, voting will take place nationwide on February 12 without interruption.

Brazil won the Copa America Futsal championship by defeating defending champions Argentina 2–1 in a thrilling final held early Monday, February 2, at the Oscar Harrison Stadium of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee in Luque, Paraguay. The victory marked Brazil’s 12th title in the tournament’s history, further strengthening its position as the most successful team in Copa America Futsal.

Brazil started the match aggressively, taking the lead midway through the first half when João Victor, who plays for Russian club Krasnodar, scored after beating two Argentine defenders. Argentina struggled under pressure and committed several fouls, while Brazilian goalkeeper Matheus made key saves to deny multiple chances from Matías Rosa and Kevin Arrieta. Argentina equalized two minutes before full time through Rosa’s goal, but Barcelona player Diego Henrique restored Brazil’s lead within a minute, sealing the 2–1 victory.

With this win, Brazil extended its dominance in the competition, while Argentina remains with three titles. Peru secured third place in the 15th edition of the tournament.

The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has reported 274 incidents of violence across Bangladesh between December 12 of last year and February 1, a 51-day period following the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The data, released on Monday under the title “Violent Incidents in the 13th National Election–2026,” includes 15 attacks on candidates, 89 clashes among rival supporters, and 5 killings. Other reported incidents include intimidation, use of illegal weapons, threats, obstruction of campaign activities, and attacks on election offices.

The Press Wing also presented comparative statistics from the previous three national elections held during the Hasina administration. In the 2014 election, 530 violent incidents were recorded with 115 deaths and 315 injuries. The 2018 election saw 414 incidents, 22 deaths, and 780 injuries, while the 2024 election recorded 534 incidents, 6 deaths, and 460 injuries. The data also detailed property damage, arson, and explosive attacks during those periods.

The report highlights a continuing pattern of election-related violence, though the current tally appears lower than in previous election cycles.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has extended the deadline for submitting proposals for government-funded full-length and short films for the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to a recent notice signed by Deputy Secretary Mosha. Sharmin Akhter, applicants can now submit complete package proposals until March 1. The previous deadline for submitting stories, scripts, and overall production plans was January 29.

The ministry’s notice invited producers, directors, filmmakers, film professionals, related institutions, writers, and screenwriters to submit proposals for story and script selection under the government grant program. The initiative aims to promote the film industry and encourage creativity and talent. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the ministry plans to provide grants for up to 12 full-length and 20 short films, totaling 32 projects.

According to the notice, applicants must submit 12 sets of complete package proposals, including one original copy, for both full-length and short film categories.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB-Gulshan Division) arrested a drug dealer named Abdur Rahim, aged 39, with 3,000 yaba pills during an operation in the Abdullahpur Bus Stand area under Uttara West Police Station on Monday night, February 2, 2026. The operation was conducted based on secret information, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman.

DB-Gulshan sources said a specialized team carried out the raid in front of the Shah Fateh Ali Bus Counter in Abdullahpur, seizing the yaba pills and three mobile phones used in drug activities. A case has been filed against Abdur Rahim under the Narcotics Control Act at Uttara West Police Station.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Abdur Rahim is an active member of a drug trafficking network and has been collecting yaba from various areas to sell across different parts of Dhaka city.

A joint press conference was held in Patuakhali where Ganadhikar Parishad’s nominated candidate Md. Shahidul Islam Fahim announced his withdrawal from the race for Patuakhali-01 constituency to support BNP’s nominee, former Home and Commerce Minister and BNP Vice Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury. The event took place on Monday at Suraiya Villa on Sher-e-Bangla Road in the presence of the BNP candidate.

In his written statement, Fahim said the decision was made to strengthen the long-standing partnership between BNP and Ganadhikar Parishad in their movement to restore democracy and protect voting rights. He emphasized that the two parties’ leaders and activists would now work together as a united team in Patuakhali-01, similar to their cooperation in Patuakhali-03, to ensure Chowdhury’s victory.

BNP election coordination officials and district-level leaders from both parties, including youth and student wings, attended the press conference, signaling a local political alignment ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election.

Two beekeeping workers were killed when a honeycomb transport truck overturned and fell into a roadside ditch in Rajoir upazila of Madaripur early Monday, February 2, 2026. The accident occurred around 4 a.m. near the West Rajoir Big Bridge divider on the Dhaka-Barishal Highway. The truck, carrying artificial honeycomb equipment, lost control and plunged into the ditch, killing both workers on the spot.

The deceased were identified as Rana, 27, son of Amjad, and Likhon, 18, son of Muktar, both from Sarishabari in Jamalpur district. Following the incident, the truck’s driver and helper fled the scene. Police from the Mostafapur Highway Station recovered the bodies and the vehicle. Officer-in-Charge Mamun Al-Rashid confirmed that legal procedures are underway regarding the accident.

Authorities have not yet provided details on the cause of the loss of control or the condition of the driver and helper, who remain at large.

The holy Shab-e-Barat, also known as Lailatul Mubarakah, is being observed across Bangladesh on Tuesday with religious devotion. Muslims are spending the night in prayers, Quran recitation, and special supplications seeking forgiveness and divine blessings. The Islamic Foundation has organized programs at the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, including sermons, Quran recitations, and prayers, continuing until dawn. The event began after Maghrib prayers, with religious scholars delivering sermons on the significance of the night. Similar gatherings are being held at divisional and district offices, Islamic Mission Centers, and Imam Training Academies.

Prime Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and political leaders including BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman issued messages marking the occasion. Wednesday has been declared a public holiday, and newspapers will not be published due to office closures on Tuesday. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has implemented maximum security across the country, increasing patrols and intelligence surveillance in major cities, mosques, and shrines to ensure public safety. Citizens have been urged to remain alert and cooperate with law enforcement during the observance.

Shab-e-Barat also marks the spiritual preparation for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has accused Indian media outlets and the Awami League of continuously spreading misinformation about Bangladesh. He made the allegation on Monday, February 2, during a policy conclave titled ‘Policy Conclave on Misinformation: Challenges to Governance and Democracy’ held at the central auditorium of Dhaka International University.

Alam claimed that several Indian newspapers, including widely read ones, have consistently published false information about Bangladesh. He said India is deliberately spreading misinformation and disinformation, and that this trend has intensified over the past 18 months. According to him, Bangladesh has never faced such a situation in its 54-year history. He also questioned whether these actions were being orchestrated by external influences.

The press secretary further stated that misinformation poses a major challenge to democracy and governance, with both local and external sources contributing to the problem. He criticized the media for failing to act as the voice of the people and for being fearful of public backlash, urging journalists to overcome this fear.