Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after her ouster in the August 2024 uprising has reignited political debate. A leaked audio message from fugitive Awami League leader Mohammad A Arafat revealed Hasina describing her situation as a “banbas,” or exile, expressing sympathy for party members still in Bangladesh. The report recounts that before fleeing, Hasina ensured the safe departure of several close relatives and officials, while many grassroots activists now face hardship.

The article draws parallels between Hasina and Sikkim’s Lhendup Dorji, portraying both as figures who allegedly served Indian interests. It notes that during Hasina’s 15-and-a-half-year rule, Bangladesh signed numerous agreements with India, many said to have favored Indian interests. Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan criticized India’s continued support for Hasina, calling it interference in Bangladesh’s sovereignty and warning of rising bilateral tension.

The comparison between Hasina and Dorji resurfaced during the funeral of BNP leader Khaleda Zia, where her past remarks labeling Hasina as “India’s agent” were replayed, amplifying the controversy over Hasina’s political legacy and her current refuge in India.

At least 12 people were killed when a Russian drone struck a bus carrying miners in Ukraine’s central-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday. The bus was traveling near the city of Ternivka, about 65 kilometers from the front line. Energy company DTEK confirmed that all victims were returning from work at one of its mines. Photos released by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service showed shattered windows and a damaged windshield.

Regional military administrator Oleksandr Hancha reported on Telegram that the drone hit a company shuttle bus in the Pavlohrad district, injuring at least seven others. The AFP news agency said it could not independently verify the circumstances of the attack. Hancha also reported that a separate overnight drone strike in the city of Dnipro killed a man and a woman.

The attacks occurred as the deadline expired for a unilateral reduction in Russian strikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump had claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to halt winter assaults on Kyiv and other cities, though the terms remained unclear and the Kremlin did not confirm any weather-related ceasefire.

At least sixteen people were killed in two separate road accidents in southern Turkey on Sunday, according to reports from local and international news agencies. The first crash occurred near the city of Antalya when a passenger bus veered off the highway and overturned, killing nine people and injuring at least twenty-five others. Antalya’s provincial governor Hulusi Sahin said seven of the injured were in critical condition. In a separate incident in the Burdur area, seven people were killed and five injured on the Antalya–Isparta route.

Governor Sahin stated that the bus involved in the first accident was carrying thirty-four passengers from Tekirdag to Antalya. He added that the crash site was located on a dangerous curve where speeding was unsafe. Preliminary findings suggested that reckless driving and slippery roads caused by rain might have contributed to the accident. It was not immediately clear whether any foreign nationals were among the passengers.

Antalya and its surrounding coastal areas are known as popular tourist destinations that attract large numbers of foreign visitors each year.

In Syedpur town of Nilphamari-4 constituency, candidates are using both Bangla and Urdu loudspeakers to seek votes ahead of the upcoming election. The campaign includes Urdu songs and ghazals, drawing mixed reactions from residents. Many visitors find the approach entertaining, while others see it as a novel way to connect with Urdu-speaking voters who make up about half of the municipality’s electorate.

Urdu-speaking residents, locally known as Biharis, have lived in Syedpur since 1947, with many gaining voting rights in 2008. Around 60,000 voters from 22 Urdu-speaking camps are considered decisive in determining election outcomes. Candidates say the use of Urdu helps these voters better understand names and symbols. However, some citizens criticize the move, citing the historical struggle to establish Bangla as the state language, while others defend it as inclusive and democratic.

Local officials confirmed that the Election Commission has not issued any directive on language use in campaigns. Analysts note that the Urdu-language outreach reflects both electoral strategy and broader social and cultural discourse in Syedpur.

A devastating landslide has struck a militia-controlled mine in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with government sources warning that at least 200 people may have died. The incident occurred on Sunday, according to an official statement released by the Congolese government.

Reports from Kinshasa, citing AFP, indicate that the M23 armed group, which re-emerged in 2021, has seized large parts of the mineral-rich eastern territories of the country. Backed by Rwanda, M23 took control of the Rubaya mine in North Kivu province in April 2024, the site where the latest tragedy unfolded.

Authorities have not yet provided details on rescue operations or the exact cause of the landslide, but the scale of the disaster has raised concerns about safety conditions in conflict-affected mining zones.

Cash holdings outside banks in Bangladesh surged by about Tk 410 billion over December and January, according to Bangladesh Bank data confirmed by its spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The increase coincides with intensified campaign activities for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12. The central bank attributes the rise to withdrawals by candidates covering election-related expenses, while the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is monitoring large or suspicious transactions.

Bangladesh Bank data show that cash outside banks rose from Tk 2.69 trillion in November to Tk 3.10 trillion in January. This reverses a previous downward trend observed from July to November. Former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain noted that such increases before elections are not unusual, as campaign spending often involves cash transactions. The BFIU has tightened oversight since January 11, requiring weekly reports on cash transactions of Tk 1 million or more.

Additionally, mobile financial services will be restricted from February 8 to 13 to prevent misuse of funds for voter influence. Daily transaction limits will be capped at Tk 10,000, with a maximum of Tk 1,000 per transaction, as directed by the BFIU at the Election Commission’s request.

An allegation of arson has been raised over the election campaign banners of Barrister Muhammad Naoshad Zamir, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Panchagarh-1 constituency and the party’s international affairs secretary. The incidents reportedly took place on Saturday night in two separate areas—Jatnpukuri under Dhakkamara Union and Sannyasipara village in Banglabandha Union—where unidentified individuals allegedly set fire to the banners. Two general diaries were filed at Panchagarh Sadar and Tentulia police stations following the incidents.

On Sunday evening, Zamir’s election agent, Nawfal Zamir, held a press conference at the district BNP office protesting the incidents. According to the briefing, the banners were completely damaged after flammable substances were used to ignite them. BNP representatives claimed the attacks were politically motivated. District-level BNP leaders and activists were present at the press event.

The two general diaries were lodged separately by local BNP leaders Mahfuzar Rahman Babu and Md. Rashed Ali Sarkar, seeking official documentation of the incidents ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

With only nine days left before Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, anti-fascist political parties have become active across Chittagong. However, the National Citizens Party (NCP), which led last year’s mass uprising, remains largely absent from the campaign field. Although the NCP secured one seat under an 11-party alliance in Chittagong-8, its candidate Zobairul Hasan Arif is struggling to gain momentum as Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate has not withdrawn and continues to receive quiet support from party workers.

The NCP’s organizational activities have weakened, with internal conflicts, leadership controversies, and public criticism over alleged extortion and misconduct among its leaders. Many of its former student leaders have returned to their original organizations or left politics altogether. Despite earlier plans to contest in nine constituencies, the party now has only one active candidate. Party officials claim many leaders are working outside Chittagong to strengthen the organization nationally.

Political analysts in Chittagong describe the NCP’s absence as disappointing, noting that their silence could harm their future local political prospects if they fail to participate visibly in the election process.

Bangladesh observed National Food Safety Day 2026 on Monday with the theme “Ensure safe food, build a healthy life.” The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) organized a discussion emphasizing citizens’ right to safe food and the need for awareness across production, processing, and sales. However, questions persist about whether the agency can ensure food safety nationwide. BFSA Chairman Zakaria acknowledged the growing presence of trans fat in food and said the authority is working with multiple institutions to control it through monitoring and awareness.

According to the World Health Organization, Bangladesh is among the 15 countries most at risk of trans fat–related heart disease, responsible for 4.41% of cardiac deaths. Experts warned that trans fat, excessive sugar, salt, and “testing salt” used in fast food pose serious health threats, including heart disease, kidney failure, and cancer. A national survey found excessive testing salt in chips, noodles, popcorn, and fries. The government has decided to require labeling of sugar, salt, and trans fat on packaged foods, though many businesses still fail to comply.

Health officials and researchers urged stronger legal enforcement and public awareness to prevent toxic food consumption and reduce noncommunicable diseases in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and the United States are expected to sign a bilateral trade agreement in Washington on February 9, aimed at reducing U.S. counter-tariffs on Bangladeshi goods and expanding trade benefits. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the draft agreement has been prepared and submitted for approval. He confirmed that the signing date has been set and that final tariff rates will be determined by that day.

The U.S. initially imposed counter-tariffs of 37 percent and later 35 percent on Bangladeshi products under the Trump administration, but after several rounds of talks, the rate was reduced to 20 percent on July 31 last year. Although no formal agreement was signed then, discussions continued to secure further tariff cuts and duty-free access for garments made with U.S. cotton. To gain these benefits, Bangladesh has pledged to reduce its trade deficit with the U.S. by increasing imports of Boeing aircraft, fuel, LNG, wheat, and cotton.

The Commerce Secretary also noted that Bangladesh is pursuing free trade agreements with other countries, including Japan and South Korea, to address post-LDC graduation challenges and enhance export growth.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has directed that maximum security be ensured at every polling center across the capital ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election 2026. The instruction came on Monday, February 2, during a coordination meeting held at the DMP Headquarters, where senior police officials discussed the security plan and overall management for the election.

In his address, the DMP Commissioner emphasized maintaining vigilance to prevent any disorder at polling centers, particularly those located far from police stations. He also instructed that police patrols be intensified in all station areas. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S.N. Md. Nazrul Islam noted that this election is taking place in a different context and stressed the importance of maintaining law and order with additional forces deployed.

During the meeting, Joint Police Commissioner (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah presented the comprehensive security plan through a PowerPoint presentation. Senior DMP officials shared their opinions, and the Commissioner provided further directives to ensure smooth election-day operations.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-6, Engineer Ishraque Hossain, stated that every member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of women. He made the remarks on February 1 during a street meeting in Sutrapur’s Ward 44 while campaigning for the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12. Ishraque said several working women had recently expressed concerns about their future if another political party came to power, assuring them that such fears would not materialize.

He emphasized that the election would determine the future direction of Bangladesh and recalled the BNP’s 17 years of political struggle, including imprisonment, disappearances, and killings of activists. Ishraque reiterated that the BNP seeks a fair, proper, and peaceful election where citizens can transfer power through their votes. He urged party workers to maintain peace and avoid provocation from rival groups.

Ishraque expressed confidence that BNP candidates would win by a large margin under the paddy-sheaf symbol and form the next government, with Tarique Rahman as the future prime minister. He added that the party would continue to uphold the legacy of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in defending the rights of all citizens.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on February 2 addressed an election rally at the Boro Maheshkhali Government Primary School field in Cox’s Bazar’s Maheshkhali upazila. The event was organized by the local Jamaat unit in support of party candidate Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad for the Maheshkhali-Kutubdia constituency. Rahman called for votes in favor of reform and against fascism, describing the upcoming 13th National Parliament election as a turning point for the country’s politics.

He said Jamaat seeks victory not only for itself but for all 180 million people of Bangladesh, emphasizing that the realization of the people’s aspirations would ensure the party’s success. Rahman pledged to recover looted national wealth and promised employment opportunities for youth instead of unemployment allowances. He noted that 62 percent of Jamaat’s members are young and that the party aims to empower them to build the nation with dignity.

Rahman urged leaders and activists of the 11-party alliance to remain united under the ‘scales’ symbol, stressing that their candidates are contesting to serve the people, not to become leaders.

A training aircraft crashed in Russia’s Orenburg region on Monday, February 2, killing three people, according to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. The ministry said the aircraft, a Diamond DA model operated by Saint Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation, went down near the city of Orsk during a training flight. The victims included one instructor and two cadets, all of whom died at the scene.

The ministry’s statement added that the crash occurred in the village of Zhanatalap, near Orsk. When emergency rescuers arrived, there was no fire, but all three occupants had already died. The ministry did not provide any information regarding the possible cause of the accident.

According to the Orenburg governor and the regional government’s press service, local authorities will provide assistance to the families of the deceased.

Advocate M Ruhul Kudduz Talukder Dulu, the BNP candidate for Natore-2 constituency, said that people are eager to vote for the BNP and send it to parliament. Speaking at several street meetings in different wards of Naldanga municipality on Monday, he asserted that no matter how many conspiracies arise, the BNP will win the upcoming election and form the next government. He accused the Awami League of misrule during its nearly 18 years in power, alleging killings, disappearances, and suppression of opposition voices.

Dulu stated that Tarique Rahman’s return to the country and assumption of the BNP chairmanship have united people to bring the party back to power. He said the BNP, under Rahman’s leadership, will form a new Bangladesh based on a 31-point program. Several local BNP leaders, including Nasim Uddin Nasim, Hafiz Uddin Hafiz, and others, also spoke at the events.

Dulu added that during his previous tenure as MP and minister, he contributed to Natore’s development and pledged to continue that progress if elected again on the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol.