Poet, fiction writer Mujtoba Ahmed Murshed's birthday today
Poet, fiction writer and political analyst Mujtoba Ahmed Murshed's birthday is being celebrated today. He was born in Baluadanga Mohalla of Dinajpur city on this day in 1961.
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Tarique Rahman, beware of toadies
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is currently receiving an outpouring of congratulations due to his imminent assumption of the role of Prime Minister of Bangladesh within the next day or two. We extend our congratulations to Tarique Rahman on this significant occasion of becoming the leader of the nation, following the party's substantial victory in the national elections. However, as a professional journalist, I feel it is my responsibility to highlight a crucial aspect of national politics. As a conscientious citizen, I wish to avoid witnessing any future head of government being perceived as a 'disrespectful' figure by the conclusion of their term. I understand that such discussions may not be well-received in the current climate. While it is certainly gratifying to hear words of commendation today, I seek to hear something more substantial, as my professional obligation is to convey the truth with clarity and precision.
Election hopes turn into disappointment, fear for women in Bangladesh
Hopes surrounding the election have turned into disappointment and fear for many women in Bangladesh, including those who were at the forefront of the July mass uprising, according to a report by the British national daily The Guardian.
A late afternoon with Meherun Runi and eternal regret
Following the regime change in 2024, it was widely anticipated that the entire nation would witness a just investigation and trial regarding the highly publicized Sagar-Runi murder.
Tough challenges await new government
With the conclusion of the thirteenth national parliamentary election on 12 February, Bangladesh is about to enter a significant and complex phase in its political journey. This election is not merely about a transfer of power or the formation of a new government; rather, it is taking place against the backdrop of prolonged political polarization, mounting economic pressure, and growing international diplomatic concerns. As a result, while public expectations of the incoming government will be immense, the challenges awaiting it will be equally formidable and structural in nature—according to political analysts.
A Response to Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman’s Views on Women’s Political Role
The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e Islami, Mr. Shafiqur Rahman, has categorically declared that no woman can ever occupy the party’s highest leadership position. In an extended interview with Al Jazeera, he justified this stance by appealing to what he termed “God-given biological differences” (interview with Al Jazeera, 29 January 2026). Yet such a claim, delivered with finality, raises serious theological, hermeneutical, and ethical concerns within the Islamic tradition. Before addressing Mr. Rahman’s assertion directly, it is necessary to return to the Qur’anic hermeneutics that underlie debates on women’s political leadership in Islam.
Jamaat-BNP focus on minority, AL–aligned, young voters
With the 13th National Parliamentary Election approaching, major political parties are now concentrating on three key voter blocs: minorities, Awami League–aligned voters, and young voters. Since the Awami League is not participating in this election, the political alignment of its support base has become a subject of fresh calculation. Issues such as the security and confidence of minority communities, attracting Awami League supporters to their own camps, and addressing employment and future prospects for young voters are shaping the strategies of the participating parties. Political analysts believe these voter groups could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the election.
13th National Elections: Young voters to act as trump card
From the streets to the virtual world, the pages of history—1947, 1952, 1971, 1990—echo with the triumph of youth. In the July mass uprising too, young people played the most prominent role everywhere. After a long wait of seventeen months, the 13th National Parliamentary Election is finally set to take place. For the first time since the 2008 election, there is widespread enthusiasm among young voters. Major political parties are once again recalculating their strategies with youth voters in mind. Youth has become the trump card; whoever wins the youth, wins Parliament—it has come to that.
Mobile Phone Ban at Polling Centers: A Concerning Decision
The Election Commission has prohibited carrying and using mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers for the February 12 election. This is the first time such a decision has been made for national or local elections in Bangladesh.
The political significance of this referendum
The referendum scheduled to be held on 12 February, the same day as the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has sparked extensive discussion and analysis across the country’s political arena as well as in international circles. In the current political context, the importance of this referendum is multidimensional. According to political analysts, the decision by a major political force to boycott the process has turned the referendum into more than a routine vote, transforming it into a profound and multifaceted test for Bangladesh’s politics.
How much will rumours influence this election
The much-discussed 13th national parliamentary election is set to be held on February 12. As the election draws closer, political tension and violence are rising, accompanied by a rapid spread of rumours and disinformation. Alongside street politics, the virtual world has turned into a battlefield of an “information war”. Fake news on social media, AI-generated deepfake videos and fabricated photo cards have created a dangerous reality that can influence voter decisions. This raises a critical question: how much impact can rumours have on the upcoming election
AI–Nuclear interface: A new frontier of existential risk
The world is entering an era where the pinnacle of human innovation could be the instrument of its own extinction. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to revolutionize everyday life, its growing integration into nuclear decision-making systems is igniting a race that is as lethal as it is unpredictable. Today, a critical question has emerged: should the decision to deploy weapons capable of annihilating civilization ever be shaped, even indirectly, by algorithms?
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