A press release from the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya confirmed the repatriation of 145 Bangladeshis detained at Benghazi’s Ganfuda Detention Center on Wednesday (February 12). The repatriation was coordinated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The returnees are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday (February 13) via Burak Air, with all costs covered by IOM.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a senior advisor, arrived in Dubai on Wednesday (February 12) at 11:15 PM local time for a two-day visit to attend the World Government Summit, according to Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. He was welcomed by UAE Minister of Sports Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi. During their meeting, they discussed potential collaboration in sports and cultural exchange between the two nations.

Following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the court has ordered the freezing of shares worth 5,109 crore Taka belonging to the S. Alam family.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the AI Summit in France, where an unexpected diplomatic moment caught attention. According to a report by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, French President Emmanuel Macron seemingly ignored Modi while shaking hands with other world leaders. A viral video on social media shows Modi extending his hand while seated next to JD Dance, but Macron bypassed him entirely, greeting others instead. However, earlier during the welcome, Macron had embraced Modi.

Following strong protests by the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB), India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has removed a surveillance camera installed near the zero line of the border in Bhurungamari’s South Bashjani area. The camera, positioned on a tree facing Bangladesh near the historic Jora Mosque, was set up on February 9 at around 2 AM. BGB lodged multiple complaints but initially received no response. After a flag meeting on February 11, BSF agreed to dismantle the camera, which was taken down later that night.

Indian Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has called on the Indian government to closely monitor the situation in Bangladesh, warning that an unfavorable government in Dhaka could pose risks to India. As Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, he stressed that India must commit to the welfare of all Bangladeshis rather than appearing biased towards any particular political party or group. Additionally, he supported the idea of granting asylum to Sheikh Hasina in India if necessary.

Indian actor and Trinamool Congress MP Dipak Adhikari, popularly known as Dev, has raised concerns in the Lok Sabha about the lack of barbed-wire fencing along large stretches of the India-Bangladesh border. According to an ABP report, Dev submitted questions about the total unfenced border area and the reasons behind it. The Indian government responded that 864.482 km of the border remains unfenced, with 174.514 km being impossible to fence due to opposition from Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB), land acquisition issues, water bodies, and landslides.

Irish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Kevin Kelly, met with Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus in Tejgaon today. During the meeting, Kelly affirmed Ireland’s full support for Bangladesh’s interim government, democratic restoration, and reform programs. He expressed Ireland’s interest in increasing imports from Bangladesh and mentioned the possibility of sending an Irish delegation to assist in democratic transformation. Additionally, Ireland pledged continued humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees.

Bangladesh has resumed full electricity imports from India’s Adani Power after previously reducing supply due to disputes over the 1,600 MW power plant agreement. According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, the contract, signed in 2017 under the then Sheikh Hasina-led government, was a 25-year deal with Adani Power. Since then, Bangladesh has been importing electricity from Adani’s $2 billion power plant in Jharkhand. The plant, consisting of two 800 MW units, enjoys an exclusive supply deal with Bangladesh.

Just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit on February 12, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel products, effective this week. This move could severely impact India’s $3 billion steel exports to the U.S. and is seen as a diplomatic challenge for Modi. Previously, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and announced similar tariffs on Canada and Mexico, though the latter was temporarily postponed. Experts view this as a significant shift in U.S. trade policy.

On Sunday night, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) installed CCTV cameras at the zero line of the Bashjani border in Kurigram, prompting strong protests from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). On Monday morning, local residents discovered the cameras aimed at Bangladesh’s territory after attending Fajr prayers. Upon notification, BGB officials held a 90-minute discussion with BSF, demanding immediate removal of the cameras. Despite multiple discussions between the two forces, BSF had not removed the cameras as of Monday evening. Locals expressed security concerns, particularly as a mosque near the border is currently undergoing reconstruction.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized Indian liquor, pharmaceuticals, and contraband worth Tk 1.46 crore at the Sylhet-Sunamganj border. BGB’s 48th Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Haque, reported that the operation was carried out during a routine patrol early Sunday morning. Seized items included sugar, medicines, olive oil, clothing, livestock, oranges, street snacks, and body sprays. A used truck carrying the illegal goods was also confiscated.

Under the interim government, Bangladesh has prioritized economic interests by strengthening trade ties with Pakistan, a stark contrast to the strained trade policies during the Hasina administration. Meanwhile, imports from India have significantly decreased, while exports to Pakistan have risen. However, Bangladesh still imports far more from both nations than it exports. From July to December, Bangladesh imported 12.47 million metric tons of goods from India, costing BDT 661.6 billion, while exports to India amounted to BDT 115.77 billion. In the same period, exports to Pakistan totaled BDT 4.75 billion, while imports stood at 1.08 million metric tons, costing BDT 53.56 billion.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain and India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will meet on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference 2025, scheduled for February 16-17 in Oman. Dhaka is expected to convey a strong message urging India to refrain from any actions that could destabilize bilateral relations. The Bangladeshi delegation will also warn against using Sheikh Hasina’s political influence to create internal unrest. The meeting invitation was extended by India’s foreign ministry last month, following their last bilateral discussion in the United States.

A devastating fire in Chattogram’s Kotwali area early on February 10 claimed the lives of a husband and wife, while three others sustained injuries. Firefighters from two stations and four units managed to control the fire. The victims were rescued but later succumbed to smoke inhalation while receiving treatment. Fire service officials suspect the fire originated from an electrical short circuit, causing damage worth 1.5 million BDT.