The trial of dismissed army officer Major General Ziaul Ahsan begins today, Sunday, at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka. The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, will open proceedings with the prosecution’s introductory statement. The other members are Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. The first witness testimony is also scheduled for recording today. Earlier, on January 14, the tribunal rejected Ziaul’s plea for discharge and formally framed charges against him.

Ziaul Ahsan faces three charges of crimes against humanity, including the killing of detainees in Gazipur in July 2011, mass executions in the coastal areas of Barguna’s Patharghata, and staged “gunfights” in the Sundarbans under the guise of anti-bandit operations. The prosecution alleges that these acts resulted in the deaths of over a hundred people during the Awami League’s one-and-a-half-decade rule.

The tribunal proceedings mark a significant step in addressing allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings attributed to security operations during that period.

As Bangladesh’s new government prepares to assume power following the election, public concern is rising over rapidly increasing prices of essential goods ahead of Ramadan. The article warns that controlling the soaring market will be the administration’s first major challenge, as past political transitions have often been exploited by unscrupulous traders to destabilize prices. Commodities such as rice, lentils, oil, sugar, and vegetables have already begun to rise sharply, threatening affordability for middle- and low-income families.

The report highlights that around 2.1 million tons of food products are currently stuck at Chattogram Port, creating fears of an artificial shortage if clearance delays persist. A lack of lighter vessels and storage facilities is worsening the situation. The piece attributes market instability not to supply shortages but to syndicates that hoard goods and manipulate prices, taking advantage of weak monitoring by local authorities.

It urges immediate government intervention to dismantle these syndicates and ensure stable supply before Ramadan, emphasizing that maintaining reasonable prices will be the new administration’s first and most critical test of credibility.

Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a multibillion-dollar investment package covering aviation, energy, real estate, and telecommunications as Damascus’s new leadership moves to rebuild after a 14-year civil war. Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal al-Hilali announced the agreements, which include developing a new international airport in Aleppo, launching a low-cost Syrian-Saudi airline, and creating a telecommunications project called SilkLink to position Syria as a regional hub. Saudi Arabia’s Elaf fund will invest $2 billion to develop two airports in Aleppo, while nearly $1 billion will go into telecommunications infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia has been a key supporter of Syria’s new government, which took power after toppling Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The deals mark the largest investment since the United States lifted sanctions on Syria in December. The Ministry of Energy also signed a water agreement with Saudi firm ACWA Power, and Flynas partnered with the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority to establish “Flynas Syria,” expected to begin operations in late 2026.

US envoy Tom Barrack praised the agreements as a boost for reconstruction, while analyst Benjamin Feve cautioned that the deals may carry more political than immediate economic weight.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has informed Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur that amending the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972, is not feasible during the tenure of the interim government. In a letter sent on February 5, he stated that such a fundamental law should not undergo major revisions until a new government assumes office. Consequently, the proposed amendment to the central bank order has been put on hold.

The adviser’s letter noted that the proposed changes involved key issues such as appointment and removal of top officials, elevation of the governor’s status, restructuring of the board, financial liability of the republic, and conflict of interest prevention. He emphasized that as the 1972 order forms the foundation of the country’s central banking system, any amendment must be carefully reviewed with input from stakeholders and experts.

Earlier, Bangladesh Bank had submitted a reform proposal aimed at enhancing its autonomy and insulating it from political influence. The governor’s draft suggested merit-based appointments through a search committee and legal safeguards for removal procedures.

A joint force recovered a large quantity of firearms and locally made weapons from a pond near the Kanaipur Sugarcane Center in Faridpur Sadar on Saturday. The special operation, led by Lieutenant Colonel Minhaj, was conducted from noon to afternoon, during which the pond was drained and searched with nets. The recovered items included four pistols with 16 rounds of ammunition, two pipe guns with two rounds, five Chinese axes, 65 small and large chisels, eight spears, six knives, 101 spearheads, one harpoon, and five empty foreign liquor bottles. All seized weapons and ammunition were taken to the joint forces’ camp.

According to the joint forces, the operation was carried out based on secret intelligence information with assistance from the Fire Service. The weapons were found hidden underwater. No arrests have been made so far, but law enforcement has launched an investigation to identify who stored the weapons and for what purpose.

Faridpur Army Camp sources said similar operations will continue to curb crime and recover illegal arms, with intensified intelligence surveillance to identify those involved.

Fisheries and Livestock Ministry adviser Farida Akhter said destructive human activities are the main threat to the Halda River. She made the remarks on Saturday at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council in Dhaka during an inception workshop organized by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute and Nodi Kendra, Chandpur, for the 2025–26 Halda River natural fish breeding project. Akhter emphasized that fisheries and livestock work is not only economic or scientific but also deeply tied to religion, culture, and social behavior.

She urged that research reports be written in Bangla for public understanding and called for women’s inclusion in socio-economic studies to reflect the realities of riverside communities. Akhter highlighted the need for immediate corrective actions where necessary, including removal of the Bhujpur rubber dam if found harmful, and warned against tobacco cultivation along riverbanks. She also stressed effective management of sluice gates and control of invasive sucker fish species.

Akhter proposed a mid-term workshop in late 2026 or early 2027 to evaluate project progress and expressed optimism that coordinated efforts would ensure successful conservation and management of the Halda River.

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) inaugurated two air-conditioned buses built under its own management and funding at the central repair workshop in Gazipur on Saturday. The event was attended by senior officials, including the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Sheikh Moinuddin, who described the achievement as a matter of national pride and a step toward greater self-reliance in public transport operations.

BRTC Chairman Abdul Latif Molla stated that the corporation has evolved into a comprehensive state service institution, integrating passenger and freight transport with training, technical education, and workshop facilities. He said the new bus production demonstrates BRTC’s growing technical and operational capacity. The corporation also operates a central control room that monitors all buses and trucks nationwide in real time through a vehicle tracking system.

According to BRTC, the process of importing 340 modern buses from Korea is in its final stage, and plans are underway to add new trucks and coaster buses to the fleet within the year.

Internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi actress Bobita is set to receive the 2026 Ekushey Padak, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. The announcement was made at a press conference following an advisory council meeting on Thursday. Bobita expressed deep gratitude to the state and those who selected her, calling it a blessing to receive such recognition during her lifetime. She has been receiving congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers across Bangladesh and abroad since the news broke.

Bobita began her film career under the direction of the late filmmaker Zahir Raihan, to whom she has dedicated her upcoming award. Over her career, she has acted in nearly 300 films and produced several under her banner “Bobita Movies.” She has previously won multiple National Film Awards, including Best Actress for “Noyonmoni,” “Boshundhora,” and “Badi Theke Begum,” and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Bobita gained international recognition for her role in Satyajit Ray’s “Ashani Sanket.”

She stated that she would only return to acting if offered a story centered on her character and one that genuinely appeals to her.

At least eight people have died and more than 64,000 have been displaced after severe flooding and landslides struck the Cagayan region in northern Philippines. The disaster occurred under the influence of Tropical Cyclone Basyang, also known as Penha, according to local media reports on Saturday. Four members of one family were killed in a landslide in Cagayan de Oro City, while four others died in Iligan and Agusan del Norte.

The storm caused widespread flooding across Western Visayas, Negros Island, Central Visayas, and Caraga regions. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 16,528 families had been moved to 480 evacuation centers, while others sought refuge with relatives. The Philippine weather bureau said Basyang weakened into a low-pressure area early Saturday after making landfall five times across Mindanao and Visayas.

Authorities also reported that 32 flights were canceled since Thursday due to the storm, leaving 7,737 passengers stranded at airports across the country.

A Bangladeshi expatriate worker was killed in Malaysia when a spider lift crane overturned and crushed him on Jalan Perak in Kuala Lumpur. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Friday while he was operating the crane to work on a roadside billboard. According to Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief ACP Mohamad Zamzuri Mohamad Isa, the victim himself was driving the crane.

Preliminary investigations found that the crane, which was being operated by remote control, became stuck on the pavement and toppled over. The worker was trapped underneath and died at the scene. The crane’s fall also damaged two nearby cars, though no passengers inside were injured.

Police are now searching for the company that owns the crane and are investigating whether it had proper authorization to operate in Kuala Lumpur.

NESCO Rajshahi announced that electricity supply will be suspended for six hours in multiple areas on Sunday, February 8, due to tree branch trimming near 11/0.4 kV power lines. The outage will occur from 7:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., affecting Panchabati, Bospara, Shekherchak, Sagorpara, Moholdarpara, Shiroil Masterpara, Debesingpara, Debesingpara Ambagan, Bhadra, Upor-Bhadra, Shiroil, Sericulture, Baliapukur, Boro Bottola, Northern Mor, Sadhur Mor, Munnaper Mor, and surrounding neighborhoods.

The notice, signed by Subrata Kumar Das, Executive Engineer of NESCO Rajshahi Sales and Distribution Division-1, was issued on Thursday, February 5. The company stated that the temporary power suspension is necessary to safely remove tree branches close to electrical lines.

NESCO authorities expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience and assured residents that the maintenance work is essential for ensuring uninterrupted and safe electricity supply in the future.

Md. Erfanul Haque, an additional secretary, has officially taken charge as the chairman of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla). According to a press release issued by Petrobangla on Saturday, he assumed the position last Thursday. Before joining Petrobangla, Haque served as an additional secretary in the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

The announcement stated that Haque is an officer of the 18th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre and began his government career on January 25, 1999. Over his long career, he has served in various administrative roles, including as a first-class magistrate, assistant commissioner (land), and upazila executive officer. He also worked in several key ministries, including Education, ICT, Primary and Mass Education, and Public Administration.

Haque holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Dhaka and another in the same field from Waseda University in Japan. Upon assuming his new role, he sought the prayers and cooperation of all concerned.

A police constable was killed in a road accident on Saturday afternoon on the Dhaka Road near the Nabaganga Bridge in Magura town. The deceased was identified as Badsha Morol, 26, a constable stationed at Babukhali Camp under Mohammadpur Upazila in Magura. He was the son of Omar Ali from Ailia village in Satkhira district. The accident occurred when a speeding truck hit his motorcycle from behind while he was returning to his camp from the Magura police lines after collecting ration medicine. Passersby rescued him and took him to Magura Hospital, where the on-duty doctor, Sadia Jhora, declared him dead.

The body has been kept at the temporary morgue of Magura 250-bed District Hospital. Magura Superintendent of Police Md Habibur Rahman visited the scene and described the incident as tragic. He said legal action would be taken following an investigation and that necessary arrangements had been made for an autopsy.

Authorities have initiated the investigation process to determine the cause of the collision and identify those responsible.

Multimedia journalists working in Dhaka held a protest rally on Saturday, February 7, in front of the National Museum, condemning an alleged assault by law enforcement officers on journalists. The demonstration was organized by the Multimedia Reporters Association and journalists based in Dhaka, following what participants described as a planned attack on media workers.

Speakers at the rally said that despite changes in police uniforms, their behavior toward journalists had not changed. They demanded that the police officers involved face justice and alleged that the assault took place in the presence of DC Masud, with his consent. The protesters claimed that police specifically targeted multimedia journalists and vowed to continue their protest programs until justice is served.

Leaders of the Multimedia Reporters Association, including President Fakhrul Islam and General Secretary Akhtaruzzaman, addressed the rally, expressing anger over repeated attacks on journalists covering incidents of violence against civilians.

A group of armed robbers attacked the home of Khan Ashikuzzaman, a local correspondent for Amar Desh in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat, early Friday night. The assailants held the journalist and his wife hostage at gunpoint, looting cash, gold ornaments, important documents, and journalism equipment. The robbers also threatened to kill him if he continued his journalism work and used a chemical spray to render the couple unconscious before fleeing.

According to Ashikuzzaman, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on February 6 when six to seven armed men broke into his tin-shed house in Sundarban Union. They took about 4,000 taka, one bhori of gold, national ID cards, a Green Television microphone boom, and a Vivo V-29 mobile phone. The couple was later rescued unconscious by neighbors and admitted to Mongla Upazila Health Complex.

Ashikuzzaman filed a written complaint with Mongla Police Station against unidentified robbers. Assistant Superintendent of Police Md. Refatul Islam said police visited the scene and legal action is underway.