A Dhaka court has postponed the submission date for the further investigation report in the murder case of Inquilab Moncho convener Sharif Osman Hadi for the fifth time. The new date has been set for February 9 after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to submit the report on Tuesday. Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Sefatullah made the decision, confirmed by court prosecution officer SI Ruknuzzaman. CID’s Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdur Kadir Bhuiyan, the current investigating officer, could not present the report.

Earlier, on January 6, the Detective Branch (DB) police had filed a charge sheet against 17 accused. However, the plaintiff, Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inquilab Moncho, expressed dissatisfaction with the DB investigation and filed a petition of objection on January 15. Following this, the court ordered the CID to conduct a further investigation.

Sharif Osman Hadi, known for his role in the July uprising, had announced his candidacy as an independent for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. He was shot by motorcycle-borne assailants during campaigning on December 12 and later died in Singapore on December 18. Five of the accused, including prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud, remain absconding.

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on former Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) commissioner Abdul Halim and former additional secretary Md Sabur Hossain. The order was given on Tuesday, February 3, by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) public relations officer Tanzir Ahmed confirmed the court’s decision following a petition filed by ACC Deputy Director Mohammad Zainal Abedin.

According to the petition, the ACC is investigating allegations of irregularities and corruption in the procurement process of a project under the rural electrification program involving the installation of 500,000 smart pre-payment meters and related communication systems. The investigation team was formed to examine the allegations, which remain under inquiry.

The ACC stated that credible sources indicated the accused might attempt to flee abroad, prompting the request for a travel restriction to ensure a fair investigation. The court granted the order after a hearing.

Energy and power sector experts in Bangladesh have called for a national consensus to address the country’s worsening electricity and fuel crisis. Speaking at a seminar organized by Just Energy News in Dhaka, they said that despite surplus generation capacity, the sector faces severe financial and structural pressure due to high costs, import dependence, dollar shortages, subsidy burdens, and weak governance. They urged the new government to take immediate steps alongside realistic and sustainable long-term planning.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jalal Ahmed attributed the crisis to long neglect of primary energy and limited LNG import capacity. Former BUET professor Dr. Ijaz Hossain noted that 97–98% of Bangladesh’s energy relies on fossil fuels, with 60% imported, creating economic strain. Other speakers, including former Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury and economists Mushtaq Hossain Khan and M. Tamim, highlighted institutional corruption, inefficient contracts, and policy failures as key causes. They warned that without transparency and reform, losses exceeding Tk 50,000 crore annually could persist.

Participants emphasized that political unity, transparency, and public awareness are essential for sustainable energy security and economic stability.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of a bank account belonging to former Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Saiful Alam and the seizure of a five-katha plot registered under the names of his wife and daughters in Trust Green City. The order was issued on Tuesday, February 3, by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez in response to a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to ACC public relations officer Tanzir Ahmed, the petition was filed by ACC Deputy Director Tahasin Munabil Haque, who sought to block the bank account and seize the assets amid an ongoing corruption inquiry. The ACC stated that an investigation team had been formed to verify Saiful Alam’s wealth statement and found indications that he and his family were attempting to transfer or conceal funds and property. The court ruled that freezing the account and seizing the land were necessary under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, and the ACC Rules, 2007.

The court’s order aims to prevent the suspected illicit assets from being transferred or hidden before the investigation concludes.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced another increase in gold prices within less than six hours. In a notice issued on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the association set the new price of 22-carat gold at Tk 262,090 per bhori, marking a rise of Tk 10,906. The revised rate took effect from 4 p.m. the same day.

According to the BAJUS statement, the adjustment was made due to a rise in the price of pure gold in the local market. The organization stated that the new rate reflects the overall market situation and the recent increase in the cost of raw gold.

The rapid price revision within such a short period highlights volatility in the domestic gold market, influenced by fluctuations in the price of pure gold as reported by BAJUS.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has issued its 2026 recruitment circular, offering 13,559 permanent positions across eight job categories. The online application process began on February 3, 2026, and will close at 11:59 p.m. on February 19, 2026. Applicants must submit educational certificates, national ID information, a color photograph, and a signature image through the official website https://ngi.teletalk.com.bd. The application fee is set at 223 taka.

According to the circular, both new and experienced candidates may apply depending on the position requirements. The recruitment is for permanent government service under the NTRCA. Specific details regarding age limits and salary grades will follow the official circular. The announcement was originally published on January 29, 2026, and further information is available on the NTRCA website at https://ntrca.gov.bd.

The recruitment drive aims to fill a large number of teaching positions nationwide, providing opportunities for qualified individuals to join the education sector under permanent government employment.

Workers at Chattogram Port began a 24-hour work stoppage on Tuesday morning, protesting the government’s decision regarding the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) agreement and demanding cancellation of transfer orders for several employees. The strike, organized by the Bandar Raksha Sangram Parishad, follows three consecutive days of eight-hour daily work stoppages. The announcement was made Monday by coordinator Md. Humayun Kabir at the port building premises.

Since the strike began, no workers have reported for duty, and truck and lorry movement through the main gate has ceased, halting import-export operations. The port has faced growing congestion, with 35 mother vessels anchored offshore carrying essential goods. Private depots under the port’s jurisdiction have also experienced severe operational slowdowns. Business groups expressed concern over mounting economic losses and urged immediate resolution through dialogue or other means.

Labor leaders accused the government of handing over key port facilities to foreign entities, specifically DP World, and claimed that authorities were taking punitive actions instead of engaging in discussions. They vowed to continue the movement until the government withdraws from the NCT deal and cancels the transfer orders.

The interim government of Bangladesh has issued the Fisheries Protection and Conservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, amending the 1950 law to prohibit fishing using electricity or electrofishing devices in any river, canal, or waterbody. The ordinance was promulgated by the President under Article 93(1) of the Constitution and took immediate effect. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued the ordinance, confirmed by the ministry’s public relations officer Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim.

The amendment expands the legal definition of “waterbody” to include rivers, streams, estuaries, canals, haors, baors, lakes, floodplains, ponds, dighis, enclosures, and seasonally submerged wetlands. It also introduces explicit bans on using explosives or electric devices for fishing and allows strict legal action against violators. A new provision authorizes the government to declare “Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures” (OECMs) to protect aquatic biodiversity beyond designated protected areas.

The ordinance empowers the government to take necessary steps to prevent damage to inland and coastal aquatic ecosystems and to issue directives for sustainable fisheries management, aiming to preserve fish resources and ecological balance.

The interim government of Bangladesh has issued a new ordinance transferring all existing private Export Processing Zones (EPZs) under the direct control of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). The 'Bangladesh Private Export Processing Zone (Repeal) Ordinance, 2026' was published in the official gazette by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The announcement was confirmed by the ministry’s public relations officer, Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim.

Under the new ordinance, the 1996 law governing private EPZs has been repealed, and all such zones will now be recognized as private economic zones under the Bangladesh Economic Zones Act, 2010. Existing licenses will remain valid, and bonded and concessional facilities will continue. The ordinance also dissolves the former Governor Board and Executive Cell, transferring their staff to BEZA while retaining their employment conditions. Ongoing legal proceedings involving the dissolved bodies will now fall under BEZA’s jurisdiction.

The government stated that the 1996 law was originally enacted to promote private investment and export trade but has now been repealed considering current needs. The ordinance takes immediate effect.

An indefinite strike has been declared at Chattogram Port demanding cancellation of the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company and withdrawal of mass transfer orders for employees. The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon by Md. Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Port Protection Struggle Council, who stated that the strike would continue until their demands are met. Another coordinator, Md. Humayun Kabir, said the movement would persist as long as the government does not withdraw from the lease process.

The strike follows three consecutive days of partial work stoppages and a 24-hour program earlier on Tuesday. Port operations have come to a standstill, halting import deliveries, container handling, and cargo vehicle movement, though lighter vessel unloading at outer anchorage remains normal. Leaders and activists from the Nationalist Workers Party and SKOP are participating in the protest.

Port authorities have transferred at least 16 employees, including Humayun Kabir, to other ports for participating in the movement. The ongoing disruption has raised concern among business communities and stakeholders over the paralysis of the country’s main seaport.

Formal charges have been submitted against former Detective Branch (DB) chief Harun-or-Rashid and nine others, including former Inspectors General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Islam and Javed Patwary, over the alleged killing of seven youths in Gazipur in 2016. The charges were filed on Tuesday at the office of the registrar of the International Crimes Tribunal, confirmed by prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim.

Among the accused are also former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia and former Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) chief Monirul Islam. The case alleges that the accused staged a militant operation in Gazipur in 2016, during which seven young men were killed.

The filing of formal charges marks a significant step in the legal process, with the tribunal expected to review the submission before proceeding to the next stage of hearings.

The government of Bangladesh will sell milk, eggs, beef, and dressed broiler chicken at subsidized prices throughout the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The initiative, jointly organized by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Department of Livestock Services, aims to ensure affordable access to animal protein for the general public. According to a ministry press release issued on Tuesday, the program will run for 26 days—from the day before Ramadan until the 25th of Ramadan—through mobile sales centers.

Under the plan, dressed broiler chicken will be sold at Tk 245 per kilogram, pasteurized milk at Tk 80 per liter, eggs at Tk 8 each, and beef at Tk 650 per kilogram. The ministry held a meeting on February 1, chaired by adviser Farida Akhter, to finalize measures for maintaining steady supply and stable prices of meat, milk, and eggs during Ramadan.

Initially, 25 key locations in Dhaka and city corporation areas have been selected for the mobile sales operation, including Secretariat, Farmgate, Mirpur, Azimpur, Uttara, and others. The number of outlets will gradually increase in coordination with local authorities and entrepreneurs.

A major uncertainty has emerged over the government’s plan to dissolve the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and create two separate divisions named Revenue Policy and Revenue Implementation. Although the Administrative Reorganization Implementation Committee, chaired by the Chief Adviser, approved the proposal on January 20, no gazette notification has been issued to set an effective date. Officials expressed concern that the absence of such a notification has stalled the process, with administrative reluctance reportedly growing amid an election atmosphere and anticipation of a new government.

An NBR official said the necessary administrative cooperation was lacking, pushing the initiative into uncertainty. The interim government’s Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan had earlier stated that the restructuring would be completed by mid-February, but that timeline has not been met. The reform process had already faced strong internal resistance, including strikes and protests by NBR staff, leading to disciplinary actions and investigations.

Officials now doubt whether the incoming government will implement the plan, as policy priorities may differ. Some believe donor pressure, including IMF loan conditions, could influence the eventual decision.

At least 30 people have died in Japan over the past two weeks due to record levels of heavy snowfall, government officials confirmed on Tuesday. Among the victims was a 91-year-old woman found buried under nearly three meters of snow outside her home. The northern Aomori Prefecture has been the hardest hit, prompting the central government to deploy military forces to help manage the situation, as some remote areas remain buried under up to 4.5 meters of snow.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, directing all ministries to take preventive measures against snow-related accidents and fatalities. Authorities said strong cold airflows along the Sea of Japan coast have caused snowfall more than double the usual levels. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that snow-related incidents since January 20 have resulted in 30 deaths.

Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita said military assistance was requested to support elderly residents living alone with snow removal. He warned that the risk of roof collapses and snow slides remains extremely high as temperatures fluctuate.

Police in Sherpur have arrested Mahmudul Hasan Rubel, joint convener of the Jhinaigati Upazila Volunteer Party, in connection with the murder of Rezaul Karim, secretary of the Shreebardi Upazila Jamaat. The arrest took place on Monday night in the Bongao area of Jhinaigati. Rubel, son of Gesu Mia from Bonkali village, is listed as the 55th accused in the case. Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan confirmed the arrest and said the accused would be sent to court.

The Sherpur District Volunteer Party issued a press release condemning the arrest, calling the case false and fabricated. Its conveners claimed that such actions were attempts to obstruct the upcoming election and hinder democratic progress, demanding Rubel’s unconditional release. Earlier, the High Court granted six weeks’ anticipatory bail to 40 accused, including BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel, in the same case.

The murder case stems from a January 28 clash between BNP and Jamaat activists at a campaign event in Jhinaigati, where Rezaul Karim was fatally injured. His wife Marzia later filed the case naming 231 individuals and several hundred unidentified persons.