Abdur Rouf Talukder, the last Governor of the Central Bank during the League government, took office on July 12, 2022. Upon assuming his duties, he made several promises, including restoring discipline in the banking sector, solving liquidity issues, and reducing non-performing loans. However, the situation took a turn for the worse. Rather than restoring discipline, bank takeovers and looting occurred, with sources claiming that Governor Talukder himself facilitated these actions. He is alleged to have relaxed existing bank policies, enabling widespread looting. Under his tenure, the highest amount of currency in history was printed, leading to an increase in inflation. Reports also suggest that Talukder proactively handed over control of one bank to its attackers.

Dhaka University students staged midnight protests demanding the resignation of the Home Adviser over his alleged failure to curb rising crime across the country. The demonstration began at 1 AM on Sunday following violent robberies in Banasree and Mohammadpur. Protesters marched through dormitories before gathering at the Raju Memorial Sculpture, chanting slogans demanding security and accountability. They accused the Home Adviser of negligence in tackling robberies and terrorism, calling for immediate action to restore law and order.

Pakistan has reaffirmed its decision to send Afghan refugees who have not been approved for resettlement in the United States back to Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed this in an interview with TRT World on Saturday. He noted that discussions may be held with the United States on this matter. Dar emphasized that if any refugee has a plan to be accepted by another country but the process has not been completed, they will be considered illegal immigrants in Pakistan. This decision has sparked concerns internationally. In 2021, Pakistan provided refuge to 600,000 Afghan refugees, a portion of whom have resettled in the U.S., while others are still awaiting their turn.

Bangladesh’s foreign reserves have surged to $20.85 billion, driven by a steady flow of remittances from expatriates. In February alone, remittances amounted to $1.93 billion, pushing reserves closer to the $21 billion mark. The country’s gross reserves now stand at $26.11 billion. Bangladesh’s usable reserves are also above $15 billion, well beyond the threshold required to cover three months of imports. These positive developments reflect the country’s financial stability, with a consistent remittance inflow supporting the growth of reserves.

Preparations are reportedly underway for a face-to-face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. If held, this meeting would signal a dramatic shift away from the West’s policy of isolating Moscow over the Ukraine war. Speaking to Russian state media on Saturday, Ryabkov stated that the proposed meeting would cover a range of global issues beyond just the Ukraine conflict. He emphasized the need for normalizing U.S.-Russia relations, though discussions are still at an early stage. Previously, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio suggested that diplomatic normalization, an end to hostilities, and strengthening economic ties were key factors bringing the two nations closer to negotiations.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Bahrain commemorated International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Day with a series of events on its premises. The ceremony began at 9 AM with the hoisting of the national flag by Ambassador Md. Rois Hasan Sarwar, in the presence of embassy officials, staff, and leaders of the Bangladeshi community. The message from the Chief Adviser was read out during the event. The program also featured poetry recitations, cultural performances, and traditional dances. In his speech, Sarwar emphasized the sacrifices made for the Bengali language and urged respect for other languages and cultures, stating that only through such mutual respect can the dignity of the Bengali language be further enhanced.

Former Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque is accused of issuing thousands of fake freedom fighter certificates in exchange for money. BNP leader and former MP Hasan Uddin Sarkar, along with other war veterans, claim Mozammel fraudulently added his name to the list. Allegations include hijacking historical achievements and tampering with war records. The Liberation War Ministry has identified 11,000 fake certificates, with more under investigation. Critics demand an official list of genuine freedom fighters and the removal of frauds.

A severe funding crisis has halted government incentives for leather and garment exports, while tax revenues continue to decline. Amid this turmoil, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has withheld loan disbursements until at least June. The government faces financial strain due to subsidies in electricity, fertilizer, food, and LNG sectors, while foreign debt and interest payments have also surged. Economic uncertainty is mounting, with inflation rising, foreign reserves dwindling, and exchange rates becoming unstable. The IMF has conditioned the loan on subsidy reductions, but the government remains reluctant to comply.

At the beginning of January, director Alok Hasan announced a new film titled Togor, featuring Ador Azad and actress Dighi. However, recent updates reveal that Dighi has been dropped from the project. In the motion poster, actress Puja Cherry has replaced her. Addressing the change, the director stated that he had multiple reasons for replacing Dighi but chose not to disclose them. He added that Puja Cherry is a perfect fit for the role. Cherry mentioned that she initially declined the offer but later agreed after the director convinced her.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to auction $10 billion through a three-year currency swap to address the banking sector’s liquidity crisis. This initiative, starting February 28, aims to inject approximately 870 billion rupees into the system. Analysts suggest it may also signal a shift in RBI’s forex policy. Despite a recent repo rate cut, cash shortages persist. The RBI has already infused 3.6 trillion rupees into banks, but further measures are needed as the liquidity deficit reaches 1.7 trillion rupees.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to visit Iran this week, as confirmed by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A ministry spokesperson stated that Lavrov will travel to Tehran to discuss ongoing bilateral relations and regional as well as international developments. He will meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and several high-ranking Iranian officials. According to Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Lavrov’s visit will be a one-day trip, taking place on Tuesday.

The Italian Embassy in Dhaka has announced that visa-related issues will be resolved in the coming months. They have cooperated with law enforcement to tackle fraudulent activities, leading to the house arrest of two former embassy employees. Applicants are urged to only pay official fees and avoid third-party intermediaries. With additional staff from Italy, processing times have decreased, and existing problems are expected to be resolved promptly in the coming months.

A 22-year-old man, MK Siam, was arrested for creating fake Facebook profiles and using them to advertise PUBG game sales, tricking victims into making payments through mobile payment services like bKash and Nagad. Siam, arrested in Gaibandha’s Gobindganj on February 18, had been running the scam for two years. Authorities seized several mobile phones and SIM cards linked to the fraudulent activities. Investigations revealed that Siam embezzled large sums of money through this scheme.

Online gambling is rapidly spreading in Bangladesh, luring young people into losing millions. Foreign-operated betting sites, facilitated by local agents, are siphoning vast sums of money abroad, posing a major economic risk. Mobile financial services like bKash and Nagad are being used for transactions, making regulation difficult. Despite government crackdowns, gambling ads flood social media, targeting users in Bengali. Experts warn of rising addiction, family turmoil, and security threats. Urgent government action and public awareness are crucial to curb this growing menace.

In a crackdown on mineral theft along the Jadukata River in Tahirpur, Sunamganj, six individuals have been arrested and sentenced to three months in prison. They were caught stealing sand and stones from the riverbanks. A mobile court, led by Tahirpur’s Upazila Executive Officer, also fined trawler owners 150,000 taka for transporting the stolen materials. The operation was carried out with support from district authorities, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel.