On Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that UN Secretary-General António Guterres held a courtesy meeting with Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-Uz-Zaman during his visit to Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Guterres praised the professionalism and efficiency of Bangladesh’s armed forces in UN peacekeeping missions. He also expressed his sincere gratitude for the significant contributions made by Bangladeshi peacekeepers.

Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Towhid Hossain has stated that the visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres is of great significance for the interim government and the future of Bangladesh. He expressed concern over misinformation campaigns against the country following the fall of the League government. Hossain emphasized that Guterres’ visit will support Bangladesh’s democratic transition and reform efforts, ensuring free and fair elections while assisting in necessary governance transformations.

Kalpana Nazma Begum, the mother of deceased marine engineer Sohag Hossain, has accused her son’s wife, Shahana Khatun, of orchestrating his murder to seize a large sum of money. She claimed that Shahana had multiple previous marriages and had been restricting Sohag’s contact with his family. On February 2, Shahana and her associates allegedly demanded Tk 20 lakh, threatening to kill Sohag if he did not comply. When his phone remained unreachable from February 9, police broke into his flat on February 12 and found his partially decomposed body hanging from a ceiling fan, with signs of a broken knee. Kalpana Nazma Begum has demanded immediate arrests of those responsible.

A Dubai-based expatriate, Arif Hossain Miazi, was allegedly assaulted in Banani for refusing to pay Tk 2 crore in extortion money. He filed a case at Banani police station against two arrested suspects—Nazim Uddin (54) and Ibrahim Hossain Roni (39)—along with 8-10 unidentified accomplices. The attack occurred at around 1:10 AM near Plan B in Banani when the suspects blocked his path and forcibly took Tk 30,500 from him while demanding the larger sum. Upon hearing his cries for help, locals and a police patrol team intervened and rescued him. Authorities have since arrested two suspects and launched an investigation.

Malaysian authorities have detained 95 Bangladeshi nationals at Kuala Lumpur International Airport for attempting to enter the country on tourist visas with the intention of working illegally. During a routine operation, the enforcement department seized documents from 139 foreigners, including the 95 Bangladeshis. Upon verification, officials suspected that these individuals were attempting to bypass entry regulations to seek illegal employment.

Hitu Sheikh, the father-in-law of the victim’s sister, has confessed to his involvement in a rape case in Magura. He was presented in court at 10:15 AM today after requesting to provide a confessional statement while in a seven-day remand. The judge recorded his statement until 4 PM before ordering his transfer to prison. According to Officer-in-Charge Ayub Ali, the official details of his statement have not been disclosed yet. Meanwhile, three other accused individuals remain in remand for further interrogation.

A new mobile application, ‘HELP,’ has been launched in Dhaka to enhance the safety of women in public transportation. This app allows women to instantly seek assistance from law enforcement in cases of harassment or sexual assault while traveling. Users can also file complaints through the app using their smartphones and internet access. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali stated that many victims hesitate to report such incidents, making this initiative a significant step forward. Reports submitted through the app will now be treated as formal complaints (FIRs).

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that sooner or later, Vladimir Putin will have to come to the negotiating table. Speaking at a virtual summit of the “Coalition of the Willing,” he urged world leaders to increase pressure on Russia while reinforcing their support for Ukraine. The summit’s primary goal is to influence the United States to provide stronger security guarantees for Ukraine. Earlier, Russia had outlined conditions for ending the war and presented a list of demands for restoring relations with the U.S.

An iftar event was organized at the Intercontinental in honor of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, while welcoming Guterres, remarked, “You have brought us an early Eid.”

Expressing admiration for Guterres’ commitment to Bangladesh, Yunus said, “I am speechless by your words on making this country successful. Your visit has brought immense joy to this nation. The people of Bangladesh are deeply moved by your speech and your promise of support.”

He emphasized the unity among students in shaping the country, stating, “Bangladeshis debate over many issues, but one thing unites them all – the desire to build a new Bangladesh. There is no disagreement on this.”

The Chief Adviser also praised Guterres for his efforts regarding the Rohingya crisis, saying, “What you did for the Rohingyas yesterday has won everyone’s hearts. People see you as an angel, and their only message is – they want to return home.”

Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Muhammad Talebur Rahman reported that 2,485 cases were filed for traffic violations in the capital between Thursday and Friday. During the operation, 316 vehicles were impounded, and 124 were towed. “This crackdown is part of our efforts to maintain traffic discipline in Dhaka, and it will continue,” he stated.

Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), has claimed that economic data presented by the previous government was misleading and politically motivated. “The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) was directed to manipulate data as per their convenience,” she alleged. She also warned that Bangladeshi businesses are not adequately prepared to tackle the challenges of LDC graduation. The loss of tariff benefits post-graduation could cost the country’s export sector up to $8 billion annually. Additionally, foreign aid for climate financing is expected to decline. Fahmida also raised concerns about rising foreign debt.

Police have arrested 35-year-old Sabul Mia in Chatak for allegedly attempting to rape a 10-year-old madrasa student. The incident occurred on Friday morning when the victim went to her madrasa for Quran lessons. Sabul reportedly lured her into an empty classroom on the second floor and attempted to assault her. Hearing the girl’s screams, locals rushed to the scene, but Sabul managed to flee. A group reportedly tried to cover up the incident, but when the news spread, enraged locals attacked and vandalized Sabul’s house at night.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s upcoming election would set a global precedent during a meeting with political parties on Saturday. Addressing BNP leaders regarding state reforms, he remarked, “How much reform you undertake is an internal matter for you.” The meeting included representatives from BNP, Jamaat, NCP, AB Party, and other political groups, who presented their reform plans and political positions to the UN chief.

Two construction workers lost their lives, and at least three others sustained injuries after being trapped under a collapsed wall during a drainage construction project in Sirajganj. According to Sirajganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Humayun Kabir, the incident occurred on Saturday morning in the Sahednagar Beparipara area. Five workers were excavating for the drainage system when a nearby house’s wall suddenly collapsed, burying them under the debris. The injured workers were taken to the hospital, where two later succumbed to their injuries.

Following the death of former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, the university administration has declared Sunday a holiday in his honor. According to university traditions, announcements were made via public address systems, and special prayers were held at the central mosque. The family has determined the location for his funeral and burial, which the university administration has respected.