On Friday morning, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. During the visit, he engaged in discussions with community leaders, including Imams and Rohingya parents, on community-based protection and peace. Grandi also participated in activities at Extension 4 and West 1 Rohingya camps. After the visit, the delegation headed towards Cox’s Bazar, where the High Commissioner will meet with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner and the District Commissioner. Grandi is expected to return to Dhaka by air later in the evening after the meetings.

In an incident that occurred on Thursday in Kashiani, Gopalganj, locals beat up Bulbul Mollah (50), a furniture businessman, after he was accused of attempting to rape a 9-year-old girl. A video of the incident went viral on Facebook. Locals reported that a month ago, Bulbul Mollah sexually harassed the girl on the roof of his house. The girl’s family had initially kept quiet out of shame, but on the day of the incident, Bulbul tried to lure the girl with the promise of showing a cat. When he attempted to rape her, the girl screamed, and locals arrived to rescue her, beating Bulbul in the process.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has assured that the market issues, including the oil crisis, will be resolved within the next seven days. He further stated that there will be no food shortages during this Ramadan. Prices of essential items, including dates, will drop within seven days. He emphasized that sufficient stock of all essential items has been secured for the month of Ramadan, and no market-related issues are anticipated. The adviser also instructed tannery owners to take all necessary steps to combat environmental pollution.

The Police Headquarters reported that, as part of the nationwide “Operation Devil Hunt,” law enforcement agencies have arrested 618 individuals today. An additional 786 individuals wanted in connection with other cases were also apprehended. In total, 1,404 people were arrested across the country. The interim government launched the operation on February 8 to maintain law and order and to bring criminals under legal action.

At 3 AM on Friday, the army conducted an operation in Mohammadpur and arrested Parvez, a notorious drug dealer, also known as Dealer Parvez. During the arrest, 1,500 Yaba pills, four passports, nine mobile phones, 18 SIM cards, and 1.8 million BDT in cash from drug sales were recovered. Parvez is known as an associate of top drug dealers Sohel (Bunia Sohel) and Chua Selim from the Geneva Camp and is a major drug dealer in the Mohammadpur area. He has been handed over to the Mohammadpur police station.

On Friday afternoon, a Bangladesh Airlines flight heading to Bangkok had to return to Dhaka due to a cabin pressure issue in Myanmar’s airspace. The number of passengers on board is yet to be confirmed. Oxygen masks automatically deployed as the cabin pressure dropped, with overhead masks descending for all passengers. The flight, BG-388, was operated using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. After landing, all passengers were safely escorted to the terminal, where another flight was arranged for them. Airport authorities confirmed that the passengers were safe.

On the night of February 5, 10 students were expelled by the authorities of Chittagong University for attempting to break the symbol of the boat (Nauka) at Sheikh Hasina Hall and obstructing female students. Recently, screenshots of a conversation between two assistant proctors and the students have been leaked. The individuals involved are Professor Dr. Md. Korban Ali and Md. Nurul Hamid. Dr. Korban Ali sent the names, photos, subjects, and academic years of three students present that night via WhatsApp. Nurul Hamid, in a strict directive, insisted that at least a preliminary punishment, including expulsion from the hall, be ensured for the students. This information has been confirmed. Proctor Nurul Hamid also supported the incident, describing the students’ actions and justifying their actions.

At 9:30 AM on Friday, garment workers from the Denim Processing Plant in Chandina, Comilla, blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway demanding unpaid wages. The blockade caused a traffic jam for about an hour. The workers were later assured by local administration and BNP leaders that their demands would be addressed, and they cleared the road by 10:45 AM. The workers reported that they have not received two months’ salary, with some owed up to 40,000 BDT. Only 6,000 BDT was paid this month. Mohammad Atikul Alam Shaon, the convenor of the local BNP, stated that blocking the highway over trivial issues had become a habit, and the workers left after receiving assurances.

In a joint operation by the Coast Guard and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Wednesday night at 8 PM, 16 traffickers disguised as fishermen were arrested with 400,000 yaba tablets in the Lemboarchar sea area. According to a press release from the Mahipur Police Station’s Nizampur Coast Guard on Friday, the traffickers were caught while hiding the yaba inside fishing nets aboard an unnamed trawler. The operation also led to the recovery of three bags containing 300,000 yaba tablets from an abandoned location in the area. The trafficking syndicate has been active in smuggling drugs through sea routes for a long period. However, the authorities were unable to apprehend the masterminds behind the operation. The arrested individuals have been handed over to the police.

Under a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza, the world’s longest-serving political prisoner was released from an Israeli jail on Thursday after 44 years. A key figure in the prisoner movement, he was arrested in 1978 and sentenced to life imprisonment for attacking an Israeli target. Although he was freed in a 2011 prisoner swap, Israel rearrested him on June 18, 2014, sentencing him to 30 months in prison. After completing that sentence, Israel reinstated an additional 18 years to his original life term. Even when his brother passed away, he was not allowed to attend the funeral.

With snatching incidents surging across Dhaka, authorities have identified 432 hotspots across 50 police station areas, where around 1,200 criminals operate day and night. Experts classify these criminals into three groups:
1. Professional Gangs – Operate in designated areas, sometimes selling off zones to other groups.
2. Addiction-Driven Criminals – Engage in snatching to fund drug habits.
3. Thrill Seekers – Individuals stealing expensive phones, laptops, and motorcycles for personal satisfaction.
Law enforcement experts stress that proactive policing is crucial to curbing these crimes.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would be selling U.S. residency via a Gold Card for $5 million, approximately 60 crore Bangladeshi taka. This move could benefit the corrupt oligarchs of the Awami League, who have looted billions and sent the money abroad, seeking refuge in countries like India. Trump also announced plans to offer a Green Card, granting citizenship. There are concerns that this could turn the U.S. into a haven for oligarchs worldwide, potentially making the most powerful and wealthiest country a sanctuary for the corrupt. However, the policy details have not yet been disclosed.

In an operation to rescue a kidnapped fisherman, Rezaul Haque (36), from Matuail, police constable Jewel was attacked by the abductors in Sarulia’s Wasa Road area. The police recovered local weapons and two motorcycles from the scene. Rezaul, who had been abducted by the Rudi group while inspecting a fish mill, claimed the kidnappers demanded 10 million BDT, and 60,000 BDT was forcibly taken. After the victim’s employee alerted the police, two suspects were arrested.

China recently conducted a series of extensive military drills across the Indo-Pacific region, spanning from the Taiwan Strait to the Tasman Sea. The exercises included advanced weaponry systems and aimed to gauge how regional countries and the United States would respond to such military threats. Professor Stephen Nagy suggested that China seeks to capitalize on any gaps in U.S. response to global issues. Taiwan has deployed military aircraft and vessels in response, and concerns have been raised by New Zealand and Australia over the escalating situation.

Israel announced on Thursday that it would impose restrictions on Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the upcoming month of Ramadan. Every year, millions of Palestinians travel to Al-Aqsa, located in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem, to observe prayers. Last year, due to heightened tensions over the Gaza conflict, Israeli authorities imposed strict entry controls, particularly on Palestinians from the West Bank. Despite the absence of war this year, Israel has maintained a similar stance, though specific restrictions have yet to be disclosed.