Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Chief Election Commissioner and Supreme Court Justice Abdur Rauf. He extended his condolences to the bereaved family. Yunus recalled Rauf’s crucial role in steering the country towards democracy after the fall of autocrat Ershad on December 6, 1990. He remarked that Rauf’s contributions to voting rights, reforms, and democracy will be remembered with great respect by the nation.

Pakistan has abolished its discriminatory quota system for government jobs, which allowed family members of deceased employees to secure positions without competitive exams. This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling in October 2024, aimed at eliminating preferential treatment for lower-grade employees’ families. The new policy, effective immediately, applies to all ministries and departments. However, family members of law enforcement personnel killed in terrorist attacks are exempt from this change and remain eligible for assistance packages.

A tragic road accident occurred late Saturday night at 11:30 PM in the Old Bastipur village of Damurhuda upazila, Chuadanga. Two young men riding a high-speed motorcycle collided with a tractor parked on the roadside, resulting in their instant deaths. The victims have been identified as Sweet (25) and Nahid (20). Upon receiving the report, Damurhuda Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Humayun Kabir, visited the scene. He confirmed the deaths and stated that the bodies have been sent to Chuadanga General Hospital’s morgue.

On Sunday, an 8-member team from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will conduct an operation at Bangladesh Bank’s Motijheel office to open secure lockers in the presence of a district magistrate. The lockers are believed to contain financial assets and valuable documents of approximately 300 high-ranking officials, both former and current, of the central bank. If illicit wealth is found, appropriate actions will be taken. On January 26, the ACC discovered nearly 50 million Bangladeshi Taka worth of assets in the locker of former Deputy Governor S.K. Surer. Following this, the ACC learned of additional lockers belonging to other bank officials and sent a letter to Bangladesh Bank requesting that the lockers not be opened, citing the need for an ongoing investigation.

According to the Times of India, Saudi Arabia has suspended multiple-entry visas for 14 countries, including Bangladesh, effective from February 1. The affected countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Citizens from these countries will only be eligible for a single-entry visa with a 30-day validity, except for workers, Hajj, and Umrah pilgrims. The decision comes in response to complaints that re-entry visa holders have violated rules, engaged in Hajj without proper authorization, failed to return after their visa expiration, and involved themselves in various criminal activities.

Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group, has released three Israeli hostages as part of an internationally brokered ceasefire agreement. In exchange, Israel has freed 183 Palestinian detainees, leading to celebrations in the West Bank city of Ramallah. However, Palestinian authorities have reported that many of the released individuals require medical attention. Since the ceasefire began on January 19, a total of 21 Israeli hostages and 566 Palestinian detainees have been released. As the first phase of the agreement progresses, it is expected that a total of 33 hostages and 900 Palestinian prisoners will be freed.

Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that the ongoing operation, dubbed ‘Devil Hunt,’ will continue until the targeted threat is completely eradicated. Speaking at the inauguration of the Mrittika Bhaban, he emphasized that those responsible for the recent attacks on students in Gazipur have been brought under the law, with efforts underway to apprehend the remaining perpetrators. “Anyone attempting to destabilize the country will be targeted in the Devil Hunt operation,” he declared. The operation was launched on February 8 as a joint force initiative following an attack by associates of deposed fascist leader Mozammel, which left 20 students injured. Authorities have vowed to take decisive action against all those involved in such violence.

Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the gang rape of a housewife in Joypurhat’s Sonamukhi Union. The suspects, identified as Rubel Hossain (33) from Mohammadpukur village, Faruk Hossain (40), and Ekramul Haque (42) from Ramshala village, were taken into custody following the incident that occurred on the night of February 5. According to reports, the victim was returning home after attending a training session at a TTC center in preparation for working abroad. Rubel, whom she had recently met, offered to drop her home on his motorcycle. However, instead of taking her home, he took her to a deep tube well facility, where the three suspects took turns assaulting her throughout the night before fleeing the scene. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment at Bogura’s Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Authorities are investigating the incident further.

Vehicles that violate traffic rules three times will be permanently banned from using the Elevated Expressway, authorities have announced. Speeding violations will be monitored through video surveillance, and cases will be filed accordingly. The Kuril Expressway Company Limited shared this update during a press conference on Saturday. Currently, the maximum speed limit on the main expressway is 60 km/h, while the entry and exit ramps have a limit of 40 km/h. Authorities are considering increasing the maximum limit to 80 km/h. Any vehicle exceeding 100 km/h will be automatically reported to the police for legal action. Additionally, vehicles must use the designated emergency lanes for stoppages, and any damage to infrastructure will require compensation.

A gold shop in Cumilla fell victim to an armed robbery, during which a neighboring shopkeeper, Mosharraf Hossain, was shot while attempting to resist the criminals. The incident took place at Preeti Jewellers, owned by Rabindra Dutta. Around 8 PM on Saturday, a gang of 7-8 armed robbers entered the shop posing as customers and asked to see gold jewelry. As the situation escalated, locals attempted to intervene, leading to the shooting. During the escape, residents managed to catch one of the robbers, identified as Kaiser, and handed him over to the police. According to the Chaudhagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge, one suspect has been arrested, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the rest and recover the stolen gold.

The Qatari government has announced an amnesty program for undocumented expatriates who have overstayed their visas or residency permits. Under this initiative, they can leave the country without facing fines or penalties. The amnesty period, which started on February 5, will last for three months. During this time, undocumented migrants can visit the Search and Follow-up Department on Salwa Road between 1 PM and 9 PM daily to complete the necessary formalities. Authorities believe this initiative will help facilitate the safe return of undocumented individuals to their home countries.

Under the directive of the Ministry of Home Affairs, a nationwide crackdown named ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ is currently underway. So far, 40 Awami League activists have been arrested across five police stations in Gazipur, according to the district’s police superintendent. The operation was launched following a terrorist attack on students at the residence of expelled Awami League leader Mozammel in Gazipur. Security checkpoints have been set up in front of the Gazipur District Commissioner’s office. The crackdown follows a violent incident yesterday when unidentified assailants on motorcycles shot a dedicated activist of the anti-discrimination student movement in front of the District Commissioner’s office before fleeing the scene.

Despite an ongoing ceasefire, Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes in eastern Lebanon, killing six people and injuring two others, according to a BBC report. On February 9, Israeli drones targeted a Hezbollah position in the Shara area of Jenata city, Bekaa region. This follows a series of previous Israeli attacks in the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah official Ibrahim has condemned the latest Israeli strike, calling it a dangerous violation and an act of extreme aggression.

The Election Reform Commission has recommended that habitual loan defaulters be barred from contesting elections. According to the proposed reforms, candidates must clear any outstanding loans at least six months before submitting their nominations. Additionally, Members of Parliament (MPs) will lose their seats if they are declared loan defaulters. The commission also proposed that fugitives declared by a court should not be eligible to run for office. Other recommendations include requiring certified copies of bail documents for candidates with criminal charges and ensuring that legal documents of incarcerated candidates are attested by prison authorities. Furthermore, individuals convicted of moral turpitude will be disqualified from contesting elections from the moment they are found guilty. Local government representatives must resign before running for parliament. The commission also suggests increasing the requirement for independent candidates from 1% to 500 voter endorsements, banning candidates from contesting multiple constituencies, and imposing a lifetime ban on candidates providing false information in affidavits.

The Police Headquarters has announced the reinstatement of 1,522 police officers who were dismissed during the previous Awami League government. A committee, led by a DIG, reviewed the appeals, and those who won their cases in the tribunal are being reinstated. However, officers who did not appeal or have criminal charges related to misconduct or corruption remain ineligible. The authorities emphasized their commitment to justice while urging reinstated officers to maintain discipline and avoid any violations.