Renowned poet Abdul Hai Shikdar has stated that Bangladesh’s independence will be at risk if the aspirations of the July Revolution are not understood. Speaking at a conference titled Contemporary Bangladesh, he emphasized that appointing Dr. Yunus as the Chief Adviser was one of the best decisions made by the students. He argued that without this, India would have strangled the revolution in its cradle. He further stressed the need to provide the Chief Adviser with a path for stability and peaceful resolution. Shikdar also warned that India could disintegrate Bangladesh within 24 hours, adding that only Yunus’ influence keeps Modi acting like a meek cat.

A Dhaka court has granted a two-day remand for five individuals arrested under the Arms Act following a reported gunfight with joint security forces at Chand Udyan in Mohammadpur.

The detainees—Md. Miraj (25), Al Amin (24), Mohammad Hossain (24), Mominul (20), and Mehdi Hasan (19)—were presented before the court, where law enforcement requested a seven-day remand. The court, however, approved a two-day remand for each.

According to the case details, security forces were conducting a patrol when the accused allegedly opened fire without warning. In response, the forces retaliated, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

A recent comment by the U.S. President, which appeared to blame Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the war, stirred controversy. In response, EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas clarified on Thursday that she initially assumed the U.S. President had mistakenly confused Zelensky with Russian President Vladimir Putin when referring to a “dictator.”

Kallas emphasized that Zelensky is a democratically elected leader, chosen through free and fair elections. She further explained that during wartime, many countries suspend elections as per their constitution, and Ukraine has followed the same practice.

Baraigram Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sirajul Islam has been withdrawn following allegations of robbery on a moving passenger bus, harassment of a female passenger, and negligence of duty. Rajshahi Range DIG Mohammad Shahjahan ordered his withdrawal during a visit on Friday. Victims complained of not receiving police assistance, and the OC failed to report the incident to superiors. Authorities have sought an explanation from him, and he has been temporarily transferred to the Natore police lines. Further investigation is underway, with potential disciplinary action pending the findings.

The interim government will take action against Superintendents of Police (SPs) who were in charge of 64 districts during the controversial 2018 elections under the Awami League government. Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced that these SPs will be made Officers on Special Duty (OSD) or sent into mandatory retirement. Similar measures have already been taken against Deputy Commissioners (DCs) involved in the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections. Officials with over 25 years of service are being retired, while others are being made OSD.

In the past 24 hours, authorities arrested 461 more people under Operation Devil Hunt, bringing the total to 7,310 since February 8. The police also apprehended 1,189 individuals in other cases and recovered several weapons, including firearms and ammunition. The operation was launched after an attack on students at former minister A.K.M. Mozammel Haque’s residence in Gazipur. The interim government initiated the crackdown to strengthen security, though student leaders claim they were attacked while trying to prevent a robbery. One student later died from injuries.

Interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus emphasized that learning English does not mean abandoning Bengali, as multilingualism is common worldwide. Speaking at the International Mother Language Medal ceremony, he highlighted that the 1952 language movement was fundamentally about self-determination and cultural liberation. He noted that technological advancements influence language dominance, with global interest shifting towards the languages of leading nations. However, he stressed that a country’s global influence—technological or otherwise—naturally increases interest in its language and culture.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly narrowly escaped a road accident. While traveling to Bardhaman for an event, a truck rear-ended his car. Fortunately, neither Ganguly nor his companions were injured, though two of his escort vehicles were damaged. This marks the second accident in his family, as his daughter Sana was also involved in a crash in January when a bus hit her car.

A 50-year-old unidentified woman was killed after being hit by a Subarna Express train in Nangalkot, Comilla. The accident occurred at 9:30 AM on Friday. Witnesses reported that despite the railway crossing barrier being down, she attempted to cross, leading to her tragic death. Local authorities confirmed that her family later collected the body.

A case was filed at Mirzapur Police Station in Tangail three days after a robbery and sexual harassment incident on a moving bus. Passenger Omar Ali filed the complaint, alleging that he was robbed on Monday night. However, he expressed surprise upon seeing the bus driver and supervisor also present at the police station to file a case. He accused them of being involved in the crime. The robbery took place on a bus traveling from Dhaka to Rajshahi.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that World War III is imminent but vowed to prevent it. In a speech on Thursday, he stated that another year under Biden’s administration could have led to global conflict. He criticized the current administration, claiming the U.S. has spent $200 billion more on Ukraine than Europe. Trump emphasized that endless wars must be stopped and declared that no nation could rival American strength in a potential war.

Five Bangladeshis, who left for Europe seeking a better future, ended up in Libya due to human traffickers. They endured severe torture before being sent by boat towards Italy after paying ransom. However, their boat broke down midway, and Tunisia’s coast guard detained them near the Algerian border. After serving various sentences for illegal entry, they were finally repatriated to Bangladesh with the help of BRAC, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare, and the Bangladesh Embassy in Algeria.

Malaysian security forces detained 68 foreigners, including 45 Bangladeshis, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport for suspicious behavior. Despite claiming to be tourists, they wandered around restaurants and other areas instead of proceeding to immigration counters, raising suspicion that they were waiting for someone. As a result, authorities detained 16 Pakistanis, 45 Bangladeshis, and 7 Indians for further scrutiny. After verification, they were denied entry and issued departure notices. Since January 1, Malaysia has deported over 900 foreign tourists.

A two-lane road in Nalitabari, Sherpur, remains unrepaired four months after being severely damaged by a flash flood. The road closure has caused immense suffering for commuters, forcing them to pay higher transportation fares. The devastating flood on October 5 left the road in such poor condition that locals had to construct a makeshift bamboo bridge. Shariful Islam, Executive Engineer of the Sherpur Roads and Highways Department, stated that higher authorities have been informed and multiple inspections have been conducted. Plans to build a culvert have been finalized, and reconstruction work will begin once the tender is approved.

Following the tragic death of a domestic worker, Geneda Khatun (54), under a Raida Transport bus in Uttara, a seven-day ultimatum has been issued to ban Raida Transport from all routes in Dhaka. Protesters also demanded the death penalty for the driver, helper, and bus owners responsible for the incident. Family members and locals, numbering around 200, participated in a human chain, stating that Raida Transport buses have caused over 20 deaths to date. The victim’s daughter cried, demanding justice for her mother. The accident occurred on February 18 at Uttara 11 Chowrasta.