A boat carrying 65 migrants has sunk off the coast of Libya, according to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry. While some Pakistani nationals have been identified among the victims, the identities of others remain unknown. The boat capsized near the port of Marsa Dela in Libya's Zawiya city. The Pakistani embassy has sent a team to identify the deceased. Earlier in January, another migrant boat carrying 86 passengers sank en route to Spain, with 66 Pakistanis among them. Such tragedies often occur as migrants risk their lives in search of a better future.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has strongly discouraged the import of meat and eggs, stating that under no circumstances will the government allow such imports. She warned that bringing in these products could introduce zoonotic diseases to the country and devastate local farms. Despite appeals from traders and diplomats, she reaffirmed her stance against imports. At a discussion, she also announced the establishment of a department under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to support families of those injured or martyred in the July uprising. She directed the Department of Livestock to collaborate with this initiative.

Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus cautioned against rushed justice, stating it often leads to injustice. Speaking at an event in Tejgaon, Dhaka, where financial aid was provided to families of July uprising martyrs and the injured, he emphasized the need for fair investigations. Yunus asserted that criminals must face the law, but innocent individuals should be guided towards a better path. Urging vigilance against violence, he honored the sacrifices of the uprising, recognizing the martyrs’ families as part of the nation’s history.

A Dhaka court has ordered Interpol to issue a Red Alert for the arrest of former IGP Benazir Ahmed, following an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) petition. Benazir is accused of amassing ৳9.44 crore in illegal assets and concealing ৳2.62 crore. His family members are also implicated in corruption cases totaling over ৳62 crore. The Bangladesh Retired Police Officers Welfare Association has demanded his extradition, condemning his alleged involvement in crimes and his recent social media statements against the state.

The ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies continues as China enforces retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods starting Monday. The U.S. had earlier imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, prompting China to respond with import duties on selected American products. China has recently imposed a 15% tariff on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a 10% duty on other U.S. goods. In a related move, Chinese regulators have launched an antitrust investigation into Google and placed PVH Corp. on an “unreliable entity” list.

The U.S. Senate is considering a ban on the Chinese AI assistant ‘DeepSeek’ due to national security concerns. Senator Josh Hawley has introduced a bill that imposes severe penalties on businesses and government agencies using the chatbot. Violators could face a personal fine of up to $1 million and a 20-year prison sentence, while corporations could be fined up to $100 million. U.S. authorities claim that DeepSeek’s parent company shares user data with the Chinese government, prompting the move toward an outright ban.

Malaysia has deported 278 detainees, including 23 Bangladeshi nationals, after they completed their sentences for violating immigration and other laws. Following citizenship verification by their respective embassies, the deportees were sent back via air and land routes at their own expense. Malaysia’s immigration authorities confirmed that these individuals have been blacklisted to prevent their return to the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports. According to a Reuters report, the White House is set to make the official announcement on Monday. Trump stated that the U.S. would impose retaliatory tariffs on any country that levies tariffs on American goods, aiming to create trade balance. U.S. government data indicates that Canada is the country’s largest supplier of duty-free goods. The new tariffs are expected to hit Canada and Mexico the hardest.

Teachers recommended in the third phase of recruitment for government primary schools in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions have blocked roads in Shahbagh, bringing traffic to a standstill. They gathered in front of the National Museum on Monday afternoon, protesting the cancellation of their recruitment and demanding immediate appointments. The recommended teachers have labeled the cancellation order as discriminatory and deceptive. They are calling for an immediate reversal of the decision and the finalization of their recruitment.

The High Court has begun hearing the appeal and death reference for those convicted in the murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad. The hearing commenced on February 10 under a bench led by Justices A.K.M. Asaduzzaman and Syed Enayet Hossain. In 2021, a trial court sentenced 20 individuals to death and five others to life imprisonment for the 2019 killing of Abrar Fahad by Bangladesh Chhatra League members. Abrar was brutally beaten to death in his dormitory, and his body was discovered on a stairway corridor at 3 AM.

Journalist Mahmudur Rahman, editor of ‘Amar Desh,’ has been acquitted in the controversial case related to an alleged abduction plot against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court overturned his seven-year prison sentence on Monday. Rahman’s lawyer, Tanvir Ahmed Al-Amin, confirmed the acquittal, and Rahman expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating that he would not have received justice had the Awami League government remained in power.

Hamas has dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal regarding Gaza’s ownership as ‘absurd.’ On February 9, Trump suggested that the United States should consider purchasing Gaza and treating it as a real estate investment. He also proposed transferring its administration to other Middle Eastern nations. In response, Hamas issued a statement asserting that Gaza is not a commodity to be bought or sold but an integral part of Palestinian land.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk will assist in exposing corruption worth hundreds of billions of dollars within government agencies. In a televised interview on Sunday, Trump emphasized that American citizens demand an end to wasteful government spending, and Musk is playing a crucial role in this initiative. Trump revealed that in his second term, he has tasked Musk with leading a newly established 'Department of Government Efficiency' to identify and eliminate financial misconduct in public offices.

The Public Administration Reform Commission has proposed reducing the number of ministers and secretaries while merging certain ministries. The recommendations include limiting the number of ministers to 23, with only two technocrats, and capping the number of state and deputy ministers at 12. Additionally, the commission suggests reducing the number of secretaries and equivalent officials from 80 to 60. The proposal also calls for appointing a chief secretary in ministries with multiple divisions. While experts acknowledge the potential benefits for governance efficiency, concerns remain about its practical implementation.

Israeli forces have intensified their operations in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of two women, including an eight-month pregnant mother. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Israeli troops opened fire on a Palestinian family inside a refugee camp. The victims' family was denied access to medical treatment after the attack, leaving the husband injured and his pregnant wife dead. Another woman was also killed in the assault. Palestinian media sources reported that Israeli forces bulldozed dozens of homes during the operation.