US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to suspend American aid to South Africa. According to Reuters, this move criticizes the South African government’s law that allows for the expropriation of land from white farmers, a policy the Trump administration deems discriminatory. Trump accused the South African government of seizing land from minority white farmers through legislation passed in January. Johannesburg has denied these allegations. Trump also expressed frustration over South Africa’s stance on the genocide accusations against Israel and its alliance with Iran.

This year, Mehedi Hasan Khan, the creator of the Avro Keyboard, was nominated for the Ekushey Padak in the Science and Technology category. However, three more contributors to the Avro project will also receive the prestigious award. Filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki revealed that Mehedi Hasan initially declined the award. Nevertheless, the authorities proceeded with the decision to honor him. Later, Mehedi Hasan stated that he did not want to take full credit for Avro’s success alone. He acknowledged the contributions of his three collaborators—Rifat Nabi, Tanbin Islam, and Shabab Mustafa. In recognition of their role in the project, the decision was made to award the Ekushey Padak to all four of them.

In a nationwide crackdown under Operation Devil Hunt, law enforcement agencies arrested 1,308 individuals to maintain law and order. The police headquarters confirmed the arrests on Sunday, stating that 274 were apprehended in metropolitan areas and 1,034 in regional zones. The interim government launched the operation to bring criminals under legal action. The decision was made on Saturday during a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs, where law enforcement agencies coordinated their efforts for the large-scale operation.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Economic Advisor to the government, has stated that no final decision has been made regarding inflation allowance for government employees. Speaking at a seminar on the role of remittances in the national economy, he mentioned that Bangladesh has not met all the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is why it is said that the country has “failed” to comply with IMF requirements. He also noted that balancing government revenue and expenditure is crucial, and various demands from teachers are being considered for the upcoming budget. Emphasizing the importance of sending skilled workers abroad, he warned that remittance through informal channels (hundi) does not contribute to official foreign reserves, which he identified as a negative factor.

Billionaire entrepreneur and close associate of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, has stated that he has no interest in acquiring TikTok’s operations in the United States. His remarks, made via video link from Germany in January, surfaced a week later. Musk clarified that he has no plans for TikTok, as he doesn’t use the platform. According to AFP, TikTok is facing legal pressure in the U.S. that could force its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either divest its ownership or shut down operations in the country.

Former Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Ruhul Amin has been sent to prison over allegations of document forgery related to a land acquisition case. According to court sources, Kaysarul Islam Chowdhury filed a case in 2014, accusing Amin and 27 others of embezzling approximately Tk 200 crore in compensation for the Matarbari Power Plant land acquisition. The name of the then Deputy Commissioner was reportedly removed before sending documents to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). On July 1 last year, the ACC submitted an investigation report against five individuals. In light of the accusations, Ruhul Amin voluntarily surrendered to the court.

The ninth multinational naval exercise "Aman-25" has commenced in the North Arabian Sea under Pakistan’s initiative. According to Pakistani media outlet Dawn, Bangladesh, China, the United States, Indonesia, Iran, and Japan are among the participating nations. Pakistan’s Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf inspected foreign naval vessels and remarked that the "Aman exercise" symbolizes a commitment to peace. The exercise aims to strengthen regional maritime security and enhance both regional and global military cooperation.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the National Press Club to stage protests and human chains demanding various reforms. A total of 6,531 primary assistant teacher candidates who passed the third phase selection process but were denied final recruitment have been staging continuous protests. They claim that appointments were made from the first and second phases, but they were unfairly left out. Meanwhile, the Footwear Manufacturers Association is protesting for VAT exemption on plastic and rubber shoes. Additionally, app-based ride-sharing drivers are demanding the release of fellow driver Rocky, withdrawal of false cases against them, and recognition as formal workers under a nine-point demand list.

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.