Saudi Arabia has strongly opposed Donald Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians and allow the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that any attempt to expel Palestinians will not be accepted, and the country’s position on the Palestinian issue is non-negotiable. Saudi Arabia also stated that it will not normalize relations with Israel until an independent Palestinian state is established, reiterating its firm stance on the matter.

Protests have erupted globally, with hundreds of people gathering outside the White House in Washington D.C. against Trump’s threat to occupy Gaza. Demonstrators condemned Israel’s weapons supply and Trump’s desire for ethnic cleansing. Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and others have condemned the proposal, stressing the need for a two-state solution. International organizations and political figures warned that Trump’s actions could destabilize the region, leading to widespread conflict and violating international law.

Hasnat Abdullah, convenor of the anti-discrimination student movement, and Sargis Alam, chief organizer of the Citizen Committee, have posted on their verified Facebook pages seeking public opinions on a new political party. The party, which will be led by students and youth, is expected to be launched this month. In their post, they ask the public to share their preferences for the party’s structure through a short form, taking only five minutes to complete.

The Home Affairs Advisor has stated that efforts are underway to arrest those involved in the July uprising murders who have fled abroad. Among the 105 accused in the International Crimes Tribunal, 35 have been arrested, which has caused some anger. When asked about the public’s satisfaction with the law and order situation, the advisor said that the public can answer that, and the media colleagues can compare the current situation with when they took on their responsibilities. Efforts are being made to bring back foreign criminals through Interpol’s red alerts.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has declared that Awami League should be banned from Bangladeshi politics, citing alleged genocide and crimes against humanity. He criticized what he described as contradictions in government actions—calling for Awami League’s prohibition while still allowing their programs and using police to suppress opposition activities. Salahuddin emphasized that BNP had previously proposed amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act to prosecute Awami League as an organization. He warned that any political or administrative decision to regulate Awami League’s activities without a formal trial would be a weak move.

Police have arrested Sujanagar Upazila Awami League President and Mayor Abdul Ohab. Earlier, 12 individuals were arrested in connection with his forcible release from police custody. Locals claim that Ohab surrendered voluntarily, while police state that he was arrested based on secret intelligence while in hiding. Ohab had been previously arrested last Saturday but was forcefully taken away by hundreds of Awami League activists and local residents.

The High Court has acquitted all the defendants, including nine individuals previously sentenced to death, in the assassination attempt case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The appeal and death reference hearing took place on January 30. The case dates back to September 23, 1994, when Hasina was traveling by train from Khulna to Saidpur. BNP leader Zakaria Pintu and his associates allegedly attacked the train with gunfire and explosives at Ishwardi Station in an attempt to assassinate her. In 2019, nine individuals were sentenced to death, while 25 others received life imprisonment.

The student leaders who spearheaded the July uprising are set to launch a new political party. Alongside top leaders from the National Citizens’ Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, student representatives currently in the government may also be part of this initiative. Before assuming political roles, they will resign from their current positions, but they want to ensure student representation remains in the government. These details were revealed in a report by Dainik Manabzamin. It is also reported that three advisors may resign in phases, though no final decision has been made yet. Changes in the advisory council are expected, and a joint convenor of the new party hinted that one student representative might join the advisory panel.

Advisor Nahid Islam stated that BNP has no political agenda beyond discussing elections. He acknowledged that the government is willing to consider reforms but accused BNP of unnecessarily pressuring authorities. However, he viewed this pressure positively. He emphasized that reforms and elections should not be seen separately, as reform commissions are prioritizing election-related changes. He urged BNP and Jamaat to focus on unity and time management, warning that governing without reforms would be difficult for any party. Despite acknowledging that the government has not met 50% of public expectations in the past six months, he expressed the government’s commitment to reforms, justice, and the rehabilitation of martyrs’ and injured families.

BNP’s Information Secretary, Azizul Bari Helal, reiterated full support for the interim government and urged the announcement of an election roadmap and schedule. Speaking at a BNP rally, he stated that the people of Bangladesh have been deprived of voting rights for 17 years. He welcomed any initiative ensuring free and fair elections. The rally was part of BNP’s broader campaign to establish an equitable and humane society based on their 31-point agenda. He also mentioned that BNP is taking organizational action against any members involved in wrongdoing and advised the interim government not to compare BNP with Awami League.

Advisor Nahid Islam, representing the mass uprising, stated that Awami League has neither the political nor the moral right to operate under its current name and ideology in Bangladesh. Regarding a potential ban, he mentioned that the legal framework is not yet finalized. As the judicial process progresses, recommendations may come from the courts, the Election Commission, and political parties. The final decision will be made accordingly. He emphasized that judicial proceedings should take priority before any ban is enforced.

Teknaf Union Parishad Chairman and Jubo League General Secretary Amzad Hossain Khokon was arrested by police on the evening of February 4. He is an accused in a case related to an attack on students during an anti-discrimination student movement in Teknaf. Additionally, he faces corruption charges. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) stated that after several failed attempts, police successfully arrested him last night.

The verdict in the assassination attempt case against Sheikh Hasina from three decades ago is set to be delivered today. The death reference and appeal hearings concluded on January 30. In 2019, a district and sessions court sentenced nine individuals to death and 25 others to life imprisonment with fines. All the accused were BNP leaders and activists, and five of them have since passed away. According to the case documents, the attack took place in 1994 when Hasina, then the opposition leader, arrived at Ishwardi station during a train march. Gunfire and bomb attacks were allegedly directed at her location.

The election commission for the Chattogram District Lawyers’ Association has resigned five days before the scheduled election. All members resigned collectively on Tuesday evening following tensions between the BNP-Jamaat-backed Lawyers’ Unity Council and the Awami League-backed Lawyers’ Coordination Council. An ad-hoc committee will be formed on February 11, marking the first such incident in the association’s 132-year history. The election commission was left with no choice but to resign as both contesting panels remained firm on their constitutional claims. The elections must be completed within two months, after which the responsibilities will be handed over to the newly elected committee.

In protest against Sheikh Hasina’s speech in Delhi, the Anti-Discrimination Movement has announced a new program. They stated on their verified Facebook page:

After committing the most brutal genocide against the students of Bangladesh, Hasina is now showing the audacity to give a speech in Delhi aimed at the student community. In protest against such shamelessness, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will display videos, documentaries, and photos of the July genocide at every corner of Dhaka city tomorrow night at 9 PM (when Hasina is supposed to give her speech).

You are urged to spread the video of the July genocide at every corner, market, and street throughout the country.

A call is being made to broadcast a special bulletin on the “July Mass Uprising” on all government and private TV channels across Bangladesh tomorrow night at 9 PM. It is hoped that the media will be actively present alongside the students and public supporting the July Mass Uprising.