The European Union has declared that TikTok is violating online content regulations and must modify its “addictive” design features to safeguard minors from compulsive use. The European Commission released preliminary findings from its probe on Friday, identifying infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and a personalized recommendation algorithm as elements that encourage addiction. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok must redesign its service in Europe to protect young users, while Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier noted that the company’s current measures are insufficient.

The Commission stated that these features contribute to compulsive use, posing major risks to children’s mental health and wellbeing, and cited a breach of the Digital Services Act. Regulators warned that TikTok could face a fine of up to 6 percent of ByteDance’s global turnover. TikTok rejected the findings, calling them false and meritless, and vowed to challenge them. The investigation, launched in February 2024, was based on data showing high late-night usage among teens and significant daily screen time among younger users.

The probe reflects the EU’s broader push to impose stricter oversight on major tech and social media platforms to better protect minors online.

Bangladesh has expressed interest in buying freight wagons and coaches from Pakistan at a lower cost, according to a report by Pakistani newspaper The Dawn on February 8. A two-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by a senior official, visited Pakistan Railway’s carriage factory and workshop in Mughalpura, Lahore, as well as facilities in Islamabad. During the visit, they observed the production process of train coaches, wagons, and related components.

Officials from Pakistan Railways said the delegation included Bangladesh’s Secretary for International Organization and Consular Affairs and the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan. Chief Mechanical Engineer Muhammad Nasir Khalili briefed them on the workshop’s operations, technical capacity, and ongoing projects, and a short documentary was shown. The delegation also toured the locomotive workshop, where they were informed about engine maintenance and production. At the end of the visit, Bangladeshi representatives said the trip reflected the strong relationship between the two countries.

Pakistan’s Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi stated that enhanced railway cooperation would benefit both nations. He added that Bangladesh is also in talks with India for similar purchases but has shown interest in Pakistan as well.

Syria has signed several multi‑billion‑dollar investment agreements with Saudi Arabia aimed at rebuilding its war‑torn economy after 14 years of civil conflict. The deals, announced on Saturday by Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal al‑Hilali, cover aviation, energy, housing and telecommunications. Projects include constructing a new international airport in Aleppo, launching a low‑cost airline named Flynas Syria, and implementing a major telecom initiative called SilkLink to strengthen regional connectivity.

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al‑Falih said the newly launched Elaf Fund will invest about US$2 billion to develop two airports in Aleppo, while Syria’s ICT Minister Abdul‑Salam Haykal confirmed a US$1 billion telecom investment to lay thousands of kilometers of fiber‑optic cables linking Asia and Europe. The Syrian Energy Ministry also signed a separate deal with Saudi firm ACWA Power for water and energy projects. Analysts view the agreements as politically significant following Bashar al‑Assad’s ouster in December 2024 and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.

International reactions have been largely positive, though some analysts caution that many previous investment pledges in Syria have yet to become binding contracts.

Bangladesh’s Payra Port, once envisioned as the nation’s third major seaport to boost southern regional growth, has become mired in political interference, questionable contracts, and escalating costs. The project’s dredging expenses have reached 500 million dollars, financed not through regular taxation but by drawing from the country’s foreign currency reserves. Experts warn that this approach undermines economic stability and transparency, as the port continues to struggle with heavy sedimentation and limited operational progress.

The article highlights that successive governments have promoted Payra as a symbol of progress and climate resilience, despite repeated scientific warnings about the site’s unsuitability due to high silt levels. German geologist Dr. Hermann Kudrass and Bangladeshi economist Wahiduddin Mahmud both criticized the project’s economic and environmental logic, calling it a drain on public funds. Officials privately acknowledge that continuous dredging has become a permanent financial burden.

The report concludes that Payra Port now represents a broader pattern of politically driven megaprojects in Bangladesh—visibly grand but economically unsustainable, with taxpayers bearing the long-term cost while accountability remains elusive.

As Bangladesh’s new government prepares to assume power following the election, public concern is rising over rapidly increasing prices of essential goods ahead of Ramadan. The article warns that controlling the soaring market will be the administration’s first major challenge, as past political transitions have often been exploited by unscrupulous traders to destabilize prices. Commodities such as rice, lentils, oil, sugar, and vegetables have already begun to rise sharply, threatening affordability for middle- and low-income families.

The report highlights that around 2.1 million tons of food products are currently stuck at Chattogram Port, creating fears of an artificial shortage if clearance delays persist. A lack of lighter vessels and storage facilities is worsening the situation. The piece attributes market instability not to supply shortages but to syndicates that hoard goods and manipulate prices, taking advantage of weak monitoring by local authorities.

It urges immediate government intervention to dismantle these syndicates and ensure stable supply before Ramadan, emphasizing that maintaining reasonable prices will be the new administration’s first and most critical test of credibility.

Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a multibillion-dollar investment package covering aviation, energy, real estate, and telecommunications as Damascus’s new leadership moves to rebuild after a 14-year civil war. Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal al-Hilali announced the agreements, which include developing a new international airport in Aleppo, launching a low-cost Syrian-Saudi airline, and creating a telecommunications project called SilkLink to position Syria as a regional hub. Saudi Arabia’s Elaf fund will invest $2 billion to develop two airports in Aleppo, while nearly $1 billion will go into telecommunications infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia has been a key supporter of Syria’s new government, which took power after toppling Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The deals mark the largest investment since the United States lifted sanctions on Syria in December. The Ministry of Energy also signed a water agreement with Saudi firm ACWA Power, and Flynas partnered with the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority to establish “Flynas Syria,” expected to begin operations in late 2026.

US envoy Tom Barrack praised the agreements as a boost for reconstruction, while analyst Benjamin Feve cautioned that the deals may carry more political than immediate economic weight.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has informed Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur that amending the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972, is not feasible during the tenure of the interim government. In a letter sent on February 5, he stated that such a fundamental law should not undergo major revisions until a new government assumes office. Consequently, the proposed amendment to the central bank order has been put on hold.

The adviser’s letter noted that the proposed changes involved key issues such as appointment and removal of top officials, elevation of the governor’s status, restructuring of the board, financial liability of the republic, and conflict of interest prevention. He emphasized that as the 1972 order forms the foundation of the country’s central banking system, any amendment must be carefully reviewed with input from stakeholders and experts.

Earlier, Bangladesh Bank had submitted a reform proposal aimed at enhancing its autonomy and insulating it from political influence. The governor’s draft suggested merit-based appointments through a search committee and legal safeguards for removal procedures.

A technology report published on February 7, 2026, describes how Google Maps continues to collect and store user location data even when location services are turned off. The article explains that activities performed through various Google apps still send information to Google servers, allowing the Maps timeline to record where and when users travel. Even deleting the timeline does not remove detailed location data from Google’s servers, which may later be used for targeted advertising.

The report outlines several steps to reduce data creation, including regularly deleting activity from the Google Account’s ‘My Activity’ page and using alternative apps that prioritize privacy. It mentions that Waze, being owned by Google, faces similar issues, while Apple Maps offers better privacy but is limited to iPhones. Apps like HereWeGo and MapQuest are suggested as alternatives.

It further advises users to manage smartphone settings carefully, review app permissions, and monitor the Google Maps timeline regularly to delete stored data. The article emphasizes that awareness and proper settings can help maintain privacy even while using Google Maps.

Fisheries and Livestock Ministry adviser Farida Akhter said destructive human activities are the main threat to the Halda River. She made the remarks on Saturday at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council in Dhaka during an inception workshop organized by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute and Nodi Kendra, Chandpur, for the 2025–26 Halda River natural fish breeding project. Akhter emphasized that fisheries and livestock work is not only economic or scientific but also deeply tied to religion, culture, and social behavior.

She urged that research reports be written in Bangla for public understanding and called for women’s inclusion in socio-economic studies to reflect the realities of riverside communities. Akhter highlighted the need for immediate corrective actions where necessary, including removal of the Bhujpur rubber dam if found harmful, and warned against tobacco cultivation along riverbanks. She also stressed effective management of sluice gates and control of invasive sucker fish species.

Akhter proposed a mid-term workshop in late 2026 or early 2027 to evaluate project progress and expressed optimism that coordinated efforts would ensure successful conservation and management of the Halda River.

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb announced on Saturday that it accidentally distributed more than $40 billion worth of Bitcoin to customers while attempting to issue promotional rewards. The error occurred on Friday and immediately caused significant operational pressure on the exchange. Bithumb said it managed to recover 99.7 percent of the 620,000 Bitcoins mistakenly sent, valued at about $44 billion. Within 35 minutes of the incident, trading and withdrawals were restricted for 695 affected users.

According to local media, the exchange had planned to give each participant at least 2,000 Korean won in cash as part of a promotional event. However, due to a technical glitch, selected users received at least 2,000 Bitcoins instead. Bithumb stated that the incident was not related to any external hacking or security breach and claimed that its system security and asset management remained intact.

Following the incident, Bitcoin prices on Bithumb temporarily dropped 17 percent to 81.1 million won before recovering to around 104.5 million won later in the evening.

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) inaugurated two air-conditioned buses built under its own management and funding at the central repair workshop in Gazipur on Saturday. The event was attended by senior officials, including the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Sheikh Moinuddin, who described the achievement as a matter of national pride and a step toward greater self-reliance in public transport operations.

BRTC Chairman Abdul Latif Molla stated that the corporation has evolved into a comprehensive state service institution, integrating passenger and freight transport with training, technical education, and workshop facilities. He said the new bus production demonstrates BRTC’s growing technical and operational capacity. The corporation also operates a central control room that monitors all buses and trucks nationwide in real time through a vehicle tracking system.

According to BRTC, the process of importing 340 modern buses from Korea is in its final stage, and plans are underway to add new trucks and coaster buses to the fleet within the year.

Internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi actress Bobita is set to receive the 2026 Ekushey Padak, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. The announcement was made at a press conference following an advisory council meeting on Thursday. Bobita expressed deep gratitude to the state and those who selected her, calling it a blessing to receive such recognition during her lifetime. She has been receiving congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers across Bangladesh and abroad since the news broke.

Bobita began her film career under the direction of the late filmmaker Zahir Raihan, to whom she has dedicated her upcoming award. Over her career, she has acted in nearly 300 films and produced several under her banner “Bobita Movies.” She has previously won multiple National Film Awards, including Best Actress for “Noyonmoni,” “Boshundhora,” and “Badi Theke Begum,” and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Bobita gained international recognition for her role in Satyajit Ray’s “Ashani Sanket.”

She stated that she would only return to acting if offered a story centered on her character and one that genuinely appeals to her.

At least eight people have died and more than 64,000 have been displaced after severe flooding and landslides struck the Cagayan region in northern Philippines. The disaster occurred under the influence of Tropical Cyclone Basyang, also known as Penha, according to local media reports on Saturday. Four members of one family were killed in a landslide in Cagayan de Oro City, while four others died in Iligan and Agusan del Norte.

The storm caused widespread flooding across Western Visayas, Negros Island, Central Visayas, and Caraga regions. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 16,528 families had been moved to 480 evacuation centers, while others sought refuge with relatives. The Philippine weather bureau said Basyang weakened into a low-pressure area early Saturday after making landfall five times across Mindanao and Visayas.

Authorities also reported that 32 flights were canceled since Thursday due to the storm, leaving 7,737 passengers stranded at airports across the country.

NESCO Rajshahi announced that electricity supply will be suspended for six hours in multiple areas on Sunday, February 8, due to tree branch trimming near 11/0.4 kV power lines. The outage will occur from 7:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., affecting Panchabati, Bospara, Shekherchak, Sagorpara, Moholdarpara, Shiroil Masterpara, Debesingpara, Debesingpara Ambagan, Bhadra, Upor-Bhadra, Shiroil, Sericulture, Baliapukur, Boro Bottola, Northern Mor, Sadhur Mor, Munnaper Mor, and surrounding neighborhoods.

The notice, signed by Subrata Kumar Das, Executive Engineer of NESCO Rajshahi Sales and Distribution Division-1, was issued on Thursday, February 5. The company stated that the temporary power suspension is necessary to safely remove tree branches close to electrical lines.

NESCO authorities expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience and assured residents that the maintenance work is essential for ensuring uninterrupted and safe electricity supply in the future.

Md. Erfanul Haque, an additional secretary, has officially taken charge as the chairman of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla). According to a press release issued by Petrobangla on Saturday, he assumed the position last Thursday. Before joining Petrobangla, Haque served as an additional secretary in the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

The announcement stated that Haque is an officer of the 18th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre and began his government career on January 25, 1999. Over his long career, he has served in various administrative roles, including as a first-class magistrate, assistant commissioner (land), and upazila executive officer. He also worked in several key ministries, including Education, ICT, Primary and Mass Education, and Public Administration.

Haque holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Dhaka and another in the same field from Waseda University in Japan. Upon assuming his new role, he sought the prayers and cooperation of all concerned.