Despite an ongoing ceasefire, Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes in eastern Lebanon, killing six people and injuring two others, according to a BBC report. On February 9, Israeli drones targeted a Hezbollah position in the Shara area of Jenata city, Bekaa region. This follows a series of previous Israeli attacks in the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah official Ibrahim has condemned the latest Israeli strike, calling it a dangerous violation and an act of extreme aggression.

The Election Reform Commission has recommended that habitual loan defaulters be barred from contesting elections. According to the proposed reforms, candidates must clear any outstanding loans at least six months before submitting their nominations. Additionally, Members of Parliament (MPs) will lose their seats if they are declared loan defaulters. The commission also proposed that fugitives declared by a court should not be eligible to run for office. Other recommendations include requiring certified copies of bail documents for candidates with criminal charges and ensuring that legal documents of incarcerated candidates are attested by prison authorities. Furthermore, individuals convicted of moral turpitude will be disqualified from contesting elections from the moment they are found guilty. Local government representatives must resign before running for parliament. The commission also suggests increasing the requirement for independent candidates from 1% to 500 voter endorsements, banning candidates from contesting multiple constituencies, and imposing a lifetime ban on candidates providing false information in affidavits.

The Police Headquarters has announced the reinstatement of 1,522 police officers who were dismissed during the previous Awami League government. A committee, led by a DIG, reviewed the appeals, and those who won their cases in the tribunal are being reinstated. However, officers who did not appeal or have criminal charges related to misconduct or corruption remain ineligible. The authorities emphasized their commitment to justice while urging reinstated officers to maintain discipline and avoid any violations.

A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck the Caribbean Sea, about 130 miles off the northern coast of Honduras, according to NDTV. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System has issued alerts for the Caribbean Sea and the northern coast of Honduras, warning of potential dangerous tsunami waves. This follows previous significant earthquakes of magnitudes 7.7 and 7.8 in the region in 2020 and 2018.

The Constitutional Reform Commission has proposed electing the President through direct votes and making the National Parliament bicameral with 500 seats. It also suggested forming a National Constitutional Council responsible for appointing key constitutional bodies and overseeing caretaker governments. The Election Commission Reform Commission has recommended holding local elections before national elections and implementing online voting alongside ballots. Additional proposals include re-elections if less than 40% of votes are cast, introducing a ‘No Vote’ option, canceling elections if ‘No Vote’ wins, and incorporating national referendums.

An internal police report highlights that despite various reforms, the police cannot become citizen-friendly unless corruption in other government sectors is addressed. The report describes ‘public-friendliness’ as an infectious trait, stating that if other institutions remain unfriendly, expecting only the police to change is unrealistic. Issues identified include flawed recruitment processes, extreme behavioral problems, an insufficient number of officers compared to service demand, and dual responsibilities at both station and field levels. Additionally, political pressure, bureaucratic hurdles, and a culture of favoritism in service delivery contribute to the problem.

The Supreme Court has disclosed information regarding 12 High Court judges who were sent on leave due to allegations of partisanship, corruption, and links to fascist elements. According to court administration, one judge resigned on January 30, two were not appointed as permanent judges, and two have retired. Full investigations by the Supreme Judicial Council are ongoing against four judges, while preliminary inquiries are underway for the remaining three. Earlier, on October 15, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam called for the resignation of these judges, leading to a protest at the High Court. However, the Chief Justice clarified that he lacked the authority to remove judges, as it falls under the President’s jurisdiction.

Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul has announced plans to withdraw politically motivated ‘phantom cases’ filed against opposition members during the Awami League government’s tenure. He revealed that 36 types of documents previously required authentication by the Ministry of Law, causing public harassment, will now be digitized. He also detailed the progress made in six months of the interim government, including efforts to establish a separate judicial secretariat, abolish arbitrary marriage registration taxes, and review the controversial Cyber Law. Additionally, amendments to the 1973 International Crimes Tribunal Act and a new ordinance on judicial appointments have been implemented.

The Constitutional Reform Commission has recommended abolishing the ‘Father of the Nation’ clause, stating that the principle of secularism in the 1972 Constitution has created division and confusion. The commission’s full report, released on Saturday, argues that mandating Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait promotes personality cults and paves the way for autocracy. It asserts that Bangladesh’s independence was a collective achievement of countless leaders and sacrifices, with no historical basis for a single ‘Father of the Nation.’ The report also claims that secularism was never part of Awami League’s pre-Liberation War manifesto and was inserted without discussion. Furthermore, it identifies elements of fascism within the 1972 Constitution and recommends maintaining Islam as the state religion, given the majority consensus.

To maintain law and order, the nationwide ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ has commenced. On February 8, Islamic scholar Mizanur Rahman Azahari posted on social media expressing his support for the operation, writing, “May Operation Devil Hunt be successful.” His followers also showed their support in the comments. Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the operation would begin across the country, including in Gazipur. A decision regarding the operation was made in a meeting after Friday night’s attack on student protesters. Prior to this, Advisor Asif Mahmud provided details about a joint forces operation to recover illegal weapons.

Billionaire and Trump advisor Elon Musk has criticized the U.S. military’s inefficiency, warning that without urgent reforms, America will face a devastating defeat in the next war. He described the military as “incompetent” despite its massive $850 billion budget. Musk emphasized that outdated strategies and bureaucratic inefficiencies are weakening national security. Speaking at West Point, he highlighted drones and AI as the future of warfare, citing Ukraine as an example. He also echoed Trump’s past concerns about wasted military spending in West Asia.

Residents of Old Dhaka are facing an unexpected water crisis, with areas like Hazaribagh, Lalbagh, and parts of New Paltan being the worst affected. Frustrated locals have gathered at nearby water pumps, demanding answers. Rohan Ahmed, one of the affected residents, stated, “We’ve been struggling with water shortages for the past 10 days. I have to go to my relatives’ house in Mohammadpur just to take a shower!” In response, Rokeya Begum, Deputy Assistant Engineer of Dhaka WASA’s MODS Zone-2, acknowledged the issue, saying that efforts are underway to increase water extraction in affected areas. However, she admitted that while supply has slowed down, it has not completely stopped. Despite residents lodging complaints for over a week, pump operators remain uncertain about when the issue will be resolved. The executive engineer of the zone claimed he had not received any formal complaints but assured that he would investigate the matter on-site. The ongoing crisis continues to frustrate residents, raising concerns about WASA’s efficiency in addressing urgent supply issues.

The Anti-Corruption Reform Commission’s full report was made public on Saturday (February 8) through the Cabinet Division’s website. The report, submitted on January 15 by commission head Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, spans 47 pages and outlines a series of recommendations to curb corruption and misuse of power. The commission strongly emphasized preventing individuals from exploiting their positions for personal gain or accumulating illicit wealth. Among its key proposals: • The appointment of an ombudsman to oversee a universal anti-corruption strategy for all state institutions. • A strict ban on legalizing illicit income under any circumstances. • Mandatory registration of all foundations, companies, and trusts with full disclosure of ownership details. • Elimination of bureaucratic delays under the guise of investigations. The commission also proposed a four-year term structure, with five members, including at least one woman. It recommended that the secretary be appointed through an open recruitment process. Additionally, the report suggests setting up ACC offices in every district and establishing special anti-corruption courts nationwide.

The interim government has published the full reports of six reform commissions on the Cabinet Division’s website on Saturday (February 8). These commissions were formed by the administration of Mohammad Yunus following the mass uprising, with a mandate to propose reforms in various sectors of governance. Initially given a 90-day deadline, the commissions have now submitted their recommendations. The published reports cover constitutional amendments, election commission reforms, police reforms, anti-corruption measures, public administration changes, and judicial sector reforms. Earlier, on Tuesday, legal expert Asif Nazrul stated that, based on the commission’s recommendations, a dialogue would soon be initiated to reach a national consensus among political parties. If necessary, discussions will continue through the month of Ramadan.

In a series of operations on Friday night, authorities arrested four senior police officials, including DIG (Deputy Inspector General) Molla Nazrul Islam, former Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police. The other arrested officials include Nilphamari Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman, Rangpur Superintendent of Police Abdul Mannan, and Abul Hasnat. According to police sources, Nazrul Islam faces allegations of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and abuse of power. Abul Hasnat came under heavy criticism for his controversial statements regarding the 2024 elections and the July mass uprising. He was also accused of orchestrating staged counterterrorism operations and using excessive force during the protests. Similarly, Asaduzzaman was criticized for his role in suppressing the July uprising and his involvement in financial irregularities. The Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch has confirmed the arrests of one DIG and three SPs, marking a significant development in ongoing investigations into police misconduct.