A dispute over TikTok led to a deadly clash in Lohagara, Chattogram, resulting in the death of a school student named Mumin. Another individual, Mukit, was critically injured and has been admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. The incident occurred around 8 PM near Tatipara Mosque during its annual gathering when Mumin and Mukit were out for a walk. A verbal altercation over TikTok ensued near a floating cosmetics stall, escalating into violence as the opposing group stabbed both Mumin and Mukit before fleeing. The Upazila hospital authorities confirmed that Mumin succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital. Officer-in-Charge Arifur Rahman assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Russia and Ukraine have successfully exchanged 150 prisoners each under a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The released soldiers have been transferred to Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological support, with plans to reintegrate them into service in the near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the exchange and expressed gratitude to the UAE for its mediation. Earlier, in mid-January, both sides had exchanged 25 prisoners each as part of their ongoing negotiations.

Prince Turki Al-Faisal, a former Saudi ambassador to the United States, has strongly condemned Donald Trump’s recent comments on Gaza, warning that his proposed plans for control of the region amount to ethnic cleansing. He stated that forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza would lead to bloodshed and conflict. He urged Arab and Muslim nations, along with other global powers and Europe, to raise the issue at the United Nations to demonstrate global opposition to such an extermination plan. He further accused Trump of fully endorsing Israel’s stance, stating that the former U.S. president has aligned his position with that of recently resigned Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The interim government has set a target to bring inflation down to 8% by June of the current fiscal year. This decision was made in a meeting chaired by the Chief Adviser on Wednesday. The meeting also discussed the revised budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The previous government allegedly did not present the real picture of inflation. Although the last finance minister had set a target of 6.5% inflation, post-government collapse instability led the economic adviser to revise the target to 7%. Currently, inflation stands at 9.94%. Additionally, the GDP growth target for 2024-25 was initially set at 6.8% but has now been revised down to 5.25% by the interim government. The revenue collection target has also been reduced from BDT 6.8 trillion to BDT 4.635 trillion.

Beximco Industrial Park has announced the closure of four more factories—Yarn Unit-2, Textile, Denim, and Knitting—due to insufficient work. With this, the total number of shut-down factories now stands at 20. The decision, effective from February 5, was made following a government-formed advisory committee meeting. Laid-off workers will receive wages as per labor laws but are not required to be physically present. Industrial police are ensuring security in Gazipur, while no workers have reported to the factories since the announcement.

Bangladesh has climbed two spots to rank 35th in Global Firepower’s (GFP) 2025 military strength index. The United States remains at the top, followed by Russia and China with the same score, while India ranks 4th. The index evaluates 145 countries based on over 60 factors, including military units, financial stability, and logistics. Pakistan ranks 12th, while Bangladesh’s score is 0.6062. Following Bangladesh in the rankings are Netherlands (36th), Myanmar (37th), Norway (38th), Portugal (39th), and South Africa.

During the Awami League government’s tenure, state-backed looting in the banking sector took place, with loans being misused and funds embezzled. There were record levels of money laundering. After the student-led uprising in August, attention turned toward reforming the banking sector. The boards of 11 banks owned by S. Alam Group were restructured, yet some boards remain ineffective. Since S. Alam’s affiliates remain active, action has not been taken against non-cooperative groups.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has offered all employees an early retirement package, providing eight months’ salary and benefits in exchange for resigning. This move is part of the federal government’s downsizing policy. However, mass layoffs are not expected. Given the CIA’s critical role in national security, this proposal has raised concerns. After taking office in January, Trump halted new CIA recruitments. Reports suggest that Trump wants to use the CIA in operations against drug cartels.

Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA). He has also ordered the withdrawal of the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council. Trump has hinted at reviewing U.S. funding for the UN and reconsidering relations with UNESCO. UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, expressed interest in strengthening ties with the U.S. to save lives amid global turmoil. The White House has stated that it will reconsider U.S. funding contributions, arguing that the U.S. has been treated unfairly compared to other countries.

Pinaki Bhattacharya has called for nationalization of Humayun Ahmed’s Nuhash Palli, calling it a national asset. Earlier, he urged people to gather at Dhanmondi 32 and expressed his support for erasing the birthplace of fascism with joy.

Sargis Alam was injured while trying to save a child from a moving private car near the British Council in Dhaka University area. He was taken to DMCH emergency department at 9:30 PM on February 5. He suffered injuries to his left eye and head. Doctors said he received stitches on a minor cut near his left eye.

Facing heavy losses, North Korea withdrew its troops from Russia’s Kursk battlefield in January, according to South Korean claims. Reports suggest that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed, with over 300 killed and 2,700 either injured or captured. Earlier, Ukrainian military experts claimed that North Korean troops had fled the battlefield due to severe casualties.

Police have arrested Nazrul Shikdar and Anup Bagchi in connection with the theft of three skeletons, including that of a local council member, from a cemetery in Kotalipara, Gopalganj. Six graves had been dug up, and villagers discovered that three were missing their skeletons. Describing the incident as tragic and unprecedented, the cemetery authorities confirmed that a case had been filed with the police.

Police have arrested dismissed lecturer Tabassum Tamanna following a case filed by a leader of the anti-discrimination student movement. Previously, Tamanna staged a hunger strike in front of the Burimari police station, demanding the removal of the principal and the Upazila Executive Officer. During the protest, she allegedly assaulted the Officer-in-Charge (OC) and attacked a police vehicle. In response, students surrounded the police station demanding her arrest.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has likened former U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" policy to Adolf Hitler’s nationalist slogan, "Germany Above All." In an op-ed, Lavrov argued that such a stance undermines the post-war global order built on the UN Charter and sovereign equality. He expressed hope that the U.S. would shift away from dominance and cooperate as an equal global power, emphasizing Russia’s willingness to work together.