According to Indian media, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has allocated ₹1.2 billion for Bangladesh in the 2025-26 fiscal year—consistent with past allocations during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. This marks India’s first budget under Narendra Modi’s third term and following Hasina’s ousting. The ministry has set aside ₹205.16 billion in total, with Nepal receiving the highest allocation of ₹21.5 billion for hydropower projects, economic cooperation, and infrastructure development. While Maldives’ allocation has increased, Afghanistan’s has decreased. The budget was presented in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The schedule for the Jatiya Sangsad (Jaksu) elections at Jahangirnagar University was supposed to be announced on February 1 but was postponed based on the recommendations of the Environmental Council. This has created a tense situation on campus, with student organizations divided into two factions. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Shibir, along with other groups, demand immediate elections, while Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and leftist student groups want reforms before elections. Last evening, the two groups faced off, with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement accusing JCD of blocking the election announcement. Meanwhile, a Jaksu reform committee has been formed.

Before the final prayer session today, the death toll for the first phase of the World Ijtema rose to six. The latest deceased was Haji Abdur Gafur, a resident of Charfashion, Bhola. The first phase of the religious congregation concluded with a mass prayer led by Maulana Zubair Ahmed. During the prayer, all surrounding roads were closed, and after its conclusion, traffic resumed as attendees began leaving the venue.

Fakhrul Anwar, the Industry and Commerce Secretary of Chattogram District Awami League, was arrested from his son’s wedding ceremony. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement had received information that former MPs Syed Najibul Bashir Maizbhandari and Khadijatul Anwar Soni would attend the event. Students attempting to enter the convention venue were confronted, and tensions escalated. Following the confrontation, Fakhrul was handed over to the police.

According to the 2022 Labor Force Survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 28 out of every 100 highly educated individuals are unemployed. The report highlights that labor force growth has been at 2% per year for the last decade, while GDP growth has remained between 5-7%. Despite the rise in graduate rates from 3.2-3.5% in the early 2000s to 9% in the last decade, employment opportunities have not increased proportionally. Lack of necessary skills is also a contributing factor to this high unemployment rate.

Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus presented the Bangla Academy Literary Awards to seven distinguished writers at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair today. The event was presided over by Bangla Academy President Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, with Cultural Advisor Mustafa Sarwar Farooki also in attendance. Initially, ten writers were listed, but following criticism, the awards for Abdul Hannan and Faruk Nawaz were canceled, while Selis Morshed declined the award. The final awardees were Masud Khan, Shubhashis Sinha, Salimullah Khan, G. H. Habib, Muhammad Shahjahan Mia, Rezaur Rahman, and Syed Jamil Ahmed.

A clash between two BNP factions resulted in the death of Md. Selim Bhuiyan (45), president of the Swechchhasebak Dal in Heshakhal Union. The violence erupted around 3 PM when a motorcade supporting former BNP MP Gafur Bhuiyan passed near a rally venue organized by Upazila BNP president Mobashwer Alam. Several people were injured, and one person was killed. Party activists claim that the deceased was a supporter of Gafur Bhuiyan.

Cultural advisor Mustafa Sarwar Farooki has dismissed the police’s statement—that the Bangla Academy should be allowed to review books before printing—as a personal opinion rather than an official government stance. He called the remark “ridiculous” and reiterated that the government believes in freedom of expression, even if he himself is criticized. Farooki mentioned that in the past government, there were complications in the award nomination process due to a fellow awardee being nominated. During the inauguration ceremony of the 36th National Poetry Festival, he announced that a reform committee would be formed to investigate corruption in the Bangla Academy and restructure it.

The Max Fun on Bay One concert, scheduled to take place on February 13 at Patenga, Chattogram, in celebration of Pohela Falgun and Valentine’s Day, has been postponed.

Promotional campaigns announced that Habib Wahid would be performing at the event, and ticket sales had already begun. However, the organizing committee has not disclosed the reason for the sudden postponement. In a statement, they expressed regret and confirmed that the concert has been postponed and rescheduled.

Under the court’s directive, the bodies of three martyrs killed in the anti-discrimination student movement in Savar have been exhumed under the leadership of Executive Magistrate and Ashulia Assistant Commissioner Sadia Akhter.

Ashraful Islam’s body was exhumed from the Pabnartek neighborhood cemetery in Ashulia, Jahidul Islam Sagar’s body from the Charalpara neighborhood cemetery, and another individual, Abul Hossain’s body, from a local cemetery in the Ambagan area of Ashulia.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide up to $1 billion in budget support to Bangladesh by June, subject to banking sector reforms, including reducing private bank directors and their tenure. ADB may also offer $300–$500 million for climate change initiatives if Bangladesh meets 16 conditions, such as implementing a national strategy and transport master plan. Other requirements include AI-based early warning systems for farmers and improved waste management. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed emphasized that Bangladesh will accept only low-interest loans.

Twenty bodies have been recovered from the Mediterranean coast near Brega, Libya, and buried in Ajdabiya. The Libyan Red Crescent suspects they are Bangladeshi migrants, but the Bangladesh Embassy has yet to confirm this. The bodies were in a decomposed state, and no identification documents were found. Local authorities believe a migrant boat capsized, causing the deaths. The Bangladesh Embassy is in close contact with Libyan officials and has arranged to send a team to investigate and take necessary actions.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 was inaugurated by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the Bangla Academy premises on February 1 at 4 PM. This year’s theme is “July Mass Uprising: Building a New Bangladesh.” The event began with the national anthem, followed by speeches from Abul Kasem Fazlul Haq, President of Bangla Academy, and Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki also addressed the audience. The fair aims to celebrate literature and national history.

The Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, Muhammad Yunus, has instructed an urgent investigation into the death of Jubodol leader Mohammad Touhidur Rahman (40), who died while in police custody during a Comilla operation. His family claims he was tortured after his arrest on January 31. The army has removed the relevant camp commander, and a high-level committee has been set up to investigate the cause of death and hold those responsible accountable.

A new political party formed by students who led the July movement is set to launch soon. Nahid Islam, former information advisor to the interim government, is rumored to lead the party. Discussions are ongoing about other key positions. The party plans to announce its formation after a long march from Shaheed Abu Sayeed’s home to Shaheed Wasim’s in Chattogram. The party’s leadership structure is still being finalized, and applications for registration with the Election Commission are underway.