Mohammad Selim Uddin, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka Metropolitan North, has issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding the release of ATM Azharul Islam within seven days. He claimed that Azhar, the party’s former acting secretary-general, has been unjustly sentenced to death in a fabricated case solely for his political affiliation with Jamaat.

Speaking as the chief guest at a rally in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Selim Uddin warned that if the government fails to comply, a mass movement will be launched to secure his release. He further stated that during the August uprising, all political groups took to the streets, yet only Jamaat was banned. Calling the movement’s participants “Razakars” led to widespread outrage, and within days of the ban, the ruling party was forced to flee. He asserted that those who conspire to eliminate Jamaat have always been erased from history.

A police officer in Bangladesh has gained widespread praise for dispersing protesters without using force. A viral video shows him striking the road and electric poles with his baton instead of attacking protesters, effectively breaking up the gathering near the Bangladesh Secretariat. Social media users hailed his approach as the ideal form of policing. Many called for him to be recognized and rewarded, believing such methods could restore public trust in law enforcement. Legal expert Dr. Asif Nazrul also expressed admiration for his actions.

The National Revolutionary Council has issued a one-month ultimatum to the interim government, demanding the reinstatement of the ban on Israel in Bangladeshi passports. The organization has also called for a ban on the use of Pegasus spyware, allegedly purchased for surveillance purposes.

During a protest rally in front of the National Press Club on Friday, council leaders stated that despite the ceasefire agreement taking effect on January 19, Israel has killed 178 Palestinians. They accused Israel of attempting to take full control of Gaza and urged the Bangladeshi government to stand by the Palestinians by restoring the previous passport restriction as a symbolic gesture of support.

Hassan Mahmud Jewel, former chairman of Nandail Upazila and a leader of the Upazila Awami League, has been arrested. He was taken into custody from his residence on Friday afternoon. Reports suggest that Jewel is a close associate of former Nandail MP Anwarul Abedin Khan Tuhin.

According to the police, the arrest is linked to a case filed on January 4 by BNP leader Tahmina Begum’s husband. The case stems from a violent clash over the placement of election posters during the 2018 elections, in which Jewel has been named the prime accused.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel allegedly entered Bangladesh and assaulted five farmers near the Krishnanandabaksi border in Kurigram’s Fulbari upazila on Friday afternoon. As villagers gathered and chased them, the BSF members fled back inside the barbed-wire fence. In response, hundreds of locals, armed with sticks, took position at the border in protest. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) later intervened to de-escalate the situation. According to eyewitnesses, the farmers were working in their fields when BSF personnel entered Bangladesh and confronted them. When the farmers objected, the BSF allegedly attacked them. The BGB has stated that if the incident is confirmed, they will formally protest.

A businessman named Russell Ahmed (46) was robbed of 47.5 lakh taka by a group posing as Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officers in South Keraniganj. The incident occurred on Thursday at an underpass on the Dhaka-Mawa highway. According to the victim’s complaint, he had sold his wife’s gold jewelry to arrange the money for an urgent need. While returning home, six to seven individuals stopped his vehicle, claiming to be RAB officers, and forced him into a microbus. The robbers blindfolded him, held him at gunpoint, looted the cash, and later abandoned him in a deserted location before fleeing.

Advisor Muhammad Yunus has urged the United Arab Emirates to lift its visa ban on Bangladeshi nationals and recruit more workers. He made the appeal during his visit to Dubai for the two-day World Government Summit, where he also held meetings with several UAE ministers. During these discussions, the UAE’s Minister of Trade proposed establishing Emirati industrial zones in Bangladesh, to which Yunus responded positively. He emphasized that Bangladesh could be developed as a hub for halal product manufacturing, benefiting from affordable labor.

Hefazat-e-Islam’s top leaders have called for a ban on the Awami League following the findings of a United Nations fact-finding mission. In a joint statement on Friday, Hefazat Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary-General Maulana Sajedur Rahman made the demand. The statement claimed that the UN report exposed severe crimes against humanity committed by the “fascist government and its loyal forces.” The leaders also called for a ban on the Awami League, citing incidents such as the Pilkhana massacre, the Shapla Square crackdown, and the July massacre. Additionally, they accused India of acting like a hostile state.

BNP leader Mirza Abbas remarked that some parties are stalling the election process, but confirmed that the BNP is ready to participate in the elections within the timeframe provided by the interim government. Speaking at a party event this afternoon, he added that no one involved in fascism or criminal activities should be allowed to join the party. He further emphasized that the party does not need thousands of leaders and workers; having just 10 good and honest members is sufficient. Mirza Abbas called for all political parties to abandon conspiracy and cooperate with the interim government for the sake of the country’s interests and to ensure a fair election.

Following the United Nations report on human rights violations during the student and public protests in July and August, Rana Flowers, the UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, expressed deep concern, calling it heartbreaking. Referring to the UN report, which mentioned that 1,400 people died in the July uprising, including over 100 children, UNICEF stated that it has already reported on many of these deaths and is working to clarify the total number of children who were killed or injured. In a statement, UNICEF expressed condolences for the victims, citing three specific martyrdoms. The statement also emphasized the need for accountability, rehabilitation, justice, and reform.

The discussion on state reform with political parties will begin this Saturday, February 15, as announced by Industry and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan. Speaking after paying tribute to martyrs of the Anti-Autocracy Movement on February 14, Khan emphasized the government’s aim to restore citizens’ rights and prevent fascism in the country. Various political and student organizations also honored the movement’s martyrs. February 14 is observed as Anti-Autocracy Resistance Day, marking the 1983 protest against the government’s education policy.

Interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has wrapped up his UAE visit after attending the World Government Summit in Dubai. During the trip, he met with key UAE ministers, discussing trade expansion, UAE investments in Chattogram Port, and lifting visa restrictions on Bangladeshi citizens. He urged UAE businesses to relocate factories to Bangladesh and agreed to establish a special industrial park for Emirati companies. UAE’s trade minister plans to lead a delegation to Bangladesh soon. The Chief Adviser is set to return home this evening.

A UN human rights report reveals that the ousted Awami League government used both police and armed party supporters to suppress the July-August student protests. Chhatra League, backed by senior Awami League leaders, led attacks on protesters. When they failed, police escalated force, even using live bullets. Armed Awami League supporters, including an MP, also attacked demonstrators. The government coordinated repression through a “Core Committee,” with direct oversight from Sheikh Hasina and top security officials. The crackdown intensified protests instead of stopping them.

Today marks Pohela Falgun, the first day of spring. To welcome the season, the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University is hosting a lively festival at Bakultala. The grand celebration, titled “Boshonto Utsob 1431,” kicked off with the “Somogeet Utsob 1431”, featuring performances themed around “July Uprising: My Song of Rebellion and Love.”

The event showcases a variety of cultural performances, including folk songs and traditional music from indigenous hill communities. Dance performances were staged by students of Pathshala, while Somogeet artists participated in musical pieces inspired by hill and tea garden melodies.

Many visitors expressed their excitement about experiencing the spring festival before heading to the Ekushey Book Fair later in the day.

The Cyber Tribunal, which had been paralyzed for a week due to a lawyers’ boycott, will resume operations from Sunday, according to the Judicial Service Association. The deadlock was resolved after discussions between judicial and legal representatives. The dispute began on February 6 when tensions escalated over bail issues, leading to protests and disruption of proceedings. However, a resolution has now been reached, ensuring the tribunal’s normal functioning.