The government has issued a gazette recognizing 474 individuals severely injured in the July Uprising as 'July Fighters' under a revised classification. The announcement was made through a notification from the Gazette Branch of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, published on February 5, 2026. According to the notice, the decision was made under the authority granted by Section 11(4) of the July Uprising Martyrs’ Families and July Fighters’ Welfare and Rehabilitation Ordinance, 2025 (Ordinance No. 30, 2025).

The gazette specifies that the recognized individuals fall under Class 'B' (severely injured) in the updated categorization. The order was issued with the approval of the competent authority, and the official list of names has been made available for public reference.

The publication of this gazette formalizes the government’s recognition of those injured during the July 2024 uprising, ensuring their inclusion in welfare and rehabilitation measures outlined in the 2025 ordinance.

Rabeya Islam Shampa, wife of slain Inkilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, along with the platform’s leaders and activists, staged a sit-in in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna, on Thursday, February 5. They demanded that the investigation into Hadi’s killing be conducted under the supervision of the United Nations. The protest began around 5 p.m., with key members including Abdullah Al Jaber and Fatima Tasnim Juma present at the scene.

Fatima Tasnim Juma told the media that Inkilab Mancha and Hadi’s widow were demonstrating to press for a UN-supervised investigation. She alleged that while the group had extended full cooperation to the government, administration, and political parties, they had not received reciprocal support. The protest follows the fatal shooting of Hadi on December 12 in Dhaka’s Paltan area, a day after the announcement of the 13th national election and referendum schedule.

Hadi was taken to several hospitals in Dhaka and later to Singapore, where he died on December 18. A murder attempt case filed on December 14 at Paltan Police Station was later converted into a murder case.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that no election is ever perfect, emphasizing that the key issue is whether an election truly reflects public opinion. He made the remarks on Thursday, February 5, during a discussion with journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hossain expressed hope that the upcoming election would be held within a week, noting that although some people remain doubtful, he sees no reason for the election not to take place.

He added that understanding public sentiment does not depend solely on numbers, as it becomes evident through broader observation. Referring to the previous four elections, he said each had reflected public opinion to some extent. Drawing a comparison with India, Hossain mentioned that even in the world’s largest democracy, elections are not flawless and face certain issues.

Responding to a question about whether foreign diplomats had exerted pressure regarding the Awami League’s participation in the election, Hossain clarified that while some diplomats had inquired about the matter, none had applied any pressure.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has declared February 10, 2026, a general holiday for workers and employees in industrial areas across Bangladesh in view of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. As a result, workers in factories and industries will enjoy three consecutive days off on February 10, 11, and 12. The decision was approved at a meeting of the Advisory Council held on Thursday.

According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, factories implementing the February 10 holiday may later require workers to work one additional day to compensate for the leave. The decision followed a request from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and was finalized during the council meeting.

The announcement aims to facilitate workers’ participation in the national election and referendum while allowing industrial operations to recover the lost workday afterward.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam declared that Bangladesh’s government will be chosen solely by its people and that no foreign interference or dominance will be accepted. Speaking on Thursday at an election rally in Baroghopa, Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar, organized to support the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance candidate, he asserted that Delhi’s influence over Bangladesh would no longer be tolerated.

Nahid Islam described those who adopted policies of extortion, land grabbing, and rehabilitation of fascists after August 5 as the country’s new oppressors, calling for resistance against them on February 12. He said the electoral struggle extended beyond the Cox’s Bazar-2 constituency, representing a national fight to free Bangladesh from domination, fascism, corruption, and exploitation.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher emphasized the need for a free, fair, and acceptable election, urging the government and Election Commission to act impartially. Speakers urged voters to support the “scales” symbol to build a new Bangladesh, while candidate Hamidur Rahman Azad pledged fair salt prices, sustainable embankments, and improved ferry services.

Bangladesh and the United States are set to sign a counter-tariff trade agreement on Monday, February 9, in Washington, D.C. The formal activities related to the signing will begin a day earlier, on February 8. Although the event will span two days, Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman will not attend in person.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, a five-member Bangladeshi delegation will travel to the United States to represent the country at the signing ceremony. A government order issued on February 3 appointed Additional Secretary and WTO Division Head Khadiza Nazneen as the delegation leader. Other members include Joint Secretaries Firoz Uddin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, Senior Assistant Secretary Sheikh Shamsul Arefin, and NBR Commissioner Rois Uddin Khan. The delegation is scheduled to leave Dhaka on February 6 and return around February 10.

Meanwhile, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman have departed for Tokyo to attend the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement signing program, taking place from February 4 to 6.

Sarowar Alam, an assistant programmer at the President’s Office, denied any involvement in the case filed over the hacking of the Jamaat-e-Islami chief’s X account. He made the statement on Thursday during a bail hearing before Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Jonaid. Police said he was shown arrested on Wednesday night under the Cyber Security Act in a case filed with Hatirjheel Police Station.

During the hearing, the investigating officer, SI Khondoker Saleh Abu Naim, sought to keep Alam in jail, while defense lawyer Md. Alamgir applied for bail, arguing that his client had been falsely implicated due to political vendetta. The prosecution lawyer, Abdur Razzak, opposed bail, alleging that Alam acted to create unrest and provoke voters by hacking the Jamaat chief’s account.

Alam told the court he was arrested from his home and had voluntarily handed over his mobile phone, laptop, and desktop to investigators. He insisted he had never imagined committing such an act and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.

The six-day-long strike by workers and employees at Chattogram Port has been suspended for two days following successful discussions with the shipping adviser. The decision was announced on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at a press conference held at the port building by Humayun Kabir and Ibrahim Khokon, coordinators of the Chattogram Port Protection Struggle Unity Council. Workers will resume full operations from Friday morning, bringing relief to port activities that had been paralyzed for nearly a week.

During the meeting, labor leaders presented four demands, including cancellation of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) operation agreement, withdrawal of transfer orders for protesting employees, assurance against future legal actions, and removal of the current port chairman. The adviser accepted two of these demands and promised to consider the chairman’s removal. He also sought two days to consult the chief adviser regarding the NCT issue.

Union leaders warned that if the government does not withdraw from the NCT agreement within the given time, they will resume the strike from Sunday. The temporary suspension has restored confidence among traders and port stakeholders after days of disruption.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that the interim government will hand over power to the newly elected administration within the shortest possible time after the results of the 13th National Parliamentary Election are declared. He stated that the process could take a maximum of three days, and the new government may assume office between February 17 and 18. The announcement was made on Thursday at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, following a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Shafiqul Alam explained that preparations are in place for a swift transfer of power once the election concludes. Newly elected members of parliament will take their oaths immediately after the results, and the handover process will begin promptly. He emphasized that the transition could be completed as early as February 15, 16, or by February 17–18 at the latest.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad dismissed rumors that the interim government would remain in power for 180 working days, calling such claims baseless and politically motivated.

A Dhaka court has granted bail to Mohammad Saroware Alam, an assistant programmer at Bangabhaban, in a case filed over the hacking of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s X (formerly Twitter) account. The order was issued on Thursday by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Junaid after a hearing. Saroware Alam was produced before the Dhaka CMM Court at 3 p.m., where the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Khandaker Saleh Abu Nayeem of Hatirjheel Police Station, sought to keep him in custody.

During the hearing, defense lawyer Md. Alamgir argued for bail, while prosecution lawyer Md. Abdur Razzak opposed it, citing specific allegations and a forensic report from the accused’s mobile phone. The prosecution claimed the act aimed to create unrest before the election and warned that the accused might abscond if released. Saroware Alam denied the allegations, asserting his innocence and cooperation with investigators, saying he voluntarily handed over his mobile and laptop.

The case was filed under the Cyber Security Act at Hatirjheel Police Station following the hacking incident involving the Jamaat chief’s X account.

Candidates of the Khagrachhari-298 parliamentary constituency have demanded that the army be deployed with magistracy powers three days before the election to ensure maximum security at 68 high-risk polling centers. The demand was made on Thursday at a press conference organized under the banner of the Khagrachhari Lawyers’ Association, where BNP candidate Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan read a written statement. Three other candidates—Mithila Roaja of Jatiya Party, Dinmoy Roaja of Ganoparishad, and Md. Nurul Islam of Insoniyat Biplob Bangladesh—were also present.

According to the statement, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have identified 121 of the 203 polling centers in Khagrachhari as risky, including 68 marked as “red” for being highly vulnerable. The candidates alleged that armed groups are intimidating voters, obstructing campaigns, and attempting to influence votes in favor of preferred candidates. They also claimed these groups disrupted past elections and are now trying to destabilize the upcoming polls.

The six-point demand includes increased mobile patrols in remote areas, strict security per polling center, community confidence-building, monitoring social media for rumors, and immediate legal action against offenders.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that either a person nominated by the President or the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) will administer the oath to members elected in the upcoming 13th National Parliament. He made the clarification on Thursday, February 5, during a briefing with journalists at the Secretariat.

Nazrul explained that there are two options under the current arrangement. Former Speaker or Deputy Speaker cannot administer the oath. If the oath must be taken within three days of the election results being announced, the President will nominate a person on the advice of the Chief Adviser to conduct the ceremony. He added that the current Chief Justice could be such a nominee if willing. If the oath cannot be administered within three days for any reason, the CEC will then perform the duty.

The 13th National Parliament election and referendum are scheduled to be held on February 12, according to the adviser’s statement.

Bangla Academy has confirmed that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will begin on February 20, rejecting publishers’ calls to postpone the event until after Eid-ul-Fitr. The decision was announced at a press conference held at the academy on Thursday, where officials said the fair’s organizing committee had unanimously agreed on the date. The academy also announced special arrangements for iftar and prayers during Ramadan.

Director General Professor Mohammad Azam explained that the fair could not start on February 1 as in previous years because state approval was delayed. He said about 60 percent of preparations are complete, including stall construction, event management selection, and invitations to speakers. Stall rent has been reduced by 25 percent compared to last year, despite higher overall costs. A total of 527 returning and 24 new publishers have been selected for stalls, with over 100 institutions expressing interest in participation.

Azam added that holding the fair after Eid would be impractical due to April’s heat and storms. He urged all publishers to join the fair, expressing optimism that it will be well-organized despite challenges.

The Bangladesh government has decided to reduce value-added tax (VAT) on liquefied petroleum (LPG) gas, aiming to bring down its market price. The decision was made on Thursday, February 5, during an advisory council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced the decision at a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

According to Shafiqul Alam, the council approved a proposal to exempt the existing 7.5 percent VAT and 2 percent advance tax on local production and trading of LPG, while imposing a 7.5 percent VAT at the import stage. He stated that this adjustment would reduce the overall tax burden on LPG and consequently lower its retail price in the domestic market.

The government expects that the revised VAT structure will ease consumer costs and stabilize LPG prices across the country, providing some relief to households and businesses dependent on the fuel.

National Citizens Party convener Nahid Islam declared that no conspiracy from Delhi would be accepted in Bangladesh’s political affairs. Speaking at an election rally in Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday, he said the people of Bangladesh alone would decide who forms the government. He called for unity to free the country from terrorism, fascism, and domination, urging voters to support the balance-scale symbol in the upcoming election.

The rally was organized in support of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate and assistant secretary general Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad. Jamaat’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, attending as chief guest, described the February 12 election as a milestone for building a new Bangladesh. He pledged to eliminate corruption, establish democracy, and ensure citizens’ rights if his coalition came to power.

Taher highlighted Kutubdia and Maheshkhali’s economic and geographic importance, comparing their potential to Singapore’s development model. He said if elected, Hamidur Rahman Azad could become a full minister under an eleven-party alliance government.