Ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has announced candidates for three constituencies in Shariatpur. The party introduced its candidates at various gatherings and to its members. On Saturday, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, the central Nayeb-e-Amir, revealed the candidates during a workers’ conference. The candidates for Shariatpur’s three seats are: Dr. Mosharraf Hossain Masud Talukdar, former President of Dhaka University’s Chhatra Shibir, for Shariatpur-1; Professor Dr. Mahmud Hossain Bakul, Secretary-General of the National Doctors Forum (NDF), for Shariatpur-2; and Mohammad Azharul Islam, Treasurer of the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Federation, for Shariatpur-3. The party’s leaders and workers are hopeful that the people will vote for these candidates to secure victory.

A case has been filed against 35 leaders and activists of the Awami League, including former Member of Parliament Sheikh Helal Uddin, former MP Sheikh Tanmoy, and former Police Superintendent Abul Hasnat Khan, for alleged shooting, bombing, and destruction of property in Fakirhat, Bagerhat. The lawsuit was filed on Saturday morning by Rafiqul Islam Mithu. Abul Hasnat has been arrested in connection with the case. According to the case details, on August 4, during the afternoon, the accused gathered at the Katakhali Golchattar area in Fakirhat, destroyed important structures, fired at student protesters, and set off bombs with the intent to kill and create panic.

Jaima Rahman, daughter of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., alongside top BNP leaders. While the event is religious, its attendance by world leaders has fueled speculation about Jaima’s political ambitions. Analysts suggest this may be her first step into politics, though neither BNP nor Jaima has confirmed any such intention. BNP leaders see her participation as a positive sign for young leadership in the party, while political observers view it as a strategic move for the future.

On August 5, police opened fire, and Shahid Alamgir Hossain was tragically killed. His wife, Hosneara, recounted that her husband had no work that day. He had gone to Rajlaxmi in Uttara to assess the situation, where he was struck by a bullet in the head, causing his brain to spill out. During the burial, his brain was wrapped in plastic and laid to rest. A month after his death, Shahid Alamgir’s wife gave birth to a daughter. She expressed her hopes for a daughter after having two sons and had prayed to Allah for this blessing. Now, the family is devastated by the loss of their sole breadwinner. Local residents have demanded government assistance, and the district commissioner has assured support, having already met with the grieving family.

A tragic road accident occurred late Saturday night at 11:30 PM in the Old Bastipur village of Damurhuda upazila, Chuadanga. Two young men riding a high-speed motorcycle collided with a tractor parked on the roadside, resulting in their instant deaths. The victims have been identified as Sweet (25) and Nahid (20). Upon receiving the report, Damurhuda Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Humayun Kabir, visited the scene. He confirmed the deaths and stated that the bodies have been sent to Chuadanga General Hospital’s morgue.

On Sunday, an 8-member team from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will conduct an operation at Bangladesh Bank’s Motijheel office to open secure lockers in the presence of a district magistrate. The lockers are believed to contain financial assets and valuable documents of approximately 300 high-ranking officials, both former and current, of the central bank. If illicit wealth is found, appropriate actions will be taken. On January 26, the ACC discovered nearly 50 million Bangladeshi Taka worth of assets in the locker of former Deputy Governor S.K. Surer. Following this, the ACC learned of additional lockers belonging to other bank officials and sent a letter to Bangladesh Bank requesting that the lockers not be opened, citing the need for an ongoing investigation.

According to the Times of India, Saudi Arabia has suspended multiple-entry visas for 14 countries, including Bangladesh, effective from February 1. The affected countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Citizens from these countries will only be eligible for a single-entry visa with a 30-day validity, except for workers, Hajj, and Umrah pilgrims. The decision comes in response to complaints that re-entry visa holders have violated rules, engaged in Hajj without proper authorization, failed to return after their visa expiration, and involved themselves in various criminal activities.

UK Junior Health Minister Andrew Gwynne has been dismissed after sending offensive and inappropriate messages on WhatsApp. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the decision on Saturday (Feb 8) following a report by The Mail, which exposed Gwynne’s remarks in a WhatsApp group. He allegedly made racist and sexually suggestive comments, including wishing for an elderly voter’s death before the next election. Gwynne also faced accusations of antisemitism and insulting Deputy PM Angela Rayner. He later apologized on social media platform X.

Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group, has released three Israeli hostages as part of an internationally brokered ceasefire agreement. In exchange, Israel has freed 183 Palestinian detainees, leading to celebrations in the West Bank city of Ramallah. However, Palestinian authorities have reported that many of the released individuals require medical attention. Since the ceasefire began on January 19, a total of 21 Israeli hostages and 566 Palestinian detainees have been released. As the first phase of the agreement progresses, it is expected that a total of 33 hostages and 900 Palestinian prisoners will be freed.

Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that the ongoing operation, dubbed ‘Devil Hunt,’ will continue until the targeted threat is completely eradicated. Speaking at the inauguration of the Mrittika Bhaban, he emphasized that those responsible for the recent attacks on students in Gazipur have been brought under the law, with efforts underway to apprehend the remaining perpetrators. “Anyone attempting to destabilize the country will be targeted in the Devil Hunt operation,” he declared. The operation was launched on February 8 as a joint force initiative following an attack by associates of deposed fascist leader Mozammel, which left 20 students injured. Authorities have vowed to take decisive action against all those involved in such violence.

Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the gang rape of a housewife in Joypurhat’s Sonamukhi Union. The suspects, identified as Rubel Hossain (33) from Mohammadpukur village, Faruk Hossain (40), and Ekramul Haque (42) from Ramshala village, were taken into custody following the incident that occurred on the night of February 5. According to reports, the victim was returning home after attending a training session at a TTC center in preparation for working abroad. Rubel, whom she had recently met, offered to drop her home on his motorcycle. However, instead of taking her home, he took her to a deep tube well facility, where the three suspects took turns assaulting her throughout the night before fleeing the scene. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment at Bogura’s Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Authorities are investigating the incident further.

Vehicles that violate traffic rules three times will be permanently banned from using the Elevated Expressway, authorities have announced. Speeding violations will be monitored through video surveillance, and cases will be filed accordingly. The Kuril Expressway Company Limited shared this update during a press conference on Saturday. Currently, the maximum speed limit on the main expressway is 60 km/h, while the entry and exit ramps have a limit of 40 km/h. Authorities are considering increasing the maximum limit to 80 km/h. Any vehicle exceeding 100 km/h will be automatically reported to the police for legal action. Additionally, vehicles must use the designated emergency lanes for stoppages, and any damage to infrastructure will require compensation.

A gold shop in Cumilla fell victim to an armed robbery, during which a neighboring shopkeeper, Mosharraf Hossain, was shot while attempting to resist the criminals. The incident took place at Preeti Jewellers, owned by Rabindra Dutta. Around 8 PM on Saturday, a gang of 7-8 armed robbers entered the shop posing as customers and asked to see gold jewelry. As the situation escalated, locals attempted to intervene, leading to the shooting. During the escape, residents managed to catch one of the robbers, identified as Kaiser, and handed him over to the police. According to the Chaudhagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge, one suspect has been arrested, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the rest and recover the stolen gold.

The Qatari government has announced an amnesty program for undocumented expatriates who have overstayed their visas or residency permits. Under this initiative, they can leave the country without facing fines or penalties. The amnesty period, which started on February 5, will last for three months. During this time, undocumented migrants can visit the Search and Follow-up Department on Salwa Road between 1 PM and 9 PM daily to complete the necessary formalities. Authorities believe this initiative will help facilitate the safe return of undocumented individuals to their home countries.

Under the directive of the Ministry of Home Affairs, a nationwide crackdown named ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ is currently underway. So far, 40 Awami League activists have been arrested across five police stations in Gazipur, according to the district’s police superintendent. The operation was launched following a terrorist attack on students at the residence of expelled Awami League leader Mozammel in Gazipur. Security checkpoints have been set up in front of the Gazipur District Commissioner’s office. The crackdown follows a violent incident yesterday when unidentified assailants on motorcycles shot a dedicated activist of the anti-discrimination student movement in front of the District Commissioner’s office before fleeing the scene.