At 12:15 AM today, Jahangirnagar University (JU) administration decided to abolish the quota for employees’ dependents following student protests. Earlier, university staff and students staged counter-protests over the quota issue. The Vice-Chancellor stated that after discussions with all stakeholders, the central admission committee was assigned to review the matter. In an emergency meeting, the committee decided to cancel the quota.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Special Judge’s Court has granted permission for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to open the lockers of current and former Bangladesh Bank officials in the presence of a magistrate. The ACC Director filed a petition seeking permission to open the sealed safe deposits after discovering them during a search of the safe deposit vault of a former deputy governor, related to an ongoing investigation. He stated that these lockers might contain unprotected assets. The court later approved the request.

Former Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam, was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) at around 10 PM on Tuesday. His passport was also recently revoked due to allegations of embezzlement in the stock market. Shibli Rubaiyat served as the BSEC Chairman from May 17, 2020, to August 10 of last year.

Tension erupted in Uttara after police detained three students—Akash, Robin, and Bappi—from a student gathering on Gausul Azam Avenue. Protesters first surrounded Uttara East Police Station before attacking Uttara West Police Station around 7 PM, injuring ASI Mahadev. Believing their peers were held at the East station, students clashed with police, throwing bricks and attacking the gate. Senior police officials, including DC Rawnak Jahan, arrived to negotiate. The situation calmed after discussions, and students suspended their protest upon police assurances.

A new study published in The Lancet reveals that air pollution is causing an increase in lung cancer cases among non-smokers, especially women and Southeast Asians. Researchers found that adenocarcinoma, a lung cancer subtype, is prevalent among non-smokers, accounting for 53% to 70% of cases. The highest rates were observed in East Asia, particularly China, where household fuel burning contributes to pollution. While smoking rates decline globally, lung cancer among non-smokers is now the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

The metro rail has generated revenue of 24.4 billion BDT from ticket sales during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with an additional 1.8 billion BDT expected next year. Last Monday, a record 282,000 passengers traveled on the metro rail. The Agargaon section was launched on December 8, 2022, followed by the Motijheel section in October of the next year, and the Kamalapur section is set to open in June, completing the entire project. Initially, the metro operated 10 trips per day, but now it runs 200 trips daily. Once extended from Diabari to Tongi, the expected daily ridership will reach 500,000, eliminating the need for government subsidies.

On the afternoon of February 4, a violent clash broke out between two groups in the Baipail area of Ashulia over control of the jhut (textile waste) business. Local weapons were seen at the scene, and multiple gunshots were fired. Upon receiving the news, police arrived and arrested six individuals. Harun Mondal had been running the jhut business at Prudent Fashion Limited, but after the government changed, a man named Alamgir attempted to take control. This led to the conflict. Police recovered 35 local weapons from the site.

Importers from Lalmonirhat have stopped importing goods through India’s Changrabandha land port since February 1, following disputes over stone export prices. As a result, the government has suffered a revenue loss of 20 million BDT. Since August 5, Bangladesh’s construction sector has slowed, leading to a drop in demand. Importers had requested exporters to lower prices, but after receiving no response, they decided to suspend stone imports indefinitely. This has resulted in a complete halt of imports and exports through Changrabandha port since February 2. Fifty Bangladesh-bound cargo trucks are stuck at the port, while over 500 trucks from Bhutan are stranded at Indian ports. Allegations have surfaced that India halted exports without prior notice.

College teacher Mukib Mia was arrested from the residence of the Deputy Registrar of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University for distributing leaflets in Dhaka demanding the resignation of the interim government. As there was already a case against him at Shahbagh police station, he was detained and sent there. He faced further trouble after pictures of him distributing the leaflets—reportedly under the directive of Sheikh Hasina, who is accused of crimes against humanity—went viral on social media.

The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has permanently expelled 8 students and imposed various disciplinary actions on 33 others, while issuing warnings to 27 students. The decision came after an administrative investigation found them guilty of violating university regulations based on student complaints. Twelve students have been suspended for six semesters, while six others face two-semester suspensions. However, the expulsion orders remain conditional—if they commit further offenses, the punishments will be enforced. Additionally, seven students have been expelled from the dormitories.

The family of Shaikh Ashhabul Yamin, the first martyr of the anti-discrimination student movement who was shot by police in Savar, obstructed efforts to exhume his body for an autopsy. As a result, the magistrate suspended the exhumation process. After failing to convince the parents, they formally objected to the exhumation, citing Yamin’s status as a martyr. The magistrate acknowledged their stance and stated that any further decision would be taken by the court.

The reports of various sectoral reform commissions formed by the interim government will be published on February 8, according to advisor Asif Nazrul. He stated that the heads of the reform commissions are currently meeting with the Chief Advisor at the state guesthouse Jamuna. The commissions will present recommendations in three categories—immediate, mid-term, and post-election. These reports will then be shared with all political parties and stakeholders in the mass uprising. Following this, the first official meeting of the National Consensus Commission will take place based on mutual agreements. The advisor expects this process to begin in mid-February.

Shakib Al Hasan is set to be excluded from the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) 2025 central contract after nearly 17 years, as he remains in political exile. The new contract includes 5 players for all formats, with notable inclusions like Najmul Hossain Shanto and Liton Kumar Das. Some players like Mahmudullah will receive only ODI contracts, while others, like Rishad Hossain, will join the T20 squad. A special category for players with flexible roles in the team is also proposed, offering higher pay than the central contract.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a directive urging government officials to update their employment-related information in the Government Employee Management System (GEMS). Failure to do so is causing delays and complications in promotions and postings. The officials are required to provide a recent photograph, posting details, education records, and contact information. Non-compliance will be treated as misconduct, with potential disciplinary actions under the Government Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.

Students at Jahangirnagar University have locked the administrative building, demanding the complete abolition of the ward quota in undergraduate admissions. In response, university employees announced an indefinite strike starting Wednesday to reinstate the quota. Tensions escalated when employees tore down anti-quota posters, and reports emerged of a student being pushed. Previously, students had staged a hunger strike, leading the administration to amend the quota system. However, employees rejected the changes, intensifying the standoff between the two groups.