At the inauguration of canal excavation in Mirpur-13’s Baunia Canal, three interim government advisors walked on a red carpet to board a floating excavator, sparking criticism. DNCC clarified that the carpet was a safety measure, not an official ceremony. The temporary platform was muddy and steep, and the excavator’s floor was slippery, necessitating the use of a red mat for safe movement. DNCC emphasized that there was no extravagance or misuse of funds and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and public safety.

The court has issued a travel ban against four individuals, including former Awami League Minister for Liberation War Affairs, A.K.M. Mozammel Haque, following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The former minister is under investigation for allegations of receiving contractor commissions, irregularities, laundering illicit wealth abroad, and accumulating assets beyond known sources of income under his and his family’s names. The other three individuals facing travel bans are Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Farid Aziz, former Commissioner Mohammad Belal Hossain Chowdhury, and his wife, Hosna Ferdous Sumi. The ACC has also formed an investigation committee against them on charges of embezzlement, corruption, and money laundering.

Information and Broadcasting Advisor Nahid Islam has stated that BNP’s allegations regarding the government’s impartiality are unjustified. He remarked that the government has prioritized the advice of political parties, making BNP’s claims of bias unreasonable. He also noted that despite the interest of many in getting involved, young people have not formed political parties to maintain trust among existing parties. He cautioned against any speculation regarding the removal of Dr. Yunus or other matters, emphasizing that national unity remains intact. He further asserted that the government could not have functioned without the cooperation of political parties and hopes that this collaboration will continue in the future.

Education Advisor Professor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud has stated that there is no scope for granting special privileges to Titumir College. He believes that Rajshahi College should be upgraded to a university at this moment, as it is one of the oldest colleges in Bangladesh. He also urged students of Titumir College to return to classes and avoid causing public inconvenience. Addressing the issue of Dhaka University and the seven affiliated colleges, he noted that since neither side prefers the current arrangement, steps are being taken to establish a separate university for the seven colleges. He further added that setting a strict deadline for fulfilling students’ demands is not desirable.

In the Mirpur 13 section, three advisors inaugurated the canal renovation project by walking on a red carpet placed over the temporary bridge of the canal. Present at the event were advisors Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adilur Rahman Khan, and Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan! When asked about the red carpet, she said, “I didn’t notice it.” She also mentioned that the goal is to make three rivers pollution-free by February. Each river contains five meters of plastic. An ADB team will visit on February 16, who will share their experiences of river restoration in China, Nepal, and Indonesia, said advisor Rizwana Hasan.

China has pledged to take countermeasures against the 10% tariff imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese imports but has not escalated tensions immediately. Unlike the confrontational approach seen during Trump’s first term, Beijing’s response remains measured. On Sunday, China condemned the US move while signaling openness to negotiations to prevent further deterioration of trade relations. The measured stance suggests China aims to balance retaliation with diplomacy, keeping the possibility of resolution through talks or a challenge in the WTO.

Canada has imposed 25% retaliatory tariffs on $155bn worth of US goods, mirroring President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. Prime Minister Trudeau emphasized standing up for Canadians while warning of economic consequences. The tariffs target American beer, wine, household appliances, and more. Economists predict rising consumer prices as the trade war escalates. The White House defends tariffs as a crackdown on drug trafficking, but Trudeau refutes security concerns. Trump signals further tariff hikes if met with retaliation, deepening tensions between the neighboring nations.

India’s special security forces have confirmed the deaths of eight Maoist rebels during an operation in central India. The clash occurred early Saturday morning in the forests of Chhattisgarh. Over the past decade, the insurgency has claimed 10,000 lives, including 287 deaths this year alone. Maoist rebels claim to be fighting for marginalized indigenous communities. Last year, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah declared that the insurgency would be completely crushed by 2026.

At a seminar titled “Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts Problem: Political Thoughts on Resolution”, organized at the National Press Club, Gana Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan alleged that students are forming a new ‘Kings Party’ with Dr. Yunus as its brand ambassador. He questioned how the term ‘Indigenous’ entered textbooks under the current government and accused a faction of hijacking the 2024 movement. Expressing frustration over Yunus being internationally presented as a mastermind, Rashed claimed he had never seen him involved in movements over the past 15 years.

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.

Indian news outlet Zee 24 Ghanta misrepresented Bangladesh’s poverty by using an image actually taken in India. The photo, showing children standing in line with plates, was from New Delhi in 2020, where slum children waited for free food during the COVID-19 lockdown. A reverse image search confirmed its prior use by CNBC and Getty Images. Despite this, the misleading image was intentionally used to depict Bangladesh’s poverty, raising concerns about journalistic integrity in Indian media.

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.