Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to clash today in a highly anticipated match. While Pakistan once dominated, India has won five of their last six encounters, with one match ending without a result. After losing their first Champions Trophy match against New Zealand, Pakistan is already under pressure. All eyes are on the key matchups: Rohit Sharma vs. Shaheen Afridi, Shubman Gill vs. Naseem Shah, and Virat Kohli vs. Haris Rauf. The excitement is at its peak as fans await the outcome of this epic battle.

A severe funding crisis has halted government incentives for leather and garment exports, while tax revenues continue to decline. Amid this turmoil, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has withheld loan disbursements until at least June. The government faces financial strain due to subsidies in electricity, fertilizer, food, and LNG sectors, while foreign debt and interest payments have also surged. Economic uncertainty is mounting, with inflation rising, foreign reserves dwindling, and exchange rates becoming unstable. The IMF has conditioned the loan on subsidy reductions, but the government remains reluctant to comply.

As part of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Hamas recently released four Israeli hostages. The handover took place on Saturday evening through the Red Cross, with the Israeli military receiving them. Witnesses at the exchange site in Nuseirat reported seeing the hostages smiling. In a striking moment, one of the hostages kissed a Hamas fighter on the forehead. The Israeli military confirmed the release and stated that the hostages would be taken to a hospital for evaluation. Previously, Hamas had released two other hostages, one of whom had been held since 2014.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt has stated that President Donald Trump is confident in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. According to her, Trump is focused on negotiating with both sides and could finalize a deal as early as this week. Additionally, the U.S. is working on a proposed natural resources agreement with Ukraine, which Trump believes will help the U.S. recover its financial assistance. The White House claims that this agreement will also support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction efforts.

Chittagong University has decided to rename six of its facilities, including three residential halls. The new names are as follows: • Shahid Farhad Hossain Hall (formerly Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall) • Shahid Hridoy Tarua Building (formerly Abu Yusuf Building) • Bijoy 24 Hall (formerly Janonetri Sheikh Hasina Hall) • Nawab Faizunnesa Hall (formerly Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall) • July Revolution Park (formerly Bangabandhu Udyan) • Chittagong University Gymnasium (formerly Sheikh Kamal Gymnasium) Additionally, the decision to cancel the academic certificate of master’s student Afsana Enayet Emi has been suspended, though her permanent expulsion remains in effect. A committee has been formed to review the statements of two other expelled students.

Students staging a sit-in at Dhaka University’s Raju Sculpture have declared Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her party Awami League, and its allies as fascist, releasing a list of their ministers, advisers, and MPs. They demand their arrest and sentencing from 7 to 14 years, along with a ban on their electoral participation. The protest, which began on February 13, has shifted to an indefinite sit-in. Protesters also presented a five-point demand, including banning the Awami League and confiscating its assets.

A pedestrian, Md. Akhtar Hossain (52), was killed after being struck by a falling brick from an under-construction building in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The incident occurred around 6 PM on Saturday in the Madhya Kunipara area under the Tejgaon Industrial Police Station. Akhtar Hossain, a father of two, was on his way to offer Maghrib prayers when a brick fell from the fifth-floor rooftop of the building during rainfall, causing severe head injuries. He was first taken to Samorita Hospital and later transferred to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital at around 8 PM, where doctors declared him dead.

Under immense pressure from a record run chase, Australia found themselves at 136 for 4 while chasing 352. That’s when Josh Inglis emerged as a superhuman force. His unbeaten century powered Australia to victory with 15 balls and five wickets in hand, dismantling England’s massive total. England had earlier set a daunting target of 351 runs in 50 overs, with batter Ben Duckett scoring a record-breaking 165—the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. Previously, the record was held jointly by Nathan Astle and Grant Flower, both scoring 145. Yet, despite Duckett’s heroics, England faced a bitter defeat!

On Saturday evening, retired military officers held a discussion with the National Citizens’ Committee. A former army officer stated that families of retired military personnel collectively hold over 10 million votes. “In the upcoming election, these 10 million votes will be our reserve,” he claimed, adding that they have already aligned with ‘Janak’ on this matter. Many BNP members have also joined their cause. Nasiruddin Patwari emphasized, “We must unite and fight with the next ballot in mind.” Addressing student organizations, he cautioned, “Move carefully, or you will end up like the Chhatra League.” Meanwhile, Sargis Alam urged former military officers to protest against injustice wherever it occurs.

BNP’s Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moin Khan has assured that his party will establish the rights of every worker if they come to power. Speaking at a meeting of the BNP-affiliated labor wing on Saturday, he urged CNG auto-rickshaw drivers to maintain discipline on the roads while serving people. During the discussion, the labor group presented 12 demands, of which Dr. Moin Khan endorsed 10. He stated, “If we assume power through a fair election, fulfilling your rightful demands will be our first priority.” Speakers at the event also called for an end to double penalties on all legal fines and proposed setting a fixed fine of 1,000 Taka per case, among other demands.

Advisor Asif Nazrul is deeply missing his writing days. In a long Facebook post, he expressed, “My advisor life has taken away my sleep, left me disheartened, and shaken my trust in people to some extent.” He further wrote, “At the end of January last year, my novel Ami Abu Bakr was published. It went into ten reprints within a month. I wrote it with great courage—it highlights the brutal oppression faced by students in universities under the pretext of Jamaat-Shibir-Razakar labels.” Many advised him to be cautious after the book’s release. Later, as July arrived with changes and responsibilities, he wrote another book, Sheikh Hasinar Antimkal (The Final Days of Sheikh Hasina). He shared the good news that the second edition of this book has already sold out.

The BNP in Narayanganj’s Rupganj upazila organized a rally to push for the implementation of its 31-point agenda aimed at reforming the state structure. The gathering took place at the RAJUK field, where speakers emphasized the need to eliminate discrimination and build a positive and inclusive nation to honor the sacrifices of martyrs. They called for resisting communal incitement, ensuring legal action against extremists, and safeguarding the country’s hard-earned independence from conspiracies. The speakers also stressed the importance of curbing violence, vandalism, extortion, and land grabbing to maintain peace and stability. The rally concluded with a call for unity in implementing the 31-point reform plan presented by BNP leader Tarique Rahman.

At the beginning of January, director Alok Hasan announced a new film titled Togor, featuring Ador Azad and actress Dighi. However, recent updates reveal that Dighi has been dropped from the project. In the motion poster, actress Puja Cherry has replaced her. Addressing the change, the director stated that he had multiple reasons for replacing Dighi but chose not to disclose them. He added that Puja Cherry is a perfect fit for the role. Cherry mentioned that she initially declined the offer but later agreed after the director convinced her.

After visiting the former residence of deposed leader Sheikh Hasina, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam posted on social media, describing Gonobhaban as a “deserted graveyard of arrogance and power.” He stated, “I visited the once-magnificent ‘Gonobhaban’ to collect evidence. Just like tyrants such as Nimrod, Pharaoh, Marcos, or Bashar al-Assad, Sheikh Hasina had to flee her luxurious palace.” The post included images of scattered documents and garbage, with graffiti on the walls demanding justice. Tajul Islam questioned whether future autocrats would learn from this downfall.

On Saturday, the Discrimination Resistance Student Movement expelled its Rangpur district organizer, Tanzim Alam Tasin, after a leaked phone call revealed his involvement in a plot to assassinate the district’s convenor and secretary. The district secretary expressed shock over the revelation but stated that the movement would not be deterred. The district convenor remarked that he was speechless, recalling how they had fought together in the July Revolution and worked tirelessly for Bangladesh’s future. He added that while the discovery was unsettling, the organization had taken necessary disciplinary action.