The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has detained a Bangladeshi cattle trader at the Naogaon border. On Tuesday night, a group of 8-10 cattle traders crossed the Adatla border into India to bring back cattle. While returning, the BSF patrol chased them, and while the others managed to escape, Sirajul Islam was captured. Lieutenant Colonel Sadikur Rahman, commander of the 16 BGB Battalion, stated that efforts are underway to bring back the detained youth.

The Administrative Reform Commission has proposed dividing Bangladesh into four provinces and creating separate divisions for Comilla and Faridpur. It also recommends the formation of a Greater Dhaka Capital City with Dhaka and Narayanganj, along with a separate police unit for immigration. Additionally, the commission suggests establishing three Public Service Commissions. The Judicial Reform Commission has also recommended the recruitment of attorneys via a service exam to ensure judicial independence. The recommendations were submitted to the Chief Advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The Public Administration Reform Commission has proposed allowing government employees to retire with full pension benefits after 15 years of service. The recommendation, made by the commission, aims to provide an option for employees who wish to transition in their careers. Currently, government employees are eligible for retirement benefits, including pensions, after 25 years of service. The proposal seeks to offer more flexibility and career options to public sector workers.

Saudi Arabia has strongly opposed Donald Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians and allow the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that any attempt to expel Palestinians will not be accepted, and the country’s position on the Palestinian issue is non-negotiable. Saudi Arabia also stated that it will not normalize relations with Israel until an independent Palestinian state is established, reiterating its firm stance on the matter.

Protests have erupted globally, with hundreds of people gathering outside the White House in Washington D.C. against Trump’s threat to occupy Gaza. Demonstrators condemned Israel’s weapons supply and Trump’s desire for ethnic cleansing. Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and others have condemned the proposal, stressing the need for a two-state solution. International organizations and political figures warned that Trump’s actions could destabilize the region, leading to widespread conflict and violating international law.

Hasnat Abdullah, convenor of the anti-discrimination student movement, and Sargis Alam, chief organizer of the Citizen Committee, have posted on their verified Facebook pages seeking public opinions on a new political party. The party, which will be led by students and youth, is expected to be launched this month. In their post, they ask the public to share their preferences for the party’s structure through a short form, taking only five minutes to complete.

A major fire broke out at Kolkata Airport on Wednesday near the conveyor belt, but no casualties have been reported. The fire began during welding work when sparks ignited a flex, causing it to spread to nearby items. The airport staff managed to control the fire within 15 minutes before the fire services arrived. Despite the scare, flight operations were not affected. This incident raised concerns ahead of the World Bengal Business Summit, which began on the same day.

The Public Administration Reform Commission has recommended the formation of a ‘Capital City Government,’ federally controlled like New Delhi, to manage the sprawling Dhaka Metropolitan Area. The proposal, presented to the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, includes additional reforms such as dividing the country into four provinces and changing the titles of deputy commissioners. This comes as part of the broader state reform efforts, with six commissions submitting their reports so far.

The Home Affairs Advisor has stated that efforts are underway to arrest those involved in the July uprising murders who have fled abroad. Among the 105 accused in the International Crimes Tribunal, 35 have been arrested, which has caused some anger. When asked about the public’s satisfaction with the law and order situation, the advisor said that the public can answer that, and the media colleagues can compare the current situation with when they took on their responsibilities. Efforts are being made to bring back foreign criminals through Interpol’s red alerts.

The National Revenue Board has exempted VAT on the fees, hotel charges, and hospitality expenses of foreign doctors who came to treat those injured in the anti-discrimination student movement. This exemption has been granted under the powers conferred by Section 23 of the Income Tax Act.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has declared that Awami League should be banned from Bangladeshi politics, citing alleged genocide and crimes against humanity. He criticized what he described as contradictions in government actions—calling for Awami League’s prohibition while still allowing their programs and using police to suppress opposition activities. Salahuddin emphasized that BNP had previously proposed amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act to prosecute Awami League as an organization. He warned that any political or administrative decision to regulate Awami League’s activities without a formal trial would be a weak move.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has received the report from the Judiciary and Public Administration Reform Commission. Although the report was scheduled for submission last month, the commission’s head stated that fieldwork delayed the process. The report contains over 100 recommendations, though specifics were not disclosed. The commission was initially formed on October 8 to address reforms in public administration and the judiciary.

Police have arrested Sujanagar Upazila Awami League President and Mayor Abdul Ohab. Earlier, 12 individuals were arrested in connection with his forcible release from police custody. Locals claim that Ohab surrendered voluntarily, while police state that he was arrested based on secret intelligence while in hiding. Ohab had been previously arrested last Saturday but was forcefully taken away by hundreds of Awami League activists and local residents.

An Indian citizen, Akhtar Jamal Roni, was shot by the Border Security Force (BSF) while returning from Bangladesh illegally on Tuesday (Feb 4). According to BSF Tripura Frontier, Roni had entered Bangladesh on Monday to attend a religious event and was accompanied by a woman. BSF claims they fired in self-defense following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). While Roni was injured and taken to GBP Hospital in Agartala, the woman managed to escape to a nearby village.

In a meeting with Nirapad, an organization working for worker safety, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus stated that labor law reforms are being undertaken to meet International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. During the meeting, Special Envoy of the Chief Advisor, Lutfi Siddiqui, mentioned that the government has already signed an 18-point agreement with labor unions and manufacturers, bringing stability to the sector. Nirapad Chairperson Simon Sultana thanked the Chief Advisor for initiating these reforms in the garment sector.