A boat carrying 65 migrants has sunk off the coast of Libya, according to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry. While some Pakistani nationals have been identified among the victims, the identities of others remain unknown. The boat capsized near the port of Marsa Dela in Libya's Zawiya city. The Pakistani embassy has sent a team to identify the deceased. Earlier in January, another migrant boat carrying 86 passengers sank en route to Spain, with 66 Pakistanis among them. Such tragedies often occur as migrants risk their lives in search of a better future.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has strongly discouraged the import of meat and eggs, stating that under no circumstances will the government allow such imports. She warned that bringing in these products could introduce zoonotic diseases to the country and devastate local farms. Despite appeals from traders and diplomats, she reaffirmed her stance against imports. At a discussion, she also announced the establishment of a department under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to support families of those injured or martyred in the July uprising. She directed the Department of Livestock to collaborate with this initiative.

Election Commissioner Md. Aminul Islam Sarkar has stated that preparations are underway to hold the national elections by December. He emphasized that there is no alternative to conducting a fair election. Speaking at a discussion on updating the voter list for 2025, he sought cooperation from various political groups. He mentioned that the preparatory exercises have been completed, and reforms will be implemented based on political consensus. For the first time, 1.6 million deceased voters have been removed from the voter list.

Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus cautioned against rushed justice, stating it often leads to injustice. Speaking at an event in Tejgaon, Dhaka, where financial aid was provided to families of July uprising martyrs and the injured, he emphasized the need for fair investigations. Yunus asserted that criminals must face the law, but innocent individuals should be guided towards a better path. Urging vigilance against violence, he honored the sacrifices of the uprising, recognizing the martyrs’ families as part of the nation’s history.

A Dhaka court has ordered Interpol to issue a Red Alert for the arrest of former IGP Benazir Ahmed, following an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) petition. Benazir is accused of amassing ৳9.44 crore in illegal assets and concealing ৳2.62 crore. His family members are also implicated in corruption cases totaling over ৳62 crore. The Bangladesh Retired Police Officers Welfare Association has demanded his extradition, condemning his alleged involvement in crimes and his recent social media statements against the state.

A heated debate has emerged over bilingual signage at London’s Whitechapel Metro Station after British MP Rupert Lowe demanded that station names be written only in English. He shared a photo of the Bengali-English sign, stating, “This is London—signs should be in English, only in English!” His statement quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions on social media. Tech billionaire Elon Musk also supported Lowe’s stance with a brief comment. The debate continues as opinions remain divided on linguistic inclusivity in public spaces.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized Indian liquor, pharmaceuticals, and contraband worth Tk 1.46 crore at the Sylhet-Sunamganj border. BGB’s 48th Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Haque, reported that the operation was carried out during a routine patrol early Sunday morning. Seized items included sugar, medicines, olive oil, clothing, livestock, oranges, street snacks, and body sprays. A used truck carrying the illegal goods was also confiscated.

On the second day of ‘Devil Hunt’ operations, police in Tongi East and West arrested 19 more Awami League leaders and activists in connection with an attack on students at the residence of former minister A.K.M. Mozammel Haque. Tongi West police confirmed that eight suspects were apprehended overnight, while Tongi East police arrested 11 individuals from various locations. Authorities allege that all detainees were involved in the assault on students at the former minister’s home.

The ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies continues as China enforces retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods starting Monday. The U.S. had earlier imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, prompting China to respond with import duties on selected American products. China has recently imposed a 15% tariff on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a 10% duty on other U.S. goods. In a related move, Chinese regulators have launched an antitrust investigation into Google and placed PVH Corp. on an “unreliable entity” list.

The U.S. Senate is considering a ban on the Chinese AI assistant ‘DeepSeek’ due to national security concerns. Senator Josh Hawley has introduced a bill that imposes severe penalties on businesses and government agencies using the chatbot. Violators could face a personal fine of up to $1 million and a 20-year prison sentence, while corporations could be fined up to $100 million. U.S. authorities claim that DeepSeek’s parent company shares user data with the Chinese government, prompting the move toward an outright ban.

Malaysia has deported 278 detainees, including 23 Bangladeshi nationals, after they completed their sentences for violating immigration and other laws. Following citizenship verification by their respective embassies, the deportees were sent back via air and land routes at their own expense. Malaysia’s immigration authorities confirmed that these individuals have been blacklisted to prevent their return to the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports. According to a Reuters report, the White House is set to make the official announcement on Monday. Trump stated that the U.S. would impose retaliatory tariffs on any country that levies tariffs on American goods, aiming to create trade balance. U.S. government data indicates that Canada is the country’s largest supplier of duty-free goods. The new tariffs are expected to hit Canada and Mexico the hardest.

Teachers recommended in the third phase of recruitment for government primary schools in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions have blocked roads in Shahbagh, bringing traffic to a standstill. They gathered in front of the National Museum on Monday afternoon, protesting the cancellation of their recruitment and demanding immediate appointments. The recommended teachers have labeled the cancellation order as discriminatory and deceptive. They are calling for an immediate reversal of the decision and the finalization of their recruitment.

The High Court has begun hearing the appeal and death reference for those convicted in the murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad. The hearing commenced on February 10 under a bench led by Justices A.K.M. Asaduzzaman and Syed Enayet Hossain. In 2021, a trial court sentenced 20 individuals to death and five others to life imprisonment for the 2019 killing of Abrar Fahad by Bangladesh Chhatra League members. Abrar was brutally beaten to death in his dormitory, and his body was discovered on a stairway corridor at 3 AM.

Journalist Mahmudur Rahman, editor of ‘Amar Desh,’ has been acquitted in the controversial case related to an alleged abduction plot against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court overturned his seven-year prison sentence on Monday. Rahman’s lawyer, Tanvir Ahmed Al-Amin, confirmed the acquittal, and Rahman expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating that he would not have received justice had the Awami League government remained in power.