Students of the Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) have announced a new protest program to press for their four-point demand. They will hold a sit-in protest at the Central Shaheed Minar until noon on February 10 and have threatened to go on a hunger strike if their demands are not met. At a press conference, they revealed that the Health Ministry has assured them of addressing their grievances, but as three of their demands remain unresolved without a specific timeframe, the protest will continue. The students also alleged that police attacked them while they were on their way to meet the health advisor, injuring 60 individuals. Their demands include higher education opportunities, recruitment for vacant posts, creation of new positions, and the continuation of the four-year academic course.

BNP National Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has criticized the double standards regarding financial contributions in politics. Speaking at a BNP workshop in Shahbagh on Sunday, he stated, "When we take money, it’s labeled as extortion, but when they take it, it's called a donation." He also remarked that discussions about elections make some people uncomfortable, emphasizing that a democratic country cannot function without voting rights. He accused those fearing electoral defeat of destabilizing the nation. Abbas urged vigilance against external influences and stated that BNP's goal is to guide the government onto the right path. He further highlighted that BNP’s 31-point agenda includes comprehensive reforms.

The Bangladesh Bank has lodged a formal complaint against ACC Director Kazi Saemuzzam for his social media comments regarding the investigation into bank officials’ safe deposit lockers. The complaint, sent to the ACC Chairman, expresses objections to Saemuzzam’s remarks, which the Central Bank argues violate the Ministry of Public Administration’s policies. The complaint includes examples of his comments, which the Central Bank alleges have caused confusion and been detrimental to its staff.

Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Mohammad Yunus, will be traveling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday. He will lead a delegation to the World Government Summit, which will take place from February 11-13. According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Rofiqul Alam, an invitation has been extended by the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This year’s summit will focus on enhancing effective partnerships between governments and increasing global dialogue and cooperation to bridge the gap between governments and citizens.

Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on taking children as companions for the 2025 Hajj season. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that this decision is to ensure the safety of children amidst the large crowds. Priority will be given to first-time pilgrims. Hajj pilgrims must verify their information, register companions, and request changes to their mahrams through the Nusuk app or online. The Saudi authorities have emphasized preparation before the sale of Hajj packages and have initiated the process through the Nusuk platform.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has failed to find any safe deposit lockers under the names of 25 officials, including former governor Abdur Rouf Talukder. According to ACC Director Kazi Saemuzzaman, investigations related to the 25 officials’ alleged involvement have not yielded any lockers. The ACC has also received further complaints, and investigations will continue with court approval. To date, the ACC has identified 272 safe deposit lockers.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), which sells subsidized goods across the country, has sent out 5.7 million Smart Family Cards to district administrations and city corporations. An additional 600,000 cards are being printed, with data collection ongoing for 1.5 million more cards. The cards are provided free of charge to eligible consumers. Local administrations and city corporations are responsible for selecting beneficiaries, collecting data, and monitoring the distribution of goods. The interim government has started this card distribution initiative, following the cancellation of 10 million cards due to irregularities during the previous administration.

Ahead of the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers against India, Bangladesh has announced a 38-member preliminary squad. The match is set to take place in Shillong, India. The squad includes Hamza Chowdhury, who recently transferred to Sheffield United from an English Premier League club, and Fahmidul Islam, who plays for Italian club Olbia Calcio. Among the 38 players, the highest number—14—are from Bashundhara Kings, while 8 players are from Abahani.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled that the Ukraine war may soon end after a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is the first direct communication between the leaders in years. Trump also proposed that Ukraine share its mineral resources in exchange for U.S. support. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is open to negotiations, seeking U.S. security guarantees, and could meet with Trump soon. He stresses the importance of direct talks with Trump before any discussions with Putin.

US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to suspend American aid to South Africa. According to Reuters, this move criticizes the South African government’s law that allows for the expropriation of land from white farmers, a policy the Trump administration deems discriminatory. Trump accused the South African government of seizing land from minority white farmers through legislation passed in January. Johannesburg has denied these allegations. Trump also expressed frustration over South Africa’s stance on the genocide accusations against Israel and its alliance with Iran.

Bangladesh’s economy has made a strong recovery, with key indicators showing significant improvement, according to Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam. Speaking at a press briefing, he stated that macroeconomic stability has returned, with foreign reserves at $20 billion, covering 3.5 months of imports. Export growth has reached 10%, new jobs are being created, and inflation has dropped from 12% to 9%. The government expects inflation to fall further to 7.5% by July, ensuring price stability during Ramadan.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha acknowledged India’s dependence on Bangladesh, stating that both nations need each other. Speaking at a press conference in Agartala, he highlighted completed but stalled projects like the Maitri Bridge and the Agartala-Akhaura rail link. Recent tensions, including attacks on Bangladesh’s consular office in Tripura, led to a diplomatic strain. However, Saha expressed hope that once conditions stabilize, these projects will resume, stressing that Bangladesh, too, cannot function without India’s support.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed India’s statement regarding the vandalism and arson attack at Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence on Dhanmondi 32 as “unwanted” and an interference in the country’s internal affairs. The ministry’s spokesperson, Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, stated that Bangladesh does not expect such remarks from India. He also pointed out that the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s political statements from India are not being well received by the people of Bangladesh. The government has already clarified its position regarding the unrest that followed her speech on February 5.

This year, Mehedi Hasan Khan, the creator of the Avro Keyboard, was nominated for the Ekushey Padak in the Science and Technology category. However, three more contributors to the Avro project will also receive the prestigious award. Filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki revealed that Mehedi Hasan initially declined the award. Nevertheless, the authorities proceeded with the decision to honor him. Later, Mehedi Hasan stated that he did not want to take full credit for Avro’s success alone. He acknowledged the contributions of his three collaborators—Rifat Nabi, Tanbin Islam, and Shabab Mustafa. In recognition of their role in the project, the decision was made to award the Ekushey Padak to all four of them.

In a nationwide crackdown under Operation Devil Hunt, law enforcement agencies arrested 1,308 individuals to maintain law and order. The police headquarters confirmed the arrests on Sunday, stating that 274 were apprehended in metropolitan areas and 1,034 in regional zones. The interim government launched the operation to bring criminals under legal action. The decision was made on Saturday during a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs, where law enforcement agencies coordinated their efforts for the large-scale operation.