United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Scholastica to provide special educational opportunities for the children of UCB employees. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at 11 a.m. at UCB’s head office, where Syed Hasnain Mamun, Chief Human Resources Officer of UCB, and Madiha Murshed, Managing Director of Scholastica, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

Senior officials from both institutions attended the event, including UCB’s Additional Managing Director Adnan Masud, Chief Communication Officer Zeeshan Kingshuk Haque, and Scholastica’s Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning Amer Ahmed. The partnership was described by both sides as a timely and effective step toward advancing education and human resource development.

Officials from UCB and Scholastica expressed optimism that the collaboration would strengthen mutual cooperation in the future, supporting broader educational and developmental goals.

The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka has strongly protested recent remarks made by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen concerning China. In a statement posted on the embassy’s official Facebook page, the spokesperson described the ambassador’s comments as irresponsible and completely baseless. The statement was issued following media reports that the US envoy had expressed concern over China’s growing influence in South Asia and warned Bangladesh about potential risks of engagement with Beijing.

According to the embassy’s statement, such remarks create confusion between right and wrong and are driven by ill intent. It emphasized that cooperation between China and Bangladesh is a bilateral matter, leaving no room for interference or involvement from any third party, including the United States. The embassy also urged the US side to act more responsibly in its diplomatic conduct.

The protest highlights ongoing sensitivities surrounding external commentary on China-Bangladesh relations, particularly amid regional discussions about influence and partnership dynamics in South Asia.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen has said he will clearly convey to both the current and future governments of Bangladesh the potential risks of engaging too closely with China. Speaking to journalists in Dhaka six days after assuming office, Christensen reiterated concerns he had raised during his Senate confirmation hearing in October. He emphasized that certain areas of cooperation with China could pose risks, which he intends to outline to both the interim and elected governments.

During a media interaction at the EMK Center in Dhaka, Christensen discussed various aspects of US-Bangladesh relations, highlighting strong and expanding defense cooperation. He noted that the US works with all branches of Bangladesh’s armed forces through joint exercises such as “Tiger Shark” with the Navy and “Tiger Lightning” with the Army. The US provides about $1.5 million annually for professional military education and supports Bangladesh’s defense modernization and peacekeeping capabilities.

Christensen added that the US offers multiple defense options to partner nations and collaborates with allies to identify systems best suited to Bangladesh’s operational and budgetary needs.

Saudi Arabia has sold a record $20 billion worth of bonds since the start of this year, marking the highest in the kingdom’s history and surpassing China in global debt issuance. According to Bloomberg data, the Saudi government directly raised $11.5 billion, while state-controlled firms such as Saudi Electricity, Saudi Telecom, Saudi National Bank, and Riyad Bank borrowed an additional $8.8 billion. These companies, though government-owned, are listed on the Tadawul stock exchange.

Analysts view the surge in borrowing as a reflection of the country’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the oil-dependent economy. The trend indicates that debt pressure is now extending beyond the government to state-owned enterprises. Saudi Arabia became the largest international debt issuer among emerging markets in 2024, a pattern expected to continue through 2026.

Financial Times reported that Saudi banks are increasingly turning to foreign loans. Despite lower oil prices, the kingdom remains relatively stable due to low production costs and substantial foreign currency reserves.

The Advisory Council has approved a general holiday on February 11 ahead of Bangladesh’s national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that industrial workers will also receive leave on February 10, giving them a three-day break. With the weekend following the election, most government employees will enjoy a four-day holiday from February 11 to 14. However, officials directly involved in election duties will not be able to take this extended leave.

According to the Election Commission’s structure, returning officers, assistant returning officers, presiding officers, and polling officers—mostly government employees and teachers—will oversee voting at about 42,000 polling centers nationwide. These officials, along with essential service providers, will continue working during the election period.

Essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, ports, telecommunications, postal operations, sanitation, hospitals, emergency medical services, and related offices will remain open to ensure uninterrupted public service during the election period.

Prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmadullah has shared guidance on voting ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he urged citizens to vote for honest and competent candidates based on their conscience. He explained that if a voter sincerely tries to identify the right person but later finds the choice was wrong, there will be no blame before Allah. Ahmadullah emphasized that the duty of a voter is to select the best available candidate, not to ensure anyone’s victory.

He further stated that votes are never wasted, even if a good person receives few. Such votes can encourage future progress and strengthen honest candidates over time. He cautioned against avoiding good candidates out of fear that they might lose, warning that this mindset allows corrupt individuals to dominate politics.

Ahmadullah concluded by advising voters to support those who protect faith, Islamic values, and national welfare, and to avoid being tempted by money or personal gain, describing voting as a sacred trust before Allah.

At least ten Indian Army personnel were killed and ten others injured on Thursday in a road accident in Doda district of India-administered Kashmir. Officials said the soldiers were traveling in a bulletproof Casspir vehicle that plunged into a deep gorge while moving along the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road. The accident occurred near Khanni Top in a mountainous area, and rescue operations began immediately after the crash.

According to reports, the soldiers were en route to an operation when the vehicle lost control on the difficult terrain. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed condolences over the deaths and said the injured were airlifted to a hospital for treatment. The Indian Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the incident, citing bad weather and treacherous terrain as contributing factors.

India’s Home Minister and Defence Minister issued separate statements expressing sympathy for the families of the deceased and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident.

AB Party chairman and ten-party alliance candidate for Feni-2, Mojibur Rahman Manju, stated that a level playing field has not yet been ensured in the ongoing election process. Speaking to journalists on Thursday afternoon at the central mosque area of Feni city while launching his campaign under the Eagle symbol, he alleged that attacks were continuing in various places, including assaults on women in Dhaka and the death of a RAB member during an operation in Chattogram. He said party workers were being threatened and demanded equal security for all candidates, workers, and voters, warning that otherwise his alliance might reconsider its participation.

Manju emphasized the need for qualitative change and reform of the state, saying that without national-level transformation, local development would not be possible. He noted that the ten-party alliance had united around promises of reform but expressed disappointment that a party proposing 31 reform points had issued a note of dissent in discussions. He also urged expatriates to vote responsibly as overseas voting began, encouraging them to help bring positive change to the country.

The event was conducted by Omar Faruk, president of Feni city Shibir, and attended by several local and regional leaders from allied parties.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to deploy joint forces across the country for 12 days surrounding the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum. The announcement was made by Home Secretary Nasimul Gani following a high-level meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office. The deployment will cover four days before the election, the voting day, and seven days after. Multiple teams from the Ministry of Home Affairs have already begun 24-hour monitoring of the national situation.

According to AHM Shahadat Hossain, AIG (Media) of the Police Headquarters, law enforcement agencies have been instructed to maintain readiness and act immediately upon receiving any information about potential unrest. Candidates and campaign workers have been briefed on conduct guidelines. Meanwhile, 555,958 members of Ansar and VDP will be on duty at 42,766 polling centers, with 13 members assigned to each center.

Ansar spokesperson Md Ashikuzzaman stated that three of the 13 members will be armed, while the rest will carry batons. A total of 1,191 Ansar battalions will serve as striking forces from February 8 to 14, with additional patrols operating earlier in various areas.

Bangladesh suffered a 5-1 defeat to Pakistan in the ongoing SAFF Futsal Championship in Thailand, effectively ending their hopes of winning the title. Despite Pakistan being reduced to four players following a red card, coach Saeed Khodarahmi’s team failed to capitalize on the advantage. The match took place at Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, where Bangladesh missed several early scoring chances before conceding multiple goals.

After five matches, Bangladesh has collected seven points, while Maldives leads the table with 12 points from four straight wins. Pakistan sits in second place with 10 points from five matches. The tournament follows a round-robin format, with the team earning the highest points crowned champion. Bangladesh will face Nepal in their final match on Saturday.

The loss leaves Bangladesh out of title contention, while Maldives and Pakistan remain the leading contenders for the championship based on current standings.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), declared that no new 'looters' would be allowed to come to power. He made the statement on Thursday afternoon at a campaign rally for Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, held at Adarsha School field in Mirpur 10, Dhaka. Nahid Islam attended the event as a special guest and praised the residents of Dhaka-15 for having the Jamaat leader contesting from their constituency.

Addressing the rally, he described Dr. Rahman as a leader of the anti-fascist movement and claimed that a nationwide wave of support for him would be visible on February 12. Nahid Islam urged the government and the Election Commission to ensure a fair and impartial election, warning that any alternative plan would not work. He criticized the BNP’s announcement of distributing various cards, questioning whether they would reach the people and alleging inconsistency in nominating loan defaulters.

He called on voters to support the ten-party alliance’s symbol and vote “yes” in the upcoming election scheduled for February 12.

Bangladesh’s interim government has urged India to ensure the welfare of its minorities, emphasizing mutual respect and restraint in bilateral relations. In an interview with BBC India, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh does not expect any political statements from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently living in exile in India following her ouster in the July revolution. He noted that such activities from Indian soil could negatively affect relations between the two neighbors.

Hossain explained that despite misunderstandings and discomfort, maintaining strong geographical and economic ties remains vital for both countries. He also stated that Bangladesh acts promptly against any incidents of violence targeting minorities and arrests those responsible, asserting that the country has mechanisms to protect its citizens. He added that India should similarly take care of its own minorities.

The adviser further remarked that Hasina’s government had deliberately strained relations with Pakistan, while the current administration seeks friendly ties with both India and Pakistan.

Members of the July Warriors and student representatives submitted a memorandum to Senior Secretary Ehsanul Haque at the Ministry of Public Administration, demanding the appointment of Mohammad Shamsul Alam, a ninth BCS administration cadre officer, as senior secretary. The memorandum, delivered at the Secretariat on Wednesday, emphasized Alam’s seniority and his key role in shaping the July 36 movement. It credited him with unifying the movement’s demands and inspiring participants through his leadership and strategic guidance, even while in exile.

According to the memorandum, Shamsul Alam, a former private secretary to ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, was denied promotions and key responsibilities during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure from 2009 to 2024 for political reasons. The interim government’s chief adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, reinstated him in September 2024 and approved his appointment to a cabinet-level position. However, activists alleged that some influential officials obstructed the process by withholding official notifications and misplacing approved documents.

The senior secretary accepted the memorandum and assured the delegation that he would discuss the matter with the chief adviser and relevant authorities to take positive steps.

Police detained two young men carrying weapons at an election rally of Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated candidate Haji Enayet Ullah in Dhaka-7 constituency. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in the capital’s Chawkbazar area during the rally organized in support of the candidate. According to local Jamaat leader Md. Anisur Rahman, the event was arranged by a business association at Moulvibazar Tower.

During the gathering, reports emerged that three youths were attempting to enter a nearby building with locally made weapons. Party activists, with the help of security guards, managed to capture two of them and informed the police. Officers from Chawkbazar Police Station then arrived at the scene and took the detained individuals, along with the weapons, into custody.

A duty officer at Chawkbazar Police Station stated that the identities of the detainees and their motives for carrying weapons are being verified. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be disclosed after completion. Legal action will be taken based on the findings.

Sri Lanka began their One Day International series against England with a 19-run victory in Colombo. Batting first on a spin-friendly pitch, the hosts posted a total of 271 runs. In reply, England reached 252, with Ben Duckett scoring 62 and Joe Root adding 61, but they fell short of the target.

Kusal Mendis anchored Sri Lanka’s innings with an unbeaten 93 featuring 11 fours, while Janith Liyanage contributed 46 off 53 balls in an 88-run partnership. Dunith Wellalage added a quick 25 from 12 balls with one six and three fours before taking two wickets with the ball, earning him the player of the match award.

The win gives Sri Lanka an early lead in the series, setting up momentum ahead of the remaining matches in the ODI contest.