After a surge in meat prices during Shab-e-Barat, the costs of beef, chicken, and mutton have returned to normal. Beef is now Tk 750 per kg, down from Tk 800, while mutton dropped by Tk 50 to Tk 1,100 per kg. Broiler chicken prices have also stabilized after a temporary hike. Fish prices, which had risen by Tk 20–30 per kg, are also adjusting. Meanwhile, vegetable prices remain unchanged, with tomatoes at Tk 20, potatoes at Tk 20, and green chilies at Tk 40–60 per kg.

The US has tightened visa renewal rules for Indian applicants, making the process more complicated. The renewal period for B1 and B2 visas has been reduced from 48 months to 12 months, forcing applicants to renew more frequently. This change is expected to increase congestion at US embassies, making interview appointments harder to secure. Currently, the wait time for visa interviews in major Indian cities ranges from 415 to 440 days. These new restrictions will significantly extend the overall waiting period for US visas.

The date of the next election will be determined by the July Charter, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Speaking to journalists in Dhaka, he mentioned that the election could be held by December, with some reforms implemented before that. A six-month National Consensus Commission will discuss reforms with political parties, aiming for an agreement. The political dialogue, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has begun, with major opposition leaders participating to shape Bangladesh’s democratic transition.

Political parties have begun discussions with the National Consensus Commission, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The meeting started at 3:00 PM at the Foreign Service Academy, Dhaka. Leaders from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, LDP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and other parties attended. The government recently formed the seven-member commission, appointing Dr. Ali Riaz as Vice Chairman. Delegations from various parties, including Jamaat and Islami Andolan, participated. Dr. Yunus is set to address the gathering on the commission’s role in shaping the transition.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted that Ukraine's survival would be difficult without continued US support. In an interview with 'Meet the Press,' he stated, "It would be very, very, very difficult." Former US President Donald Trump previously discussed ceasefire negotiations with both Vladimir Putin and Zelensky. Trump also commented that Ukraine’s NATO membership is unrealistic and expressed doubts about Kyiv regaining all its lost territories. Zelensky, however, accused Russia of seeking a ceasefire merely to regroup and prepare for further aggression, asserting that Ukraine must reclaim all its occupied land and receive NATO-like security assurances.

Thousands of Yemenis gathered in the Sa'ada province to show solidarity with Palestinians and protest against the United States' proposed resettlement of Gazans. On Friday, demonstrations took place across various districts, with protestors waving Palestinian and Yemeni flags while condemning the plan. They also expressed support for the Ansarullah movement. Mohammad Ali, a member of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, warned the US against underestimating Yemen’s military capabilities, declaring that Washington’s plan would not succeed.

The controversy surrounding unpaid wages in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has now extended to the Dhaka Premier League (DPL). Cricketer Munim Shahriar has accused Partex Sporting Club of failing to pay his dues. Shahriar, who played for Partex during the 2023-24 season, revealed that a year has passed since the tournament ended, yet he has not received his full payment. Despite repeated assurances, the club has stopped responding. In a Facebook post, he mentioned that club representative Sajjad Saheb and his son Jarif had initially promised payment before the season ended, but they have failed to fulfill their commitment even after multiple follow-ups.

Renowned West Bengal singer Pratul Mukhopadhyay, best known for the song 'Ami Banglay Gaan Gai' (I Sing in Bengali), has passed away at the age of 83. He died on Saturday morning at SSKM Hospital, where he had been admitted since early January. After losing consciousness on February 11, he was moved to the ICU but could not recover. Some of his other popular songs include 'Charlie Chaplin' and 'Dinga Bhawsao Alu Becho.' Born in Barisal, Bangladesh, in 1942, he was known among Naxalites as ‘Sejda Comrade.’ His first solo album, 'Jete Hobe,' was released in 1994.

US Vice President JD Vance has warned European allies about internal threats, accusing European governments of extreme censorship and failure to manage uncontrolled immigration. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he stated, "Russia and China are not Europe’s biggest threats—the real danger comes from straying away from shared values with the United States." He criticized the cancellation of Romania’s presidential election following evidence of Russian disinformation, questioning the decision’s legitimacy. He also identified immigration as a major challenge and voiced support for Europe’s right-wing parties.

The possibility of the Russia-Ukraine war escalating into a nuclear conflict has gained some credibility after a devastating drone attack struck Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear reactor. The attack damaged sections of the reactor’s protective walls, according to the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The incident also caused a fire within the reactor. The IAEA described this as the most severe accident in Chernobyl’s history since the 1986 disaster. Ukraine has blamed Russia for the attack, but Moscow has denied any involvement.

Former US President Donald Trump announced that India has agreed to purchase oil and gas from the United States. Following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump stated that Washington and New Delhi would work together to counter the threat of 'Islamic extremism.' Trump also accused India of imposing higher tariffs on American products than any other country. Earlier, he had threatened a reciprocal tariff policy, warning that the US would impose tariffs at the same rate India does.

BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has declared that national elections must take precedence over local elections. He warned that delaying the elections would further discredit the government. Speaking at a roundtable discussion, he said, "For 17 years, we have witnessed the dire consequences of rigged elections. Nobody imagined that the momentum of the 1990 movement would be abruptly halted. Political science has had to incorporate a new chapter—where voters are instructed via loudspeakers not to go to polling stations, and elections are held overnight." He further stated that when state power is misused to conduct one-sided elections, it results in severe oppression of the opposition, which is beyond description.

Since independence, Bangladesh has seen the rise of various political parties, with BNP being the largest among them. The Jatiya Party also held power through controversial elections but managed to establish certain regional vote banks. For decades, the country's political landscape has been dominated by Awami League and BNP. However, a new student-led party is emerging as a centrist force, steering clear of extreme right or left ideologies. Akhtar Hossain, the party's secretary, emphasized their commitment to equality, justice, and good governance. Samanta Sharmin stated that they aim to engage in politics driven by rights, responsibilities, and empathy. The party also draws inspiration from the success of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Imran Khan, and Arvind Kejriwal's political movements.

At least 10 people were killed, and 19 others injured in a collision between a bus and a car in Uttar Pradesh, India. According to NDTV, the victims were traveling to the Maha Kumbh Mela for a ritual bath at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has directed authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and arrange relief efforts. Earlier, on January 29, a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela resulted in 30 deaths and 60 injuries. The event, which started on January 13, is set to conclude on February 26.

Calling for self-reflection, Hasnat Abdullah stated, "We do not want a country where microphones are snatched away from religious scholars and clerics are thrown into jail by pulling their beards." He further emphasized, "We do not want an incompetent government to rule the country. We want a Bangladesh where every individual can practice their religion freely." Speaking at a gathering, the leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement urged people to acknowledge their mistakes. He also pointed out that at an age when people should be taking responsibility for their families, they are instead having to work on reforming the state. Additionally, he called on people to refrain from bribery and favoritism.