Twenty bodies have been recovered from the Mediterranean coast near Brega, Libya, and buried in Ajdabiya. The Libyan Red Crescent suspects they are Bangladeshi migrants, but the Bangladesh Embassy has yet to confirm this. The bodies were in a decomposed state, and no identification documents were found. Local authorities believe a migrant boat capsized, causing the deaths. The Bangladesh Embassy is in close contact with Libyan officials and has arranged to send a team to investigate and take necessary actions.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 was inaugurated by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the Bangla Academy premises on February 1 at 4 PM. This year’s theme is “July Mass Uprising: Building a New Bangladesh.” The event began with the national anthem, followed by speeches from Abul Kasem Fazlul Haq, President of Bangla Academy, and Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki also addressed the audience. The fair aims to celebrate literature and national history.

The Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, Muhammad Yunus, has instructed an urgent investigation into the death of Jubodol leader Mohammad Touhidur Rahman (40), who died while in police custody during a Comilla operation. His family claims he was tortured after his arrest on January 31. The army has removed the relevant camp commander, and a high-level committee has been set up to investigate the cause of death and hold those responsible accountable.

A new political party formed by students who led the July movement is set to launch soon. Nahid Islam, former information advisor to the interim government, is rumored to lead the party. Discussions are ongoing about other key positions. The party plans to announce its formation after a long march from Shaheed Abu Sayeed’s home to Shaheed Wasim’s in Chattogram. The party’s leadership structure is still being finalized, and applications for registration with the Election Commission are underway.

Ferry services on the Daulatdia-Paturia route resumed after nearly 11 hours of suspension due to dense fog. The fog, which started around midnight on Friday, reduced visibility, causing safety concerns and halting operations. As visibility improved around 10:45 AM on Saturday, ferry services resumed, with 15 ferries operating to transport vehicles and passengers. Priority is being given to emergency services, including ambulances and buses. The disruption caused significant delays, with vehicles waiting up to 2 kilometers on the highway.

U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended foreign aid programs as part of his “America First” policy. The suspension will last three months while aid projects are reviewed for alignment with U.S. policies. In 2023, Ukraine received the highest U.S. aid, totaling $16.62 billion. Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt are also major recipients. The decision affects global health programs, including PEPFAR, and could lead to mass layoffs in aid-dependent sectors. Bangladesh, which received $550 million, will see job losses, but Rohingya aid remains unaffected.

BNP has drafted a proposal for the July Uprising declaration and is consulting allied parties for consensus before finalizing it. While BNP acknowledges the student movement’s efforts, differences exist in terminology and approach. BNP refers to the Liberation War as “Muktijuddho,” while students call it “Jonojuddho.” Students demand constitutional reforms before elections, whereas BNP prioritizes elections first. Both emphasize justice for past crimes but differ on scope. BNP plans to finalize the declaration after further discussions with allies.

Students of Government Titumir College blocked a major intersection in Dhaka, Gulshan-1, demanding their college be upgraded to a full-fledged university. They cite long-standing demands and a lack of response from authorities, including a hunger strike by students. The students presented a seven-point demand list, including state recognition, new departments, improved facilities, and qualified teachers. They vow to continue their protest until their demands are met.

The press wing of Bangladesh’s interim government has strongly condemned a report by Indian media outlet Anandabazar Online about a supposed military coup in Dhaka. The government labeled the report as false, fabricated, and part of an information warfare campaign aimed at influencing Bangladesh’s political landscape. It accused Indian media of using hybrid warfare tactics to support Sheikh Hasina’s government and undermine the people’s struggle for independence. The article was later removed by Anandabazar.

The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) has laid off more than 1,000 employees following the suspension of U.S. funding. These employees worked on research projects funded by USAID and other U.S. government agencies. ICDDR,B confirmed that all related projects have been put on hold until further notice. The organization expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and remains hopeful about resuming its activities once funding is restored.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for his promotion of free speech. The nomination was submitted by European Parliament member Branko Grimz, who highlighted Musk’s contributions to free expression and peace. However, Musk declined the nomination, stating he does not seek any awards. Despite his disinterest, the nomination has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with critics questioning its legitimacy.

While recovering in a Paris hospital after surgery, Dr. Muhammad Yunus received a call from student leaders urging him to form the interim government in Bangladesh after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina. Despite initial reluctance, he eventually agreed to take on the role. Days later, Dr. Yunus learned of his new position from the media and was escorted by the French military to return to Bangladesh, where he addressed the nation and called for unity and peace.

Summary: Sargis Alam, the prominent figure and chief organizer of the National Citizen’s Committee, has recently married. The news was confirmed by sports advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan on Friday evening. Following the announcement, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan took to his verified social media account to congratulate the newlyweds, wishing Sargis Alam a blissful married life and congratulating him on starting this new chapter in his life.

In Kochi, Kerala, 27 Bangladeshis were arrested for illegal residency following an overnight operation by Kerala Police and India’s Anti-Terrorism Squad. The suspects, found with Bangladeshi national IDs and passports, could not provide valid Indian residency documents. A total of 54 individuals were arrested in the operation. This action is part of a broader crackdown on Bangladeshis living unlawfully in various parts of India. Earlier, two Bangladeshis were arrested in Versova, Maharashtra.

In the Brahmanbaria Lawyers’ Association election, the BNP-backed Lawyers’ Forum suffered a heavy defeat, winning only 3 out of 15 contested positions. Independent candidate A.K.M. Kamruzzaman Mamun was elected President, while Mofizur Rahman Babul of the Bangabandhu Awami Lawyers’ Council won General Secretary. Other Awami-backed candidates dominated the elections, with no competition for the President position from the Awami camp. A total of 13 positions were contested, with various candidates winning including Shamsul Haque Liton and Ashraful Islam Khan.