The funeral and farewell ceremony for former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah will take place on February 23, according to the organizing committee. Committee head Ali Daher announced that the historic event will be held at Camille Chamoun Stadium in Beirut, with representatives from 79 countries expected to attend. Nasrallah was assassinated in a bomb attack on September 23, 2024, while Sayyed Hashem Safiuddin was killed on October 3, both allegedly by Israeli forces.

Chief Adviser and National Consensus Commission President Muhammad Yunus vowed to honor the sacrifices of those who fought in the mass uprising. “We will all work together to fulfill their dream,” he said. He urged the nation to remember the students who gave their lives, emphasizing that their sacrifices created the opportunity for today’s democratic discussions.

Ali Riaz, Vice President of the National Consensus Commission, emphasized that the nation has entrusted them with the responsibility of shaping a new Bangladesh. “If we fail, the nation will not forgive us,” he warned. He acknowledged the sacrifices made in the struggle and highlighted six commission reports outlining the roadmap. Regular discussions are necessary to build consensus, and he remains confident that political parties will cooperate to reform governance and hold elections swiftly.

BJP Chairman Andalib Rahman Partha firmly stated that local elections should not be held before the national elections. Speaking after a National Consensus Commission meeting on Saturday afternoon, he added that the Chief Adviser confirmed international and UN support for the interim government. The UN’s report has debunked false narratives by fascists. Partha stressed that national elections must be prioritized to ensure stability and reforms.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju stated that while the interim government is in power, its authority remains unclear. He warned that an election under such circumstances could be dangerous. He revealed that the Chief Adviser has assured financial support from multiple sources but emphasized that necessary reforms must be implemented. Manju urged the government to form a political unity team, as previously suggested, and called for the Chief Adviser to go undercover and assess the law and order situation himself.

On Friday night (February 14), Fuad Hossain, the uncle of martyr Hasibur Rahman, filed a murder case at Savar Police Station. The case names former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 1,506 others, including Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Abdullah Al Mamun, Habibur Rahman, Harun-ar-Rashid, and Abdullahil Kafi. Hasibur was shot during a victory rally on August 5 following Sheikh Hasina’s downfall and died in hospital on August 7. Police have already arrested two accused, Abdullah Al Mamun and Abdullahil Kafi.

The body of martyr Hasan was finally brought home to Bhola Sadar Upazila on Saturday (February 15), leaving the entire area in mourning. His body had been lying in the morgue at Dhaka Medical College for six months before being identified through DNA testing. Hasan was killed on August 5 during protests in Jatrabari, but his family could not retrieve his body. His father, Monir Hossain, tearfully recounted how he identified his son by his clothing. Hasan worked at an electronics shop in Kaptan Bazar and was the family’s sole breadwinner. His father pleaded, “No parent should have to lose their child like this.”

On Saturday at 10 AM local time, Hamas released three Israeli hostages—Alexander Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn—in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis. The release took place under strict security and in the presence of fighters from both sides. A senior Hamas official signed the handover documents with Red Cross representatives. Following their brief statements to the Palestinian people, the hostages left for Israel. In return, Israel is expected to release 369 Palestinian prisoners.

At a discussion organized by Democratic Awake Bangladesh at the National Press Club on Saturday, BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu criticized the government, saying, “Dr. Yunus identified a mastermind behind a successful movement within a month! Then why haven’t commodity prices dropped in six months? Why hasn’t the law and order situation improved?” He urged pro-democracy forces to remain united and criticized those who prematurely believed that Sheikh Hasina had fled after a mass uprising.

On March 25, Bangladesh will face hosts India in the first match of the Asian Cup qualifiers. Bangladesh’s head coach has included English Premier League player Hamza Choudhury in the preliminary squad. Captain Jamal Bhuyan commented, “This is now our best squad with Hamza’s inclusion. We’re all eagerly waiting for him.” He added that Hamza will join the team a bit later and that Bangladesh has a 50-50 chance against India in what is expected to be a tough contest.

Following a strong protest from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has apologized for entering Bangladesh and assaulting six citizens near the Fulbari border in Kurigram. During a battalion commander-level flag meeting on Saturday afternoon, BSF assured that actions would be taken against those responsible. The incident occurred on Friday at Balarhat Krishnanandabokshi border, where victims Shamsul Alam, Javed Ali, Kashem Ali, Ripon Mia, and Limon Mia were injured. BSF has assured that such incidents will not recur inside Bangladesh’s territory.

On Saturday afternoon, Chhatra Dal leader Omar Faruq and activist Abu Sayeed began an indefinite hunger strike at the base of the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University, demanding a ban on the “fallen fascist Awami League.” Leaders and activists of the Revolutionary Student Council expressed solidarity and, seeing a common cause, also announced their participation. Among them were council convenor Abdul Wahed, secretary Fazlur Rahman, and members Yamin Sarker, Ashraful Islam, and Ariful Islam.

A fire erupted in a building in Islambagh, Dhaka, on Saturday afternoon. The Fire Service responded promptly, deploying 8 units from multiple stations, including Lalbagh, Hazaribagh, Polashi, and Siddique Bazar, to control the fire. The blaze was reported at 3:17 PM, with the first unit reaching the site by 3:25 PM. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are still under investigation. No casualties have been reported so far.

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.