As part of an ongoing prisoner exchange under the Gaza ceasefire, Israel will release 369 Palestinian detainees on Saturday in exchange for three Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Among the Palestinians set for release, 36 were serving life sentences, while 333 were detained after October 7, 2023. The exchange is mediated by Egypt and Qatar. Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has released 21 hostages, while Israel has freed 566 Palestinian prisoners. The war has left over 48,500 Palestinians dead.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka Metropolitan North, has issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding the release of ATM Azharul Islam within seven days. He claimed that Azhar, the party’s former acting secretary-general, has been unjustly sentenced to death in a fabricated case solely for his political affiliation with Jamaat. Speaking as the chief guest at a rally in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Selim Uddin warned that if the government fails to comply, a mass movement will be launched to secure his release. He further stated that during the August uprising, all political groups took to the streets, yet only Jamaat was banned. Calling the movement’s participants “Razakars” led to widespread outrage, and within days of the ban, the ruling party was forced to flee. He asserted that those who conspire to eliminate Jamaat have always been erased from history.

A police officer in Bangladesh has gained widespread praise for dispersing protesters without using force. A viral video shows him striking the road and electric poles with his baton instead of attacking protesters, effectively breaking up the gathering near the Bangladesh Secretariat. Social media users hailed his approach as the ideal form of policing. Many called for him to be recognized and rewarded, believing such methods could restore public trust in law enforcement. Legal expert Dr. Asif Nazrul also expressed admiration for his actions.

The National Revolutionary Council has issued a one-month ultimatum to the interim government, demanding the reinstatement of the ban on Israel in Bangladeshi passports. The organization has also called for a ban on the use of Pegasus spyware, allegedly purchased for surveillance purposes. During a protest rally in front of the National Press Club on Friday, council leaders stated that despite the ceasefire agreement taking effect on January 19, Israel has killed 178 Palestinians. They accused Israel of attempting to take full control of Gaza and urged the Bangladeshi government to stand by the Palestinians by restoring the previous passport restriction as a symbolic gesture of support.

Hassan Mahmud Jewel, former chairman of Nandail Upazila and a leader of the Upazila Awami League, has been arrested. He was taken into custody from his residence on Friday afternoon. Reports suggest that Jewel is a close associate of former Nandail MP Anwarul Abedin Khan Tuhin. According to the police, the arrest is linked to a case filed on January 4 by BNP leader Tahmina Begum’s husband. The case stems from a violent clash over the placement of election posters during the 2018 elections, in which Jewel has been named the prime accused.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel allegedly entered Bangladesh and assaulted five farmers near the Krishnanandabaksi border in Kurigram’s Fulbari upazila on Friday afternoon. As villagers gathered and chased them, the BSF members fled back inside the barbed-wire fence. In response, hundreds of locals, armed with sticks, took position at the border in protest. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) later intervened to de-escalate the situation. According to eyewitnesses, the farmers were working in their fields when BSF personnel entered Bangladesh and confronted them. When the farmers objected, the BSF allegedly attacked them. The BGB has stated that if the incident is confirmed, they will formally protest.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Friday that a Russian drone struck the protective structure of the destroyed fourth unit at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, causing significant damage. However, the Kremlin dismissed the allegation, calling it provocation. Russian officials stated that their military had not carried out any such attack and accused the Kyiv government of making frequent baseless accusations. The claim comes at a sensitive time, as discussions on ending the war continue and the Munich Security Conference is underway.

A businessman named Russell Ahmed (46) was robbed of 47.5 lakh taka by a group posing as Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officers in South Keraniganj. The incident occurred on Thursday at an underpass on the Dhaka-Mawa highway. According to the victim’s complaint, he had sold his wife’s gold jewelry to arrange the money for an urgent need. While returning home, six to seven individuals stopped his vehicle, claiming to be RAB officers, and forced him into a microbus. The robbers blindfolded him, held him at gunpoint, looted the cash, and later abandoned him in a deserted location before fleeing.

Advisor Muhammad Yunus has urged the United Arab Emirates to lift its visa ban on Bangladeshi nationals and recruit more workers. He made the appeal during his visit to Dubai for the two-day World Government Summit, where he also held meetings with several UAE ministers. During these discussions, the UAE’s Minister of Trade proposed establishing Emirati industrial zones in Bangladesh, to which Yunus responded positively. He emphasized that Bangladesh could be developed as a hub for halal product manufacturing, benefiting from affordable labor.

Hefazat-e-Islam’s top leaders have called for a ban on the Awami League following the findings of a United Nations fact-finding mission. In a joint statement on Friday, Hefazat Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary-General Maulana Sajedur Rahman made the demand. The statement claimed that the UN report exposed severe crimes against humanity committed by the “fascist government and its loyal forces.” The leaders also called for a ban on the Awami League, citing incidents such as the Pilkhana massacre, the Shapla Square crackdown, and the July massacre. Additionally, they accused India of acting like a hostile state.

BNP leader Mirza Abbas remarked that some parties are stalling the election process, but confirmed that the BNP is ready to participate in the elections within the timeframe provided by the interim government. Speaking at a party event this afternoon, he added that no one involved in fascism or criminal activities should be allowed to join the party. He further emphasized that the party does not need thousands of leaders and workers; having just 10 good and honest members is sufficient. Mirza Abbas called for all political parties to abandon conspiracy and cooperate with the interim government for the sake of the country’s interests and to ensure a fair election.

Following the United Nations report on human rights violations during the student and public protests in July and August, Rana Flowers, the UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, expressed deep concern, calling it heartbreaking. Referring to the UN report, which mentioned that 1,400 people died in the July uprising, including over 100 children, UNICEF stated that it has already reported on many of these deaths and is working to clarify the total number of children who were killed or injured. In a statement, UNICEF expressed condolences for the victims, citing three specific martyrdoms. The statement also emphasized the need for accountability, rehabilitation, justice, and reform.

The discussion on state reform with political parties will begin this Saturday, February 15, as announced by Industry and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan. Speaking after paying tribute to martyrs of the Anti-Autocracy Movement on February 14, Khan emphasized the government’s aim to restore citizens’ rights and prevent fascism in the country. Various political and student organizations also honored the movement’s martyrs. February 14 is observed as Anti-Autocracy Resistance Day, marking the 1983 protest against the government’s education policy.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for Russia’s return to the G-7, calling its exclusion a “big mistake.” He emphasized that Russia should be part of the group, citing it was originally known as G-8. Trump also believes Russia is eager to rejoin. His comments come amid Canada’s presidency of the G-7 this year, although no immediate reaction has been received from Canada regarding his statement.

Two Russian teenage girls, separated from their mother due to the Ukraine war, have been reunited and returned home with Qatar’s mediation. Living with their grandparents in Ukraine while their mother worked in Russia, the sisters were stranded when the war broke out. Qatar previously helped reunite other war-affected children. The International Red Cross also assisted in bringing the girls back. So far, 17 children from 11 families have been reunited with their families in Russia, while 95 children joined relatives in Ukraine and beyond.