A ninth-grade madrasa student was raped while on a trip to Gazni Obokash in Sherpur. Overwhelmed with shame, the victim’s mother consumed poison and is now in critical condition at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

The victim’s father has filed a case at Jhenaigati police station. According to the police, on February 14, the girl had gone to Gazni Spot with her friends when a 35-year-old man named Elias detained and raped her. The influential perpetrator attempted to suppress the incident and pressured the victim’s family to remain silent. However, as the incident became known, the victim’s mother attempted suicide.

The officer-in-charge (OC) of Jhenaigati police station stated that efforts are underway to arrest the accused.

Students of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) have locked down the university’s administrative and academic buildings, demanding the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor along with five other key demands. The protest escalated on Wednesday at around 1:30 PM, following tensions on campus due to an attack on students. Amid the unrest, the Vice-Chancellor remains confined inside the university premises.

Earlier in the day, the 98th syndicate meeting was postponed, leading to an emergency session starting at 11:30 AM. The Deputy Registrar confirmed that the Vice-Chancellor participated in the meeting virtually due to being under lockdown. The protesting students have reiterated their demands, which include banning student politics, ensuring justice for the attack victims, and the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor and five other officials.

During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Turkey could serve as an ideal venue for the planned peace talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine. Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to fostering peace between Russia and Ukraine, expressing readiness to provide all necessary support to ensure the success of the negotiations. He emphasized that Ankara unequivocally recognizes Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Additionally, Erdoğan mentioned that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the war aligns with Turkey’s policies over the past three years. In response, Zelensky expressed his gratitude.

The Chairman of the Inter-Education Board Examination Control Committee and Controller of Examinations of the Dhaka Education Board, Professor SM Kamal Uddin Haider, announced the schedule for the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams. According to the timetable, theoretical exams will begin on 26th June and continue until 10th August, while practical exams will be held from 11th August to 21st August. In a statement, ten guidelines were issued for candidates, including the requirement to take their seats 30 minutes before the exam starts. The exams will be conducted in two parts: multiple choice first, followed by creative/subjective (theoretical) questions. The 30-mark multiple-choice section will have a 30-minute duration, while the 70-mark creative exam will be allocated 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council has declared a half-day strike from 9 AM to 1 PM on February 25 across all government offices. In a statement, the organization highlighted that based on public feedback, leaders from 25 different cadres submitted written opinions to the Public Administration Reform Commission. Among the key recommendations were the principle of “Cadres belonging to their respective ministries,” the abolition of quotas, and ensuring equality for all cadres. The council stated that their recommendations were disregarded, and the reform commission has focused only on elevating a single cadre above elected representatives. Furthermore, 12 members of the 25 cadres were temporarily dismissed in a Facebook dispute with the administration cadre, while no punitive action was taken against the administration cadre for their offensive writings. If their demands are not met, the council has warned of a full strike beginning March 1.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will organize a nationwide video screening this afternoon to commemorate the July uprising and showcase footage of the recent attack on students by Chhatra Dal at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET). The screening will take place at Dhaka University’s TSC at 3:00 PM. The announcement was made following protests against the KUET attack. Clashes between students and Chhatra Dal activists resulted in injuries, and the area is now heavily guarded by the military and law enforcement.

Hamas has put forward a new proposal regarding the second phase of the ongoing ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The group has expressed willingness to release all Israeli hostages at once, but with conditions—demanding a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

A Hamas spokesperson stated that, at the request of mediators, they have proposed doubling the number of hostages to be released. He dismissed Israel’s claim that Hamas will be removed from Gaza as “laughable” and a mere psychological tactic.

Meanwhile, internal pressure from Israeli hardliners has left Israel indecisive, causing the second-phase hostage release and ceasefire agreement to remain stalled.

The prosecution has completed presenting arguments in the appeal hearing for the BUET student Abrar Fahad murder case. The prosecution stated that two key eyewitness testimonies support the allegations, while post-mortem reports and CCTV footage confirm the crime. Footage clearly shows the accused at the crime scene, reinforcing the trial court’s decision. Prosecutors urged the court to uphold the verdict. Earlier, on December 21, 2021, the trial court sentenced 20 individuals to death and five others to life imprisonment for their involvement in the murder.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has declared at the UN Security Council that Gaza and the West Bank are the homeland of the Palestinian people and should not be used as a bargaining tool for political negotiations. He emphasized the importance of a two-state solution and underscored the necessity of ensuring Palestinian governance in Gaza post-war. As China holds the presidency of the UN Security Council this February, Wang Yi chaired the session. This statement from China also signals opposition to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) continues to recruit administration cadre officers on deputation from various ministries. Allegations have surfaced that even an individual accused in a corruption case has been appointed as a Deputy Secretary. At least 50 officials, who benefited from the previous Awami regime, are still holding key positions. Critics warn that keeping these officials in place and appointing individuals from a single cadre weakens the ACC, making transparency and accountability more difficult. Additionally, reforms recommended by the proposed Reform Commission may become impossible to implement. Although deputation rules require officials to return to their parent organization within three years, this guideline is being blatantly violated.

Adviser Mahfuz Alam has issued an apology via a Facebook post for using the term “Tawhidi Janata” in one of his statements. He acknowledged that his words may have caused distress to some and expressed regret for any offense taken. He also assured that he would reconsider any past statements that might have hurt people. Mahfuz emphasized the need for unity and cautioned against divisive labeling. Additionally, he highlighted that the ongoing mass uprising belongs to all, noting that people from schools, madrasas, and universities—both private and public—are recognizing a collective leadership.

The interim government has extended the tenure of five key reform commissions—covering labor, media, health, women’s rights, and local governance—until March 31. The Cabinet Division issued a notice on Tuesday, citing the need for additional time to complete ongoing work. The commissions were initially formed on November 18, with a three-month mandate that expired yesterday.

Two petrol bombs exploded in a residential garden in Uzirpur, Barishal, on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread panic among locals. Law enforcement also recovered three unexploded cocktail bombs from the scene. Inspector Touhidul Karim of Uzirpur Police Station confirmed the discovery. In response, BNP-affiliated activists blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway, alleging that ruling party supporters were behind the attack.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has announced that the special Arab League summit on the Gaza crisis, initially scheduled for next week, has been postponed to March 4. The decision was made following consultations with member states. The summit was called in response to Donald Trump’s proposal advocating for the occupation of Gaza and the displacement of its residents. Arab nations, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, are expected to reinforce their cooperation and seek peaceful solutions. Analysts view the summit as a strong countermeasure against U.S. plans.

The Sylheti Panchayet, a political organization advocating for the rights of Sylhet Division, has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Adviser demanding the recognition of Sylheti as Bangladesh’s second official language. The memorandum states that Sylheti is the only language in Bangladesh, apart from Bengali, that has its own distinct script. With over 12 million Sylheti speakers in Bangladesh and another 15 million worldwide, the group argues that the language deserves formal recognition. The memorandum also references its recognition as the world’s 97th language and calls for its inclusion in primary school curricula.