Following the DC Conference, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, General (Retd.) Abdul Hafiz, revealed that 1,400 weapons looted during the August 5 unrest have yet to be recovered, along with approximately 250,000 rounds of ammunition. Nearly 6,000 weapons were stolen during that period, and efforts are ongoing to locate them. The nationwide joint force operation will continue until the weapons are retrieved. Despite significant progress, authorities remain vigilant. Hafiz also instructed district commissioners to remain proactive in ensuring stable agricultural supply, price regulation, smooth irrigation, and national security.

Religious Affairs Adviser Khalid Hossain has announced that the government is considering implementing a salary structure for Imams and Muezzins of government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and Waqf-controlled mosques. Speaking after the DC Conference, he revealed that work has begun on the "Mosque Management Policy 2025." He also noted that many temple properties have been illegally occupied, and efforts are underway to recover them. District administrators have been instructed to take action. Additionally, the government has completed the construction of 300 model mosques, with plans to build 214 more.

Major General (Retd.) Salahuddin Miyazi, former military secretary to Sheikh Hasina and MP of Jhenaidah-3, was detained by students and locals in Chanchra Union’s Shyamolchhaya Park on Tuesday (February 18). Allegations of misconduct and public grievances led to the citizen-led apprehension. Later that night, he was handed over to the police. The incident reflects growing tensions and public dissatisfaction. Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the arrest.

The Chamber Court has not suspended the High Court’s decision to cancel the government’s appointment of 6,531 candidates for assistant teacher positions in government primary schools in Dhaka and Chittagong divisions. The court has set the next hearing date for March 2. On February 6, the High Court had ruled to cancel the government’s decision to issue appointment letters to the 6,531 candidates. Following this, the candidates who had been recommended are protesting the decision.

Despite a ceasefire agreement allowing the entry of reconstruction materials, Israel had initially blocked the supplies at the Rafah border. This sparked a wave of condemnation. In response, Hamas announced that it would backtrack on its commitment to release hostages. This raised concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire. Eventually, under mounting pressure, Israel allowed the entry of reconstruction materials into Gaza. According to a report by the Times of Israel on Tuesday, it is believed that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu took this step to expedite the transfer of six living hostages and others who are deceased.

At the District Commissioners’ conference on Tuesday, the District Commissioners (DCs) proposed universal military training for the youth to actively contribute to national defense. This was shared by the Special Assistant to the Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Abdul Hafiz, with the media. He further mentioned that the Chief of General Staff had stated that, through the Ansar and VDP, one company is already being trained in every union and upazila. One DC had requested whether this could be expanded. This initiative involves political and financial considerations. The Special Assistant assured that if the government decides, the plan will proceed.

Costa Rica has announced it will offer a temporary place for Indian immigrants being deported from the United States. Around 200 immigrants from the Middle East and India will be relocated there. Panama and Guatemala had previously taken similar steps. Costa Rica stated that they are willing to accommodate the illegal immigrants being deported by the U.S., with the country’s president’s office making the official announcement. Temporary camps will be set up for them, but it has not yet been confirmed when they will return to their home countries.

At the end of the district commissioners’ conference, Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced that the preliminary report for the Tista Master Plan is expected to be submitted between October and December. The responsible organization, Power China, will present the final master plan to the government by December 2026. She mentioned that currently, there is no master plan in place and questioned how the implementation will proceed. The Advisor explained, “A Chinese group had submitted a plan that was neither feasible nor sustainable. After discussions with them, it was decided to rework the plan.” This comes after the collapse of hopes for a Tista agreement between Bangladesh and former leaders Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi.

The Bangladesh government has introduced a new passport system, abolishing the police verification process. Under the updated rules, passports will be issued based on online-verified National ID (NID) data for adults and online-verified birth registration details for minors and expatriates. For passport reissuance, if there are changes to essential information, the data from the National ID will be used. This change, announced by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, aims to simplify the process and ensure quicker passport delivery without delays caused by police verification.

A study found that 98.7% of Bangladeshi garment workers are not enrolled in the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS) due to financial constraints and lack of awareness. Many workers struggle with the high contribution requirements and digital application process. Fear of job loss, layoffs, and workplace hazards also deter participation. The study recommends lowering contributions, allowing job mobility, and offering financial support. It also suggests increasing awareness and ensuring employer participation to improve social security for workers.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is set to undergo a name change and restructuring, according to Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Speaking after a law and order meeting at the Secretariat, he stated that discussions are ongoing, and the new name may be finalized in the next meeting. Established in 2004 to combat crime and militancy, RAB has faced allegations of human rights violations, leading to U.S. sanctions. A recent report found RAB linked to 172 out of 400 analyzed enforced disappearance cases.

Internal conflicts among Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate are escalating over Trump’s two key legislative agendas, with lawmakers employing conflicting strategies to push them forward.

The House Budget Committee has advanced a massive spending bill incorporating various Trump-backed initiatives, following weeks of internal disputes. The bill is set for a vote next week, though opposition from moderates and conservatives could hinder its passage.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have also cleared their own proposal through the Budget Committee, with a vote expected this week. Both chambers are now in a race to pass their respective bills, while House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is attempting to mediate a compromise.

Police in Tongibari, Munshiganj, arrested a woman named Latifa Begum (42) with 97 bottles of Indian Phensedyl on Monday night.

According to Officer-in-Charge Mohibul Islam, law enforcement raided the Abdullahpur Paikpara area at around 3 AM, acting on a tip-off. The bottles were recovered from a wardrobe in Latifa’s house.

She will be presented in court under narcotics charges.

Expressing sympathy for protesting assistant teachers, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Bidhan Ranjan Roy stated that the government’s teacher recruitment process adhered to all legal procedures.

During a briefing on Tuesday, he acknowledged the teachers’ dissatisfaction with the court ruling and confirmed that an appeal had been filed. He explained that the ministry followed the recommendations of the Law and Public Administration ministries before announcing the results.

Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, the administration currently has no further actions to take.

After three days in captivity, 25 abducted workers were rescued in Lama, Bandarban, by law enforcement agencies. They were found in the Baishari Jhir area near the Naikhongchhari border.

According to security forces, the kidnappers fled the scene, leaving the hostages behind during the rescue operation. Local sources reported that armed militants raided six rubber plantations on February 15 and abducted the workers, demanding a ransom of 100,000 BDT per person.

Sources suggest the hostages were released after the ransom was paid.