Former U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence. The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination on Wednesday with a 52-48 vote. Gabbard’s appointment is seen as a significant victory for Trump, as she has been one of the most controversial figures in his cabinet. At 43 years old, she becomes the 14th Trump nominee confirmed since January 20. Gabbard will oversee 18 intelligence agencies and serve as the President’s top intelligence advisor. Trump remarked that she would focus on strengthening the intelligence community to ensure the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.

The body of missing schoolboy Roman Sheikh was recovered 23 days after his disappearance. His abduction had led to violent protests, including the vandalism of a local police station. On Thursday afternoon, police found his body stuffed in a sack in a pond in the Sixgaon area of Srinagar Upazila. Earlier that morning, a foul odor near the home of the suspect, Siam, drew a crowd. Upon discovering the corpse, enraged locals vandalized Siam’s house and set it on fire. According to police reports, the body was tied to a concrete pillar and bricks and concealed beneath water hyacinths in an attempt to hide it.

Parbatipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fatema Khatun faced strong protests from local activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Citizen Committee over allegations of corruption and irregularities. Following a human chain demonstration at the local Shaheed Minar, protesters marched to the UNO office, chanting slogans of "Fake, Fake," and demanded her removal. Under intense pressure, the UNO eventually left her office. Protesters claimed that despite receiving three transfer orders, she remained in Parbatipur due to "invisible influences." She was given a two-hour ultimatum to leave the upazila, but she insisted that she could not leave without an official release order.

The U.S. Senate website announced on Wednesday that Paul Kapoor, an Indian-American diplomat, has been nominated for the position of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. The nomination, made by the Trump administration, is pending Senate approval.

If confirmed, Kapoor will oversee U.S. relations with countries in South and Central Asia. He is widely recognized as an expert on India and Pakistan and has previously served as a faculty member at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Additionally, he has worked as a visiting professor at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

After previously refusing to release Israeli hostages due to allegations that Israel was not honoring the ceasefire agreement, Hamas has now changed its stance. According to a report by The Times of Israel, the Palestinian resistance group has announced plans to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday.

This decision came a day after a Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo for negotiations with mediators. Hamas stated that Egyptian and Qatari mediators have assured them of efforts to remove obstacles hindering the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The government has issued a gazette renaming 13 public universities that previously carried the names of Sheikh Hasina and her family members. The decision follows her departure from the country amid a mass uprising. The ordinance, signed by the Law Ministry, cites the need to avoid confusion caused by similar university names. The renamed institutions include universities in Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Naogaon, Meherpur, and other districts. The President enacted the changes under constitutional authority, as parliament is currently dissolved.

The Dhaka Bar Association has formally requested the Chief Justice to take legal action against Cyber Tribunal Judge Nure Alam, citing misconduct. The complaint accuses the judge of rude behavior, intimidation, and making unjust remarks during hearings. The Bar Association also claims the judge ignored a proposal to discuss the matter with the Bar Council. When questioned, the judge allegedly responded, “Am I employed by the Dhaka Bar Council?” The Bar Association has urged the Chief Justice to take appropriate action.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure security forces operate impartially and uphold the rule of law in curbing violence. Referring to recent mass arrests, HRW warned against repeating past mistakes. The statement also highlighted the importance of political and economic reforms, stressing that justice and accountability are essential for national reconciliation. The organization also condemned the recent attacks on protesting students in Gazipur and acts of vandalism across the country, emphasizing that peaceful protest is a fundamental right.

During the high-level “AI Action Summit” held in Paris, world leaders discussed the future of artificial intelligence (AI), policy frameworks, and ethical use. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized Europe’s commitment to AI development while ensuring environmental sustainability. While 60 countries, including India, signed the AI governance declaration, both the United States and the United Kingdom refused to sign, raising questions about their stance on AI regulations.

Content creator Nuruzzaman Kafi has filed a case over an arson attack on his home. The case was lodged at Kalapara Police Station on Wednesday at 11:30 PM against unidentified individuals. According to Kafi, the attack was retaliation for his active role in exposing alleged government abuses. The police have launched an investigation. Prior to the incident, attackers locked the outer door of Kafi’s father’s house and set it on fire, but residents managed to escape before the flames spread.

Following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the two leaders agreed to initiate discussions on a ceasefire in Ukraine. "It's time to end this ridiculous war," Trump posted. BBC reports that both sides have committed to negotiations, though specific terms remain undisclosed.

Elon Musk, billionaire entrepreneur and advocate for fiscal reform, has warned that the United States will face bankruptcy if significant budget cuts are not implemented. According to AFP, Trump's administration has issued multiple executive orders to reduce government spending, but legal battles over their legitimacy have emerged. Musk further stated that as part of cost-cutting measures, only one government employee will be hired for every four who retire.

A police headquarters press release on Wednesday (February 12) reported that security forces arrested 591 individuals in the latest phase of the nationwide crackdown, ‘Operation Devil Hunt.’ Additionally, 1,095 people wanted in various cases were detained. In the past 24 hours alone, 1,668 individuals were arrested. Authorities recovered a foreign pistol, a looted police rifle, two LG firearms, four one-shooter guns, and various other weapons.

Families of army officers killed in the 2009 BDR mutiny have claimed they are receiving threats from Awami League members for filing cases against Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal. At a press conference, the newly formed ‘Shaheed Sena Association’ demanded that convicted BDR rebels not be granted bail or released.

According to a U.S. intelligence report published by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday (February 12), Israel is considering striking Iran’s nuclear facilities this year. The report states that Israel is seeking U.S. support for such an operation, believing Trump might endorse it. Israeli officials have emphasized the need for American assistance, particularly in arms supply. However, the Israeli Prime Minister recently stated that he prefers a nuclear-free agreement with Iran over military conflict.