The Election Commission (EC) has invited the heads of 19 foreign missions in Dhaka for a high-level briefing on March 17 at 11 AM, chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Seven officials from the EC Secretariat have been assigned to oversee the reception of the distinguished guests. The invited countries include Afghanistan, Algeria, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

In a landmark ruling, the High Court has declared that only individuals holding MBBS or BDS degrees can use the title “Doctor” before their names. However, those who have used the title without these qualifications up to this point will not face any legal action. Starting Thursday, anyone violating this ruling by misusing the title will be subject to legal consequences. Welcoming the verdict, protesting medical professionals have urged the authorities to publish a gazette notification swiftly. They have also vowed to continue their movement until all their demands are met.

Renowned industrialist and former advisor to Bangladesh’s caretaker government, Syed Manzur Elahi, has passed away. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor, expressed deep sorrow, calling him a “visionary entrepreneur and a patriot.” Elahi played a significant role in advancing Bangladesh’s leather industry and served as an advisor in the 1996 and 2001 caretaker governments. Dr. Yunus remarked, “His contributions to Bangladesh’s business sector were immense. He was a highly respected entrepreneur, and his passing is a great loss for the country.”

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has handed over the body of Al Amin, who was shot and killed at the Tetulia border. His body was returned on Tuesday night following formal procedures involving BSF, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Indian and Bangladeshi immigration police. The body was later handed over to Tetulia Model Police Station, which then released it to his family. He was buried on Wednesday morning following funeral prayers.

The Bangladesh Army has renamed 16 institutions and facilities that were previously named after members of the Sheikh family. Bongobondhu Cantonment is now Jamuna Cantonment. Bir Muktijoddha Abdul Hamid Cantonment has been renamed Mithamain Cantonment. Sheikh Hasina Cantonment is now Barishal Cantonment. Sheikh Russell Cantonment has been renamed Padma Cantonment. The Ad-hoc Bongobondhu Military Museum is now the Bangladesh Military Museum. Bongobondhu Composite Military Farm Char Janajat has been renamed Composite Military Farm Jajira. Bongobondhu Museum is now the Independence Museum. Bongobondhu Cantonment Public School & College is now Jamuna Cantonment Public School & College. Sheikh Russell Cantonment Public School & College has been renamed Adamjee Cantonment Public School & College. The renaming follows a broader administrative restructuring within the military.

A court has issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and eight others in a case filed by Hefazat-e-Islam over the alleged Shapla Chattar massacre. The accused include former Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, former IGPs Hassan Mahmud Khandaker and Benazir Ahmed, as well as Imran H. Sarker of the Gonojagoron Moncho. Since Shamsul Haque Tuku, Shahidul Haque, Ziaul Ahsan, and Molla Nazrul Islam are already in prison, the court has ordered their formal arrest in this case. Hefazat-e-Islam initially filed charges against 50 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, at the tribunal’s prosecution on November 27.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Chad and Bangladesh topped the list of the world’s most polluted countries in 2024. Their average pollution levels were more than 15 times higher than WHO’s air quality guidelines. IQAir, a global air quality monitoring agency, reported that only seven countries met WHO’s air quality standards: Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland. The battle against pollution is expected to become more challenging, especially after the U.S. discontinued its global air quality monitoring initiative.

In an unusual political sight, local leaders from both the BNP and the Awami League joined a rally in Ramgati, Lakshmipur, marking National Disaster Preparedness Day. The event, organized by the Upazila Administration and Disaster Management Department, gained traction online after the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) posted photos on Facebook. The images, which quickly went viral, showed the UNO, Syed Amzad Hossain, standing alongside local Awami League leaders Kamal Uddin Manjur and Mozahidul Islam Didar. On the other side of the frame were BNP leaders Dr. Jamal Uddin and Md. Siraj Uddin. The UNO later removed the photos from his account.

A court has granted a three-day remand for Junaid Ahmed Palak and a four-day remand for two banned Chhatra League leaders—Siam Rahman and Anwar Hossain Naim—in connection with the Dhanmondi murder case linked to mass protests. The case stems from the killing of Shahid Riyaz, who was shot dead on August 4 during a protest in Dhanmondi, allegedly by police and ruling party activists. His mother, Shafia Begum, later filed a murder case on September 10.

Garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in protest after factory authorities refused to acknowledge the death of one of their employees in a road accident. According to workers, Jannatul Ferdous Tamanna (32) requested leave on Tuesday night after her child fell ill. The factory authorities denied her leave and confiscated her ID card, forcing her to leave without official permission. The next morning, when she returned, she was denied entry due to the missing ID. While heading home, she was fatally struck by a truck. Following the accident, the factory disowned her as an employee, sparking outrage among workers who launched a protest demanding justice.

Jagannath University students staged a protest demanding the arrest of Lucky Akter, a prominent figure of the Ganajagaran Mancha, along with other alleged fascist collaborators, in response to an attack on police. They declared her “unwanted” on campus and issued a 24-hour ultimatum for her arrest. During the demonstration, students chanted slogans such as: “One, two, three, four—Shahbagh no more!”, “Lucky in law—Hasina, it’s you!”, “My brother is in the grave, why is the killer free?”, “No place for Shahbagh in my Golden Bengal!”, “Justice, not Shahbagh!”, and “Spread the news across Bengal—bury Shahbagh!”.

All academic activities of medical and dental students across the country will remain suspended today as doctors stage a grand rally to press for their five-point demand. Public and private hospitals will suspend services, except for critical units such as ICU, CCU, casualty services, admission units, and labor wards, which will remain operational on humanitarian grounds. The five demands include: 1. Only MBBS/BDS degree holders should be allowed to use the title “doctor.” 2. All ongoing public health-related petitions in court must be resolved. 3. Reform the Medical Assistant Course curriculum and shut down substandard Medical Assistant Training Schools (MATS). 4. Prohibit private medical practice by unregistered individuals. 5. Fill vacant doctor positions and increase the BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service) age limit to 34. 6. Enact a law for doctors’ protection and establish a structured salary framework for private-sector physicians.

Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, has accused Afghanistan-based militant groups of operating against Pakistan, posing a severe security threat. While further details were not disclosed, the statement underscores rising tensions between the two neighboring countries over cross-border militant activities.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have intensified, killing at least eight people, including a child, according to Al Jazeera. The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations have called on Israel to lift its blockade on aid entering Gaza. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli representatives have arrived in Doha for ceasefire negotiations. In response, Hamas has announced the initiation of “a new round of talks” to address the crisis.

Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States following negotiations in Jeddah. The U.S. has also committed to resuming military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The meeting included U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, along with Ukrainian officials Andriy Sibiga and Andriy Yermak. Russia was not present at the talks. Rubio stated that they hope Russia will also agree to the ceasefire and, if not, it will help identify obstacles to peace. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky has proposed a partial ceasefire over air and sea routes, while the U.S. is pushing for a full cessation of hostilities.