A viral photo showing Mahbubur Rahman, Vice President of Doultpur BNP Jubodol in Khulna, holding a sharp weapon during a clash at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) has led to his expulsion from the party. The incident occurred during protests over a ban on student politics. Rahman’s involvement in actions against party discipline prompted the decision, with the BNP Jubodol also instructing members not to associate with him further. The clash resulted in injuries to over fifty students.

Interim government’s legal advisor, Professor Asif Nazrul, expressed fear and frustration over internal violence among political factions. In a Facebook post on January 19, he stated, “When I see my brothers intoxicated by each other’s blood, it scares me, it frustrates me the most.” He went on to say that during the Awami League’s rule, when fights broke out between the League and opposing groups, the police would shamelessly side with the League, leading to a swift resolution. However, today, the police force is divided, and the number of aggressive individuals is minimal. If the Student League and SSF confront each other now, neither side will back down, which could result in unprecedented casualties. He also emphasized, “Whoever gets hurt is still my brother; six months ago, we faced tear gas and rubber bullets together.” Nazrul warned that the ongoing blame and threats between Student League and SSF on social media signal a troubling future.

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.

Tensions at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) escalated as agitated students confined the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Pro-VC, and Director of Student Affairs inside the medical center. The protests erupted after violent clashes over demands to ban student politics, leaving nearly 50 students injured. Protesters issued a five-point ultimatum, demanding resignations and threatening to shut down academic activities if their demands were not met by 1 PM Wednesday. A syndicate meeting has been called to address the crisis.

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.

Under the ‘Devil Hunt’ operation, a joint forces raid detained Shakil Howlader, the son of an Awami League leader, for 7-8 hours before releasing him on bail. He is also facing an attempted murder case. According to police, he was released after providing a written guarantee with the recommendation of local BNP leaders. However, sources have alleged that a substantial bribe was exchanged for his release. The local community had long been suffering under the influence of the mother-son duo, but their power seemed to diminish after the political shift. About a week ago, Shakil became involved in a dispute with a neighbor, chasing and assaulting Ripon with a sharp weapon while causing damage to homes. He was arrested in connection with this case.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for complaining about Ukraine’s exclusion from Saudi-hosted peace talks. Trump argued that Ukraine could have avoided the war by making a deal. He expressed disappointment with Kyiv’s reaction and reiterated his past claim that Ukraine was responsible for the conflict. Meanwhile, after U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, both sides agreed to appoint delegations for war-ending negotiations. Trump, reacting to these developments, stated he is now “much more confident” about ending the war.

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 Bogura-3 parliamentary seat has historically been dominated by BNP, which won six out of the last 12 general elections. The Jatiya Party secured victory four times, while the Awami League and an independent candidate won once each. Jamaat-e-Islami has already finalized its candidate for this seat. Meanwhile, within BNP, four aspirants are preparing to seek the party nomination, all waiting for the decision of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. So far, no independent candidate has announced their candidacy. The potential BNP candidates for this seat include Fazlul Bari Talukder, Abdul Muhit Talukder, Ataur Rahman Khan Mukta, and Hamidul Haque Chowdhury.

A Dhaka court has acquitted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and seven others in the Niko corruption case. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4. Earlier, on February 13, the court concluded the defense hearing and arguments before setting the verdict date for today. The defendants maintained their innocence, while Begum Zia, currently undergoing treatment abroad, was unable to appear in court. On the other hand, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had sought the maximum penalty. The case was initially filed during the caretaker government’s tenure against Khaleda Zia and 10 others.

A court has granted a seven-day remand for former state minister Dipankar Talukdar in connection with the murder of Jubo Dal leader Shamim. During the hearing, the defense requested the cancellation of the remand, while the prosecution argued in favor of it. Following deliberations, the court approved the seven-day remand. According to case details, on October 28, 2023, BNP held a central rally in Dhaka, which was met with a counter-rally by the Awami League. A police-assisted attack on the BNP rally resulted in the killing of the Jubo Dal leader. On September 24, 2024, a case was filed over the incident.

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.

Analysts believe that India is shifting its approach to improve relations with Bangladesh. Tensions escalated following the fall of the League government on August 5 and India’s decision to provide shelter to Sheikh Hasina. When Bangladesh formally requested her extradition, India’s firm stance further strained relations. Experts now suggest that both nations are working toward mending ties by sidelining this issue. Recent diplomatic engagements, including high-level meetings between foreign ministers and discussions on an economic corridor connecting India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, indicate a positive trend. However, concerns remain, such as visa restrictions and diplomatic summons. Notably, upcoming BIMSTEC meetings will see interactions between Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, border security chiefs from both nations—BGB and BSF—are currently holding discussions, raising hopes for further diplomatic progress.

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.

Eighteen female footballers boycotted training in protest against British coach Peter Butler. After several rounds of meetings, the Women’s Football Wing Chairman announced that the players had withdrawn their protest, although the athletes themselves have yet to confirm this decision. Meanwhile, Adviser Asif Mahmud commented that Bangladesh’s female athletes are outstanding and deserve recognition, such as the Ekushey Padak. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining discipline in sports. Mahmud also expressed disappointment over the lack of emerging competitors for Shirin Akter, the fastest female sprinter, and the failure to nurture talents from grassroots levels. He assured that the government is working on addressing these concerns.