The Public Service Commission (PSC) has finalized a draft regulation stating that selected or recommended candidates for government jobs, including the BCS, cannot be removed from the gazette list unless they have pending criminal charges. Additionally, if a candidate is excluded, authorities must provide a valid reason, and the candidate will have the right to appeal the decision. This regulation was finalized in a PSC meeting on Monday and will now be sent to the Ministry of Public Administration for approval.

BNP executive committee member Hummam Quader Chowdhury has warned that the Awami League plans to take control of streets with marches, but BNP is prepared to respond. He urged the identification of those responsible for 16 years of oppression. Speaking at an event advocating the implementation of the 31-point reform plan, he recalled his seven-month imprisonment and stated that his father endured even greater suffering. "That is why people remember him as 'Bhaijan,'" he added.

Aminul Haque, convenor of BNP’s Dhaka Metropolitan North unit, has stated that Bangladesh has been devastated by 15 years of autocratic rule, making true state reforms impossible without removing its remnants from governmental institutions. He emphasized that democracy and fundamental rights are yet to be fully established. To address this, BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has proposed a 31-point reform plan.

As part of a ceasefire agreement, Hamas is set to return the bodies of five Israeli hostages on Thursday. Israel is making preparations for their reception. According to the agreement, the bodies were to be returned on the 33rd day of the ceasefire, which falls on Thursday. Israel’s Kan Public Broadcaster reported that, according to Hamas, most of the hostages were killed during Israeli attacks on Palestinians. Hamas has yet to disclose their identities. Once confirmed, Israel will hand over the bodies to their respective families.

A passenger plane overturned while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport, injuring 15 people, including three in critical condition. The BBC reported that the plane was carrying 80 passengers. Airport authorities have confirmed that all crew and passengers have been rescued. Heavy snowfall occurred before the accident, but the exact cause is still under investigation. Previously, another aircraft had crashed at the same airport. The incident follows a series of severe aviation accidents in the U.S.

Pope Francis, aged 88, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital last Friday due to health complications. Despite five days of continuous treatment, his condition remains unchanged. The Vatican stated that the Pope is facing a "complex clinical picture" and may need to stay in the hospital for several more days. However, they reassured that he remains in good spirits. Previously, his health issues had forced others to read his speeches on his behalf. Due to his condition, the Vatican has canceled his weekly Wednesday audience.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Deputy Commander, General Ali Fadavi, has warned that Iran will deliver an appropriate response to Israeli aggression. In a statement, he mentioned that "True Promise-3" will be executed in due time. Previously, Iran had launched two missile and drone attacks against Israel in April and October 2024, known as "True Promise-1" and "True Promise-2." Referring to the ongoing war in Gaza, he claimed that Israel has admitted its defeat while acknowledging Hamas' victory. Notably, on October 26, Israel attacked Iranian facilities using Iraqi airspace controlled by the U.S., prompting Iran’s "True Promise-2" response.

Speaking at a mass gathering in Tabriz, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the United States, accusing it of displaying “arrogant and predatory” behavior through its threats and territorial ambitions. He claimed that Washington’s policies are driven by a “complex Zionist network” and an imperialist agenda. Khamenei asserted that the U.S. cannot tolerate Iran’s independent stance, highlighting that the nation has successfully resisted foreign oppression for 46 years. He also emphasized the importance of Iran’s strategic and ideological defense in countering Western aggression.

A former officer of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Additional SP Alep Uddin, infamous for his role in extrajudicial killings, has been arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) on November 12. Known as a “target shooter” within his own force, he allegedly killed people in staged “crossfire” incidents while serving in Narayanganj’s RAB-11. Reports suggest he even framed innocent individuals as militants to justify executions. Disturbingly, he has been accused of repeatedly raping a detainee’s wife after blackmailing her with threats of crossfire. The victim ultimately lost her mental stability and died. Despite these allegations, Alep Uddin had previously received state honors. He was also involved in violently suppressing public protests during the recent mass uprising.

The government of Madhya Pradesh, under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has announced plans to rename 54 villages in Dewas district, triggering widespread debate. Officials claim the move aims to “respect local sentiments” by replacing names associated with Muslim historical figures. However, critics argue that this is an attempt to fuel communal divisions and erase India’s pluralistic heritage. Many local residents have voiced their opposition to the decision, calling it unnecessary and divisive.

The Malaysian government has proposed making the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) mandatory for foreign workers while reducing their contribution rate from 12% to just 2%. This has sparked serious concerns regarding the financial security and social protection of migrant workers. Glorene Das, Executive Director of Tenaganita, criticized the move, stating that it would further marginalize foreign workers, who are already subject to systemic discrimination despite their significant contributions to the local economy. She added that migrant workers still lack equal protections compared to Malaysians. The proposed changes indicate that foreign laborers are being treated as mere commodities for economic gain rather than as integral contributors to Malaysia’s growth.

Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain, Adviser on Religious Affairs, visited the historic Rankut Bonashram Buddhist Monastery in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, on Monday at 3 PM. The monastery’s chief abbot, Sri Jyotisen Mahathero, along with local Buddhist leaders, welcomed him with floral greetings. Recalling his past, the adviser mentioned that he had first visited the monastery while pursuing his master’s degree at Chittagong University in 1983-84. He had also written three articles on the monastery’s history for Bangladesh Times during that period. He expressed his delight at revisiting the site after so many years and pledged financial assistance for its development. He also signed the visitor’s book, praising the monastery’s contributions.

At a rally in Cox’s Bazar’s Golchattar field, BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed claimed that Sheikh Hasina “buried” the Awami League on August 5, 2024. He stated that the party met its political demise through a mass uprising, and its “burial” took place in Delhi. He further accused Sheikh Hasina of attempting to create instability by occasionally “speaking from the grave,” but asserted that such efforts would never succeed. Addressing the interim government, he urged them to announce an election roadmap promptly if they had sincere intentions. Salahuddin also called for urgent measures to stabilize law and order and control rising commodity prices.

Indian media had made several misleading and derogatory remarks about the July Movement, but the recently released documentary on the movement serves as a strong rebuttal, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Speaking at the anniversary event of Kubisas, he expressed his appreciation for how universities like Jahangirnagar University (JU), Islamic University (IU), and North South University (NSU) joined Comilla University in releasing documentaries on the movement. He emphasized that these documentaries highlight the active participation of students from even the remotest regions outside Dhaka. He also praised the contributions of female students during the movement and urged students to continue advocating for their rights.

On Monday, February 17, the family of Shaheed Jewel (30), who was killed during the mass uprising, objected to the court-ordered exhumation of his body for an autopsy in Nandail Upazila. After waiting for several hours, Nandail Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Faizur Rahman had to return without carrying out the order. According to reports, Jewel, a garment worker, was shot dead by police in Gazipur’s Mawna. However, no autopsy was conducted at the time of his death. On September 3, his wife filed a case with Sripur Police Station in Gazipur, accusing 110 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, along with 200 unidentified persons. Seven months later, the court ordered an autopsy by exhuming the body. Jewel’s grieving mother lamented, saying she would not be able to bear the pain of seeing her son’s body exhumed.