Former members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), who were dismissed after the 2009 Pilkhana mutiny, staged a protest at Shaheed Minar demanding reinstatement, compensation, and state benefits. The “Justice for BDR” movement, organized by the BDR Welfare Council, called for the release of those they claim were wrongfully imprisoned in the mutiny trials. Protesters also rejected what they termed as a “conspiratorial investigation and fabricated verdicts.” Among their demands are the reinstatement of the BDR name, an independent investigation to identify the true masterminds, and the declaration of a national day in remembrance of the fallen soldiers of the Pilkhana massacre.

Just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit on February 12, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel products, effective this week. This move could severely impact India’s $3 billion steel exports to the U.S. and is seen as a diplomatic challenge for Modi. Previously, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and announced similar tariffs on Canada and Mexico, though the latter was temporarily postponed. Experts view this as a significant shift in U.S. trade policy.

Thirteen years have passed since the brutal murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, yet justice remains elusive. The investigation report has been postponed 115 times, and four different agencies have taken over the case. A high-powered task force, led by the PBI chief, has been formed to expedite the probe. Allegations suggest that for six years, no investigation was conducted before the case was handed over to the PBI. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which previously handled the case, only sought extensions without making progress. Meanwhile, Sagar and Runi’s family continues to wait in exhaustion. The couple was murdered on February 11, 2012. However, the interim government has now pledged to accelerate the judicial process.

After a two-week suspension, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumed on February 10. According to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, as the trial commenced at Tel Aviv District Court, Netanyahu addressed the judges, stating that he was feeling politically strong despite enduring a physically challenging and exhausting week due to medical treatment. The court had previously postponed proceedings due to Netanyahu’s recent surgery. The long-running corruption case against Netanyahu dates back to 2019.

The families of the martyrs of the July uprising will receive a one-time financial grant, a monthly allowance, and employment opportunities for one able-bodied family member. However, these jobs will not be granted under any quota system, clarified Adviser Nahid Islam in a Facebook post on Monday night. He stated that these jobs, whether in government or private sectors, will be based on merit. Recognizing the lifelong impact on the injured, he emphasized the government's commitment to their rehabilitation, stating that it is both a duty and a promise.

A list of 84 police officers has been finalized for arrest following allegations that former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed incited police personnel against the government. The police headquarters has approved the list, and international arrest notices are being issued through Interpol for officers who have fled the country. The Bangladesh Retired Police Officers Welfare Association has condemned Benazir’s remarks, labeling them as conspiratorial and insulting. The association also criticized the former IGP’s alleged corruption, blaming it for damaging the police force’s integrity.

Despite no official election date being set, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has begun preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections. The party has preliminarily announced 100 potential MP candidates across 21 districts. However, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman clarified that these are not final candidates but a shortlist, with official nominations to be announced later. He also emphasized the need for electoral reforms to ensure a fair election, warning that without such measures, the election could turn into a political genocide.

The first meeting of the National Consensus Commission will be held on February 15, as announced by Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus’ press secretary, Shafiqul Alam. The meeting will be chaired by the Chief Adviser and attended by various political parties and allies of the July uprising. The decision on whether subsequent meetings will be joint or separate will be made during the session. Notably, BNP met with the Chief Adviser yesterday.

Russia is awaiting further details on former U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to occupy and rebuild Gaza. In a press conference on Monday (February 10), a Kremlin spokesperson stated that the plan poses significant challenges, as approximately 1.2 million Palestinians reside in Gaza. The spokesperson also highlighted that United Nations Security Council resolutions guarantee a two-state solution for the region.

A horrific bus accident in Guatemala has left at least 51 people dead and many others injured. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the victims include 36 men and 15 women, with the death toll expected to rise. Rescue teams are working to extract survivors from the wreckage. The bodies have been sent to a provincial morgue, and the President of Guatemala has declared three days of national mourning while deploying military and disaster response teams to the area.

The Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) has opposed the recent high court ruling that allocated a 25% quota for other cadres in the promotion to deputy secretary positions. Previously, there was no fixed quota for such promotions. BASA insists that administrative cadre officers naturally deserve these positions and calls for maintaining the existing structure, which currently allocates 75% to the administrative cadre and 25% to others. Meanwhile, the Public Administration Reform Commission has proposed a 50-50 division between administrative and other cadres, sparking further debate.

A massive fire broke out at a plastic factory in Shyampur, causing significant damage. Firefighters rushed to the scene and managed to bring the blaze under control after hours of effort. No casualties have been reported so far, but authorities are assessing the extent of the damage. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

The deadlock in Bangladesh women’s football persists as Sabina Khatun and her team refuse to train under coach Butler, while the coach is prepared to form a team without them. In this situation, the rebel players might be excluded from their contracts with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). Former national men's football team captain Aminul Haque has warned that if Sabina and 18 other players leave the camp, it will be an irreplaceable loss for Bangladeshi football. He urged BFF to address the issue seriously and take action against those responsible for the crisis while ensuring the players remain on the team.

In a statement issued on Monday, Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus condemned the mob attack at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Describing the fair as a vital cultural event for writers and readers, he stated that such incidents undermine free cultural expression and dishonor the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement. The statement directed the police and the Bangla Academy to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators face legal action. Additionally, security agencies have been instructed to take stronger measures to prevent mob violence in the future.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that if all hostages held by Hamas are not released by February 15 at noon, the ceasefire agreement should be canceled. He further suggested that even if it leads to complete destruction, the decision should stand. In response, Hamas, the Palestinian armed resistance group, has suspended the hostage exchange, accusing Israel of violating the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since held discussions with top security officials, and a security cabinet meeting is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Amidst this tense situation, Trump’s remarks have added further controversy.