The French government has officially recognized Imamate as a profession and included it in the country’s employment list. The announcement was made by France’s Interior Minister during the closing session of the French Islam Forum, a government initiative aimed at improving relations between the state and representatives of the Muslim community. This recognition establishes Imamate as a structured and legitimate profession within France.

Biplob Mondal, a 33-year-old salon worker from Naogaon, was shot and killed during the August 5 mass uprising in Dhaka’s Baipayl area. That morning, he had promised his daughter he would bring her chocolate on his way home—but he never returned alive. His father recalled their last phone call on August 4, when Biplob warned his younger brother to stay indoors due to the worsening situation in the country. The next day, when his father tried to call him, his phone was unreachable. As they waited anxiously for his return, they received the devastating news—Biplob was dead. However, his body was not found until the next day at the morgue. Now, his grieving family, left without their sole breadwinner, is demanding a government job for a family member and financial support for his daughter’s education.

Police have intervened in a protest march by private primary school teachers demanding nationalization of their institutions. The march, called ‘March to Jamuna,’ was planned to reach the Chief Adviser’s residence. Teachers set off from the National Press Club on Wednesday, following their previous day’s announcement. Protesters are demanding government benefits, including housing and medical allowances, full festival bonuses, and the nationalization of MPO-enlisted institutions. Police claimed that after discussions, the teachers agreed to halt their march and later gathered in a demonstration at Topkhana Road near the Press Club.

Hamas has offered a proposal for a permanent ceasefire in exchange for the release of all hostages in its custody. While Israel has not formally responded to the offer, its forces launched an attack in Gaza, killing three Palestinians. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 11 others were injured in the past 24 hours. Additionally, another Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli aggression, while two more bodies were recovered from the rubble.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been conducting secret drone operations over Mexico. According to CNN, MQ-9 Reaper drones are being used to monitor drug cartels and their hideouts, potentially as a precursor to targeted strikes. These drones have previously been deployed for attacks in Somalia, Iraq, and Syria. However, Mexico’s president has denied any violation of the country’s airspace, claiming the drones remained within U.S. international airspace. Meanwhile, the Mexican defense minister has suggested that these operations could involve espionage. Earlier, the U.S. president had directed the designation of several Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

To mark International Mother Language Day on February 21, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has unveiled a commemorative postage stamp, along with a first-day cover and a special postmark. At the same event, another commemorative stamp, first-day cover, and postmark were released to celebrate the upcoming 7th National COMDECA 2025. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Advisers Nahid Islam and Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdh, along with Postal & Telecommunications Secretary Muhammad Mushfiqur Rahman and Director General of the Postal Department S.M. Shahabuddin.

A court has ordered the seizure of 100 bighas of land, five houses, and two flats belonging to former DB Chief Harun-or-Rashid. Additionally, 10 bank accounts in his name, containing approximately 12.7 million BDT, have been frozen. His brother Shahriar’s 30 bighas of land, 11 bank accounts, and shares in three companies have also been seized. The ACC reported that Harun illegally accumulated over 1.7 billion BDT, while his brother amassed 1.3 billion BDT. They were allegedly attempting to transfer their assets, prompting the court to approve immediate confiscation.

Farmers in Rajshahi staged protests by dumping sacks of potatoes on the Rajshahi-Naogaon highway, condemning a 100% rent hike in cold storage fees. The protest was backed by local BNP leaders. Previously, the storage cost was 4 BDT per kg, but owners have now increased it to 8 BDT per kg. Farmers have demanded a return to the original rate, stating they would rather discard their produce than pay the inflated fees. BNP leader Shafiqul Haque Milon criticized the cold storage syndicate, vowing to dismantle their monopoly and ensure fair pricing for farmers.

A court has ordered the seizure of 65 bighas of land owned by Additional DIG Gazi Md. Mozammel Haque following an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) request. The land is valued at over 21.9 million BDT. Additionally, 12 plots worth 27.6 million BDT, owned by his wife Farzana Mozammel, and 10 plots worth 7.98 million BDT, registered under his daughter Gazi Bushra Tabassum, have been seized. The court also froze 28 bank accounts belonging to the family, holding a total of 145.6 million BDT. The ACC stated that an investigation is ongoing into their illegally acquired wealth, and immediate action was necessary to prevent asset transfers.

The Supreme Court has scheduled a review hearing for Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam’s death sentence appeal on Thursday. The case is listed ninth on the Supreme Court’s official cause list, with proceedings set to take place under Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed’s bench. Azhar was sentenced to death on December 30, 2014, by the International Crimes Tribunal for war crimes committed in 1971. The verdict was upheld by the Appellate Division on October 23, 2019.

The Revolutionary Student Council has urged President Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu not to attend the first-hour tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar on February 21. At a protest at Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial on Wednesday, council convener Abdul Wahed accused the president of remaining silent during the July-August massacre, where over 2,000 people were killed. Wahed also claimed that Chuppu was elected by an “illegitimate parliament” and demanded his resignation. He urged the president to “reflect on his position” from Bangabhaban instead of appearing in public during International Mother Language Day.

Following the removal of Cox’s Bazar Police Superintendent Rahmat Ullah over a drug-related scandal, seven more officers, including District Intelligence Branch OC Jahangir Alam, have been suspended and attached to the police lines. Investigations against them are ongoing. Earlier, on January 6, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was seized in Ramu Upazila with 490,000 yaba pills. A team led by OC Jahangir Alam and SI Samir Guha initially arrested four suspects but allegedly released three in exchange for 12 million BDT. The matter came to light through an investigative report by Jugantor, prompting police authorities to take disciplinary action.

A court has ordered the freezing of 20 bank accounts belonging to former State Minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu and his wife, Seema Hamid, following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday. These accounts reportedly hold over 21 million BDT. The ACC stated that an investigation is underway into the couple’s alleged unexplained wealth and that they were attempting to transfer or launder their assets, making an immediate freeze necessary.

The Ministry of Public Administration has appointed 33 Deputy Commissioners (DCs), who previously served as Returning Officers during the 2018 national elections, as Officer on Special Duty (OSD). A separate notification was issued on Wednesday detailing their new assignments. These officials, previously holding the position of Joint Secretary, have now been transferred to the Ministry of Public Administration. The move reflects ongoing administrative adjustments post-election.

The police in the Vairamara area of Kushtia have discovered the bodies of a married couple in their home. The body of the wife, 65-year-old Rabeya Khatun, was found lying under a blanket on the bed, with her head covered. Meanwhile, her husband, 75-year-old Farid Uddin, was found hanging from the rafters nearby. The bodies were recovered at 12 PM on Wednesday and sent to the morgue. The police suspect that the wife may have been strangled to death, as there are signs of neck injury. Farid Uddin, originally from Natore, lived with his second wife. Rabeya Khatun’s children from her first marriage also live nearby. The cause and motive of the deaths are yet to be determined, but the police suspect that the husband may have killed his wife.