The first phase of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas has been completed. On Saturday, five hostages were handed over to Israeli forces via the Red Cross, with a sixth hostage set to be released later. According to AFP, Israel is releasing more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, including 50 serving life sentences. Hamas has stated that no further hostages will be released unless Israel fully withdraws its troops. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister declared that temporarily defeating Hamas remains their objective.

A robbery occurred on a Dhaka-Rajshahi bus, but no rape took place, according to Tangail Police Superintendent Mizanur Rahman. He stated that jewelry was snatched from female passengers, and incidental physical contact during the act could be considered harassment. Three suspects were arrested in Savar, and a police officer was suspended for negligence. The robbery lasted three hours, and passengers had previously detained the bus staff, who were later released on bail. A case was filed against 8 to 9 unidentified individuals.

U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed General Charles Q. Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a major military shake-up. Defense Secretary also announced the removal of Navy Chief Admiral Lisa Franchetti and Air Force Vice Chief General James Slife. Trump appointed retired Lt. Gen. John Dunn Kane as Brown’s replacement, an unprecedented move as Kane is not a four-star general. Trump hinted at further dismissals, continuing his planned overhaul of the U.S. military leadership.

A tragic bus accident in Kashiani, Gopalganj, claimed the lives of a driver and a supervisor, leaving 12 others injured. The incident occurred around 11 AM on Saturday in Hironnakandi when a Tungipara Express bus rear-ended a Sohaag Paribahan bus traveling from Dhaka to Khulna, causing it to crash into a tree. Emergency responders rushed the injured to hospitals, where two succumbed to their injuries. Eyewitnesses fear the death toll may rise as authorities continue rescue efforts.

A violent clash broke out between two BNP-affiliated groups—Swechchhasebak Dal and Jubo Dal—over smuggling activities in Feni’s Parshuram. The confrontation left Arif Hossain (40), a member of Swechchhasebak Dal, and Tanveer, a Jubo Dal leader, critically injured with severe head wounds. The incident occurred in the West Saheb Nagar area around 10 p.m. on Friday. Both victims were rushed to Parshuram Hospital. Authorities confirmed the incident stemmed from illegal border activities, including soil excavation and sale.

For the first time, a freight train has been launched from Mongla Seaport, marking a new milestone in cargo transportation. On Friday, a train carrying 1,050 metric tons of molasses imported from Pakistan departed for Baghabari, Sirajganj. The cargo was loaded from United Refinery & Bulk Storage Limited via pipeline into 30 wagons. This new railway link will reduce transport costs and boost trade at Mongla Port. Officials see it as a major step in enhancing the port’s efficiency in handling exports and imports.

A fire erupted at a shop in the Karail slum of Mohakhali, Dhaka, around 12:45 AM on Friday. Ten Fire Service units battled the blaze for an hour before it was brought under control by 1:45 AM. The cause of the fire and damage details remain unknown. Earlier, a fire at a sawmill in Khilgaon was extinguished after two hours. No casualties were reported in either incident, according to Fire Service officials.

In a crackdown on mineral theft along the Jadukata River in Tahirpur, Sunamganj, six individuals have been arrested and sentenced to three months in prison. They were caught stealing sand and stones from the riverbanks. A mobile court, led by Tahirpur’s Upazila Executive Officer, also fined trawler owners 150,000 taka for transporting the stolen materials. The operation was carried out with support from district authorities, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel.

Police arrested two individuals, including a banned Chhatra League leader, during a raid in Ashulia’s Gazirchat Ariyara Mor on Friday evening. The arrestees are Md. Sabuj Uddin Khan (26), a leader of the banned student organization, and Selim Reza (25), an active member of Jubo League. Sabuj Uddin Khan is facing charges related to a student-public murder case. The arrests were part of the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt. Both suspects will be presented in court on Saturday.

Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the abduction of 25 rubber plantation workers in Lama, Bandarban. On February 16, armed criminals kidnapped the workers from Murung Jhiri, Fasiakhali Union, and later released them after extorting 10 lakh taka in ransom. Following the incident, Jasim Uddin filed a case at Lama Police Station. The arrested individuals are from Thanchi, Ruma, and Lama. OC Shahadat Hossain confirmed the arrests and stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

At the 55th BGB-BSF conference in New Delhi (Feb 17-20), Bangladesh and India’s border forces agreed on six key issues, including reducing border killings to zero through joint patrols, regulating border infrastructure, curbing cross-border crimes, strengthening surveillance, combating human trafficking, and enhancing bilateral cooperation. BGB urged BSF to prevent unnecessary border violence, while BSF reaffirmed its commitment to a non-lethal approach. Discussions also covered flood prevention, waste management in border canals, and security concerns regarding separatist groups. A joint declaration formalized these agreements.

Police have recovered the hanging body of a student from a dormitory at Rajshahi University. The incident took place on Friday evening at Tuhin Hall, where the body was discovered.

Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman confirmed the matter. The deceased has been identified as Md. Sifat Sifatullah, a student of the Fisheries Department from the 2022-23 academic session.

His body has been sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Describing him as a devout and well-mannered individual, his classmate Hasib Chowdhury said, “He had been suffering from depression for some time, but he never shared it with us.”

Two individuals were shot dead by assailants in Shailkupa, Jhenaidah, late on Friday night, February 21st. The incident occurred around 11:30 PM. The officer-in-charge of Shailkupa Police Station, Masum Khan, confirmed the details, adding that the situation has caused unrest in the local community. Residents have expressed deep concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, calling for swift action from the interim government to address the growing instability.

A prisoner has died from burns sustained in an accident while cooking at Rajshahi Central Jail. The incident occurred on Friday morning at around 9:30 AM, and the prisoner succumbed to his injuries at the burn unit of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The deceased, Bipul Kumar, was a resident of Mahadebpur, Naogaon, and had been serving a life sentence since 2010 for a drug-related crime. Doctors reported that 20% of his body was burned. Although he was referred to Dhaka for further treatment, he passed away before reaching the capital. The jail superintendent declined to comment further, confirming only the prisoner’s death at the medical facility.

The nation solemnly observed Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day, remembering those who sacrificed their lives for the right to speak Bengali. Thousands walked barefoot to the Central Shaheed Minar, singing “Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushe February,” as a mark of respect. Security was tight, yet the atmosphere remained peaceful. People from all walks of life, including students and political leaders, paid tribute. The day also reinforced the commitment to a discrimination-free society, emphasizing the importance of linguistic and cultural rights.