As tensions in Gaza remain high, Israel has supported a U.S. proposal to extend the ceasefire during Ramadan and the Jewish spring festival. According to the Times of Israel, the 42-day truce is set to expire soon, and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff proposed extending it by an additional month in exchange for the release of all hostages. However, Hamas has rejected the offer, demanding a permanent ceasefire instead.

Over a 24-hour period from February 28 to March 1, eight individuals attempted suicide in Durgapur, Rajshahi, resulting in the deaths of two women. Police confirmed that Durgapur is recognized as a high-risk area for suicides, reporting the highest suicide rates in Rajshahi district. Jannatul Ferdous, 25, from Paikartoli, and Tahmina Khatun, 30, from Tebila, consumed poison due to family disputes. Both succumbed to their injuries, while the others are receiving medical treatment.

A violent clash between two rival groups erupted in Shalla, Sunamganj, on Saturday morning following a public announcement. The two-hour-long confrontation left at least 20 people injured, with homes vandalized and looted. The conflict arose over land disputes and territorial dominance between Afzal Mia’s group from Shrimail village and Juba Dal leader Jubayer Ahmed Dalim’s group. Police reported that the two sides have a long-standing rivalry and have clashed multiple times in the past.

Rowshan Mia, 37, who was critically injured in a robbery attack in Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Dhaka on Saturday. On Friday night, a gang of 10-12 robbers broke into his home, tied up family members, and assaulted them with local weapons. Rowshan and his wife, Asma Begum, sustained severe injuries. Authorities are in touch with the family to take legal action.

Hamas' military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, released a new video of Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Saturday. The footage emerged as the initial phase of a temporary ceasefire neared its end, raising uncertainty about the next steps. The video, verified by AFP, shows several captives. Two individuals in the footage were reportedly released in February, while another pleads for his release. The message accompanying the video stated, "Only a ceasefire agreement can bring them back alive."

Hamas has urged Palestinians to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan for prayers, steadfast resistance, and spiritual retreat (Itikaf). The group sees this not only as a religious duty but also as part of the broader resistance against Israeli occupation. Hamas called on Palestinians worldwide to dedicate Ramadan to worship, resistance, and defending Al-Aqsa until it is freed from occupation.

On National Voter Day, the Election Commission released the final list of voters for 2024, including newly registered ones. Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin announced that Bangladesh now has a total of 123,732,274 registered voters. The draft list was previously published on January 2. Officials had anticipated an increase of over two million new voters after reviewing objections and claims regarding the draft list.

In a three-hour-long operation from 6 PM to 10 PM on Saturday, joint forces arrested 60 criminals, including muggers and drug dealers, in Tongi, Gazipur. The operation was carried out by the army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Gazipur Metropolitan Police. Authorities seized cash amounting to 39,400 BDT, locally-made weapons, and liquor. According to the police, the Haji Mazar slum near the Turag River has been a hotspot for criminal activities. Law enforcement conducted the raid in the area, leading to the arrests.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has reported that a series of operations were conducted between February 25 and March 1 based on intelligence reports. Over the past five days, joint forces have arrested 126 individuals from various locations in the capital. Authorities have seized illegal firearms, drugs, unlicensed medicines, locally-made weapons used in criminal activities, passports, national ID cards, mobile phones, SIM cards, unauthorized cosmetics, and cash. The detainees have been handed over to local police stations for further interrogation and legal proceedings.

Job seekers have staged protests and blocked roads in response to allegations of question leakage in the Biman Bangladesh Airlines recruitment exam. On Saturday afternoon, candidates from the Lalmatia Women’s College center began protesting and blocked the road at Asad Gate. This led to traffic disruptions on Mirpur Road, Mohammadpur Road, and Manik Mia Avenue. The officer-in-charge of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station mentioned that traffic resumed after a brief intervention to clear the blockade. While authorities have dismissed the incident as a rumor, the exams at two centers were postponed.

The Election Commission (EC) will release the final list of voters added in 2024 today. To mark the release of the updated list, National Voter Day will be celebrated on Sunday. The theme for this year’s observance is “In Our Bangladesh, Let’s Vote Together.” Various programs, including discussions, have been organized nationwide in honor of the day. The EC had earlier published a draft updated voter list on January 2, which included 18,333,352 individuals. The updated list will exclude deceased voters and add new voters. EC officials predict the number of new voters will exceed 20 million after reviewing objections and claims on the draft list.

In a human chain protest, Sujan General Secretary Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar stated that reforms need to be implemented swiftly for an election to take place. Without these reforms, autocracy could once again rise to power. The human chain called for the restoration of law and order and demanded the construction of a democratic state through reforms. The protestors put forward 26 demands, including the abolition of mob culture. Dr. Majumdar emphasized that the people’s uprising against the regime was not only to oust Sheikh Hasina from power but to remove the autocratic system, including its methods, processes, and institutions. In response to questions about whether Sujan received U.S. aid for elections, he dismissed it as a rumor.

Detective Branch (DB) police in Magura have arrested six Rohingya refugees who fled Cox’s Bazar camps in an attempt to obtain Bangladeshi national identity cards. The detainees have been identified as Sanaullah, Ayub, Rajida, Harez, Arz, and Erfan. According to the police, they were residents of various refugee camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. On Saturday, they were sent back to their respective camps. Authorities revealed that one of the detainees, Sanaullah, had already acquired a Bangladeshi ID card, while the others were en route to Jashore to obtain theirs. The police confirmed that necessary legal measures were taken before their return to the camps.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Naval Commander, Alireza Tangsiri, warned, “If our ships or vessels are seized anywhere in the world, we will retaliate by capturing theirs—and it has already happened.” In line with this statement, the Iranian Navy has seized an Israeli vessel in the Persian Gulf. The first images of the captured ship were broadcast on Iran’s national television on Saturday evening. The footage showed an Iranian journalist standing next to the detained vessel. This incident has triggered fresh tensions in the Middle East.

An avalanche near the Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand, India, claimed the lives of four workers on Friday. The disaster occurred in Mana village near the India-China border, trapping 55 personnel from the Border Roads Organization. According to ANI, 50 workers have been rescued, while efforts continue to save the remaining five. A rescue operation involving 60 to 65 personnel was launched immediately after the incident, but adverse weather conditions have hampered progress.