Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has stated that NID services should remain under the Election Commission (EC), warning that transferring it elsewhere would disrupt EC’s work. He confirmed that the commission’s stance would be communicated to the government in writing. In 2023, the League government legislated the transfer of NID services to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a move the EC has recently sought to overturn. The interim government has instructed the Cabinet Secretariat to review the law supporting this transfer.

According to Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, former Dhaka University professor C.R. Abrar is set to join the interim government’s advisory council. His oath-taking ceremony will take place at Bangabhaban on Wednesday at 11 AM. He will be replacing Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, who has expressed difficulty in managing responsibilities across two ministries, particularly given the significant workload in the Planning Ministry.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that, starting March 4, Canada will impose a 25% tariff on US goods. He stated that if President Donald Trump proceeds with proposed tariffs on Canadian products, Canada will retaliate by imposing tariffs on $155 billion worth of US goods. Trudeau further emphasized that the tariffs would remain in place until the US withdraws its trade measures. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on both Canada and Mexico.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has announced that a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, ensuring Palestinians’ right to stay in their homeland, has been prepared. The plan will be presented at an emergency Arab League summit in Cairo on Tuesday. Through this, Arab countries, led by Donald Trump, aim to achieve diplomatic consensus. The minister further stated that after the plan’s approval at the Arab League’s upcoming summit, intense discussions will be held with key donor countries. He also condemned Israel’s blockage of aid entering Gaza.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has granted administrative approval for the appointment, joining, and placement of 6,531 candidates recommended for assistant teacher positions in government primary schools in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions. They have been instructed to join by March 12. Meanwhile, the Appellate Division has stayed a previous High Court order canceling the government's decision to issue their appointment letters.

Israel has halted the entry of food and other humanitarian aid to Gaza, sparking widespread condemnation from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who warned of worsening conditions. Tom Fletcher, the UN’s Human Rights Chief, described Israel’s decision as “terrifying” and stressed that international law mandates the continuation of humanitarian aid. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the decision was made in response to Hamas’s rejection of the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy.

Due to the ongoing dollar crisis, foreign airlines have reduced 45 flights between Dhaka and Chittagong. As a result, passenger demand is rising sharply, leading to a significant increase in airfares. Experts blame the high travel taxes, ground handling fees, landing, and parking charges, along with the dollar shortage. They also hold the government’s circular on group ticket sales responsible, accusing it of creating chaos in the ticket pricing system. According to the new guidelines, no airline can hold a ticket booking for more than three days, which has upset many stakeholders. They argue that daily ticket demand is growing in the country, with over 2,000 crore taka tied up in domestic banks due to the dollar crisis.

DESCO has committed to providing uninterrupted electricity during the holy month of Ramadan. In a meeting led by the Chairman Mohammad Rafiqul Islam and Managing Director Mim Ahmed, the board proposed measures to prevent power wastage and promote safe, economical use of electricity. DESCO has organized discussions with mosque imams and committees in each sales and distribution division. Additionally, awareness campaigns via leaflets are being conducted across DESCO’s service areas to engage customers in sustainable energy usage.

On February 15, a woman from Uttar Pradesh, India, was executed in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The woman, Shahzadi, had been sentenced to death under UAE law. On the eve of her execution, she called her family in Uttar Pradesh, crying as she informed them of her fate. Shahzadi had been convicted for the death of a child she had been caring for. The Indian government has been urged to intervene by her family in a bid to prevent the execution.

In a tweet on Monday, US billionaire Elon Musk labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as ‘evil’ and blamed him for prolonging the war with Russia. Musk referred to the conflict as an ‘endless corruption grinder,’ calling it ‘evil.’ His remarks echo those of former President Donald Trump, who recently warned he would no longer tolerate Zelensky’s disobedience, urging the Ukrainian leader to be more grateful for US support. Musk had previously claimed that Zelensky wanted to continue the war to maintain his international popularity.

The United States has decided to transfer 10 illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshis, to the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba. The group also includes nationals from Afghanistan and Pakistan. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Saturday in opposition to this decision, citing concerns over the detainees’ safety and well-being in the infamous prison, known for its high suicide rates among detainees.

During a ceremony marking the 33rd anniversary of former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin’s death, Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated that Israel would not allow Egypt to violate the 1979 peace agreement between the two countries. Katz referred to Egypt as ‘the largest and most powerful Arab nation’ and noted that the peace agreement had freed Egypt from the cycle of war, reshaping both the history of the region and the situation of the State of Israel.

In a speech delivered in Ankara on Monday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Europe’s security would be inconceivable without Turkey. He emphasized that Turkey views its EU membership process as a ‘strategic priority,’ given that Turkey is an inseparable part of Europe. Erdogan criticized Europe for spreading Islamophobia and cultural racism in areas where millions of Muslims reside, and condemned the attacks on the Quran, calling any justification of such acts as freedom ‘unacceptable.’

The size of the interim government’s Advisory Council is set to increase. According to sources, the new members will take their oath at 11 AM on Wednesday at Bangabhaban. The exact number of new advisors to be sworn in has not been disclosed. However, it is reported that Professor Dr. M. Aminul Islam, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor and currently serving in the Ministry of Education, may be appointed as an advisor with the rank of State Minister.

Battery-powered auto-rickshaw drivers and local residents blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Gazipur’s Sreepur on Tuesday morning in protest. The blockade was lifted around 11:30 AM following assurances from the military.

The protest erupted after a violent altercation on Monday evening at Gargaria Masterbari Bazaar between auto-rickshaw driver Liton (30) and staff members of Taqwa Paribahan. Liton was allegedly abducted by the transport workers, and his body was later found on the highway, about 1.5 kilometers away from the market.

His family accused Taqwa Paribahan staff of murdering him, fueling the outrage that led to the road blockade.