Following an unprecedented verbal spat between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, concerns are mounting over NATO’s stability and Europe’s security. Analysts believe Trump’s efforts to strengthen ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin have heightened tensions. BBC journalist Jeremy Bowen suggests that this rift signals a deepening crisis between the U.S. and NATO’s European members. Trump stated that Zelensky should return for negotiations only if he is ready for peace. Speculation is growing that Washington may reduce military aid to Ukraine following the dispute.

The seven newly appointed members of the Public Service Commission (PSC) took their oath of office on Sunday. Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath at the Judges’ Lounge of the Supreme Court. The members, appointed by the President on February 18, are: Professor Ferdous Arfina Osman, Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, Md. Munir Hossain, Professor Shahnaz Sarker, Professor A.T.M. Farid Uddin, Professor Md. Sharif Hossain, and Anwarul Islam.

Following a meeting of the National Awards Advisory Committee on Sunday, Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul announced that this year’s Independence Award will be given solely based on merit, transcending political and group affiliations. He confirmed that fewer than ten individuals will receive the award. “In the past, controversial individuals and institutions, such as RAB, have received national awards. However, this is the highest honor of our nation, and we have recommended names without political bias,” he stated. Education Adviser added that only those with extraordinary contributions to national life will be honored this time.

The Supreme Court has scheduled the review hearing on the abolition of the caretaker government system for May 8. In 2011, a seven-member Appellate Division bench, led by then-Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque, ruled the 13th constitutional amendment unconstitutional, leading to its repeal by the Awami League government. A petition challenging this ruling was filed in August last year, and the court has now set a date for the review.

During Ramadan, prison authorities have arranged special Suhoor and Iftar meals for inmates across 17 prisons in Dhaka, including the Dhaka Central Jail. According to DIG Md. Jahangir Kabir, inmates who wish to fast will be provided with hot meals for Suhoor. The Iftar menu includes chickpeas, puffed rice, onion fritters, dates, jilapi, bananas, and sherbet, along with eggs. Additionally, hot cooked meals will be served for Suhoor. Regular three meals a day will continue for all inmates, but separate meals will be prepared for those observing the fast.

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.