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.

A court has ordered the freezing of 14 bank accounts belonging to the Suchona Foundation, an organization led by WHO official and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed Puthul. The accounts reportedly hold Tk 48.35 crore. The petition alleges that Puthul, with her mother’s collusion, violated WHO regulations and misappropriated funds from government projects, laundering hundreds of crores abroad. The petition further claims that Puthul and her associates were attempting to transfer or misappropriate the foundation’s movable assets, necessitating the freezing of the accounts.

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.

In response to comments made by Turkey’s Foreign Minister, an advisor to Iran’s Foreign Minister urged Turkey to avoid “incorrect statements and unrealistic analysis” that could escalate tensions in bilateral relations. Mahmoud Heidari, assistant to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, emphasized the mutual interests of Tehran and Ankara and the necessity of avoiding such remarks. He also stated that Islamic countries should make all-out efforts to halt Israeli aggression against the people of Palestine and other regional nations like Syria. This came after Turkey’s Foreign Minister labeled Iran’s foreign policy as dangerous.

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.

The BNP-Jamaat-aligned teaching group at Dhaka University, known as the White Group, presented 13 demands on Tuesday. Among their demands were justice for those who attacked students during the July uprising, expansion of housing facilities, ensuring campus safety, and improving the quality of education. The demands were submitted to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan. The group also highlighted the significant contributions of Dhaka University to the nation’s history and scientific research.

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.

Mohammad Nezam Uddin (45) and Mohammad Salek (35), who were lynched in Satkania, were claimed to be Jamaat supporters by the Kanchana Union Jamaat. Locals allege that after the fall of the government on August 5, the victims arrived in the area with four or five CNGs, prompting a public announcement via loudspeaker that robbers had arrived. Subsequently, they were attacked. Reports suggest that the victims fired shots, and police claim to have recovered weapons from them. Jamaat leader Zayed stated that the two were falsely accused as robbers and killed under the pretense of arbitration. He also alleged that attempts to rescue them were obstructed by felled trees on the road.

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.’