Donald Trump has urged Elon Musk to be “more aggressive” in his role. Musk currently heads the newly established U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Trump created after assuming office for his second term last month. According to Reuters, Trump’s remark likely refers to Musk’s role in reducing federal spending. On Truth Social, Trump stated, “Elon is doing a great job, but I want to see him be more aggressive.” He hinted that “America needs saving, and the ultimate goal is to make the country bigger and stronger than ever before.”

Pakistan was unable to host the Champions Trophy independently due to India’s stance. India had firmly declared that it would not play any Champions Trophy matches on Pakistani soil. Even Rohit Sharma refused to travel to Pakistan for the official photoshoot. Amid this backdrop, an unexpected incident occurred during the Australia vs. England match in Pakistan—the Indian national anthem was played instead of Australia’s. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed strong displeasure over the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) blunder and has demanded an explanation. During the pre-match ceremony, after England’s national anthem, India’s anthem was mistakenly played instead of Australia’s. It was stopped shortly after, and Australia’s anthem was played instead. PCB has questioned why India’s anthem was played when India was not even part of the match and has urged the ICC to provide a formal explanation.

A BNP delegation, led by Abdul Moin Khan, is set to visit China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China. The delegation will leave Dhaka on Monday for a 13-day visit, returning on March 6. Central General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Nasir Uddin, confirmed that the delegation would include Abdul Moin Khan, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anni, Kaiser Kamal, Shahidul Islam Babul, Nurul Islam Nayon, Rajib Ahsan, Nasir Uddin Nasir, and Rukhsana Khondkar. Representatives from allied parties include Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Saiful Haque, Muhammad Rashed Khan, Fariduzzaman Farhad, Maulana Ataullah Amin, Babi Hajjaj, and Syed Ehsanul Huda.

Pakistan has reaffirmed its decision to send Afghan refugees who have not been approved for resettlement in the United States back to Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed this in an interview with TRT World on Saturday. He noted that discussions may be held with the United States on this matter. Dar emphasized that if any refugee has a plan to be accepted by another country but the process has not been completed, they will be considered illegal immigrants in Pakistan. This decision has sparked concerns internationally. In 2021, Pakistan provided refuge to 600,000 Afghan refugees, a portion of whom have resettled in the U.S., while others are still awaiting their turn.

Bangladesh’s foreign reserves have surged to $20.85 billion, driven by a steady flow of remittances from expatriates. In February alone, remittances amounted to $1.93 billion, pushing reserves closer to the $21 billion mark. The country’s gross reserves now stand at $26.11 billion. Bangladesh’s usable reserves are also above $15 billion, well beyond the threshold required to cover three months of imports. These positive developments reflect the country’s financial stability, with a consistent remittance inflow supporting the growth of reserves.

Speaking at a rally in National Harbor, Maryland, on Saturday, Donald Trump announced that the U.S. is close to securing a deal with Ukraine to share revenues from the country’s mineral resources. The agreement is reportedly part of efforts to offset the billions of dollars in military aid Washington has provided to Kyiv in its fight against Russian forces. “We want to recover what we’ve invested,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. is interested in acquiring rare earth minerals, oil, and other valuable resources from Ukraine. He suggested that Washington’s interest in Ukraine’s mineral wealth is also driven by a strategic need to compete with China, which dominates the global supply of rare earth elements.

At an event on Sunday at the Sarda Police Academy, Home Minister’s Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated, “The state of Bangladesh belongs to all citizens, not to any political party, group, or community. The Bangladesh Police are independent employees of the republic, adhering strictly to the law.” Addressing the new recruits, he added, “Today marks the end of your year-long basic training. From now on, you will step into the field as well-trained, skilled, and intelligent police officers, dedicated to upholding the rule of law and serving the citizens. I welcome you to this new phase of your career.” He also congratulated the recruits for their impressive parade display.

Preparations are reportedly underway for a face-to-face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. If held, this meeting would signal a dramatic shift away from the West’s policy of isolating Moscow over the Ukraine war. Speaking to Russian state media on Saturday, Ryabkov stated that the proposed meeting would cover a range of global issues beyond just the Ukraine conflict. He emphasized the need for normalizing U.S.-Russia relations, though discussions are still at an early stage. Previously, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio suggested that diplomatic normalization, an end to hostilities, and strengthening economic ties were key factors bringing the two nations closer to negotiations.

Federal employees in the U.S. have been warned that failing to submit weekly work reports by Monday night could put their jobs at risk. This directive was communicated via an email sent on February 22. According to Reuters, Elon Musk, the head of the Trump administration’s Government Efficiency Division, posted on X that employees who fail to respond to the email will be considered as having voluntarily resigned. Trump has also urged the Department of Government Efficiency (DGE) to accelerate workforce reductions, targeting a significant cut in the 2.3 million federal employees. Questions remain about the legal standing of Musk’s directive and how employees working on classified projects should respond.

Pope Francis’ health has deteriorated, with Vatican authorities confirming on Saturday (February 22) that his condition is now critical. The 88-year-old Pontiff was admitted to a hospital in Rome on February 14 for treatment of bronchitis and a medical evaluation. Further tests revealed pneumonia in both lungs, exacerbating his pre-existing asthma condition. As a result, his health has become increasingly fragile. The Vatican reports that the Pope remains conscious and alert, spending most of his time seated, but requires additional oxygen and blood circulation support. His platelet count has also dropped significantly. Amid growing concerns, discussions about a possible resignation have begun within the Church.

Bilkis Jahan Shireen, BNP leader, has accused political opponents of plotting conspiracies against her since the fall of the fascist government. In a recent press conference, Shireen denied claims regarding a 10 crore taka pond in Barisal, calling them false and fabricated. She stated her family has legitimate ownership of the land for over 70 years and rejected all allegations. Shireen believes the media is being used to tarnish her image and destroy her political career through deliberate misinformation.

Speaking at an event at Delhi University on Saturday, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern over allegations made by the Trump administration regarding USAID. He stated that while USAID was originally allowed to operate in good faith, recent disclosures by Trump officials raise serious concerns. “It appears that certain individuals have been actively shaping a particular narrative,” Jaishankar remarked. The Indian government is currently investigating the matter. Previously, the U.S. had canceled a $21 million grant meant to influence Indian voters ahead of upcoming elections.

Mohammad Tajul Islam, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal, stated that Sheikh Hasina visited Pangu Hospital and ordered the cessation of medical treatment for those severely injured in the protests, saying “No Treatment, No Release.” Doctors and hospital staff have provided evidence on this matter, which has been presented to the court by the prosecution. Not only patients but also doctors have testified. He mentioned that under the administration’s instructions, the bodies of martyrs were not allowed to be examined, and in some cases, death certificates were not issued. Even when death certificates were provided, the cause of death from gunshot wounds was not mentioned.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Bahrain commemorated International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Day with a series of events on its premises. The ceremony began at 9 AM with the hoisting of the national flag by Ambassador Md. Rois Hasan Sarwar, in the presence of embassy officials, staff, and leaders of the Bangladeshi community. The message from the Chief Adviser was read out during the event. The program also featured poetry recitations, cultural performances, and traditional dances. In his speech, Sarwar emphasized the sacrifices made for the Bengali language and urged respect for other languages and cultures, stating that only through such mutual respect can the dignity of the Bengali language be further enhanced.

The Taliban government has severely restricted Afghan women’s freedom of speech and education. However, ‘Radio Begum,’ a women-run radio station that was previously shut down, is set to resume broadcasting. According to the Ministry of Information and Culture, the station has been allowed to reopen after committing to follow certain conditions. Arab News reports that the station must operate under the guidelines of journalism and the Islamic Emirate’s regulations and must not violate them in the future. The channel is entirely run by women.