Hamas has named six Israeli hostages who will be released on Saturday as part of a ceasefire deal. In return, Israel will free 602 Palestinian prisoners. The hostages include Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Tal Shoham, Omer Wenkert, Hisham al-Sayed, and Avera Mengisto. This marks the final phase of the current ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, tensions remain high after Israel claimed that Hamas handed over the wrong body in a previous exchange. Talks for a second phase of the ceasefire are expected soon. The war has caused heavy losses on both sides since it began in October 2023.

The family of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli hostage, refuses to mourn her sons Ariel and Kfir until her body is returned. Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire after forensic testing revealed an unidentified body handed over Thursday was not Shiri. Hamas claims her remains were mixed with others due to Israeli airstrikes. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed "revenge," but Shiri’s sister-in-law Ofri Bibas Levy urged focus on recovering hostages. Hamas previously said Shiri and her sons were killed in an Israeli strike, but Israel insists the boys were executed in captivity.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has imposed a ₹3.44 crore penalty on BBC India for violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Directors Giles Anthony Hunt, Indu Shekhar Sinha, and Paul Michael Gibbons were each fined ₹1.14 crore. The ED found that BBC India failed to reduce its foreign direct investment (FDI) to 26%, maintaining 100% despite a 2019 government directive. A ₹5,000 daily fine applies from October 15, 2021, until compliance. The probe followed a 2023 Income Tax survey alleging financial discrepancies. BBC has not yet responded to the penalty order.

Three flights carrying deported Indian migrants from the US landed at Amritsar airport, highlighting Punjab's growing human smuggling crisis. An India Today investigation in Jalandhar exposed illegal immigration rackets, where agents offer dangerous routes to Western nations for high fees. Fraudulent political asylum applications in Canada and perilous "donkey routes" to Europe were uncovered. Agents like Sahil Verma and Raman facilitated these illegal journeys, exploiting immigration loopholes. With US deportations increasing, concerns over safety risks and policy misuse intensify. "The more money you spend, the better the journey," an agent revealed, underscoring the lucrative nature of this illicit industry.

Moscow is preparing to declare "victory" in Ukraine on February 24, marking three years since its invasion, according to Ukrainian intelligence. The Kremlin aims to frame the announcement as a triumph over both Ukraine and NATO, with Russian propaganda portraying the war as a broader conflict with the alliance. The report comes amid U.S.-Russia negotiations on the war and heightened tensions between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump, who has been critical of Zelenskyy, recently called him a "dictator" and urged a swift peace deal.

12 civilians died in Russian strikes on Ukraine, officials said. Homes and key infrastructure were hit. The White House urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a deal giving the US access to Ukraine’s critical minerals in exchange for aid. Meanwhile, the US and Russia are considering a possible meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, but no decision has been made. Reports say the US opposes calling Russia the "aggressor" in a G7 statement on the war’s third anniversary. The White House says all options are open for peace talks, but Ukraine is not included yet.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned Hamas for a "cruel and malicious violation" of the ceasefire agreement after the militant group returned a body misidentified as that of Israeli mother Shiri Bibas. While the remains of her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, were correctly identified, the third body was found to be that of a Gazan woman. Netanyahu has vowed to intensify military operations against Hamas in response to this incident, which has further strained the fragile ceasefire and heightened tensions in the region. 

  The remains of four Israeli hostages, including Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, have been returned to Israel. Hamas claims they were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The United Nations rights chief condemned the public display of bodies in Gaza as a violation of international law. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed sorrow and sought forgiveness for failing to protect citizens during the attack. Hamas has indicated readiness to release all remaining hostages if the Gaza ceasefire agreement advances to its second phase. Arab states have scheduled an emergency summit on March 4 to discuss post-war reconstruction in Gaza, opposing a US plan for the region. Additionally, regional Saudi meetings aim to consolidate an Arab response to the war and the US proposals.    

  Kashyap 'Kash' Patel has been confirmed as the ninth Director of the FBI, becoming the first person of Indian origin to hold the position. The US Senate approved his nomination by a 51-49 vote, following President Donald Trump's endorsement. Born to Gujarati parents in New York, Patel has a strong background in law and national security, having served as the National Security Advisor. At his Senate confirmation hearing, Patel expressed gratitude and committed to making the FBI "transparent, accountable, and committed to justice." He also shared personal experiences of racism during his youth.    

      Russian forces reclaimed over 800 sq km in Ukraine’s Kursk region, while Moscow launched an overnight drone attack, with 80 drones shot down and 78 lost. Russia also struck Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in Odesa for a second time, leaving parts without power.Russia's central bank denied involvement in US sanction discussions. The Kremlin criticized UK peacekeeping plans, labeling them a threat. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's remarks about President Trump and urged Ukraine to reconsider its stance on rare earth mineral deals with the US.