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.

To maintain law and order, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has launched operations in Dhaka as part of Operation Devil Hunt, following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

On Monday night, BGB set up checkpoints in key locations across the capital, alongside the deployment of additional police forces to enhance security.

Colonel Md. Nazrul Islam, Commander of the Dhaka BGB Sector, told the media, “We are conducting searches on suspicious individuals and vehicles. We hope our efforts will help improve the law-and-order situation in our designated areas.”

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances is currently investigating the whereabouts of 330 missing individuals, confirmed commission chairman Moinul Islam Chowdhury.

He stated that, to date, the commission has received 1,752 complaints. Preliminary verification of around 1,000 cases has been completed, and testimonies from 280 complainants have been recorded. Additionally, statements from approximately 45 law enforcement officers have been documented.

Chowdhury further mentioned that since August 5, no new cases of enforced disappearances involving individuals arriving from India have been identified, but investigations regarding prisoners in Indian jails are ongoing.

According to a report published on Monday by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), a record 43,236 Bangladeshis applied for asylum in EU countries in 2024, marking an increase from 40,332 applications in 2023. However, the report did not specify the reasons behind the surge in asylum requests.

Italy remained the top destination, receiving 21% of all Bangladeshi asylum applications. In contrast, the number of asylum seekers in France saw a sharp decline—from 10,215 in 2023 to just 6,429 in 2024.

A spotted deer searching for freshwater was injured in an attack by stray dogs after wandering into a residential area in Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Monday afternoon. The wounded deer was rescued by the Forest Department and admitted to a veterinary facility for advanced medical treatment.

Roni Ali Khan, the Sitakunda Forest Range Officer, explained, "The deer entered the locality in search of drinking water and was attacked by dogs near the embankment area by the sea." Efforts are underway to rehabilitate the animal after treatment.

Allegations have surfaced that Jahidul Islam Jahangir, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Singair Police Station in Manikganj, has orchestrated a bribery scheme worth nearly Tk 10 crore ($1 million) over the past six months. Reports suggest he has strategically placed his preferred Sub-Inspectors (SIs) to run an extortion ring. As a result, the district police superintendent’s office has issued three separate show-cause notices against him. Meanwhile, key members of his syndicate have been transferred—SI Suman Chakraborty to Shibalaya Police Station, SI Muttalib Hossain to Doulatpur, and SI Masudur Rahman has also received a transfer order.

Israel has conducted an airstrike near Tartus, Syria, as confirmed by Syrian state media on Monday. According to a statement from the Israeli military, the strike targeted a military facility near Kardaha, the birthplace of former President Bashar al-Assad, approximately 60 kilometers north of Tartus Port. The facility reportedly housed weapons stockpiles from the previous Syrian government.

As of now, there have been no reports of casualties, according to Syria's state news agency, SANA.

Pope Francis is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia affecting both lungs, the Vatican has confirmed. According to Al Jazeera, on Monday, a significant buildup of mucus in his lungs led to two episodes of severe respiratory distress. He also suffered from bronchospasms.

Despite his hospitalization, Pope Francis issued a new statement on Monday, expressing concern over the repeated failures of international organizations in preventing wars. Since February 14, no photos or videos of the Pope have been released, marking one of the longest absences in his papacy.

Donald Trump has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky does not want peace in the ongoing war with Russia. He also questioned Zelensky's growing ties with European leaders.

In an interview with AP on Sunday, Zelensky stated that there is no immediate prospect of ending the Russia-Ukraine war. He emphasized that any agreement must be fair and sustainable.

Reacting to this, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday that this was the "worst statement" Zelensky had made so far and that the United States would no longer tolerate such positions.