United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that human rights are under full-scale attack worldwide, often led by the most powerful figures. Speaking on Monday at the opening session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he said the rule of law is being replaced by the rule of force and that these assaults are happening openly, not from the shadows.

Guterres criticized Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, noting that more than 15,000 civilians have been killed in four years of violence, and called for an immediate end to the bloodshed. He also highlighted blatant violations of human rights, human dignity, and international law in the occupied Palestinian territories, warning that the situation is undermining prospects for a two-state solution. He urged the international community not to allow such trends to continue.

He emphasized that human rights are being deliberately and strategically sidelined worldwide and called for urgent collective action to protect the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international human rights law without compromise.

India and Israel have built a strong strategic partnership based on shared interests in defense, technology, agriculture, and counterterrorism since normalizing relations in 1992. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have described the relationship as a powerful alliance, with Modi scheduled to visit Israel on February 27–28, 2026, during his third term. Israel has become India’s top defense supplier, while India serves as a major market for Israeli technology.

Critics argue that this growing partnership marks a departure from India’s historic anti-colonial and pro-Palestinian stance, aligning it with Israel’s militarized and occupation-based policies. Concerns have been raised about the use of Israeli surveillance and drone technologies in India and their implications for human rights. The collaboration has also been linked to rising Islamophobia and the marginalization of minorities.

Despite strengthening military ties with Israel, India continues to maintain diplomatic and humanitarian relations with the Palestinian Authority. Recent statements suggest India is attempting to rebalance its Middle East policy by reaffirming support for a two-state solution and criticizing Israeli actions in the West Bank.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called for a diplomatic solution to the Iran issue. She made the appeal on Monday, February 23, ahead of possible talks between Tehran and Washington, and following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of an attack on Iran. Speaking before a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas emphasized that the region does not need another war and already faces many conflicts.

Kallas noted that Iran is currently in a weakened position and urged that this moment be used to find a diplomatic resolution. Her remarks come as Iran and the United States prepare to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

The EU’s call for diplomacy reflects its continued preference for negotiation over confrontation in addressing Middle East crises, particularly as global concern grows over potential military escalation.

The Indian government has advised its citizens currently in Iran to leave the country immediately due to escalating tensions and fears of potential U.S. military strikes. The Indian Embassy in Tehran issued a statement on social media platform X on Monday, urging all Indian nationals to depart using any available commercial flights or other transportation options. The embassy also requested citizens to stay in contact with embassy officials and keep emergency contact numbers handy.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, around 10,000 Indian nationals typically reside in Iran. The advisory follows an increase in U.S. military presence in the Middle East, with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and additional fighter aircraft already deployed to the region. The USS Gerald R. Ford is also expected to be stationed there soon.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump set a 10 to 15-day deadline for talks with Iran and warned that limited military strikes were being considered to pressure Tehran into a “serious” agreement.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet, built with indigenous technology, was involved in an accident on February 7 at a key military base, according to an IAF statement released on Monday. The single-seat aircraft was returning from a training flight when its brakes failed during landing, causing it to veer off the runway and sustain damage. The pilot ejected safely, and no casualties were reported.

The Tejas, developed by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was formally inducted into the IAF on January 17, 2015. The crashed jet belonged to a batch of about 30 single-seat Tejas aircraft currently in service. Following the incident, all aircraft from the same batch have been temporarily grounded for inspection.

This marks the third Tejas crash to date. The first occurred in March 2024 near Jaisalmer, and the second during the Dubai Air Show, which resulted in the death of Wing Commander Naman Sale. The February 7 crash is the latest in this sequence.

Iran has signed a secret missile agreement worth about $589 million with Russia to strengthen its air defense system, according to leaked Russian documents cited by the Financial Times. The deal was reportedly signed in Moscow in December 2025. Under the agreement, Russia will supply Iran with 500 'Verba man-portable air defense systems' and 2,500 9M336-type missiles over three years, with deliveries scheduled in three phases between 2027 and 2029. Some of the missiles may be delivered earlier than planned.

The report states that Tehran requested the purchase from Moscow in July 2025, following an Israeli attack on Iran and a 12-day conflict in June of that year. The request was made to enhance Iran’s defense capabilities and protect strategic installations. The Verba system is described as one of Russia’s most advanced air defense technologies.

The agreement underscores Iran’s efforts to rebuild and modernize its defense infrastructure after the 2025 conflict, signaling deeper military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that expanding nuclear power is one of Russia’s top priorities. He made the remarks in a video message following the expiration of the nuclear treaty with the United States. Putin said that developing nuclear capabilities would ensure Russia’s security. According to his message, strengthening nuclear power will enhance strategic deterrence and maintain the global balance of power.

In his address, Putin also pledged to strengthen Russia’s army and navy. He said that all branches of the armed forces would be improved, including their combat readiness and ability to operate under the most difficult conditions. The statement came after the New START treaty between Russia and the United States expired earlier this month without renewal.

Russia has said it will adopt a responsible approach toward its strategic nuclear capabilities, even as it prioritizes the development of its defense forces.

Israeli forces have launched a large-scale arrest campaign across the occupied West Bank, detaining more than 100 Palestinians since the start of Ramadan. Those arrested include women, children, and individuals previously released from Israeli prisons. The operations intensified from February 18 in areas including Jerusalem, while Israeli authorities also restricted Ramadan decorations and celebrations.

According to the report, Israeli authorities prevented Palestinian worshippers from performing the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, even though they held valid permits. Rights groups stated that more than 9,300 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in Israel, including 350 children. They also reported that since the onset of the Gaza conflict about two and a half years ago, Israel has limited food supplies to detainees and restricted their ability to pray or read the Quran.

Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations have warned that torture, starvation, and medical neglect have led to the deaths of numerous Palestinian prisoners.

The United States and Canada have issued travel and safety warnings for their citizens in Mexico following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho. The Mexican army reported that the 59-year-old Jalisco New Generation Cartel chief was injured in a gunfight with soldiers in Tapalpa and died while being flown to Mexico City. His death triggered violence, road blockades, and flight cancellations across several regions.

According to Agence France-Presse, the US Department of State’s Consular Affairs office advised Americans in Mexico to remain in safe locations due to ongoing security operations, roadblocks, and criminal activity. Canada said it is closely monitoring the situation and urged its citizens to follow local authorities’ guidance. Flights were disrupted in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, with several US and Canadian airlines canceling services.

Airlines including United, American, Southwest, Alaska, Air Canada, and WestJet/Sunwing suspended flights, with some aircraft forced to return mid-route. Carriers plan to send planes to retrieve stranded passengers and crew once conditions stabilize.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already started World War III. In an interview with the BBC, Zelensky said that only intense military and economic pressure can stop Putin. He rejected any notion of Ukraine being on the path to defeat, asserting that the war would end with Ukraine’s victory.

Zelensky emphasized that accepting a ceasefire under Russia’s conditions would mean surrendering strategically important territories that Russia failed to capture despite heavy losses. He argued that Russia seeks to impose a different way of life on the world, replacing the choices people have made for themselves. According to him, the key question now is how far Putin can go and how the world will stop him.

The Ukrainian leader reiterated that Russia must be confronted through sustained military and economic measures, not by conceding territory or making strategic compromises under the guise of peace.

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Sunday that 614 people have been killed and 1,643 injured in Gaza during the four months since a ceasefire was declared on October 10 of last year. The ceasefire followed two years of intense Israeli military operations and was announced after intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued to carry out attacks targeting Gaza residents.

According to the ministry, two people were killed and three injured in the past 24 hours due to Israeli strikes. It also stated that 726 bodies have been recovered from the rubble during this period, while many victims remain trapped beneath collapsed structures. Reports from Al Jazeera and the Palestinian news agency Wafa detailed recent attacks in Jabalia refugee camp, Khan Younis, and Beit Lahia, where several civilians, including a woman, were killed.

Since October 2023, a total of 72,072 people have been killed and 171,741 injured in Gaza as a result of Israeli military actions, according to the ministry’s data.

Iran and the United States are set to resume discussions in Geneva on Thursday, confirmed Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi. He announced the meeting in a social media post on Sunday, stating that the talks aim to achieve positive progress toward finalizing an agreement. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera.

The development comes as the United States continues to expand its military presence in the Middle East, a move that has heightened fears of a full-scale conflict with Iran. Just hours before Oman’s confirmation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is ready to implement a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure its nuclear program remains peaceful, which could help ease tensions.

Speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Araghchi emphasized that despite military risks, Iran intends to enrich uranium domestically rather than purchasing it abroad, citing national pride and the value of its scientists’ achievements.

Greenland has rejected a proposal by US President Donald Trump to send a floating hospital to the autonomous Danish territory. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen said the island does not need such a facility, noting that its citizens already receive free medical care under the existing public health system. He urged Trump to engage in direct dialogue rather than making announcements on social media.

The plan was announced by Trump on his Truth Social account on Saturday, where he said he was working with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to send a large hospital ship to Greenland to treat people lacking adequate medical services. The ship, according to Trump, had already departed.

The move comes amid growing tension between NATO allies Denmark and the United States. Their traditionally strong bilateral relationship has been under pressure in recent months, as Trump has expressed interest in gaining control over the mineral-rich and strategically important Arctic island.

Iran marked the 47th anniversary of its Islamic Revolution on 11 February amid escalating tensions with the United States and Israel. US President Donald Trump has threatened regime change in Tehran over its nuclear program and reportedly considered limited strikes targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior officials. Washington has deployed aircraft carriers and additional fighter jets near Iran, while Israel has placed its defense forces on high alert and prepared for potential missile retaliation.

Khamenei, now 86 and in power for 36 years, is confronting one of the gravest crises of his rule. Iran’s economy remains crippled by sanctions, and recent protests over inflation and shortages have left thousands dead after violent crackdowns. Meanwhile, Iran’s regional influence has waned following the weakening of allies such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, and the loss of key military infrastructure in Israeli and US strikes.

Despite these setbacks, Khamenei has vowed to defend the Islamic Republic, warning that Iran could sink US warships if attacked. The outcome of this standoff may determine the future of Iran’s revolutionary system and its role in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

At least 17 people were killed and 24 others injured when a passenger bus fell into the Trishuli River in Nepal’s Dhading district on Sunday. The bus was traveling from Pokhara to the capital, Kathmandu, when it lost control and plunged into the river, according to a report by TRT World. Police said a large number of security personnel joined the rescue operation, and efforts were underway to identify the victims. The injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The cause of the accident remains unclear.

The report noted that Nepal frequently experiences road accidents due to weak infrastructure, old vehicles, and the country’s challenging mountainous terrain. Authorities have not yet provided further details about the circumstances leading to the crash.

Rescue operations continued at the site as officials worked to recover bodies and assist survivors, highlighting ongoing safety concerns on Nepal’s hilly roads.