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.

On Sunday, it was reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended military aid to Ukraine. The decision came after a heated exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. According to Fox News, Trump stated that assistance would remain halted until Ukraine demonstrates a genuine commitment to peace. He further remarked that Zelensky should show more gratitude for Washington’s support.

Police have arrested two men for allegedly raping a woman from an indigenous community in Sylhet’s Companiganj area. The accused, identified as Pradeep Das (45) and Md. Alauddin (32), were taken into custody on Sunday evening and sent to jail on Monday following a court order. Reports indicate that Pradeep lured the woman under the pretense of taking her to a doctor but instead took her to Alauddin’s residence. From there, she was forcefully abducted and raped in a secluded pit near the banks of the Dhalai River. The victim managed to escape when Alauddin attempted to assault her.

Two robbers were beaten to death by villagers in Chattogram’s Satkania after an attempted burglary on Monday night. According to the Satkania police, a group of armed robbers arrived at a house in a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw during evening prayers. When villagers noticed them and chased after them, the robbers opened fire in an attempt to escape. However, two of them were caught by the locals and beaten to death. Five people sustained injuries from the gunfire. The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed.

With Donald Trump back in the White House, the dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine war are shifting. The tension has been evident in recent confrontations between the US and Ukrainian presidents. In a major policy shift, Trump is now considering halting US military assistance to Ukraine. He is set to discuss the matter with key advisers on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the UK and France have proposed a partial ceasefire agreement and are seeking US support for it.

Law enforcement authorities have arrested Titu Das (45), a key suspect in the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif in Lohagara, Chattogram. According to police, Titu Das was named in the case and also faces charges related to explosives and vandalism. Lawyer Alif was killed during a violent clash at the court premises over the trial of Chinmoy Das, a sedition case suspect.

Police obstructed a protest march by teachers demanding the nationalization of MPO-listed educational institutions and related benefits. The teachers began their march from the National Press Club on Monday, but were stopped as they approached the Secretariat. For the past month, they have been staging sit-ins and symbolic hunger strikes in front of the Press Club. The protesting teachers stated, “We do not believe in mere assurances. The government must announce on-site that our demands are met; otherwise, we will continue our protest with our families.”

The Bangladesh Bank has announced that bill auctions will be held on four days in March to regulate market liquidity. According to a notice issued on Monday, auctions for 30-day, 90-day, and 180-day bills will take place on March 5, 12, 19, and 27. Investors can place bids for a minimum of Tk 1 million or any multiple thereof. The notice also stated that bids must be submitted electronically, quoting the total face value and the proposed purchase price at a discount per Tk 100 face value. Bidding will be open from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM on auction days via the FM module.

Six individuals have been arrested for their involvement in a highway robbery in Naogaon’s Patnitala and Pabna’s Santhia. The gang had blocked a road with fallen trees to loot a passenger bus. Police recovered stolen valuables, local weapons, and a microbus used in the crime. The arrested suspects are Shamim Islam (27), Chandra Barman (30), Abdul Latif (27), Shaharul Islam (37), Shahidul Islam (40), and Shahadat Hossain (40). Law enforcement has sought their remand for further investigation to identify other members of the gang.