US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential paths to end the war in Ukraine. This meeting could also include Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The choice of Saudi Arabia as the venue raises questions, as it is considered a neutral location, and the country is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin. The US sees an opportunity to strengthen relations between Israel, the US, and Saudi Arabia, adding further significance to the decision. Saudi Arabia’s neutral stance on the conflict makes it an attractive venue for this high-stakes summit.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged to oppose US President Donald Trump’s plan to transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Speaking at a rally in the Basque Country on February 15, Sánchez stated, “No real estate venture can cover up the horrific human rights violations we have witnessed in Gaza in recent years.” He emphasized that Spain would not approve such plans and condemned the support that US Vice President Mike Pence has shown for right-wing groups in the region. Sánchez, leader of Spain’s Socialist Workers’ Party, advocates for a two-state solution that would allow Palestinians and Israelis to live in “peace, harmony, and security.”

Tensions between Bangladesh and India have escalated recently due to the controversial deportation of a former fascist leader and the demolition of a house in Dhanmondi. In response, Oman’s capital, Muscat, will host a meeting between Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, and Indian Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar. The meeting, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference on Sunday, holds significant importance amid the ongoing political tension between the two nations. Prior to this, discussions have been held between India’s Foreign Secretary and Bangladesh on issues including border security, water distribution, flood management, and trade. It is expected that the current diplomatic tension and the situation surrounding the former leader of Bangladesh may also be discussed during this meeting.

At least 48 people have been killed in a collapse at an illegal gold mine in Mali, authorities have confirmed. Despite being one of Africa’s largest gold producers, Mali frequently faces deadly accidents due to illegal mining activities. The government struggles to regulate these operations, especially considering the country is one of the poorest in the world. A police officer reported that rescue operations are ongoing as efforts continue to locate those trapped under the rubble. This incident follows another mine collapse on January 29, which claimed 10 lives and left many missing.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has announced that police verification will no longer be required for obtaining passports. Speaking at the District Commissioner Conference 2025, he urged officials to ensure that government decisions are effectively communicated to the public. The three-day conference, which began in Dhaka, includes discussions on law and order, public services, infrastructure, and governance. Unlike previous years, there will be no courtesy meeting between DCs and the President. Over 1,200 proposals have been submitted, with law enforcement reforms taking priority.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has announced that a five-member delegation, led by Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, will embark on a three-day official visit to Kuwait on February 16. During the visit, General Zaman will meet with high-ranking military and civilian officials of the Kuwaiti government to discuss bilateral military cooperation. The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two nations, facilitate the recruitment of skilled Bangladeshi workers in Kuwait, and boost the morale of Bangladeshi personnel engaged in Operation Kuwait Reconstruction.

The government’s success or failure is directly tied to maintaining law and order, said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during the formal inauguration of the three-day Deputy Commissioner (DC) Conference. Speaking at Shapla Hall in his office at 10:30 AM on Sunday, Dr. Yunus emphasized the need for effective administration in all 64 districts. He also announced that police verification will no longer be required for obtaining passports and introduced a ranking system to encourage quality improvements in government services. A total of 1,245 proposals were submitted for the conference, of which 354 have been included in the official agenda.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has arrested a man in the Tahirpur border area of Sunamganj for smuggling foreign liquor and beer. The arrested individual has been identified as Jalal, a resident of the Badaghat Union in the border region. Lieutenant Colonel A.K.M. Zakaria Kadir, commander of the Sunamganj-28 BGB unit, confirmed that a BGB patrol team apprehended Jalal along with a consignment of 10 bottles of foreign liquor and beer. He was later handed over to the Tahirpur Police Station, and a case has been filed against him.

Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the U.S. decision to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to India, warning that it could disrupt regional military balance and strategic stability. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, strongly rejected the joint U.S.-India statement that linked Pakistan to terrorism, calling it “one-sided and misleading.” The statement had earlier urged action against those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the Pathankot incident while emphasizing that Pakistani territory must not be used for cross-border terrorism.

Two people lost their lives in separate road accidents in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha. The accidents occurred on Saturday night in the Chapriganj and Fasitola 18-Mile areas. One of the deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Tara Mia. According to local sources, a collision between a motorcycle and an auto-rickshaw at Fasitola 18-Mile led to the first fatality. In a separate incident in Chapriganj, a vegetable-laden pickup truck overturned and was subsequently hit by a bus coming from behind, resulting in another fatality. The identity of the second victim has yet to be confirmed.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of London to protest against former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, the rally marched toward the U.S. Embassy in Nine Elms, London. Protesters held placards reading, “Hands off Gaza!” and banners stating, “Stand Against Trump—Canada is Not Your 51st State!” Among the demonstrators was 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, who condemned Trump’s announcement as “illegal, unrealistic, and irrational.”

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of Bangladesh resumed after a nine-hour disruption. On the night of February 15, a fuel-laden train derailed in South Surma, halting railway operations. Services resumed on February 16 at 8:30 AM. The overnight suspension caused severe hardship for passengers, many of whom had to stay at the station. Railway authorities confirmed that the derailment prevented the Upaban Express from departing for Dhaka. Passengers have been refunded their ticket fares.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman spoke with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the phone on Sunday, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. Prince Khalid congratulated Hegseth on his appointment and discussed Saudi-US relations, strategic cooperation, and ways to enhance bilateral ties. The conversation also covered efforts to establish international peace and security. The controversial proposal to relocate Gaza residents to Egypt and Jordan has sparked widespread backlash, with both countries strongly opposing the plan.

Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar confirmed that over 25 individuals have been arrested in connection with an attack on a UN peacekeeping convoy heading to Beirut Airport. Arab News reported that on Friday night, violent protests erupted at Rafik Hariri Airport. Masked demonstrators carrying Hezbollah and Iranian flags barricaded roads and attacked UN vehicles, setting three of them on fire. The government has labeled the act a punishable offense, linking it to unrest following the suspension of Iranian flights.

Amid ongoing strikes by CNG auto-rickshaw drivers protesting fare enforcement and demanding the removal of pro-Hasina officials from BRTA, the government has withdrawn the order allowing police to fine drivers for overcharging. On Sunday (February 16), the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) officially informed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police about the decision.