On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to increase arms sales to India following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At a press conference in New Delhi, Trump confirmed agreements to supply advanced F-35 fighter jets and expand India’s imports of U.S. oil and gas. Modi revealed that both nations aim to elevate bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. According to the U.S. Congressional Research Service, India is expected to spend over $200 billion in the next decade to modernize its military.

Speaking at a plenary session of the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai, UAE, on Thursday, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus welcomed the United Nations’ investigation report on the July-August crackdown and killings of student protesters in Bangladesh. The report documents incidents of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture cells, and the brutal suppression of students by law enforcement under direct orders from the then-Prime Minister. “The world now knows, once again, the extent of their cruelty,” Yunus stated. He also emphasized the collapse of law and order, the need to restructure state institutions, and the formation of 15 commissions to address the crisis. Yunus further accused Sheikh Hasina of crippling the banking system and fostering widespread corruption, acknowledging that Bangladesh now requires international assistance to recover.

At a White House press conference on Thursday, February 13, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his desire to reinstate Russia in the Group of Seven (G7) alliance. He stated that removing Moscow from the group was a mistake, according to a Reuters report. Russia was a member of the industrialized nations’ alliance until 2014, when it was expelled following the annexation of Crimea. Back then, the group was known as the G8. Trump believes that President Vladimir Putin would be open to rejoining. Meanwhile, Canada, the current G7 chair, has yet to respond to Trump’s remarks.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to present a proposal to U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting today, including tariff reductions, new trade agreements, and collaboration on China-related matters. These efforts are aimed at garnering the support of the Trump administration, according to Reuters. Since taking office, President Trump has been exerting pressure through tariffs on both allies and adversaries alike to secure new trade agreements, investments, and enhanced cooperation on law enforcement. In the past, Trump had labeled India as a “major trade abuser” and imposed additional tariffs on the country’s steel and aluminum industries.

The President of BNP UK has confirmed that BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment in London, is expected to return to Bangladesh shortly after the holy festival of Eid ul-Fitr. Her health has reportedly improved significantly, and she is in a relatively better condition. Moreover, being surrounded by her family, she is also at peace mentally. In a recent statement, the leader also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of attempting to slowly poison and kill Khaleda Zia. However, by the grace of Allah, the plan failed. The statement further highlighted that when Hasina visited London, she had publicly announced her intention to eliminate Khaleda Zia. According to the leader, Allah’s will overruled this plot, and as a result, while Hasina’s political downfall occurred, Begum Khaleda Zia’s rise has been confirmed by divine intervention.

A phone call took place between Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, and Elon Musk, billionaire entrepreneur and close associate of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The conversation occurred Thursday night at 9 PM Bangladesh time. Musk, who was appointed to lead the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by Trump, aims to reduce government spending. Musk is the owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), and ranks among the world’s wealthiest individuals.

Amid nearly two years of unrest, President’s Rule has been imposed in the Indian state of Manipur. Recently, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his position, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has yet to announce a successor. Amid this political deadlock, President’s Rule was enforced on Thursday. The ongoing 18-month-long violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities has claimed the lives of hundreds, and angry mobs have set fire to several lawmakers’ and the Chief Minister’s residences. Biren resigned, taking responsibility for the failure to restore normalcy.

On Wednesday, China expressed its approval of the phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. According to Anadolu Agency, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated in Beijing that the country is pleased to see continued communication and dialogue between Russia and the United States on various international issues. Earlier, both Presidents had agreed on halting the war, with Donald Trump also hinting that a meeting between the two leaders could take place in Saudi Arabia soon.

The police headquarters announced on Thursday that law enforcement agencies have arrested an additional 566 individuals as part of Operation ‘Devil Hunt.’ In total, 1,099 people have been detained in connection with various crimes and legal cases. Over the past 24 hours, authorities have seized two foreign-made pistols, two magazines, five rounds of ammunition, a knife, and a machete. Since the operation began last Saturday, a total of 3,415 people have been arrested. The crackdown was launched following an attack on anti-discrimination student protesters in Gazipur.

Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported on Thursday that the country recorded up to 427 cm (14 feet) of snowfall as of February 10. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that the victims, aged between 60 and 90, lost their lives while attempting to clear the snow. The deceased were residents of Fukushima, Niigata, Toyama, Nagano, and Fukui prefectures. Authorities have issued special advisories to ensure the safe recovery of victims during this extreme weather event.

At a grand final event of a cricket tournament in Faridganj, Chandpur, former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Khaled Mahmud Sujon emphasized the need to eliminate political influence and nepotism from the sport. “If cricket is freed from external influence and favoritism, Bangladesh’s ‘Tigers’ will become true champions,” he stated. He also stressed the importance of identifying talented players at the grassroots level and providing them opportunities on the national stage. Mahmud expressed confidence that with proper nurturing, Bangladesh’s cricketers have the potential to bring home a World Cup in the near future. He urged for more frequent tournaments to keep young players engaged on the field, stating that national-level players will emerge from these grassroots initiatives.

Two young men lost their lives in a mob beating while allegedly attempting to steal cattle in Tajumuddin, Bhola. The deceased have been identified as Nayon (30) from Baliakandi village in the same union and Amir Hossain (27) from Khasmahal area of Borhanuddin Upazila. The incident took place early Thursday morning in Sonapur Union’s Ward No. 7 at the Bhuiyan residence. According to Tajumuddin Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, the two men were preparing to steal cattle from Abdul Khaleq’s barn when the owner’s cries alerted the locals. As residents rushed to the scene, the suspects were chased and eventually caught near the local mosque, where they were subjected to a brutal mob beating. Police later rescued them in critical condition and took them to the Upazila Health Complex, where they were pronounced dead.

To combat air pollution, the Department of Environment, under the directive of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, has been conducting mobile court operations. From January 2 to February 13, a total of 442 mobile court drives were carried out nationwide, resulting in 1,041 cases and the collection of over 137.8 million Taka in fines. As part of the crackdown, chimneys from 199 illegal brick kilns were demolished and sealed, 109 kilns were ordered to shut down, and raw bricks from 31 kilns were destroyed. Additionally, six trucks carrying battery-melting equipment from five factories were seized, leading to the closure of these factories. Furthermore, since November 3, 2024, authorities have intensified operations against the production, sale, distribution, and marketing of banned polythene. A total of 328 mobile courts have been conducted, penalizing 634 businesses and collecting over 4.8 million Taka in fines.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, visited the Ekushey Book Fair organized by the Bangla Academy on Thursday afternoon. During his visit, he purchased several books of personal interest. At a press briefing, he reflected on the significance of February in Bangladesh’s history, describing it as a month deeply ingrained in the hearts of Bangladeshis. He paid tribute to the martyrs of 1952, 1971, and 2024, emphasizing the importance of remembering their sacrifices. He also noted the presence of many children at the fair alongside their parents, stating that such an atmosphere helps preserve the nation’s historical memory and cultural heritage.

UAE Health Minister Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on the sidelines of the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai. The minister appreciated Yunus’ participation and emphasized learning from global leaders like him. They discussed enhancing Bangladesh-UAE relations, particularly in trade, business, and healthcare. Yunus praised the UAE’s healthcare advancements and thanked them for hosting over one million Bangladeshis. Foreign Affairs Adviser Tawhid Hossain and other senior officials were also present.