Muhammad Yunus has returned to his role at the Yunus Centre after serving nearly 18 months as head of Bangladesh’s interim government. The 85-year-old reached the Mirpur office on Sunday and was welcomed by staff.   In a farewell message, he said, “Today, the interim government is stepping down. But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights… not be halted.”   Yunus stepped down after the new government was formed under the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. He congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leader Tarique Rahman on their election win. (PC: NDTV)

Locals and tourists in Mexico's Puerto Vallarta have described scenes of shocking devastation following cartel retaliation after drug lord El Mencho's killing. Nashville-born resident Jerry Jones, a four-year Puerto Vallarta resident, described being "completely caught off guard" as hundreds of vehicles were set ablaze simultaneously across the city, including over 30 cars destroyed in a single store parking lot. Canadian content creator Marc-André called the usually vibrant resort town an "absolute war zone," describing streets as "very quiet and unsettling." Dallas tourist Adryan Moorefield compared the experience to "being in the twilight zone," while another visitor Jim Beck found himself stranded after his flight was cancelled. Community members united, helping overwhelmed firefighters and food-deprived tourists amid the unprecedented crisis.

A major winter storm has brought heavy snow to the US east coast. New York officials warned of “near impossible” travel conditions. Parts of the region have received more than 22 inches of snow. Central Park recorded over 15 inches, the National Weather Service said.   Winter storm warnings stretch from North Carolina to Maine. Thousands of flights have been cancelled. Many homes are without power. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill warned of falling trees, calling it “a very dangerous situation.” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said about 20,000 people were without electricity. Travel bans remain in several areas as strong winds continue. (PC: BBC)

An air ambulance flying from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening. One person died in the accident. The victim was Sanjay Kumar, 41, a burn patient being taken for treatment.   The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the aircraft took off at 7:11 pm. It lost communication and radar contact at 7:34 pm. The plane was a Beechcraft King Air BE9L operated by Redbird Airways. Seven people were on board, including two pilots, a doctor and a paramedic.   Rescue teams reached the site. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will probe the crash. (PC: India Today)

Israel has reportedly proposed supplying India with the Golden Horizon Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM), a sophisticated deep-strike weapon capable of targeting fortified underground strategic facilities including command bunkers and nuclear-related infrastructure. Derived from Israel's Silver Sparrow target missile, the Golden Horizon is estimated to have a range between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometres significantly exceeding BrahMos capabilities and follows a ballistic trajectory reaching near-hypersonic terminal velocities above Mach 5, making interception extremely challenging. If acquired, the missile would likely be integrated with IAF's Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet. The offer represents a significant upgrade beyond Israel's previously supplied LORA and Rampage systems, potentially transforming India's aerial deep-strike capabilities against hardened enemy infrastructure considerably. (PC: News18)

Urvashi, an Indian woman based in Japan, recently visited the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens to meet Punch, the internet's beloved baby Japanese macaque, sharing heartwarming glimpses on Instagram captioned "Finally met the tiniest fighter in Japan." Born in July 2025, Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and hand-raised by dedicated zoo staff. He developed a deep attachment to a stuffed orangutan plush, affectionately dubbed "Ora-mama" by fans online. Despite facing intimidation from older monkeys, Punch has shown remarkable resilience. The zoo has witnessed a significant spike in visitors since Punch's story went viral. Recent updates confirm Punch has made new friends and was groomed by two fellow monkeys, steadily integrating into the group.

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to global trading partners hours after the US Supreme Court struck down his sweeping tariff powers, threatening significantly higher duties against any nation attempting to exploit the ruling. Writing on Truth Social, Trump cautioned that countries trying to "play games" would face tariffs far worse than previously agreed rates. Following the court's decision, Trump raised import duties to 15%, the maximum permitted under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 and signed an executive order imposing a 10% global import tax effective Tuesday, coinciding with his State of the Union address. Trump maintained he requires no Congressional approval, arguing such authority was granted long ago through existing legislation.

Days after Tarique Rahman's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) swept to a two-thirds majority in February 12 elections and Rahman took oath as Prime Minister on February 17, Bangladesh's military underwent a sweeping top-level reshuffle. Lieutenant General M Mainur Rahman was appointed the new Chief of General Staff, replacing Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim who retired. Major General Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury was named Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Significantly, Brigadier General Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, serving as defence adviser at Bangladesh's High Commission in India, was recalled and promoted, appointed GOC of the 55th Infantry Division. The sweeping changes signal the new BNP government's intent to firmly consolidate strategic military command structures under its administration. (PC: NDTV)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will embark on his first official India visit later this month as part of a broader Indo-Pacific tour spanning India, Australia, and Japan from February 26 to March 7, 2026. Carney will begin in Mumbai before travelling to New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on trade, clean energy, technology, artificial intelligence, talent mobility, culture, and defence cooperation. The visit carries significant diplomatic weight as both nations work to reset bilateral ties following a period of notable strain. Carney will also engage Indian business leaders on investment opportunities. The tour reflects Canada's broader push to build a stronger, more independent economy amid escalating global trade uncertainties driven largely by Trump-era tariff disruptions. (PC: X)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has formally written to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming his government's support for removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the British royal line of succession. Andrew, currently eighth in line to the throne, was arrested by Thames Valley Police on February 19 at his Sandringham residence on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Allegations tied to claims he shared confidential information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during official overseas visits. Released after 11 hours of questioning, he remains under investigation without charges filed. Removing Andrew from succession would require primary legislation approved by both Houses of Parliament, royal assent from King Charles III, and consent from 14 Commonwealth realms including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. (PC: India Today)