World News LIVE: PTI slams Imran Khan jail-check, Avalanche hits train in Swiss Alps, Nancy Guthrie case, BJP Bangladesh twist, and other key developments

59 dead, over 16,000 people displaced as Cyclone Gezani devastates Madagascar

At least 59 people died when Cyclone Gezani hit Madagascar last week, the disaster management office said on Monday, reported several media outlets. They are evaluating the effects of the second tropical storm to strike the Indian Ocean island nation this year. The cyclone displaced 16,428 people, while 15 remain missing. Additionally, 804 were injured and 423,986 people were reported as affected by the disaster, according to the National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC).

Gezani swept through the country just 10 days after Tropical Cyclone Fytia killed 14 people and displaced over 31,000, as reported by the United Nations' humanitarian office. At its peak, Gezani had sustained winds of about 185 km (115 miles) per hour, with gusts reaching nearly 270 km per hour. This was strong enough to tear metal sheeting from roofs and uproot large trees.

Third shutdown in six months: Donald Trump administration halts DHS operations amid 'budget deadlock'

The Donald Trump administration has announced the start of shutdown procedures for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as funding from Congress expires at midnight on Monday, reported Hindustan Times. This shutdown marks the third time in the last six months that parts of the US government have closed. Many federal workers in the US are likely to miss their paychecks due to this shutdown. It is expected to last for weeks as Congress goes on recess, and there is no agreement on the Democrats' demands for new limits on the tactics used by immigration officers.

Iran minister Abbas Araghchi lands in Geneva, holds talks with IAEA chief before key US nuclear dialogue

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Monday for a crucial second round of nuclear negotiations with the United States, signalling renewed diplomatic movement after months of heightened tension. The talks are aimed at easing geopolitical strain and preventing a fresh military escalation. The visit comes amid warnings from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that further confrontation could spiral into a wider regional conflict. Upon landing, Araghchi posted on X, saying, "I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal." He added, "What is not on the table: submission before threats." Read the full story here.

Did BJP win a seat in Bangladesh Elections 2026? Here's something we bet you didn't know

Bangladesh’s 13th general election results created confusion for many in India after headlines suggested that the “BJP” had won a seat. However, this BJP refers to the Bangladesh Jatiya Party, not India’s Bharatiya Janata Party. The Bangladesh Jatiya Party managed to secure one seat in the polls. According to a report by NDTV, party leader Andaleeve Rahman Partho won from the Bhola-1 constituency. He received 1,05,543 votes, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md Nazrul Islam, who polled 75,337 votes. The Bangladesh Jatiya Party was also part of the BNP-led alliance, which dominated the overall election results. Read the full story here.

'It's never too late to do the right thing': Savannah Guthrie pleads for missing mother's release

Savannah Guthrie has issued a plea for the release of her 84-year-old mother, two weeks since she went missing, saying "it's never too late to do the right thing" for anyone involved. In a new video, the US TV anchor appeals "to whoever has her, or knows where she is", saying that Nancy Guthrie's family "still holds on to hope". Police are also studying the DNA found on a glove that they recovered, which seems to match a glove that a suspect in a doorbell camera video was wearing. Authorities believe that the suspect in the video abducted Nancy Guthrie in the early hours of February 1, reported BBC. Read the full story here.

Avalanche derails passenger train in Swiss Alps, 'several injured'

A passenger train derailed on Sunday morning in the Swiss Alps after an avalanche swept onto the tracks near Goppenstein, a town in southern Switzerland. According to regional police, the incident happened at around 7 am local time, with a number of persons likely injured, although the exact number was not available at the time, reported Independent. "Derailment of train, probably with injuries," regional police said in a post on the social media platform X, adding that the derailment occurred at 7:00 am (0600 GMT) in Goppenstein. Read the full story here.

'Malicious': PTI slams handling of Imran Khan's eye check-up in Adiala Jail

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was reportedly examined by a team of doctors on Sunday, February 15, after the jailed leader faced an eyesight issue. However, his party has rejected any claims of an examination. An advocate of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf visited Imran Khan in jail on Thursday on the directive of the Supreme Court, Press Trust of India reported. He was there to receive a first-hand report on the former Prime Minister's living conditions. The report received by the advocate reportedly showed that Imran Khan has complained of losing 85 per cent vision in his right eye. Read the full story here.

Denied US re-entry on O-1 visa, Meta AI scientist relocates to continue work in London

The Trump administration's strict visa regulations have affected many foreign workers from across the globe. From deporting illegal immigrants to denying entry to legal work visa holders, the impact of the latest US visa policies has been felt by people belonging to every stage of society. One such individual affected by these recently changed regulations is Zifan Wang. A machine learning scientist working at Meta. Read the full story here.