Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the United States wants the ongoing war with Russia to end by mid-June. He stated that both Ukraine and Russia have been invited to the United States next week for discussions aimed at achieving that goal. According to Zelensky, the US has proposed that negotiating teams from both countries meet in the US, possibly in Miami, and Ukraine has confirmed its participation.

No immediate comments were available from Washington or Moscow regarding the proposal. The report noted that US President Donald Trump has long been pressing for an end to the conflict since taking office. Meanwhile, Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages during the harsh winter.

Zelensky also mentioned that a possible trilateral meeting among leaders was discussed for the first time, though he cautioned that preparatory steps are needed before such a meeting. He added that the US aims to complete everything by June, influenced by its internal affairs, but did not provide further details.

Several human rights organizations have issued travel warnings for Florida, one of the host venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing concerns over civil rights and tourist safety. The Florida Immigrant Coalition and the American Friends Service Committee warned that the state’s current immigration policies and law enforcement practices could create a risky environment for international visitors. They advised football fans to remain cautious, particularly due to fears of racial profiling and arbitrary questioning.

Tessa Petit, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, questioned the safety of international tourists, saying that even those with valid documents could face harassment. The groups alleged that people might be stopped or interrogated based on appearance, language, or race, with visitors from Asia, Africa, and Latin America facing higher risks. They also criticized Florida’s immigration and “Stand Your Ground” laws, claiming these could be misused to target minorities.

Florida authorities rejected the allegations, asserting that visitors have nothing to fear if they follow the law. Observers now await whether FIFA or the Trump administration will respond before the global tournament.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) project coordinator Craig Kenji warned that Israel’s threat to ban the organization from operating in Gaza could remove a critical lifeline for residents. Speaking to Al Jazeera from Gaza’s Al-Mawasi area, Kenji said Israel issued the warning after MSF refused to provide a list and personal details of its staff. He noted that MSF supports about 20 percent of hospital beds in Gaza, handles one-third of all deliveries, and has provided over 800,000 medical consultations annually.

Kenji cautioned that if MSF and other NGOs are forced to leave, Gaza’s clean water crisis would worsen severely. The organization currently distributes more than 4.5 million liters of water daily, equivalent to 65 kilometers of jerry cans lined up each day. He added that without registration, MSF cannot bring in supplies, deploy international staff, or pay local partners for their services.

Kenji emphasized that if MSF’s registration is revoked, continuing operations in Gaza would become nearly impossible.

The political platform July Oikya announced a nationwide 'India Out' campaign from a rally titled 'Rally for Bangladesh' held at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon. The group accused India of sheltering those involved in the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi, interfering in Bangladesh’s election and sports systems, and conspiring against the country’s sovereignty ahead of the upcoming 13th national election. Following the rally, participants marched to Shaheed Osman Hadi Square.

Speakers alleged that India has been weakening Bangladesh through indirect means for decades, citing trade restrictions, water-sharing disputes, and border issues. They also claimed Indian influence led to Bangladesh’s exclusion from the ICC T20 World Cup and criticized the government for failing to arrest Osman Hadi’s killers. The rally demanded an international investigation under the United Nations into Hadi’s murder, expressing distrust in domestic agencies.

Participants vowed to resist any foreign interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs and called on citizens to join the anti-hegemony movement, chanting slogans such as 'India Out' and 'Boycott India'.

Three people were shot and at least ten others injured during a violent clash between supporters of an independent candidate and those of the BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol in Mollakandi Union, Munshiganj Sadar upazila, on Saturday noon. The incident occurred in Beherkandi and Munshikandi areas when both groups exchanged gunfire and exploded crude bombs, spreading panic in the locality. The injured, including Lijan Sarkar, Monir Hossain Sarkar, and Fahim Dewan, were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

According to local accounts, the violence erupted when supporters of independent candidate Md. Mohiuddin, represented by the football symbol, went to Munshikandi to campaign and were obstructed by followers of BNP leader and paddy-sheaf candidate Kamruzzaman Ratan. Assistant Returning Officer and UNO Masudur Rahman said army, BGB, and police personnel were patrolling the area and that the situation was now calm. Police officials stated that the two groups had a prior rivalry over local dominance.

Authorities have deployed additional forces and pledged to identify and take action against those involved in the violence.

Three leaders of the Boalmari upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Faridpur have been removed from their organizational positions for violating party discipline. The decision was announced in a notice signed by Faridpur district BNP convener Syed Modarres Ali Isha and member secretary A.K.M. Kibria Swapon, issued late Friday night. The expelled leaders are Boalmari BNP vice-president Shamsuddin Mia Jhunu, former organizational secretary Mojibur Rahman Babu, and Boalmari Matsyajibi Dal president Bishwajit Rajbanshi. The decision took effect on February 6.

According to the notice, the disciplinary allegations were reviewed before the leaders were relieved of their posts. The district BNP also instructed party members to refrain from maintaining any organizational contact with the expelled individuals to preserve internal discipline. District BNP member secretary A.K.M. Kibria Swapon confirmed that the action was taken based on the allegations.

The announcement underscores the party’s emphasis on maintaining internal discipline and organizational order within its local units in Faridpur.

At a panel discussion during the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, Ahmed Al-Zandani, an assistant professor at Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College, stated that Israel occupies the center of the current international order, while Arab states remain on its periphery. He argued that Arab nations have little influence over global developments, describing their policies as reactive rather than proactive and their position as subordinate.

Al-Zandani explained that the existing global structure emerged after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, when Arab regions became colonies. He said the United Kingdom played a decisive role in shaping this order by sending experts to study the region’s geography and ethnicity, leaving a lasting impact on Middle Eastern politics and structures.

According to Al-Zandani, this historical legacy continues to distance the Arab world from the core of global decision-making, reinforcing its marginal position in international affairs.

A newly surfaced 2020 FBI document has reignited controversy by alleging that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was trained as a spy under former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. The document, classified as a confidential human source (CHS) report, claims that during intelligence collection on improper domestic and foreign influence in U.S. elections, a source provided multiple pieces of information linking Epstein to Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.

According to the report, the source said they overheard several phone calls between Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz and Epstein, took notes, and later passed the details to Mossad. The source also alleged that Barak viewed current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “criminal” and that Epstein acted as a Mossad collaborator. Dershowitz was described as having cooperated with Mossad and maintaining close ties with Netanyahu.

The document further mentioned that venture capital firm Day One Ventures, founded by Epstein’s former publicist Masha Bucher, was allegedly involved in technology theft in Silicon Valley. It also referenced long-standing ties between Jared Kushner’s family and Israel, though without detailed substantiation.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has introduced four methods to help voters easily access their polling center and voter number information ahead of the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made on Saturday, February 7, 2026, by EC Director (Public Relations) Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik through an official notice.

According to the notice, voters can obtain their polling information using the Smart Election Management BD mobile app, the EC website (ecs.gov.bd), a hotline service, or SMS. The app allows users to search by national ID number and date of birth, while the website provides a similar search option along with Google Maps directions. Voters can also call the toll-free hotline 105 between 6 a.m. and midnight or send an SMS with the format “PC NID” to 105 to receive their polling details.

The EC stated that these digital and telecommunication-based services aim to ensure quick and accurate access to polling information for all registered voters nationwide.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka has clarified that individuals staying in the country on a visitor visa are not permitted to work. The announcement was made on Saturday, February 7, 2026, through an official message from the embassy. It stated that those holding B1/B2 visitor visas may engage in limited business activities such as negotiating contracts or attending conferences, but they are not allowed to receive payment or work for any US employer while in the country.

The embassy’s message emphasized the distinction between permissible business engagements and unauthorized employment under the visitor visa category. It reminded visa holders that the B1/B2 visa is intended for short-term visits, including tourism and certain business purposes, but not for earning income or performing paid work in the United States.

The clarification aims to prevent misuse of visitor visas and ensure compliance with US immigration regulations by foreign nationals visiting the country.

A technology report published on February 7, 2026, describes how Google Maps continues to collect and store user location data even when location services are turned off. The article explains that activities performed through various Google apps still send information to Google servers, allowing the Maps timeline to record where and when users travel. Even deleting the timeline does not remove detailed location data from Google’s servers, which may later be used for targeted advertising.

The report outlines several steps to reduce data creation, including regularly deleting activity from the Google Account’s ‘My Activity’ page and using alternative apps that prioritize privacy. It mentions that Waze, being owned by Google, faces similar issues, while Apple Maps offers better privacy but is limited to iPhones. Apps like HereWeGo and MapQuest are suggested as alternatives.

It further advises users to manage smartphone settings carefully, review app permissions, and monitor the Google Maps timeline regularly to delete stored data. The article emphasizes that awareness and proper settings can help maintain privacy even while using Google Maps.

Fisheries and Livestock Ministry adviser Farida Akhter said destructive human activities are the main threat to the Halda River. She made the remarks on Saturday at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council in Dhaka during an inception workshop organized by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute and Nodi Kendra, Chandpur, for the 2025–26 Halda River natural fish breeding project. Akhter emphasized that fisheries and livestock work is not only economic or scientific but also deeply tied to religion, culture, and social behavior.

She urged that research reports be written in Bangla for public understanding and called for women’s inclusion in socio-economic studies to reflect the realities of riverside communities. Akhter highlighted the need for immediate corrective actions where necessary, including removal of the Bhujpur rubber dam if found harmful, and warned against tobacco cultivation along riverbanks. She also stressed effective management of sluice gates and control of invasive sucker fish species.

Akhter proposed a mid-term workshop in late 2026 or early 2027 to evaluate project progress and expressed optimism that coordinated efforts would ensure successful conservation and management of the Halda River.

A United States-based research organization, Sochchar, has forecast a close contest between BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman and Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Khaliduzzaman in the Dhaka-17 constituency. The findings were released on Saturday in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar by Sochchar President Dr. Shabbir Ahmad during the presentation of a survey titled “Election Survey: Constituencies of the Four Major Political Party Leaders.”

According to the survey, 35 percent of voters in Dhaka-17 intend to vote for Tarique Rahman, while 32 percent favor Dr. Khaliduzzaman. About 15.1 percent of respondents declined to disclose their choice, 10.7 percent remain undecided, 3.7 percent plan to support other candidates, and 3.5 percent said they would not vote. The survey was conducted among 515 randomly selected voters, including 269 men and 246 women.

The results suggest a highly competitive race in the constituency, with a significant portion of voters still undecided or unwilling to reveal their preferences.

Seven leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila have been expelled for supporting independent candidate Barrister Rumin Farhana, who is contesting with the duck symbol, instead of the BNP alliance-backed Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam candidate Maulana Junaid Al Habib, represented by the date tree symbol. The expulsion was confirmed in a notice signed by JCD central office secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Friday night.

According to the notice, the expelled leaders violated party discipline by engaging in open campaign activities for a candidate expelled from the BNP, disregarding the alliance’s official nominee. Their primary memberships and all organizational positions were revoked. Earlier, more than fifty BNP and affiliate leaders in the same constituency had been expelled on similar grounds, and the Shahjadapur Union BNP committee was suspended.

Former upazila JCD convener Jamal Hossain Laskar stated that supporting the alliance’s nominated candidate is mandatory under party rules, and action was taken based on verified information about the expelled members’ involvement with the independent campaign.

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb announced on Saturday that it accidentally distributed more than $40 billion worth of Bitcoin to customers while attempting to issue promotional rewards. The error occurred on Friday and immediately caused significant operational pressure on the exchange. Bithumb said it managed to recover 99.7 percent of the 620,000 Bitcoins mistakenly sent, valued at about $44 billion. Within 35 minutes of the incident, trading and withdrawals were restricted for 695 affected users.

According to local media, the exchange had planned to give each participant at least 2,000 Korean won in cash as part of a promotional event. However, due to a technical glitch, selected users received at least 2,000 Bitcoins instead. Bithumb stated that the incident was not related to any external hacking or security breach and claimed that its system security and asset management remained intact.

Following the incident, Bitcoin prices on Bithumb temporarily dropped 17 percent to 81.1 million won before recovering to around 104.5 million won later in the evening.