The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has warned that postal ballots from expatriate voters for the 13th National Parliamentary Election may be canceled if they do not arrive in the country by tomorrow. According to the EC, nearly 300,000 ballots from overseas voters have already reached Bangladesh. The commission reiterated that ballots must reach returning officers by 4:30 p.m. on election day to be counted.

A notice on the EC’s Postal Vote BD app urged voters to promptly mail their ballots, emphasizing that any ballot arriving after February 5 may not reach the returning officer in time. The EC clarified that the voting process is entirely manual and that the mobile app is not connected to ballot submission or declaration forms. Once received, ballots are separated from declaration forms before counting to ensure anonymity.

The EC reported that 766,862 postal ballots were sent abroad, of which 524,080 were received by expatriates. A total of 467,707 overseas voters cast their ballots, and 297,350 have so far arrived in Bangladesh. The national election and referendum are scheduled for February 12.

Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) spokesperson Rashed Pradhan called for voters to show a 'red card' against corruption and extortion during an election rally in Garaya, Thakurgaon, on Tuesday afternoon. Speaking at an 11-party alliance Jamaat-e-Islami campaign event, he criticized Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, urging him to speak with restraint. Pradhan also expressed support for the alliance’s candidate Delwar Hossain, who is contesting under the 'scales' symbol, and pledged to gift the Thakurgaon-1 seat to Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, described as the future prime minister.

He recalled past incidents in the area following the verdict against Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, noting that both Muslims and Hindus had joined protests at that time. Pradhan urged unity among voters on the upcoming 12th to ensure victory for the alliance’s candidate. The rally was presided over by union Jamaat leader Nurul Huda and attended by district Jamaat secretary Kofil Uddin and Khelafat Majlish president Abu Said.

Malaysia’s immigration authorities have deported 135 foreign detainees from the Pineapple Town Immigration Detention Depot in Johor state after they completed their prison sentences. The deportees include 112 from Myanmar, 11 from Indonesia, nine from Bangladesh, two from Sri Lanka, and one from Cambodia. They were sent back to their respective countries on Tuesday through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA-1 and KLIA-2) and the Pasir Gudang ferry terminal.

According to the immigration department, the deported individuals had served sentences under several laws, including the Torture Act (Act 574), the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Act 234), the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), and the Immigration Regulations 1963. All deportees have been placed on the immigration blacklist and are barred from re-entering Malaysia for a specified period.

The Johor Immigration Department stated that the repatriation program is conducted regularly to ensure that no foreign nationals remain in the country after completing their sentences.

In Madaripur’s Shibchar upazila, a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) courtyard meeting for the Madaripur-1 constituency turned into a gathering of several Awami League leaders, despite restrictions on their participation. The event, held on Tuesday afternoon at the residence of former mayor and Awami League leader Awlad Hossain Khan, was organized by Shibchar municipal BNP in support of BNP candidate Nadera Akter. Awami League leaders present said they were acting under the direction of former chief whip Noor-e Alam Chowdhury Liton to support the BNP candidate.

The meeting saw participation from union chairmen, municipal councillors, and Awami League activists who publicly urged voters to support the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol. Nadera Akter, addressing the gathering as chief guest, pledged to address citizens’ problems directly if elected and outlined plans for family and agriculture cards and subsidies for disaster-affected farmers. The joint presence of Awami League and BNP figures on the same stage has stirred mixed reactions in local political circles.

The unusual cross-party support has generated new discussions and controversy in the region’s political landscape ahead of the national election.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has suspended the election for the Sherpur-3 parliamentary constituency following the death of Jamaat-e-Islami’s district secretary and candidate, Nuruzzaman Badol. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud confirmed the decision to the media on Wednesday morning. Badol passed away early Tuesday, February 3, reportedly from kidney-related complications while under hospital care.

According to Bangladeshi law, if a candidate dies before a national parliamentary election, the election process in the concerned constituency must be suspended or canceled. Jamaat-e-Islami confirmed Badol’s death in a Facebook post, identifying him as the party’s nominated candidate for Sherpur-3.

The Election Commission’s suspension of the Sherpur-3 poll aligns with legal provisions ensuring fairness in the electoral process when a candidate’s death occurs before voting.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has canceled its earlier decision to deploy members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) at polling centers for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The revised directive, signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on February 3, 2026, was sent to returning officers across the country.

According to the updated instructions, BNCC cadets will now assist only in maintaining order at the IT-supported postal ballot counting centers (OCV and ICPV) located in the offices of returning officers. The election is scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. The EC’s decision modifies its previous plan that had included BNCC participation in broader election-related duties.

The change follows administrative adjustments ahead of the national polls, with the EC clarifying the limited scope of BNCC involvement in election operations.

The United States has deployed several warships off the coast of Haiti amid a worsening political crisis and rising gang violence. US military officials confirmed on Tuesday that the USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone, and USCGC Diligence have entered the Bay of Port-au-Prince. In a statement on social media, the US Embassy said the naval presence reflects Washington’s strong commitment to Haiti’s security, stability, and a brighter future. The deployment was ordered by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of Operation Southern Spear, a regional mission targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Haiti faces renewed political uncertainty as the term of its Presidential Transitional Council is set to expire on February 7. The country has not held elections since 2016, and former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in 2024 under pressure from escalating gang violence. Large parts of Haiti remain under the control of rival armed groups accused of murder, rape, and kidnapping.

The United States has also imposed new visa restrictions on several senior Haitian officials accused of supporting or being linked to armed gangs.

Indian authorities have ordered two British tourists to leave the country after they allegedly placed stickers supporting Palestine in various locations in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The couple, identified as Louis Gabriel D. and his wife Anushi Emma Kristin, were staying in Pushkar on tourist visas when intelligence officials received reports on January 21 that they were distributing 'Free Palestine' stickers. Following verification through CCTV footage and local sources, police questioned the pair and determined that their actions violated visa conditions.

Officials stated that engaging in political or ideological activities while on a tourist visa constitutes a clear breach of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. As a result, the couple’s visas were canceled and a formal 'Leave India Notice' was issued. District police later removed the stickers from public areas with assistance from local authorities.

Authorities reiterated that any political, protest-related, or ideological activities are strictly prohibited for foreign nationals visiting India on tourist visas.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced a major overhaul of cricket’s laws, introducing 73 amendments in a new edition released on Tuesday. The revised laws will take effect from October 1, 2026. Among the most notable changes, play will no longer stop at the fall of a wicket in the final over of a day in multi-day matches, including Tests. The new batter must immediately take the field if conditions permit. MCC explained that the previous rule gave an unfair advantage to the batting side and reduced the drama of the game.

Other key updates include stricter rules for boundary catches, allowing a fielder jumping from outside the boundary to touch the ball only once before completing the catch inside the field. Laminated bats will now be permitted in adult club cricket to reduce costs, with national boards deciding their level of use. The definitions of hit wicket, overthrow, and dead ball have been clarified, and captains will no longer be allowed to declare in the final innings.

Before implementation, the ICC Cricket Committee will discuss these changes to decide whether to include them in international playing conditions, while domestic adoption will depend on each country’s board.

A new controversy has emerged in the political scene of Madaripur-1 constituency after BNP-nominated parliamentary candidate Nadera Akter was seen sharing a stage with several Awami League and affiliated organization leaders at an election courtyard meeting. The event took place on Tuesday afternoon at Khanbari in Shibchar upazila, where Awami League leader and former Shibchar municipal mayor Awlad Hossain Khan and other local party members were present. Awami League leaders concluded their speeches with the slogan 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.'

The joint appearance has triggered mixed reactions in local politics, particularly causing discontent and unease among grassroots BNP activists. Several BNP leaders, speaking anonymously, said that sharing a stage with Awami League leaders contradicts the party’s ideology and long-standing political stance, potentially confusing activists and negatively affecting the campaign.

Local discussions have also surfaced about whether this reflects an undeclared political understanding ahead of the election or merely personal and social ties. However, no official statement has been issued by either side. Madaripur district BNP member secretary Jahandar Ali Jahan commented that those who practice good politics should not be blamed for being active in the field.

Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure across five regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday. He said the assault, which occurred on Monday, was the largest of its kind against Ukraine’s power system in nearly four years of war. According to Zelensky, Russia fired more than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles and deployed 450 drones to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting only 38 missiles, meaning many struck their intended targets.

The attacks caused significant damage to power plants and infrastructure in Kyiv and other areas. Private energy company DTEK described the assault as the most powerful strike of the year. The offensive came as temperatures dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius, worsening civilian hardship. Zelensky accused Russia of choosing terror over diplomacy and urged allies to apply maximum pressure on Moscow.

The scale of the strikes and the severe winter conditions suggest prolonged disruptions to Ukraine’s energy supply and increased humanitarian strain.

Thousands of supporters marched through Caracas on Tuesday demanding the release of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, who was arrested a month ago following a deadly US military operation that removed him from power. Maduro was taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges. The government-organized rally drew large numbers of public employees carrying images of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also detained during the operation.

Interim president Delcy Rodríguez faces a complex political situation, balancing Washington’s support while maintaining backing from Maduro loyalists within the government and society. Maduro’s son, National Assembly deputy Nicolás ‘Nicolasito’ Maduro Guerra, declared that Venezuelans reject US dominance and embrace anti-imperialist sentiment. Many demonstrators wore red, symbolizing the Chavista movement founded by Hugo Chávez.

Under pressure to normalize relations with the United States, Rodríguez’s government has begun releasing political prisoners and opening the state energy sector to private investment. The US envoy Laura Dogu outlined a three-step plan for building a stable and democratic Venezuela. Meanwhile, students and relatives of political detainees also marched, urging swift passage of a promised amnesty law.

At least fourteen people were killed when a migrant-carrying speedboat collided with a Greek coastguard patrol vessel near Chios Island on Tuesday evening. The crash occurred close to Mirsinidi beach, and rescue teams recovered the bodies from the sea, according to TRT World. Several others were injured in the incident.

Among the injured were seven children and two pregnant women, all of whom were taken to hospital for treatment. Two coastguard officers were also hospitalized following the collision. Reports indicate that the condition of four migrants remains critical.

Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the collision or the nationalities of those on board.

Abdul Awal Mintoo, vice chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and candidate for Feni-3 constituency, declared that Jamaat-e-Islami would never be allowed to come to power in Bangladesh. Speaking at an election campaign rally on Tuesday evening at the Sonagazi municipal grounds, he described Jamaat as a group of hypocrites and accused them of working against national development. Mintoo urged voters to ensure that no member of Jamaat could hold even a local position.

He appealed to residents to vote for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf, in the upcoming election on the 12th. Mintoo said that if the BNP returned to power and Tarique Rahman became head of government, Bangladesh would move forward with divine blessings. He called on supporters to mobilize family members, especially women, to cast their votes for the BNP.

Several BNP leaders, including central and district-level representatives, were present at the rally, showing organizational support for Mintoo’s campaign in Feni-3.

A United States F-35 fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier deployed in the Arabian Sea, according to a Reuters report cited by the source. A US official said the drone was identified as an Iranian Shahed-139 model and was heading toward the carrier when it was targeted and destroyed.

The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions over increased US military presence near Iran’s coast. It also comes ahead of scheduled talks between Iran and the United States in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday regarding a nuclear agreement. The downing of the drone has drawn renewed attention to the already strained regional situation.

The report suggests that the timing of the drone incident, just days before the planned diplomatic discussions, may influence the tone and focus of those talks, though no official reactions were mentioned in the source.