Gold prices surged to unprecedented levels, reaching an all-time high of $5,600 per ounce on January 29 before easing to just under $5,000 on Sunday. The surge reflects growing investor demand for gold as a secure asset amid fluctuating economic conditions and rising geopolitical tensions. Al Jazeera’s explainer details how gold’s value is determined by its weight in troy ounces and purity in karats, with one troy ounce equaling 31.1035 grammes.

Gold’s global pricing is set on spot markets in US dollars, primarily through exchanges in London and New York. Local prices vary due to currency conversion, dealer premiums, and taxes. For instance, India imposes a 3 percent GST on gold, while the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates levy none. The United States holds the world’s largest gold reserves at 8,133 tonnes, followed by Germany with 3,350 tonnes and Italy with 2,451 tonnes.

Over the past decade, gold’s price has quadrupled from $1,250 in 2016 to around $5,000 today, underscoring its enduring role as a safe haven asset during periods of market volatility and uncertainty.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the United States to show respect as both countries prepare for another round of nuclear negotiations next week following mediated discussions in Oman. Pezeshkian described the indirect talks as a step forward and reaffirmed that Iran’s stance is rooted in rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Tehran’s leadership emphasized sovereignty and independence, rejecting US military buildup in the region while expressing willingness for nuclear-only dialogue.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Iran will not abandon nuclear enrichment for civilian purposes, even under threat of military action, and said he informed US envoys, as well as China and Russia, of the Muscat discussions. Iran’s top military commander warned that any attack on the country could ignite a regional conflict, though he stressed that Tehran does not seek war. The statements come ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 revolution, when nationwide demonstrations are planned.

Meanwhile, Iran continues to face domestic unrest, with protests over economic hardship and alleged state violence. Conflicting casualty figures persist, and human rights groups accuse security forces of mass killings, while authorities blame foreign interference and deny widespread arrests of medical workers.

A Hong Kong court has sentenced pro-democracy media mogul and critic of China, Jimmy Lai, to 20 years in prison. The sentencing was announced on Monday following his conviction in December 2025 on charges of colluding with foreign forces and conspiring to commit sedition. According to a brief court ruling, the decision was based on the seriousness of Lai’s criminal conduct. Lai has been in prison since 2020. When asked about a possible appeal, his lawyer Robert Pang declined to comment.

Jimmy Lai was a key figure in the 2019 pro-democracy protests that spread across Hong Kong. Following those demonstrations, Beijing introduced the National Security Law (NSL), claiming it was necessary for the city’s stability. However, critics argue that the law has been used to suppress dissent and imprison activists like Lai. He was arrested under the NSL in late 2020.

The sentencing underscores the continued enforcement of the National Security Law and its impact on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has announced that 1,000 drones will be deployed across the country to monitor the upcoming parliamentary election from the air. The initiative aims to prevent electoral violence and ensure strict surveillance in remote and sensitive areas, including the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, the hill tracts, and border regions from Teknaf to Feni. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazl Mohammad Sanaullah said the drones, operated with technical support from the Air Force, will function like satellites, transmitting real-time video and data to the EC’s central coordination cell in Dhaka.

According to EC sources, 21 law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including DGFI, NSI, RAB, and BGB, will be active on the ground to respond immediately to any detected sabotage, armed activity, or secret operations. A specialized e-monitoring app will coordinate the entire process. The drones will also track the movement of candidates’ supporters and voters in remote areas and help prevent external influence in Rohingya-populated zones.

Political analysts described the large-scale drone use as a major technological milestone in Bangladesh’s electoral history, expected to enhance voter confidence and a sense of security.

Police in Boalmari upazila of Faridpur recovered 40 live rounds of ammunition found abandoned in the Kaliyand area on Sunday evening between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. According to police sources, Manik Sheikh, a 50-year-old tea stall owner near Kaliyand Qaumi Madrasa, noticed two suspicious packets placed on a stool in front of his shop. After returning from evening prayers, he found the packets still there and informed Boalmari Police Station.

Sub-inspector Sharif Abdur Rashid arrived at the scene and seized the packets through official procedure. Upon opening them, police discovered two boxes marked with the Bangladesh Army logo and labeled “7.62×39 mm Ball Ammo,” containing a total of 40 rounds. The ammunition was taken to the police station for safekeeping.

Officer-in-Charge Anwar Hossain stated that the bullets were found abandoned and that an investigation is underway to identify those involved. Legal procedures are in progress.

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the northern region and the 11-party alliance candidate for Panchagarh-1 constituency, called on journalists to remain neutral and uphold professionalism. He made the remarks on Sunday night during a discussion with journalists at the Panchagarh Press Club hall. Alam said that while journalists may have personal political preferences, they must act as mirrors of the district, state, and society when reporting.

He emphasized the importance of fair coverage during the upcoming election, which was only three days away, urging journalists to expose any attempts by political parties or individuals to influence the vote or violate election laws. Alam also pledged that if elected, he would work in parliament to establish a salary structure and ensure financial and social security for media professionals.

The meeting was chaired by Panchagarh Press Club President Mosharraf Hossain and conducted by General Secretary Sarkar Haydar, with several local political and professional figures in attendance.

At least nine people were killed and several others injured when a residential building collapsed in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, on Sunday night, according to officials cited by Al Jazeera. Lebanon’s Civil Defense Director General Imad Khreish said nine bodies had been recovered and six survivors were taken to hospital. The building consisted of two blocks with six apartments each, and residents estimated that around 22 people were inside when it collapsed.

Rescue operations are being conducted by Civil Defense teams with support from the Lebanese Red Cross and other emergency and relief organizations. Local residents have also joined efforts to clear debris. Tripoli’s Mayor Abdel Hamid Karimeh declared the city a disaster zone, citing unsafe buildings and years of neglect that have left thousands at risk, beyond the municipality’s capacity to manage.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that security forces evacuated nearby buildings. President Joseph Aoun ordered all emergency services to assist rescue operations and ensure safe shelter for nearby residents, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam pledged housing allowances for those displaced. The report noted that many of Lebanon’s aging and war-era buildings pose serious safety risks.

Left-wing candidate Antonio José Seguro has won Portugal’s presidential election by a wide margin, defeating far-right contender André Ventura. The country’s election commission announced on Sunday that Seguro, leader of the Socialist Party, secured 63 percent of the votes, while Ventura, head of the right-wing Chega party, received 34 percent. A total of 97 percent of registered voters cast their ballots in the runoff.

The runoff election was held on February 7 after the original vote scheduled for January 18 was disrupted by severe flooding in Portugal’s central and southern regions. Voting had taken place only in the northern areas on that date, where about 37,000 people—roughly 0.3 percent of the electorate—were able to cast ballots. The election commission later postponed the remaining voting and combined all ballots in the final count.

The inclusion of votes from both rounds confirmed Seguro’s decisive victory, marking a strong mandate for the Socialist Party following the weather-related delays.

Israel’s security cabinet has approved new regulations aimed at tightening control over the occupied West Bank. According to the report, the measures will make it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land in the territory and grant Israeli officials broader authority to enforce laws on Palestinians in the area.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the move, calling it a dangerous step that legitimizes settlement expansion and land seizure. In a statement, the office of President Mahmoud Abbas urged immediate intervention by the United States and the United Nations Security Council. Jordan’s Foreign Ministry also denounced the decision, describing it as an attempt to impose illegal Israeli sovereignty and entrench settlements.

Meanwhile, Hamas called on Palestinians in the West Bank to intensify resistance against what it termed occupying forces and settlers. The new regulations have sparked strong regional criticism and calls for international response.

The article argues that India must revise its Bangladesh policy and abandon its strategic dominance approach if it seeks a sustainable partnership with Dhaka. It notes that Bangladesh’s February 12 national election offers New Delhi a genuine opportunity to rebuild relations on the basis of mutual respect and sovereignty. The piece stresses that India’s past support for Sheikh Hasina’s government went beyond normal diplomacy, leading to resentment among Bangladeshis who viewed India as an interfering actor rather than a partner.

The commentary highlights that India’s attempt to apply a Bhutan-style model of limited autonomy to Bangladesh was a strategic miscalculation, given Bangladesh’s large population, global economic integration, and diplomatic reach. It calls for India to respect Bangladesh’s internal political process, stop allowing exiled Awami League figures to operate politically from Indian soil, and accept the election outcome regardless of which party wins.

The article concludes that adopting an ASEAN-style framework of non-interference and equality could help India rebuild trust. It also identifies unresolved issues such as Teesta River water sharing as key tests of India’s sincerity in reshaping bilateral relations.

Three prominent Venezuelan opposition politicians close to Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado were released from prison on Sunday, about a month after the start of a broader process to free political detainees following former president Nicolás Maduro’s ouster. The releases come just days before lawmakers are set to vote on a historic amnesty bill that would cover charges used to suppress dissent during nearly three decades of socialist rule.

Those freed include former National Assembly vice president Juan Pablo Guanipa, who shared a video showing his release papers and said he had spent ten months in hiding and nine months imprisoned. Machado’s former legal adviser Perkins Rocha and former Barinas governor-elect Freddy Superlano were also released. Human rights group Foro Penal confirmed 35 releases on Sunday and said about 400 political detainees have been freed since January 8, though roughly 700 remain jailed.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, described the amnesty initiative as a milestone toward national reconciliation. Her government has begun opening the oil sector and restoring diplomatic ties with Washington, severed in 2019.

The ongoing tension among Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the upcoming T20 World Cup has taken a new turn. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had earlier decided to boycott its match against India in protest of Bangladesh’s exclusion, has now placed three conditions to withdraw that decision. According to reports, Pakistan will play India only if the ICC accepts these demands.

Bangladesh was excluded from the India-hosted T20 World Cup after refusing to participate due to security concerns. Despite Bangladesh’s request to change the venue, the ICC did not agree, prompting Pakistan to stand by Bangladesh and announce a boycott of its match against India. This move strained Pakistan’s relationship with the ICC. However, signs of resolution emerged after a meeting in Lahore, where PCB demanded additional compensation for Bangladesh, full participation fees despite its absence, and hosting rights for a future ICC event.

Although the ICC hinted at possible disciplinary action, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains firm. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before making a final decision, as the cricket world watches how the ICC responds to Pakistan’s conditions.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, achieved a landslide victory in the general election held on February 8. According to preliminary results from public broadcaster NHK, the LDP secured 352 out of 465 seats in the lower house, far exceeding the 233 needed to form a government. The official final results have not yet been announced.

Following early indications of victory, Takaichi told reporters that her party would continue to prioritize responsible and proactive fiscal policies, balancing financial stability with necessary investments. Despite recent pressure from political funding scandals and links to religious organizations, Takaichi called the snap election just three months after taking office to reaffirm public trust in her party.

The result contrasts sharply with the tenure of her two predecessors, when the LDP lost its majority amid corruption allegations and rising living costs. Analysts noted that the absence of a strong opposition has long favored the LDP’s dominance, while Takaichi’s personal popularity and approval ratings above 70 percent appear to have driven this decisive win.

Israel’s security cabinet has approved new regulations aimed at strengthening Israeli control over the occupied West Bank, according to local media reports. The measures will make it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land in the territory and grant Israeli officials greater authority to enforce laws on Palestinians. The new steps reportedly remove restrictions that previously prevented private Jewish individuals from buying land and allow Israeli authorities to manage certain religious sites and increase supervision in areas administered by the Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian presidency condemned the decision as a “dangerous” move and an attempt to legalize settlement expansion and land confiscation, urging the United States and the United Nations Security Council to intervene. Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denounced the decision, calling it an effort to impose illegal sovereignty and entrench settlements. Hamas called on Palestinians to intensify confrontation with Israeli forces and settlers.

Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh described the measures as a violation of international law and existing agreements, warning that they undermine the two-state solution and risk escalating regional instability.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is holding discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address Pakistan’s boycott of its T20 World Cup 2026 fixture against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The match, one of the most commercially valuable in world cricket, was thrown into uncertainty after Pakistan’s government instructed its team not to play. According to a source cited by AFP, the ICC has opted for dialogue rather than confrontation to find a resolution.

The 20-team tournament has already been marred by political tensions. Bangladesh withdrew from playing in India over security concerns and was replaced by Scotland, prompting Pakistan to refuse to face co-hosts India in protest. Pakistan, which defeated the Netherlands in the tournament opener, risks losing two points and damaging its net run rate if it forfeits the match. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed his team’s readiness to travel to Colombo for the fixture.

The ICC’s mediation aims to preserve one of cricket’s most anticipated contests, as India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series for more than a decade.