Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that the Indian government is normalizing violence against religious minorities, marginalized groups, and critics through discriminatory policies, hate speech, and politically motivated cases. The findings were published in HRW’s latest global report, which reviewed human rights conditions in more than 100 countries.

According to the report, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government spread hostility against religious minorities in 2025 and expelled hundreds of Bengali-speaking Muslims and Rohingya refugees by labeling them as “illegal immigrants.” HRW said these actions have led to increased human rights violations by government officials and BJP supporters. HRW’s Asia Director Elaine Pearson stated that instead of presenting India as a global voice for human rights, the government has undermined its international standing.

The 529-page World Report 2026 also includes remarks from HRW Executive Director Philippe Bolopion, who described the rise of authoritarianism worldwide as a major challenge and urged democratic nations and civil societies to form strategic alliances to protect fundamental freedoms.

Voting is underway in Japan’s interim election on Sunday, where Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes to turn her early tenure’s momentum into a decisive win. Opinion polls suggest her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partners are on track to secure around 310 of the 465 lower house seats, well above the 233 needed for a majority. Such a result would mark the LDP’s strongest performance since 2017. Analysts note that a sweeping victory could strain relations with China and unsettle Japan’s financial markets.

Takaichi, who became LDP leader in October, has gained popularity among young voters despite her roots in the party’s conservative wing. She has taken a tough stance on immigration, emphasizing strict screening to prevent entry by potential terrorists or spies and ensuring foreign residents meet tax and insurance obligations. Economically, she announced a $135 billion stimulus package to ease inflation and pledged to suspend consumer taxes on food items.

Japan’s public debt remains more than twice the size of its economy, with bond yields at record highs and the yen experiencing sharp fluctuations.

The European Union has declared that TikTok is violating online content regulations and must modify its “addictive” design features to safeguard minors from compulsive use. The European Commission released preliminary findings from its probe on Friday, identifying infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and a personalized recommendation algorithm as elements that encourage addiction. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said TikTok must redesign its service in Europe to protect young users, while Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier noted that the company’s current measures are insufficient.

The Commission stated that these features contribute to compulsive use, posing major risks to children’s mental health and wellbeing, and cited a breach of the Digital Services Act. Regulators warned that TikTok could face a fine of up to 6 percent of ByteDance’s global turnover. TikTok rejected the findings, calling them false and meritless, and vowed to challenge them. The investigation, launched in February 2024, was based on data showing high late-night usage among teens and significant daily screen time among younger users.

The probe reflects the EU’s broader push to impose stricter oversight on major tech and social media platforms to better protect minors online.

Jack Lang, former French culture minister, resigned as president of the Arab World Institute following revelations of his past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein and the launch of a financial investigation, France’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Saturday. The country’s financial crimes prosecutors have opened a preliminary probe into Lang and his daughter Caroline for alleged laundering of aggravated tax-fraud proceeds related to suspected financial ties with Epstein. Lang, 86, was summoned by Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot for a meeting on Sunday after pressure mounted over the case.

French media reported that Lang had sought funds or favors from Epstein, while his daughter’s name appeared in files of an offshore company co-owned with the late financier. Caroline Lang, a film producer, resigned from her role as head of the Independent Production Union. Lang denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and described the allegations as baseless, saying he faced the investigation with serenity.

The release of Epstein-related documents has triggered repercussions across Europe, prompting resignations and investigations involving public figures in the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Slovakia, and several Baltic states.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that global sports leaders have reached consensus on a new set of eligibility criteria for transgender athletes, expected to be unveiled within the first half of this year. The policy will be the first uniform framework jointly adopted by the IOC and international sports federations, covering major events such as the Olympic Games and world championships. It is anticipated to significantly restrict participation in women’s categories for transgender athletes who have undergone full male puberty before transitioning.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the organization’s first female leader, initiated the move toward a unified approach last June and established the “Protection of the Female Category” working group in September. IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the policy had gone through consultation and reflection phases and that consensus had been achieved across the sporting movement.

The IOC previously left transgender eligibility decisions to individual federations, resulting in varying rules. The forthcoming policy marks a shift toward centralized regulation as the global debate over fairness and inclusion in women’s sports continues.

Bangladesh is set to hold national elections on February 12, the first since student-led protests in 2024 forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country following a violent crackdown on demonstrators. More than 127 million citizens are eligible to vote, and for the first time, about 15 million expatriates will be able to cast postal ballots. The caretaker government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is overseeing the polls amid concerns about potential unrest.

The Awami League, Hasina’s former ruling party, has been banned as its leader and senior officials face criminal trials for their roles in the 2024 crackdown. Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia for ordering the killing of protesters, but India, where she has taken refuge, has not agreed to extradite her. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami are the main contenders, each leading multi-party coalitions. A total of 1,981 candidates are competing for 350 parliamentary seats.

Bangladesh’s elections have historically been marred by boycotts, violence, and allegations of rigging. The upcoming vote is being described as the country’s largest democratic exercise of the year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to the United States for discussions centered on Iran. His office announced the visit on Saturday night, just one day after high-level talks between the United States and Iran took place in Oman. Netanyahu will depart for Washington on Tuesday and meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the prime minister believes that any agreement with Iran must include strict limitations on its ballistic missile program. He also insists that Iran’s support for proxy groups across the Middle East must be addressed in the negotiations. The statement reflects Israel’s concern that Iran’s missile program was reportedly not included in the ongoing U.S.-Iran discussions in Oman.

This will be Netanyahu’s seventh visit to the United States during Trump’s second term, underscoring the frequency of their diplomatic engagements over the past year.

Bangladesh has expressed interest in buying freight wagons and coaches from Pakistan at a lower cost, according to a report by Pakistani newspaper The Dawn on February 8. A two-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by a senior official, visited Pakistan Railway’s carriage factory and workshop in Mughalpura, Lahore, as well as facilities in Islamabad. During the visit, they observed the production process of train coaches, wagons, and related components.

Officials from Pakistan Railways said the delegation included Bangladesh’s Secretary for International Organization and Consular Affairs and the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan. Chief Mechanical Engineer Muhammad Nasir Khalili briefed them on the workshop’s operations, technical capacity, and ongoing projects, and a short documentary was shown. The delegation also toured the locomotive workshop, where they were informed about engine maintenance and production. At the end of the visit, Bangladeshi representatives said the trip reflected the strong relationship between the two countries.

Pakistan’s Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi stated that enhanced railway cooperation would benefit both nations. He added that Bangladesh is also in talks with India for similar purchases but has shown interest in Pakistan as well.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that Nahid Islam would be appointed as a minister if the 11-party alliance assumes power. He made the statement on Sunday at an election rally in the capital’s Badda area. The announcement was part of his address to supporters ahead of the upcoming national election.

During his speech, Dr. Rahman criticized a rival political party for what he described as contradictory actions—speaking against corruption while nominating loan defaulters. He argued that corruption cannot be eradicated by sheltering such individuals. He further stated that on February 12, the people would show a “red card” to extortionists and corrupt figures.

The remarks reflect Jamaat-e-Islami’s campaign focus on anti-corruption and accountability as the election approaches, with the party seeking to strengthen its position within the 11-party alliance.

Italy has announced it will not join U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Peace Board. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the news agency ANSA that constitutional obligations prevent Italy from participating. He explained that there is a legal conflict between Italy’s constitution and the charter of the Peace Board, which cannot be ignored. Tajani added that Italy remains open to discussions on peace initiatives.

By refusing to join, Italy aligns itself with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, which have also declined participation in the controversial board. The Peace Board was introduced as an interim administrative body to oversee governance and reconstruction in post-war Gaza. However, Trump expanded its authority before the charter’s approval, omitting any reference to Gaza.

The decision comes despite the close relationship between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Trump, who chairs the board. Tajani cited Article 11 of Italy’s constitution, which discourages joining organizations that lack equality among member states, while Trump holds ultimate authority over the board.

US President Donald Trump’s chief Iran negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, visited the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln deployed in the Arabian Sea amid heightened Middle East tensions. The US military confirmed the visit on Saturday, noting that the officials toured the nuclear-powered carrier and its strike group. The visit came as prospects grew for renewed talks between Washington and Tehran.

According to AFP, the inspection coincided with expectations of new discussions between the two countries. Following the visit, Witkoff stated on social media that the carrier and its strike group were ensuring US security and upholding President Trump’s message of peace. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed optimism that talks with the United States would resume soon but warned against any potential US military action.

The visit followed indirect talks held in Oman’s capital the previous Friday, described by both sides as a positive start. The USS Abraham Lincoln had arrived in the region in January after tensions rose over the suppression of anti-government protests in Iran.

Will Lewis, the chief executive and publisher of The Washington Post, has resigned following widespread criticism over his management and recent large-scale staff cuts. The U.S.-based newspaper, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, had laid off more than 300 employees just days before Lewis announced his departure. He informed staff of his resignation through a brief note, thanking Bezos and acknowledging the need for difficult decisions to secure the paper’s future.

During his two-year tenure, Lewis faced scrutiny over his leadership, which intensified after the layoffs. In his message, he suggested that the job cuts were part of efforts to ensure the newspaper’s sustainability and its ability to continue serving millions of readers.

Jeff D’Onofrio has been appointed as the acting publisher, taking over leadership responsibilities as the organization navigates the aftermath of the layoffs and leadership change.

Mohammad Fakhruddin Manik, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Feni-3 constituency, has been served a show-cause notice for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct by using the title 'Dr.' before his name in campaign materials. The notice was issued on Saturday, February 7, by Joint District Judge Sajjatun Nesa, who heads the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee. The notice stated that Manik used the title in leaflets, banners, and festoons despite not mentioning it in his election affidavit, which constitutes a breach of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.

In response, Fakhruddin Manik told Amader Desh that such notices are part of the election process and do not prove any wrongdoing. He claimed that the controversy over his title is politically motivated, alleging that opponents are spreading misinformation out of fear of his potential victory. Manik explained that he holds a Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) degree, which legally allows him to use the 'Dr.' title under the Bangladesh Homeopathic Education and Medical Council Act 2023.

He added that his credentials and registration number were submitted in his affidavit and that he plans to pursue legal action in higher courts against what he described as harassment and defamation.

Nahid Islam, the convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), declared that his party would permanently eliminate land grabbers if it comes to power. He made the statement on Sunday at 11 a.m. during an election rally held in Badda, Dhaka. According to him, members of two political parties have alternately been involved in land grabbing in the capital.

The remarks came as part of NCP’s campaign activities ahead of upcoming elections. Nahid Islam’s comments highlighted his party’s stance against illegal land occupation and corruption in urban areas. The event was organized as part of his electoral outreach to voters in Dhaka.

Further details about the rally and the party’s broader policy proposals were not provided in the report.

Bangladesh has intensified administrative and security preparations ahead of the 13th National Parliament election and referendum. Starting Sunday, February 8, a total of 1,051 executive magistrates are being deployed across the country. Alongside them, additional members of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies have begun their duties, remaining active in electoral areas until February 14. According to the Election Commission, the army will stay deployed before and after the vote to ensure security.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Ma’sud stated that several coordination meetings have been held with security agencies, and all parties consider the overall law and order situation favorable for the election. He also confirmed that all ballot boxes have been distributed to district levels, with returning officers receiving them as part of final preparations.

A circular from the Home Ministry earlier announced that police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar and VDP, and Coast Guard will be deployed to ensure a fair and peaceful election. In total, more than 970,000 security personnel, including members of the armed forces, will be on duty nationwide.