According to the Times of India, Saudi Arabia has suspended multiple-entry visas for 14 countries, including Bangladesh, effective from February 1. The affected countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Citizens from these countries will only be eligible for a single-entry visa with a 30-day validity, except for workers, Hajj, and Umrah pilgrims. The decision comes in response to complaints that re-entry visa holders have violated rules, engaged in Hajj without proper authorization, failed to return after their visa expiration, and involved themselves in various criminal activities.

Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group, has released three Israeli hostages as part of an internationally brokered ceasefire agreement. In exchange, Israel has freed 183 Palestinian detainees, leading to celebrations in the West Bank city of Ramallah. However, Palestinian authorities have reported that many of the released individuals require medical attention. Since the ceasefire began on January 19, a total of 21 Israeli hostages and 566 Palestinian detainees have been released. As the first phase of the agreement progresses, it is expected that a total of 33 hostages and 900 Palestinian prisoners will be freed.

Despite an ongoing ceasefire, Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes in eastern Lebanon, killing six people and injuring two others, according to a BBC report. On February 9, Israeli drones targeted a Hezbollah position in the Shara area of Jenata city, Bekaa region. This follows a series of previous Israeli attacks in the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah official Ibrahim has condemned the latest Israeli strike, calling it a dangerous violation and an act of extreme aggression.

A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck the Caribbean Sea, about 130 miles off the northern coast of Honduras, according to NDTV. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System has issued alerts for the Caribbean Sea and the northern coast of Honduras, warning of potential dangerous tsunami waves. This follows previous significant earthquakes of magnitudes 7.7 and 7.8 in the region in 2020 and 2018.

The US State Department has officially notified Congress of a planned $7.4 billion arms sale to Israel. The deal will be delivered in two phases. The first shipment, worth $6.75 billion, includes precision-guided munitions, 166 small-diameter bombs, 2,800 500-pound bombs, fuses, and other military equipment, all set to be delivered this year. The second phase, scheduled to begin in 2028, involves 3,000 Hellfire missiles valued at $660 million.

Amid ongoing debate over Elon Musk’s influence in the Trump administration, TIME magazine has featured the billionaire on its cover, seated behind the Resolute Desk in the White House. The article highlights Musk’s unprecedented authority as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, a position that has led to mass layoffs as part of his policy implementation. While the White House has yet to comment, speculation is rife that Trump might be displeased. This follows a 2017 TIME cover featuring Steve Bannon as the “Great Manipulator,” after which Bannon was eventually ousted from Trump’s administration.

The European Union warned on Friday that U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) could undermine global justice and threaten the court’s independence. The U.S. imposed sanctions following the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The sanctions may impact ongoing investigations, including those related to Ukraine. The EU has stated that it will monitor and assess the implications of these actions. Meanwhile, the U.S. claims the ICC is engaging in unlawful activities, particularly in its investigations into alleged war crimes by U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Israeli forces in Gaza, despite neither country being an ICC member.

The Taliban government has expressed a willingness to rebuild relations with the Trump administration but firmly ruled out returning military equipment left in Afghanistan in 2021. Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Bahar Balkhi claimed that the US and NATO military equipment left behind is now Afghanistan’s property. According to Pentagon data, the US had transferred over $7.2 billion worth of military equipment to Afghan security forces before the Taliban takeover. Over the past four years, much of this equipment has been damaged or utilized by Taliban fighters. Prior to the elections, Donald Trump had vowed to retrieve the abandoned US military assets in Afghanistan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that Saudi Arabia has enough land to establish a Palestinian state, instead of doing so within Israel’s borders. Speaking to Channel 14 on Thursday, Netanyahu responded to Saudi Arabia’s demand for a Palestinian state as part of normalization talks, stating, “I will not agree to any deal that harms Israel. After October 7, a Palestinian state is no longer an option.” He further blamed Hamas, claiming that a Hamas-led Palestinian state resulted in the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. His remarks come after a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly discussed plans for Gaza’s governance.

The U.S. deported a group of illegal Indian immigrants on Thursday, restraining them with handcuffs and leg shackles aboard a military aircraft. The incident sparked outrage in India's parliament, with opposition members condemning it as an inhumane and humiliating act against Indian nationals. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar explained that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) follows strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for deportations. He clarified that deportations are not new, with 15,756 Indians sent back over the past 15 years. However, he assured that women and children were not subjected to shackling. Opposition leaders questioned the Indian government's response and demanded measures to protect the dignity of its citizens abroad.

According to four sources confirmed by Reuters, the Trump administration is planning to lay off 9,700 employees from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The agency currently employs around 10,000 people, but only 294 staff members are expected to be retained. Reports indicate that the Africa Bureau will have just 12 employees, while the Asia Bureau will be left with only 8. A former USAID chief described this decision as "horrendous" and warned that it would put many people in jeopardy. The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on the matter. Previously, a close associate of Trump had labeled USAID as a "terrorist organization," accusing it of spending taxpayer money on biological research and propaganda. Shortly after, news of the layoffs emerged.

US President Donald Trump has imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil network. The sanctions affect Iranian firms, ships, companies, and individuals linked to the sector, despite similar measures during Biden’s tenure. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stated that Iran continues using oil revenues to fund its nuclear program, ballistic missile development, and proxy terrorist groups. The US remains committed to countering these threats. Trump, who imposed numerous sanctions in his first term, has initiated further restrictions within a week of beginning his second term.

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of targeting the United States and its close ally, Israel, with "illegal and baseless actions." According to the BBC, Trump’s executive order stipulates that any individuals cooperating with ICC investigations against the U.S. or its allies will face economic and visa-related sanctions, along with potential penalties for their family members. The executive order argues that the ICC’s actions pose a direct threat to American personnel, increasing the risk of harassment and unlawful detentions. Prior to issuing the order, Trump reportedly held discussions with the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the matter.

Several international media outlets have reported on the arson and vandalism at Dhanmondi 32, the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, following the online address of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 5. In addition to Dhanmondi 32, her residence, Sudha Sadan, was also attacked and set on fire by protesters. Prominent global news agencies covered the incident with striking headlines:

• Associated Press (AP) (USA): “Bangladeshi Protesters Destroy Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina’s Family Home”

• Agence France-Presse (AFP) (France): “Bangladesh Protesters Attempt to Ransack Hasina’s Father’s House”

• BBC (UK): “Protesters Set Fire to Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s Family Home”

• Reuters (UK): “Demonstrators Torch Ousted Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina’s Father’s Residence”

• Anadolu Agency (Turkey): “Furious Protests in Bangladesh Over Former PM Hasina’s Address from India”

The incident has drawn global attention, with international media highlighting the political unrest and growing tensions in Bangladesh.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed plans for Israel to transfer control of Gaza to the United States after the war. He stated that, by then, Palestinians will be relocated to safer, more beautiful areas, with modern homes in secure locations. Trump mentioned that he had previously discussed evacuating Gaza and is now sharing the full plan. Despite global protests, he remains steadfast in his approach. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the plan, supporting the removal of Palestinians from Gaza.