U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order initiating the process of imposing additional tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. The order, reported by TRT World, does not specify the tariff rates or identify the targeted countries, leaving those decisions to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. According to U.S. authorities, the move aims to pressure Cuba and protect American national security and foreign policy interests.

The executive order grants Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio the authority to take all necessary steps to implement the tariffs. It also allows Trump to refrain from imposing measures if Cuba or oil-supplying nations take actions consistent with U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.

Cuba, under U.S. sanctions since 1962, has relied heavily on oil imports from Venezuela. The report notes that the United States has effectively taken control of Venezuela’s oil exports after removing Havana’s key ally, Nicolás Maduro.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that military action against Iran might not be necessary, indicating a preference for renewed diplomatic engagement. Speaking on Thursday at the launch of a documentary, he stated that he plans further discussions with Tehran over a potential nuclear agreement. Trump noted that U.S. military forces are currently moving toward Iran but expressed hope that they would not need to be used.

In his remarks, Trump emphasized that he had strengthened U.S. military power during his first term and reiterated his willingness to negotiate with Iran again. He urged Tehran to reach a nuclear deal quickly and warned that any future attack would be far more severe. The comments come amid heightened tensions following a 12-day war between Israel and Tehran, during which the United States reportedly bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Trump’s statements suggest a dual approach of military readiness and diplomatic outreach, leaving open the possibility of de-escalation if talks progress toward a new nuclear accord.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and head of the 11-party alliance, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, announced plans to establish government medical colleges in 36 districts, including Feni. He also promised specialized hospitals, embankment construction along the Feni River, and a modern stadium in Feni. The announcement came during an election rally organized by the local Jamaat-e-Islami at Feni Government Pilot High School field on Friday morning.

During his speech, Dr. Rahman said the country had been freed from misrule through the July 24 revolution and recalled his humanitarian visit to Feni during a devastating flood. He mentioned that the people of Feni would remember Abrar Fahad for his remarks about the Feni River. He urged voters to unite behind the 11-party alliance candidates in Feni’s three constituencies to build a new Bangladesh.

The event was attended by senior leaders of Jamaat, Shibir, and the 11-party alliance, including Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Maulana A.T.M. Masum, Professor Liaquat Ali Bhuiyan, and others.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for the establishment of a regional security framework in the Middle East built on mutual trust rather than rivalry. In an interview broadcast on Thursday by Al Jazeera, Fidan said lasting stability can only be achieved through inclusive regional cooperation, not through the dominance of any single power.

Fidan identified a lack of trust among Gulf states as the main obstacle to effective security collaboration. Drawing a comparison with the European Union, he argued that Middle Eastern countries could also unite responsibly to ensure regional stability. Responding to a question about the Saudi Arabia–Pakistan defense agreement and Turkey’s potential involvement, he emphasized that any such arrangement should be more inclusive and free from Turkish, Arab, Persian, or any other form of dominance.

On Syria, Fidan stated that Turkey is doing its utmost to facilitate the ceasefire process in the war-torn country.

Hamidur Rahman, former general secretary of Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district unit, has formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The announcement was confirmed on Thursday night, with district Jamaat leaders welcoming him at an event attended by Assistant Secretary Mokbul Hossain and Publicity Secretary Amirul Islam. Narsingdi-1 constituency candidate Md. Ibrahim Bhuiyan posted photos of the reception on his verified Facebook page. Around 300 more Islami Andolan activists are expected to join Jamaat next Monday.

Rahman said his decision stemmed from dissatisfaction over tensions within the 11-party electoral alliance that included Islami Andolan and Jamaat. He cited internal disagreements, the party’s inability to compromise on minor issues, and its departure from the “one box policy” as reasons for the shift. Bhuiyan expressed optimism that Rahman’s organizational experience would strengthen Jamaat’s movement in the district.

The upcoming mass joining event is expected to further consolidate Jamaat’s local organizational base in Narsingdi, according to the statements made at the ceremony.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Hatibandha in Lalmonirhat on February 4 to attend an election rally. The event is being organized in connection with the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum. He will participate in the rally for the ‘Dharipalla’ symbol candidate in the Lalmonirhat-1 constituency, which includes Patgram and Hatibandha.

Anwarul Islam Raju, Jamaat’s central committee vice president for industry and commerce and the ‘Dharipalla’ candidate for Lalmonirhat-1, confirmed the visit. He said Dr. Rahman will deliver a major speech at a large public gathering, though the exact venue has not yet been finalized. District Jamaat Ameer and Lalmonirhat-3 ‘Dharipalla’ candidate Advocate Abu Taher stated that the rally will begin at 10 a.m., where Dr. Rahman will speak as the chief guest.

Preparations are reportedly underway to ensure the event proceeds peacefully, and Dr. Rahman is also expected to engage in voter outreach activities for the ‘Dharipalla’ symbol.

Election authorities in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet have initiated extensive renovation and security measures at polling centers ahead of the upcoming national election. The program includes infrastructure upgrades and the installation of modern surveillance systems to ensure fair, neutral, and secure voting. According to the upazila election office, Osmaninagar has 54 polling centers, of which 38 are located in primary schools. Renovation work has been approved for 36 of these schools, with two phases of funding totaling over 27 lakh taka.

Upazila Primary Education Officer Md. Saiful Islam Talukder stated that the renovation work is being closely monitored with transparency, including photographic documentation from site supervisors. To strengthen security, the Election Commission has allocated 20 CCTV cameras for the upazila, while the district administration is funding six cameras for each primary school-based center. High school-based centers will install cameras using their own funds, and additional cameras are being added to centers with existing systems.

District Commissioner and Returning Officer Sarwar Alam said all polling centers will be brought under CCTV coverage to ensure voter safety and transparency. Local residents believe these measures will enhance security and voter confidence.

India’s policy of strategic autonomy—maintaining independent foreign and defense decisions without external pressure—is under growing strain as global polarization deepens. Once rooted in the Non-Aligned Movement and symbolizing postcolonial independence, the approach now faces rising economic, military, and diplomatic costs. India’s balancing act among the United States, Russia, and China has become increasingly difficult, with each relationship presenting new constraints and limited reciprocal benefits.

The article notes that India’s refusal to support Western sanctions on Russia while importing discounted energy has drawn scrutiny and trade pressure from Washington. Simultaneously, India’s dependence on Chinese intermediate goods persists despite recurring border tensions, widening its trade deficit. Russia’s supply limitations due to the Ukraine conflict have also burdened India’s defense operations. Although India has deepened cooperation with Western partners, its access to advanced technology remains restricted.

Diplomatically, India’s cautious stance on global conflicts has led to perceptions of isolation, as it struggles to secure meaningful concessions from allies. The analysis concludes that strategic autonomy, once a shield of sovereignty, now risks becoming a liability unless India redefines its priorities and diversifies its partnerships.

A mobile court in Bhola fined BNP candidate Nurul Islam Noyon Tk 5,000 for violating the election and referendum code of conduct. The incident occurred on Wednesday night around 10:30 p.m. during an inspection by the code enforcement mobile court in the Charfassion-Monpura constituency.

According to Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Emdadul Hossain, the violation took place in Sharifpara area of Charfassion bazar, where campaign materials including framed colorful banners and festoons were displayed on a pickup truck, accompanied by loudspeakers, outside the permitted campaign hours. The fine was imposed under Rule 27(a) of the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct, 2025, for breaching Rules 7(b) and 7(g).

The enforcement action was part of ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with electoral regulations in the Bhola-4 constituency ahead of the parliamentary election and referendum.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s February 12 parliamentary election, political parties are intensifying their campaigns both on the ground and across social media platforms. Following the political transition of August 5, 2024, this is the first inclusive national election after years of limited participation under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Candidates are using Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to reach millions of young voters, who make up 44 percent of the electorate. Viral theme songs, short videos, and digital content have turned social media into the main arena of political competition.

Experts note that with 98.9 percent of households using mobile phones and over 13 crore internet users nationwide, digital campaigning offers a cost-effective way to engage voters, especially youth. Parties such as Jamaat, BNP, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) are producing songs and videos that have gained millions of views. Analysts and cyber experts warn, however, that misinformation and fake content are spreading rapidly, urging responsible online behavior.

Fact-checkers report that election-related content is now reaching personal feeds through reels and short videos, prompting candidates to allocate larger budgets for digital outreach.

In the run-up to Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami have escalated their political rhetoric, centering their campaigns on contrasting historical narratives. BNP, led by Chairperson Tarique Rahman, has made the 1971 Liberation War the core of its election message, using it to criticize Jamaat’s wartime role. Rahman, recently returned from exile, has highlighted the Liberation War in multiple rallies across the country, portraying it as a moral foundation for the nation and warning against those who opposed independence. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has echoed this stance, accusing Jamaat of trying to regain political influence despite its past opposition to independence.

In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami has focused its campaign on the July Uprising that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, presenting it as a movement for democracy and justice. Party leaders, including Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, have pledged to continue the struggle for a corruption-free and equitable Bangladesh. Jamaat leaders have also criticized BNP for politically exploiting the Liberation War issue, calling such accusations baseless and politically motivated.

The competing narratives underscore a deep ideological divide, with BNP emphasizing historical legitimacy through the Liberation War and Jamaat seeking to redefine its identity through the July Uprising.

The funeral of Maulana Rezaul Karim, 42, secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sreebardi upazila unit, who was killed in a BNP-Jamaat clash in Sherpur, was completed on Thursday night. His second funeral prayer took place at 9 p.m. at Gopalakhila School field, led by Jamaat’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana A N M Shamsul Islam. Following the prayer, he was buried in his family graveyard, and prayers were offered for his soul.

At Rezaul’s home, his elderly father Maulana Abdul Aziz was seen silently gazing at his son’s grave, while women inside the house were heard crying. Relatives and neighbors gathered to offer condolences. District Jamaat Ameer Hafizur Rahman condemned the killing, stating that a general diary had been filed with the police and preparations were underway to lodge a case. He added that further programs would be decided after consultation with central leaders.

The incident follows recent political tensions in Sherpur, with Jamaat leaders calling for justice and organizational response to the killing.

The human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed deep concern over ongoing violence, inflammatory remarks, and allegations of irregularities surrounding the upcoming national parliamentary election in Bangladesh. In a statement issued on Thursday, ASK said these incidents are undermining the electoral environment and creating fear and insecurity among citizens, which contradicts the principles of a free, fair, and neutral election.

According to ASK’s statement, media reports indicate that political activists from different parties have been victims of violence in several parts of the country. A local Jamaat leader was killed and a BNP leader seriously injured in a clash in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur, while around 30 supporters from both sides were hurt. The organization also noted allegations of forced removal of women’s veils during campaigning, attempts to influence voters with money, intimidation, and the use of indecent language.

ASK emphasized that ensuring a violence-free environment for voters is a constitutional duty of the state and urged all political parties, candidates, and law enforcement agencies to take impartial and effective measures to prevent further unrest.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman addressed an election rally in Bogura on Thursday afternoon, calling on supporters to pray so that they can take pride in his leadership. Speaking at the historic Altafunnesa field, he urged the people of Bogura to stand by him mentally and morally, promising to lead Bangladesh toward a stronger and better future if given their support.

Rahman emphasized the importance of unity, echoing the message of late President Ziaur Rahman that national development requires collective effort. He said that if his party forms the next government, decisions on employment and business will be based on merit, not regional favoritism. He also recalled his previous work from 2001 to 2006 to make Bogura a model district and pledged to expand that model nationwide if given the opportunity.

Highlighting the upcoming election scheduled for the 12th, Rahman described it as crucial for determining the country’s direction and reaffirmed the need to restore democratic governance through collective effort.

An attack took place on the election campaign vehicle of Jamaat-e-Islami–backed candidate and lawyer Shishir Monir in Sunamganj-2 (Dirai-Shalla) constituency. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, January 29, in the Kadirpur area of Dirai upazila. According to reports, a group of youths on motorcycles attacked the campaign vehicle while it was conducting election activities, causing extensive damage. Two people inside the vehicle were injured, though their identities were not immediately known.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Rakibul Hasan Russell stated that authorities are investigating the incident. The attack targeted the campaign caravan of the candidate representing the 11-party alliance in the constituency.

Police have yet to release further details about the attackers or the motive behind the assault, and the investigation is ongoing.