French authorities have issued warrants against two Franco-Israeli citizens suspected of involvement in genocide for allegedly obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. The warrants, issued in July last year, target Nili Kupfer-Naouri of the group Israel Is Forever and Rachel Touitou of the group Tsav 9. They are accused of attempting to block aid trucks at the Nitzana and Kerem Shalom border crossings between January and November 2024. The suspects have been asked to appear before an investigating magistrate but have not been ordered arrested.

An NGO lawyer involved in the case described the move as unprecedented, marking the first time a country has launched an investigation into potential complicity in genocide through obstruction of humanitarian aid. Kupfer-Naouri’s lawyer said their actions were peaceful protests against aid being diverted by Hamas and other groups. Touitou defended her actions on social media, while Kupfer-Naouri called the French probe “anti-Semitic hysteria.”

The complaint was filed by Palestinian human rights groups, including Al-Haq and Al-Mezan. Sources indicated that up to ten more individuals could face similar warrants, while separate war crimes cases involving Franco-Israeli soldiers remain ongoing in France.

Cuba is maintaining communication with the United States amid heightened tensions over threats to halt oil supplies. A senior Cuban diplomat confirmed that while exchanges between Havana and Washington continue, they have not yet developed into formal talks. The contact intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump increased pressure on Cuba. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío told Reuters that the U.S. government is aware of Cuba’s readiness for a serious and responsible dialogue.

The situation escalated following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a close ally of Cuba, by U.S. forces and his transfer to the United States. The incident, which also involved Maduro’s wife, has further strained relations and placed the Cuban government under additional U.S. pressure. De Cossío stated that although embassies and diplomatic channels remain active, no formal negotiation framework has been established.

In a separate interview with the Associated Press, De Cossío said that if dialogue begins, it could evolve into structured discussions in the future, but emphasized that Cuba’s constitution, economic system, and socialist governance are not open for negotiation.

A total of 404 former ministers, ambassadors, and senior officials from the European Union and its member states have called for firm and effective measures against Israel. In a joint statement released on Monday, they urged the EU to move beyond symbolic condemnations and take concrete steps to stop ongoing violations of international law in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The proposed actions include suspending the EU–Israel Association Agreement and halting all forms of military assistance to Israel.

The statement emphasized that the EU must act in line with its founding values and principles to restore its credibility as a force for peace and welfare. The signatories warned that despite international peace efforts, the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. They accused Israel of obstructing humanitarian aid and targeting civilians and aid workers.

The statement also condemned Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian access and called for the Rafah border crossing to be fully and permanently opened. It demanded an end to the misuse of the so-called “dual-use” policy that blocks relief supplies.

Columnist Mahmudur Rahman argues that India has become increasingly isolated in global and regional politics following its military and diplomatic setbacks. He describes how India’s dominance in South Asia, once symbolized by its size and economic power, has eroded after Pakistan’s technological and strategic advances, particularly in the 2025 air conflict. The article claims that Pakistan, with Chinese support, achieved notable success using advanced digital warfare tactics, while India suffered significant losses and international embarrassment.

Rahman writes that the United States, China, and Russia have reassessed their positions toward South Asia, with Washington reportedly recognizing Pakistan’s victory in the brief conflict. He contends that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies and strained foreign relations have further isolated the country. The author also criticizes Bangladeshi political parties for maintaining fear-driven policies toward India despite shifting geopolitical realities.

The piece concludes by praising Bangladesh’s interim government under Muhammad Yunus for taking a firm stance against Indian influence and urges younger political leaders to maintain independence in foreign policy.

The United States has reinforced its air and missile defense systems across the Middle East as tensions rise over a possible strike on Iran. According to a Wall Street Journal report citing Pentagon officials, additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot systems have been deployed to American bases in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The move aims to protect these installations from potential aerial and missile attacks amid heightened regional uncertainty.

Defense analysts noted that THAAD systems are deployed in only a few locations worldwide and require significant manpower and logistical support to relocate. While President Donald Trump has not yet announced a decision to attack Iran, officials indicated that limited strikes remain possible. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any US attack would trigger a regional war. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told CNN that talks are ongoing to avoid conflict, though he expressed distrust toward Washington.

President Trump commented that he hopes for a deal but suggested that if talks fail, Iran’s threats would be tested.

The United States and Iran are set to hold an official meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, on February 6, despite ongoing diplomatic tensions and fears of possible military conflict. According to an AFP report citing an unnamed Arab official, the meeting was made possible through sustained mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Oman. The US delegation will be led by President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, while Iran’s team will be headed by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and the mediating countries are also expected to attend.

The main agenda of the meeting will focus on Iran’s nuclear program, a long-standing source of friction between Washington and Tehran for over two decades. The two sides last clashed militarily in June of the previous year, leading to a 12-day conflict before a ceasefire was reached. Tensions escalated again in mid-January when President Trump ordered a major naval deployment in Middle Eastern waters.

Despite these strains, both sides have recently signaled openness to diplomacy. Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, while Araghchi said Iran could consider talks if the US presents fair and acceptable proposals.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has warned that the world faces new risks if the New START nuclear arms control treaty is not renewed. Speaking from his residence outside Moscow, Medvedev told Reuters that for the first time since the early 1970s, the largest nuclear powers may have no limits on their arsenals. The treaty, signed in 2010 by then U.S. President Barack Obama and Medvedev, limited each side to 1,550 strategic nuclear weapons. It is set to expire on February 5, and Russian officials said Washington has not formally responded to President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to extend existing missile and warhead limits for another year.

Medvedev emphasized that arms control agreements have been vital not only for limiting weapons but also for maintaining trust and verification between major nuclear powers. He cautioned that the “doomsday clock is ticking” and urged timely action to prevent escalation. In January, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he preferred the treaty to lapse, suggesting a better deal could follow.

The treaty’s future remains uncertain after Russia suspended its participation in 2023 due to U.S. support for Ukraine, raising concerns about renewed nuclear competition.

Recently released U.S. documents show that a shipment of cloth associated with the Kaaba’s kiswa, the sacred covering of Islam’s holiest site in Mecca, was sent to the United States in 2017 and later reached convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Emails cited in the documents claim the shipment was coordinated through contacts linked to the United Arab Emirates.

Correspondence from February and March 2017 indicates that Emirati business figures Aziza Al-Ahmadi and Abdullah Al-Marai arranged the dispatch of three pieces related to the kiswa. The kiswa, a black cloth embroidered with gold, is replaced annually, and its used sections are regarded as valuable relics. The emails show that the shipment was sent by air freight from Saudi Arabia to Florida via British Airways, with detailed coordination on invoices, customs, and delivery.

The documents specify that one piece came from the Kaaba’s interior, another from its used outer covering, and a third was unused but made of the same material. The unused piece was classified as an “artwork” for shipping. A separate FBI memo alleged Epstein had ties with U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation to discuss reducing tensions in the Middle East and the recent situation surrounding Iran, according to a statement from the Qatari Emir. The two leaders exchanged views on how developments related to Iran could affect regional security. The discussion took place amid increased U.S. military presence in the Middle East and threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to strike Iran.

Iran has accused Washington of using sanctions, pressure, and unrest as pretexts for external interference aimed at regime change. Iranian officials warned that any attack, even a limited one, would be met with a “massive and unprecedented” response, according to public statements and U.S. assessments cited in the report.

The Emir and Macron also discussed the situation in Gaza, emphasizing civilian protection under the ceasefire agreement and ways to maintain stability in Lebanon. The Gaza ceasefire, effective since October 10, 2025, ended two years of Israeli attacks that killed over 71,700 people and injured more than 171,500, according to Palestinian authorities.

Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice have revealed that acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, mother of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, was listed among attendees at a 2009 party hosted at Ghislaine Maxwell’s Manhattan residence. The files include an email sent by publicist Peggy Siegal on October 21, 2009, mentioning that Nair attended the event alongside former US President Bill Clinton and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The gathering reportedly followed the release of Nair’s film 'Amelia' and was part of its promotional activities.

The email, one of hundreds of thousands of documents made public on Friday, also noted that the film received a lukewarm response from audiences and critics. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the latest release comprises over three million pages of documents, more than two thousand videos, and about 180,000 photos, some of which were previously withheld to protect victims.

The newly disclosed materials shed further light on Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network and his connections with prominent figures across politics and entertainment.

Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmadullah has commented on the recent release of millions of files by the U.S. Department of Justice related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a verified Facebook post on February 2, 2026, he said the Epstein files are not merely a scandal but a mirror reflecting the true face of Western civilization, exposing its moral and ethical decline.

Ahmadullah argued that the documents reveal how political leaders, industrialists, athletes, media figures, and cultural icons—often seen as role models—were allegedly involved in heinous crimes such as child trafficking, sexual abuse, and even cannibalism. He criticized Western liberalism for promoting extreme materialism and moral decay under the guise of personal freedom, leading to the erosion of family values and social ethics.

He contrasted this with Islamic teachings, which he said emphasize moral restraint, spiritual accountability, and the protection of women, children, and family. Ahmadullah concluded that the incident raises fundamental questions about the definition of civilization and the moral direction humanity should choose.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended contracts with 1,800 foreign Umrah travel agencies due to shortcomings in their operations and service quality. The ministry announced the decision on Sunday, stating that the agencies failed to meet required performance standards following a periodic evaluation.

According to the ministry, the agencies were assessed for efficiency and service quality, and deficiencies were identified in both areas. Each agency has been given ten days to improve performance and correct the issues. The ministry described the move as a regulatory measure aimed at ensuring compliance with approved standards and allowing agencies to rectify their shortcomings.

The ministry further clarified that if the agencies meet the required conditions within the given timeframe, their contracts will be reinstated. It also assured that the suspension will not affect visas or existing bookings for Umrah pilgrims. Earlier evaluations had found that out of approximately 5,800 Umrah operators, 1,800 showed performance and service gaps.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any US attack on Iran would trigger a severe response and could escalate into a full-scale regional war across the Middle East. His remarks were reported on Monday, February 2, 2026, by BBC News, amid Western media speculation about his absence from public view. Khamenei directly addressed US President Donald Trump, criticizing repeated threats of deploying warships to the region and asserting that the Iranian people are not intimidated by such military displays.

Khamenei emphasized that Iran would never initiate conflict but would respond firmly if attacked, warning that any war would not remain limited in scope. The statement came as tensions between Tehran and Washington remained high over US military movements in the Middle East.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Iran’s National Security Adviser Ali Larijani indicated that diplomatic efforts were still underway, confirming that discussions between the United States and Iran continued to seek a resolution to the ongoing crisis.

India and several Arab countries have jointly called for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state. The appeal was made on Saturday in New Delhi during the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting, held after a ten-year gap, was attended by top Arab diplomats and the Secretary-General of the Arab League. The outcome was formalized in the 'Delhi Declaration'.

According to the declaration, the participating nations reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative. It called for a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, living peacefully alongside Israel, and expressed support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

The declaration also welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached at the 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and urged all parties to adhere to its terms. It further emphasized the need to ensure adequate, sustainable, and unhindered humanitarian and relief access throughout the region.

The Nigerian army announced that eleven Boko Haram members, including a key commander, were killed during a military operation in the Sambisa Forest of Borno State in the country’s northeast. The operation took place on Sunday, according to a military statement cited by TRT World. The slain commander, identified as Abu Khalid, was described as the group’s second-in-command in the region and was responsible for coordinating logistics and terrorist activities. The army reported no casualties among its personnel.

Boko Haram has been active in Nigeria since the early 2000s and has expanded its attacks to neighboring Cameroon, Chad, and Niger since 2015. Authorities said the group has killed at least two people across the Lake Chad basin. The military confirmed that counterterrorism operations in the northeastern forests remain ongoing.

The latest operation underscores Nigeria’s continued efforts to weaken Boko Haram’s presence in the region and disrupt its logistical networks.