Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country's negotiators are ready to discuss Moscow’s proposal to end the war with the United States. In a Saturday evening address, he stated that Kyiv is waiting for Washington’s response regarding the next meeting. His remarks suggested that the second round of talks among US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials, scheduled for Sunday in Abu Dhabi, might be postponed.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is prepared to work in any format to stop the Russia-Ukraine war and is ready for next week’s meetings. His comments came as US envoy Steve Witkoff described his meeting in Florida with Russian Ambassador Kirill Dmitriev as “productive and constructive.” The first direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators under US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan were held in Abu Dhabi last week, with both sides agreeing to resume discussions on Sunday.

Washington claims both sides are close to a deal, but Kyiv maintains that no consensus has been reached on key territorial issues in any postwar settlement.

A report by US-based media outlet Drop Site News claims that President Donald Trump may authorize a military operation against Iran as early as this weekend. Citing multiple sources, the report says top US military officials have informed allied Middle Eastern governments that strikes could begin on Sunday, February 1. The operation would reportedly target Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities, as well as the leadership and infrastructure of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to the report, a former senior US intelligence officer, now advising several Arab governments, stated that the campaign’s main objective is regime change rather than solely addressing Iran’s nuclear or missile programs. The Trump administration allegedly believes that a successful strike on Iran’s leadership could trigger public protests leading to government collapse. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is described as optimistic about the plan, assuring Trump that Israel could assist in forming a new, pro-Western government in Iran.

Senior Arab intelligence officials cited in the report warned that a US attack could begin “at any moment,” heightening regional anxiety and uncertainty across the Middle East.

Widespread fear of war has gripped Iranians at home and abroad since the night of January 30, following rumors of an imminent US military strike. Many residents across Iran, particularly in Tehran, have begun stockpiling dry food, water, and basic medical supplies. Some are sealing their windows with tape to minimize potential damage from bomb blasts. The anxiety has persisted into early February, with social media flooded by advice on how to survive missile attacks and prepare for emergencies.

Residents describe sleepless nights and growing uncertainty. A 68-year-old woman from eastern Tehran said her friends warned of a possible attack that same night. Younger Iranians, like 27-year-old student Soroush, recalled earlier wartime fears but noted that people now seem mentally prepared. He criticized both Iranian leaders and Western powers, saying ordinary lives have become part of a geopolitical game. Reports also mention online betting on potential US strikes, reflecting the tense atmosphere.

The continuing rumors have left citizens bracing for the worst, with many preparing for at least ten days of self-sufficiency.

Israel has reopened the Rafah crossing after two years of closure, allowing only limited movement of people between Gaza and Egypt. The Israeli military stated that the reopening is part of a ceasefire agreement in the blockaded Palestinian enclave. According to the announcement, the crossing was opened on Sunday for restricted two-way movement under political directives.

Coordination for departures from Gaza and entries into the territory will be carried out with Egypt, and travelers will require prior Israeli security clearance under the supervision of a European Union mission. Residents who left Gaza during the conflict will be allowed to return, subject to Israeli approval and coordination with Egypt.

The crossing had remained closed since Israeli forces took control in May 2024. It was initially scheduled to reopen under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement signed in October, but Israel delayed implementation until the recovery of the last hostage’s body, causing several months of postponement.

The Afghan Embassy in Japan officially ceased operations on Saturday, marking the end of its diplomatic activities in Tokyo. Afghan Ambassador Shida Mohammad Abdali confirmed the closure in a statement on social media platform X, noting that it was the embassy’s final working day and expressing sorrow as he departed Tokyo.

Before its closure, the embassy served as the formal diplomatic channel between Afghanistan and Japan, providing consular services such as passports and visas to Afghan nationals residing in Japan. The move follows a broader pattern since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, which has led to the suspension or limitation of Afghan diplomatic missions in several countries and the dismissal of diplomats appointed by the previous government.

Japan has not formally recognized the Taliban-led Afghan government and continues to maintain only limited humanitarian engagement. The embassy’s closure has raised concerns about the availability of diplomatic representation and essential consular services for Afghans living abroad.

A newly released set of documents from the U.S. Department of Justice, known as the 'Epstein Files,' includes a 2013 email describing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan as a 'London society lion' or an influential figure in London’s elite circles. The email, written by former UN official Nasra Hassan to Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen, discussed using Khan’s influence to support Western-backed initiatives in Pakistan, particularly health and vaccination programs.

At the time, Imran Khan was an opposition politician and former cricket star, known internationally more for his social connections than for holding public office. Hassan’s email suggested that Khan’s social reach made him a potentially more effective intermediary on sensitive diplomatic issues, such as polio eradication, than then–Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The correspondence indicated that Western partners considered engaging Khan to advance health campaigns in Pakistan.

The emails were released as part of an ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s financial and professional networks, shedding light on the diplomatic discussions surrounding Pakistan’s health initiatives in 2013.

After nearly seven years, the United States is taking steps to restore its diplomatic presence in Venezuela. On Saturday, the new top US envoy, Laura F. Dogu, arrived in Caracas and announced her arrival on social media, saying she and her team were ready to begin work. A State Department official said Dogu would engage with representatives from government, private sectors, and civil society to advance a three-step plan on Venezuela set by the US president and secretary of state.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto welcomed Dogu’s arrival, describing it as part of efforts to outline bilateral cooperation and resolve differences based on mutual respect and international law. Dogu currently serves as chargé d’affaires of the US Venezuela Affairs Unit based in Colombia, and her arrival in Caracas is seen as a significant public step toward restoring relations between the two countries.

The US withdrew its diplomats and suspended embassy operations in Caracas in 2019. Washington now plans to gradually reopen embassy functions and establish temporary diplomatic facilities, with Dogu expected to lead future operations from Caracas.

Several US allies, including the United Kingdom and Canada, are strengthening ties with China amid ongoing trade tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff measures last year. Beijing has threatened countries supporting Washington’s trade restrictions and limited global rare earth supplies, a move analysts describe as a risky gamble by President Xi Jinping. Instead of easing the strain on US allies, China’s actions have deepened their economic challenges, pushing them closer to Beijing.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is currently visiting China, marking the first such trip by a UK leader since 2018. His visit aims to secure a bilateral trade deal and discuss sensitive issues, including the detention of Hong Kong activist and British citizen Jimmy Lai. Critics accuse Starmer of being too accommodating toward Beijing, citing his approval of a large Chinese embassy in London. Similarly, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has visited Beijing, calling for a “strategic new partnership” despite past election interference allegations.

Analysts suggest Beijing’s approach is yielding results, as more Western partners seek economic engagement with China while reassessing their dependence on Washington.

Thousands of demonstrators across Europe gathered on February 1, 2026, to express solidarity with Palestine and protest Israel’s continued attacks on Gaza despite a ceasefire. Protesters called on European governments to stop selling weapons to Israel, according to Anadolu Agency.

In the United Kingdom, several thousand pro-Palestinian demonstrators assembled at London’s Russell Square and marched toward Whitehall, home to the Prime Minister’s Office at 10 Downing Street. They condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, accused it of violating the ceasefire, and criticized the British government for continuing arms exports to Israel. British MPs Zarah Sultana and John McDonnell joined the march. Protesters carried Palestinian flags and placards, urging British authorities and companies to withdraw support for Israel’s actions.

In Sweden, hundreds gathered at Stockholm’s Odenplan Square to protest Israel’s attacks on Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian aid. Organizers from several civic groups accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025, and urged the Swedish government to end arms sales to Israel. Since the ceasefire began, 524 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli operations.

At least 125 people were killed in a series of clashes between separatist groups and security forces in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan. According to a report by Geo News, 15 security personnel and 18 civilians were killed in coordinated attacks by separatists on January 31, while security forces claimed to have killed 92 militants in subsequent clearance operations. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the attacks targeted multiple areas including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni.

The ISPR described the attackers as members of an India-backed group called “Fitna al-Hindustan,” alleging that the assaults aimed to disrupt normal life and hinder development activities in Balochistan. Security forces reported recovering large quantities of weapons and explosives during the operations. The banned separatist organization Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks, asserting that it had killed more than fifty security personnel.

Following the violence, security alerts were heightened across the province as tensions rose sharply in Balochistan.

China has expanded its intelligence and defense cooperation with Iran to counter Israeli Mossad infiltration following the June 2025 Israeli attacks that exposed major gaps in Iran’s air defense systems. Beijing views Mossad’s penetration of Iran’s security and intelligence networks as a direct threat to its strategic interests in the Middle East. In response, China has begun assisting Tehran in identifying and arresting active Mossad agents, strengthening Iran’s cyber defenses, and supplying advanced surveillance satellites and radar systems.

Reports indicate that China and Russia are helping Iran investigate how Israeli agents accessed sensitive government databases. Beijing is also supporting Iran’s shift from Western GPS systems to China’s Beidou navigation network to reduce vulnerability to hacking. Under its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), China has prioritized cyber and artificial intelligence cooperation to protect Iran’s digital sovereignty from Israeli and American interference.

China’s broader strategy includes rebuilding Iran’s missile defense, transferring key rocket fuel and guidance technologies, and promoting intelligence coordination through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Beijing considers these steps essential to maintaining regional stability and safeguarding its Belt and Road Initiative interests.

Khalil al-Hayya, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, warned that the continuation of Israeli attacks in Gaza after the ceasefire breach would lead to dire consequences. His statement came in response to Saturday’s Israeli airstrikes that killed 37 Palestinians, according to TRT World. Al-Hayya condemned the attacks as being carried out under false pretenses and said he had held discussions with mediators and unnamed international parties following the incident.

Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire and urged mediators to ensure that the occupying power fulfills its obligations and refrains from further violations. The group also blamed Israel for failing to resolve the plight of Palestinians trapped in tunnels in southern Gaza’s Rafah area. After the October 10 ceasefire, many Palestinians remained stranded there, as Israel reportedly refused to allow their departure despite mediation efforts.

The report added that U.S. President Donald Trump announced in mid-January that the second phase of his 20-point ceasefire plan had begun, but unresolved issues, including those involving trapped individuals, remain pending.

Israel has decided to partially reopen the Rafah border crossing between the war-torn Gaza Strip and Egypt after a prolonged closure. Israeli authorities announced that starting Sunday, the crossing will allow limited movement of people following sustained pressure from humanitarian organizations. The reopening comes even as violence continues in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes on Saturday reportedly killed dozens, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense. The Israeli military said the strikes were in response to ceasefire violations.

The Rafah crossing is a vital entry and exit point for Gaza’s residents and humanitarian aid. It was seized by Israeli forces in May 2024 during the ongoing conflict with Hamas and has remained mostly closed since then, except for a brief reopening in early 2025. Israel had previously stated it would not reopen the crossing until the body of its last hostage, Ran Givili, was recovered; his remains were found and buried earlier this week.

According to Israel’s COGAT agency, the crossing will reopen under EU supervision and coordination with Egypt, though the number of people allowed to cross remains unclear.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Al Thani met with Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Tehran on Saturday. The meeting focused on regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions at a time when concerns are rising over a possible U.S. attack on Iran.

In a statement released the same day, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the country supports any initiative aimed at de-escalation and achieving peaceful solutions that contribute to regional security and stability. The Qatari Prime Minister emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to protect the region’s people from war and reiterated Doha’s commitment to working diplomatically with friendly and brotherly nations.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News that Gulf allies had not been informed about Washington’s plans regarding Iran, saying, “We cannot tell them the plan.”

The non-political service organization Hafezzi Charitable Society of Bangladesh (HCSB) is conducting coordinated humanitarian operations across Bangladesh, Gaza, and remote areas of Sudan. The activities include providing healthcare, food, clean water, emergency medical support, medical camps, assistance for the injured and sick, distribution of essential medicines, and winter protection materials. The organization’s published videos and visual updates include dates and times, allowing verification of field activities. In Gaza, HCSB’s services are being carried out in six hospitals with approval from the local health ministry.

According to available information, HCSB continues to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid from Bangladesh and Europe through Egypt to Gaza and Sudan with the support of well-wishers at home and abroad. The initiative has been praised by the Palestinian ambassador to Egypt, the Egyptian Red Crescent, Egyptian Human Rights Organization, scholars from Al-Azhar University, and human rights and legal experts from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, as well as representatives of the Egypt Youth Circle.

HCSB Director Muhammad Raj stated that the organization regularly publishes photos, videos, and brief reports to maintain transparency and provide donors and the public with real-time updates on progress.