A notice from the Election Commission (EC) banning mobile phones at polling centers during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among political activists and voters. The directive, which reportedly restricts carrying phones within 400 yards of polling stations, has drawn criticism from multiple political groups. Leaders of the 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami announced plans to formally lodge a complaint with the EC. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair described the decision as unacceptable and questioned whether it aimed to benefit specific groups. He argued that voters need phones for personal safety and documentation of irregularities. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and media secretary Yasir Arafat also criticized the restriction, calling it unreasonable and counterproductive. The alliance leaders are scheduled to visit the EC later in the day to discuss the issue and demand withdrawal of the ban, which they say undermines transparency and voter rights.

Cuba has decided to suspend the supply of jet fuel to aircraft for one month due to a severe energy crisis attributed to U.S. actions. A European airline official confirmed the decision on Sunday, stating that from midnight Monday, planes traveling to and from Cuba will no longer be able to refuel there. As a result, long-haul flights must now stop in other countries for refueling, and Air France has already implemented such measures. The crisis deepened after Venezuela halted oil shipments to Cuba in January 2023 following U.S. measures. Former U.S. President Donald Trump had signed an executive order allowing tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba. In response, the Cuban government has introduced emergency measures, including a four-day workweek for state institutions, restricted provincial transport, temporary closure of some tourism facilities, reduced school hours, and relaxed attendance requirements at universities. Cuba’s power plants are under strain due to the fuel shortage, raising the risk of blackouts. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the country is ready to hold talks with the United States but not under pressure.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman attended an election rally of Maulana Mamunul Haque, the candidate of an eleven-party alliance and the Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, in Dhaka-13 constituency. The rally began at 8:30 a.m. on Monday at the Mohammadpur Central Eidgah ground, with the Jamaat leader arriving around 11:30 a.m. According to organizers, the event was arranged to present the political context, development vision, and future plans for the Dhaka-13 constituency ahead of the upcoming election. The rally featured Dr. Shafiqur Rahman as the chief guest and Md. Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), as the special guest. Central leaders from the eleven-party alliance were also in attendance. The gathering highlighted the alliance’s coordinated campaign efforts in Dhaka-13, signaling cooperation among Islamist and allied political groups in the run-up to the election.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has issued a directive prohibiting the use of mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers during the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum on February 12, 2026. The order, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam, allows only presiding officers, police in charge, and two designated Ansar members using the 'Nirbachon Surakkha 2026' app to carry mobile phones inside polling centers. The circular has been sent to divisional commissioners, regional election officers, and all deputy commissioners and returning officers for implementation. In response, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman issued a warning through his verified Facebook account on Monday, asserting that the nation’s voting rights were earned through struggle and would be defended if necessary. He emphasized that citizens desire a free and fair election where they can vote and celebrate without fear, describing election day as a festival of democracy. The EC’s restriction and the Jamaat leader’s statement come just days before the scheduled polling, underscoring heightened political sensitivity around election security and voter freedom.

BNP Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed said that the people of Bangladesh have been unable to exercise their voting rights freely for the past 16–17 years. Speaking at a rally on Sunday evening at Sakurpara Station in Pekua, he expressed hope that the upcoming election would mark a new beginning for the country, leading to the establishment of a strong democracy where citizens’ rights are ensured and no one will have to shed blood for democratic freedoms. During the event, Ahmed thanked supporters for their participation in the BNP’s mass procession and urged them to attend the final campaign rally scheduled for Monday at the Chakaria municipal bus terminal. He expressed confidence that the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, would achieve a record victory both locally and nationwide. The rally was attended by former MP and Ahmed’s wife Advocate Hasina Ahmed, their son Saeed Ibrahim Ahmed, and several local BNP and affiliate leaders, reflecting strong organizational presence in the constituency.

At least 13 people have died in Colombia following unusually heavy rainfall for this time of year, officials confirmed on Sunday. The National Meteorological Institute (IDEAM) reported that a fast-moving cold air mass from North America struck Colombia’s Caribbean coast, increasing rainfall by about 64 percent above the monthly average. The deadliest incident occurred in the southwestern Nariño province, where a landslide killed seven people after continuous rain caused a mountain stream to overflow and bury several homes under mud. Video footage released after the disaster showed rescue workers using heavy machinery to clear debris and mud, while search dogs were deployed to locate missing persons. Earlier, on Thursday, the national disaster management agency UNGRD reported six additional deaths across various regions due to extreme weather conditions. Meteorologists noted that climate change is disrupting Colombia’s traditional dry and rainy season patterns. Although the tropical country does not have sharply defined seasons, recent years have seen increasingly severe rainfall and drought events.

US President Donald Trump announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the White House later this year, marking a significant step toward improving relations between the world’s two largest economies after years of trade tensions and diplomatic strain. Trump made the remarks in an interview with NBC News, recorded on Wednesday, the same day the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on trade, Taiwan, the Ukraine war, and the situations in Russia and Iran. Trump also indicated he may visit China in April, with Xi’s US trip expected to follow. He described his recent talks with Xi as positive and productive, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong ties between Washington and Beijing. Since returning to the White House, Trump’s administration has taken a tough stance on tariffs, imposing duties on steel, cars, and other sectors, though both sides reached a broad understanding last spring after heightened tensions. Xi, who last visited the US in 2023, urged caution over US arms sales to Taiwan and expressed hope that bilateral issues could be resolved amicably through dialogue, according to Chinese state television CCTV.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has said that India has now become a threat to global peace. He made the remarks on Sunday in a statement delivered in Islamabad, expressing gratitude to the international community for showing solidarity after a recent terrorist attack in Pakistan. Zardari noted that messages of sympathy and support from world leaders, governments, and international organizations have given courage and strength to the people of Pakistan and families affected by terrorism. He emphasized that these gestures demonstrate that the fight against terrorism and its violent ideologies is a global struggle. Reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing position, he said no single country can combat terrorism alone. The president alleged that some neighboring countries are involved in terrorist activities, providing direct financial and technical support to groups operating against Pakistan. He warned that history shows when terrorist groups are given shelter or impunity beyond national borders, innocent civilians around the world ultimately suffer the consequences.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has accused several neighboring countries of carrying out terrorism against Pakistan. In a statement issued on Sunday, he alleged that some of these countries are directly financing and providing technical support to groups operating against Pakistan. Zardari emphasized that terrorism cannot be fought single-handedly and expressed gratitude to world leaders who showed solidarity after a recent terrorist attack in Islamabad that killed at least 33 people. He stated that history shows when terrorist groups are given shelter, support, or impunity beyond national borders, innocent civilians around the world ultimately suffer the consequences. Zardari further claimed that some neighboring countries have become complicit by allowing such groups to operate against Pakistan, while others are providing them with financial, technical, and military assistance. The Pakistani president also sharply criticized the Afghan Taliban administration, accusing Kabul of allowing terrorist groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan targeting security personnel and civilians.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing political pressure following the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Amid the controversy, Starmer’s close aide and senior adviser Morgan McSweeney has resigned, according to Al Jazeera. The U.S. Department of Justice recently released hundreds of thousands of new Epstein-related documents, which revealed details of Lord Peter Benjamin Mandelson’s close ties with Epstein, sparking intense debate and criticism in British politics. In response, Lord Mandelson was removed from his post as the UK ambassador to Washington and later resigned from the Labour Party. Al Jazeera reported that McSweeney accepted responsibility for recommending Mandelson’s appointment and described it as a mistake that damaged public trust in the government and politics. He said he had personally advised the prime minister on the appointment and took full responsibility for that advice. Earlier, Prime Minister Starmer publicly apologized for appointing Mandelson as ambassador. The British government also announced that all information related to the appointment would be made public and referred sensitive documents to a bipartisan security committee for review.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia has no plans to attack any part of Europe but is prepared to respond militarily if attacked. He made the remarks in an interview with broadcaster NTV, according to TASS. Lavrov emphasized that Russia has no reason to launch an assault on Europe but would deliver a full military response if European nations decided to act on threats of war against Russia. In late December 2025, during his year-end press conference, President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is not at war with the West, though Western countries are fighting Russia through Ukraine. Putin reiterated that Russia never sought conflict with Europe but warned that if Europe initiated war, there should be no doubt about Russia’s readiness to retaliate immediately. The statements from both Lavrov and Putin appear aimed at reinforcing Russia’s stance that it seeks no confrontation with Europe while signaling readiness to respond decisively to any aggression.

Thailand’s interim Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party has won the country’s general election, according to preliminary vote counts released on February 9, 2026. Early results show the party leading with a significant margin, securing an estimated 194 of the 500 parliamentary seats. The People’s Party is projected to come second with 116 seats. Following the announcement, Anutin said the victory belongs to the people of Thailand. The election was called in December after Anutin’s coalition government collapsed just three months into his interim tenure. Despite no party expected to achieve an outright majority, Anutin’s position in power now appears almost certain. The leader of the People’s Party, Nathaphong Ruengpaniyaut, stated that his party is prepared to serve in opposition if Anutin forms the next government. Thailand’s election outcomes are often unpredictable, and this year’s results have again defied expectations, reinforcing Anutin’s political standing amid a fragmented parliamentary landscape.

Gold prices surged to unprecedented levels, reaching an all-time high of $5,600 per ounce on January 29 before easing to just under $5,000 on Sunday. The surge reflects growing investor demand for gold as a secure asset amid fluctuating economic conditions and rising geopolitical tensions. Al Jazeera’s explainer details how gold’s value is determined by its weight in troy ounces and purity in karats, with one troy ounce equaling 31.1035 grammes. Gold’s global pricing is set on spot markets in US dollars, primarily through exchanges in London and New York. Local prices vary due to currency conversion, dealer premiums, and taxes. For instance, India imposes a 3 percent GST on gold, while the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates levy none. The United States holds the world’s largest gold reserves at 8,133 tonnes, followed by Germany with 3,350 tonnes and Italy with 2,451 tonnes. Over the past decade, gold’s price has quadrupled from $1,250 in 2016 to around $5,000 today, underscoring its enduring role as a safe haven asset during periods of market volatility and uncertainty.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the United States to show respect as both countries prepare for another round of nuclear negotiations next week following mediated discussions in Oman. Pezeshkian described the indirect talks as a step forward and reaffirmed that Iran’s stance is rooted in rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Tehran’s leadership emphasized sovereignty and independence, rejecting US military buildup in the region while expressing willingness for nuclear-only dialogue. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Iran will not abandon nuclear enrichment for civilian purposes, even under threat of military action, and said he informed US envoys, as well as China and Russia, of the Muscat discussions. Iran’s top military commander warned that any attack on the country could ignite a regional conflict, though he stressed that Tehran does not seek war. The statements come ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 revolution, when nationwide demonstrations are planned. Meanwhile, Iran continues to face domestic unrest, with protests over economic hardship and alleged state violence. Conflicting casualty figures persist, and human rights groups accuse security forces of mass killings, while authorities blame foreign interference and deny widespread arrests of medical workers.

A Hong Kong court has sentenced pro-democracy media mogul and critic of China, Jimmy Lai, to 20 years in prison. The sentencing was announced on Monday following his conviction in December 2025 on charges of colluding with foreign forces and conspiring to commit sedition. According to a brief court ruling, the decision was based on the seriousness of Lai’s criminal conduct. Lai has been in prison since 2020. When asked about a possible appeal, his lawyer Robert Pang declined to comment. Jimmy Lai was a key figure in the 2019 pro-democracy protests that spread across Hong Kong. Following those demonstrations, Beijing introduced the National Security Law (NSL), claiming it was necessary for the city’s stability. However, critics argue that the law has been used to suppress dissent and imprison activists like Lai. He was arrested under the NSL in late 2020. The sentencing underscores the continued enforcement of the National Security Law and its impact on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.