A recent survey in Poland found that most respondents favor banning social media use for children under 16. Conducted by SW Research for the newspaper Rzeczpospolita and reported by TVP World on February 8, 2026, the poll showed that 64.3 percent supported the restriction, while 21.9 percent opposed it and 13.8 percent had no opinion. The survey, held on February 3–4 among 800 internet users aged 18 and above, indicated that support for the ban increased with age. Lower-income respondents and residents of medium-sized cities showed stronger support. Among those earning less than 3,000 zlotys (about 840 dollars) per month, 71.9 percent backed the ban. Lawmakers from Poland’s centrist Civic Coalition are drafting a bill to restrict social media use for children under 15. Former education minister Roman Giertych said the measure aims to protect children from algorithmic influence and addiction risks that could harm their mental health and education. Poland’s consideration follows similar actions in other countries, including Australia’s ban on under-16 users and regulatory plans announced in France and Spain.

The Ministry of Education has initiated the preliminary process to bring 1,719 private schools and colleges under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme in the first phase. According to a press release issued on Sunday, February 8, 2026, by the Secondary and Higher Education Division, the ministry has already sent a letter to the Finance Division seeking approval for the inclusion of these institutions, which were evaluated through an automated software system. The ministry stated that the selection was made based on policy criteria, regional balance, and grading standards. Before finalizing the list, submitted information will be verified through the databases of the Land Ministry, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, relevant education boards, and the National University, with field inspections if necessary. The entire MPO process is being conducted transparently through automated software, leaving no scope for personal contact or financial transactions. Applicants were invited under the “Private Educational Institutions (Schools and Colleges) Staffing Structure and MPO Policy 2025,” which received 3,615 applications across various educational levels.

An intense Arctic cold wave has swept across the eastern United States, placing about 80 million people under weather alerts. According to ABC News, extreme cold warnings have been issued across most of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The combination of frigid air and strong winds has driven wind chills far below freezing, with dangerous conditions reported from the Great Lakes to the Carolinas since early Saturday. In coastal New England, snowfall has begun to ease, though an inverted trough caused heavy snow in some areas, with rates reaching up to 2.5 inches per hour. Temperatures across much of the Northeast have dropped into single digits, and wind chills are expected to remain below zero. Major cities such as New York, Boston, and Buffalo may experience wind chills near minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, while parts of upstate New York and northern New England could see readings between minus 20 and minus 30 degrees Celsius. The weather service indicated that conditions may gradually improve from Monday as winds weaken and temperatures begin to rise across the eastern region.

Brigadier (Retd.) Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, said on Sunday that the ongoing protests at Chattogram Port cannot continue by holding 180 million people hostage. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he described the protesters’ demands as trivial and confirmed that the government would now adopt a hardline stance. He also mentioned that several individuals involved had already been arrested. The adviser alleged that some groups were attempting to create unrest ahead of the upcoming national election. He warned that if the election in Chattogram did not take place, questions could arise about the entire national election. Referring to the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, he noted that essential commodities such as lentils, oil, and chickpeas are imported through the port, and a few people were disrupting this vital supply chain. On the issue of the port contract, Sakhawat Hossain said that DP World had sent a letter to the chief adviser requesting additional time for the signing process.

India and Malaysia have pledged to deepen cooperation in trade, security, and technology, with a particular focus on advancing their partnership in the semiconductor industry. During his first visit to Malaysia in more than ten years on February 8, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The two leaders signed several agreements covering renewable energy, healthcare, and artificial intelligence. Following the meeting, Modi stated that the partnership between the two countries would expand further in artificial intelligence, digital technology, semiconductors, health, and food security. Anwar Ibrahim said the discussions would make bilateral relations more strategic and robust. Official data show Malaysia ranks sixth globally in semiconductor exports, contributing about 25 percent of its GDP. India’s foreign ministry noted Malaysia’s 30–40 years of experience in the sector and expressed Indian companies’ interest in collaboration on research, production, and testing facilities. Trade between the two nations remains significant, with India exporting goods worth $7.32 billion to Malaysia last year and importing $12.54 billion. Modi also highlighted the role of Malaysia’s 3 million people of Indian origin as a vital bridge in bilateral relations.

Former army chief General (Retd.) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday in a case against Ziaul Ahsan, alleging that after the 2009 BDR mutiny, resentment against India and the Awami League sharply increased within the Bangladesh Army. He stated that professional officers were sidelined while loyal ones were promoted, and the army was drawn into national projects, leading to corruption. According to his testimony, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believed a corrupt army would be safer for her government. Bhuiyan further said that during Hasina’s 1996–2001 tenure, she consolidated control over the state by abolishing the caretaker government system and amending the constitution. He claimed that her relative, Tarique Siddique, as security adviser, established influence over intelligence and security agencies including DGFI, NSI, RAB, NTMC, Ansar, and BGB, forming four operational circles that extended political and financial control. Bhuiyan also described internal conflicts over RAB’s extrajudicial activities and his attempts to discipline officers defying military rules. The testimony portrays a period of deep institutional division and alleged politicization within the armed forces following the BDR massacre.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that visa applications for the 2026 Hajj season have opened from Sunday, February 8, and will continue until March 20. The ministry’s Hajj Wing Deputy Secretary Mohammad Sofiuzzaman Bhuiyan said the schedule follows Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry’s guidelines for this year’s visa issuance. Applicants must apply through Saudi Arabia’s digital platform ‘Nusuk Masar’ within the specified period. According to the ministry, the earlier completion of visa procedures aims to ensure better organization and safety for pilgrims. Last year, many faced difficulties obtaining the mandatory Nusuk card due to late visa processing. This year, Saudi authorities have set a strict timeline to avoid such issues and make the pilgrimage process more orderly. All registered Bangladeshi pilgrims, including expatriates, must undergo medical examinations at any government hospital, receive vaccinations from designated centers, and obtain a fitness certificate before applying. The ministry confirmed that no pilgrim will be allowed to travel without this certificate. Hajj flights are scheduled to begin on April 18, with the pilgrimage expected on May 26, subject to moon sighting.

Former army chief General (Retd.) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) detained and tortured Tarique Rahman during the 2007–2009 emergency period. His statement came in a case against Ziaul Ahsan over alleged crimes against humanity involving abduction and murder. Bhuiyan said DGFI became the main controlling authority of the country during that time, detaining ministers and political figures in secret cells for interrogation. In his testimony, Bhuiyan described how the emergency period altered the culture within the armed forces, leading to a return to political involvement, a rise in dominance attitudes, and divisions between senior and junior officers. He also mentioned the emergence of a cash-driven culture and blind obedience to superiors’ orders. The testimony further recalled the 2009 BDR mutiny, in which 57 military officers and 17 civilians were killed. Human Rights Watch reported that around 50 BDR members died under interrogation at Pilkhana. Later, a court sentenced 152 to death, 161 to life imprisonment, and 256 to various prison terms.

The Bangladesh interim government has requested assistance from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in investigating the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesman of Inquilab Mancha. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Sunday, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in Geneva sent a note verbale to the OHCHR on February 6, following instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The letter sought technical and institutional support from the UN human rights office for the investigation. Hadi was critically injured in a shooting in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12 and later died while receiving treatment in Singapore on December 18. The Geneva mission stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be informed once a response from the OHCHR is received. The interim government reaffirmed its commitment to identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice, pledging to ensure maximum transparency and accountability in line with international human rights standards.

BNP Chairperson and Dhaka-17 candidate Tarique Rahman announced that at least 40 new playgrounds would be built across Dhaka if the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf, wins in the upcoming February 12 election. He made the announcement on Sunday during a campaign rally at ECB Square in Mirpur, Dhaka. Rahman said he kept his speech brief to avoid causing inconvenience to the public and emphasized his deep personal connection to the area, where he spent much of his life and family milestones. Rahman stated that if the BNP forms the next government, the initiative would ensure open spaces for children to play and for residents, including elders and women, to walk and exercise. He also promised to widen a long-demanded local road to improve living conditions and traffic flow. Concluding his remarks, Rahman urged residents to vote for the paddy sheaf symbol and sought prayers for the opportunity to serve both his constituency and the entire nation. The campaign event was part of Rahman’s outreach ahead of the February 12 polls in Dhaka-17 constituency.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that dialogue remains the key to peacefully resolving disputes, following recent indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Oman. In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, he said the discussions, supported by regional countries, signaled a step forward in reducing tensions. Pezeshkian emphasized that Tehran has always prioritized dialogue for peaceful solutions and reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program is its legitimate right. The talks came after heightened tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump’s threats of military action against Iran. Following the first round of discussions in Oman on Friday, Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi described the meeting as a good start but warned that if Washington targets Iranian territory, Tehran would strike US bases in the region. He also confirmed that a second round of talks with the United States would take place soon. The renewed diplomatic engagement suggests cautious optimism for de-escalation, though both sides remain firm on national security and sovereignty issues.

At least 12 people have died and hundreds of thousands have been affected after Tropical Storm Basyang, the Philippines’ second-strongest storm of 2026, struck Mindanao Island. The country’s Civil Defense Office reported that continuous heavy rainfall and landslides caused widespread destruction. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, abnormal rainfall levels were recorded in Northern Mindanao and nearby Negros Island, directly impacting about 232,000 people. Floodwaters submerged numerous villages, forcing around 64,000 families to leave their homes. The Philippine weather bureau said Northern Mindanao experienced its heaviest rainfall in a century, causing rivers to overflow and three major bridges to collapse in Iligan City and surrounding areas. Drainage systems were damaged, leading to severe flooding. Around 16,000 families have been relocated to government shelters, while at least 82 seaports in Mimaropa and Caraga regions were temporarily closed, stranding over 4,000 passengers and several cargo vessels. Although the storm weakened into a low-pressure area early on February 7, authorities remain on alert as heavy rain and landslides continue to threaten affected communities.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has mocked a statement by a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate who urged party activists to stop extortion until February 12. Bhuiyan made the remarks on Saturday during an election rally, questioning whether the statement implied that extortion would be acceptable after the election. He argued that such comments create confusion among the public and raise doubts about the sincerity of the political party involved. Bhuiyan emphasized that extortion is always illegal and reprehensible, not something that can be temporarily prohibited. He urged all political parties to take a clear and responsible stance to maintain law and order during the election period and to combat crime consistently. Otherwise, he warned, public trust could be seriously undermined. The controversy began after BNP candidate Sarwar Jamal Nizam from Chattogram-13 (Anwara and Karnaphuli) made the appeal during the inauguration of an election office on February 6. A 55-second video of his remarks spread on social media, sparking widespread discussion and criticism in local political circles.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has withdrawn its candidates from two constituencies in Narayanganj ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The party’s Amir, Allama Mamunul Haque, announced the decision on Saturday at an election rally in Fatullah. He declared support for Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Md. Iqbal Hossain in Narayanganj-3 (Siddhirganj-Sonargaon) and National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Abdullah Al Amin in Narayanganj-4 (Fatullah). Khelafat Majlis nominees Shahjahan Shibli and Khondaker Anwar Hossain have stepped aside from their respective races. Mamunul Haque explained that internal surveys showed Jamaat’s candidate in Narayanganj-3 had stronger prospects, while Abdullah Al Amin would contest as the unified candidate of the 11-party alliance in Narayanganj-4. He urged supporters to act with patience, tolerance, and loyalty in the interest of the broader coalition. The announcement was made in the presence of NCP’s Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Khondaker Anwar Hossain, and Abdullah Al Amin. The move consolidates alliance support in two key Narayanganj constituencies ahead of the upcoming national election.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-11, declared that his party would achieve victory on February 12. Speaking at an election rally in Badda on Sunday, he expressed confidence in success not only in his constituency but across Bangladesh. He called on voters to support the 11-party alliance, which he described as a coalition for forming the next government and leading the future of the country. In his speech, Nahid Islam urged citizens to make Bangladesh free from occupation, dominance, and terrorism. He criticized another unnamed political party for allegedly planning to endanger the country and emphasized the need to defeat such plans. He also highlighted the lack of public facilities in Dhaka-11, including the absence of government hospitals and high schools, poor drainage, and widespread land grabbing. Nahid Islam pledged to eliminate land grabbers’ syndicates, restore or compensate lost lands, and ensure equal access to civic amenities. He attributed the area’s underdevelopment to political causes and vowed to address economic disparities if elected.