At least 30 people have died in Japan over the past two weeks due to record levels of heavy snowfall, government officials confirmed on Tuesday. Among the victims was a 91-year-old woman found buried under nearly three meters of snow outside her home. The northern Aomori Prefecture has been the hardest hit, prompting the central government to deploy military forces to help manage the situation, as some remote areas remain buried under up to 4.5 meters of snow. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, directing all ministries to take preventive measures against snow-related accidents and fatalities. Authorities said strong cold airflows along the Sea of Japan coast have caused snowfall more than double the usual levels. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that snow-related incidents since January 20 have resulted in 30 deaths. Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita said military assistance was requested to support elderly residents living alone with snow removal. He warned that the risk of roof collapses and snow slides remains extremely high as temperatures fluctuate.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has made an emotional appeal to voters of Thakurgaon-1 constituency ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. In a Facebook post from his verified page on Monday night, he described this election as his last and urged voters to give him one final opportunity to serve them. He expressed that he stands at the end of his life and wishes to fulfill the unfinished dreams of his constituents. Analysts believe that Fakhrul’s heartfelt message, delivered under the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol, has added a new dimension to the electoral contest in Thakurgaon-1. His declaration of this being his final election has drawn attention within the constituency as campaigning intensifies. The post reflects a personal tone rarely seen in political appeals, signaling a deeply emotional connection with local voters as the national election approaches.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) faces renewed pressure ahead of the T20 World Cup as political tensions between Pakistan and India intensify. Pakistan’s government has decided that its team will not play against India, and according to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and former ICC chairman Ehsan Mani, the ICC cannot punish Pakistan for following a government directive. They argue that compliance with state orders cannot be treated as a punishable offense. Mani recalled that a similar situation occurred when India refused to play in Pakistan during the 2025 Champions Trophy due to its government’s restrictions, and the ICC took no action then. He emphasized that when a cricket board acts under state instruction, applying double standards is unjustified. Mani also criticized the ICC for merely observing such crises instead of finding effective solutions, noting that the PCB’s chairman is also a government minister. Financially, the India-Pakistan match is the most lucrative fixture of the World Cup, valued at about 615 billion rupees. Sources suggest the ICC may explore alternatives such as adjusting revenue distribution instead of imposing direct sanctions.

Four BNP-nominated candidates in Dhaka South have pledged to work together to ease public suffering if elected. In interviews with the daily Amar Desh, Mirza Abbas (Dhaka-8), Gayeshwar Chandra Roy (Dhaka-3), Engineer Ishraq Hossain (Dhaka-6), and Tanvir Ahmed Robin (Dhaka-4) promised to eliminate extortion, drugs, terrorism, and waterlogging, and to address traffic congestion through responsible engagement at the policy level. They claimed to have received strong public response from residents of Dhaka South. The candidates criticized the government for dividing the Dhaka City Corporation, calling it politically motivated and counterproductive. Mirza Abbas emphasized social awareness and structural reform to combat extortion and drugs, while Gayeshwar Chandra Roy proposed a long-term master plan for planned urbanization in Keraniganj. Ishraq Hossain focused on resolving gas shortages, waste management, and corruption, pledging zero tolerance against extortion and illegal structures. Tanvir Ahmed Robin vowed to eradicate local gangs and ensure women’s empowerment and workers’ rights. All four expressed hope that ending corruption, nepotism, and extortion would bring qualitative change to national politics and improve urban governance in Dhaka South.

Hasnat Abdullah, the Jamaat–NCP alliance candidate for Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency and chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in the southern region, stated that his 11-party coalition depends on ordinary citizens rather than extortionists, tender manipulators, or drug lords. He made the remarks on Tuesday, February 3, during a courtyard meeting in Mohanpur Ward No. 5 of Debidwar upazila. Hasnat emphasized that his alliance is accountable to the people and not to any illegal business groups, asserting that they have not taken money from such sources. He declared that February 12 would mark the end of drug lords in Debidwar, urging those involved in extortion or drug trade to seek legitimate employment through his team. He also called on supporters to campaign for at least ten votes each and to cast two votes on election day—one for the “Shaplakoli” symbol and another “Yes” vote. The meeting was attended by local leaders of Jamaat and NCP, including Saiful Islam Shahid, Professor Shahidul Islam, Mosleh Uddin, and others from various unions.

In Bogura, young voters are expected to play a decisive role in the upcoming 13th national election. Across the district’s seven parliamentary constituencies, about 151,068 new voters have been added since 2024, bringing the total electorate to 2,981,672. Candidates from major parties, including BNP and Jamaat, are focusing their campaigns on attracting these first-time voters with new promises and targeted outreach. Local observers believe this group could determine victory or defeat in several constituencies. Bogura’s electorate now includes 1,480,842 men, 1,507,788 women, and 42 hijra voters. Many of the new voters are young people voting for the first time, expressing priorities such as education, good governance, food security, and anti-corruption measures. University students and local residents emphasized choosing candidates based on integrity, competence, and commitment to public welfare. Experts, including Naogaon University’s vice-chancellor Hasanat Ali, noted that many in this group are voting for the first time in 18 years, making them a major factor in the election outcome. The Bogura Press Club president observed that youth-focused campaigning is more visible than ever, signaling a potential “voting revolution.”

Pakistan’s government has officially announced that its cricket team will not play the scheduled T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo, citing national interest. The team will, however, participate in all other matches of the tournament starting February 7. Former ICC chairman Ehsan Mani said the board cannot be punished for following government orders, recalling that India had refused to play in Pakistan during the 2025 Champions Trophy. The ICC has expressed concern over Pakistan’s decision, warning that selective participation could lead to disciplinary action. The organization stated that it has not yet received formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but emphasized that such a move contradicts the principles of global sporting events. The ICC urged the PCB to consider the long-term impact on both national and international cricket. If Pakistan skips the match, India will receive a walkover and two points, though the tournament could face significant commercial losses estimated between 200 and 250 crore rupees. The ICC retains the option to impose financial or administrative measures if necessary.

Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before the House committee investigating links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Bill Clinton’s spokesperson, Angel Ureña, confirmed the decision in a post on social media platform X, saying the couple is ready to appear and hopes to set an important precedent. The Clintons had previously declined to appear before lawmakers. The House Rules Committee had requested their personal testimony to clarify any possible connections with Epstein, who died in police custody in 2019. The committee also proposed contempt charges if they failed to appear. The Epstein case has long stirred controversy in Washington, involving several influential political figures and reigniting debates about elite networks and accountability. Democrats have accused former President Donald Trump of using the investigation as a political weapon against his rivals, noting that Trump himself had past associations with Epstein but has not been called to testify. Trump also faces allegations of attempting to block the release of Epstein-related investigation files.

The Election Commission (EC) has begun distributing ballot papers bearing candidate names and symbols to returning officers across Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming national election. Over Sunday and Monday, the EC sent ballot papers to 21 districts from its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. The first phase covered 13 districts including Meherpur, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, and others, while the second phase reached eight more districts such as Habiganj, Chapainawabganj, and Gazipur. According to EC officials, the ballot papers and other election materials are being transported under tight security and will be stored at the offices of returning officers until the day before voting. The commission stated that approximately 260 million ballot papers are being printed for both the national election and a referendum, costing around 400 million taka. Voting is scheduled nationwide on February 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Law enforcement personnel have already been deployed to ensure security and maintain a peaceful environment at polling centers across the country.

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.

Pakistan has announced it will not play its scheduled group-stage match against India on February 15 during the 2026 T20 World Cup. The decision, described as a message of solidarity with Bangladesh, follows controversy over the International Cricket Council’s refusal to relocate Bangladesh’s matches and its decision to replace them with Scotland. The move is seen as a protest against what the article calls political influence and unfair treatment in international cricket. The article argues that politics and regional power dynamics have overshadowed the spirit of the game, with Bangladesh portrayed as a victim of injustice. It criticizes the ICC and India’s cricket establishment for ignoring Bangladesh’s security concerns and for prioritizing political dominance over sportsmanship. The author notes that Pakistan’s boycott comes at a significant financial and sporting cost, as India–Pakistan matches are among the most watched and profitable in world cricket. The analysis concludes that Pakistan’s stance highlights growing tensions in global cricket governance and calls for Bangladesh to pursue diplomatic efforts with other boards to restore fairness and balance in the sport.

In Madaripur district, rebel candidates have emerged in two of the three constituencies ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, leaving the official BNP nominees in a difficult position. Despite being expelled from the party, the rebels are drawing local attention and raising concerns among BNP activists about the party’s chances of victory. Local leaders believe the internal divisions have put the BNP at risk in both constituencies, while candidates from the 11-party electoral alliance appear to be gaining an advantage. In Madaripur-1, BNP’s official candidate Nadira Akter faces competition from rebels Sajjad Hossain Siddiqui and Kamal Zaman Molla, as well as alliance candidate Sayeed Uddin Ahmad Hanjala of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish. In Madaripur-2, BNP’s Jahandar Ali Jahan is challenged by rebel candidate Milton Baidya and alliance contender Abdus Sobahan. Only Madaripur-3, where BNP’s Anisur Rahman is running, remains free of rebel contenders. Party insiders say maintaining unity and countering rebel influence have become major challenges for BNP nominees in the district.

With only eight days left before the national election, government employees in Bangladesh are showing limited interest in postal voting. Out of 1.7 million officials assigned election duties, only 518,603 registered for postal ballots, leaving nearly 1.2 million unregistered. Many cited work responsibilities and family safety concerns as reasons for abstaining. Even those who received postal ballot notifications showed little enthusiasm to participate. This election marks the first time postal voting registration was conducted online through the “Postal Vote BD” app. The Election Commission (EC) reported that 1.53 million voters, including expatriates, registered via the app. However, several government employees said they were unaware of the process or found registration complicated. EC officials claimed extensive promotion efforts were made but acknowledged that many may have missed registration due to late duty assignments. According to EC data, only 7,367 domestic postal voters received ballots, and 4,902 completed voting. The commission plans to review the low registration and participation rates after the election.

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.

Police in Sherpur have arrested Mahmudul Hasan Rubel, joint convener of the Jhinaigati Upazila Volunteer Party, in connection with the murder of Rezaul Karim, secretary of the Shreebardi Upazila Jamaat. The arrest took place on Monday night in the Bongao area of Jhinaigati. Rubel, son of Gesu Mia from Bonkali village, is listed as the 55th accused in the case. Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan confirmed the arrest and said the accused would be sent to court. The Sherpur District Volunteer Party issued a press release condemning the arrest, calling the case false and fabricated. Its conveners claimed that such actions were attempts to obstruct the upcoming election and hinder democratic progress, demanding Rubel’s unconditional release. Earlier, the High Court granted six weeks’ anticipatory bail to 40 accused, including BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel, in the same case. The murder case stems from a January 28 clash between BNP and Jamaat activists at a campaign event in Jhinaigati, where Rezaul Karim was fatally injured. His wife Marzia later filed the case naming 231 individuals and several hundred unidentified persons.