Russian representatives joined discussions in Florida aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war and establishing peace. On Saturday afternoon, Kirill Dmitriev, a top economic envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, met with US officials to advance President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan. Dmitriev confirmed his arrival in Miami through a social media post but did not specify which American representatives attended the meeting. The meeting took place one day before Ukrainian and Russian negotiators were scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi to continue talks on the US-supported peace initiative. Earlier, Dmitriev had met Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Davos in January and held similar discussions in Miami last December. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had recently suggested that the Abu Dhabi talks might be delayed due to the US-Iran crisis. According to Washington, both sides are close to reaching an agreement, though Kyiv stated that no compromise has yet been found on the key territorial issues of postwar settlement.

Pakistan has announced that it will not play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India. Despite the boycott, India must still travel to Sri Lanka under ICC regulations. The match is set for February 15 at the Premadasa Stadium, and India is required to attend pre-match events, continue training, and report to the venue on match day even if the game does not take place. According to ICC rules, if Pakistan fails to field a team, the match referee will make the final decision. In that case, India would receive two points, but only if it complies with all match-day obligations. If India also fails to appear, both teams would receive one point each. Pakistan’s decision could negatively affect its net run rate, while India’s would remain unchanged. Neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India nor the ICC has issued any official comment on the situation. The report suggests that a tough decision may be forthcoming for Pakistan.

A sudden earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck large parts of Jammu and Kashmir early Monday morning. According to preliminary data from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the tremor occurred at 5:35 a.m. The National Center for Seismology reported that the epicenter was located in Budgam district, about 10 kilometers below the surface, at coordinates 33.9°N and 74.76°E. The quake was felt across several nearby areas, including Charar-i-Sharif, Pulwama, Srinagar, and Shopian. Many residents, awakened by the shaking, rushed outdoors in fear. Around the same time, a mild earthquake was also recorded in India’s Andaman region. As of the latest reports, no casualties or property damage have been reported from the affected areas.

Egyptian-American entrepreneur Abdul Elenani has gained attention in New York for his Palestinian restaurant chain 'Ayat', named after his Palestinian-American wife, Ayat Masoud. The first branch opened in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge in 2020, following the closure of his earlier outlets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant serves traditional Palestinian and regional dishes, including 'Maqluba', based on recipes from Masoud’s mother. Since its launch, 'Ayat' has expanded to seven locations in Manhattan and one in New Jersey, with new branches planned in Washington D.C., Dallas, and Philadelphia. The Dallas branch is scheduled to open by the end of January. Elenani said the restaurant aims to share Palestinian culture and cuisine while raising awareness about Palestine’s identity. According to the report, 'Ayat' became more widely recognized during Israel’s assault on Gaza, as public support for Palestine increased. Many customers who were previously unfamiliar with the term 'Palestine' learned about its culture through the restaurant’s food and story.

Bangladesh Bank announced that a newly designed Tk10 banknote will enter circulation on Tuesday. The note will first be issued from the central bank’s Motijheel office and later distributed through other branches. The announcement was made in a press release on Monday. The new note, signed by Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, measures 123 mm by 60 mm and features a watermark of a Royal Bengal Tiger’s face with a predominantly pink color scheme. According to the central bank, the front side of the note displays an image of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and a background design of the national flower, the water lily. The reverse side features an image titled “Graffiti–2024.” Security features include a 2 mm-wide security thread inscribed with “10 Taka,” which changes color from red to green when tilted, and a see-through image showing the number “10” when held against light. Microprinted text “BANGLADESH BANK” appears on both sides. Existing paper notes and coins will remain legal tender. Additionally, non-exchangeable specimen notes will be available for collectors at the Taka Museum for a fixed price.

In Chandina upazila of Cumilla, BNP-nominated candidate Dr. Redwan Ahmed’s chief election coordinator, Principal Abul Kashem, was fined Tk10,000 by a mobile court for violating the electoral code of conduct. The fine was imposed on Sunday afternoon at a private hospital office in Madhaiya Bazar. The mobile court was conducted by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Faisal Al Nur. Earlier, an army team had conducted a raid at Abul Kashem’s village home in Naotola, Madhaiya, after a video showing him giving Tk500 to a voter went viral on social media. In response, Kashem held a press conference claiming the video was edited and that he had personally helped a poor elderly woman for medical treatment days earlier. He alleged that rival supporters spread the video to mislead authorities and damage his reputation. Magistrate Faisal Al Nur stated that even though the donation was made for humanitarian reasons, it occurred during election campaigning and thus breached the electoral code, warranting the fine.

A mass rally was held in Gafargaon municipality of Mymensingh-10 constituency on Monday in support of BNP-nominated candidate Akhtaruzzaman Bachchu and his electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf. The procession began at the Gafargaon municipal field, paraded through key streets of the town, and concluded at Imam Bari. Following the rally, Akhtaruzzaman Bachchu addressed a brief gathering, describing the paddy sheaf as a symbol of democracy and justice. He expressed that if the paddy sheaf wins, the people of the country will enjoy peace, security, and nationwide development. The event drew participation from BNP members, affiliated organizations, and residents of various age groups, creating a festive atmosphere across the municipality. The rally reflected visible grassroots mobilization in support of the BNP candidate within the Gafargaon area ahead of the election campaign period.

Political tensions are rising in Jamalpur-3 (Melandah-Madarganj) constituency ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, with nine candidates competing. The main contest appears to be between BNP’s Mostafizur Rahman Babul and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Maulana Mujibur Rahman Azadi. However, BNP’s rebel candidate Sadiqur Rahman Siddiqi Shubho, running as an independent, is drawing attention and could split the BNP vote. Allegations of embezzlement involving a cooperative society linked to expelled Jamaat leaders have also created discomfort for both major opposition parties. The Awami League’s absence from the race has left the field open, but BNP’s candidate is not unchallenged. Local voters and analysts suggest that despite strong BNP support, the rebel candidate and controversies could significantly influence the outcome. Both BNP and Jamaat candidates claim strong public response during their campaigns, while independent and smaller party candidates continue active outreach across Melandah and Madarganj. Observers note that the final battle is likely to remain between BNP and Jamaat, though internal divisions and corruption allegations may alter the expected results.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev stated that European nations have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine. In an interview cited by TRT World, he said Europe’s attempt to weaken Russia has instead caused severe damage to its own economy. Medvedev remarked that Europe has surprised him by undermining the very foundations of its existence, calling the situation astonishing. He added that European powers sought to impose a strategic defeat on Russia but achieved nothing in that effort. During the same interview, Medvedev praised U.S. President Donald Trump as a leader who seeks peace. When asked whether Trump is positive or negative for Russia, Medvedev responded that the American people chose him and that Moscow respects that decision. The comments reflect Russia’s continued criticism of Western policies toward the Ukraine conflict and highlight Moscow’s view that European sanctions and strategies have backfired economically.

Dhaka has ranked first among 100 cities worldwide for air pollution, according to data recorded on Monday morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Bangladeshi capital reached 259, categorized as very unhealthy. Measurements were taken around 8:15 a.m., and Swiss-based monitoring organization IQAir reported that pollution levels in one area of the city exceeded 400. Eight locations across Dhaka recorded particularly poor air quality. At the same time, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cairo in Egypt ranked second and third, with AQI readings of 247 and 227 respectively. The report noted that AQI levels above 200 are considered very unhealthy, while readings over 300 are deemed hazardous. The AQI scale classifies 0–50 as good, 51–100 as moderate, 101–150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 as unhealthy, and 201–300 as very unhealthy. The data highlights Dhaka’s ongoing struggle with severe air pollution, which continues to pose serious health risks to residents.

The U.S. Department of Justice released millions of new documents on Friday, January 30, related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files have drawn global attention for naming several influential figures and institutions, including former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The revelations have reportedly caused renewed discomfort for the Clintons as the documents detail alleged links between Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and Clinton’s staff. According to a BBC report cited in the source, the release coincides with preparations in the U.S. House of Representatives to hold a vote on contempt of Congress charges against the Clintons for allegedly ignoring subpoenas in the Epstein investigation. The Republican-controlled House has seen growing debate on the issue, with some Democratic members also reportedly supporting the move. The documents further claim that Bill Clinton traveled on Epstein’s private jet at least 16 times between 2001 and 2004 and that there were regular communications between Maxwell and Clinton’s staff regarding travel, dinners, and social events.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deputy commander Brigadier General Ahmed Vahidi has described the recent deployment of US naval forces in the Gulf as an act of psychological warfare. Speaking to the Mehr news agency, Vahidi said the move is part of a broader psychological campaign aimed at spreading the perception that war is imminent. He warned that Iran should not fall into this trap and that national actions must remain unaffected by such psychological operations. The commander emphasized that the presence of US naval forces in the region is not new and should be viewed within the same framework of psychological warfare. Vahidi also stated that Iran’s armed forces are at the highest level of readiness and are continuously monitoring all enemy movements. According to the report, US President Donald Trump said in a social media post that a large naval fleet is heading toward Iran and urged Tehran to join negotiations immediately.

As Bangladesh’s national election approaches, cybersecurity analysts warn of heightened risks of cyberattacks targeting voter databases, the Election Commission’s infrastructure, government websites, and political parties’ digital platforms. Experts say the pre-election period is the most vulnerable, with threats including DDoS attacks, data breaches, coordinated misinformation, and deepfake videos aimed at disrupting information flow and public trust. Recent incidents, such as the hacking of the Jamaat-e-Islami leader’s verified social media account, have underscored the immediacy of these threats. The government claims to have strengthened digital defenses, with the ICT Division, Election Commission, and law enforcement cyber units monitoring suspicious activity. However, independent specialists argue that gaps remain between official preparedness and actual capacity, citing weaknesses in data protection, rapid response, and coordination with social media platforms. Officials from the national cyber response team, BGD e-Gov CIRT, confirm that alerts have been issued and preventive measures are underway. Yet experts caution that limited skilled manpower, outdated systems, and policy shortcomings could leave Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure exposed during the election period.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said discussions with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program remain possible if mutual trust can be rebuilt. Speaking to CNN on Sunday, he stated that Iran has lost confidence in the US as a negotiating partner but emphasized that restoring trust could reopen dialogue. Araghchi also warned that any military intervention in Iran would spread across the wider region. He explained that Iran is not worried about war itself but about misinformation and external efforts that could push Washington toward conflict through misjudgment. According to Araghchi, regional countries are acting as intermediaries to exchange messages and help rebuild confidence between Tehran and Washington. He described current talks as “productive” and said they could lay the groundwork for substantive negotiations. Araghchi stressed that the focus should be on the core issues rather than the format of talks, noting that whether communication is direct or indirect is less important. He also referenced former US President Donald Trump’s stated goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, saying Tehran agrees with that objective.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has protested an event held in New Delhi on 23 January titled “Save Democracy in Bangladesh,” where a recorded audio message from former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was played. The meeting was organized under the banners of the Foreign Correspondence Club of South Asia and the International Association of Press Clubs. In her message, Hasina reportedly urged her party members to resist the upcoming election and criticized interim government head Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Dhaka described the event as an attempt to incite unrest and undermine the country’s democratic process. The ministry’s statement said India’s decision to allow a convicted individual to deliver inflammatory remarks from its soil violated principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and good neighborly relations. It added that Bangladesh had repeatedly requested Hasina’s extradition under the bilateral treaty, but India had not acted. The government expressed deep concern that such actions could harm bilateral ties and pose a serious threat to national security. The article further alleged that India was pursuing broader efforts to disrupt Bangladesh’s February 12 parliamentary election and destabilize the country’s political environment.