BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson and party chairperson’s adviser Mahdi Amin has condemned an alleged misogynistic post from the verified X (Twitter) account of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. Speaking at a press conference in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Sunday, Amin said that if the post is genuine, it represents a dangerous attempt to push society into medieval darkness. He noted that the post, made on January 31, suggested women face exploitation and moral decline when leaving home in the name of modernity. Amin questioned the credibility of Jamaat’s claim that the account was hacked about nine hours after the post drew widespread criticism. He pointed out inconsistencies in the timeline of the hacking report and the general diary filed at Hatirjheel police station. Amin further accused Jamaat of a history of misogynistic behavior, citing previous remarks by its leaders and the party’s exclusion of women from leadership roles. He reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to women’s freedom, dignity, and equality, describing Jamaat’s stance toward working women as deeply insulting and contrary to the values of a civilized society.

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.

A man in Rajshahi allegedly killed his mother with a sharp weapon after she refused to give him money for drugs. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Old Krishi Bank intersection in the Kharkhari area of the city. The victim, Sohagi Khatun, aged 55, was the wife of Azizul Islam. Locals detained the accused, identified as Suman, and handed him over to police. According to eyewitnesses and police sources, Suman, reportedly addicted to drugs, demanded money from his mother that night. When she refused, he attacked her repeatedly in the chest and abdomen with a sharp weapon, killing her on the spot. He then left the body on the road and locked himself inside their house. Locals later apprehended him and informed the police. Chandrima Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam confirmed that the body was sent to Rajshahi Medical College morgue for autopsy and that Suman was being interrogated. Police said initial findings indicate the accused is a drug addict, and legal action is underway.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the nation stands at a critical juncture and described February 12 as a day of change. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon during an election rally in Sherpur. Rahman warned that any attack on mothers would trigger an explosion in the country and pledged to ensure lawful employment for youth instead of distributing unemployment allowances. He also addressed a recent incident involving his social media account, which he said had been briefly taken over by miscreants who posted offensive comments about women. Rahman stated that control had been regained and apologized to any women who felt hurt by the incident. Additionally, he condemned the killing of Jamaat leader Professor Maulana Rezaul Karim in Shrimati upazila and the attack on an election meeting, criticizing the authorities for failing to arrest the main suspects after three days. Rahman said he had directly urged the home adviser to show visible progress in the investigation and warned against testing their patience.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced that it will submit a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday at 3 p.m., protesting continued violence and attacks against women participating in election campaigns. The party’s central women’s division will deliver the memorandum, according to a press release issued by the organization. The statement said that women campaigning in support of the 11-party electoral alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have been subjected to brutal assaults in various parts of the country. The organization alleged that such attacks are depriving women of their democratic rights. In the memorandum, Jamaat-e-Islami will call for proper investigations into the incidents, legal action against those responsible, and effective preventive measures by the Election Commission to ensure a safe environment for election campaigning.

In the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) electoral symbol ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ will not appear on ballots in eight constituencies out of 300. The party has allocated 11 seats to its alliance partners, with seven of them contesting under their own party symbols. Additionally, four candidates who recently joined BNP from other parties will compete under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. The court has also cancelled the nomination of BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi in Cumilla-4 due to loan default, leaving that seat without a BNP candidate. A hearing is scheduled today on an appeal regarding the candidacy of BNP’s Sarwar Alamgir in Chattogram-2. If his nomination is cancelled, the number of constituencies without the BNP symbol could rise to nine. BNP sources said the party reached an electoral understanding with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, leaving four seats for its candidates, while other alliance partners such as Ganosamhati Andolon, Revolutionary Workers Party, and Gana Odhikar Parishad are contesting under their own symbols. Several leaders from other parties, including Dr. Redwan Ahmed, Fariduzzaman Farhad, Bobby Hajjaj, and Muhammad Rashed Khan, have joined BNP to contest under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.

An election rally for the BNP’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ candidate was held on Saturday afternoon at the Paichbag Islamia High School field in Gafargaon, Mymensingh-10 constituency. Mohammad Aktaruzzaman Bacchu, the BNP candidate, attended the event as the chief guest. The rally was presided over by Ashraf Uddin Wakil Dhali, former convener of Paichbag Union BNP, and was also addressed by former district BNP general secretary Abul Kashem Arju and district BNP member Advocate Al Fatah Khan, among others. In his speech, Mohammad Aktaruzzaman Bacchu said that Paichbag Union is one of the strongholds of the BNP in the area. He pledged that if elected, the upazila would be free from syndicates, corruption, nepotism, terrorism, extortion, and drugs. He expressed his desire to serve the people as their representative and remain a servant of the public. The rally reflected the BNP’s local campaign efforts in the Mymensingh-10 constituency ahead of the upcoming election.

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not to intervene in protests taking place in Democrat-controlled cities unless those cities formally request federal assistance. The order followed nationwide demonstrations that erupted after two Americans were killed in Minneapolis during an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Trump issued the directive on Saturday and announced it through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. According to the statement, Trump instructed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure that federal agencies refrain from intervening in local protests unless asked for help. However, he clarified that ICE and Border Patrol officers would continue protecting federal buildings. Trump also warned that any attacks on federal officers, vehicles, or property would face serious consequences, emphasizing that federal courts and facilities must not be harmed. The directive highlights Trump’s stance on limiting federal involvement in local unrest while maintaining strict protection of federal assets and personnel.

Dhaka University organized a 'Language Walk' on Sunday morning to welcome Language Month and mark the upcoming Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. The event, initiated by the Department of Linguistics, began at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla and was inaugurated by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha. The walk circled the university campus and concluded at the Central Shaheed Minar. At the Shaheed Minar, teachers and students laid floral wreaths to pay deep respect to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement. Participants highlighted the significance of the movement, the dignity of the mother tongue, and the importance of preserving linguistic diversity. The event was attended by senior university officials including the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, the Proctor, and the Chairperson of the Department of Linguistics. Organizers stated that the Department of Linguistics arranges this annual walk to honor the memory of language martyrs and to spread the spirit of the Language Movement among the younger generation.

A large procession and rally were held in Gafargaon, Mymensingh, on Saturday in support of Maulana Ismail Hossain Sohel, the 11-party alliance–endorsed candidate for Mymensingh-10 (Gafargaon). The event began at the Imam Bari Eidgah field in the municipal area and moved through several town streets before concluding at Jamtala intersection, where a brief rally took place. Sohel, who is also the upazila amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, led the march. The gathering was attended by local and regional leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and other allied organizations, including religious scholars, human rights activists, and professionals. In his address, Sohel emphasized that there is no alternative to honest, competent, and patriotic leadership for the welfare of the nation and urged citizens to unite in building a just society. The event reflected the 11-party alliance’s campaign momentum in the Gafargaon constituency ahead of upcoming political activities, highlighting calls for ethical leadership and social unity.

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck the town of Mohr in Iran’s Fars province on Sunday morning, February 1, 2026. The tremor occurred at 8:11 a.m. local time at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The German Research Centre for Geosciences confirmed the event, noting that many residents near the epicenter felt the quake. No reports of major damage have been received so far. According to earthquake experts, tremors of this magnitude can cause minor incidents such as items falling from shelves or windows breaking, but they are unlikely to trigger a large-scale natural disaster. The Volcano Discovery website also reported the same preliminary magnitude and depth. Authorities and monitoring agencies continue to assess the situation, though early indications suggest limited impact in the affected area.

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.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has set February 5 for delivering the verdict in the case over the killing of seven people, including the burning of six bodies, during the July uprising in Ashulia. The decision was announced on Sunday, February 1, 2026, by a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with judges Md Manjurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members. According to prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim, the incident occurred on August 5, 2024, in front of Ashulia Police Station, where victims were shot dead and their bodies set on fire with petrol. The case involves 16 accused, eight of whom are currently in custody. Those detained include former Dhaka district Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former Additional SP (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, and several other police officers. Former Member of Parliament Saiful Islam and the remaining accused are absconding. The tribunal’s verdict is expected to conclude a significant case of crimes against humanity tied to the violent events of the July uprising.

In early January, the United States conducted a special operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, who is now facing trial in a US court. During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the operation, describing it as lawful and strategically necessary. Rubio argued that the mission did not constitute an act of war under the US Constitution and that Maduro’s continued rule posed a major strategic risk to the United States. Several senators, including Republican Rand Paul, opposed the operation. Paul questioned what the US response would be if a similar action were taken against an American president, such as Donald Trump, and whether such an act would be considered a declaration of war. He asserted that if a foreign power abducted a US president, he would support war despite being anti-war. The exchange between Rubio and Paul highlighted growing divisions within Congress over the use of military force and regime-change strategies abroad, reflecting deepening debate on the limits of executive power in foreign interventions.