French authorities rescued more than 6,000 migrants attempting to reach the United Kingdom by small boats in 2025, according to a report from France’s maritime prefecture released on Friday. The report confirmed that at least 25 people died and two remained missing during these perilous journeys across the English Channel. The annual report stated that despite the risks, attempts to cross the Channel increased compared to previous years. France has long served as a main departure point for migrants seeking better lives in the UK. In 2025, about 50,000 people tried to make the crossing in 795 boats, with 6,177 rescued alive. Based on French and British data, AFP estimated the death toll could be at least 29. The prefecture warned that human traffickers are putting migrants in greater danger, noting that the average number of passengers per boat rose from 26 in 2021 to 63 in 2025. The report also mentioned continued use of so-called “taxi boats,” which secretly depart nearly empty and later pick up dozens of migrants in shallow waters.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) announced that it will not use lethal weapons while maintaining law and order during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The statement was made by Colonel S M Abul Ehsan, Dhaka Sector Commander of BGB, at a press conference held at the temporary base camp of the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur on Saturday morning. He said BGB has taken extensive preparations across the country to ensure overall security ahead of the national election and referendum. The goal is to allow voters to exercise their voting rights in a safe and peaceful environment. More than 37,000 BGB members will be deployed nationwide while keeping the 4,427-kilometer border fully secured. According to the announcement, BGB will perform election duties in 489 out of 495 upazilas, and in 61 border upazilas it will act independently. Considering risk levels, BGB will operate as both mobile and static forces in all 300 parliamentary constituencies, with two to four platoons stationed per upazila.

Hundreds of people demonstrated in Albania’s capital, Tirana, protesting Prime Minister Edi Rama’s recent visit to Israel from January 25 to 27. The protesters gathered in front of the parliament building on Friday, expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning the visit as unrepresentative of public opinion. The demonstration was organized by various civil society groups, according to Anadolu Agency. Participants carried banners reading “Not in my name,” “Do not shake hands with oppression and barbarism,” and “Stop bombing Gaza.” Organizer Florjar Arapi said Albanians stand for peace and justice, not genocide or war crimes, calling Rama’s visit a shame and disgrace for the nation. He criticized Rama for aligning Albania with injustice and violence at a time when many countries have distanced themselves from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Protester Sidorela Vatnikaj said Albanians, having experienced genocide in Kosovo, oppose any association with alleged war crimes. She and others expressed anger over Rama’s invitation to Israeli companies to invest in Albania, describing it as colonialism rather than partnership.

Indian state police in Odisha have deported three elderly siblings to Bangladesh after detaining them in late November 2025. The family of 63-year-old Muntaz Khan, his 59-year-old brother Insan Khan, and their 70-year-old sister Amina Bibi were informed on 24 December that the trio had been sent across the border. Police said the siblings were identified as Bangladeshi nationals following verification and were handed over to Bangladesh authorities through West Bengal’s Nadia district border post. The deportation came weeks after the family alleged that the three had gone missing following their detention from Garapur village in Kendrapara district. Odisha police had earlier detained 12 family members on suspicion of being Bangladeshi citizens, releasing nine after nine days. Officials claimed the three deported individuals admitted to being Bangladeshi, while West Bengal police denied receiving any verification request from Odisha. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ May directive requires a 30-day period for citizenship verification before deportation. Odisha police justified the action by citing allegations that Muntaz Khan’s father migrated from Bangladesh in the 1970s, though the family’s citizenship status remains disputed.

The undergraduate admission tests for the 2025–26 academic year at Comilla University began on Friday. To assist applicants and their guardians, the university branches of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir and Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal have established information and service centers on campus. The Shibir centers, located at Shaheed Osman Hadi Guardian Pavilion and Shaheed Abdul Kaiyum Square, provide rest areas, guidance, drinking water, and a free bike service to transport candidates to exam venues. The group also launched a free bus service named ‘Ar Rihlah’ from Padua Bazar and the railway station, and arranged accommodation and meals for thousands of students. Chhatra Dal has also introduced several initiatives, including purified water supply, seating arrangements, chocolate distribution for children, a medical camp for first aid, and a free bike service named ‘Sobar Age Bangladesh’ for emergency transport. Both organizations stated that their goal is to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for examinees and their families during the admission process. The ‘A’ unit exam for the Faculty of Science and Engineering was completed peacefully on Friday, while the ‘B’ and ‘C’ unit exams are scheduled for Saturday.

The US Department of Justice has released millions of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking the largest public disclosure by the government on the case. The release includes about three million pages, 180,000 photos, and 2,000 videos, coming six weeks after the expiration of a law signed by President Donald Trump. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the publication completed a long verification process to ensure transparency and compliance with the law. The documents mention Donald Trump hundreds of times, including unverified allegations collected by the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center. The Justice Department stated that some of these claims were false and politically motivated, submitted before the 2020 election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, and no victims have accused him of offenses. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was also named in the files, with his spokesperson dismissing related claims as “completely false.” The release also includes emails between Epstein and British figures, including one believed to be Prince Andrew, though no criminal conduct was indicated. Democrats have alleged that around 250,000 documents remain withheld without justification, despite the Justice Department’s claim that its review process is complete.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Mamunul Haque delivered a fiery speech at an election rally in Chauddagram, Comilla, on Saturday morning. Speaking as a special guest at a gathering organized by the 11-party electoral alliance at HJ Government Pilot High School field, he accused an unnamed political group of hypocrisy over a referendum campaign and warned that no 'munafiq' group would be accepted by the people of Bangladesh. Haque alleged that the rival party, fearing defeat, had resorted to cowardly acts such as assaulting women. He urged supporters to defend women’s dignity, using strong language to call for retaliation if women were harassed or their hijabs pulled. He cautioned that renewed violence against women would ignite uncontrollable unrest. Addressing voters, Haque urged them to cast their votes and guard polling stations, saying any attempt at vote theft must be resisted. His remarks reflected heightened political tension ahead of the election.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called on all leaders and activists of the party’s affiliated and associate organizations to work together in support of the paddy sheaf symbol. He made the appeal on Saturday at 11:15 a.m. during a meeting with district BNP leaders at the Naz Garden Hall in Bogura. Rahman emphasized that Bogura is known nationwide as a BNP stronghold and urged voters to prove this again by voting for the paddy sheaf on the upcoming 12th. During his speech, Rahman said that while party members had previously worked for the former chairperson, it was now time to work for him. He instructed activists to visit every household across Bogura’s seven constituencies, especially in Bogura-6 and Bogura-7, and to intensify campaign efforts. The meeting was presided over by district BNP president Rezaul Karim Badsha and conducted by organizational secretary Shahid-un-Nabi Salam. The event began with prayers for the late former chairperson Khaleda Zia. After the meeting, Rahman departed for Sirajganj, where party workers lined the roads in anticipation of his roadside addresses.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran is likely to pursue a negotiated agreement rather than face potential American military action. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that he believes Iran wants a deal and confirmed he has set a timeline for talks, though he declined to share details. He also mentioned the presence of a large U.S. naval flotilla moving toward Iranian waters and expressed hope that an agreement could be reached. According to AFP, Tehran has warned that its nuclear and missile programs will never be subjects of negotiation. Trump further noted that he had learned Iran recently decided not to execute protesters, a move human rights groups suggested could indicate Tehran’s willingness to engage in dialogue after reports of thousands of deaths during unrest. The remarks come as both nations maintain a tense standoff, with U.S. military deployments signaling pressure and Iran signaling limits on what it is willing to discuss.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and jailed leader Imran Khan underwent eye surgery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where doctors confirmed the procedure was completed without any complications. PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr. Rana Imran Sikandar stated that the operation on Khan’s right eye lasted about 20 minutes, during which he remained stable. After receiving necessary post-operative instructions and documentation, Khan was discharged from the hospital. According to Dr. Sikandar, medical examinations revealed that pressure on blood vessels had caused reduced vision in Khan’s right eye. All required tests were conducted, and the surgery was performed with Khan’s prior consent. Earlier, Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Khan had been temporarily moved to PIMS for examination by eye specialists. Separately, the PTI had sought the Supreme Court’s assistance to arrange a meeting between Imran Khan and his personal physicians on Thursday, indicating ongoing coordination regarding his medical care.

Workers and employees at Chattogram Port began a work stoppage on Saturday, defying official warnings from the port authority. Although cargo unloading at the jetty continued, delivery and other internal operations came to a standstill. The strike was called by the Chattogram Port unit of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal to protest the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign company DP World. The program, announced earlier in the week, was supported by the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP). The port authority had issued a notice on Friday warning of strict administrative and legal action against those involved in anti-institutional activities, stating that the process of engaging the foreign company was based on a court ruling. Despite this, workers continued their planned program. According to labor leader Humayun Kabir, workers reported to duty but refrained from work as a peaceful protest, keeping vessel unloading ongoing to avoid congestion. Port officials said discussions were ongoing and that an official statement would be released later. The strike is scheduled to end at 4 p.m., with workers warning of tougher actions if the government does not reconsider the lease decision.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said his party does not want to see any corrupt or oppressive government and aims to build a humane Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Saturday around 11:45 a.m. while addressing an election rally of the 11-party alliance in Chauddagram as the chief guest. He pledged that if elected, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher would serve as a senior cabinet member and urged local voters to seize this opportunity. Dr. Rahman emphasized youth participation, noting that 62 percent of Jamaat’s nominated candidates are young. He promised justice for all, including non-citizens residing in Bangladesh, and said no political party would be allowed to interfere in judicial matters. He criticized divisions based on race, religion, and politics, calling for unity and service-oriented governance. He also highlighted plans for major educational reforms, asserting that a better education system is essential for building a strong nation. The rally was chaired by Dr. Taher and attended by leaders from allied parties including the National Citizens Party and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish.

The United Nations is facing a deep financial crisis that could bring its operations to a standstill, Secretary-General António Guterres warned in a letter to member states. He urged countries to clear their outstanding dues and implement structural reforms to prevent a severe breakdown. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said the organization currently lacks the liquidity to continue normal operations and called for immediate payments from member states. According to official data, by the end of 2025, member states owed the UN a record 1.57 billion dollars. While no specific country was named, the ongoing global geopolitical situation was cited as a major factor. Analysts linked the crisis to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut funding to several UN agencies and pursue alternative international initiatives. Human rights experts warned that such reluctance from major powers could weaken global efforts to uphold international law and human rights. Guterres also criticized the rule requiring the return of unused funds each year, calling it unrealistic under current conditions. Only 36 of the 193 member states have paid their full 2026 dues, raising serious uncertainty about the UN’s financial future.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar said that a rival political party has become unsettled after witnessing growing nationwide support for the 'scales' symbol. Speaking on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at an election rally in Chandpur-4 (Faridganj), he accused the rival group of turning fascist and engaging in violence, including the killing of a Quran memorizer. The event was organized for Jamaat and 11-party alliance candidate Maulana Bilal Hossain Miaji. Porwar alleged that women campaigning for the 'scales' are being attacked and that a local Jamaat secretary in Sherpur was tortured to death. He criticized the three major parties that have ruled Bangladesh over the past 54 years, claiming none were free from corruption or misrule. He said people now seek change. He added that Jamaat and ten allied parties, including several Islamic groups, the NCP, and LDP, have formed an 11-party alliance free from corruption allegations. If the alliance wins a majority, he pledged to build a just society ensuring equal rights for all religious communities.

An ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition government, Member of Parliament L. S. K. Devarayalu, on Friday proposed a bill to ban social media use for children under 16. The proposal, titled the Social Media (Age Limit and Online Safety) Bill, seeks to prohibit minors from creating, using, or maintaining social media accounts, with platforms required to deactivate such accounts and verify user ages. The initiative comes amid global discussions on youth safety and mental health, particularly in major markets for platforms like Meta, YouTube, and X. Devarayalu argued that Indian children are not only addicted to social media but that Indian user data is being exploited by foreign platforms to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems, with strategic and economic benefits flowing abroad. India, the world’s second-largest smartphone market with 750 million devices and one billion internet users, currently has no minimum age limit for social media use. The bill, introduced as a private member’s bill, is not government-sponsored but could influence parliamentary debate. Similar restrictions have been adopted or studied in countries such as Australia, France, Britain, Denmark, and Greece.