Israeli and Saudi defense and intelligence officials are visiting the United States this week to discuss issues related to Iran, amid growing concern over recent U.S. attacks on Iranian targets. According to Axios, citing two U.S. officials, Israel’s military intelligence chief, General Shlomi Binder, held several high-level meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday with senior leaders at the Pentagon, CIA, and White House. The main purpose of his visit was to provide information on potential Iranian attack targets at the request of the Trump administration. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is also in Washington for meetings on Thursday and Friday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Pentagon officials. The Saudi Defense Ministry said the delegation aims to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and resolving regional issues through diplomatic means. Saudi Arabia, which has been mediating messages between Washington and Tehran, reiterated that it would not allow the U.S. to use its airspace for attacks on Iran. The visits come as tensions remain high following U.S. bombings of three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Tehran in June.

Authorities and locals in Lalmonirhat have expressed concern that illegal goods, including possible weapons, may be entering Bangladesh from India and Bhutan through the Burimari land port under the cover of stone imports. The customs station currently lacks a scanner machine, making it impossible to verify the contents of Indian trucks carrying stones and powder materials. The issue has gained attention as the national election approaches, raising fears of potential misuse of unmonitored cargo routes. Field observations show that between 320 and 400 trucks cross the Burimari port daily, with many Indian trucks unloading stones at local crushing sites outside the customs-controlled area without oversight. Some of these unloading activities reportedly continue late into the night, which is considered illegal. Locals fear that such unmonitored operations could be exploited by criminal groups to smuggle weapons or suspicious items. Burimari Customs Assistant Commissioner Md. Delwar Hossain stated that the office has repeatedly requested the National Board of Revenue to install a scanner at the port, and the authority has assured that the issue will be resolved as soon as possible.

The Dhonagoda River in Kali Bazar area of Matlab North upazila, Chandpur, has become virtually unusable due to dense water hyacinth, illegal structures, and encroachment, halting all boat movement. The five-kilometer stretch from Srirayer Char Bridge to Kali Bazar is completely blocked, leaving eight launch terminals inactive. Locals and students now cross the river using makeshift bamboo bridges, risking their safety daily. Residents report that illegal fishing traps along both banks have obstructed the river’s natural flow, causing water hyacinth to accumulate and turn the river into a green wasteland. The river once served as a vital trade route connecting Matlab North, Matlab South, Gazaria, and Daudkandi with Dhaka, Munshiganj, and Narayanganj, but now stands nearly dead due to pollution and unplanned occupation. Local authorities have acknowledged the issue. Matlab North Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahamuda Kulsum Moni stated that the matter is under review and coordination is underway with relevant departments to remove water hyacinth, clear illegal structures, and restore navigability.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Hatibandha in Lalmonirhat on February 4 to attend an election rally. The event is being organized in connection with the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum. He will participate in the rally for the ‘Dharipalla’ symbol candidate in the Lalmonirhat-1 constituency, which includes Patgram and Hatibandha. Anwarul Islam Raju, Jamaat’s central committee vice president for industry and commerce and the ‘Dharipalla’ candidate for Lalmonirhat-1, confirmed the visit. He said Dr. Rahman will deliver a major speech at a large public gathering, though the exact venue has not yet been finalized. District Jamaat Ameer and Lalmonirhat-3 ‘Dharipalla’ candidate Advocate Abu Taher stated that the rally will begin at 10 a.m., where Dr. Rahman will speak as the chief guest. Preparations are reportedly underway to ensure the event proceeds peacefully, and Dr. Rahman is also expected to engage in voter outreach activities for the ‘Dharipalla’ symbol.

Bangladesh has been elected vice-chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for 2026. The election took place on Thursday at the UN headquarters in New York during the first meeting of the commission’s 20th session. Morocco was chosen as chair, while Bangladesh, Germany, Brazil, and Croatia were elected as vice-chairs. Bangladesh formally assumed its new role in a brief ceremony attended by the UN General Assembly president’s chief of staff, who emphasized the importance of the PBC’s role. The Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries. It consists of 31 member states selected from the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, and top troop- and financial-contributing nations. Bangladesh has been a member since the commission’s establishment in 2005 and previously served as chair in 2012 and 2022, and as vice-chair in 2013 and 2023. In a statement, Bangladesh’s delegation thanked member states for their confidence and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the UN’s peacebuilding initiatives and future plans.

Election authorities in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet have initiated extensive renovation and security measures at polling centers ahead of the upcoming national election. The program includes infrastructure upgrades and the installation of modern surveillance systems to ensure fair, neutral, and secure voting. According to the upazila election office, Osmaninagar has 54 polling centers, of which 38 are located in primary schools. Renovation work has been approved for 36 of these schools, with two phases of funding totaling over 27 lakh taka. Upazila Primary Education Officer Md. Saiful Islam Talukder stated that the renovation work is being closely monitored with transparency, including photographic documentation from site supervisors. To strengthen security, the Election Commission has allocated 20 CCTV cameras for the upazila, while the district administration is funding six cameras for each primary school-based center. High school-based centers will install cameras using their own funds, and additional cameras are being added to centers with existing systems. District Commissioner and Returning Officer Sarwar Alam said all polling centers will be brought under CCTV coverage to ensure voter safety and transparency. Local residents believe these measures will enhance security and voter confidence.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Russia will suspend attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine for one week. Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin made this decision after Trump personally requested him to do so. He made the remarks on Thursday during a cabinet meeting, expressing satisfaction with the outcome. The day before, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko told the media that Kyiv and Moscow had reached an understanding to stop attacks on Ukraine’s power sector. Hours before Trump’s comments, journalists contacted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, but he declined to comment on the matter. The announcement suggests a temporary pause in hostilities, though no official confirmation from the Kremlin was available at the time of reporting.

The European Union’s 27 member states have designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, prompting strong condemnation from Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the move illegal, politically motivated, and a violation of international law, describing it as interference in the country’s internal affairs. The announcement was made by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a post on social media platform X. According to the EU, the decision follows Iran’s violent suppression of recent anti-government protests, during which demonstrators were reportedly killed and subjected to widespread repression. The EU Council stated that targeted individuals include Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad. Iran warned that it reserves the right to take appropriate measures within international law to protect its sovereignty and national interests, holding the EU and its member states responsible for any consequences of the decision.

At least 40 areas in South Keraniganj, Dhaka, have been without gas for five days, affecting around 300,000 to 400,000 residents. The disruption began after a gas pipeline was damaged during excavation work at Shubhadda Canal, halting about 50,000 Titas Gas connections. Locals have repeatedly complained to the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution office in Jinjira but reported no progress in repairs. Frustration has grown as residents accuse officials of negligence and shifting responsibility. According to residents and local contractors, the problem originated under the canal where the main supply line passes. The Jinjira office stated that the emergency team is responsible for repairs, while the emergency team said the exact leakage point has not yet been identified. Titas Gas officials, including the deputy general manager and emergency team manager, confirmed that inspection teams have visited the site and promised action once the fault is located. Residents warned of protests if gas service is not restored soon, while officials urged patience as technical teams continue to locate the leak.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that the US military is prepared to implement any decision by President Donald Trump to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting on Thursday, Hegseth emphasized that it would be wrong for Iran to pursue nuclear power and that the Defense Department stands ready to fulfill the president’s expectations. According to the report, the United States has already deployed significant military strength in the Middle East. US officials said Trump is reviewing his options but has not decided to launch an attack on Iran. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following Iran’s recent crackdown on anti-government protests, which resulted in numerous casualties. The developments underscore growing regional instability as both nations maintain a cautious stance. The Pentagon’s readiness signals that the situation could escalate further if diplomatic efforts fail to ease tensions.

India’s policy of strategic autonomy—maintaining independent foreign and defense decisions without external pressure—is under growing strain as global polarization deepens. Once rooted in the Non-Aligned Movement and symbolizing postcolonial independence, the approach now faces rising economic, military, and diplomatic costs. India’s balancing act among the United States, Russia, and China has become increasingly difficult, with each relationship presenting new constraints and limited reciprocal benefits. The article notes that India’s refusal to support Western sanctions on Russia while importing discounted energy has drawn scrutiny and trade pressure from Washington. Simultaneously, India’s dependence on Chinese intermediate goods persists despite recurring border tensions, widening its trade deficit. Russia’s supply limitations due to the Ukraine conflict have also burdened India’s defense operations. Although India has deepened cooperation with Western partners, its access to advanced technology remains restricted. Diplomatically, India’s cautious stance on global conflicts has led to perceptions of isolation, as it struggles to secure meaningful concessions from allies. The analysis concludes that strategic autonomy, once a shield of sovereignty, now risks becoming a liability unless India redefines its priorities and diversifies its partnerships.

The European Union’s 27 member states have unanimously designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The decision was announced on Thursday by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas through a post on social media platform X, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. The move serves as a punitive response to Tehran’s violent suppression of recent anti-government protests and the killing of demonstrators. Kallas stated that the EU cannot tolerate any form of repression, adding that a government that kills its own citizens to maintain power is undermining itself. France and Italy had supported the proposal earlier, while Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said the decision was taken in protest against the bloodshed in Iran. Israel, a long-time adversary of Iran, welcomed the EU’s move, with its Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calling it historic. According to an unnamed senior Israeli official, the EU’s sanctions will make it easier to bring IRGC members to justice.

A mobile court in Bhola fined BNP candidate Nurul Islam Noyon Tk 5,000 for violating the election and referendum code of conduct. The incident occurred on Wednesday night around 10:30 p.m. during an inspection by the code enforcement mobile court in the Charfassion-Monpura constituency. According to Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Emdadul Hossain, the violation took place in Sharifpara area of Charfassion bazar, where campaign materials including framed colorful banners and festoons were displayed on a pickup truck, accompanied by loudspeakers, outside the permitted campaign hours. The fine was imposed under Rule 27(a) of the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct, 2025, for breaching Rules 7(b) and 7(g). The enforcement action was part of ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with electoral regulations in the Bhola-4 constituency ahead of the parliamentary election and referendum.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s February 12 parliamentary election, political parties are intensifying their campaigns both on the ground and across social media platforms. Following the political transition of August 5, 2024, this is the first inclusive national election after years of limited participation under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Candidates are using Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to reach millions of young voters, who make up 44 percent of the electorate. Viral theme songs, short videos, and digital content have turned social media into the main arena of political competition. Experts note that with 98.9 percent of households using mobile phones and over 13 crore internet users nationwide, digital campaigning offers a cost-effective way to engage voters, especially youth. Parties such as Jamaat, BNP, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) are producing songs and videos that have gained millions of views. Analysts and cyber experts warn, however, that misinformation and fake content are spreading rapidly, urging responsible online behavior. Fact-checkers report that election-related content is now reaching personal feeds through reels and short videos, prompting candidates to allocate larger budgets for digital outreach.

The 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair, organized by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Ministry of Commerce, has largely turned into an entertainment venue rather than achieving its founding goal of promoting Bangladeshi products in global markets. Despite being labeled an international event, the fair now focuses more on local sales and leisure activities, with visitors describing it as resembling a street market. The fair, which began in 1995 to connect local entrepreneurs with foreign buyers, currently hosts 324 stalls but only 11 foreign pavilions, and the presence of international buyers is minimal. Export-related stakeholders say the fair has failed to generate meaningful export orders, as most stalls sell locally produced or rejected goods instead of export-quality products. Business leaders and associations, including BGMEA and EAB, argue that specialized expos such as the Global Sourcing Expo are more effective for export promotion. EPB officials acknowledge challenges in attracting foreign participants due to visa, customs, and accommodation issues but maintain that the fair still serves as a branding and networking platform. Experts suggest shortening the fair’s duration and introducing sector-based pavilions and business-to-business zones to restore its international relevance.