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.

Workers and employees at Chattogram Port continued their strike for a second day on Sunday, halting operational activities and disrupting import-export traffic. From 8 a.m., workers attempted to stage demonstrations outside the port, while law enforcement, including the army, tightened security. The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) issued directives prohibiting assemblies and gatherings in the port area for one month to maintain normal port operations. According to sources, the strike was called to protest the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company and a related court ruling. The port authority formed a six-member committee to assess revenue losses and identify those responsible. Four employees accused of leading the movement were transferred to Dhaka’s Pangaon ICT, and officials warned of disciplinary action against participants during office hours. CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz’s public notice imposed restrictions under the 1978 Metropolitan Police Ordinance, banning gatherings, weapons, and explosives in key port areas until March 2. However, election campaigns for the 2026 national polls remain exempt from the ban.

Iraq’s Shia political alliance, the Coordination Framework, reaffirmed on Saturday its support for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to lead the next government. The announcement came as US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would cease cooperation with Iraq if al-Maliki returned to power. The coalition, which holds a parliamentary majority, nominated al-Maliki following the recent elections. In a statement, the Coordination Framework emphasized that the selection of Iraq’s prime minister is a constitutional matter that should proceed without foreign interference. It added that the alliance seeks balanced relations with international partners based on mutual respect. Al-Maliki previously served as Iraq’s first elected prime minister after the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. Trump’s warning was described as one of the strongest examples of US efforts to curb the influence of Iran-backed groups in Iraq. The country continues to navigate a delicate balance between its two key allies, Washington and Tehran.

A Grameen Bank officer was killed in a road accident on the Dhaka–Barishal highway in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal on Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. near the Ichladi toll plaza when Ripon Biswas, 43, from Ramanandi village in Agailjhara upazila, was crossing the road. A speeding Sakura Paribahan bus traveling from Barishal to Dhaka lost control and ran him over, killing him on the spot. The driver fled after leaving the bus beside the road, and locals later recovered the body. According to police and eyewitnesses, the bus has been seized while the driver remains at large. Gouranadi Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shamim Sheikh said preparations were underway to hand over the body to the victim’s family. Uzirpur Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rokibul Islam confirmed that police were deployed at the scene and traffic movement had returned to normal. Police investigations are ongoing to locate the absconding driver and complete formal procedures related to the fatal accident.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast partly cloudy skies over Dhaka and surrounding areas today, with mainly dry weather conditions. The forecast, issued for six hours from 7 a.m. Sunday, indicates that light fog may occur in some places. Winds are expected to blow from the west or northwest at speeds between 5 and 10 kilometers per hour. The department also reported that daytime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged. According to the morning observation, Dhaka recorded a temperature of 18.2 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m., with humidity at 98 percent. The highest temperature in the capital on the previous day was 27.7 degrees Celsius, while the lowest today was 17.5 degrees Celsius. No rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours. Sunset is expected at 5:45 p.m. and sunrise tomorrow at 6:40 a.m. The nationwide forecast suggests that skies across Bangladesh may remain temporarily partly cloudy until 6 p.m., with dry weather prevailing and both day and night temperatures likely to stay nearly steady.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party, stated that there will be no leniency for corrupt individuals, extortionists, and bank looters. He made the remarks on Sunday, February 1, after the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division dismissed a petition filed by BNP-nominated candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi. Abdullah described the verdict as a judgment of the oppressed against the oppressor. In a Facebook post the same day, Abdullah wrote that the people of Bangladesh had achieved victory in their fight against bank looters and loan defaulters. His comments came in response to the court’s decision, which he framed as a triumph for ordinary citizens over financial wrongdoing. The statements reflect the National Citizens Party’s stance against corruption and financial crimes, emphasizing accountability and justice following the court’s ruling.

The Appeal Division has cancelled the nomination of BNP-endorsed candidate Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi for the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The court’s ruling on Sunday means Munshi will not be able to contest in this election, leaving the BNP without a candidate in the seat. As a result, Hasnat Abdullah, nominated by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and serving as the chief organizer of NCP’s southern region, now faces a significantly weakened field. Earlier, on January 21, the High Court had dismissed Munshi’s writ petition challenging the cancellation of his nomination. The Appeal Division has now rejected his leave-to-appeal petition, finalizing his disqualification. With no BNP or independent contenders remaining, Abdullah’s main competition now comes from candidates of smaller parties including Gano Adhikar Parishad, Insoniyat Biplob Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh. The withdrawal of Jamaat’s previous nominee Saiful Islam Shahid and the absence of any BNP replacement have further cleared the way for Hasnat Abdullah’s likely victory in the constituency.

Several US allies, including the United Kingdom and Canada, are strengthening ties with China amid ongoing trade tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff measures last year. Beijing has threatened countries supporting Washington’s trade restrictions and limited global rare earth supplies, a move analysts describe as a risky gamble by President Xi Jinping. Instead of easing the strain on US allies, China’s actions have deepened their economic challenges, pushing them closer to Beijing. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is currently visiting China, marking the first such trip by a UK leader since 2018. His visit aims to secure a bilateral trade deal and discuss sensitive issues, including the detention of Hong Kong activist and British citizen Jimmy Lai. Critics accuse Starmer of being too accommodating toward Beijing, citing his approval of a large Chinese embassy in London. Similarly, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has visited Beijing, calling for a “strategic new partnership” despite past election interference allegations. Analysts suggest Beijing’s approach is yielding results, as more Western partners seek economic engagement with China while reassessing their dependence on Washington.

The U.S. Department of Justice has released a new batch of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The newly disclosed materials reportedly include a reference to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prompting political and diplomatic debate in India. The Indian government has strongly denied the claim, calling it baseless and defamatory. According to NDTV, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the so-called 'Epstein files' mention an email referring to Modi and his 2017 visit to Israel, but all other assertions are completely rejectable. The release comes as part of the ongoing U.S. investigation into Epstein’s crimes and connections with influential figures. The documents were made public under the 'Epstein Files Transparency Act,' which mandates disclosure of government-held information about Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the latest batch includes over three million documents, more than two thousand videos, and 180,000 photos. Congress leader Pawan Khera has demanded Modi’s explanation, claiming the files contain statements suggesting Modi’s consultation and participation in a cultural event in Israel. He warned that such issues could affect India’s national reputation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that India has signed an agreement to purchase oil from Venezuela instead of Iran. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said the deal had already been made. However, there was no immediate response from New Delhi regarding the claim, according to NDTV. Trump had earlier imposed a 25 percent tariff in March 2025 on countries, including India, that buy Venezuelan oil, and also introduced additional tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil. He further asserted that U.S. forces took control of Venezuelan oil after the January 3 abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the U.S. Delta Force. Bloomberg reported that in January, 18 tankers carrying Venezuelan crude were sent to refineries in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, marking the highest volume since December 2024. Following the alleged abduction, Venezuelan oil exports to China dropped from 400,000 barrels per day to zero, while shipments to the U.S. rose to about 275,000 barrels daily, double the previous month’s level.

More than one hundred leaders and activists of the Gano Adhikar Parishad from various units in Jamalpur district resigned on Saturday night, alleging that the party had deviated from its discipline, principles, and ideals. The announcement was made at a press conference held at a club near Madarganj Model Police Station. The resignations were led by several district and upazila-level leaders, including Robiul Mondol, Zakirul Islam Zakir, Shahin Alam, and Rezaul Karim Hira, and also included members of the expatriate wing. The resigning leaders stated that they had long observed a lack of discipline and ideological politics within the party. They expressed dissatisfaction over sudden changes in candidate announcements, such as the reversal of the nomination for Jamalpur-3 constituency within fifteen minutes. They also said that about 150 leaders had raised objections to central leaders, which were ignored, leading to frustration and disillusionment. Jamalpur district general secretary Zakir Hossain responded that those who resigned were not truly committed to the party and that their departure would not affect its activities. He added that the organization would continue its work and strengthen its grassroots presence.