Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being deployed by the Bangladesh Air Force to provide continuous aerial monitoring during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. Officials from the central monitoring cell at the Election Building confirmed the deployment on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The UAVs will operate within the country’s airspace to closely observe conditions on the ground and support law enforcement with real-time guidance.

According to the officials, a total of 3,730 Air Force personnel have been assigned to ensure the election proceeds smoothly and successfully. Under the direct supervision of the Air Force Chief, helicopters, transport aircraft, and multiple UAVs are operating in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles across the country. The UAVs are described as strategic assets that contribute both to election monitoring and national airspace security.

The Election Commission has instructed the Air Force to provide live aerial video feeds from polling centers to the central monitoring cell and the Chief Adviser’s Office for real-time oversight.

RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman stated that there is no threat of militant attacks surrounding the upcoming national parliamentary election. He said law enforcement agencies remain on alert to handle any possible situation. The statement was made on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as preparations continue for ensuring a peaceful election.

According to the RAB chief, the force has sufficient manpower and technological capacity to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. He emphasized that those attempting to disrupt the electoral process, engage in vote rigging, or create instability will face consequences.

Rahman further warned that anyone refusing to accept the election results and resorting to violence or sabotage will face strict action from law enforcement agencies.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has announced its support for Sarjis Alam, the candidate nominated by the 11-party alliance, in the Panchagarh-1 constituency ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was confirmed on Monday, February 9, by a district committee leader following a meeting held the previous night between party leaders and Sarjis Alam.

Party representatives stated that Islami Andolan has no candidate in this constituency and that their support for Sarjis Alam stems from a commitment to principled and people-oriented politics. They pledged to work actively for Alam, who is contesting under the Shapla Koli symbol, and have begun promoting him on social media platforms.

Local leaders from Islami Andolan’s youth and student wings have also expressed their endorsement online, describing Alam as a key organizer of the July Movement and a leading figure in the region’s political activities.

Bangladesh Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that there is no fixed limit on carrying cash during the voting period if the source and purpose of the money are legitimate. He explained that even amounts exceeding 50 lakh taka, such as up to 5 crore taka, may be carried if proper documentation supports the legality of the funds. Ahmed made the remarks on Wednesday, February 11, in response to a media question about cash transport restrictions during elections.

The clarification came after police at Saidpur Airport Police Station detained Thakurgaon district Jamaat-e-Islami leader Belal Uddin Pradhan with 50 lakh taka earlier that day. The incident prompted questions about the maximum amount an individual can carry during elections.

Akhtar Ahmed cautioned that if the money is used to influence voting, the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee will investigate. He added that law enforcement agencies will take necessary action if the source of the money is found to be illegal.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced an urgent press conference to be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. The event will take place at the party’s election management office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The announcement was confirmed to the media by BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan. Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of the BNP Election Management Committee and adviser to the party chairperson, is scheduled to address the press.

The press conference comes as the 13th national parliamentary election and a referendum approach, signaling the party’s preparation and communication efforts ahead of these national events. The BNP has not disclosed the specific agenda or topics to be discussed at the briefing.

Further details about the content or outcomes of the press conference were not provided in the announcement.

Hamas has called on international mediators to compel Israel to adhere to the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The Palestinian resistance group’s spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, accused Israel of violating the truce by attacking civilian homes under false pretenses. According to a report by Middle East Monitor, Qassem said Israeli forces were intensifying assaults in Gaza despite ongoing mediation efforts to maintain peace in the region.

The spokesperson alleged that Tel Aviv was ignoring all attempts by mediators to preserve calm in the Gaza Strip and continuing to bomb civilian areas. He emphasized that Israel must be forced to stop breaching the ceasefire agreement. Gaza’s government media office reported that since October, Israel has violated the ceasefire 1,620 times, resulting in 573 deaths and 1,553 injuries.

The repeated violations, as reported by Gaza authorities, have raised concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire and the effectiveness of mediation efforts aimed at restoring stability in the region.

The United Nations has called on Bangladesh’s interim government to guarantee the safe, inclusive, and meaningful participation of women in the country’s 13th national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12. The appeal was made in a statement issued by the UN office in Bangladesh on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of women and gender-diverse individuals who face higher risks of violence and barriers to participation.

The statement noted a rise in cyberbullying, deepfakes, planned harassment, and misuse of altered or sexually suggestive content created with artificial intelligence targeting women politicians, journalists, and human rights defenders. The UN urged all political leaders, parties, and supporters to prevent any form of intimidation, harassment, or violence against women during the electoral process, stressing that the safety and participation of female candidates and voters are vital for an inclusive democratic process.

The UN expressed confidence that the Bangladesh government would continue efforts to uphold security, the rule of law, and individual rights, reaffirming its commitment to support the government in ensuring safety and protection for all.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that the arrest of its Thakurgaon district Ameer, Belal Uddin, at Saidpur Airport with cash was a staged drama orchestrated by law enforcement agencies. The party made the claim at an emergency press briefing held at its central office in Moghbazar on Wednesday, where Assistant Secretary General and head of the publicity and media department, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, spoke to reporters. He said Belal Uddin was mentally tortured after his detention and later hospitalized, demanding his immediate release and proper medical care.

Zubair stated that Belal Uddin had explained the money was for business and personal transactions since banks were closed, calling the incident an attempt to malign Jamaat ahead of the election. He accused a section of law enforcement of conspiring to politically undermine the party due to its popularity. Zubair also cited previous similar incidents and alleged attacks on Jamaat candidates and workers across the country.

He warned that if law enforcement continues biased actions, they could face public backlash and urged them to act impartially during the election period.

Bangladesh is set to hold its 13th national parliamentary election and a national referendum on Thursday, marking the first time both events will occur on the same day. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah announced that most constituency results are expected to be published by Friday morning. He made the statement during an official briefing with domestic and international journalists and observers on Wednesday.

Sanaullah said the Election Commission (EC) is ensuring transparency by allowing journalists and observers access to polling centers. He also noted that the commission is implementing a postal ballot system for expatriate voters, describing it as a new experience for the EC. Earlier in the briefing, the Chief Election Commissioner emphasized that the commission is committed to holding a free, fair, and participatory election with strict accountability measures.

The EC’s preparations and assurances aim to build confidence among voters and observers ahead of Thursday’s unprecedented simultaneous election and referendum.

The United States has taken new steps to further ease sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry. On Tuesday, the U.S. administration issued several measures that expand opportunities for American companies to participate in the Venezuelan energy sector. The U.S. Treasury Department granted multiple licenses, including one allowing specific transactions with the Venezuelan government and state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA). These permits cover the supply of goods, technology, and software necessary for oil and gas exploration, development, and production.

Another license authorizes certain transactions related to port and airport operations, while a third document allows specific activities involving oil originating from Venezuela. According to AFP reports from Washington, the decision coincides with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s planned visit to Venezuela, though no date has been announced. Media reports suggest oil sector discussions may take place during the visit.

Venezuela, under strict U.S. sanctions since 2019, holds nearly one-fifth of the world’s proven oil reserves and was once a major crude supplier to the United States.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin reaffirmed the Election Commission’s commitment to holding a peaceful, credible, and participatory election in Bangladesh. Speaking at a briefing for international election observers and journalists at Hotel Intercontinental on Wednesday, he said transparency would be ensured in both the voting and counting processes. He encouraged all voters, regardless of gender or age, to participate freely.

Nasir Uddin explained that ballot papers are issued only after proper voter identification and that voting takes place in secret booths following legal procedures. Any electoral disputes will be resolved strictly under existing laws and the constitution. He noted that around 330 international observers and over 160 foreign journalists are monitoring the election independently. The CEC highlighted that transparency has been a core principle since the commission’s inception.

He added that about 4.5 million new voters, including 2.7 million women, have been added to the updated voter list, bringing the total to 127 million. For the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis can vote via an IT-supported postal system, with around 800,000 registered overseas voters. Voting will take place in a single day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with results announced at polling centers before official consolidation.

On February 11, 2026, Dhaka appeared unusually quiet as law enforcement agencies set up checkpoints across major intersections ahead of the February 12 national election and referendum. Police, Rapid Action Battalion, and other forces were seen jointly patrolling key areas such as Shahbagh, Farmgate, Mirpur, Gulshan, and Uttara. Vehicle and passenger checks were intensified, leading to reduced traffic and fewer people on the streets.

Authorities said the heightened security measures aim to ensure a peaceful and fair election across 299 parliamentary constituencies. Surveillance has been increased around important installations, government offices, political party headquarters, and public gathering spots. Special teams in plain clothes are also operating alongside 24-hour patrols to maintain order.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police introduced three hotline numbers for citizens to report election-related irregularities or security concerns. Officials stated that the system was established to maintain peace and protect voters. Police reaffirmed their commitment to a neutral and credible election, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against any form of sabotage or unrest.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has approved a proposal to pardon or reduce the sentences of more than 2,000 convicted offenders. The decision, announced on Tuesday, followed a recommendation from Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni. A total of 2,108 individuals convicted in general and revolutionary courts, military judicial bodies, and government penal institutions will benefit from pardons, sentence reductions, or commutations.

The proposal was made in a letter from the judiciary chief to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Such clemency measures are traditionally announced during major religious and national occasions, when the judiciary chief seeks the leader’s approval for leniency toward eligible prisoners under Iranian law.

The move aligns with Iran’s customary practice of granting pardons during significant national celebrations, reflecting both symbolic and administrative aspects of the country’s judicial system.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has said he survived an assassination attempt while traveling by helicopter with his two daughters. According to Petro, the incident occurred when his aircraft was unable to land at a scheduled location on the Caribbean coast due to security threats. He stated that security forces had received information suggesting unidentified individuals might open fire on the helicopter. The president noted that the landing site had no lights and that the situation forced major changes to his travel plans.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Córdoba, northern Colombia, Petro explained that heavy rain and flooding had already created a humanitarian crisis in the region, but the security threat further disrupted his itinerary. He emphasized that he was trying to stay alive and could not reach the planned destination either the previous night or the following morning.

Reports indicate that Petro’s helicopter flew over open sea for several hours before safely landing at an alternative location with the assistance of the Colombian Navy. His security arrangements and travel routes were subsequently revised.

Violent anti-government protests broke out in Albania’s capital, Tirana, on Tuesday night as demonstrators demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama over corruption allegations. At least 16 people were injured in clashes with police and taken to hospitals, while 13 protesters were arrested, according to Al Jazeera. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds outside the prime minister’s office, and protesters responded by throwing Molotov cocktails. Additional clashes were reported near the Albanian parliament building.

The unrest follows months of political tension in Albania, which began in November when prosecutors accused Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku of financial misconduct. Demonstrations have continued since then, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the government. Protesters are calling for both Rama and Balluku to step down and have urged parliament to suspend Balluku’s immunity so she can face trial.

The ongoing protests highlight deepening political instability in Albania, with no immediate sign of resolution as opposition groups maintain pressure on the government.