China has expressed readiness to assist Cuba as the island faces a jet fuel shortage that has disrupted international flights. At a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that despite several airlines suspending flights to Cuba, there have been no reports of Chinese nationals being stranded there.

Lin explained that the crisis emerged after the United States blocked Venezuela from supplying jet fuel to Cuba. He emphasized that China firmly supports Cuba’s national sovereignty and security and opposes any form of foreign interference. Lin added that Beijing will continue to provide assistance to Cuba to the best of its ability.

The fuel shortage has already affected international air travel to and from Cuba, highlighting the broader impact of U.S. restrictions on regional energy cooperation.

An election observer delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI) met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday at the Jamuna State Guest House in Dhaka. The five-member team was led by former U.S. Congressman David Dreier. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lamia Morshed, the Chief Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Chief Adviser’s Office, were also present during the meeting.

The meeting was described as a courtesy call between the IRI delegation and the Chief Adviser. The International Republican Institute is known for its role in observing elections and supporting democratic processes. The presence of senior government officials indicates the meeting’s formal and diplomatic nature.

The report did not provide further details about the topics discussed or any outcomes from the meeting.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under intense political pressure following controversy surrounding former minister and influential politician Lord Peter Mandelson. Scottish Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar has publicly called for Starmer’s resignation, arguing that the ongoing scandal is overshadowing the government’s achievements. The crisis deepened after two senior aides—communications chief Tim Allan and chief of staff Morgan McSweeney—resigned within two days.

The controversy stems from revelations about Mandelson’s close ties with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer faced criticism for appointing Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States in late 2024, a decision later reversed in September of that year. Although Mandelson resigned from both the Labour Party and the House of Lords, the issue continues to dominate headlines. Despite internal discontent, senior cabinet members including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, and Angela Rayner have expressed support for Starmer.

Opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of losing control of his government and warned that failure to manage the situation could trigger calls for a new election. The Foreign Office is currently reviewing financial matters related to Mandelson’s dismissal.

Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that all ballot papers for the 13th parliamentary election and referendum have been delivered to 299 constituencies. Speaking on Tuesday morning at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka during the inauguration of a media center for foreign journalists, he assured that the publication of election results will not take long.

Ahmed said that holding a fair election is one of the key commitments of the July Movement. He acknowledged that the voter list could not be verified with complete accuracy but noted that the law was amended to include young voters who turned 18 by October 31, 2025. He added that all preparations for voting have been completed and urged journalists to use accurate information and avoid spreading misinformation. The Election Commission is expecting a festive and peaceful voting environment.

He mentioned that returning officers will handle postal ballots, which may take longer to count, but overall result publication will not be prolonged.

Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain announced that positive changes have taken place in Hajj management following the July revolution. Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Dhaka on Tuesday, he said that efforts were made to ensure pilgrims could perform Hajj at a reasonable cost. He emphasized that no one was sent to Hajj at government expense last year, and the same policy will continue this year.

Dr. Hossain stated that over the past one and a half years, he has worked to maintain transparency, accountability, and integrity in his duties. He aimed to make the ministry and its affiliated agencies more active and effective, while encouraging officials to work with honesty and professionalism. He noted that airfare for Hajj decreased from Tk 194,800 in 2024 to Tk 154,000 in 2026, with continued efforts to lower costs further.

He also reported that Tk 8.28 crore in surplus funds from government-managed pilgrims was refunded last year, and Tk 38 crore of unspent agency funds from 2017–2024 was recovered from Saudi authorities and returned to the respective agencies.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has handed over the deed and keys of a flat to the family of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. The handover took place on Tuesday at the state guesthouse Jamuna in the presence of Hadi’s wife and several family members. The ready flat, located in the capital’s Lalmatia area, was provided by the National Housing Authority.

The event was attended by Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Information Adviser Syeda Rezwana Hasan, Housing and Public Works Secretary Md. Nazrul Islam, and National Housing Authority Chairperson Ferdousi Begum. The ceremony marked an official recognition of the family’s contribution and sacrifice.

According to the report, the flat was formally transferred under the supervision of the National Housing Authority, reflecting the government’s ongoing initiative to support families of martyrs and public servants.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced that returning officers will start compiling results at 10 a.m. on February 13, following the national vote on February 12. He emphasized that although counting postal ballots may take some time, the overall result announcement process will not be delayed. Ahmed made the remarks on Tuesday at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka during the inauguration of a media center for foreign journalists.

The senior secretary confirmed that all preparations for the election have been completed, with ballot papers and materials already dispatched for 299 constituencies. Voting in one constituency has been postponed due to a candidate’s death. Ahmed also noted that the commission prioritized including young voters who turned 18 by October 31, 2025. He acknowledged that while many errors in the voter list were corrected, full accuracy could not be guaranteed.

He further stated that the earlier restriction on mobile phones during the election has been withdrawn to avoid public dissatisfaction, recognizing the device as an essential part of daily life.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said there is no scope for election engineering in the upcoming polls and expressed confidence that government officials will perform their duties properly. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning during a press conference at his residence in Thakurgaon, highlighting the positive political impact of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to the district.

Fakhrul stated that the BNP has been struggling for 16 years to restore democracy and expects the forthcoming election to return people’s voting rights. He emphasized that a free and fair election would create a major opportunity for state reform. The BNP leader added that the party values all elections and never underestimates its opponents. He accused Jamaat of spreading false news through strategic campaigns but reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to constructive politics.

Fakhrul urged citizens to vote for whomever they choose, stressing that the most important thing is for everyone to exercise their voting rights. Several local BNP leaders, including district secretary Paygam Ali and vice president Obaidullah Masud, were present at the event.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has announced a nationwide restriction on five categories of vehicles ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. Starting from midnight on Wednesday, motorcycles, taxicabs, pickups, microbuses, and trucks will be prohibited from operating until midnight on Thursday, the day of voting. Motorcycle movement will remain restricted from Tuesday midnight until Friday midnight, except for those bearing EC-issued stickers. Private cars will be allowed for voters to reach polling centers, and metro rail services will operate as usual.

The EC stated that the restrictions will be relaxed for law enforcement agencies, armed forces, administrative officials, and accredited observers. Emergency service vehicles carrying medicines, healthcare supplies, or newspapers will be permitted to operate. Vehicles transporting passengers to and from airports will also be allowed if travel documents are shown. Long-distance passenger vehicles and local transport for such passengers are exempt from the ban, and no specific directive has been issued regarding public transport.

The measures are part of the EC’s broader plan to ensure smooth and secure voting across the country.

A 15-member high-level delegation of the European Union Election Observation Mission, led by chief observer and European Parliament member Ivars Ijabs, met Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday morning at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka. According to party sources, the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the European Union. They emphasized close cooperation to ensure that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is free, fair, and acceptable. The meeting also reflected a shared commitment to strengthening Bangladesh’s constitutional and democratic institutions.

The EU delegation assured that a 200-member team would observe the forthcoming national election in Bangladesh. Both parties expressed optimism about maintaining and advancing the bilateral relationship, development, and progress between Bangladesh and the European Union.

Thousands of passengers in Tongi, Gazipur faced severe transport shortages on Tuesday as they tried to travel home ahead of the national election. Long waits at bus stops along the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway yielded few available buses, and fares surged from the usual 200 taka to as high as 500 taka. Many commuters, unable to find seats, resorted to traveling on pickup trucks and mini-trucks at inflated prices, risking their safety to reach their destinations.

The rush followed factory closures in the industrial area of Tongi, where numerous garment and other factories declared holidays for employees to vote. Crowds filled Tongi Bazar, Station Road, Millgate, Cherag Ali, College Gate, and Gazipura, as well as the Tongi Railway Junction, where passengers waited from early morning but could not board overcrowded trains. Some reported paying up to 650 taka for long-distance bus tickets.

Gazipur Metropolitan Traffic Police Inspector Zahid Majumdar said the shortage occurred because many long-distance buses had not yet returned from previous trips, forcing passengers to take unsafe transport options despite warnings.

Israeli forces carried out new attacks in the Gaza Strip on Monday, violating an existing ceasefire agreement. According to medical sources cited by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, at least nine Palestinians were killed in the assaults. Three people died when an Israeli strike hit a residential apartment on Al-Nasr Street in western Gaza City, an area not under Israeli military control. Earlier, shelling near Khan Younis injured a fisherman, while gunfire in Beit Lahia killed a 54-year-old man. Another farmer was shot dead in Deir al-Balah, and four others were killed in separate incidents across southern Gaza.

The report noted that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023 and was later halted under a ceasefire agreement. That offensive left about 72,000 Palestinians dead and more than 171,000 injured, with nearly 90 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure destroyed. Since the ceasefire took effect, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that 581 Palestinians have been killed and at least 1,553 injured in subsequent Israeli attacks.

The renewed violence raises concerns about the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing humanitarian toll in Gaza.

Transparency International (TI) has ranked Bangladesh 13th among 182 countries in its 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), identifying it as one of the most corrupt nations. The country scored 24 out of 100, sharing the same score with the Central African Republic and Paraguay. Despite a one-point improvement from last year, Bangladesh fell one position from its 2024 ranking of 14th. The findings were announced at a press conference held at the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) office in Dhanmondi on Tuesday.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that Denmark topped the list of least corrupt countries with a score of 89, while South Sudan and Somalia were the most corrupt, each scoring 9. He explained that Bangladesh’s slight score improvement may reflect short-term optimism following the July political transition, which raised expectations for democratic and accountable governance. However, the absence of progress in state reform limited any significant improvement in the country’s overall position.

TI noted that no country achieved a perfect score this year, and 80 percent of the world’s population lives in highly corrupt countries, indicating a global rise in corruption.

A delegation from the Commonwealth Observer Group met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka. The 23-member delegation was led by the group’s chair, former President of Ghana H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo. Senior officials from the Chief Adviser’s Office, including Lamia Morshed, the principal coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present at the meeting.

The meeting took place as part of the Commonwealth Observer Group’s activities in Bangladesh. The group’s visit coincides with ongoing election preparations, as the Election Commission has completed ballot paper distribution across 299 constituencies. The presence of the observer team reflects international engagement in the electoral process.

The discussions underscored coordination between the caretaker administration and international observers during the election period, highlighting Bangladesh’s efforts to ensure transparency and inclusiveness in the upcoming polls.

Somalia and Saudi Arabia announced on Monday, February 9, the signing of a defense cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening military collaboration between the two nations. The accord was signed by Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. According to Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, the agreement will enhance defense and military cooperation and create opportunities for joint activities in areas of mutual interest.

The signing took place as the region, located at the junction of the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal, continues to draw heightened attention from Gulf countries due to its strategic importance along one of the world’s busiest trade routes. The development also follows Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland about six weeks earlier, a territory that declared independence in 1991 but is still claimed by Mogadishu as part of Somalia.

Prince Khalid bin Salman stated on X that he signed and witnessed several agreements during a military exhibition in Riyadh, though details of the defense deal with Somalia were not disclosed.